Amazing Grace Community Church

Whom We Worship

THEY’LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS by whom we worship.

In Acts 7  Stephen was preaching to the high priest and recounting the history of their people. He quoted Amos 5:25 wherein God chastised the people for carrying their idols with them.  Who are these idols mentioned?   Moloch was the Canaanite sun god and Rephan was a star god.  The Jews were worshipping the sun, moon, and stars not God.  Sadly, these gods are still being worshipped today.

God does not take kindly to idolatry in any form.  IDOLS are not harmless trinkets. We’ve been shown the way. We've been convicted and offered Grace. Your Response? Are you worshipping idols?  You might be surprised....

Scriptures:  Acts 7; 1 Kings 11:7;  Exodus 20:3-5, 34:11-17;  Joshua 24:19-20;  Isaiah 42:6-8;

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Jesus says, Repent and Believe

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  That's it.  Too often things are added to this in order to be saved.   

What then do we say to and about those who are blatantly sinning after being saved?Transformation into Christ-likeness is the Spirit’s work.

Listen in as we open this discussion up of grace, fruit, flesh, and what it means to believe on the Lord Jesus.

Scriptures:  Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-26

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Faithful Witness Brings Great Results

Series:  They'll Know We Are Christians

50 Days after Jesus ascended the Apostles were in a house preaching the Resurrection and that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ.  As the hearers witnessed the acts of the Holy Spirit arriving, they asked the apostles, “what shall we do?”  The apostles answered, “Repent and be baptized”… and that day 3000 were baptized.  Then further, the growth continued to 5000.

They were preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus, and the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.  During this early preaching, Stephen witnessed to the Pharisees and was stoned to death.  The new believers were scattered back to their own countries and their faithful witness continued to grow the new church.

What does it mean to repent?   Listen in...

Scriptures: Acts 2:36-38; 4:4; 11:20,21;  Matthew 3:2,7,8

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Queen of Heaven

Who is the Queen of Heaven?  Listen in as we open the door to this answer.  Find out about the connection between Genesis and Revelation. (Hint: a city, people, gods, and a religion)  Surprisingly, this Old Testament teaching helps us understand the reason behind the changing of holidays, times, seasons, traditions that are sweeping through our present age.  Question the rituals and events you are participating in without thinking about them. 

Scriptures:  Jeremiah 7:16-20, 44:15-19;  Ezekiel 8:7-18; Daniel 7:25

Preacher: Pastor Mark

Ride On King Jesus

On the first day of the week, Jesus presented Himself as King riding on the colt of a donkey.  People followed Him, shouted and danced Hosanna!  As Jesus approached Jerusalem He wept over her.  At the end of the day He returned to Bethany.  We read the many profound things that happened as Jesus went into Jerusalem Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Listen in and put this portion of the Gospels into chronological context.

Scriptures:  John 12:12-19; Luke 19:39-44;  Matthew 21:12,13;  John 12:20-26;  Matthew 21:42-44;  John 12:42-50. 

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Six Days Before the Passover

In today's inquiry into the scriptures we find Jesus and His disciples preparing to leave Jericho and head uphill to Bethany, just outside Jerusalem.  Jesus knows His crucifixion is only a week away.  He lays out the mission of the journey to the disciples.  The Pharisee's plot to kill Jesus has expanded to include Lazarus.  Why?  The drama of this passage reveals the short-term thinking caused by pride and the division it creates among the Twelve.  Jesus points out the way for anyone to be great and we are well-served in taking it to heart.   Jesus joins Lazarus, Mary, and Martha for dinner at their house in Bethany.  And whoa, Jesus lays out some truth!

Scriptures:  Matthew 20:17-34; John 11:55-12:9;  Deuteronomy 15:9-11

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

What Do You Need to Let Go?

Jesus counseled the rich young ruler to let go of the one thing that was keeping him from salvation.  The man was grieved because he couldn't.  Jesus continued teaching in response to questioning by pharisees trying to trap Him.   They posed a legal question to which Jesus pointed out their hard hearts were the problem.  Jesus wraps this lesson into a restatement on divorce and adultery.  Jesus finishes up be comforting Peter and the apostles that their sacrifices will be rewarded in heaven when the first will be last and the last will be first.  Listen in and see if Jesus challenges you to let go of something and to hold onto another.

Scriptures:  Luke 18:35-40, 19:1-10;  Mark 10:1-31
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Jericho to Bethany

We spend more time in Perea with Jesus.  We find Him teaching some curious lessons albeit with profound points such as use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.  Another, as Abraham in the parable responded to the rich man in hell, your brothers have Moses and the Prophets to listen to and hear the story of salvation. Wha?..  

And then! Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in Bethany.  But what is the most important statement in that miracle? It is the question Jesus asks Martha, do you believe...   listen in to find out what Jesus said we must all believe.

Scriptures:  Luke 16:14-18, 27-31;  18:9-14; Matthew 20:13-16;  John 11:45-53

Preacher:   Pastor Mark

Truth and Parables in Perea

Jesus left the temple in Jerusalem and returned back across the river to Perea where He taught in the villages and towns.   A couple dozen of our most cherished parables were taught in this location and during this time.   Jesus lays out what it means to be a disciple of His.  And it's not easy to hear for some.  I hope as you listen, you will come to understand the joy of following what some describe as "hard teachings".

Scriptures:  Luke 13:22-35; 14:1-15:10

Preacher: Pastor Mark

I Have Told You

Tell us plainly Jesus, "Are you the Christ or not?"  I have told you and you do not believe.  Jesus was teaching in the temple in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication having made His way from the Jordan River up through Bethany and the Mount of Olives.  After this He returns to Perea.  Jesus remains on His final journey to the cross.

Scriptures:  Luke 10:38-42; 11:1-13; John 10:22-42

Preacher:  Pastor Mark