Amazing Grace Community Church

Jesus Teaches at the Feast

We start reading chronologically as we follow Jesus' journey to the Cross.  That moment at the cross is the reason and the hour He came for.  Today's scripture examines Jesus' discussion with the Jews while at the Feast of the Tabernacles about mid-way through His three year ministry.

Jesus went up to the Feast by Himself because the Jews were already wanting to kill Him.  He is found teaching openly in the temple and people wondered why the rulers were letting Him speak.  He was not widely accepted. Hecklers were claiming He had a demon.  In spite of this Jesus makes some astounding claims. Like...

Scripture: John 7

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

The Taking, then the Four Horsemen

Knowing the truth about the Rapture and the Return of Jesus to gather His bride is important to the Believer’s faith.  There is so much speculation even wild tales.  After The Taking, the Four Horsemen are released by Jesus as He opens the seals on the scroll.

Scriptures - Study these to get the full scriptural background of todays message: 1 Peter 4:7-11;  Luke 17:26-37; Genesis 7:1-5; 19;  John 14;1-6;  1 Corinthians 15:50; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 6:1-8; 2 Peter 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12; 1 Thessalonians 5:9

The Key of Knowledge

Belief is an inward and individual conviction. Truth is an outward actuality, provable and observable. When belief and truth combine, we gain knowledge. Knowledge is that overlap of Truth and Belief.   From prudent, ethical and practical application of knowledge comes wisdom.

What happens when truth is removed from the diagram?   Both knowledge and wisdom disappear and there is only belief.  Belief alone is nothing more than opinion.

What did Jesus say about the key of knowledge?  Listen in.

Scriptures:  Luke 11:52; Matthew 23:13; Romans 2:17-24; Hosea 4

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Better Than Sunshine

Is your cup half full, half empty, or overflowing?  How can you frame your life so that you can have the frame of mind where your cup is overflowing?

In order to have a half-full even overflowing frame of mind,  We have to set our mind on something that brings us joy, something we can always count on, and God is this something.  We have to make the choice between earthly or heavenly focus.

Having peace, joy, contentment is a product of what our mind is set on.  Setting our mind on the Lord takes our mind off being set on us.  Thinking too frequently about ourselves is the root of unhappiness even creates poor mental health. 

Scriptures: Psalm 16:5; 23;  Hebrews 12:2; James 1:2-4; Colossians 3:1-17

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

The Draw of Home

There are times during the year when we travel back  home.  Where we grew up.  Where our parents or family is.  As we think about going home, we remember the good smells and the great food we ate.

But for some, the memories of home are horrible.  Things didn’t work out so you left and set up home in a new location.

Joseph and Mary's trip home is a powerful lesson for us.  When things don’t go like we think they should, do we ask and listen for what God might be saying?  And if we hear from Him do we respond?

There’s another home that is calling US.  Heaven.  Do you long to go there?  Have you thought about what happens when you die?  Can’t be avoided.

How Do We Find Our Way Home?

Scriptures:  Luke 2:1-7;  Matthew 2:19-23;  John 14:1-7

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Birth Stories

We all have birth stories.  Did your mom or dad tell you yours?  We repeat them over and over as we remember.  We show baby pictures and put them on the wall.

No birth story outdoes the one of the Messiah.  It was planned from eternity and was so miraculous it would be hard to believe.  Each step towards that fateful day was planned in advance… in a way that was hard to see and was unpredictable to all but God.

We read of the birth stories of John and Jesus.  The Bible says Jesus came to give us second-birth—to be born of water and spirit.   Are you born a second time?  Do you have a spirit-birth story to tell?

Scriptures:  Luke 1:5-25;  Matthew 3:3-15; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 1:39-45; Luke 2:25-38;  John 3:5-8

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

 

John 3:5-8   “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Two Genealogies?

There are two genealogies of Jesus in the Bible and they aren’t the same!   Is this a mistake or is it a divine plan of God’s?   Christmas is about Eternity.  People around the globe are fascinated with their family tree.   God wrote out Jesus’ family tree long before Ancestry.com. 

There is another book of the genealogy of Jesus. It contains a list of names that begins AFTER Jesus,  It’s called the Book of Life. 

Scriptures:  1 Chronicles 17:11-14;  Jeremiah 22:24-30; Matthew 1:6-16;  Luke 2:23-38; Revelation 20:7-15

Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Rahab—Grace at work

A Christmas Message:  By faith through grace, a most unlikely person was accepted into God’s kingdom.  Even more astounding, this person was in the genealogical line of Jesus.  This person is a woman. A woman of ill repute. She is mentioned by name in Hebrews 11, the chapter of faith.

Salmah was Jewish, Rahab Gentile.  Boaz was Jewish, Ruth was Gentile.  Each of enemy territories.  Both women became Jews.  Heaven will have all tribes, nations and tongues.  all reckoned by faith in Jesus, a Jew.  Born in Bethlehem of Judah in modern day West Bank.

Scriptures:  Joshua 2;  Hebrews 11:31;  James 2:25;  Matthew 1
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Foundations

How do we build our life on solid foundations?  But in all things stand.  The foundation is there so stand.  How can we stabalize our life through faith in Jesus?

Scripture:  Luke 6:49; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 1 Peter 5:8
Preacher:  Jeff Lund, Elder

The Caananite Woman

Faith is the substance hoped for.    Jesus was silent when she first called out to him.  But she wasn’t going to take ’no’ for an answer.  Right at that moment faith was demonstrated.  

 

Like the disciples standing there, we too can learn a lesson from this on welcoming in outsiders who are fighting their way to Jesus.

Scripture:  Matthew 15:21-28  
Preacher:  Bob Haggerty