Amazing Grace Community Church

Gentiles Grafted In

Israel is the staging ground of God’s story of salvation  “Salvation is of the Jews.”

The areas currently being fought over (Gaza, West Bank) are the biblical locations of Gaza, Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem, Mount Mariah, Bethel, Bethlehem, Jericho, Emmaus  et.al.    There is a future battle that will be staged there at a place called Har-Magedon when Jesus arrives for the second time.  

Is this area and these battles important to Christians?  Yes!  Without the Jews we wouldn’t have the gift of Salvation.  New Jerusalem is our future eternal home.

Todays message is dealing with Jesus’ prophecy in Ma 24, Mk 13.  It sheds light on the biblical events happening right now in Israel.  Every Christian should have a biblical understanding—not a social media understanding.  This message is about God’s faithfulness to His promises.  All Israel will be saved.

 

Scriptures: Romans 11:11-31; John 4:22; Matthew 24:3-11;  Revelation 16:12-16. 
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Mental Illness and the Church

How is the church supposed to deal with those who have mental illness?

Disclaimer: I’m not the expert on this, but this is my offering so far.  I already said I’ve failed at this.  At the end of the day we know the main answer is Jesus.  

Is it a demon?  Possession?  Chemical?  Psychological?  Spiritual?  What are the contributors to mental illness?  What is mental illness?   Does medication play a part?  We'll look at some biblical directives on answering the question and practical help and direction will be offered.

Scripture:  John 5:9-17; Luke 10:29;  Psalm 43; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

God, The Father

Who is God?  How do we explain Him to those wanting to know?  

Do you believe there is something, a force, a deity that is in ultimate control of the world, all things that exist, and of you?

Who or what is this force?  Some will say, The Universe.  Others refuse to consider anything other than unexplained randomness.  Some say Karma.  Some say Spirits.  Some say Science or scientific laws.  Many say Mother Nature.  We say God.

This message will give you a great start on answering this question.  We encourage you to take a listen.

Scripture:  Psalm 103
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

The Land of Israel

There is a lot of heresy and misinformation about the bible on the news and social media.  (Don’t get your 'bible' from there.)  In particular, a lot of anti-biblical misinformation about the Hamas > Israel war is being spread.  Whose land is it?  My job today is to answer the question, “what does the bible say?”  This is a core topic for a biblical worldview. 

Biblical Timeline of the Land of Israel starting in 5000 b.c. continuing up to today.

Which side should we be on?  Is God on one side or the other?

Scriptures:  Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-18;  Joel 3:1-3, 3:18-21;  Amos 9:11-15;  Galatians 3:8,16
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

While We Wait For The Rapture

Jesus gave His churches the signs to look for as time rolled on, which announce the main event we are waiting for - the Rapture.  Truly, the Rapture is the next event.  The wars and rumors of wars are signs not events.  

If this current war in Israel draws in other specific nations against Israel, this Rapture may well be right on the horizon.  Ezekiel 39 describes the first Gog Magog war against Israel naming the nations.

Paul wrote the church explaining how to hang on during these tough times when they were discouraged and inclined to give up.  Things were going to happen that would test the faith of these beautiful people.

Scriptures: Jude 17-23;  2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:15
Preacher:  Pastor Mark

Signs Leading up to the Rapture

Hamas, the immediate neighbor, who says that Israel does not have a right to exist, launches ‘operation al-aqsa flood’ on Oct 7,2023 with 5000 rockets launched and for the first time, sending soldiers across the border fence into Israel.  Initially, 100+ Israelis were killed and 200+ Hamas killed.  Thousands injured.

This was a surprise to Israel.  That is unusual.  It was done on the Sabbath.  Hamas was saying prior to this they weren’t planning anything.  They were not happy with the Saudi’s developing a new cooperative relationship with Israel.

Israel has not yet struck back (as of Saturday evening Oct 7).

Is this a sign of the end or the Day of the Lord?

Listen in for a biblical answer to this question.

Titles of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit appears many many times throughout the Bible.  The Holy Spirit IS NOT an impersonal spirit or force that cannot be defined or identified.   He has pronouns!  He has titles.  His Titles are the Root of Doctrine and reveal His character.

WE CANNOT GIVE AN ATTRIBUTE or TITLE TO THE HS WE CANNOT GIVE TO GOD.  Nor can we give to God or the HS attributes/titles that He hasn’t revealed.  Too often we do.

Have we as His people forgotten this attribute of Him?  Holy.  Holy Spirit.   Join us as we receive this word from God.

Scriptures:  Genesis 1:1;  Ephesians 4:4;  Revelation 1:4,5,20, 3:1,4:5; 5:6;  Isaiah 11:2

Two Choices

Today’s scripture is a fascinating aspect of grace.  The grace that brings the free gift of salvation.  It is offered and rejected. The result is judgment because you’re an adversary, an opponent of God.  

Todays scripture on grace is not on what it is or it’s enduring benefit, rather, it’s on what happens if we don’t accept it.  Grace gives you the choice.  God isn’t forcing Himself on you.

ONLY TWO CHOICES - Christ or Judgment - Heb 10:26- 31

The three indictments specified in this passage describe the enormity of the sin of unbelief—the only sin that cannot be forgiven.

 

Arrested and Freed

Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation.  Great acts of faith are seldom born out of well-funded initiatives.  Great acts of faith are seldom born out of comfort.  Great acts of faith are seldom born out of self-centered thinking. Great acts of faith produce spiritual outcomes.

Desperation and Faith work together in the body of a believer.  DESPERATION is a real faith mover.  A desperate person has nothing left to lose.  You might be thinking,   “My life doesn’t have anything causing desperation or fear.  Life is blessed.  It’s clicking along just fine.  Thanks for asking.” 

Why were these believers in the Acts of the Apostles put in Jail?  How did they respond?  Who else was praying?   Consider the circumstances that the disciples were involved in…  

Scriptures:  Acts 5:16-26; 12:1-19; 16:20-31

Whom I Send

What holds you back in evangelism or witnessing?  lack of confidence? rejection?  Would you feel more confident with a badge, or name tag, business card? What validates your office / standing when you attempt to carry out Jesus’ commands?

We are familiar what the risen Jesus said,  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matt 28:18

But what symbol of authority?  I mean, who are we?  What badge or name tag or uniform do we have?  What credentials do we have?

WE are the sent ones.  Let’s look into this statement.   Read John 13:20   “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me (Jesus); and he who receives Me receives Him (God the Father) who sent Me.”

Other Scriptures:  John 5:18-24;  Luke 10:1-16