Amazing Grace Community Church

More Courageous Faith

Would we respond with courageous faith when asked to do something by God?   The bible is full of characters who demonstrated courageous faith.  What is this type of faith and what isn't it?    Message by Jeff Lund.

Scriptures:  Joseph Genesis 33-34; Esther  4;  Gideon Judges 6:16

Don’t Judge Me

Don’t Judge Me - We quickly come to learn that if we judge someone, we’ll be judged right back.  Jesus gives us practical advice.  Advice on how to be effective in our relationships and discipling. 

“Don’t Judge Me” has been used to squelch Christianity and even discipleship within the church.  What we’re really saying is “shut up” or “I refuse to discuss this with you”.

But, the bible speaks a lot about judging - both for and against.  We have to put the issue in context.  Listen in.

Scriptures:  Romans 14:1-10;  Matthew 7:1-5;   1 Corinthians 5:1,2, 12,13; 6:1-6

Don’t Hinder the Children

Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them!

The disciples were arguing over who would be greatest in heaven.  Their self-centeredness sapped them of any loving patience so much so they didn’t want Jesus to have any distractions such as children.  (hmmm see this in church?  quit running around!!  be quiet! sit still!  don’t touch anything!)

Bring them to Jesus, not Moses.  Bring them to grace not rules.

Jesus Loves the Little Children.  Question:  how might you be hindering children from coming to Jesus?  This answer might seriously challenge you.

Scriptures:  Mark 10:13-16;  Matthew 18:1-14

Courageous Faith

Join us today as we take a look at complicit, complacent, and courageous faith.  Where do you fall in this spectrum?  Is there hope if you find you aren't where you should be?  The Bible is full of faith stories in the lives of heroes and zeroes.  You have a faith story.  Jesus has John write a letter to the church in Laodicea about temperatures of faith.  We hope you are inspired by this message.

Scriptures:  Revelation 3:12-22;  Hebrews 11:1-3,7-12

Crowns and Rewards

We are spiritually connected to heaven.  We Believers are headed there for eternity. Our Savior is there and is returning to gather us up to be with Him.  Therefore, the things we are doing here on earth should be focused on our connection to heaven.  

Today's message teaches on rewards and crowns for the Believer. 

Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 9:24-27

Long journey to the far country

Imagine you decide to move somewhere far away from where you are living…  Where you are living is comfortable and stable but you don’t see it that way.  At any rate, you decide to travel a long distance away thinking you will encounter a better life.

As you travel looking for that destination, that better life, that greener grass, you are living as if tomorrow will somehow take care of itself.  You aren’t planning, you are being very foolish.  Peter tells the church about that coming Day of the Lord, know this first of all…

Listen in as we see what Peter and Paul have to say about how we should live once we've heard about this coming day.

Scriptures:  2 Peter 3; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

 

Grace Filled life

A grace-filled life is knowing Jesus, abiding in Him, and expressing Him.  Sounds easy enough, but how do we do that?  This message examines the vine and the branches teaching of Jesus to answer that question.  Jesus wants us to live in grace bear fruit.

Scriptures:  John 15; Matthew 7:16-20; Galatians 5:22,23

Dinner Interrupted

When Jesus went to Simon the Pharisee’s house, how was He treated?   What did Simon think of and about Jesus?  What did Jesus think about the woman who interrupted the dinner?  How did she treat Him?

What about us?  Are we the pharisee or the sinful woman? 

How can we be like Jesus to the “sinful” people in our lives?  What about the “pharisees” in our life?   

Who is this man Jesus?  Who do YOU say He is? 

Scriptures: Luke 7:36-50; John 1:1-18; Colossians 1:13-20; Hebrews 1:1-3

The Grace Effect

Are you grace-filled?  If you’ve been hit with grace or experienced grace, it had an effect on you. 

The grace effect.  Causes others to glorify God.  It carries - faith, hope, love,  Its almost an infection, a contagious infection.   It spreads because others are viewed through a new lens.  Charity becomes more common in community hit with the grace effect. 

Grace unto salvation. Grace unto sanctification. Grace unto restoration.  Grace, grace, more grace.  How do we Know if the Grace Effect Has Happened?

Scriptures:  John 4:7-29; 21:15-17

From Duty to Delight

We can get so focused on doing things for God that we lose all sense of intimacy with Him. As a Christian moves from a legalistic, performance-based lifestyle into the grace walk, he will find an increasing interest in developing intimacy with Christ.

A performance-based Christian often studies the Bible to gain information.  A grace-based Christian studies seeking revelation. God wants us to desire Him. We are Christ’s bride, not His hostage.

Scriptures: Luke 15:18,19; 1 John 5:3; John 17:25,26  and reference Grace Walk by Steve McVey