Grace’s Latest Messages
Becoming a King (1 Kings 2)
This week at Grace, we're continuing our series on King Solomon.
On his deathbed, David pulls his son aside and tells him that to establish his kingdom he will need to wisely deal with his political enemies. What do you do with people who have betrayed you and work to undercut you?
For those of us who are familiar with Jesus' commands to love our enemies and be generous with forgiveness, this chapter can read as a bit harsh. Frankly, Solomon seems more like a mob boss consolidating power than a godly example of leadership.
How can we learn about God through a passage like this?
Let's talk about it Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
1 Kings 2:1-4
The Problem With Kings (1 Kings 1; Deuteronomy 17:14-20)
1 Kings 1; Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Have you ever wanted to shout, "This is not what it's supposed to be like!"
Maybe it's when a friend gave up on your favorite show after 10 minutes without giving it a real chance.
Or maybe someone has told you that they tried sushi but said, "Oh, that tastes awful," simply because they tried it from a gas station.
"This isn't what it's supposed to be like!"
This week at Grace we're beginning a new series on King Solomon from the book of 1 Kings. Solomon represents the best points and worst points of the kings of Israel. He is famously wise, powerful, and experienced God's blessing in amazing ways. And yet Solomon's tantalizing potential as a king still leaves us wondering, "Is this the best it can be? Is the best king always going to be at least a bit self-centered, exploitive, and eventually wayward?"
I'm eager to go into this study of Solomon with you in order to understand why we long for a King, how Solomon's story is a warning to each of us, and why we can hope in the Kingdom of God.
"King David said, "And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint (Solomon) king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.” And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”
-Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Kings 1:34–37
The Future of the Image of God (Romans 8:22-30)
Romans 8:22-30
What is the future of the image of God?
This week at Grace, as we finish our series on the Image of God we're going to consider what is still in front of us with regard to the Image of God. As Romans 8:29 states, it is the image of God (interestingly, described here as the image of his Son) that we will be conformed to.
Why would we need to be conformed to the image of Christ (future) if we are already made in the image of God (past)?
During this series, we've talked about how Adam and Eve were made in God's image, and how God's image continued after the fall in every person, regardless of capacity, age, generation, gender, or any other difference.
As we came to the New Testament, we saw that the image of God is not only a general description of all people, it is also the hope we have for knowing Jesus, the perfect image of his Father, and for our own spiritual life in Christ.
I hope that as we finish this series, it will give you a longing for God and help you understand how the doctrine of the image of God points us to the gospel:
- We were made in God's image.
- Our sins could not destroy God's handiwork.
- We have been redeemed by God's Son, the perfect image of the Father.
- We are redeemed into the image of Christ.
- We will be conformed to the image of Christ forever.
Praise God.
See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
-Romans 8:22-30
Formed Into the Image (1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
I’m looking forward to sharing with you this Sunday!
As we’ve been learning in our series, we are created to represent and reflect the image of God, and this Sunday we’ll discover and be reminded that there's also a transformation occurring within us as believers.
The sin-behavior habits of our hearts and our disordered loves mar the image of God that we were designed to live into, but there is a trail to restoration. There is a way back - or, a path forward really - a way to recapture the image - and it is found in Christ. This is a long journey, a slow process, the adventure of a lifetime. This is our challenge, our invitation; to take a journey of transformation toward Christlikeness.
Imitating Christ in every area of our lives will never happen this side of heaven. He is perfect and we are not. But we can begin the journey of transformation into Christlikeness from “one degree of glory to another.” And, the good news for us today is that “this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Jesus, who went before us to make a way to God, paid the ultimate price so that the image of God designed in each of us could be recaptured. His Spirit provides the guidance and direction and power for us to walk with Christ and become like Him - finding the freedom and wholeness that we were destined for. Let’s embark on the adventure together!
See you Sunday!
Justin
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
-1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
The Image of God in Others (James 3:7-11)
James 3:7-11
Have you said anything you wish you could take back?
Something that made you cringe when you thought about it later?
I have. Many, many times.
I could write it off as an occupational hazard as a pastor. Jokes that fall flat, awkward turns of phrase, and confusing points are frustratingly common in preaching.
But the words I really wish I could get back aren't ones I've given up front, but those I've said in the living room with my family, at dinner with friends, or before bed with my wife.
Thinking about the dumb, hurtful, and selfish things I've said (even just this year!) brings grief to my soul.
This week at Grace, we're looking at James 3. This passage outlines how amazingly capable our speech is, but how that comes with danger. Because our speech to others isn't just a matter of our relationship - it's an act of worship toward God.
How we speak to people made in God's image shows what we think of God. That's because our speech to people is speech made to images of God. As "The Message" paraphrases James 3:9, "With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image."
I hope that this Sunday we can reflect together on our speech in light of the gospel and move forward together as a community of grace together!
Hope to see you Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
-James 3:7-11
What is the Opposite of the Image of God? (Acts 17:22-31; Exodus 20:3-4)
Acts 17:22-31; Exodus 20:3-4
Since we're in a series on the Image of God, it's worth asking: What is the opposite of the image of God?
My knee-jerk answer would be to say something like, "un-human" or "beastly." But I think Scripture gives us more to run with.
In Scripture, the opposite of the image of God is idolatry. Rather than representing and reflecting God, we worship those creatures made of our own hands. And there is a destructive result.
Psalms 115 and 135 says that those who make idols become like them. 2 Kings 17 says that when God's people went after false idols, they became false themselves. Isaiah 44 says that worshiping idols makes us as unable to see, hear, or think as the blocks of wood in front of us.
This Sunday at Grace, we're going to look at Acts 17:22-31, where Paul describes the gospel to the Athenians based on the image of God, and contrasts it with the idolatry that marked their lives.
This passage is very important to understanding the image of God as a concept because it shows that in addition the image of God describing our lives, it also calls for action on our part.
I'm eager to think with you on Sunday about how we can apply this to our lives, so that we can live as joyful image bearers of Christ together.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
“You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
-Exodus 20:3-4
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
- Acts 17:24-29
The Wonder of God's Image (Psalm 8)
Psalm 8
I spent a little time in Montana last year, and I quickly realized why they call it "Big Sky Country." Looking off into the distance on my friend's porch at sunset was striking. But, what came a few hours later was the real spectacle to see; stars, lots and lots of stars. Thoughts of personal greatness and importance were immediately squashed when I learned that I was most likely looking at a few thousand stars out of 100 billion in our galaxy alone.
David had the same feelings of awe, wonder, and insignificance arise when writing Psalm 8. Join us this week as we consider this important text in our Image of God series. We will discover how the infinite creator of the universe has unexpectedly made His name "majestic... in all the earth" through finite human beings like you and me.
I'm looking forward to worshiping together,
Pastor Chris
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
-Psalm 8:1-9
The Image of God: Damaged but not Destroyed (Genesis 1, 5, 9)
Genesis 1, 5, 9
You've probably heard the saying, "God don't make no junk!"
Maybe you've also heard someone say, "they sure don't make things like they used to."
Both of these are statements of quality. As for the 2nd phrase, people usually have in mind the quality of classic cars vs. those with fiberglass front ends. Or IKEA furniture vs. – you get it.
The point is that quality endures. There’s a reason why some cars are still being driven 70 years after production and others are smashed into tiny metal squares at the junkyard. Quality.
As for the Image of God in man. A fall (Genesis 3) and a flood (Genesis 6) couldn’t destroy it. That’s some pretty impressive quality. And isn’t that what we’d expect from God?
To hear more about this Image that has been damaged, but is not destroyed, join us on Sunday.
Many blessings,
Pastor Tim
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
- Genesis 1:26-31
Created in God's Image (Genesis 1:26-31)
Genesis 1:26-31
This week at Grace, we're continuing our series on the Image of God that we started on Easter Sunday.
Why do a series on the image of God? Because of the challenges you face in this world, including racism, the sanctity of life, shame, and questions of identity. The concept of the image of God shapes how we respond to each of these.
We're going back to the beginning this week, looking at Genesis 1:26-31: the creation of humanity in the image of God. This famous passage roots the identity of each person who has ever lived in God's image. I'm looking forward to discussing how that shapes our lives today.
Look forward to seeing you at Grace this Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
-Genesis 1:26-31
Easter and the Image of God (John 20:17)
John 20:17
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
This week at Grace (both online and in person at Eisenhower Park) we'll be looking at Jesus' resurrection message to Mary Magdalene in John 20. Specifically, in verse 17 Jesus tells Mary what to tell his disciples about the resurrection:
"...go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Almost 2,000 years later, we still need to hear this same message from Jesus: that he is the Son of God who is willing and able to bring us to his father as his brothers.
Looking forward to celebrating Easter together with you!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
-John 20:17
Words of Hope (1 Peter 5:12-14)
1 Peter 5:12-14
Tomorrow we're going to celebrate the baptisms of four brothers and sisters in Christ. I love the joy, hope, and gratitude that accompany baptisms. It feels like the celebration of a wedding, in some ways.
But I'm also aware that just because we begin strong in faith doesn't mean that things will stay that way. While God is faithful to hold on to us, we are prone to wander. Standing firm in our faith isn't automatic, anymore than a beautiful wedding automatically makes for a long marriage.
This week at Grace, we're finishing our series on 1 Peter. These last few verses (5:12-14) briefly reiterate a few of the major themes of the book, so I thought it would be a helpful time to reflect on the overall message of the letter - how hope helps us stand firm in faith even in difficult circumstances.
Let's pray together for our new brothers and sisters to stand firm in their faith, even as we humbly ask God for the same strength for ourselves.
Look forward to worshiping with you tomorrow!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
-1 Peter 5:12-14
The Hope of Glory (1 Peter 5:8-11)
1 Peter 5:8-11
I’m looking forward to encouraging you this Sunday with one of the last passages in 1 Peter.
Do you relate to this quote from the movie The Matrix; “What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life—that there’s something wrong with the world…” Well, if so, you’re not alone!
This Sunday, we’ll see how God uses Peter’s letter to pull back the curtain on the reality of our situation and show us the truth. It’s a vivid, sobering picture, though…are you ready? Again, from The Matrix: “This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends; you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. All I’m offering is the truth, nothing more.”
Get ready to hear Peter's “wake up call”, the truth from the Word of God, and how we can respond well to the challenge! See you Sunday!
Justin
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
-1 Peter 5:8-11
Humility and Hope (1 Peter 5:5-7)
1 Peter 5:5-7
How humble are you?
I know, it sounds like an impossible question to answer soberly - wouldn't any positive self-asseesment of your humility be grounds for invalidating the results? If you say, "I'm great at being humble!", you must not be.
So, let's do a humility quiz based on Peter's life.
Have you ever:
1. Cried out to Jesus, “Depart from me; I am an unclean man!” (Plus 3 points)
2. Became angry at Jesus for doing something different than what you wanted him to do. Required Jesus to tell you, “Get behind me Satan.” (Minus 10 points)
3. When Jesus offers to wash your feet, initially resist, then jump on board. (Minus 1 point - not a great start, but way to switch quckly)
4. Give up everything to follow Jesus (Plus 10 points - but you lose a couple points if you brag about it, like Peter did)
5. Try to angle to become the greatest in the coming kingdom (Minus 5 points)
6. Cockily announced that even if every one leaves Jesus, “I will never abandon you!” (Minus 3 points)
7. Had your pride wounded when your sin was brought up during your restoration (Minus 2 points)
8. Scared of what people from Jerusalem would think of you, so you stop eating with Gentiles in Galatia (minus 3 points)
9. When threatened to stop preaching the gospel by religious leaders, insist that you must obey God rather than men (Plus 5 points)
So, how did you do?
I get it. Peter's life experiences were unique. But it's not hard to see how we could fall into the same pride traps that Peter did. And I'm sure grateful that God doesn't score our lives based on our behavior, but rather by His grace.
My point is that pride and humility are tricky issues to figure out about our own souls. Even great leaders like Peter struggle with them. And yet humility is essential to the Christian life.
This week at Grace, we'll be talking about 1 Peter 5:5-7, about the value of humility in the Christian life. Peter's words about the importance and value of humility are hard won and insightful for all of us who desire to walk humbly with our God today (Micah 6:8).
Look forward to seeing you Sunday at Grace, either in person or online!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
-1 Peter 5:5-7
Leading With Hope (1 Peter 5:1-4)
1 Peter 5:1-4
Curious people sometimes ask me why I chose to become a pastor. As I get close to 15 years here at Grace this spring, I think the better question might be: Why would anyone continue being a pastor (or any Christian leader)?
After seeing many friends and former ministry colleagues crash and burn, it's humbling how many pitfalls are out there for those in leadership in Christ's church.
Of course, this isn't unique to pastors. All of us face temptations that threaten to derail those leadership roles that are most precious to us.
This week at Grace, we're continuing our series in 1 Peter with 5:1-4. This passage outlines the temptations that Christian leaders (elders, specifically) are called to lead the church. In this passage, Peter identifies three temptations that elders face:
- Will you resent your calling or embrace it willingly?
- Will you exploit those you lead or sacrifice for them?
- Will you lead the people by example or demand they do things you won't do yourself?
These three temptations are timeless. As we open up the Scriptures together this Sunday, I hope that we'll consider these temptations soberly - looking first in the mirror at our own capacity to wander, and secondly to pray for those in leadership in Christ's name around the world.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
-1 Peter 5:1-4
Suffer Well (1 Peter 4:12-19)
1 Peter 4:12-19
Do you like “fill in the __________ ” questions? I sure ____ .
Okay, enough silliness, here’s a real fill in the blank for you.
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will ______________________
What comes to mind?
Give it a go and fill in the 3 below.
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will ______________________
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will ______________________
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will ______________________
If you’re like me, you probably went pretty quickly to the benefits and blessings of salvation.
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will have your sins forgiven.
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will become part of God’s family.
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will experience a lot of joy.
Yes, Yes, and Yes. All are true. But wait, there’s more!
When you come to Jesus you can be sure that you will suffer.
Did that make your list? As you can see above, it didn’t make mine.
It’s a sobering thought, but if Peter were participating in this exercise after writing 1 Peter 4:12-19, his mind would have gone to ‘suffering’ pretty quickly.
Why do we suffer? What’s it for? How does God use suffering to do good?
Join us Sunday as we spend more time on this difficult and important theme.
Many blessings,
Pastor Tim
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
-1 Peter 4:12-19