Grace’s Latest Messages
Crowds and Disciples (Mark 3:7-19)
If you could be famous, would you? If someone gave you the opportunity to be a famous actor, commentator, comedian, or celebrity who was just famous for being famous, would you take it?
For many people in our culture, to be famous seems like a marker of success and vindication. Yet for Jesus, fame wasn't his goal or even a help in his mission.
This week at Grace, we're continuing through the gospel of Mark, looking at the contrasting picture of the crowds and the apostles. Mark 3 says that people came from 100 miles away to push in on Jesus, seeking to get something out of him.
For his part, Jesus withdrew. His desire was not to be pushed around by crowds but to create his own ministry legacy through his disciples.
We'll look at these two competing pictures of a successful life and posture toward Jesus this Sunday at Grace. I hope you'll be there.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
- Mark 3:7-19
You Are NOT a Robot (Mark 2:23-3:6)
About 15 years ago, I became obsessed with coffee. Whenever a new 3rd wave coffee shop would open in San Francisco or Santa Cruz, Emily and I would make a day of it.
My coffee passion eventually grew to where I was roasting coffee in the backyard (destroying Emily’s childhood popcorn maker) and serving cappuccinos to her (complete with latte art) every morning.
Our house turned into a college ministry coffee shop once a week, where I would spend most of the night behind my espresso machine making drinks. Having a coffee bar at our house was a blessing to our friends and us for quite a long time.
But I can remember when things started to shift. The time it took for the espresso machine to warm up felt like it grew longer and longer. Not because of our poor upkeep but because of our own impatience!
Then there was the cost of coffee, milk, and espresso machine upkeep. We added kids to the mix, and cafe Howard moved from the blessing category to the burden category.
In the same way, Sabbath had moved from blessing to burden for the Pharisees in Mark 2:23-3:1-6. I hope we can take Jesus's words to heart this week at Grace and see Sabbath as a blessing, not a burden.
-Pastor Chris
23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
3 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
- Mark 2:23-3:6
You Belong Here (Mark 2:13-22)
Where do you feel like you really fit in? Where do you belong?
Maybe it's with your family, or at your job, or with people who share a similar background.
Maybe it's at church. Or maybe church is a place you definitely don't feel like you belong.
There may be some people for whom belonging comes naturally in every instance, but most of us have some discomfort about whether we're really welcomed at least some of the time.
This week at Grace, we're going to look at Mark 2:13-22, where Jesus invites Levi to follow him. This surprises many around him because Levi was a tax collector, someone who seemed not to belong around religious people.
Jesus responds with this beautiful challenge: "It is not the healthy but the sick who need a doctor."
We belong with Jesus.
Hope to see you Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
- Mark 2:13-22
Healing and Forgiveness (Mark 2:1-12)
This week at Grace, we're coming to Mark 2:1-12, where Jesus forgives and then heals a paralyzed man after his friends bring him to Jesus through the roof. It's a passage full of action, emotion, and humor.
This combination of factors lends itself well to an expository sermon style known as a first-person sermon. This is when the pastor speaks from the perspective of a person in the story (using words like "I" and "Me"), instead of the more customary third-person (using words like "he," "she," or "they"). In this case, I'll be delivering the sermon as if I'm the man who was healed.
These sermons can be more entertaining than traditional sermons, but that's not the main reason to do them. This format can most accurately convey the emotion of a passage and help us hear God's Word more clearly in the Scriptures.
I hope that you'll join me on Sunday to consider how Jesus meets our deepest needs, too.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
- Mark 2:1-12
Christmas: Why Is He Here? (Mark 1:35-39)
It's Christmas week! This Saturday and Sunday at Grace, we'll be welcoming dozens of guests to our worship services to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, many for the first time. Please pray for them to have ears to hear, and for me to explain the gospel clearly and well.
I'm going to be preaching from Mark 1:35-39, a short passage where Jesus tells his new disciples why he came. I thought it would be a fitting passage for Christmas, to remind us why this holiday matters on a core level. As special as nostalgia, traditions and family time are, they pale in comparison to the gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Mark 1, Jesus is met with the expectations of others to continue to do what they want, where they want, when they want. Instead, Jesus points them to what is better for them: for them and others to hear the message of the gospel.
At a time of year when we are often met with the expectations of others on our lives, Jesus' example and gift to us are what we all need the most.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. The four services (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) will be the same order of service and sermon, so feel free to choose whichever one works best for your schedule.
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
- Mark 1:35-39
What's the Catch? (Mark 1:16-20)
“What’s the catch?”
I’m sure you’ve used this phrase before.
You’re buying a car and the salesperson tells you about their zero interest, no payments for a year, best deal anywhere in town program and you ask, “what’s the catch?”
Or a beautiful, intelligent, wonderful, accomplished woman agrees to marry you and your close friends look you up and down and then ask, “what’s the catch?” ☺
Or…you get the point.
This question assumes that there must be something hidden that’s not being disclosed. Another way to say it is, “what are you not telling me?”
Imagine you’re on the shores of Galilee and you see Jesus talking to some fishermen. You watch as they drop their nets, say their goodbyes, and head off with Jesus away from the Sea. You intersect them on their journey and, wondering what’s happening, you ask, “what’s the catch?”
The fishermen, in unison, reply: “people.”
To hear more of the story, join us this Sunday at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 AM as we continue our study of the Gospel of Mark. If I could lure you to read ahead, it’s Mark 1:16-20.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
- Mark 1:16-20
Getting Ready to Go (Mark 1:9-15)
The last time I was at Disneyland with my kids, I noticed a popular t-shirt among other parents: it read, "Today is a Core Memory Day."
What a comforting thought for a parent: I can control the core memories for my kids, and today's (exceptionally expensive) day at Disneyland will be one of them.
Now, I'm skeptical that we have such control of what memories our kids internalize (not that I told any Disneyland stressed-out, t-shirt-wearing parents that), but I do agree that we all have experiences that play a major role in our lives going forward.
This week at Grace, we're looking at two foundational events of Jesus' identity - his baptism and temptation in the wilderness. Both were necessary, but they couldn't have been on further ends of the emotional spectrum. In the first instance, Jesus hears the voice of God declaring His love and approval over him. In the second, it is the voice of Satan who attempts to persuade Jesus of God's neglect toward him.
Both of these events were essential in establishing Jesus' ministry, and both give us a profound reason to trust Jesus' goodness in our lives today.
Looking forward to talking with you about it this Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
- Mark 1:9-15
The Beginning of the Gospel (Mark 1:1-10)
Mark 1:1 - "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
This week at Grace, we begin a new, year-long study in the Gospel of Mark.
Why Mark? Because we all need to be continually reminded about what Jesus is like, or else we will start to imagine a warped form of him, remade to fit our biases, fears, and preferences, rather than the One who is.
Mark is the shortest and almost certainly the oldest of the four gospels. Written by John Mark probably about 30 years after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, it represents the teaching and memories of Peter. The book begins with the thesis statement about Jesus' identity: he is the Christ, the Son of God, and then unfolds the proof of that for the next 16 chapters, culminating with a Roman soldier professing the same truth at the foot of the cross: "Truly this man was the son of God!" (Mark 15:39)
Throughout the next year, I pray that you and I would be continually struck with awe over the same realization: Jesus is God with us.
Looking forward to going on this journey through Mark with you!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
- Mark 1:1-10
The World We All Want: New Creation in the Garden City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-5 & 22:1-6)
This week we conclude our Garden Tour titled, “A Tale of Three Gardens.”
Our first stop was in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-3) where we witnessed God’s great power and creativity in all that He made. This, unfortunately, was followed by our horrible fall.
Our second stop was in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) where we heard our Savior cry out to God in anguish as he contemplated having to drink “the cup” of God’s wrath. Because he did, we don’t have to. Because of Jesus, we can make our way to the third and final garden.
The Garden City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22) is unlike any place we’ve ever seen. It’s almost too good to be true. Almost.
You won’t want to miss this Sunday as we’ll be spending time reflecting on where we’ve been and anticipating – with great joy – our final destination.
Also, it’s our final service on the lawn (at 9:30) before we head back inside and kick off Advent. I hope to see you at one of the services.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
- Revelation 21:1-5, 22:1-6
He Gets Us: Redemption and the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)
I’m not much of a garden-type person.
I don’t like Olive Garden. I mean the breadsticks are great, but that’s about it.
I’ve not been to Madison Square Garden. I like basketball, but not enough to travel to the other side of the country.
I’ve been to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at CSULB, but only because I officiated a wedding there one summer.
Like, I said, not much of a garden-type person. But there are 3 gardens which have all my attention:
1) The Garden of Eden, 2) The Garden of Gethsemane, and 3) The Garden-City of New Jerusalem.
We spent some time in the Garden of Eden last week, where we witnessed God’s glorious Creation (and we thought to ourselves, “what a wonderful world”) and also humanity’s terrible Fall. That was Genesis chapters 1-3.
Next week, we’ll land in the Garden-City of New Jerusalem where God’s New Creation (Revelation 21-22) shows us what the original creation ought to have been like forever, that is, before we got involved.
This week, in the Garden of Gethsemane, we’ll see Jesus wrestling with the will of God as he does what is necessary to get us all from Garden #1 to Garden #3.
Read ahead (Matthew 26:36-46) for your own instruction and appreciation of Jesus.
There are 3 departure times for our Garden Tour – 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM. No reservations are necessary. Hope to see you soon.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
- Matthew 26:36-46
It was Paradise…Until it Wasn't: Creation and Fall in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 31)
Even if you’ve not read it, you’ve probably heard of the book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The story is set in the late 18th century against the backdrop of the French Revolution. London and Paris are the Two Cities Dickens writes about. I’ve not read it, but according to the peer-reviewed, award-winning, surely in the running for a Nobel Prize - Sparknotes.com - we read: “Dickens asserts his belief in the possibility of resurrection and transformation, both on a personal level and on a societal level.”
That’s a big claim. “The possibility of resurrection and transformation” of both persons and society? Sounds familiar, don’t you think? In fact, the very first line of the book sounds familiar too.
“It was the best of times” sounds like Genesis 1-2.
“It was the worst of times” sounds like Genesis 3.
Isn’t it amazing how all good stories have elements of The Great Story…The Story of God in the Scriptures?
This Sunday we’ll begin a 3-part series called, A Tale of Three Gardens. Yes, I stole and modified for the title.
We’ll start in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-3)
Then we’ll join Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26)
Finally, we’ll end in the Garden-City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22)
I hope you can join us this Sunday at our first stop on the Garden Tour!
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
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 saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
- Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 31
Unity Beyond Expectations (Acts 28:11-16)
This week at Grace we'll be finishing our series in Acts. The book ends with a fulfillment of how it began: Jesus told his disciples that they would be his witnesses to the ends of the earth (1:8), and Paul arrives in Rome prepared to do just that.
Now, we might expect Paul to be blazing new ground alone, but that isn't the scene that unfolds. Instead, when Paul arrives in Rome he is met by a contingent of Christians who have been waiting for him and are eager to support him.
Luke notes the impact this had on Paul: "On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage." (Acts 28:15b)
Christian unity can have the same impact on us: when we discover the existence of other Christians we have a reason to be thankful to God and can draw courage from their presence.
I'm looking forward to doing that with you this Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep this Saturday night as Daylight Savings Time ends!
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
- Acts 28:11-16
Unity and Personal Responsibility (Acts 21:1-14)
How can we be unified with other Christians when we disagree with their choices? If we're convinced that they are ignoring what is the best path forward, can we (and should we) move forward together?
This week at Grace, we'll be in Acts 21:1-14. In this passage, Paul is confronted by Christians (some he knows well, some he's just met) who warn him that his path toward Jerusalem will lead to his demise. They have good reason to be concerned, and the rest of Acts prove them to be right. Paul, however, refuses their warnings. They agree about the risk; they disagree on what the risks mean.
I've wondered what would have happened if Paul had given in to the expectations, fears, and warnings of his friends by dodging trouble. Would they have ended up more unified if Paul had given in to what other people wanted for him? Or would the resentment that followed have destroyed the very unity they thought they were protecting?
Looking forward to looking at this with you all on Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
- Acts 21:1-14
Unity and Generosity: The Macedonians, the Messiah, and Me and You (Acts 20:1-6, 2 Corinthians 8 + 9)
This Sunday, as we continue our study on the theme of unity in the book of Acts, we’ll be considering how generosity toward our brothers and sisters in Christ promotes the cause of unity.
Do a little exercise with me.
Let’s take 2 minutes of uninterrupted time and think, “how might generosity promote unity in the body of Christ?” It’s not immediately obvious, I don’t think, so let’s think hard together for the full 120 seconds.
Are you ready?
The clock starts…now!
[2 minutes of uninterrupted thoughtfulness]
Alright. What did you come up with? What’s that? I can’t hear you. I have an idea. Join us on Sunday and you can tell me then.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Pastor Tim
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos: Unity Through Humility (Acts 18:1-11, 24-28)
This Sunday is the first week of public worship services for our friends at Branches Church of Humboldt, led by our former worship pastor, Justin Fox. We're so excited for them! Would you please pray for their launch this weekend?
Bringing a new church to a community should be a thing to celebrate, but too often it can feel threatening or invasive to already established churches.
That's why this week's passage from Acts 18 is so refreshing. In it, we meet Priscilla and Aquila, a remarkable ministry couple who have been through enormous difficulties for their faith. When we meet them in Corinth, they've already been exiled from Rome because of Christ, yet are continuing to serve and lead the church in Corinth - before, during, and after Paul's time there. Then, another charismatic leader rolls in - Acts 18 describes what happened when a brash and ill-informed minister named Apollos comes to town.
But rather than let envy or rivalry get in the way, Priscilla and Aquila delight in Apollos' success, help him to grow and advocate for him in the future.
It's amazing what can happen when we don't care who gets the credit.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
- Acts 18:1-11, 24-28
Unity When You Don't Agree (Part 2) (Acts 15:36-41)
Last Sunday, we looked at the first part of Acts 15, where people strove for unity through dialogue, compromise, and prayer. It was a pivotal and magnificent moment in the history of the early church, when they stayed unified even through a massive cultural and theological shift.
This week at Grace, we're looking at the last part of Acts 15, where none of that happens, and the result is that two godly, mature Christians (Paul and Barnabas) separate from each other over something that seems so small in comparison.
How could unity be shipwrecked on such a small rock?
Looking forward to examining this short and sobering passage with you this Sunday, and learning from its example for us today.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
- Acts 15:36-41
Unity When You Don't Agree (Part 1) (Acts 15:1-35)
If you've been around churches for a while, you've probably heard of congregations splitting over foolish and superficial things, like the color of the carpet, the start of the service time, or where items are on stage. Whether these stories are apocryphal or not, I'm not sure; I'm grateful to have avoided the first-hand experience of a church split like those in my lifetime. But the reason they ring true for many of us is that we know how selfish and petty people can be (and, if we're honest, how selfish and petty we can be).
Unity seems like an easy thing to be for, until it comes to giving up something for the sake of unity. When it's a preference for time, carpet, or arrangement, that seems like an easy exhortation to choose unity over personal preference. But sometimes unity involves deeper questions.
This week at Grace, we're continuing to look at the theme of unity in the books of Acts. In chapter 15 we come to an inflection point, where the move toward inclusion of the Gentiles will either be formalized or rejected. In this case, what the early church leaders decided was not worth dividing over was the necessity of circumcision, which had been the mark of the covenant for Israel for 2000 years.
Acts 15 is a significant passage for a whole host of reasons (it shapes our view of how the church is ordered, how to understand biblical and ecclesiological authority, and missiology, etc), but we're going to focus this week at seeing how the gospel created and maintained the unity of the church, both then and now.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
- Acts 15:1-35
Fanning the Flames of Unity (Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-3)
I was on a bike ride with my cycling club last weekend. As we were riding northbound on PCH, the pace started to pick up to what I'll describe as "spicy," and an impromptu race broke out. I found myself at the front of the peloton, a position near impossible to win from. But, I threw caution to the wind and committed myself to this inconceivable effort.
I stayed up front for what seemed like an eternity, mentally and physically fading. My friend noticed my wavering form, and rather than hurling judgments about my position in the race; he shouted encouragement to keep going. He stoked the fire inside of me that had begun to burn out.
I realize that a bunch of middle-aged men encouraging each other while wearing spandex might be trite - but what would happen in the body of Christ if we adopted my friend's attitude? That's what Barnabas did with a church in Antioch in Acts 11.
This week at Grace, we'll see Barnabas living up to his nickname, "Son of Encouragement," and how he fanned the flames of one of the most important churches in history.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Chris
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
- Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-3
Unity Comes From the Heart (Acts 10:34-43)
This week at Grace we’re looking at Acts 10, where Peter is challenged by a vision from God to see all people without partiality, as God sees them.
I’ve been thinking about this passage in light of all that Peter has already been through - how Jesus interacted with kindness toward Samaritans and Gentiles, how the Spirit came at Pentecost with a variety of languages, and how the Spirit came on Samaritans (in chapter 8). It makes you wonder how much Peter's own views had already shifted. Yet, apparently, they hadn't shifted enough.
You've probably noticed the double standard we have as people: we tend to judge ourselves by what we meant to do, but others based on what they actually did. It's true in driving ("I didn't mean to cut him off, why is he mad?"), in reaching out to people in their pain ("I would have helped if they would have asked"), or in marital conflicts ("She knows how I feel about her"). I wonder if some of that is at play for Peter, too, excusing his lack of evangelism toward the Gentiles with an explanation of his heart rather than a sober analysis of his actions.
Let's talk this Sunday at Grace about both the heart and our actions, and how they can contribute to the unity Christ creates between us.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
- Acts 10:34-43
For the Sake of Others (Acts 6:1-7)
I remember a random season in my life where it felt like my minivan was always breaking down. It felt like every week there was something new to repair and after fixing whatever problem was ailing our vehicle, it was only a matter of time before that dreaded “check engine” light turned on. We then proceeded to head over to the mechanic for yet another costly repair.
The ironic thing about the whole situation was that one of my best friends is a mechanic, and when he had heard about all of the woes that our family went through having to do repair after repair, he told me, “I wish you asked for help!”
“I didn’t want to inconvenience you or take advantage of you” I replied rather embarrassingly.
“Jason, we’re friends, I want you to inconvenience me… I know how to fix cars… I wish you would take advantage of our friendship!”
Not everyone may have a friend like this, but when we think of the church as a family and as a group of believers who are united under the life and example of Christ… how do we present our needs to one another? Are we willing to be inconvenienced in order to help a friend or loved one in our church family? Are we willing to listen to and address the needs of those who feel marginalized within our community?
This week we’ll be looking at Acts chapter 6 and how a group of people with a tremendous need that went unmet ultimately lead to a boiling point. In our message this weekend we’ll be taking a look at how we can posture ourselves as a family of believers to commission one another to care for the needs of those in our community who are hurting, feel unseen, or left out.
Looking forward to breaking open the Word with y’all this Sunday!!
Blessings!
Jason
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
- Acts 6:1-7