COMMUNIQUE

Friday, October 25, 2024

Worship for October 27

ChangeMaker students making dog toys

All Hail The Power of Jesus Name

1 All hail the power of Jesus' name!

Let angels prostrate fall.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all!

2 O seed of Israel's chosen race

now ransomed from the fall,

hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all.

Hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all!

3 Let every tongue and every tribe

responsive to his call,

to him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all.

To him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all!

4 Oh, that with all the sacred throng

we at his feet may fall!

We'll join the everlasting song

and crown him Lord of all.

We'll join the everlasting song

and crown him Lord of all.

Psalter Hymnal (Gray), 1987

Build My Life - Hillsong

Worthy of every song we could ever sing

Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring

Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe

We live for You, oh, we live for You

Jesus, the Name above every other name

Jesus, the only One who could ever save

Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe

We live for You, we live for You

Holy, there is no one like You

There is none beside You

Open up my eyes in wonder

And show me who You are

And fill me with Your heart

And lead me in Your love to those around me

Jesus, the Name above every other name

Jesus, the only One who could ever save

Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe

We live for You, oh, we live for You

Holy, there is no one like You

There is none beside You

Open up my eyes in wonder

And show me who You are

And fill me with Your heart

And lead me in Your love to those around me

And I will build my life upon Your love

It is a firm foundation

And I will put my trust in You alone

And I will not be shaken

And I will build my life upon Your love

It is a firm foundation

And I will put my trust in You alone

And I will not be shaken

Holy, there is no one like You

There is none beside You

Open up my eyes in wonder

And show me who You are

And fill me with Your heart

And lead me in Your love to those around me

I will build my life upon You

Lead me in Your love

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Matthew James Redman / Kirby Kaple / Brett Steven Younker / Joseph Patrick Martin Barrett / Karl Felix Martin

Build My Life lyrics © Worshiptogether.com Songs, Sixsteps Music, Said And Done Music, Thankyou Music Ltd., Thankyou Music, Capitol Cmg Genesis, Bethel Music Publishing, Vamos Publishing, Housefires Sounds, Kaplemusic

Caffe Vita Group

Gratitude

All my words fall short

I got nothing new

How could I express

All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs

As I often do

But every song must end

And You never do

So I throw up my hands

And praise You again and again

'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

And I know it's not much

But I've nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

I've got one response

I've got just one move

With my arm stretched wide

I will worship You

So I throw up my hands

And praise You again and again

'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

And I know it's not much

But I've nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

So come on, my soul

Oh, don't you get shy on me

Lift up your song

'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord

Oh come on, my soul

Oh, don't you get shy on me

Lift up your song

'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord

Come on, my soul

Oh, don't you get shy on me

Lift up your song

'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord, hey

Praise the Lord

So I throw up my hands

Praise You again and again

'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah

And I know it's not much

But I've nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing hallelujah

Hallelujah

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Benjamin William Hastings / Michael Brandon Lake / Dante Bowe

The Match Market

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Traditional / Keith Getty / Stuart Townend

In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) lyrics © Thankyou Music Ltd., Thankyou Music, Thank You Music Ltd.

CCLI License #11176923

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Worship for 05/24/2024

Opening Praise Music - Robert Payne

This Is Amazing Grace

Verse 1

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger

The King of Glory the King above all kings

Verse 2

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder

And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder

The King of Glory the King above all kings

Chorus

(Yeah) (Oh) This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You laid down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh Jesus I sing for all that You've done for me

Verse 3

Who brings our chaos back into order

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter

The King of Glory the King of Glory

Verse 4

Who rules the nations with truth and justice

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance

The King of Glory the King above all kings

Bridge

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy worthy worthy

Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, Phil Wickham

CCLI Song #6333821

CCLI License #11176923

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Come Thou Fount

Come Thou Fount Come Thou King

Verse 1

Come Thou Fount of ev'ry blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love

Verse 2

I was lost in utter darkness

'Til You came and rescued me

I was bound by all my sin when

Your love came and set me free

Now my soul can sing a new song

Now my heart has found a home

Now Your grace is always with me

And I'll never be alone

Chorus

Come Thou Fount come Thou King

Come Thou precious Prince of Peace

Hear Your bride to You we sing

Come Thou Fount of our blessing

Come Thou Fount come Thou King

Come Thou precious Prince of Peace

Hear Your bride to You we sing

Come Thou Fount of our blessing

Verse 3

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart Lord take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

SongSelect Logo

CCLI Song # 4775010

John Wyeth | Robert Robinson | Thomas Miller

CCLI License # 11176923

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Holy Spirit

Verse 1

There's nothing worth more that will ever come close

No thing can compare You're our living hope

Your Presence

Verse 2

I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone

In Your Presence Lord

Chorus

Holy Spirit You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory God is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

Interlude

Your Presence Lord

Interlude

Your Presence Lord

Your Presence

Oh God how we love Your Presence Lord

Bridge

Let us become more aware of Your Presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Lord)

SongSelect Logo

CCLI Song # 6087919

Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt

CCLI License # 11176923

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Question w/prayer: How have YOU practiced your love of the Lord this week? -Molly

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Scripture Reading /application intro: - led by Kelly

*Luke 23 (The Voice)

44 At this point, it was about noon, and a darkness fell over the whole region. The darkness persisted until about three in the afternoon, 45 and at some point during this darkness, the curtain in the temple was torn in two.

Jesus (shouting out loudly): 46 Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands!

And with those words, He exhaled—and breathed no more.

47 The Centurion—one of the soldiers who performed the execution—saw all this, and he praised God.

Centurion: No doubt, this man must have been innocent.

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Explanation: The tearing of this heavy curtain in the temple is highly symbolic. Because this curtain separated the holiest place in the temple from the rest of the temple, some see in this act a symbol of God opening the way for unholy humans to enter into His holy presence: Jesus’ death brought forgiveness and opened the way for all to come to God. Others see in the curtain being torn the opposite meaning: God’s presence can no longer be confined to any single geographical place. The suffering and death of Jesus ended one age of human history, and now a new era has begun. Now God is on the move, at large, invading the whole world. Or perhaps this graphic image means both.

The overturning of the old-covenant infrastructure prepares for a new era. The torn curtain reveals that all believers - both clergy and laity - have fresh, unparalleled access to God.

We glimpse this wonderful reality in the apostle’s explanation of Jesus’s ominous words against the Jerusalem temple: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). The religious leaders pushed back, for it took 46 years to build Herod’s temple (John 2:20). But John comments, “He was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:21). Jesus himself is the new temple—the new Most Holy Place—with no curtain barring anyone from intimacy with him.

The living God, through His Spirit, now indwells not in a physical structure but in the lives of ALL HIS SAINTS.

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Responsive reading & Lord's Prayer - led by Micah

Leader: The temple curtain was woven to be as thick as a man's hand… 4 inches or more!

Congregation: Lord, you destroyed every barrier and now invite us face to face into your presence.

Leader: The Sun gave up shining for three long, frightful hours.

Congregation: The Heavens declare the glory of the Lord! Without your presence holding a spot, darkness rushes in and removes all light!

Leader: The Earth quaked and rocks split open as the Son of Man breathed his last.

Congregation: Lord, all Creation speaks loudly to proclaim your glory!

Leader: And the tombs opened up and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised!

Congregation: Lord, you have given us a foretaste of what will come at the end of time, the final resurrection, when all your saints will awaken!

ALL: Look! Everyone can see it!

God’s glory is on tour in the skies,

God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.

Madame Day holds classes every morning,

Professor Night lectures each evening.

The revelation of God is whole

and pulls our lives together.

The signposts of God are clear

and point out the right road.

The life-maps of God are right,

showing the way to joy.

The directions of God are plain

and easy on the eyes.

*Scripture taken from Matthew & 27 Psalm 19

The Lords Prayer

Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen

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Prayer for our continuing God-Mission/ Missio Dei - led Katie

Testimony - led by Robert Payne

Communion/music - led by Rachel

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Music during Communion

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

Verse 1

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

Verse 2

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Chorus

My chains are gone I've been set free

My God my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love amazing grace

Verse 3

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

Verse 4

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God who called me here below

Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

Chris Tomlin, John Newton, Louie Giglio

CCLI Song #4768151

CCLI License #11176923

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Summarizing Galatians since we began

LESSON ONE:

LEAVING GRACE?

Paul writes: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.” GALATIANS 1:6–7

Big Picture: To avoid confrontation, we often accept someone else’s “truth” based on their stubborn insistence. Don’t be afraid to pause to consider how “grace” sets Christianity apart from every religion in the WORLD.

Question: Why do you think “grace” is so easily dismissed when considering our relationship to an Eternal God?

LESSON TWO

DEFENDING THE GOSPEL

Paul writes: “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. . . . It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” GALATIANS 1:11–12 NKJV

Big Picture: Paul reminds us that the Gospel, the story of an Invitation to Redemption didn’t come by any man. It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Note: Paul’s previous life was full of murder and torture. Guilt would easily have crippled him. But God’s invitation to experience Grace dominated the story of the gospel).

Question: Why do you think it’s important to grasp that this whole concept of ‘grace’ came from Jesus?

LESSON THREE

RIGHT WITH GOD

Paul emphasizes: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” GALATIANS 2:21

Big Picture: LESSON THREE reminds us that any attempt at following a check list of goodness would only serve to exalt those who claimed success and defeat those who second-guessed their actions. The Grace that Christ invites us to is the only true “absolute” to how to live righteous.

Story: Jumping the Grand Canyon

*The Law is the context for the powerful promise of grace given to us by God through Jesus Christ. 3:1-29

LESSON FOUR

FAITH ALONE!

Paul asks: “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

GALATIANS 3:2 NKJV

Big Picture: LESSON FOUR reminds us of the power that comes through our faith in God - God’s power; God’s love; God’s forgiveness; God’s sovereignty. And ultimately it is our acceptance of God’s gift and not our own works that will bring us right before God. Just like Abraham, we are made right with God by FAITH alone.

Question to ask yourself: Where are you struggling to find the faith to believe?

LESSON FIVE

THE LAW AND THE PROMISE

Paul writes: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us . . . so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” GALATIANS 3:13–14

Big Picture: Christ not only offered us a gift of grace, but also took our place by taking on the penalty of sin for all of us.

Question: What causes us to reject such a gift?

LESSON SIX

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

Paul explains: “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” GALATIANS 3:24–25 NKJV

Big Picture: Okay. So now LESSON SIX answers an obvious question: If people are not saved by trying to follow God’s rules, what was the purpose of those rules in the first place? Galatians 3:19 Why, then was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.

Conclusion: Through Jesus Christ we are given the gracious gift of becoming God’s children and heirs of his promises. Galatians 4:1-31

LESSON SEVEN

CHILDREN OF GOD

Paul points out: “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

GALATIANS 4:7

Big Picture: LESSON SEVEN works to relate that we are “heirs” with Jesus. We now have the privileges and rights that come by being joint-heirs with Jesus ; no longer a slave but God’s child.

Conclusion: God is indeed building a family.

LESSON EIGHT

BECOMING LIKE CHRIST

Paul reflects: “My infirmity which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. GALATIANS 4:14 NKJV

Big Picture: LESSON EIGHT tries to teach us that the goal of the Christian life is not about gaining more knowledge, memorizing large chunks of the Bible or comprehending a boatload of theology. It’s not about activity or a “to-do” list. Christ’s ultimate desire for each of us is to make us like himself.

Conclusion: We are being transformed into the image of God’s Son.

Lucado, Max. Life Lessons from Galatians. HarperChristian Resources. Kindle Edition.

Friday, April 21, 2023

Does God Need our $$ ??

IF GOD DOESN’T NEED OUR MONEY, WHY DO WE EVEN BOTHER TO GIVE

God’s speaking “I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know Me.”

Hosea 6:6. Living Bible

REFLECTION

Our God is not a weak, poor God who needs stuff. He made everything with a word. He has a limitless supply of resources. He has no needs; he’s never had one. And even if he did have one, he wouldn’t come to us with it! So why are we encouraged to include a concept of Giving and Generosity in our Spiritual growth?

SITUATION

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to love God and our neighbor better than all burnt-offerings. We are here warned not to rest in these performances. And let us beware of resting in any form. God demands the heart, and how can human inventions please him, when repentance, faith, and holiness are neglected? In the day of distress we must apply to the Lord by fervent prayer. Our troubles, though we see them coming from God's hand, must drive us to him, not drive us from him. We must acknowledge him in all our ways, depend upon his wisdom, power, and goodness, and refer ourselves wholly to him, and so give him glory. Thus must we keep up communion with God; meeting him with prayers under trials, and with praises in deliverances.

(Matthew Henry Commentary)

Psalm 50:7-15 (The Voice)

“Listen, My people, I have something to say:
O Israel, My testimony comes against you;
I am God, your God.

8 I am not going to scold you because of your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are always before Me.

9 I will not accept the best bull from your fields
or goats from your meadow,

10 For they are already Mine, just as the forest beast
and the cattle grazing over a thousand hills are Mine.

11 Every bird flying over the mountains I know;
every animal roaming over the fields belongs to Me.

12 I would not come to you if I were hungry,
for the world and all it contains are Mine.

13 Do you really think I eat bull meat?
Or drink goat’s blood?

14 Set out a sacrifice I can accept: your thankfulness.
Be true to your word to the Most High.

15 When you are in trouble, call for Me.
I will come and rescue you,
and you will honor Me.”

EXPLORATION

1. What does it mean when God says He is not going to scold us for bringing our sacrifices to Him in verse 8?

2. But verse 9 seems to reverse that attitude (of not scolding us) when, in vs 9 He won’t accept the best bull or goats. What’s the difference in attitude when we are sacrificing an offering as opposed to paying off someone for their favor?

3. What does the Psalmist mean when he writes that God (vs 12) says He would not even bother to come to us if He were hungry?

Scripture seems to remind us over and over: God does not need our money. Heartfelt Giving represents something else. What does it represent? See next:

1. Eternal investment

1 Chronicles 17:1 New Century Version (NCV) When David moved into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a palace made of cedar, but the Ark of the Agreement with the LORD sits in a tent.”

This Scripture begins to show us how David wanted to leverage his money for God’s eternal kingdom. And God said that was a good thing. Why? Because David realized that what God was building on earth was more important than what David was building. David did not give to God because God was in need, but because he wanted to leverage his earthly resources for God’s eternal kingdom.

2. Offerings of gratefulness

David saw all that God had done for him and he wanted to give in response. When he went to set up the plot of land the temple would be built on, he insisted on buying it, even though the owner wanted to give it to David for free. David said, “I will not give unto the Lord my God that which cost me nothing” (2 Sam 24:24). David insisted on paying because he knew the issue was not providing a need (the field would be provided either way), but was the statement the gift made about David’s heart.

If David was grateful to God because of what he’d seen God do, how much more should we be grateful to God? David was blessed with a temple, but we have been blessed with Jesus, the true temple whose flesh was torn so that we could enter the presence of God.

4. Does that not that do something to your heart? Do you not want to pour yourself out for God in gratitude? Pause and reflect on your own gifts to God in the last year. (Time, offerings) Is there anything you can share about how you feel about God and about his worth to you?

3. Obedience to God’s Spirit

David did with his money exactly what God instructed of him. This is an overlooked element in giving—the involvement of the Holy Spirit. When you look at a lot of the biblical stories about giving, you find statements like, “God stirred up so-and-so’s heart to give” (Exod 36, 2 Cor 9). Giving is supposed to be a Spirit-thing, a Spirit-driven thing, in which the Spirit moves in your heart and you listen to him and obey as he directs.

From: J.D. Greear's article

https://jdgreear.com/if-god-doesnt-need-our-money-then-why-do-we-give/

CLICK ON THE ABOVE PICTURE TO PROCEED!

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Easter discussion

https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-points-of-evidence-for-the-resurrection/

Thursday, February 2, 2023

LESSON TWO - DEFENDING THE GOSPEL

From the Max Lucado commentary we're using. This is the last week for posting our lesson. Please order your personal copy by Lesson Three on March 5! Here is one source: https://a.co/d/hWRMgG4

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. . . . It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. GALATIANS 1:11–12

REFLECTION

In one sense, life is all about our interaction with God. Some of us have run from him in the past. Others of us are finding our way back to him. What is your unique faith story?

[Your Response Here]

SITUATION

Now that Paul has gotten his readers' attention with his opening remarks, he begins to set out the case for the true gospel of grace that he presented when he was with them. To do this, he will draw on examples from his past in Judaism and show how the process of how he went from being a fierce persecutor of the church to a set-apart minister to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Paul rehearses these particular incidents to show that he did not receive this gospel of grace from any person, but in truth, received it directly from God.

[Your Response Here]

OBSERVATION

Read Galatians 1:11-24

EXPLORATION

1. How does Paul describe the gospel that he preached to the Galatian believers?

[Your Response Here]

2. Why was Paul an unlikely candidate for becoming a Christian-much less God's appointed missionary to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:1-20)?

[Your Response Here]

3. Why does Paul make such a big deal about not getting advice or help from any person (or persons) after his conversion?

[Your Response Here]

4. What does Paul's testimony reveal about God's patience and mercy?

[Your Response Here]

5. When did Christ first become real to you more than just a name or an idea?

[Your Response Here]

6. Why do you think people get so fanatical about religion? How can you tell when zeal and passion have crossed over the line into fanaticism?

[Your Response Here]

INSPIRATION

Guilt sucks the life out of our souls. Grace restores it. The apostle Paul clung to this grace. To the same degree that he believed in God's sovereignty, he relied on God's mercy.

No one had more reason to feel the burden of guilt than Paul did. He had orchestrated the deaths of Christians. He was an ancient version of a terrorist, taking believers into custody and then spilling their blood. "Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" (Acts 8:3).

In addition, he was a legalist to the core. Before he knew Christ, Paul had spent a lifetime trying to save himself. His salvation depended on his perfection, on his performance. "If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless" (Philippians 3:4- 6).

Paul had blood on his hands and religious diplomas on his wall. But then came the Damascus road moment. Jesus appeared. Once Paul saw Jesus, he couldn't see anymore. He couldn't see value in his résumé anymore. He couldn't see merit in his merits or worth in his good works anymore. He couldn't see reasons to boast about anything he had done anymore. And he couldn't see any option except to spend the rest of his life talking less about himself and more about Jesus. (From Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado.)

REACTION

7. What situations in your own life are proof that God doesn't give up on his children?

[Your Response Here]

8. What features of the Christian faith indicate it obviously wasn't fabricated by humans?

[Your Response Here]

9. How zealous are you? If you've lost your passion for Christ, how can you get it back?

[Your Response Here]

10. Scholars believe Paul spent his time in Arabia in study, reflecting, and preparing for the message he would share. How do you find time for reflection amid your busy life?

[Your Response Here]

11. Paul emphasizes how his experience with God was direct and not mediated through other people. How much of your knowledge of God is based on first-person experience?

[Your Response Here]

12. Paul's conversion resulted in a dramatic transformation that had every- one buzzing. What have been the most significant changes in your life since you met Christ?

[Your Response Here]

LIFE LESSONS

It's often said, "The Lord works in mysterious ways." How true. Start with the gospel of grace. Are we to believe God offers enemies of the gospel unconditional pardon and adoption into his family? Or that heaven's most glorious riches are lavished on the least deserving? It all reads like a fairy tale. And it gets even wilder. God announces his intention to partner with the likes of us so others can experience his love and grace. He could use angels or employ supernatural means, but instead he uses us. And what do we do? Mostly, we stumble and fall and fail. Yet the Lord never gives up on us and never aborts his plan. He works in us, and through us, despite us. The villains become the heroes. What a mystery! What a miracle! What a God we serve!

DEVOTION

Father, you amaze us. Thank you for the beauty and power of the gospel that you have given to us. We open our hearts to you today and invite you to work through us. Transform us. Make our lives a continual tribute to your goodness and grace.

JOURNALING

How do you react when you consider the type of grace that God is offering to you today?

Friday, January 13, 2023

Lesson One Second half

INSPIRATION

What is the work God wants us to do? Pray more? Give more? Study? Travel? Memorize the Torah? What is the work he wants?

Sly is this scheme of Satan. Rather than lead us away from grace, he causes us to question grace or to earn it... and in the end we never even know it.

What is it, then, that God wants us to do? What is the work he seeks? Just be- lieve. Believe the one he sent. "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29).

Someone is reading this and shaking his or her head and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven with no good works?" The answer is no. Good works are a requirement. Someone else is reading and asking, "Are you saying it is possible to go to heaven without good character?" My answer again is no. Good character is also required. In order to enter heaven, one must have good works and good character.

But, alas, there is the problem. You have neither.

Oh, you've done some nice things in your life. But you do not have enough good works to go to heaven regardless of your sacrifice. No matter how noble your gifts, they are not enough to get you into heaven.

Nor do you have enough character to go to heaven. Please don't be offended. (Then again, be offended, if necessary.) You're probably a very decent person. But decency isn't enough. Those who see God are not the decent; they are the holy. "Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

You may be decent. You may pay taxes and kiss your kids and sleep with a clean conscience. But apart from Christ you aren't holy. So how can you go to heaven?

Only believe.

Accept the work already done, the work of Jesus on the cross. Only believe...

It's that simple? It's that simple. It's that easy? There was nothing easy at all about it. The cross was heavy, the blood was real, and the price was extravagant. It would have bankrupted you or me, so Jesus paid it for us. Call it simple. Call it a gift. But don't call it easy.

Call it what it is. Call it grace. A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado.)

REACTION

7. Why do you think it is so hard for people to grasp the concept of grace?

[Your Response Here]

8. What are some things (other than Christ) that Christians tend to rely on to try to establish their approval in God's sight?

[Your Response Here]

9. How would you answer the person who read this passage and said, "I don't get why Paul is so upset over a few theological semantics?"

[Your Response Here]

10. When you look at your church, do any trends "astonish" you or cause you to "marvel" (in a negative sense)?

[Your Response Here]

11. Is the gospel message you share with others marked by radical and riskysounding grace? Why or why not?

[Your Response Here]

12. How will you respond the next time you hear someone share a distorted version of the gospel?

[Your Response Here]

LIFE LESSONS

Grace is what sets Christianity apart from every religion in the world. God offers his unearnable salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life not as a reward but as a free gift. Nothing-absolutely noth- ing-is required on our part except to believe. There is no fine print and no strings attached. When we trust in what Christ has done and rely solely on his promises, all the treasures of heaven are ours. It doesn't matter how miserably we've failed in the past. It's irrelevant how messed up our lives are right now. Grace is true and certain no matter what we might do or fail to do in the future. It sounds too good to be true... but that, in a nutshell, is the simple gospel. The only question is this: Have you received Christ's remarkable gift?

[Your Response Here]

DEVOTION

Father, thank you for the gospel. We could never earn your favor, but we can be recipients of your grace. We can enjoy all your blessings simply by trusting in Christ as our all-sufficient Savior. Help us to live this message. Help us to show it by our lives and share it with our lips.

JOURNALING

When were you first struck by the "free" nature of the gospel-that faith, not works, is the doorway to peace with God?

[Your Response Here]

FOR FURTHER READING

To complete the book of Galatians dur- ing this twelve-part study, read Gala- tians 1:1-10. For more Bible passages on the gospel of grace, read Acts 15:6-21; Romans 3:21-24; 1 Corinthi- ans 15:1-11; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Titus 3:4-7.