Grace Community Church
JOURNEY WITH THE FAITHFUL #13 The Raptured
Journey with the Faithful - a 3 month series looking at the lives of a number of men and women in the Bible. Each of them chose to leave their comfort zone to follow God and do what He wanted them to do.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Today is the last day of our summer series, Journey with the Faithful. We have looked at the lives of a number of men and women in the Bible. Each of them chose to leave their comfort zone to follow God into what we call the faith zone.
This morning we look at one of the greatest events that will ever take place in the history of mankind. A time when an incredible number of faithful people will depart upon a journey to join with the Lord and all those who have previously departed this life in.
This morning we look at one of the greatest events that will ever take place in the history of mankind. A time when an incredible number of faithful people will depart upon a journey to join with the Lord and all those who have previously departed this life in.
Have you ever planned for what you would call a "great vacation"?
Have you ever had those plans be altered or cancelled?
It can be disappointing at best, and heart breaking at worst to have your dream plans cancelled at no fault of your own.
Have you ever had those plans be altered or cancelled?
It can be disappointing at best, and heart breaking at worst to have your dream plans cancelled at no fault of your own.
We know that living in this world, there is very little, if anything, that is an absolute certainly. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
What if you could go on a dream vacation, a perfect vacation?
Everything would be paid for with no fear of cancellation. If you accept the offer you would never die or ever have to pay taxes once you reach the final destination. Would you be interested?
The Bible presents a vacation, a trip, a getaway that is all that and more!
Our final message is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Everything would be paid for with no fear of cancellation. If you accept the offer you would never die or ever have to pay taxes once you reach the final destination. Would you be interested?
The Bible presents a vacation, a trip, a getaway that is all that and more!
Our final message is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
This event is referred to as The Rapture. The word is Latin in origin and carries the meaning of "being caught up", in the sense of suddenly being snatched away.
The Rapture is an event that ends the Church Age on earth.
A great resource is the book, As Time Runs Out: A Simple Guide to Bible Prophecy by Robert Jeffress.
It can be found for $7 on Amazon and presents a solid presentation of both biblical teaching and practical Christian belief and practice since the time of Christ.
The Rapture is an event that ends the Church Age on earth.
A great resource is the book, As Time Runs Out: A Simple Guide to Bible Prophecy by Robert Jeffress.
It can be found for $7 on Amazon and presents a solid presentation of both biblical teaching and practical Christian belief and practice since the time of Christ.
The title of this message is The Raptured and refers to the people involved and not just the doctrine of the event. The people are identified in our key passage in the following manner:
v. 13 “Brothers and Sisters,”
v. 14 “those who have fallen asleep in him (Jesus),”
v. 16 “The dead in Christ,”
v. 17 “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them.”
v. 13 “Brothers and Sisters,”
v. 14 “those who have fallen asleep in him (Jesus),”
v. 16 “The dead in Christ,”
v. 17 “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them.”
Here are two important thoughts for us today:
1. To BE in Christ means you have a personal relationship with the Lord in which you are accepted by God because of Christ's finished work of salvation on your behalf.
2. To BECOME in Christ a person must receive or respond to the Gospel or "Good News". The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2a.
1. To BE in Christ means you have a personal relationship with the Lord in which you are accepted by God because of Christ's finished work of salvation on your behalf.
2. To BECOME in Christ a person must receive or respond to the Gospel or "Good News". The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2a.
The Frontline course here at Grace Church equips you to communicate The Story, His and yours to others. The Gospel message is really quite simple:
1. RELATIONSHIP-
1. RELATIONSHIP-
2. RUIN-
3. RESCUE-
4. RESPONSE-
As a follower of Jesus today (currently alive or in the grave) you will be one of the people who will take part in the Rapture and receive the benefits of God's grace.
Those who do not will soon spend eternity separated from God because of their sin and rejection of Jesus.
John 3:36
Those who do not will soon spend eternity separated from God because of their sin and rejection of Jesus.
John 3:36
For three months, in the JOURNEY WITH THE FAITHFUL, we’ve looked at men and women who obeyed God - people who moved from their comfort zone to live in the faith zone.
In addition, each Sunday in August we have had people explain how they are building relationships with some of the lost people God has placed in their lives.
All of this has been intentional, to prepare you to think about The Rapture and the spiritual needs of your friends. They must be given a chance to hear and respond to the Gospel.
In addition, each Sunday in August we have had people explain how they are building relationships with some of the lost people God has placed in their lives.
All of this has been intentional, to prepare you to think about The Rapture and the spiritual needs of your friends. They must be given a chance to hear and respond to the Gospel.
Today we get to use the Bridge of Decision and show God you are willing to obey Him and help reach those you care about.
Use a slip of paper (at home or in person) to write the names of those people you want to join you in the Rapture.
These are people you are going to pray for, love on, serve, talk about spiritual truth, and present the Gospel by the end of the year.
Use a slip of paper (at home or in person) to write the names of those people you want to join you in the Rapture.
These are people you are going to pray for, love on, serve, talk about spiritual truth, and present the Gospel by the end of the year.
Application and Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever had what you would call a “great vacation?” Have you the plans for a trip or vacation turn sour, or be cancelled?
2. Order a copy of the book [AS TIME RUNS OUT by Robert Jeffress] that was suggested in your notes and plan to read it by the end of the year.
3. Weekly re-read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and pray over the names of those people you would like to see come to faith. Strategize how you can deepen your relationship with them.
4. Plan to read John 14:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, 35-58. What insights can you gain from these passages that help you to better understand both the Rapture and the Gospel?
1. Have you ever had what you would call a “great vacation?” Have you the plans for a trip or vacation turn sour, or be cancelled?
2. Order a copy of the book [AS TIME RUNS OUT by Robert Jeffress] that was suggested in your notes and plan to read it by the end of the year.
3. Weekly re-read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and pray over the names of those people you would like to see come to faith. Strategize how you can deepen your relationship with them.
4. Plan to read John 14:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, 35-58. What insights can you gain from these passages that help you to better understand both the Rapture and the Gospel?
Online Giving Link
Contact Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) if you have any questions about online giving.
https://www.gc3.org/giving/Sunday Tools Link
Here you can find the Connect Card, prayer request, paper notes (to print), and online notes.
https://www.gc3.org/tools/Birthdays and Anniversaries this week:
Sunday, August 30 - Bob Hudberg, Leroy Starks, Malaki Yelton
Monday, August 31 - Grace Conklin
Tuesday, September 1 - Randy Sears
Wednesday, September 2 - Bonnie Roush
Friday, September 4 - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Frankie Berry
Saturday, September 5 - Diana Reid, Thurston Byers
Sunday, August 30 - Bob Hudberg, Leroy Starks, Malaki Yelton
Monday, August 31 - Grace Conklin
Tuesday, September 1 - Randy Sears
Wednesday, September 2 - Bonnie Roush
Friday, September 4 - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Frankie Berry
Saturday, September 5 - Diana Reid, Thurston Byers
Grace Church YouTube Channel
Our live broadcasts on Sundays @10am and midweek inspiration on Wednesdays @5pm are now on this channel. You can also catch any previously missed message as well! Be sure to "subscribe" and click the bell to receive a notification when we are going live or have uploaded a new video.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO1bU2wTtioJgwUOgD_diWg/featuredH.O.M.E. Groups begin in September!
Here are the groups meeting this fall:-Kim & Denise Hansen group on Sundays following the service at the church-Brian & Jenny Krauss group on Sundays at 5:00 pm at their home in Bellevue/Pennfield-Gary & Tracy Nelson group on Sundays at 6:30 pm at the church-Jenny Krauss (women's group) on Mondays at 10:00 am at the church-Jeff & Mary Burpee group on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at their home in Nashville-Paul & Kelly Adrianson group on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at their home in Hastings-Kyle & Leslie Booher group on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at their home in Vermontville/Charlotte
https://www.gc3.org/home-groups/Operation Christmas Child is Coming!
It's almost here, but here's how you can prepare for shoebox season right now-
-Pick up school supplies. These items are very discounted right now so it's a great time to stock up.
-Scan the clearance shelf at any store to find items perfect for shoeboxes.
-Every time you go to the store, make plans to pick up a few items. This allows you to spend a little money over a long period of time instead of all at once.
-In addition to finding things for your own boxes, we encourage you to donate items to the Bridge (youth group) as they pack 40-50 boxes each year during their packing party. You can leave these items at the Welcome Kiosk at any time.
-If you have empty shoeboxes laying around we'd love to have them! Using regular shoeboxes helps cut down on the amount of OCC boxes we need to purchase. You can leave shoeboxes at the Welcome Kiosk as well.
-Maybe you aren't familiar with Operation Christmas Child or have never packed a shoebox before. We encourage you to check out the Samaritan's Purse website and especially the "What Goes in my Shoebox" link to find out what gift items you will want to purchase.
Stay tuned for more information coming next month!
-Pick up school supplies. These items are very discounted right now so it's a great time to stock up.
-Scan the clearance shelf at any store to find items perfect for shoeboxes.
-Every time you go to the store, make plans to pick up a few items. This allows you to spend a little money over a long period of time instead of all at once.
-In addition to finding things for your own boxes, we encourage you to donate items to the Bridge (youth group) as they pack 40-50 boxes each year during their packing party. You can leave these items at the Welcome Kiosk at any time.
-If you have empty shoeboxes laying around we'd love to have them! Using regular shoeboxes helps cut down on the amount of OCC boxes we need to purchase. You can leave shoeboxes at the Welcome Kiosk as well.
-Maybe you aren't familiar with Operation Christmas Child or have never packed a shoebox before. We encourage you to check out the Samaritan's Purse website and especially the "What Goes in my Shoebox" link to find out what gift items you will want to purchase.
Stay tuned for more information coming next month!
American Red Cross Blood Drive
This Thursday, September 3rd from Noon to 5:45 pm.Make an appointment at the link below.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Graceful