Grace Church
Our Church - My H.O.M.E. #2 - No Place Like Home
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our November series deals with the essence of the Church.
In America, the church is often viewed as a social organization. You attend when it's convenient to you, if you have time, if the people make you feel good, if you have needs they can meet, if you are in agreement with the stated goals, and you can consume when you want to with no strings attached.
If this is our shopping list for Church, we become customers, shopping to fill our carts with what we want.
In America, the church is often viewed as a social organization. You attend when it's convenient to you, if you have time, if the people make you feel good, if you have needs they can meet, if you are in agreement with the stated goals, and you can consume when you want to with no strings attached.
If this is our shopping list for Church, we become customers, shopping to fill our carts with what we want.
The Church, however, is a spiritual organism.
This is where needs are met, where we ALL work together, and where we have a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves and our wants.
The Apostle Paul said we are the "Body of Christ" and that we are family.
This is where needs are met, where we ALL work together, and where we have a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves and our wants.
The Apostle Paul said we are the "Body of Christ" and that we are family.
In every body or family we see 3 things:
The Authority was positional through appointed leaders. This allows clear communication to take place, care of individuals and the meeting of needs, organization of events and schedules, and the protection of one another.
The Community was experienced as people used their gifts, served, had transparent lives, shared what they were learning with others, deepened relationships, and resolved conflict.
Today we'll talk about Responsibility - to God, to each other, and to the world.
The Authority was positional through appointed leaders. This allows clear communication to take place, care of individuals and the meeting of needs, organization of events and schedules, and the protection of one another.
The Community was experienced as people used their gifts, served, had transparent lives, shared what they were learning with others, deepened relationships, and resolved conflict.
Today we'll talk about Responsibility - to God, to each other, and to the world.
Our responsibility is three fold:
1. We are to GROW UP.
Colossians 1:28 [NLT]
The word "perfect" in this verse means mature or complete, not flawless.
Paul wanted each believer to mature spiritually. To mature, we must grow up daily in our faith. What steps are you taking to "grow up"?
Every situation in life will make us bitter or better. There is a purpose for every problem...to help us grow up spiritually and become more like Jesus.
Galatians 5:22-23
Fruits of the Spirit
How does God produce this fruit in our lives? How does God help us grow up spiritually? By putting us in the exact opposite situation!
-He teaches us to LOVE by putting us around unloving people
-He teaches us JOY in the middle of grief
-He teaches us PEACE in the middle of chaos
1. We are to GROW UP.
Colossians 1:28 [NLT]
The word "perfect" in this verse means mature or complete, not flawless.
Paul wanted each believer to mature spiritually. To mature, we must grow up daily in our faith. What steps are you taking to "grow up"?
Every situation in life will make us bitter or better. There is a purpose for every problem...to help us grow up spiritually and become more like Jesus.
Galatians 5:22-23
Fruits of the Spirit
How does God produce this fruit in our lives? How does God help us grow up spiritually? By putting us in the exact opposite situation!
-He teaches us to LOVE by putting us around unloving people
-He teaches us JOY in the middle of grief
-He teaches us PEACE in the middle of chaos
2. We are to Show Up.
Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT]
Apparently the Believers talked about in this passage had the same trouble we have today...neglecting meeting together.
Our attitude should not be 'what can I get', but 'what can I give?'
Our busyness and struggles of life should never be used as excuses for missing Church.
Before we show up, let's not overlook some important steps:
-Plan to go to church. Unless we prioritize it, other activities will crowd it out.
-Prepare yourself. Get enough rest the night before and be on time.
-Pray for God to work as we gather together.
After we show up, here's how to engage:
-Don't sleepwalk through worship
-Listen to the message with expectancy
-Expect to encounter the Living God
Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT]
Apparently the Believers talked about in this passage had the same trouble we have today...neglecting meeting together.
Our attitude should not be 'what can I get', but 'what can I give?'
Our busyness and struggles of life should never be used as excuses for missing Church.
Before we show up, let's not overlook some important steps:
-Plan to go to church. Unless we prioritize it, other activities will crowd it out.
-Prepare yourself. Get enough rest the night before and be on time.
-Pray for God to work as we gather together.
After we show up, here's how to engage:
-Don't sleepwalk through worship
-Listen to the message with expectancy
-Expect to encounter the Living God
3. We are to SPEAK UP.
1 Peter 3:15 [NLT]
Many people think their faith is a personal matter and should be kept to themselves, but not according to Peter in this passage.
When people observe your life, do they see Christ in you?
Are you prepared to tell others what Christ has done for you?
Colossians 4:5-6 [NLT]
Be careful, we can lose our effectiveness if we aren't gracious. We need to respect others if we want them to listen to what we have to say.
-Are we careful not to say or do anything that would make it difficult to share the Gospel?
-Are we using the opportunities that God gives us to witness?
-Are we walking in wisdom and walking our talk?
-Are we talking in a rude or harsh manner especially when non-Christians are listening?
-Are we remembering that meekness is the opposite of harshness?
When character, conduct, and conversation are all working together, it will make you and I a powerful witness!
1 Peter 3:15 [NLT]
Many people think their faith is a personal matter and should be kept to themselves, but not according to Peter in this passage.
When people observe your life, do they see Christ in you?
Are you prepared to tell others what Christ has done for you?
Colossians 4:5-6 [NLT]
Be careful, we can lose our effectiveness if we aren't gracious. We need to respect others if we want them to listen to what we have to say.
-Are we careful not to say or do anything that would make it difficult to share the Gospel?
-Are we using the opportunities that God gives us to witness?
-Are we walking in wisdom and walking our talk?
-Are we talking in a rude or harsh manner especially when non-Christians are listening?
-Are we remembering that meekness is the opposite of harshness?
When character, conduct, and conversation are all working together, it will make you and I a powerful witness!
Grow Up, Show Up, Speak Up...it is our responsibility.
-We have a challenge to figure out how and where to plug into this family.
-Review today's Scripture passages and ask God to reveal any action we need to take.
-Commit to praying for this ministry, the leadership, and others in the community of believers.
-We have a challenge to figure out how and where to plug into this family.
-Review today's Scripture passages and ask God to reveal any action we need to take.
-Commit to praying for this ministry, the leadership, and others in the community of believers.
YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/GraceChurchMIGiving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Grace Church Website
https://gc3.org/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://cjs-gracegc3.square.site/H.O.M.E. Groups
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Samaritan Fund Pie Fundraiser
We have pies for sale to benefit the Samaritan Fund at Grace Church!
All pies are in the kitchen freezer at Grace. This is first come first serve, no holds. Pies are $20 each and can be paid for in CJ's coffee shop.
We thank Susie Butler for contributing her yummy pies to this fundraiser each year! All proceeds go to help people in our church and in the community.
All pies are in the kitchen freezer at Grace. This is first come first serve, no holds. Pies are $20 each and can be paid for in CJ's coffee shop.
We thank Susie Butler for contributing her yummy pies to this fundraiser each year! All proceeds go to help people in our church and in the community.
H.O.M.E. Group Sunday - November 20th
Don't forget that on November 20th we will all be meeting in various homes in place of our regular Sunday service. You should have received an invitation to the Home Group you've been assigned to. If you haven't, please contact the church office (grace@gc3.org).
"Colors of Christmas" Tree Decorating Contest
The annual Christmas tree decorating contest sign-up has begun!
Use this link to read all about it and find out how you can be involved.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/c290c65823Grace Church 29th Anniversary
November is here! One of our favorite times during this month is when we celebrate the anniversary of Grace Church.
We'd like to invite everyone to stay after the service for lunch on Sunday, November 27th as we celebrate all that God has done in and through Grace Church over the past year! Special guest, Pastor Josh Burt, will be joining us so don't miss out!
We'd like to invite everyone to stay after the service for lunch on Sunday, November 27th as we celebrate all that God has done in and through Grace Church over the past year! Special guest, Pastor Josh Burt, will be joining us so don't miss out!
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Sunday, November 13th - Dawn Conklin
Monday, November 14th - Ali Mater
Tuesday, November 15th - Vada MacDonald
Wednesday, November 16th - Don Kerby
Thursday, November 17th - Taylor Ann Carpenter
Sunday, November 13th - Dawn Conklin
Monday, November 14th - Ali Mater
Tuesday, November 15th - Vada MacDonald
Wednesday, November 16th - Don Kerby
Thursday, November 17th - Taylor Ann Carpenter