Grace Church
FRIENDS for the Journey #2 - Rhoda: Acts 12:1-19
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our Spring series is dealing with the theme of friendship.
Last week we talked about one simple quality that the Bible emphasizes about friendships: Choose wisely those who we walk with.
Scripturally and practically we should be cautious of the type of person we allow into our inner circle, realizing that bad company will corrupt us.
Over the next 2 1/2 months we'll look at the lives of Bible characters who show us the type of person we should be, and the type of people we should seek to have as friends on our life journey.
Last week we talked about one simple quality that the Bible emphasizes about friendships: Choose wisely those who we walk with.
Scripturally and practically we should be cautious of the type of person we allow into our inner circle, realizing that bad company will corrupt us.
Over the next 2 1/2 months we'll look at the lives of Bible characters who show us the type of person we should be, and the type of people we should seek to have as friends on our life journey.
Our text for the morning is found in Acts 12:1-19.
Let's take a look at some characters in these verses (especially in vv. 11-16):
- King Herod, this one is Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great and nephew of Herod Antipas.
- James is the brother of the Apostle John; their nickname was "Sons of Thunder."
- Simon Peter is the brother of Andrew. Peter is imprisoned to stifle the message of Jesus' resurrection.
- 16 Roman soldiers guarding and 2 more chained to Peter
- Angel who comes to the rescue of Peter
- Mary is thought to be the sister of Barnabas and it is in her home where a number of believers have gathered to pray.
- Mark, known as John Mark, author of the gospel that bears his name.
- Rhoda, whose name means "rose" which is a symbol of love and beauty and is much desire because of its scent.
Let's take a look at some characters in these verses (especially in vv. 11-16):
- King Herod, this one is Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great and nephew of Herod Antipas.
- James is the brother of the Apostle John; their nickname was "Sons of Thunder."
- Simon Peter is the brother of Andrew. Peter is imprisoned to stifle the message of Jesus' resurrection.
- 16 Roman soldiers guarding and 2 more chained to Peter
- Angel who comes to the rescue of Peter
- Mary is thought to be the sister of Barnabas and it is in her home where a number of believers have gathered to pray.
- Mark, known as John Mark, author of the gospel that bears his name.
- Rhoda, whose name means "rose" which is a symbol of love and beauty and is much desire because of its scent.
While there are many messages that could be preached on this passage of Scripture, today we settle on just one character, a person who is mentioned only one time in the Bible - Rhoda.
In verse 13 she is identified as "a servant named Rhoda."
Through verses 11-16 we see numerous facets of her life that are worthy of our study and thoughts. We'll look at a few and then camp on just one.
In verse 13 she is identified as "a servant named Rhoda."
Through verses 11-16 we see numerous facets of her life that are worthy of our study and thoughts. We'll look at a few and then camp on just one.
1. Rhoda was a SOMEBODY.
2. Rhoda was a SERVANT.
3. Rhoda was SPIRITUAL.
4. Rhoda was SPONTANEOUS.
5. Rhoda was SMART.
6. Rhoda was SINCERE.
7. Rhoda was SECURE.
We're going to focus on just one of Rhoda's character qualities...she was a servant.
The Bible has scores of passages promoting servanthood because in God's eyes, that person is great!
Paul wrote about how we should live our lives in Philippians 2:5-7a.
This communicates that we are to BE like Jesus!
The Bible has scores of passages promoting servanthood because in God's eyes, that person is great!
Paul wrote about how we should live our lives in Philippians 2:5-7a.
This communicates that we are to BE like Jesus!
As we look at 3 questions about being a servant, don't think of a person who is paid to wait on you but think of a servant or servanthood as someone who does something out of love and concern for you.
1. What descriptive words come to mind when you think of a servant or servanthood?
2. Who has served you recently and who have you served?
3. Who is someone you will serve this week and how might you do so?
1. What descriptive words come to mind when you think of a servant or servanthood?
2. Who has served you recently and who have you served?
3. Who is someone you will serve this week and how might you do so?
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
Do you have a Home Group? Visit the website to learn about which groups are meeting; you can sign-up for a group there as well. You can also contact the church office; we'd love to help you with this (grace@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Mentoring at Grace
There are several men and women at Grace Church who have completed the mentoring program here at Grace and are looking to invest in and share what they've learned with someone else. Have you thought about growing in your faith through the Grace Church mentoring program?
Contact the church office with any questions or to get the process started (grace@gc3.org) or you can talk with any of the staff and elders.
Contact the church office with any questions or to get the process started (grace@gc3.org) or you can talk with any of the staff and elders.
Bible Reading Plan
We hope you are taking part in the 2023 Bible Reading Plan. This also includes devotionals from Pastor Josh each week. Visit the website at the link below or find paper copies in CJ's. Let us know if you have any questions!
https://gc3.org/bible/Gracewear Shopping Link
Grace Church has a shopping link for Gracewear through Courtside Screen Printing & Embroidery. Use the link below to take a look. All questions and orders go directly through Courtside. Their contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.
https://grace2022.itemorder.com/shop/sale/CJ's is Open on Wednesdays
You can take advantage of the opportunity to hang out in CJ's on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 pm this winter/spring.
Meet up with friends, bring a project to work on, or just spend some quiet time reading or praying.
Meet up with friends, bring a project to work on, or just spend some quiet time reading or praying.
Lisa's Blog - Worship Moments
https://gc3.org/worship-moments/The Greenhouse Project
Visit The Greenhouse Project at our church website to find out what classes are being offered. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions (lisa@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/tgp/American Red Cross Blood Drive
Grace Church is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, April 27th from 12:00-5:45 pm. You can make an appointment at this link.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=GracefulMay/June Grace U Classes
Resolving Conflict - gaining a Biblical perspective on the principles, practices, and problems associated with making peace Youth Ministry - making an eternal difference in the lives of teens Love Works - great for those working in the secular world who want to live life, impact people, and influence those around them the way that Jesus did Foundations 2 - going deeper into the basic doctrines of the Bible (having taken Foundations 1 is helpful but not required) Coming in June: Here's Grace - the basics of what Grace Church is all about. This is a great class for anyone who is newer to the church. Completion of Here's Grace is a requirement for membership at Grace.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Vermontville Clean Up Night
Grace Church is heading to the streets of Vermontville for the annual Vermontville Clean Up to help the village prepare for the Syrup Festival.
Join us on April 26th, at 6:30 pm at the park in downtown Vermontville where Ryan will give you an area to work on. Bring work gloves if you can.
This is a great opportunity to get out into the community and serve alongside your Grace Church family members. Contact Ryan Hickey if you have any questions (ryan@gc3.org).
Join us on April 26th, at 6:30 pm at the park in downtown Vermontville where Ryan will give you an area to work on. Bring work gloves if you can.
This is a great opportunity to get out into the community and serve alongside your Grace Church family members. Contact Ryan Hickey if you have any questions (ryan@gc3.org).
Meet and Greet
The next Meet & Greet opportunity for those who are newer to Grace Church is today right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. We'd love to have you join us for this short time of fellowship where you can learn more about Grace Church, meet some of the staff and leadership, and have the opportunity to ask questions. We also look forward to getting to know you better.
Man Camp - May 12th
Find out all the details and sign-up for Man Camp at this link.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/mancampChurch Work Days in May
Each Saturday during the month of May you have the opportunity to help out at the church. God has blessed us with 78 acres of property and so each Spring and Fall we spend some time sprucing up and doing maintenance on what He has given us!
Every Saturday in May from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or whatever time you can give. Contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org) if you plan to come so he can know to plan for you.
Every Saturday in May from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or whatever time you can give. Contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org) if you plan to come so he can know to plan for you.
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, April 22nd - Rayna Nowicke, Kim & Denise Hansen
Monday, April 24th - Lindsay Justice, Will Hammond
Tuesday, April 25th - Beverly Bowers, Josh Sensiba, Jason Evans, Leif Godbey, Jarret & Rebecca Lyles
Wednesday, April 26th - Connie Berkimer, Haylee Sanchez, Corbin Hasselback
Thursday, April 27th - Tracy Hickey
Saturday, April 22nd - Rayna Nowicke, Kim & Denise Hansen
Monday, April 24th - Lindsay Justice, Will Hammond
Tuesday, April 25th - Beverly Bowers, Josh Sensiba, Jason Evans, Leif Godbey, Jarret & Rebecca Lyles
Wednesday, April 26th - Connie Berkimer, Haylee Sanchez, Corbin Hasselback
Thursday, April 27th - Tracy Hickey