Grace Church
#2 New Year, Same Commands
We hope you are looking forward to this new year with all of its challenges and celebrations and are grounded by the important constants in your life.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our January sermon series is, "New Year, Same _____."
The idea is that while we are out with the old and in with the new, there are some constants that never change year to year. Today our title is New Year, Same Commands.
The idea is that while we are out with the old and in with the new, there are some constants that never change year to year. Today our title is New Year, Same Commands.
We all have certain priorities in life. Have you ever examined your life with a view toward understanding your priorities? For better or worse, our priorities are slowly turning us into a certain kind of person and shaping our destinies.
What if we asked God to help us determine what our priorities should be?
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
We are to become God-centered people, not self-centered people. He is to be first in our lives, above everyone and everything, without exception. From this, all other priorities will find their place.
John 14:15
What if we asked God to help us determine what our priorities should be?
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
We are to become God-centered people, not self-centered people. He is to be first in our lives, above everyone and everything, without exception. From this, all other priorities will find their place.
John 14:15
What are the 10 Commandments or Mosaic Law?
The 10 Commandments were given to the nation of Israel shortly after Moses led them from captivity in Egypt.
The first 4 Commandments deal with our relationship with God.
The last 6 Commandments deal with our relationship with one another.
The purpose of the 10 Commandments is to force people to realize that they cannot perfectly obey the law and are therefore in need of God's mercy and grace.
The 10 Commandments were given to the nation of Israel shortly after Moses led them from captivity in Egypt.
The first 4 Commandments deal with our relationship with God.
The last 6 Commandments deal with our relationship with one another.
The purpose of the 10 Commandments is to force people to realize that they cannot perfectly obey the law and are therefore in need of God's mercy and grace.
The Mosaic Law was made up of 3 parts: The 10 Commandments, the ordinances, and the worship system. The purpose of the Mosaic Law is to:
1. Reveal the Holy character of the eternal God to the nation of Israel
2. Set apart the nation of Israel from all the other nations
3. Reveal the sinfulness of man
4. Provide forgiveness through the sacrifice/offerings
5. Provide a way of worship for the community of faith through the yearly feasts
6. Provide God's direction for the physical and spiritual health of the nation
7. Reveal to humanity that no one can keep the law, but everyone falls short of God's standards of Holiness
James 2:10
1. Reveal the Holy character of the eternal God to the nation of Israel
2. Set apart the nation of Israel from all the other nations
3. Reveal the sinfulness of man
4. Provide forgiveness through the sacrifice/offerings
5. Provide a way of worship for the community of faith through the yearly feasts
6. Provide God's direction for the physical and spiritual health of the nation
7. Reveal to humanity that no one can keep the law, but everyone falls short of God's standards of Holiness
James 2:10
The law was set forth in negatives (have no other God, don't kill, etc.) but Jesus put it in a positive way.
What is the greatest commandment?
Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28
Jesus gave us 2 commandments that summarize all the laws and commands in Scripture. Without a right relationship with God, our relationships with others will not be right either. We will never love our neighbor as ourselves if we do not first love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
What is the greatest commandment?
Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28
Jesus gave us 2 commandments that summarize all the laws and commands in Scripture. Without a right relationship with God, our relationships with others will not be right either. We will never love our neighbor as ourselves if we do not first love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
What does it mean to love God? What is love?
In the life of a believer, love is an act of the will. We choose to relate to God and to other people in a loving way no matter how we might feel.
Ephesians 4:32
The Scriptures describe 4 types of love:
EROS: romantic love between 2 people, sexual
STORGE: family love and affection, like a parent towards their child
PHILIA: brotherly love, like between best friends
AGAPE: unconditional love, God's love for us
Agape is a selfless love that is also extended toward strangers and enemies. This kind of love leads to action (John 3:16).
In the life of a believer, love is an act of the will. We choose to relate to God and to other people in a loving way no matter how we might feel.
Ephesians 4:32
The Scriptures describe 4 types of love:
EROS: romantic love between 2 people, sexual
STORGE: family love and affection, like a parent towards their child
PHILIA: brotherly love, like between best friends
AGAPE: unconditional love, God's love for us
Agape is a selfless love that is also extended toward strangers and enemies. This kind of love leads to action (John 3:16).
What does it mean to love God with all your...
1. HEART: love God deeply and personally - Desiring God
2. SOUL: devote your life to God - Trusting God
3. MIND: focus your mind on the pursuit of truth or renew your mind with God's truth by reading His Word - Knowing God
4. STRENGTH: do everything for God - Serving God
5. LOVE your neighbor as yourself
This is what the Law is declaring... that our loving relationship with God comes first which results in a loving relationship with others.
1. HEART: love God deeply and personally - Desiring God
2. SOUL: devote your life to God - Trusting God
3. MIND: focus your mind on the pursuit of truth or renew your mind with God's truth by reading His Word - Knowing God
4. STRENGTH: do everything for God - Serving God
5. LOVE your neighbor as yourself
This is what the Law is declaring... that our loving relationship with God comes first which results in a loving relationship with others.
Jesus promises that if we love Him and keep His commandments, we will have a relationship with God. Do you love God and have a relationship with Him?
It's as simple as the ABC's:
A - admit you are a sinner and separated from God
B - believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin by dying on the cross
C - choose the free gift of salvation by asking Christ to forgive you of your sins and come into your life
It's as simple as the ABC's:
A - admit you are a sinner and separated from God
B - believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin by dying on the cross
C - choose the free gift of salvation by asking Christ to forgive you of your sins and come into your life
GC3:
Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28)
Key word: LOVE
Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-28)
Key word: GO
God-Honoring Community (1 John 2:6; Acts 2:41-47)
Key word: LIKE
A body of believers that is Spirit powered and growing in their faith will be known for their PASSIONATE LOVE for mankind. This will fuel a LIFESTYLE of making disciples and result in people who live LIKE Jesus in their community.
Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28)
Key word: LOVE
Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-28)
Key word: GO
God-Honoring Community (1 John 2:6; Acts 2:41-47)
Key word: LIKE
A body of believers that is Spirit powered and growing in their faith will be known for their PASSIONATE LOVE for mankind. This will fuel a LIFESTYLE of making disciples and result in people who live LIKE Jesus in their community.
Mark 12:29-31
The greatest commandment isn't a single commandment, rather two that are tied together. You cannot have one without the other. As we love God with our whole being we must love our neighbors. You cannot do one without the other.
So the greatest commandment in the Bible is Love God and Love people. Everything else in the Bible flows from these 2 commandments.
The greatest commandment isn't a single commandment, rather two that are tied together. You cannot have one without the other. As we love God with our whole being we must love our neighbors. You cannot do one without the other.
So the greatest commandment in the Bible is Love God and Love people. Everything else in the Bible flows from these 2 commandments.
So how can we practically live out the Great Commandment?
1. LOVE God
Mark 12:30 [MSG]
We are to love God with everything we have. That may seem very demanding, but think about this...God has given us free will to decide to follow Him or not. We are never forced. And it is for our benefit. When we live for ourselves it never produces what we hope for.
1. LOVE God
Mark 12:30 [MSG]
We are to love God with everything we have. That may seem very demanding, but think about this...God has given us free will to decide to follow Him or not. We are never forced. And it is for our benefit. When we live for ourselves it never produces what we hope for.
2. LOVE people
John 13:34-35
Our love for God should not stop with God, it should flow to those around us. We are called/commanded to love even those who are difficult to love. When we are able to forgive and give grace to people who are hard to love, then we get a picture of God's love for us.
Everyone we encounter is someone that God loves and Jesus died for. Even difficult people!
An African Proverb: "If you want to go fast, go by yourself. If you want to go far, go with others!"
John 13:34-35
Our love for God should not stop with God, it should flow to those around us. We are called/commanded to love even those who are difficult to love. When we are able to forgive and give grace to people who are hard to love, then we get a picture of God's love for us.
Everyone we encounter is someone that God loves and Jesus died for. Even difficult people!
An African Proverb: "If you want to go fast, go by yourself. If you want to go far, go with others!"
Website
https://gc3.org/Giving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/The Greenhouse Project
https://gc3.org/tgp/January/February Grace U Classes
Here's Grace on Mondays 6:30 pm begins January 22nd.
H.O.M.E. Group Training Thursdays at 6:30 pm begins January 18th.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/H.O.M.E. Groups
A few new H.O.M.E. Groups are starting soon! If you don't have a group, think about joining and sign-up at the link below. Jeff & Mary Burpee: Meeting on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at their home in Nashville beginning January 10th. Matt & Donita Firman: Meeting on Fridays at 6:30 pm at their home in Charlotte beginning January 12th. Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel: For young adults (post high school/college age) meeting on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. They gather at the church and at their home in Olivet on a rotation.
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Ken Ham in Charlotte
Charlotte First Baptist Church is hosting author and speaker, Ken Ham, on Sunday, January 21st at 5:00 pm. The event is free but you must register to attend at the link below.
Ken Ham is the founder/CEO of Answers in Genesis and its Creation Museum and Ark Encounter.
https://subsplash.com/firstbaptistchurch-mi/lb/ev/+57m3dtxLaugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Conference
Hey gentlemen! Looking for that last minute Christmas gift for your wife? Yes, I assume the ladies have already bought gifts for their men, but if not here is a great idea!
Jeff and Mary Burpee, and Aaron and Angie Walker are planning on getting several couples together to attend Laugh Your Way, a couples comedy event on March 8-9 in Taylor, MI. The speaker is Mark Gungor, one of the most sought-after speakers on love and marriage. Join us as he explores the underlying dynamics of male/female relationships with a comedic twist. The event is Friday 7-10pm, and continues on Saturday from 9am-12pm. We plan to have lunch together after the event to discuss what we’ve learned. For tickets or more information, use this LINK. See the Walkers or the Burpees if you have questions
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taylor-mi-tickets-664505222007?aff=ebdssbdestsearch2024 Bible Reading - Grace Journals
Our 2024 church-wide Bible Reading Plan is underway! If you haven't already, you can pick up your 2024 Grace Journal in CJ's coffee shop. You can find an at-a-glance list of the reading each week at the link below. We are excited for you to grow in your faith as we read and study through the writings of Paul together!
https://gc3.org/bible/Courtside Grace Apparel
Did you know that Grace Church has a shopping link through Courtside Screen-printing for Grace apparel? You can check it out at the link below. There are more styles coming so be sure to check back again. Any questions should be directed to Courtside. Their contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.
https://grace2022.itemorder.com/shop/sale/Annual Helping People Rummage Sale
Our annual church-wide rummage sale will take place on Friday evening, February 23rd from 6:00-8:00 pm AND Saturday morning, February 24th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Visit the link below to see how you can be involved!
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/96c1ca8011CJ's Gift Cards
You can now purchase CJ's Gift Cards in either $10 or $20 amounts at the counter in CJ's. These cards are good for anything purchased in CJ's (not for online purchases). This is a great way to bless someone as well as supporting the Samaritan Fund to help those in need in our community!
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, January 13th - Charlie Mater, Erik Godbey
Sunday, January 14th - Fionnlagh Godbey
Friday, January 19th - Bonnie Maker
Sunday, January 14th - Fionnlagh Godbey
Friday, January 19th - Bonnie Maker