Grace Church
#3 Jesus and the Widow of Nain
This month we will explore encounters in the Bible that were life changing.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our series this month is entitled ENCOUNTERS which is defined as "an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something."
We are looking at four people this month who had a life impacting encounter with someone.
We are looking at four people this month who had a life impacting encounter with someone.
Encounters - We Want to Hear From You!
We'd love to hear from you...who have you encountered that has made a difference in your life? Write a short paragraph about the encounter and how it impacted you using the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/cd412a?fbclid=IwAR26tzym6C6yrKqtFmhOwkceDUf_dxK1BfUjT7FxVjIrgeCtjDdjQXIMe2EToday we're looking at an encounter from the New Testament. We find this in Luke 7:11-17, Jesus and the Widow of Nain
How many people do we come across each day?
How many people do we cross paths with?
Today we see a time where Jesus encounters a widow, and that encounter leads Him to act.
Luke 7:11-17
How many people do we cross paths with?
Today we see a time where Jesus encounters a widow, and that encounter leads Him to act.
Luke 7:11-17
Verse 11
Who: Jesus, disciples, great crowd
Where: Nain - small town 8 miles south of Nazareth and 25 miles southwest of Capernaum
When: "Soon afterwards"...they had just come from healing the Centurion's servant in Capernaum
Who: Jesus, disciples, great crowd
Where: Nain - small town 8 miles south of Nazareth and 25 miles southwest of Capernaum
When: "Soon afterwards"...they had just come from healing the Centurion's servant in Capernaum
Verse 12
Who: The addition of the widow, her only son, and a considerable crowd
What: Funeral for the widow's only son
Who: The addition of the widow, her only son, and a considerable crowd
What: Funeral for the widow's only son
Here we see 2 worlds collide. Jesus, the disciples, and the crowd are rejoicing. The widow and her crowd are weeping.
The first 2 verses set the scene for the event.
We've seen the who, what, when, and where but we've yet to see the why.
This will come in the next 5 verses.
The first 2 verses set the scene for the event.
We've seen the who, what, when, and where but we've yet to see the why.
This will come in the next 5 verses.
Let's look at things from a historical and cultural viewpoint...
The widow: during this time, women were not seen as having the ability to care for themselves. They could not own land or property.
The only son: was the primary male in the family. He was the property owner and provided a living for he and his mother.
She was not only grieving the death of her child, she was all alone and her whole world was about to change and she has very little control over it.
The widow: during this time, women were not seen as having the ability to care for themselves. They could not own land or property.
The only son: was the primary male in the family. He was the property owner and provided a living for he and his mother.
She was not only grieving the death of her child, she was all alone and her whole world was about to change and she has very little control over it.
Verse 13
This verse tells us that the Lord saw her. Did anyone else?
He wasn't so wrapped up in the previous miracle as the others may have been. He was looking and He saw her.
He didn't only see her but He felt compassion.
The term, "compassion," is used 7 times in Scripture this way and always to describe Jesus. Every time that Jesus felt compassion, it would always be followed by action. He never simply felt compassion and moved on, His compassion would lead Him to do something!
This verse tells us that the Lord saw her. Did anyone else?
He wasn't so wrapped up in the previous miracle as the others may have been. He was looking and He saw her.
He didn't only see her but He felt compassion.
The term, "compassion," is used 7 times in Scripture this way and always to describe Jesus. Every time that Jesus felt compassion, it would always be followed by action. He never simply felt compassion and moved on, His compassion would lead Him to do something!
Verses 14 & 15
Jesus was led to act. His action would restore life and the family. Jesus had authority to do this.
Jesus was led to act. His action would restore life and the family. Jesus had authority to do this.
Verses 16 & 17
We learn that fear seized the people. Can you imagine witnessing this?
Proverbs 9:10
The response here is the same as the response of the people of Shunem about 900 years earlier in 2 Kings 4 when Elijah raised a boy from death.
The response of the people to Jesus' miracle was one of:
Fear - Reverence
Glorified God - Worship
'A great prophet...God has visited' - Respect
The report spread...Judea & surrounding - Circulated
We learn that fear seized the people. Can you imagine witnessing this?
Proverbs 9:10
The response here is the same as the response of the people of Shunem about 900 years earlier in 2 Kings 4 when Elijah raised a boy from death.
The response of the people to Jesus' miracle was one of:
Fear - Reverence
Glorified God - Worship
'A great prophet...God has visited' - Respect
The report spread...Judea & surrounding - Circulated
How many people do we come across each day?
How many people do we cross paths with?
Do we "see" them?
Do we "feel" for them?
Does this cause us to act?
1. LOOK around at the community we are in and truly SEE the people we have around us.
2. What do you FEEL for the community?
3. Set a priority to ACT on that!
We can't say that we have Biblical compassion if it's not driving us to respond!
How many people do we cross paths with?
Do we "see" them?
Do we "feel" for them?
Does this cause us to act?
1. LOOK around at the community we are in and truly SEE the people we have around us.
2. What do you FEEL for the community?
3. Set a priority to ACT on that!
We can't say that we have Biblical compassion if it's not driving us to respond!
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/Laugh 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/March/April Grace U Classes
There are several new Grace U classes starting up in March. We encourage you to think about taking a class to grow in your faith. If you want help in deciding which class might be best for you, contact the church office, we'd love to help! (grace@gc3.org). Use the link below to sign-up.
Classes being offered are:
Bible Essentials: provides you with a simple and applicable understanding of the Bible. Sundays 9:00-9:45 am beginning March 3rd. Child care is provided if you register by February 25th.
Christianity, Cults, & Religions: know what you believe and why regarding the Christian faith. Mondays 6:30-8:00 pm beginning March 11th. Frontline: gives practical training for sharing God's story and your story. Class dates and times to be announced soon. Love Works: gives a practical sampling of skills, tips, and stumbling blocks when it comes to leadership. Class dates and times to be announced soon.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Classes being offered are:
Bible Essentials: provides you with a simple and applicable understanding of the Bible. Sundays 9:00-9:45 am beginning March 3rd. Child care is provided if you register by February 25th.
Christianity, Cults, & Religions: know what you believe and why regarding the Christian faith. Mondays 6:30-8:00 pm beginning March 11th. Frontline: gives practical training for sharing God's story and your story. Class dates and times to be announced soon. Love Works: gives a practical sampling of skills, tips, and stumbling blocks when it comes to leadership. Class dates and times to be announced soon.
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/96c1ca8011Meet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet is February 25th.
This takes place right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
This takes place right after the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
CJ'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!
S.H.A.P.E. Class Starting Soon
The S.H.A.P.E. class is being offered beginning Monday, February 19th and running through March 25th. This class will take place on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm at the church. Pastor Josh will be leading you through a course that will help you to understand how God has uniquely created you to serve and minister to others.
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Wintery Wednesday Events
Check out all the events happening at Grace Church including the Wintery Wednesday events at the link below.
https://gc3.org/events/Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, February 17th - Carol Kellogg, Larry Miller, Ed Knauss
Monday, February 19th - Jeff Burpee
Tuesday, February 20th - Monique Scott, Heather Reurink
Thursday, February 22nd - Karmen Binkowski
Friday, February 23rd - Steve Schilz
Monday, February 19th - Jeff Burpee
Tuesday, February 20th - Monique Scott, Heather Reurink
Thursday, February 22nd - Karmen Binkowski
Friday, February 23rd - Steve Schilz