Grace Church
#1 - In the Home of the Outcasts
The Dining with Jesus series will give you practical teaching in Biblical hospitality and equip you to open your door and build relationships with those in your church and community.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
This month our series is entitled Dining with Jesus and will run through Easter Sunday (March 31st).
In the gospel of Luke, there are some 50-60 references to food, drink, and meals. Luke pointed out that this became a point of contention with the religious rulers of the day in Luke 5:33. Jesus spoke to these critics in Luke 7:34.
In the gospel of Luke, there are some 50-60 references to food, drink, and meals. Luke pointed out that this became a point of contention with the religious rulers of the day in Luke 5:33. Jesus spoke to these critics in Luke 7:34.
The Lord incorporated hospitality into his mission strategy of disciple making. He often shared a meal around a table with people who were His family, friends, followers, and even His foes.
Being hospitable matters. Food matters. Meals matter and are significant. One author has written, "Few acts are more expressive of companionship than the shared meal. Someone with whom we share food is likely to be our friend, or well on the way to becoming one.
Being hospitable matters. Food matters. Meals matter and are significant. One author has written, "Few acts are more expressive of companionship than the shared meal. Someone with whom we share food is likely to be our friend, or well on the way to becoming one.
This series will stress the importance of opening your door and being hospitable. You must want to be hospitable...that is a key character quality of Jesus and those in the early church as well as an expectation of God the Father. 1 Peter 4:9
Jesus opened the door of His life to more than His family. He was accepting, loving, and inviting toward those whom He crossed paths with.
Dining with Jesus will...
- Enlighten you to see the difference between Biblical and cultural hospitality
- Encourage you to live more relationally with those in our church and community
- Equip you to live more like a Christ follower, and less like a church person
Jesus opened the door of His life to more than His family. He was accepting, loving, and inviting toward those whom He crossed paths with.
Dining with Jesus will...
- Enlighten you to see the difference between Biblical and cultural hospitality
- Encourage you to live more relationally with those in our church and community
- Equip you to live more like a Christ follower, and less like a church person
Jesus understood that having a relationship with someone is important to challenging their belief system and lifestyle. The book of Luke records numerous instances in which the Lord spent time with people. This month we're going to look at a few of these times, especially the mealtimes.
If you casually read through the gospel of Luke, you will see that Jesus often is found in the home of the outcasts.
Biblically, outcasts are those who are separated from God because of their sin and rejection of God's authority in their life.
Luke 5, 7, 11, 14, and 19 point out a few of those stories.
Luke 5 & 19 involve what society might call real sinners.
Luke 7, 11, & 14 deal with religious sinners.
Biblically, outcasts are those who are separated from God because of their sin and rejection of God's authority in their life.
Luke 5, 7, 11, 14, and 19 point out a few of those stories.
Luke 5 & 19 involve what society might call real sinners.
Luke 7, 11, & 14 deal with religious sinners.
Our text today is in Luke 5:27-32 and is referred to as The Call of Levi/Matthew.
The story takes place in Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had just performed a miracle; the healing of the paralytic.
Both types of sinful people (real and religious) were present and aware of what Jesus had done.
The story takes place in Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had just performed a miracle; the healing of the paralytic.
Both types of sinful people (real and religious) were present and aware of what Jesus had done.
- Levi/Matthew was a tax collector, sitting at a booth.
- These collectors had to bid for the privilege of collecting tolls. They had to pay the Romans a specific fee and then were allowed to keep the excess as their profit.
- These people were seen as traitors to God, the nation, and to their fellow countrymen.
- It's not likely that this was Jesus' first encounter with him.
- Verse 28 implies that Levi not only physically "got up" from sitting at the booth, but he was also spiritually transformed from death to life when he responded to Jesus' invitation.
- We should take note of the order of the words in verse 28...got up, left everything, and followed Him.
- In verses 29-32 we come to the food/meal/hospitality part. Jesus spent time with those who were alienated from God because He cared about His Father, and He cared about people. We can ask ourselves, "do I really care about people?"
- These collectors had to bid for the privilege of collecting tolls. They had to pay the Romans a specific fee and then were allowed to keep the excess as their profit.
- These people were seen as traitors to God, the nation, and to their fellow countrymen.
- It's not likely that this was Jesus' first encounter with him.
- Verse 28 implies that Levi not only physically "got up" from sitting at the booth, but he was also spiritually transformed from death to life when he responded to Jesus' invitation.
- We should take note of the order of the words in verse 28...got up, left everything, and followed Him.
- In verses 29-32 we come to the food/meal/hospitality part. Jesus spent time with those who were alienated from God because He cared about His Father, and He cared about people. We can ask ourselves, "do I really care about people?"
As you look at this moment of hospitality, you become aware of the actions that resulted from the Lord's love...
First - GROWING
Who are you in relationship with? You have to be willing to open the door!
First - GROWING
Who are you in relationship with? You have to be willing to open the door!
Second - CONNECTING
Is there a real interest on your part in getting to know people? Do they see any difference in your lifestyle, beliefs, and behaviors?
Is there a real interest on your part in getting to know people? Do they see any difference in your lifestyle, beliefs, and behaviors?
Third - SPEAKING
For many Christians, opening a conversation or injecting spiritual topics into normal day-to-day conversation is a skill they lack.
Have you thought about taking the Frontline class that provides help in the area of having spiritual conversations with people? It starts tonight at 6:30 pm at the church.
For many Christians, opening a conversation or injecting spiritual topics into normal day-to-day conversation is a skill they lack.
Have you thought about taking the Frontline class that provides help in the area of having spiritual conversations with people? It starts tonight at 6:30 pm at the church.
Practicing hospitality is a great way to grow in your faith, make friends, help others, and tell the Story...His Story of Jesus and our Story with Jesus.
Over the next few months you'll hear the phrase, "Open your door." This is the next step to "Walking across the room."
Over the next few months you'll hear the phrase, "Open your door." This is the next step to "Walking across the room."
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
HAPPENING THIS WEEK!
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
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/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.
Meet 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 Sunday, March 24th.
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!
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/American Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, March 7th 12:00-5:45 pm at Grace Church. Use the link below to make an appointment.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=GracefulBirthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Sunday, March 3th - Kelly Kerby, Steve & Sonya Schilz
Monday, March 4th - Isaiah Bolinger
Tuesday, March 5th - Sherry Knauss
Wednesday, March 6th - Aoibheann Godbey
Thursday, March 7th - Joy Deitrick
Monday, March 4th - Isaiah Bolinger
Tuesday, March 5th - Sherry Knauss
Wednesday, March 6th - Aoibheann Godbey
Thursday, March 7th - Joy Deitrick