Grace Church
Walking with Jesus - #5 Jesus RECOGNIZED as the Lamb of God
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
The focus of this series, Walking with Jesus, is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
Pastor Don started us off with Jesus INCARNATED on Earth.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick shared how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Jeff looked at how Jesus was TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
Today Aaron will speak about how Jesus was RECOGNIZED as the Lamb of God.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick shared how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Jeff looked at how Jesus was TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
Today Aaron will speak about how Jesus was RECOGNIZED as the Lamb of God.
After Jesus was baptized, He was immediately led into the wilderness for a time of temptation. When this time had finished, we read the account of John the Baptist recognizing Jesus as the Lamb of God.
John 1:29-34
For first century Jews, this statement spoke volumes. They would think about the Passover, sacrifice, blood, payment for wrong doings, and salvation from death. Imagine what Jesus felt when He heard those words! For Jesus this was the point of no return. John the Baptist had publicly revealed His true identity in front of John's followers and the religious leaders from Jerusalem.
John 1:29-34
For first century Jews, this statement spoke volumes. They would think about the Passover, sacrifice, blood, payment for wrong doings, and salvation from death. Imagine what Jesus felt when He heard those words! For Jesus this was the point of no return. John the Baptist had publicly revealed His true identity in front of John's followers and the religious leaders from Jerusalem.
This was a pivotal moment in Jesus' life. When He heard those words, it solidified in His mind what His identity was and that was important for Him as He began His ministry.
1. Established His Purpose
1. Established His Purpose
2. Set His Way Forward
3. Strengthened His Determination
We live in a society where identity crisis's are everywhere. We have the "Keeping up with the Joneses" syndrome but on the more serious side, we have the transgender issue which shows us just how critical it is for us to understand our identity. We need to have an identity that is founded in truth!
The real issue that all of us struggle with when it comes to identity is we use the aspects of who we are that are flawed, fleeting, and unreliable. Instead we need to choose something that is unchanging and based on truth...God's Word.
Poor Ways to Establish Our Identity:
1. Our Profession
Poor Ways to Establish Our Identity:
1. Our Profession
2. Our Person
3. Our People
4. Our Problems
Understanding our identity begins with understanding how God sees us
Romans 3:10-18, 23 - how God sees us before Jesus' sacrifice
Romans 5:6, 8 - God loves us too much to leave us there
Ephesians 1:3-10 - how God sees us when we put our faith in Jesus and His sacrifice
When we understand our identity in Jesus, it will give us purpose, show us how we should live our lives, and it should strengthen our determination and empower us to do great things.
Romans 3:10-18, 23 - how God sees us before Jesus' sacrifice
Romans 5:6, 8 - God loves us too much to leave us there
Ephesians 1:3-10 - how God sees us when we put our faith in Jesus and His sacrifice
When we understand our identity in Jesus, it will give us purpose, show us how we should live our lives, and it should strengthen our determination and empower us to do great things.
Citizen of Another Country
Ephesians 2:19a
If you put your faith in Christ, you have a different citizenship. Your allegiance is to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Ephesians 2:19a
If you put your faith in Christ, you have a different citizenship. Your allegiance is to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Members of God's Household
Ephesians 2:19b
There is nothing like being a part of the family of God. When we are acting the way we should be to each other, we can handle any difficulties that come into our lives.
Ephesians 2:19b
There is nothing like being a part of the family of God. When we are acting the way we should be to each other, we can handle any difficulties that come into our lives.
God's Masterpiece
Ephesians 2:10
You are perfectly made by God to serve a purpose and He takes great pleasure in the way that He has made you. When He made you He also had a ministry in mind for you. When you find that ministry and plug in to it, you'll be surprised at how much you'll grow and flourish.
Ephesians 2:10
You are perfectly made by God to serve a purpose and He takes great pleasure in the way that He has made you. When He made you He also had a ministry in mind for you. When you find that ministry and plug in to it, you'll be surprised at how much you'll grow and flourish.
A Royal Priesthood
1 Peter 2:9
- Royal: For those who have put their faith in Jesus, there is an expectation for how you are to live. This is where our faith becomes reality.
- Priest: We have direct access to God through prayer. Like the Old Testament priests, we need to represent people before God. Who are you praying for?
1 Peter 2:9
- Royal: For those who have put their faith in Jesus, there is an expectation for how you are to live. This is where our faith becomes reality.
- Priest: We have direct access to God through prayer. Like the Old Testament priests, we need to represent people before God. Who are you praying for?
As Christ followers we are so much more than our profession, people we hang out with, and our problems. Through Christ we can have an impact that will benefit those we come in contact with if we daily live out the reality of our identity in Christ.
This week:
Read and pray over John 1:19-34 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
Which aspect of your life do you typically draw your identity from (Profession, Person, People, Problems)?
When you look over how God sees you (Ephesians 1:3-10) how is it different than how you see yourself?
When you think about where your allegiance lies, what area of your life is most difficult for you to pledge to God?
When you think about yourself as God’s masterpiece, what do you see as your biggest God-given talent? How can you use that in ministry?
Who are you praying for?
Read and pray over John 1:19-34 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
Which aspect of your life do you typically draw your identity from (Profession, Person, People, Problems)?
When you look over how God sees you (Ephesians 1:3-10) how is it different than how you see yourself?
When you think about where your allegiance lies, what area of your life is most difficult for you to pledge to God?
When you think about yourself as God’s masterpiece, what do you see as your biggest God-given talent? How can you use that in ministry?
Who are you praying for?
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/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 will be held February 23rd following 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).
H.O.M.E. Groups
H.O.M.E. Groups are underway. Now is a great time to jump in and be part of a group! Joining a group will help you grow in your walk with Jesus and give you a group of people that will walk alongside you through the journey. You can learn more about groups, which ones are available, and/or sign-up for a group at the link below. Please contact the church office if you have any questions about what group would be a good fit for you. (grace@gc3.org)
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Read the Bible this year
Grace Church encourages you to read through the Bible this year by using the Bible Project plan "One Story that leads to Jesus" on the YouVersion Bible app. You can find this plan at the link below. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) if you have questions.
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22273Marriage Conference
Jeff and Mary Burpee would like to invite all couples of the church to prayerfully consider attending the Never Alone Marriage Conference on February 7th and 8th at Peace Church in Middleville, MI. This conference is designed to encourage and equip married couples in their journey with Christ. The keynote speakers are Jimmy and Kelly Needham. Registration is $125 per couple. To learn more and to register, visit the link below. If you'd like to talk with Jeff and Mary more about this, you can email them (jburp24@gmail.com).
https://www.peacechurch.cc/marriageconWednesdays in the Winter
We invite you to Grace Church every Wednesday night for some mid-week fun and fellowship. CJ's coffee shop will be open and we'll have a featured game available from 6:00-7:30 pm each week. Bring a snack to share if you wish. This is a great opportunity to bring someone you want to spend time with, get to know better, or introduce to other Christians. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions (lisa@gc3.org).
February's Schedule
February 5th: Skip-Bo
February 12th: Yahtzee
February 19th: Sorry
February 26th: Everybody Knows (trivia)
February's Schedule
February 5th: Skip-Bo
February 12th: Yahtzee
February 19th: Sorry
February 26th: Everybody Knows (trivia)
Time to Walk!
Are you trying to get more steps in but don't want to walk in the cold? Come on in where it's warm and walk inside the church! We'll make sure the building is open and ready for you...
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00-3:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00-3:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Wood Cutting at Grace Church
As part of the property maintenance at Grace Church, we have wood that needs to be cut on the back property. We've set aside each Saturday in February from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to cut and stack wood. Bring a chain saw if you have one as well as work gloves. Contact Ryan Hickey if you have questions or if you are in need of wood - 517-852-4800 / ryan@gc3.org
Annual Helping People Rummage Sale
Once again we'll have two shopping opportunities: Friday, February 21st 5:00-7:30 pm and Saturday, February 22nd 9:00 am to 11:30 pm.
This is an annual event for Grace Church where you can clean out your closets and storage areas and give what you don't need or use to a good cause. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Samaritan Fund that helps our community and those in need.
If you'd like to participate, there is a form to fill out (see link below). Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- You will need to mark all of your items and set them up on your designated table(s) before the sale begins (anytime during the week of February 17th)
- You will need to return at the end of the sale to collect any unsold items you wish to keep. Anything not picked up at Noon on Saturday will be donated to local charities.
- If you don't have items to donate but still want to help out with this event, we will need a few people to work the payment table during both days of the sale as well as clean up on Saturday. You can also help us out by advertising!
What we need to know from you:
Would you like a table or two?
Want to help with this event?
Let us know by filling out this FORM.
Have questions? Contact Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org)
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/rummageBirthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Wednesday, February 5th - Tripp Whitten, Isaiah Kuestner
Thursday, February 6th - Jack Simons
Friday, February 7th - Kevin Stewart
Saturday, February 8th - Donita Murphy
Thursday, February 6th - Jack Simons
Friday, February 7th - Kevin Stewart
Saturday, February 8th - Donita Murphy