Grace Church
Going the Distance #1 - The Grind of Ministry
Our series this month will look at some of the key events during the last 6-9 months of the Lord's life. His travel, public teaching, troubles, training of disciples, and emphasis on teamwork became very intense and intentional. The Phrase Going the Distance perfectly captures this period of time.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
This month our series is titled Going the Distance. It's a phrase that means "to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort." Basically, it means to stay the course and see something through to the end.
When you hear the phrase, Going the Distance, what image comes to mind? And with that image in mind, what are some of the things needed for a person to Go the Distance?
Our series this month will look at some of the key events during the last 6-9 months of the Lord's life. His travel, public teaching, troubles, training of disciples, and emphasis on teamwork became very intense and intentional.
The Phrase Going the Distance perfectly captures this period of time.
The Phrase Going the Distance perfectly captures this period of time.
This morning we will look at the middle portion of the Gospel of Luke 9-19. This larger portion of Scripture has been called "Luke's Travel Log" or "The Journey to Jerusalem." It doesn't focus so much on the geographical nature of His trip but on the spiritual nature of what is taking place. One author wrote, "In this section, Luke spent far more time on the lessons that Jesus taught, than the landscape that He traversed."
Luke 9:51 [ESV]
Jesus knew His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension were near.
Luke 9:51 [ESV]
Jesus knew His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension were near.
If you were browsing this large portion of Scripture, you would find Jesus teaching numerous lessons. Here is just a sampling of those lessons found in Luke 9:
1. The commissioning of the Twelve Apostles and their role.
Luke 9:1-5
1. The commissioning of the Twelve Apostles and their role.
Luke 9:1-5
2. The reality of conflict and how to respond.
Luke 9:7-9
Luke 9:7-9
3. The needs of the multitude.
Luke 9:6, 10-17
Luke 9:6, 10-17
4. The nature of His true identity.
Luke 9:18-21, 28-36
Luke 9:18-21, 28-36
5. The reality of His rejection, crucifixion, resurrection, and retribution at His second coming.
Luke 9:22-27, 43-45
Luke 9:22-27, 43-45
6. The character and conduct of those who say they are or want to be disciples.
Luke 9:37-43, 46-62
Luke 9:37-43, 46-62
7. The truths concerning God’s Kingdom and man’s salvation.
Luke 9 sets up chapters 10-19 where Jesus began to teach a number of parables. A parable is a story from real life or imagery that the audience can easily recognize. It's intent is to communicate a moral or spiritual truth to challenge the beliefs and behavior of the audience. They are earthly stories with heavenly meanings.
Luke recorded 37 parables of Jesus and there are 23 just in this section of chapters (10-19). In addition, throughout these chapters of Luke we see Jesus healing and bringing people to faith.
Luke recorded 37 parables of Jesus and there are 23 just in this section of chapters (10-19). In addition, throughout these chapters of Luke we see Jesus healing and bringing people to faith.
Jesus was a busy person! Did He ever want to quit moving toward Jerusalem? How did He keep going? Why didn't He burn out? Was He ever discouraged?
Most of us can relate to times when our workload, the stress of life, social expectations, and personal schedules left us drained and grinding away.
"The grind of life" refers to the daily routines and rhythms of life.
Jesus and His disciples faced much of what we've just mentioned..."The Grind of Life"...and yet they continued onward, Going the Distance.
Most of us can relate to times when our workload, the stress of life, social expectations, and personal schedules left us drained and grinding away.
"The grind of life" refers to the daily routines and rhythms of life.
Jesus and His disciples faced much of what we've just mentioned..."The Grind of Life"...and yet they continued onward, Going the Distance.
Let's look at several principles for dealing with the grind of life...
1. Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing.
Luke 9:11b
1. Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing.
Luke 9:11b
2. Embrace your responsibilities, but don't forget to exercise and rest.
Luke 9:10b
Luke 9:10b
3. Develop and maintain your spiritual core and community.
Luke 9:1-5
Luke 9:1-5
4. Remember that God is in control and look toward His future.
Luke 9:22
Luke 9:22
When the reality of life threatens to overwhelm us, we need to pause and look upward. God is in control and aware of all that we face. In addition, He has all of the resources that we may need to not only survive, but to THRIVE in 25!
This week:
Read and pray over Luke 9:1-19 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)
Read and pray over Luke 9:1-19 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)
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 April 27th 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
Joining a H.O.M.E. 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/22273Healing the Wounded Heart Training Class
This course, designed to teach people how to deal with trauma, will be offered in Grand Rapids June 2nd-6th. There will also be a 3-day class offered in August with dates yet to be determined. Colin Paul and Matt Firman have taken this training and use it as they do jail ministry. They are encouraging people to be trained in trauma healing and then use it to minister in their communities. If you have questions or want to sign-up for the training, contact Colin Paul (colinholly21@yahoo.com) or Matt Firman (colo323@protonmail.com).
"For wounds to heal, people need to express their pain and grieve so that their feelings are not buried inside of them. They can express them to God and bring their pain to the cross. As they experience Christ's healing, they can begin to forgive and rebuild their lives. Then they are better able to face future suffering."
"For wounds to heal, people need to express their pain and grieve so that their feelings are not buried inside of them. They can express them to God and bring their pain to the cross. As they experience Christ's healing, they can begin to forgive and rebuild their lives. Then they are better able to face future suffering."
Easter Egg Hunt Information and Sign-Up
Grace Church Easter Events - Dates to put on your calendar: Wednesday, April 16th - Easter Egg Stuffing at the church at 6:30 pm Saturday, April 19th - Easter Egg Hunt Outreach event at 10:00 am Sunday, April 20th - Grace Church Easter Service at 10:00 am The Easter Egg Hunt is an annual outreach event for our community. We need lots of help to make this event happen. Here are some ways you can get involved: Donate candy! Candy can be placed in the totes in the lobby. We need lots! Make sure the candy is small enough to fit inside plastic easter eggs. Sign-up to help on the day of the event at the link below. We need people who can help set-up, those who can greet guests and oversee an age group, or people who can help with clean-up. You can also donate to this outreach event using the link below. We will be purchasing prizes to give away. Come stuff the eggs with candy on Wednesday, April 16th at 6:30 pm in the lobby at Grace Church. If you have any questions, contact Tracy Nelson (gt_nelson@yahoo.com) or Jillyn Boldrey (jillynboldrey@gmail.com).
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/EEHWoodcutting in April
There is still lots of wood that needs to be cut on the back property of Grace Church. Each Saturday in April from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm is an opportunity for you to help 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
Serving at the Lansing Rescue Mission
We wanted to make sure everyone at Grace Church knew about an opportunity you have to serve at the Lansing Rescue Mission's Women and Children's Shelter on Cedar Street in Lansing.
Grace Church, led by our deacon team, sends a group to the mission on the third Friday of each month (5:30-7:30 pm) to serve dinner to the women and children who are utilizing their services. This is a rewarding time where we can get out of our comfort zone to do something as simple as serve a meal.
Everything is provided for us, so all we have to do is show up and be the hands and feet...and smiling faces of Jesus to them! Most often, the groups of 5-7 people who are serving will carpool to the mission which allows for a great time of fellowship together.
If you have an interest in serving at the mission once or twice a year, contact Kyle Booher (booherky@hotmail.com) to have your name added to the list. If you have questions, you can talk with Kyle or any of the deacons (Denny Shaver, Brice Hasselback, Don Wiser, Colin Paul).
Grace Church, led by our deacon team, sends a group to the mission on the third Friday of each month (5:30-7:30 pm) to serve dinner to the women and children who are utilizing their services. This is a rewarding time where we can get out of our comfort zone to do something as simple as serve a meal.
Everything is provided for us, so all we have to do is show up and be the hands and feet...and smiling faces of Jesus to them! Most often, the groups of 5-7 people who are serving will carpool to the mission which allows for a great time of fellowship together.
If you have an interest in serving at the mission once or twice a year, contact Kyle Booher (booherky@hotmail.com) to have your name added to the list. If you have questions, you can talk with Kyle or any of the deacons (Denny Shaver, Brice Hasselback, Don Wiser, Colin Paul).
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Sunday, April 6th - Addison Van De Moortel
Wednesday, April 9th - David Smith
Thursday, April 10th - Tony & Linsey Wright
Saturday, April 12th - Tracy Nelson, Ellis Bolinger
Wednesday, April 9th - David Smith
Thursday, April 10th - Tony & Linsey Wright
Saturday, April 12th - Tracy Nelson, Ellis Bolinger