Grace Church
Going the Distance #3 - The Gifts of the Cross
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
The phrase, Going the Distance, means "to finish or complete something, especially something difficult, challenging, or requiring sustained effort."
The first two weeks of this sermon series centered on the final 9 months of in which Jesus was traveling, teaching, taking refuge from the growing hostility, touching the lives of many by doing miracles and training His followers with the knowledge and skills they would need to carry on His mission.
The first two weeks of this sermon series centered on the final 9 months of in which Jesus was traveling, teaching, taking refuge from the growing hostility, touching the lives of many by doing miracles and training His followers with the knowledge and skills they would need to carry on His mission.
This morning we pick up where we left off last week. Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast, but there were other reasons according to the Bible. Jesus was there to fulfill prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) and to accomplish God's purpose for His life.
John 3:16-17
Luke 19:10
Jesus had intentionally lived His life according to His Father's plan. He did so despite the distracting opportunities and defeating obstacles that so often hinder us in life.
He had Gone the Distance! And for that, He has forever been remembered.
John 3:16-17
Luke 19:10
Jesus had intentionally lived His life according to His Father's plan. He did so despite the distracting opportunities and defeating obstacles that so often hinder us in life.
He had Gone the Distance! And for that, He has forever been remembered.
Last Sunday, Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem as the King of the Jews amid a frenzied wave of popularity. But a lot can happen in the span of a week. The Jewish authorities moved from curiosity, to dismissing, to complaining, to undermining, to scheming, to planning, to lying, to betraying, to arresting, to judging, to beating, to condemning, and finally killing. The governmental legal system did nothing to help Jesus. The end of verse 25 says, "and surrendered Jesus to their will."
Luke 23:26-43
Luke 23:26-43
Like Jesus, our life can change quickly and dramatically, much like an elevator out of control. At times it's so incredibly hard to focus on and remember the pleasures of life we've enjoyed...instead of the pain we face and focus on. Job in the Bible is an example of that.
In every disappointment and tragedy, there are precious gifts for our taking, if we will simply depend on God and learn to embrace them.
Loss of job, relational break up, accident, disease, betrayal, persecution, divorce, or even the death of someone you care about.
The precious gifts may be a new relationship, opportunities, outlooks on life, and growth in different areas.
When you consider the scene of the cross, there are many gifts available to those who will take them.
James 1:17a
In every disappointment and tragedy, there are precious gifts for our taking, if we will simply depend on God and learn to embrace them.
Loss of job, relational break up, accident, disease, betrayal, persecution, divorce, or even the death of someone you care about.
The precious gifts may be a new relationship, opportunities, outlooks on life, and growth in different areas.
When you consider the scene of the cross, there are many gifts available to those who will take them.
James 1:17a
As we read our passage for today and other Bible passages, we see the goodness of God on our behalf:
1. The Gift of JESUS.
Romans 5:8
Hebrews 9:27-28
1. The Gift of JESUS.
Romans 5:8
Hebrews 9:27-28
2. The Gift of FORGIVENESS.
Acts 13:38-39a
Isaiah 1:18; 43:25
Psalm 103:12
Micah 7:19
Acts 13:38-39a
Isaiah 1:18; 43:25
Psalm 103:12
Micah 7:19
3. The Gift of a new LIFE.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 12:1-2
Colossians 3:1-10
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 12:1-2
Colossians 3:1-10
4. The Gift of COMMUNITY.
1 John 2:6-11
Hebrews 10:24-25
1 John 2:6-11
Hebrews 10:24-25
5. The Gift of HOPE.
1 John 5:12-13
John 10:28-29
Romans 8:38-39
Jude 24
1 John 5:12-13
John 10:28-29
Romans 8:38-39
Jude 24
The question today is quite simple...
Have you put your faith in the man who died on the Cross for you?
A - Admit that you are a sinner
B - Believe that God sent Jesus to die as a sacrificial substitute for you
C - Choose to surrender control of your life to God and make Him your Lord and Savior
Have you put your faith in the man who died on the Cross for you?
A - Admit that you are a sinner
B - Believe that God sent Jesus to die as a sacrificial substitute for you
C - Choose to surrender control of your life to God and make Him your Lord and Savior
Below are a couple of links to learn more about the Cross and Crucifixion...
What Did the Cross of Christ Look Like?
https://raisingjesus.com/blog/211-what-did-the-cross-of-christ-look-likeA Physician's View of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
https://cbn.com/article/suffering/physicians-view-crucifixion-jesus-christBreeze 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/pages/cjs-orderMeet 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).
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/22273Woodcutting 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
National Day of Prayer - Concert of Prayer
Everyone is invited to a Concert of Prayer at Grace Church. May 1st at 6:30-7:30 pm. This is a National Day of Prayer Service hosted by the Prayer Team at Grace Church.
National Day of Prayer - Concert of Prayer
Everyone is invited to a Concert of Prayer at Grace Church. May 1st at 6:30-7:30 pm. This is a National Day of Prayer Service hosted by the Prayer Team at Grace Church.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Grace Church on Thursday, May 1st from 12:00-5:45 pm. Visit the link below & use the sponsor code Graceful, if you'd like to make an appointment.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-driveMay Church Work Days
Each Saturday in May is an opportunity to help prepare the church grounds for summer at a Grace Church Work Day! Come join in on the fun & fellowship between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm on a Saturday in May. Contact Ryan Hickey with any questions (ryan@gc3.org).
Wednesday's at Grace
Wednesday Nights at Grace
We encourage you to...
- Invite a friend for coffee and conversation
- Bring a project to work on or a game to play
- Join us 6:15-7:30 pm in CJ's Coffee Shop
Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions (lisa@gc3.org)
We encourage you to...
- Invite a friend for coffee and conversation
- Bring a project to work on or a game to play
- Join us 6:15-7:30 pm in CJ's Coffee Shop
Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions (lisa@gc3.org)
May/June Grace U Classes
New classes are coming soon. Class dates and times will be announced soon.
Classes being offered are:
Here's Grace - This class lays out the basics of what Grace Church is all about and is a requirement for membership at Grace. The book is available for sale in CJ's ($5).
Leadership Styles 1 - In this class you will discover the secrets to servant leadership by looking at the life of Christ. The book is available for sale in CJ's ($8).
Children's Ministry - This class will equip you to teach and help the children of Grace Church. The booklet for this class is available for sale in CJ's ($3).
Use the link below to register for a class.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/6bfcc6Use the link below to register for a class.
Healing 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."
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Monday, April 21st - Iris Braden
Tuesday, April 22nd - Rayna Nowicke
Friday, April 25th - Bev Bowers, Josh Sensiba
Saturday, April 26th - Connie Berkimer
Tuesday, April 22nd - Rayna Nowicke
Friday, April 25th - Bev Bowers, Josh Sensiba
Saturday, April 26th - Connie Berkimer