Grace Church
Paul's Odyssey #7 - From Warmth to Wrath
The 3rd Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Odyssey: "A long and adventurous journey or experience."
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey.
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey.
So far we have learned how Paul has won people to Christ, planted new churches and encouraged Christians along the way.
Today we will continue by looking at Acts 21:17-22:29.
Today we will continue by looking at Acts 21:17-22:29.
Paul has arrived in Jerusalem and receives a genuinely warm welcome. Life is good but then seemingly overnight, things go bad. Rumors spread and people begin to take sides. That is why our message today is titled From Warmth to Wrath.
Acts 21:17-19 - a warm reception
to
Acts 21:27-29 - crowd was stirred and they seized him
Has this ever happened to you? A time when everything seemed to be going well but then went south in a hurry. How did it make you feel when the circumstances of life turned against you? How do you think Paul felt?
to
Acts 21:27-29 - crowd was stirred and they seized him
Has this ever happened to you? A time when everything seemed to be going well but then went south in a hurry. How did it make you feel when the circumstances of life turned against you? How do you think Paul felt?
We have very little control over our circumstances. What we do have control over is how we react to our circumstances.
Let's look at how Paul reacted to his circumstances...
Let's look at how Paul reacted to his circumstances...
1. Paul RECOGNIZED that the circumstances of life can be unfair.
John 16:33
Just like Paul, we need to recognize that life can be unfair. Our faith in Jesus is what gets us through these times.
John 16:33
Just like Paul, we need to recognize that life can be unfair. Our faith in Jesus is what gets us through these times.
2. Paul TRUSTED God as the Lord of his circumstances.
1 Peter 2:21-23
Our reaction to life's circumstances reveals our faith. We should go to our knees in prayer and ask God to help us.
1 Peter 2:21-23
Our reaction to life's circumstances reveals our faith. We should go to our knees in prayer and ask God to help us.
3. Paul MAINTAINED his character in light of his circumstances.
How do you react when life's circumstances are against you? Do we act more like Jesus? Or act more like the person Jesus came to save?
How do you react when life's circumstances are against you? Do we act more like Jesus? Or act more like the person Jesus came to save?
4. Paul USED the circumstances of life to honor God.
Paul's testimony is recorded at least three times in Scripture:
Acts 9
Acts 22
Acts 26
Paul's testimony is recorded at least three times in Scripture:
Acts 9
Acts 22
Acts 26
Acts 22 shows us that Paul tells his story. He tells about how Jesus changed his life. We see through these passages that Paul is saying, "if I'm in this jam, I'm going to use it to talk about Jesus."
Paul honored God.
Here are some ways that we can honor God in our life:
1. Pray for others
2. Be kind to people
3. Talk about Lord
4. Remember that He is Lord, not us
Here are some ways that we can honor God in our life:
1. Pray for others
2. Be kind to people
3. Talk about Lord
4. Remember that He is Lord, not us
There will be times when life goes against us. How we react is a test of our faith and a testimony to others.
The circumstances of life do not determine who you are but whose you are!
The circumstances of life do not determine who you are but whose you are!
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.breezechms.com/r/dashboardCJ'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 Sunday, August 24th 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/22273Grace Church App
Access messages, prayer posts, news & events, Breeze login, and more!
Use the link below to download the Grace Church app through Tithely.
This is an easy way to access all of the most important things found on our website or even get to the website itself.
Once you download the app it will ask what topics you would like notifications for so that you won't miss out
on any information that is shared.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) or Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org).
https://tithely.app.link/gc3Fill-Up with Grace Wednesday Events
Each week we have a different theme. Eats, Parks, Hikes, and Acts.
Check out the events page of the website to learn what's happening each week. You can also let us know you plan to attend there as well.
https://gc3.org/eventsAmerican Red Cross Blood Drive
A blood drive will take place at Grace Church on Thursday, August 28th from 12:00-5:45 pm. You can make an appointment at the link below.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=GracefulAugust/September Grace U Classes
4:8 Principle: Thursdays at 6:30 pm beginning August 7th The Art of Neighboring: Sundays at 8:45 am beginning August 3rd Just Walk Across the Room: Sundays at 6:30 pm beginning August 31st Foundations 3: Sundays at 8:45 am beginning August 10th
Sign-up for a class using the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/grace_uJoin a H.O.M.E. Group today!
Life is better lived in community with one another. As Christ followers, we know that being in community helps us tremendously as we learn and grow in our faith. Grace Church offers H.O.M.E. Groups that help us do just that! These groups meet from September to May in homes throughout our 4 county region. H.O.M.E. Groups guide us in four key areas: Hospitality, Obedience, Ministry, and Evangelism. It is our hope that everyone be able to experience life lived in community through a H.O.M.E. Group!
If you have questions or want help finding a group that is right for you, contact the church office (grace@gc3.org).
You can learn more and sign-up using the link below.
https://gc3.org/pages/h-o-m-e-groupsBirthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Monday, August 18th - Mary Burpee
Friday, August 22nd - Trevor Dykhouse
Saturday, August 23rd - Mindy Hasselback
Friday, August 22nd - Trevor Dykhouse
Saturday, August 23rd - Mindy Hasselback