Have Mercy On Me: Four Glimpses Into the Heart Of God “Many of us today are prone, by nature and nurture, to see God’s mercy as peripheral or incidental to who he is. We suspect that perhaps he shows mercy by accident or weakness. But if we let the Scriptures have their say, we will see that when God shows …
Sermon Preview – Week of September 11
The preaching text for Sunday will be John 5:9b-18. Over the next couple of chapters John is introducing us to the elevated opposition that Jesus will face for the remainder of his earthly life. Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, which leads to the religious leaders accusing Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. While the issue surrounding the Sabbath isn’t …
Weekly Roundup For Your Weekend Reading – September 8
What Is God Saying To Us? “Harvey and Irma may go down as the Bonnie and Clyde of tropical hurricanes. My extended family in Texas suffered great loss from the latter (though all of their lives were spared, by God’s grace), and now my immediate and church family in Florida are preparing for the onslaught of the former, which as …
Sermon Preview – Week of September 4
I really appreciate all the prayers and encouragement I’ve received from many of you this past week as Lindsey, the kids and I were out attending my grandmother’s funeral. Very thankful to be part of such a loving body! Since we didn’t get to our text in John 5 this past Sunday, we will, with the Lord’s help get to …
Sermon Preview – Week of August 28
Our preaching text for Sunday will be John 5:1-18. John 5 begins a section that runs through chapter 7 where John introduces the opposition Jesus will encounter through the rest of his earthly ministry. Yes, there has been some controversy up to this point, but now the opposition will become very public and sometimes officially sanctioned. Someone hearing this for …
Weekly Roundup For Your Weekend Reading – August 25
What “One Little Word” Will Fell Satan? I must admit, my conclusion on what Luther meant by the “one little word” was wrong. I’m glad to know it now, it will help as we sing this song together. “What is that “one little word” that will fell Satan? The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can …
Sermon Preview – Week of August 21
This Sunday we have the privilege of welcoming Eric Weathers to Grace Community. Eric will be leading a workshop for us, addressing a Biblical approach to vocation. The workshop will take place on Saturday (9AM-12PM) and then Eric will preach on Sunday morning. I will supply all of the information for the weekend below (along with the songs we will …
Weekly Roundup For Your Weekend Reading – August 18
Theology Learned In The Flames Of Adversity A well made point from the life of Martin Luther. “Luther maintained that theology is not learned only in the safety of a lecture hall, but in the flames of adversity. In fiery trials, one is humbled and broken. It is then that a leader is made most teachable. In difficult times, the …
Sermon Preview – Week of August 14
This Sunday we press on in John’s gospel account. Our preaching text will be John 4:43-54. This text concludes a section that John began in chapter 2. There, Jesus began to reveal himself as the Messiah in Cana in Galilee where he turned water into wine. Now at the end of chapter 4 we see Jesus returning to Cana in …
Weekly Roundup For Your Weekend Reading – August 11
Congregational Worship Should Be Peculiar Please read this! So much wisdom and encouragement in this article. So many great sentences. Ill mention a several… “Variety may be the spice of life, but it’s not the substance.” “But just as these individual habits do something to us, so it is with our congregational habits: they’re making us into something.” “Doing this …