Grace 242

Title: Pre-Snap Penalties and Pointed FingersScripture Reading: Matthew 7:1-5Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. Today's passage is simultaneously one of the most quoted and least understood sections of scripture.Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: How Do You Forgive a Nazi?Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:43-45Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. This is probably the most difficult section of an already difficult sermon. How do we shown what we've been shown to our enemies? Four verbs: 1. Remember 2. Look 3. Ask 4. ApproachPlease join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: How Georgia Guys Showed God's GoodnessScripture Reading: Matthew 5:7Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. Today's sermon examines the difference between mercy and grace from 4 Standpoints. Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: The Worst Worst-Case ScenarioScripture Reading: Matthew 7:21-23Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. What's even worse than someone not knowing Jesus and dying and going to hell? Matthew 7:21-23 tells us. Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: Slippery Sand and Saving StoneScripture Reading: Matthew 7:24-27Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. At the end of His sermon, Jesus contrasts two foundations: the sand and the rock. We examine two sandy foundations and the one solid foundation that we ought to be building on.  Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: If You Could be Any Animal, Which One Would You Be?Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:6, Matthew 10:11-16Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. Picking up where we left off last week, what are the practical implications for Matthew 7:6? How can we live out Matthew 7:6 in our own lives? Jesus shows us. We must be three animals: 1. Be Snakes 2. Be Dove 3. Be Sheep.Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: Don't Be DumbScripture Reading: Matthew 7:6Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. In this seemingly obscure, non-sequential, single-verse teaching, Jesus teaches us not be D.U.M.B. John 6 is an illustration of Matthew 7:6. Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: Hide it Under a Bushel? No!Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-16Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are in a series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. Jesus, in Matthew 5:13-16, gives us an equation: Salt + Light = Glorified Heavenly Father. As a part two to last week's message, how can we glorify our Heavenly Father by living as salt and light? There are three Ways. 1. Engage the Wealth. 2. Engage the Word. 3. Engage the World.Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: When High Sodium Content is GoodScripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-16Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are beginning a new series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. Jesus, in Matthew 5:13-16, gives us an equation: Salt + Light = Glorified Heavenly Father. In this week we dig into the biblical interpretation of what Jesus means when He likens His followers to Salt and Light. Pastor Bill ends this sermon by riffing on how prone we are to hide our light under a basket rather than living as examples of Jesus in the world. Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: How the Good Life RollsScripture Reading: Matthew 5:3-12Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are beginning a new series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. Today we look at the introductory part of Jesus' sermon known as "The Beatitudes." We explore these attitudes that a disciple of Jesus ought to be through three "S"s: 1. The Sense of the word "Blessed" 2. There's a Surprise of those who are blessed. 3. The Significance for disciples of Jesus. Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

Title: How to Sell Someone on PovertyScripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-12Series: Sermon on the MountCoinciding with the start of Lent, we are beginning a new series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. Today we look at Jesus introduction to the sermon through five body parts: 1. Feet 2. Eyes 3. Ears 4. Head 5. Heart to discover that Matthew 5:3 is the key to the entire sermon. Please join us in Pastor Bill's challenge to read through the entire sermon, Matthew 5-7, at least once per week. Share your stories and takeaways on our shout out board here: https://t.ly/pvx50

To kick off 2025, we are spotting ways in which the DNA of the faith one for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is mutated and changed.Title: How NOT to Trust Your Inner KnowingScripture Reading: Isaiah 30:21 ESVOne of the messages that gets circulated in Christian circles is listening to your heart or, as one author writes, your "inner knowing." In today's message we first look at why we can't trust our hearts. Then Pastor Bill gives four checks for discerning between your own inner voice that cannot be trusted and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Those four checks are: 1. Does it Align with the Bible?2. Are You Accounting for Your Own Sinfulness?3. Who Ultimately Gets the Glory?4. What Sort of Road Does it Resemble?

To kick off 2025, we are spotting ways in which the DNA of the faith one for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is mutated and changed.Title: Surely Nothing is SureScripture Reading: Psalm 25:4-5One of the mutations that poses as a more Christianly, humble, loving, attitude to have is this idea that nothing is sure. That somehow certainty, surety, and confidence are arrogant and uncertainty, questioning, and prevarication are more loving, more Christlike, more Christian. But this is reversal. David, in Psalm 25 shows us that, especially when we're in crisis, the surety of our faith is not only necessary, but more loving, more Christ-like, and more Christian. 

This Sunday Grace 242 celebrates God's faithfulness over the past year in our first-ever worship home. Deacon Karin Barnes brings us the message today about remembering God's faithfulness. Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 27:1-8

To kick off 2025, we are spotting ways in which the DNA of the faith one for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is mutated and changed.Title: The Wonderful World of UnfairScripture Reading: Micah 6:8Many of us conjure a mental image when we describe skinny jeans Christians who promote a gospel of social justice. But with social justice so in vogue with Christians, what is true, biblical justice?  

To kick off 2025, we are spotting ways in which the DNA of the faith one for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is mutated and changed.Title: How NOT to Live Your Authentic SelfScripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17

To kick off 2025, we are spotting ways in which the DNA of the faith one for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is mutated and changed.Title: If You Love Me, You'll Give Me a LikeScripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-8 Last week we looked at how our vertical love for God is mutated and this week we pinpoint at how our horizontal love for others is mutated. First we walk through three characteristics of the mutation of love for others. Then we walk through an authentication of love for others by identifying three characteristics of true, biblical love for others. 

To kick off 2025, we are spotting ways in which the DNA of the faith one for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) is mutated and changed. Title: God's Love Unboxed and ReboxedScripture Reading: Ephesians 3:18-19Today we look at the magic trick that mutates God's love into something it isn't. We walk through the three steps of the magic trick, and then we respond with three movement of biblical truth. 

This Advent we're conducting a Christmas Scene Investigation to sleuth out how the differences between our magical, mythical conceptions of Christmas differ from the Biblical reality of Christmas.Title: The InnScripture Reading: Luke 2:7 NIV (1984)Today we conduct an INNvestigation of the "I" in CSI which is Inn. We ask two questions: 1. So where? 2. So what? 

This Advent we're conducting a Christmas Scene Investigation to sleuth out the differences between our magical, mythical conceptions of Christmas differ from the Biblical reality of Christmas.Title: The StableScripture Reading: Luke 2:6-16 NIV (1984)Today we investigate the S of CSI as we investigate the Stable. First we look at the Setting of Jesus' birth. Next we look at the Significance of that Setting. 

This Advent we're conducting a Christmas Scene Investigation to sleuth out the differences between our magical, mythical conceptions of Christmas differ from the Biblical reality of Christmas. Title: The ChildScripture Reading: Luke 1:31-35 NIV (1984)Today we investigate the C of CSI as we investigate the Child. Our investigation concludes that Jesus is both divine and human at the same time. However, our magical mythical conceptions of Christmas can easily emphasize Jesus' divinity at the expense of His humanity. What does Jesus' humanity mean for us? 

In these three weeks between the election and Advent, we're looking at the book of Daniel. What sort of lessons can we learn from how Daniel related to his government as we relate to our government?Title: The Truth About Humans Acting Like AnimalsScripture Reading: Daniel 4:18-19, 24-27In Daniel 4, we see Daniel's commitment to the truth regardless of fear. Exiles are committed to the truth. We demonstrate commitment to the truth by:1. Discerning the Truth2. Speaking the Truth3. Following the Truth

In these three weeks between the election and Advent, we're looking at the book of Daniel. What sort of lessons can we learn from how Daniel related to his government as we relate to our government?Title: An Exile's Guide to GovernmentScripture Reading: Daniel 2:29-35What's with this bizarre dream of Nebuchadnezzar's in chapter 2 of Daniel? The dream makes three sovereignty statements: 1. God is sovereign over Empires2. God is sovereign over Events 3. God is sovereign over Eternity

In these three weeks between the election and Advent, we're looking at the book of Daniel. What sort of lessons can we learn from how Daniel related to his government as we relate to our government? Title: An Exile's Guide to GovernmentScripture Reading: Daniel 1:1-8Today we look at exile:1. What is it?2. Our actions within in?3. Obedience amidst it. 

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: Why Doesn't Jesus Just Nuke Satan?Scripture Reading: Revelation 11:36This is our final week in our Learn to Block series on spiritual warfare. One of our people at Grace 242 insightfully asks, "Why don't Jesus just nuke Satan?" Today we answer that question by looking at three "triple G" or God Getting Glory moments. 1. Incarnation2. Cross3. Eschaton

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: The Accuser's Shame Old TricksScripture Reading: Revelation 12:10This is our eighth week learning how to block the fiery arrows of the enemy. Revelation 12:10 refers to Satan as "the accuser." Today we look at some of the accusations made against us by the accuser and how they feed a complex of shame within us.  The accusations we cover are:1. You're Too Sinful to Be Forgiven2. You Haven't Done Enough to be Saved3. Your True Self is Unlovable

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: Temptation TacticsScripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-11This is our seventh week learning how to block the fiery arrows of the enemy. Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness reveals several tactics for how Satan tempts us:1. Satan exploits our priors2. Satan exploits our methods3. Satan exploits our distinctions

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: Tactics of the Father of LiesScripture Reading: John 8:44This is our sixth week learning how to block the fiery arrows of the enemy. Whereas last week we looked at lies within us, today we turn our focus outward with the goal of identifying the lies in our culture. We identify three lies: 1. The lie of Reversal2. The lie of Normalization3. The lie of Redefinition

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: The Big Lie-arScripture Reading: John 8:44This is our fifth week learning how to block the fiery arrows of the enemy. Today we get practical by identifying the tactics of the "father of lies." This week we cover two lie tactics: 1. The lie of Projection2. The lie of Catastrophizing

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: Tactics of DeceptionScripture Reading: John 8:44This is our fourth week learning how to block the fiery arrows of the enemy. Today we examine spiritual warfare through John 8:44 to see that the conflict is between the One sent by the Father full of grace and truth and the father of lies. We examine John 8:44 through three Cs. 1. Conflict2. Combatants3. ContentionWe conclude the message by surveying three practical suggestions for blocking Satan's fiery arrows of lies. 1. Stop consuming news.2. Carve out distraction-free, screenless time to read a physical book Bible.3. Meet God in His creation.

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: Tactics of DeceptionScripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-7This is our third week learning how to block the fiery arrows of the enemy. Today we examine the fall in Genesis 3 to discern the tactics of deception that Satan still uses on us today. We explore three of Satan's tactics of deception:1. Presumption of Innocence2. Impugning God's Character3. Kernels of Truth

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: Know Your EnemyScripture Reading: Ephesians 6:12This is our second week learning how to block the fiery arrows of the enemy. Today we look at who that enemy is through 6 facts:1. Satan is not God's equal counterpart2. Satan is not a proper name3. Satan is not omniscient4. Satan is not omnipotent5. Satan is not omnipresent6. Satan is not redeemable

Series: Learn to BlockTitle: Learn to BlockScripture Reading: Ephesians 6:16This fall kicks off a new series on spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:16 tells us that we need to learn how to block the fiery arrows of the spiritual enemy. Today we look at a basic blocking technique with four Rs. 1. Recognize2. Raise3. Resist4. Relief

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...Are We in the End Times?Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:3-8Are we living in the end times? All of the signs of Jesus' return from Matthew 24:3-8 are operative today so are the end times upon us? We explore this question through 3 "D"s:Define - What do we mean when we say "end times?"Don't - What shouldn't we do in regards to the end times?Do - What should we do about the end times?

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...About the Dinosaurs?Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:24-25Today Bob Turner preaches on a fun question from our kids. What about the dinosaurs? 

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...Does God appoint evil leaders to punish a nation for turning their back on Him?Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 14:15-16We explore the question through 5 "R"s1. Reveal 2. Reason3. Reality4. Result5. Response

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...What does James mean when he instructs us not to show favoritism?Scripture Reading: James 1:27-2:13In James chapter 2, we're instructed not to show favoritism. What does this mean and how can we live it out? James 2:13 gives us the thesis statement: Treat others as God treats you. This week is part 2 of this message where we look at the second part of that statement: how God treats us. We discover that God did not disfavor us orphans, but adopts us into His own family. And God did not favor merit for salvation because we have none. 

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...What does James mean when he instructs us not to show favoritism?Scripture Reading: James 1:27-2:13In James chapter 2, we're instructed not to show favoritism. What does this mean and how can we live it out? James 2:13 gives us the thesis statement: Treat others as God treats you. This week is part 1 of this message where we look at the first part of that statement: how we treat others. We discover that we treat others by not showing favor to perceived wealthy individuals or disfavor to perceived poor folks, people like widows and orphans (1:27).  

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...What Was the Fruit Adam and Eve Ate?Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-6This summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, what type of fruit did they eat? We explore this wondering with three questions:1. What is it? 2. Why care about it?3. How to produce it? 

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...How can we love God if we are supposed to fear Him as well?Scripture Reading: Psalm 147:10-11This summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. Scripture commands us to both love and fear God at the same time? How can we do this?  In answering this question, we explore three negative examples of fear and two positive examples of fear. 

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...Why God?Scripture Reading:  Revelation 4:11This summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. At one point or another, we've all wondered why bad stuff is happening to us. Today we explore the guttural why.

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...Why Pray if God's Will Prevails?Scripture Reading:  James 5:13-18This summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. If God is sovereign and if His will will always prevail, why pray? If God foreknows what will transpire, is there a point to praying?

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...Why Don't We Have Burnt Offerings AnymoreScripture Reading:  Leviticus 1:9bThis summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. In the Old Testament, burnt offerings were a feature of worship. Why don't have to make offerings anymore today?

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...Can the Elect be Deceived??Scripture Reading:  Matthew 24:24-25This summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. What is Jesus talking about when He says that false prophets, false messiahs, and deceivers will attempt to deceive the elect? Who are the elect and can they be deceived?  

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...Do We Go to Heaven Immediately When We Die?Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17This summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. The Bible seems to indicate that there is a period of time between the death of believers and believers receiving their resurrected bodies. What's the timeline after we die and what are we to make of it? 

Series: I Wonder...Title: I Wonder...How to WonderScripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32This summer we are diving into your Bible and faith wonderings. Today Job shows us that wonder requires both understanding and mystery. Our wonder ought to drive us to worship the Wondrous One. 

Last week we discovered the triangular shape of Jesus' life. This week we seek to pattern our lives off of Jesus' life. As Jesus was UP, IN, and OUT, Grace 242 is called to Being, Making, and, Multiplying Disciples.   Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47

This week in our "Simple Mission" series we look at the triangular shape of Jesus' life. Luke 6:12-19 follows Jesus as He is UP with the Father, IN with His disciples, and OUT with the crowds. Jesus' life takes a triangular shape which means we ought to pattern our lives in the same way.   Scripture Reading: Luke 6:12-19

Our "Simple Mission" series continues with a look at the Great Commission. From Jesus' ascension through the first three centuries the church was a weird, disciple-making movement. But Roman Emperor Constantine changed the church from a disciple-making movement, to a central cultural institution. Now that Grace 242 has gone from house churches to a worship location, how can we stay weird?  Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:18-20

Continuing in our "Simple Mission" series, today we look at Mary of Bethany to see how she exemplifies a disciple - a learner of Jesus. Scripture Reading: Luke 10:38-42

Today we begin a new series on why Grace 242's exists called "Simple Mission." Jesus' healing of a Gentile woman's daughter gives us insight into Jesus' ministry scope and focus. As a church, we ought not do everything; rather, we should focus our efforts on only those things that God is calling us to. Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:21-28