Podcast by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
What comes to mind when you hear the word family? For some, it's comfort. For others, it's pain. But what if family could be something bigger—more inclusive, more redemptive? This week, we explore how God's lavish love redefines family and calls us to love like He does.
In a world full of contradictions and cultural divides, how do we live with integrity, compassion, and faith? This message explores how love—real, sacrificial, and unconditional—can be our guide through relational tension and spiritual confusion. When we feel lost in the darkness, the light of Jesus leads us back to love. Always, just love.
Light for Today, Love For Forever by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
The series concludes with an Easter message focused on the doxology, “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” Jesus, the Resurrected King, came to heal and transform hearts and lives, and the whole world. Then, he invited the disciples to go and do the same. Jesus' resurrection brings about God's kingdom and power and glory. Key Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 ; Matthew 28:1-10
A Ride to Reconciliation by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
Scripture: 1 Cor 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23, Ephesians (Paul's goodbyes to the Ephesians),
We'll look at the third line of the prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” There's an important Greek word, epiousian, translated as “daily.” It's a word that reminds us of what is essential. We're praying in part for the bread that feeds our bodies, and even more, our souls. How does Christ satisfy our hungry souls?
We'll focus on three sections of the first line, “Our Father,” then “who art in heaven,” and “hallowed be thy name.” What did Jesus mean by these phrases? Through us, people see God, our Father who is in heaven, holy and good, present and real. In your life, are you hallowing God's name? What do others know of God by watching you? Key Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
We'll begin this series with an introduction to the Lord's Prayer and the disciple's request, “Lord, teach us to pray.” How do we integrate prayer (including the Lord's prayer) into our daily lives (consider ora et labora) to shape us and through us, the world. Provide tools for praying the Lord's pray throughout Lent (see NT Wright). Luke 11:1; Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV/NLT)
Some people change the atmosphere just by walking into a room. But what happens when God walks in? In Ezekiel 43, after 20 years of silence, God's glory returns to the temple, bringing hope, renewal, and life—just like a river making a barren wasteland flourish. As followers of Jesus, we're called to do the same.
Vision makes us come alive. Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones coming to life symbolizes the power of God's Spirit to bring new life to what seems dead and hopeless. God provides vision that revives us. And so what is the vision for our personal lives that we pursue? What about our community? Vision requires a compelling vision and then the need to inspire people to pursue it (Kotter).
Many have deconstructed their faith, left religion, or the church behind. To some, it feels irrelevant, outdated, and for some involves trauma and hurt. What if the problem isn't belief, but how religion has been practiced. Most churches worry about budgets and growth; but Jesus influenced and cast compelling vision. What kind of faith would draw people to Jesus and to the church? This sermon will make best case for finding and following Jesus. Key Scripture: Matthew 23:1-7, 11-12 (Jesus criticizes the religious leaders who don't practice what they preach, put unbearable demands on people); Matthew 22:36-37 (Love the Lord your God); Philippians 1:9-10 (love that we might become richer with knowledge and insight)
Modern science, advances in technology, and quality of life have enabled us to live longer. Many fear growing older, or worse, death. There's a fascination with medical science that prolongs life. Still, every one of us will die. Caring for aging parents is also a challenge and worry that we'll honor loved ones. C.S. Lewis said that what we believe about death and the afterlife will fundamentally change how we live this life. Key Scripture: Philippians 3:10-16, Psalm 92
Theme: Consider how generations view work/life balance. The question of meaning and purpose and how our work connects to our faith is something each generation must consider. For younger people, finding meaning and purpose in work is important. It's also important mid-career and at retirement and after. Along the way, financial questions come up—do I have enough, will I ever get to retire, cost of living increases and debt is a concern. In God's economy there are enough resources to go around. Quantity isn't the issue. It's not that we must give everything away or don't plan and prepare for retirement; but our relationship to our work is a matter of faith. Key Scripture: Matthew 16:26 (Jesus asks what profit is there to gain the whole world but lose soul); Luke 12:15 (Jesus also taught that one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions).
Raising Up the Next Generation by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
Many agree that we're in the middle of a mental health crisis. Today, people experience increasing loneliness, isolation, and anxiety. We shouldn't dismiss anxiety, mental health is not due to a lack of faith, treatment and professionals provide helpful pathways. God understands our anxiety and wants to help. A less anxious life is the byproduct of having a mission in life greater than the self. Key Scripture: Matthew 6:25-31—Jesus teaches do not worry; Luke 10:41-42—Martha is anxious, same word as in Matthew; Matthew 26:36-39—Jesus experienced anxiety and anguish; shares with those close to him; mission and purpose beyond himself—a mission greater than self. Jesus says, do not be afraid more than 500 times.
Focus on the digital age and how different generations relate to the rapidly changing world of technology. This sermon will consider how screens and technology impact younger and older generations. While there exist amazing tools in technology, such as AI and our phone-based apps, these also apply unique pressures to our lives and feeds into an anxious age.
Joseph: Preparing a Heart to Serve by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
Mary: Preparing for the Unexpected by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
The Prophets: Preparing For What We Can't See by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
An Attitude Toward Gratitude by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:11-13
Love Your Ideological Enemy by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
[Paul and Barnabas] had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. Acts 15:39-40 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:2-6, 16 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21
Scripture Focus: Let's strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. Romans 14:19
Transformed, not Conformed by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
Romans 10:9-13, 11:25-26, 28-29 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Paul writes some of the most beloved words of scripture, “Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus.” In Paul's day, their was tension between fulfilling the law and the freedom found in Christ's love. Do we follow the law? How does Jesus fulfill the law? Paul describes how Christ fulfilled the law and sets a new covenant. We struggle with the desire to do what is right and good, but also temptation and sin, the question of suffering and evil is persistent. How are we to live? Paul reminds there is no condemnation in life with Jesus which enables us to live differently. We'll incorporate the Grace Pathway: Grow with Practice. Deepening faith takes time, practice, recognition of God's love.
How are we justified in faith? What does Jesus death on the cross mean for us. In this sermon we'll understand that Jesus made grace visible.
magine the next 25 years…what will Grace Chapel look like? Or, imagine the next year. We begin a new chapter at Grace. God wants to lead us on an adventure. The Apostle Paul's life and ministry was filled with adventure because he was transformed by Christ. He invited others into the adventure. We'll kick off the fall with Vision Weekend introducing Paul's letter to the Romans. It's a gritty, grace filled. Paul writes, “I am unashamed of the gospel.” He was determined to share the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. But his focus on God's righteousness through Christ, not our own—and grace—changed everything. To a diverse congregation(s) Paul writes, “All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.” We all share same human condition. Key theological theme to introduce views on prevenient/irresistible grace. It is God's initiative through Jesus to heal, restore, and renew. Grace is for everyone. We live this out through the four Grace Pathways: be curious, grow in practice, find community, make an impact—the first step is to get started.
Jesus gave the command to love one another. This was harder than expected. As the Holy Spirit led them, the early followers of Jesus discovered the power of the one-another, irresistible church. Today, church seems all too resistible. But does it have to be? We'll consider what makes Christian community compelling.
Each gospel includes Jesus' invitation to the disciples to follow him or to come and see what he's about. The invitation changed their lives as they chose to follow him. One invitation led to another invitation until someone invited you to follow Jesus, too. We'll consider the power of invitation and how we invite others.
Looking into the Most-Googled Bible Verses by Dr. Pat Battem, (Associate Director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)
Looking into the Most-Googled Bible Verses most popular verses South America
Partners in Perseverance by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
The Bible calls us to have the same mentality of Jesus that led him to the cross, which is self-emptying, and voluntarily sacrificial. To live a life shaped, informed, and influenced by the cross, for the sake of loving others.
A Conversation with Pastor Bryan, 40 Years of Ministry and the impact of God's Story unfolding in one man's life of faith and service. An open and honest hour-long sit-down with Pastor Bryan, who has faithfully served as a pastor for over 40 years, the last 25 right here at Grace Chapel. Hear stories from his early years, vulnerable reflections on pivotal moments that shaped his faith and ministry, wisdom from decades of following God, and candid insights into the dedication required to shepherd a church. Listen for how God's hand guided Pastor Bryan's journey, calling him to ministry, and shaping his path along the way.
Partners in God-Given Courage by Grace Chapel Sermon Media
“The broad, beautiful, expansive gospel. “Jesus as king” changes everything about the world, our work, our engagement in society, and our very reason for living - and we don't live it or experience it alone! If it is what Paul suggests it is, then every moment/circumstance of life holds gospel potential.”
I still believe in the genius of the local church, as long as it continues to repent and reform
I still believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not just for going to heaven, but for this life, and for the good of the world.