Grace Church Eden Prairie

Pastor Steve Harrison's message for ENGAGE Sunday reminded us that nothing can stop the power of Jesus' name. He walked us through Acts 4, where Peter and John boldly preached about Jesus' resurrection even after being arrested — and how the Holy Spirit gave them the courage to stand strong. Pastor Steve encouraged us to expect challenges when we live out our faith, but to keep trusting that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. At the heart of it all, he reminded us that Jesus is our cornerstone — there's no other name that saves, and He's worth sharing with the whole world.

Pastor Troy's sermon compares binge-watching long TV series to the unfolding story of the early church in Acts, both draw people in through growth, depth, and development. He highlights how Peter healed a lame man not by his own power but through Jesus' name, showing that miracles exist to point people to Christ, not to glorify humans. Peter's message to the amazed crowd centers on three truths: Jesus' glory, humanity's sin, and the call to repent. He boldly declares Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Holy and Righteous One whom the people rejected and crucified, yet whom God raised from the dead. Though the crowd was guilty, Peter offers hope: if they repent, their sins will be wiped away, and they will experience spiritual refreshing. Pastor Troy concludes that ignorance won't excuse unbelief; God has revealed Himself through creation, Scripture, and Christ, and the only right response is to repent, believe, and be renewed by Jesus.

Pastor Troy Dobbs discusses the story of the beggar at the front of the temple who was miraculously healed when Peter the apostle spoke the name of Jesus Christ over him. Even though the beggar had no faith, God used Peter's faith to showcase His incredible power. Pastor Troy Dobbs also cautions Christians against various false gospels, such as the prosperity gospel and the word of faith movement.

Pastor Troy Dobbs speaks about the biblical example for how churches should operate. He emphasizes that the early church's growth and spiritual life came from their devotion to God's Word, fellowship, prayer, generosity, and evangelism. Faithful churches today must follow the same model, anchoring everything in Scripture, living in community, worshiping and praying together, and sharing resources freely out of love, not obligation. The church should be a place where lives are transformed, and Jesus is continually lifted.

Pastor Troy Dobbs talks of Peter's first sermon in Acts 2 showing that Pentecost fulfilled Joel's prophecy as God poured out His Spirit on all people. This means everyone, young and old, men and women, rich and poor, can know God personally and share His gospel boldly. Peter declares that the Spirit's arrival also marks the beginning of the last days as we await Christ's return. He points to the finished work of Jesus: His life of miracles, His death according to God's plan, His resurrection that death could not hold, and His exaltation at God's right hand. The people are cut to the heart, and Peter calls them to repent, be baptized, and receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit. That day, about 3,000 believed, reminding us that Pentecost was not the finish line but the starting line for the Spirit's ongoing work through us.

Pastor Troy Dobbs explains Pentecost as a historical event, occurring 50 days after the ascension of Christ. On this day, the Holy Spirit came down upon the ten dozen Christ followers and allowed them to speak in various foreign languages so that those who came to Jerusalem could understand the gospel and bring it back to their home countries. He then goes on to describe the polarizing nature of the gospel and how it is written that those who believe in it and share it will be hated and persecuted. 

Pastor Troy continues the Acts series with a message that highlights what it means to wait well on God. He explains how after Jesus' ascension, the disciples stayed united, devoted themselves to prayer, and trusted God's sovereignty — even in the fallout of Judas' betrayal. When choosing Matthias to replace Judas, they modeled how decision-making should flow from Scripture, prayer, reason, decision, and trust in God. The message reminds us in a very practical way that prayer not only deepens our relationship with God and one another, but also keeps us aligned with His unstoppable mission and greater plan.

Pastor Sam Houston unpacks how Satan's main weapon is deception, just like he used with Adam and Eve in the garden. He walks through the different ways the enemy tries to trick us — by planting doubt, offering empty promises, pulling others into our sin, and shifting blame — and reminds us how God's Word gives us the tools to recognize and resist those lies

Pastor Troy Dobbs explains that salvation comes through Christ alone, not our works, and that we cannot mock God. What we sow, we will reap. Paul contrasts living for the flesh, which brings destruction, with living by the Spirit, which leads to eternal life. He urges believers to care for one another and reminds them to boast only in the cross of Christ, not in rituals or personal achievements.

Pastor Troy Dobbs discusses the importance of sharing the weight of burdens with other Christians. He walks through the scriptures and highlights how Paul is urging the Galatians help in spiritual restorations of their fellow Christians by standing with them and guiding them through trials.

Pastor Troy Dobbs explains how Paul warns the Galatians against gratifying sinful desires, contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, and instructs them to live in alignment with the Spirit's guidance - avoiding the “acts of the flesh” and cultivating the “fruit of the Spirit.”

Pastor Jim Erickson continues the Galatians series with an emphasis that Christ has set believers free—not for legalism or self-indulgence, but for love and service. He discusses how Paul warns the Galatians against returning to the "yoke of slavery" under the law, stressing that salvation comes by grace through faith alone, not by works or rituals like circumcision. Pastor Jim challenged listeners to submit to Christ daily, use freedom to love others, and build up the church rather than tear it down.

Pastor Troy Dobbs emphasizes that true identity is found not in personality labels or social categories, but through faith in Christ, which makes us adopted sons and daughters of God. This new identity unites all believers, transcending race, class, and gender, and calls the church to live out diversity, equity, and inclusion according to God's design. He warns against secular distortions of these concepts and urges believers to live out a love and truth that is rooted in God's Word.

Pastor Troy continues the Galatians series with an emphasis that salvation comes by faith alone, not by works or adherence to the Law. He unpacks Paul's rebuke of the Galatians for turning back to legalism, reminding them that even Abraham was justified by faith before the Law or circumcision existed. Pastor Troy highlights that relying on the law places us under a curse by our inability to meet the standard, but Christ redeemed us by fulfilling the Law and becoming a curse for us.

Pastor Troy continues the Galatians series with an emphasis that salvation comes by faith alone, not by works or adherence to the Law. He unpacks Paul's rebuke of the Galatians for turning back to legalism, reminding them that even Abraham was justified by faith before the Law or circumcision existed. Pastor Troy highlights that relying on the law places us under a curse by our inability to meet the standard, but Christ redeemed us by fulfilling the Law and becoming a curse for us.

Pastor Troy Dobbs differentiates and warns Christians about following the false gospels of Legalism and License. 

Pastor Troy Dobbs differentiates and warns Christians about following the false gospels of Legalism and License. 

Pastor Troy unpacks the confrontation between Paul and Peter, highlighting the danger of compromising the gospel through hypocrisy and legalism and emphasizing that justification—being declared righteous before God—is a gift received through faith, not earned by human effort.

Pastor Troy unpacks the confrontation between Paul and Peter, highlighting the danger of compromising the gospel through hypocrisy and legalism and emphasizing that justification—being declared righteous before God—is a gift received through faith, not earned by human effort.

Pastor Troy continues the Galatians series by emphasizing that sharing the gospel isn't enough — we must also stand firm in defending the truth that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone. He highlights how Paul's meeting with the apostles affirmed this message and modeled the importance of gospel-centered unity and conviction.

Pastor Troy continues the Galatians series by emphasizing that sharing the gospel isn't enough — we must also stand firm in defending the truth that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone. He highlights how Paul's meeting with the apostles affirmed this message and modeled the importance of gospel-centered unity and conviction.

Pastor Troy kicks off the Galatians series with a message on how saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone is the only true Gospel, and any addition, subtraction, or distortion of that is not truly the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Troy kicks off the Galatians series with a message on how saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone is the only true Gospel, and any addition, subtraction, or distortion of that is not truly the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Troy wraps up the Proverbs series with a message on how to seek true wisdom by deferring to and acknowledging our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God in all areas of our lives.

Pastor Troy wraps up the Proverbs series with a message on how to seek true wisdom by deferring to and acknowledging our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God in all areas of our lives.

Pastor Steve Harrison discusses five important reasons to be on mission for Christ.

Pastor Steve Harrison discusses five important reasons to be on mission for Christ.

Pastor Troy Dobbs discusses parenting from a biblical perspective.

Pastor Troy Dobbs discusses parenting from a biblical perspective.

Pastor Troy Dobbs walks through the biblical guidelines of “How to Stay Sexually Pure”, the impacts of sex outside of marriage, and the hope we have in Christ when we fail.

Pastor Troy Dobbs walks through the biblical guidelines of “How to Stay Sexually Pure”, the impacts of sex outside of marriage, and the hope we have in Christ when we fail.

Pastor Troy Dobbs asks the question, "What is a Christian?" according to the Bible.

Pastor Troy Dobbs asks the question, "What is a Christian?" according to the Bible.