Sunday Sermons from Grace Summit Community Church

Genesis 1-11 lays out every theme of the Bible – Tuesdays or Wednesdays – over Zoom starting soon. Last week we talked about the Church – Capital C – universal, invisible. This week, we will talk about the Capital O church – Our church. Some of us have been together for many decades. You are the church here. It has never been about a program or organization – it is about people. When we have tried that – it didn't work ...

We've been looking at the Kingdom of God. The first week we started, I had mentioned that on this week we would revisit the relationship between the Church and the Kingdom. This week – Cindy follows people on – substacks and other places – and everyone is commenting on The Church – the Universal Church – knowing and understanding and appreciating The Church. I say I am talking about the Church – the capital C Church – universal – catholic – not the ...

20240107 Last week after our discussion time, there were some really good points brought up. Sue shared some great thoughts… John Ference and I were talking about the ‘already but not yet' concept… Jesus' first announcement of the Kingdom of God – both Matthew and Mark listed these similarly: Right after the temptation in the wilderness: Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is ...

I have been going over things our church has been growing in. This next one is one I think we've really excelled at...I think that we are becoming a Jesus People. Not the 70s Jesus people – nor a superiority like Paul spoke of when he talked about being ‘of Apollos, or Paul, or Jesus' – but that we, as a community, are learning to live out the traits of Jesus in the gospels. I think ...

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.Isaiah – The prophecy has 2 fulfillments – 1 immediately following – and the word, virgin has a double meaning as well – virgin= young woman – but also means virgin, like, the virgin Mary…Luke 2: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the ...

20231217 Last week, at the very end, I talked about a strength of our church in the area of serving. I'd like to take a deeper look at this from the view of Advent. I'm going to do some weird things with the Bible to connect Advent and serving! Thank You for this time – and that You left heaven, not regarding equality with God a thing to cling to – You came that You ...

It has been brought to my attention that while I study these things through the week – and mention things like the essentials and non-essentials – not everyone might know what I mean by the essentials. While the Creeds are not … The Creeds often deal with a response to certain heresies. Apostles Creed Nicene Creed – 325 AD – dealing with an issue in the Church – not long after Constantine required Christianity in the Empire. There was a controversy ...

This morning I'm going to do two mini-sermons – there will be a bridge in between the two – and if you blink, you'll miss it! This is about learning, unlearning, and relearning and the strengths of our church through the year. Matt Lynch – Flood and Fury – addresses how to view violence in the Bible. I have not personally read it – but “The Bible consistently surprises and challenges our simplistic expectations” – Matt Lynch Proverbs 26 ...

We have been doing a series on things we've learned as a church. Last week – I mentioned this quote: Brennan Manning “Though it is true that the church must always dissociate itself from sin, it can never have any excuse for keeping any sinners at a distance.” (Ragamuffin Gospel) As I read that – I can see – for some, how they might have trouble and disagree with the first part – and for others – they might ...

Another thing our church has done over the years – is being a respite for those who have been burned or wounded by church or other Christians.Here are some books that have helped me through this process: Larry Crabb – Shattered Dreams / The Pressure's Off Philip Yancey - Disappointment with God, What's so Amazing about Grace, The Jesus I Never Knew I'm not going to address direct abuse – but rather, unintentional abuse – people of good ...

Over the next 10-12 weeks, I'm going to be sharing how we, as a small church, have really become an example to the larger Church. For today – you all are leaners – students – disciples – true disciples – students of the Bible and the Church community. We have all learned to learn something new, to let go of some things, and to relearn other things. This comes from a desire to know God more. This is the ...

Esther Today Reading these last 2 chapters is like reading your newsfeed! Some of these things are kind of disturbing when you think about it. Then I will close with some hopeful things. Haman has been killed – Mordecai has been lifted up – we just want to end it – but Haman's edict to kill all the Jews is still active – so something must be done – and there is another decree made – this time by Mordecai ...

Esther 6 6 During that night [a]the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 It was found written what Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 The king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed ...

Esther 4:9 Hathach came back and related Mordecai's words to Esther. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai: 11 “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds ...

Esther 2:17 17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his princes and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts according to the ...

Esther 1: Now it took place in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, 2 in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa, 3 in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being ...

This morning, we are going to close out our series on the Gospel of Mark. I'm not going to go into detail about Holy Week, because we did that 6 months ago. There is a theme here – about the failure of the disciples – and I'm not going to do it from a negative perspective. Their failure turned into faithfulness. During this Holy Week, there is a lot of failure that takes place among ...

Lord, thank You for this time of worship – yes, we are Your children – we nee to be slaves to nothing – not just to fear – we are free in Christ. As we go through Mark – use this time to speak to our hearts. Mark 11: 11 Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany with the twelve since it was already late… So He ...

20230827 Henry: Some disclaimers – I'm a technician, not a theologian… When I was younger … Mark 10: 33 "Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and experts in the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him severely, and kill him. Yet after three days ...

Mark 9:14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that ...

We are at the halfway point in the Book of Mark! Lord, it IS all about You. It is not about us. When it is all about You, it is for our good – we get to experience the life You want us to live. It is hard to make it all about You – we all struggle – but help us to move forward in that – better today, than yesterday. Mark 8:27 Then Jesus and his ...

John Ference: Mark 4:35 And on that day, when it* was evening, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him along, as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great storm of wind developed, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already being filled with water.* 38 And he ...

Sue – Today, I'm talking about Mark 5:21-43 – 2 miracles Jesus did. One is the most unique and amazing miracles He did – and the other, has impact on our daily lives. Jesus is in the crowd, teaching at the water's edge - 22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet 23 and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of ...

Mark 4:1-9 A little Bible-geek moment – there is a time progression in this parable with the seed and the soil. First seed – Immediately Second – Hours Next – Days – Grows until weeds choke out Good seed: An entire season. In parallels – as it increases – 30/60/100 Mark 4:10 10 When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, "To ...

The Calling of St. Matthew: Jesus on the right – and like Matthew is saying – Who, me? We are going to look, in Mark, at the calling of Levi. He is a tax collector – and we see someone stunned – for a popular Jewish Rabbi (teacher – not a title or job) – but to even approach a tax collector was unheard of in this world. And Jesus is saying – Come, and be my disciple. Mark 2:14 As ...

Mark 2:21 21 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And people do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins." Many believe that verse 22 ...

Mark 1: 9 Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. 10 And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight." NAS – You are my beloved son, with ...

I want to go back to last week – there were some questions – We were talking about peacemakers – as disciples, living lives of nonviolence – and especially verses where Jesus told us to turn the other cheek and not repay evil for evil – Jesus was speaking to His followers and explaining what it means to live a nonviolent life as a disciple, living as Jesus' witnesses in the world. It is NOT instructions to nations, or how ...

Previously… at Grace Summit – Last week we had some audio issues – but we looked good! A little recap – since this is part 2 We are going to begin a series next week on the Gospel of Mark. If you'd like to choose a passage and share a 3-7 minute reflection, let me know. I have a list of passages. We have been talking about being peacemakers – last week – peacemaking like Jesus. Matthew 5:21 ...

Cindy and I walk in our neighborhood. Recently I waved to an older neighbor whom I often wave to, but we've never spoken. This time, he asked me if we had seen about the latest mall shooting – “My wife and I are afraid to go anywhere!” – that is really understandable. We live in a violent world. We cannot deny it. I'm going to spend some time over the next couple weeks talking about ...

Bible Project – Psalm 148 3 Creation Psalms – I might not be the best person to do this – but it is very important. So, in order to, before we look at these Creation Psalms, let's go to the very beginning. In Genesis, there are 2 Creation accounts – and there are numerous more in the Psalms, Prophets, Job, etc. – we don't think about it much – but these 2 accounts have some differences! There are a ...

We're going to go back a bit to last week. Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, This is a precious psalm – and it closes with this: 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be ...

Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 5 God ...

Last week, Dick had an announcement, which was really about his small group and living life together – and that is really what Romans 16 is about. In Romans 16, Paul greets over 2 dozen people! These are a very diverse group of people – and when you're reading it, you usually just zip over those names you can't pronounce anyway… 18 men – 8 women – at least 4 married couples – some slave – some very poor ...

Speak, Lord, to our hearts this morning! I am TRYING to finish Romans this morning. I realized I needed to go back a little bit. Paul is showing, through the Old Testament – that this unity between Jew and Gentile is not new – it flows from the first book to the last – and is a theme that runs throughout. I mentioned that we need to learn to read the Bible in its context – as Paul and ...

We are approaching the end of Romans! Paul is talking about this conflict in Rome – in the very beginning, one of the key things is PEACE – and that is where Paul will bring us. How to have peace where there is conflict, strife, and disputes. How can the weak and strong find unity? How can WE, as a Church, not only our church, but as a CHURCH – across this nation (and the world) find peace ...

We're going to back up a little bit to Friday… Matthew 27: 50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. 53 (They came out of the tombs after ...

This is Paul's greatest concern – and he is about to address it. He has laid out in detail what the gospel of Jesus is. The famous theologian, Dave Brenner, told me this – This is the most important book in the Bible because it lays out the gospel. Paul has been talking about the weak and the strong. The weak are not those who have been disadvantaged here in Rome, or the poor, or the ...

Romans 13:1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority ...

Romans 12: I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. I am guessing that you have either memorized this ...

We had a good discussion last week – and one of the questions brought up a common question – basically – why does God allow bad things to happen. Sometimes people use this verse to give comfort, but the person receiving it doesn't hear it in the way it is intended – Even Jesus on the cross asked, My God, My God, WHY? And it is recorded in two languages – Aramaic and Greek – Romans 8:28 God causes ...

20230305 Romans 8: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Don't condemn yourself, because God does not condemn you! We just need to continually tell ourselves that we are not condemned – no matter how many times we have blown it.  There is NO ...

20230226 Suzanne – Mike has asked that some of us share what God has been teaching us. Henry was supposed to be here, but was unexpectedly called to NY to help unclog some sewage pipes. We had planned to have a nice relaxing weekend. I have been short-tempered, short on patience, and discouraged lately – not a great example of my Savior.  But I have been meditating on Matthew 12:18-20 18 “Here is my servant ...

Romans 7:15 For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me. 18 For ...

20230212 Lord, thank You for this time to gather as a church family – spending time with our God and Savior in the Lord Jesus. Help our focus to be on You and clear our minds and trust in You to hear from You. Give us peace in our hearts to be receptive to hear what you would say to us. Through the Book of Romans there are numerous themes. Last week we looked at the ...

Lord, help us to represent You. Speak to us through Your word – may we all learn more of You – learn to love you and know you more deeply. Romans 5: 1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God ...

Paul begins addressing the Jewish Christians who struggle with how to deal with the Gentile Christians. Maybe you have experienced this – certain Christians who believed that ‘we're the real ones. In Chapter 3 – Paul sums up this argument he has been having with himself – playing devil's advocate back and forth: Romans 3: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. BAM! We are ALL sinners. We all fall ...

20230122 Reading this week – Romans 2-3 reminds me why I have never taught through Romans! There is a lot here – a lot of good stuff – like, Wow! Look at all that is here – and how do you go through this – what is he saying and not saying – and who am I? Paul is having a debate with himself! Engage in that debate! The technical term – interlocular – look it up – like Gollum in LOTR – the Good ...

Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to worship You and give You our hearts. You love us and we are going to live together with You in Your New Creation – we will reign with You. We look forward to that day. We know this world and we are broken – and You are the great healer – the one who restores all things – You give us health and wholeness. Help us to focus our attention on what ...

The Book of Romans deals with many practical and theological issues that people have debated about the meaning from Century 1. There is tremendous value to live with confidence, not arrogance, with your best understanding – but at the same time respecting those who disagree. Those who disagree with you have thoughtful understandings of what they believe. I will read today's passage through and then go back – Romans 1: 18 For the wrath of God ...