Grace 242

Title: How to Trade Legends and Infuriate People
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:19-20
Series: Be Bold!

What if the boldest moves you make for God are met with the fiercest opposition rather than immediate triumph? Drawing from the high-stakes decisions of the Green Bay Packers' front office, this message explores why we shouldn't be surprised when following God leads to friction. By looking at the life of the Apostle Paul and the story of Moses, we examine the true Cost of standing firm. Rather than seeking a change in Circumstance or asking for rescue, we are called to stay the Course through persistent prayer before, during, and after trials. Ultimately, we find our strength in Christ, who paid the ultimate price of boldness on the cross so that we might have the courage to live for His glory. Instead of praying for God to remove your difficult circumstances, ask for the boldness to remain faithful and obedient right where you are.

Title: Shema Part 2: Hearing Without Heeding
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Series: Shema

Why is hearing God's word often easier than truly obeying it? Chaplain Bob Turner explores the deep command found in the Shema: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Using the tragic 1986 Challenger disaster as a stark parallel, Bob's message contrasts simply hearing a critical warning versus actively heeding it, which had fatal consequences. The scripture commands us to love God completely—with all our heart, soul, and strength. While total depravity means we are naturally unable to meet this perfect standard, God, through the finished work of Christ, enables us to respond with perfect love. Our divine purpose is wrapped up entirely in this command to love God totally. This response is not a burdensome chore, but an invitation into the most fulfilling relationship possible with our loving Creator.

Title: Boldly A-Veil-Able
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Hebrews 10:19-22
Series: Be Bold!

How can we truly be bold in our faith? Our boldness is only unlocked by the perfect boldness of Jesus. This message explores two major covenantal contrasts. The first contrast addresses Moses and the veil. Jesus removes the veil so we can boldly reflect His glory to others horizontally. The second contrast addresses the Most Holy Place in the Temple. Jesus's sacrifice tore the curtain wide open. This gives us immediate vertical access to the Father's throne room. We can boldly approach God anytime, anywhere. Jesus has made the way wide open for us.

Title: How to Be Bold
Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:6-9
Series: Be Bold!

How do we move from cautious faith to courageous action? We learn the answer from Joshua, who was commanded to be strong and courageous. True boldness is born out of trust in God. To be bold, we must first "Take Hold" of the unique calling God has placed on our lives. Next, we must "Take Heed" of God's Word by internalizing it through study and conversation. Finally, we must "Take Heart." We never go into a moment of boldness alone. The Holy Spirit is always with us, just as Jesus promised. Through these three simple steps, we can live out our mission statement boldly in the year ahead.

Title: Wisdom
Scripture Reading: Job 28:1-3, 23-28

Guest preacher Adam Brill joins Grace 242 to explore the concept of wisdom as presented in Job 28, which acts as an "interlude" within the book of Job, bridging historical narrative and poetic dialogue. It contrasts human efforts to acquire valuable material possessions with the unattainable nature of true wisdom through human means. Wisdom ultimately comes solely from God, found in fearing the Lord and shunning evil. Adam leaves us with an encouragement toward biblical literacy and understanding of scriptural context.

Title: A Better Worth
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:3-7a, 2 Corinthians 8:9
Series: A Better Story

Painting: https://ibb.co/wv0YyXH

In this episode, Peggy and Pastor Bill discuss the Peggy's painting which you can view here. Peggy's painting vividly contrasts worldly wealth and possessions (depicted in black and white) with the true riches found in Jesus Christ (represented in color). Peggy shares her personal journey from believing worldly success was the ultimate goal to realizing its emptiness, learning that all earthly "trappings" pale in comparison to Christ's humble sacrifice. The sermon emphasizes that through Jesus's humility—the King of the cosmos stooping to become a baby boy in a manger—we are freed from the oppressive need to pursue material wealth and instead embrace a life of true humility and purpose in Him.

Title: A Better King
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11
Series: A Better Story

In this special Christmas Eve episode of A Better Story, guest Taylor Englund joins us to explore the cosmic magnitude of the Christmas story. Moving beyond the traditional narrative, we dive into the fascinating historical theory that Jesus was actually born on September 11, 3 B.C., aligning with the Jewish Feast of Trumpets. Tune in to discover the true identity of the Magi, the astronomical evidence behind the Star of Bethlehem found in Revelation 12, and how the heavens themselves heralded the arrival of the King of kings.

Title: A Better Family Tree
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:1-2, 16-17
Series: A Better Story

In this episode of A Better Story, co-host Katie Hartline joins the discussion to unpack the surprisingly messy family tree of Jesus found in Matthew 1. We explore why God chose to include outsiders, deceivers, and even a king who practiced human sacrifice in the lineage of the Messiah. Discover how this "unsanitized" genealogy proves that God doesn't just fix the past—He redeems it, offering hope to every broken family and individual today.

Title: A Better Announcement
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Series: A Better Story

We're celebrating Advent at Grace 242 with podcast-style sermons on the theme: A Better Story. God's plan to send His Son on Christmas was a far better story than any of us could have possibly written. Today Kathy Rosen joins Pastor Bill to explore the God's plan to announce the birth of His Son to an unlikely group of shepherds. 

Title: Legation
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Series: The “L” Fruits of Jesus

The final "L" fruit of Jesus is legation, meaning disciples are called to act as Christ's ambassadors to the world, a concept explored through four "ships." This identity begins with Citizenship, as we represent the Kingdom of Heaven while living here on earth, stepping into the divine Partnership God established with humanity from Adam onward. Since history shows that humanity repeatedly failed to fulfill this role, the core of our message must rest on the Lordship of Jesus, the perfect legate who secured reconciliation through the cross. Finally, our ultimate Worship as legates is expressed through urgency, embracing our authoritative mission to advance Christ's agenda today, right now.