Grace 242

Title: Lavishness
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:7-8
Series: The “L” Fruits of Jesus

The 1986 "Hands Across America" generosity event fell short, but how does God's abundant generosity prove that His plan for us is truly **lavish**? This sermon explores the concept of lavishness as an essential fruit of a follower of Jesus, illustrating the profound generosity of God through the metaphor of hands. True discipleship begins with The Receiving Hand, recognizing the immense, abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness God has lavished upon us through Christ. This received forgiveness establishes a necessary pattern for us to follow. We are called to extend the same mercy to others through The Forgiving Hand, remembering that forgiven people must forgive people, thereby reversing the curse of cyclical revenge. Finally, we express lavishness through The Giving Hand, sharing our finances, resources, and time, confident that if God cares for the birds and lilies, He will supply all our needs, allowing us to live the abundant life Jesus promised.

Title: Level-Headedness
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:21-24
Series: The “L” Fruits of Jesus

Notice: This message interviews one of Grace 242's covenant partners about the sketch he made of Jesus. View those images here. 

Like the character Riley in the movie Inside Out , every human has emotions, feelings, and attitudes; they are part of the human experience. But how do we ensure these emotions are healthy? This sermon, part of "The L Fruits of Jesus" series, explores the fruit of level-headedness.

This message examines Level-Headedness through three "L"s:

The Lordship of Level-Headedness: This explores what it means to place our attitudes, feelings, and emotions under the lordship of Jesus Christ. It examines the two "ditches" churches often fall into: replacing scripture's authority with feelings or removing emotions from discipleship entirely, which can lead to being spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.

The Likeness of Level-Headedness: Looking at Ephesians 4:24, this "L" discusses what it means to be "created to be like God." While God has emotions, He is impassible (His state doesn't change). Jesus, however, fully shared the human emotional experience to redeem and restore the image of God in us. In this section, Pastor Bill contrasts depictions of emotionless Jesus with a sketch that Bob from Grace 242 did. Those images may be viewed here.

The Labor of Level-Headedness: This section provides practical application based on Ephesians 4:22-24. We are to "throw off" the old nature, "put on" the new, and let the Spirit "renew our thoughts and attitudes." The key question is whether we are submitting our emotions to the Master or letting our emotions master us. The goal is not to be emotionless , but to direct our emotions for God's glory.

Title: Lowliness
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:3-11
Series: The “L” Fruits of Jesus

Have you ever had a social situation where you had to deal with a one-upper? One-upping, or pride, is the way of the world, but the way of Jesus is the exact opposite: lowliness or humility. Disciples of Jesus are instructed to have the same attitude as Christ. This message explores the "L" fruit of lowliness through three questions:

1. What is Humility? Humility is not thinking more of yourself (overt pride/vain conceit) or thinking less of yourself (covert pride/selfish ambition). Rather, humility is thinking accurately and truthfully about yourself.

2. How to Practice Humility? We practice humility by having the same attitude as Christ Jesus and making ourselves of no reputation. Jesus made Himself of no reputation by serving, obeying, and dying. We are called to serve others (taking the position of a slave), obey God's plan, and die to ourselves—to our name, reputation, plans, preferences, and desires.

3. Why Value Humility? Disciples of Jesus value humility because it is the fruit of life. Pride is the fruit of death, as seen in Adam and Eve's rebellion to spread their own reputation. In contrast, Jesus's perfect humility is our life and our salvation.

Episode Title: Learning
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:2, John 8:31 ESV
Series: The “L” Fruits of Jesus

Disciples of Jesus are learners—the learning never stops! This week, we dive into the second "L" fruit of Jesus, the fruit of Learning, and explore the two ways disciples are called to learn and grow in Christ. Romans 12:2 gives us two ways of learning, both starting with the letter "I":

1. Information: This method, associated with Hellenism, focuses on the renewal of your mind. Disciples are called to be faithful learners by meditating on God's Word, looking for a daily God nugget, and internalizing media that is pure and commendable.

2. Imitation: This method, associated with Hebraism, focuses on not being conformed to this world, but imitating Christ. Just as an apprentice learns by observing and patterning their life after their rabbi, disciples learn by apprenticing themselves to Jesus, who says, "learn from me".

Ultimately, disciples don't conform to the world; we conform to Christ by renewing our minds and apprenticing ourselves to the gentle Master, Jesus

Title: Love

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:35-40, Matthew 7:17-20, Matthew 7:13-14

Series: The “L” Fruits of Jesus

When observing the lavish lifestyle of a televangelist, it’s easy to question the "fruit" of their ministry. Jesus Himself said we would identify people by their fruit. So, what fruit should we expect to see in the life of a disciple?

This sermon kicks off a new series, "The 'L' Fruits of Jesus," by focusing on the most foundational fruit: Love. We explore the two critical axes of Christian love. The vertical axis is loving God, which is demonstrated not just by hearing His word, but by our obedience to it. The horizontal axis is loving others, which requires traveling the "narrow road." This difficult path specifically challenges us to love our enemies and to speak the truth in love , even when the world redefines what "truth" and "love" mean.

Title: Utility Closet – Prayer
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42, Ephesians 6:18-20
Series: The 242 Blueprint

In the 1970s, Xerox invented the future of computing with the graphical user interface (GUI) and the mouse, but failed to realize the gold mine they were sitting on. They squandered their best resource, which Apple and Steve Jobs eagerly capitalized on to revolutionize the world. Christians often treat prayer the same way Xerox treated the GUI—as our most powerful, yet least utilized, weapon. Discover the three prompts that awaken us to the power of prayer: 1. Its intimacy 2. Its difficulty, and 3. Its consistency. Learn what it means to pray "in the Spirit" and align yourself with what God is already doing.

Title: Dining Room – Sharing Meals
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42, Luke 7:34
Series: The 242 Blueprint

The third component of the church's blueprint found in Acts 2:42 is the sharing of meals. Jesus provides the model for how we should approach the table, teaching us how to E.A.T. 

• E - Example of Jesus: The early church shared meals because Jesus constantly shared meals. He was so often at the meal table that his accusers called him a glutton and a drunkard.
• A - Accepting the Outsider: A key part of Jesus's example was accepting those who were considered outsiders, like tax collectors and sinners. When Jesus dines with a tax collector named Levi, it forces us to choose our reaction: the pride of the Pharisees who sneer at Jesus's choice of company, or the humility of Levi who recognizes that if Jesus welcomes sinners, he welcomes us. 
• T - Table Task: Jesus used the table to carry out his discipleship mission. We are called to do the same by leveraging our tables for mission. We can do this by practicing spiritual disciplines, having spiritual conversations, and extending hospitality to others around our tables. The table is mission control for the family and a primary tool for discipleship.

Title: Living Room – Fellowship
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42, Ephesians 5:30, John 13:35
Series: The 242 Blueprint

This message is the second in the series "The 242 Blueprint," which examines Acts 2:42 as a foundational model for the church. This week's sermon focuses on the topic of fellowship, using the analogy of watching football in a living room to explore what it means to be part of the Christian community.

The message outlines three biblical facets of fellowship:

• The Player: Recognizing that we are not isolated individuals but members of a team—the body of Christ. This requires a shift from individualization to incorporation.
• The Position: Every member has a unique function and spiritual gifts to use for the church. This calls for a shift from inaction to involvement.
• The Purpose: The purpose of the church's love for one another is to be so extraordinary that it shows the world who Jesus is. This requires a shift from insularity to invitation.

Title: Foundation – The Apostles’ Teaching
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
Series: The 242 Blueprint

What do the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a luxury skyscraper in San Francisco have in common? A faulty foundation. Just as a building requires a solid base to stand, so does the church.

We're kicking off a new series, "The 242 Blueprint," based on the four foundational elements of the early church found in Acts 2:42. In this episode, we examine the very first pillar: the apostles' teaching. This teaching wasn't a complex philosophy but a powerful testimony to a single, world-changing event: Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah because He walked out of the grave.

Join us as we explore why this truth was a reliable foundation for the church in the past, is reliable in the present, and will be reliable in the future. We'll discuss how Jesus's resurrection makes truth objective, why this truth is often divisive but always worth fighting for, and how it provides an unshakable hope for our future. This message will challenge you to see the Bible not as a textbook to be studied, but as the living and active story that points to the one we worship: the risen Jesus Christ.

Title: Grace Isn't Lazy

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:7-10

Pastor Bill returns from his summer sabbatical to give three reflections on training for godliness:

1. Discipline takes effort. 

2. Discipline affects others. 

3. Discipline pays off.