Grace Assembly Sermon Series

Based on the upcoming Jewish year, Pastor Sherry challenges our body to fast between now and September 22. She encourages us to make Jesus first, to want Him more than anything else. Don't give up or get weary, lean into Him. Pastor Sherry shares five things the Lord has put in her spirit:

     Divine connection - We will experience heaven touching earth

     Manifestation clarity - Removal of confusion and greater understanding

     Awaken and alignment - Coming alive in His word and promises

     Movement and action - The wait is over, it's time to do what He purposes

     Flourishing - We will see the fruit of what He has intended

Starting in Acts 3, Pastor John challenges our thinking and whether we have lost our awe of the Lord. Instead we need to be like Peter, John and the early disciples and seek the same manifestation of the Holy Spirit - to be full of boldness and unity.

Continuing from last week, Pastor John further encourages us to seek what the will of God is. Digging deeper into the text, he demonstrates how it’'s not about what we feel, deserve; or will, it's about His will. We just need to be willing to listen and trust Him.

Pastor John identifies a problem in Cristian circles - we want the right answer from God but we keep asking Him the wrong questions. We ask the Lord “What is the will of God for my life?” when we should simply say “What is the will of God?”

Pastor John demonstrates how we look for a detailed game plan but instead, like in Matthew 4:18-20, He requires simple obedience. We need to filter our understanding against milleniums of scripture and do what He asks.

Today we celebrate and witness the act of obedience and faith as the following people preach a sermon without words and are water baptized:

- Ansie Van Nispen

- Lauren Rezek

- Ethan Rezek

- Everly Rezek

- Jouana Garcia

- Peyton King

- Emily Albright

- Nicholas Albright

- Zachary Thrift

Pastor Sherry encourages and reminds everyone if we are not changed in life, it's not the Lord's fault, it's ours. He is always working.

Pastor John then goes on to teach that while principalities and powers try to convince us otherwise, our chains are broken through our confessions.

We start by praying for the following Youth:

- Vanessa and Skyler Stitt who are going to the National Fine Arts Program this week;

- Jake Bethea who is leaving for Barton College.

Pastor John then reminds us that we have to be asking to participate in our faith walk - our healing, our freedom, our sanctification, or with whatever God wants to do in our life.

He then goes to Acts 8 and Isaiah 53 and looks at Phillip, the eunuch, and the act of baptism. Pastor John discusses what baptism is about, why bother with it, and its significance. It's a big deal to Christ so it should matter to us.

Service starts with the children returning from camp and sharing about their experiences this past week.

Then Jason and Chane Vanderwatt start worship with a dance to ”Same God.”

Pastor John then begins with a visual lesson on the Father pruning stuff from our lives. And while it may seem unpleasant or even, we mistakenly think, evil at the time, the reality is when the Father is pruning us, He is nearer than we think.

He then goes to Romans 14 to point out a common area of pruning needed by us believers. Sometimes we run commentary on things in the life of others that don't matter. Instead we need grace to allow God to extend His love to those around us and instead pursue the kingdom of God.

Gary Slate is our guest speaker today and he starts with the familiar text of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David stood in faith of his covenant with God, and not his own strength.

Gary reminds us that the God of David’s covenant then is the God of our covenant today. Therefore, he challenges us to trust God, stand in His covenant, and be used by the Lord to overcome our giants today.

Going to the Word and John 15:16, Pastor John looks to establish an eternal principle with us. Something we all need regardless of how long we have served the Lord. This principle must abide in our spirit and we must embrace it. We did not choose Him; Jesus chose us.

Today we started by recognizing and celebrating the people returning from the Aruba missions trip.

Then with the help of the Lord, Pastor John looks to reinforce and boost our perspective. Starting in Job 38, he demonstrates the power of our Lord, Savior, and friend. Pastor John then goes into Psalms and John to show His commitment, promises and heart towards us.

So why can't we trust Him?