Grace Baptist Church

What are your largest regrets? Perhaps something that if it were known you would be ashamed. Thankfully God sees all these and waits for us to confess, forsake and learn from these failures. One thing that none of us should be ashamed of is God's glorious message. What is it about the Gospel that motivates us not to be ashamed of it? It has to do with its Power. Let's praise God for His power this Sunday. All Hail the Power Jesus Name!

The gathering of God's called out ones is a beautiful scene to Him! Called to gather is at the core of the meaning of the word "church." It's not just beautiful, our gathering each week is also essential. The Lord knows that we need one another. As a body needs each of the other parts of the body, so you and I need each other. And as we gather, we build one another up in our faith. You need the church and the church needs you! That's the theme that we find here in Romans 1:10-12.

Happy Memorial Day weekend! This weekend we remember those who have fallen in battles past. At church, we will remember a couple of these prayer warriors of the past – Elijah and Paul. As we do so, we'll find principles to spur us along in this warfare.

God is compassionate (theme for Sunday) and calls us to trust His plans even when it does not seem loving. At times that trust is much more difficult than at other times. Ruth and Naomi were called to walk through some dark valleys. And yet the Lord was their provider. This Sunday we will look at the example of Ruth in contrast to Naomi as an illustration of courageous faith in the face of circumstances that would cause most to become very bitter.

Faith! That's a great word. It encapsulates so much. . . the action of believing, what we hold on to as we believe, and how we desire to grow. Faith is also contagious. That was sure the testimony of the Roman church. Consider this truth from Romans 1:8.

What do we need more than anything else? Of course, the Lord! But also the blessing that He gives - like God's amazing grace and calming peace. Those are two of the mirriads of blessings we have as those called in Christ. Sunday we'll consider these and other blessings that are ours in Christ - "The Blessings of God's children." Prezi link here: https://prezi.com/view/RGI9VoVIXiSkQwpAkH5Q/

You Belong! Have you ever felt like you did not belong? This can be a difficult feeling. Perhaps people there treat you as if you don't belong. That would be horrible. Not belonging can also be a good thing. "I really don't belong here!" If you have been born again through faith in Christ Jesus, you have true belonging. You are called out to belong to Jesus Christ. What a glorious truth! We will praise the Lord for this truth Sunday as we consider our calling as God's children!

What is our ultimate purpose in life? Can you say you are fulfilling that purpose? Those are deep thoughts. And yet, as you answer them, they clarify many other life questions that leave us puzzled. Our theme this Sunday points us to that purpose as we give "Glory to His Name!" In this sermon we find the Bible's revelation about our ultimate purpose in life as we continue through the study of Romans 1.

Christ has risen! Our eternal life has been secured by His sacrifice! The Garden of Eden has turned into the Garden of Gethsemane has turned into the Garden of the Empty Tomb which has turned into the Garden of Eternal Heaven. Because He rose we will enjoy His presence forever. This Sunday we'll celebrate this truth and learn how the fact of the resurrection secures our eternal life from Romans 1:4.

Christ is KING! We remember that scene from long ago, that original "Palm Sunday" as Jerusalem welcomed her King. Yes, He is the Descendant of David Who faithfully rules as David never could. May our Lord Jesus rule in our hearts today.Romans 1:4 gives the explanation of what Palm Sunday was all about.