The central event in human history is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Even in our increasingly secularized culture, we split time into two categories: before Christ (BC) and the Christian era (AD). Likewise, the central event in our lives, personally, is the moment we came to understand the astonishing love of Jesus who suffered for us on the cross. As believers, it’s our privilege to continuously contemplate the mysteries of this historic and transforming act. This morning, as we prepare for Easter 2020, we want to see the power of contemplating the cross and how we can enter into this life-giving discipline.

Did you know there were likely two “Jesuses” standing before Pontius Pilate? Today marks the second week in our Cross Connections series. In it, we will be examining various characters at the end of Christ’s life. This week, we look to a man named “Jesus, son of Abba” (Matt 27:16)— or as you may know him, “Barabbas.”

Matthew intentionally highlights a confusing similarity between Christ and Barabbas in order to pose a question that matters to us: “Which ‘Jesus’ do you want (The Christ of Scripture, or the one who merely fits your preferences)?

This morning we begin a new series in preparation for Easter called Cross Connections. In it, we will examine the characters who appear in Jesus’ passion story, both his enemies and friends. All these characters appear in the story for a reason, and we’ll attempt to see ourselves in these people. How did they respond to Jesus? Who responded in faith? Who responded in unbelief, and what can we learn? The central theme in this series is that the cross lies at the center of who we are as followers of Jesus. Therefore, each moment, we face a choice: 1) receive Jesus’ work on the cross and grow or 2) resist and shrink back. We begin by looking at the story of three enemies.

This is the last week in our series called Transforming the Next Generation. Today marks the day we have the privilege of committing to the vision God has given to our church. To help us consider this commitment, I take us to Matthew 14, to the story of Peter walking on water in a storm. I believe the kind of faith we need for a decision like this is the kind of faith Peter mustered when he approached Jesus on the roiling waves.

As we begin to grasp the principles of regular proportional grace giving, the act of giving increasingly becomes an act of joyful worship.

In our series called Transforming the Next Generation, we are looking at the next season of our ministry. Over the next several years, we seek to excel in transforming the lives of children and youth in our church. Hence, we are setting forth reasons for why we seek to create new space on our property to facilitate this. As we think about our finances, it’s important to remember who owns the things that we possess. Do we own them? Or does God own them? This morning, we want to explore this topic. To do this we’re going to look at two Psalms of David and a Parable of Jesus to look at reasons God is the rightful owner of all things and what we should do about it.

This is week two in our series Transforming the Next Generation. Our desire in this series is to explore how GCC might be an agent in transforming the next generation of children and youth in our city. Last week we looked at the reality that God loves to pour out his Spirit on young people, empowering them for influence. He did this with Daniel and his friends. This week we look at the context where transformation takes place: physical spaces...all types of physical spaces...even buildings! God loves to manifest his presence in places that are set aside for his use.

This week we begin our new series called Transforming the Next Generation. At Grace, our overall ministry mission boils down to one word: transformation (2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2). We love seeing people encounter breakthroughs. We love seeing Him change lives. In the next season of our ministry we especially want to excel in seeing God change the lives of our children and youth. Consequently, in this series, we are laying out the reasons why we seek to create new space on our property and the ministry we hope to take place there. In Daniel 1-2 we get a picture for how families might fuel a God-centered transformation in the next generation.

As Jesus is on his way toward Jerusalem, he passes through Jericho, and one of the least likely people in the entire nation comes to Christ: Zacchaeus. People are shocked that this chief tax collector would be interested in spiritual things, much less place his faith in Christ. Seeing this as a good teaching moment, Jesus tells a story about the importance of seeking those who desperately need Him. As we move into this New Year, let’s commit to this same value at GCC: seeking to share the good news with a world that desperately needs life from the risen Christ.