Grace Dover Messages

Sermon by Kenny Foster, Senior Pastor, Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 & 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8.

This sermon reminds us that the gospel is good news in the in the midst of "much conflict." The Christian life is one where we should expect conflict. Believers around the world are believing the gospel amid much conflict. Many believe that the Church in America is headed for a time of persecution. How will we keep our heads so that in the midst of conflict, we are motivated to declare the good news of God? We want to learn from the Apostle and his companions the way to become a thriving community even though there is conflict. We want to know how the gospel produces an inner resiliency that enables the community of believers to have joy in the midst of agony, trust though tested, live free without being fake. The gospel builds in us courage in conflict, while creating credibility and developing compassion for God's children.

Sermon by Kenny Foster, Senior Pastor, Deuteronomy 7:6-10 & 1 Peter 2:9-12.

We are concluding the sermon series titled, "So That the World Might Know: Answering Common Objections to the Multiethnic Vision". This sermon is part two of addressing the 6th objection of pitting multiple ethnic churches against multiethnic churches. In other words, those who say we are being multiethnic in planting and establishing churches that are for a particular ethnic group. This is a separate but equal approach to the gospel. Which on the surface sounds like it might be good, but it is denying a gospel reality. Namely that through the gospel we are made a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...a people. Our scripture texts tells us that across the lines of ethnicity we are one. Therefore, eliminating the segregation of the ethnicities is the outworking of the power of the gospel. This message is clear from Deuteronomy to 1 Peter. From the old covenant to the new covenant, we learn that although we are from multiple ethnic groups, yet we are one family, one nation, one royal priesthood, so together we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Or, to say it another way, multiethnic churches, (made up of multiple ethnicities), living and worshiping together in one body, are making the Father and the Son, [Jesus Christ] whom the Father has sent, known.

Sermon by Kenny Foster, Senior Pastor, Deuteronomy 7:6-10 & 1 Peter 2:9-12.

We are continuing the sermon series titled, "So That the World Might Know: Answering Common Objections to the Multiethnic Vision". This sermon is addressing a 6th objection that pits multiple ethnic churches against multiethnic churches. In other words, those who say we are being multiethnic in planting and establishing churches that are for a particular ethnic group. This is a separate but equal approach to the gospel. Which on the surface sounds like it might be good, but it is denying a gospel reality. Namely that through the gospel we are made a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...a people. Our scripture texts tells us that across the lines of ethnicity we are one. Therefore, eliminating the segregation of the ethnicities is the outworking of the power of the gospel. This message is clear from Deuteronomy to 1 Peter. From the old covenant to the new covenant, we learn that although we are from multiple ethnic groups, yet we are one family, one nation, one royal priesthood, so that together we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Or, to say it another way, multiethnic churches, (made up of multiple ethnicities), living and worshiping together in one body, are making the Father and the Son, [Jesus Christ] whom the Father has sent, known.

Sermon by Israel Ruiz, Associate Pastor at City Church, Wilmington, from Psalm 132:1-18.

God's presence among his people brings blessings, justice, and joy. In the Old Testament the Israelites longed to experience God's presence, therefore they went to the temple to worship God in Zion, God's dwelling place. When Christ came to the world, Zion transcended the temple and now God's presence is experienced at the local church.

Sermon by Kenny Foster, Senior Pastor, from Deuteronomy 32:36-43 & Romans 15:5-13.

The sermon series on the multiethnic vision of Grace Church, has thus far addressed three common objections, but the gospel has provided us with the answers. The purpose of this series is to keep before us what the gospel is all about. God provides mercy through Jesus Christ, for sure, but to what end? The end is to gather a people for himself who will reflect his glory and wisdom in all of its beauty. But does that mean that I have to be something that I am not? This is a question of authenticity. This is another objection to the multiethnic vision of the Church. Some will say, "You can't be authentic in a multiethnic church." Translation: "It is hard to be in a church with multiple ethnicities and live as one and be yourself. Therefore be homogenous. The way to be authentic is to serve God among people who are like you. I won't have to change who I am and the Church will be more successful. What is wrong with that?" It falls short of the goal of the gospel.

The gospel's aim is not for personal authenticity, but it is for community. A community that is diverse yet one. The gospel's goal is about making us one. One with the Father and one with one another. The end goal is not unison, but harmony. Harmony takes unity in diversity.  One's authenticity is expressed in seeking to grant the "other/outsider" access to one's own heart. That is what Christ has done for us. Christ's authenticity wasn't measured in the way he pleased himself but in the way he brought others, Jewish insiders and Gentile outsiders, into his own heart. The Lord's Table shows us the type of welcome we have received. It also teaches us the type of welcome we are to give. Through the Lord's Table, the multiethnic church is pursuing authenticity since it is perpetuating the welcome that Christ has given.

Sermon by Kenny Foster, Senior Pastor, from Genesis 37:23-33 & Ephesians 3:1-13.

We are in a series of sermons titled "So that the World May Know: Answering Common Objections to the Multiethnic Vision." We are demonstrating how the gospel responds to these objections. This Sunday's message is answering the objection about color. Some object to the multiethnic vision with a sigh of annoyance asking , "Why is the church so obsessed with color?" This is an attempt to say that acknowledging the color of a person's skin only furthers the issues of division and that the right attitude is to be colorblind.

But on closer examination of the gospel's imperative and its multitudinous implications, we find that color is in God's plan and is an actual description of his wisdom. A wisdom that is revealed through the preaching of Christ to multiple ethnicities, in all their beautiful colors, so that through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. We must acknowledge and celebrate the colors that the wisdom of God has created so that the enemies of God can know the power of Christ and why it is good news for everyone who believes and for all the creation.

Sermon by Joshua Suh, Associate Pastor, from Isaiah 49:6-13 & Revelation 7:9-12.

We continue our series on the Gospel Vision “So That the World May Know: Answering Common Objections to the Multiethnic Vision.” This week we will answer the question of, “Why this vision? Isn’t it just one among many possible visions?” We can see through the Scriptures that the future that God has in mind for his people, the church, is one of unity, breaking down all the dividing walls of hostility. If the Church, Christ's body isn't pursuing God's vision, then whose vision are they pursuing?

Sermon by Joshua Suh, Associate Pastor, from Isaiah 51:1-6 & Romans 12:1-8.

One of the privileges that we have as the people of God is that we are able to serve God with the new lives that he has given to us. Paul encourages us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice." God has given us each gifts that together as one body we would use them to glorify God and fulfill his will, which is good, acceptable, and perfect.

Sermon by Kenny Foster, Senior Pastor, from Psalm 85:8-13 & Matthew 14 22-33.

Life is often chaotic. And the chaos can come upon you suddenly like the pounding waves of a wind tossed sea. This is the disciples' experience on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told them get in the boat while he dismissed the crowd, but then Jesus goes off by himself. They are left alone and subjected to the will of the wind and the waves as they conclude that the danger at sea is going to be their undoing. What are the disciples supposed to do? Where is their help and hope? Furthermore, what do you do when chaos comes into your world? How do you become steadfast when it appears that everything is against you? The children of God are the ones who should know that God is good all the time. And they should know that God, through the goodness and grace of Christ, knows how to end chaos and evil without ending them.

Healthy Christian living is learning how to trust in Jesus regardless of the things that life throws at you. As we live our lives we are always being tested. This is clear from the story of the Israelites to the story of Peter's sinking in the waves. Life's tests can leave you feeling like you are isolated and alone in the boat. The crowds are gone and the Lord is off praying, and you are being battered by the winds that are against you and your faith is dissipating. How do you get a faith that will survive the tests that life brings? You need to learn to "hear what God the Lord will speak." (Psa. 85:8) In his word, he speaks peace. In his word you find the place where steadfast love and faithfulness meet. This message will help you to learn how to apply the gospel's truths to your heart so that your faith grows even though you are sinking in the waves.