John 14:15;  1 John 5:2-3;  Genesis 22:1-18   How obedient are you with . . .   - Obedience is defined as:    "Dutiful or submissive compliance to the commands of One in authority."        dutiful = it is our obligation to obey God.      submissive = it is a yielding of our will to God's will.      compliance = is following a set of rules, laws or standards.      commands = is God's Word.      One in authority = is God Himself.   - Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."  John 14:15   - John writes, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome."  1 John 5:2-3   Powerful Story of Obedience:  Abraham & Isaac:  Genesis 22   God said to Abraham:    "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,      because you have obeyed My voice."  Gen. 22:18                 Why should I obey God?               What area of obedience is God speaking to me about today?

Pastor Spencer brings a powerful message about the purpose of trials and how perseverance shapes us into who God has called us to be. Life’s challenges aren’t a matter of if but when—and when they come, they serve as proving grounds for our faith, character, and righteousness.

Drawing from the Book of James and the words of the Apostle Paul, Pastor Spencer reminds us that trials are like fire—meant for refinement, not destruction. In this episode, you’ll learn why perseverance is essential in every area of life—parenting, marriage, leadership, and your spiritual journey—and how embracing difficulty leads to growth, maturity, and completion.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why me? Why now?” this message will encourage you to see your struggles through a new lens and trust God’s refining work in your life. It’s not about avoiding hardship but allowing God to use it to make you complete, lacking nothing.

What a great time of fellowship at the 2025 Wild Game Dinner.

 

Guest speaker Pastor Matt Alexander from Fusion Church in Madison, GA shared the Gospel and encouraged us through this night.

 

Take a listen!

Focus on Relational Needs   Put up picture of 4 animals then put of pick of Doodle dog - Good for nothing   Text:  Philippians 2:3-4; 5-11; 20-21   1.  God has called you to consider the needs and interests of others, not just your own.        Philippians 2:3-4   2.  This is not natural.  Phil. 2:20-21   3.  It is supernatural.  Phil. 2:5-11   Relational Needs:   - How to Communicate:   - Lion:  Be Direct   - Otter:  Be Enthusiastic   - Golden Retriever:  Be Friendly   - Beaver:  Be Thorough   - How to Convince:   - Lion:  Answer the What ?   - Otter:  Answer the Who?   - Golden:  Answer the Why?   - Beaver:  Answer the How?   - How to Motivate:   - Lion:  Goals/Quantity   - Otter:  People/Recognition   - Golden:  People/Relationships   - Beaver:  Goals/Quality   - How to Disagree with:   - Lion:  Agree with their Goal & Test   - Otter:  Agree with their Vision + Time   - Golden:  Focus on the Relationship   - Beaver:  Focus on Facts     We all are different.  Different is good.   We all need each other.   We all are fearfully and wonderfully made. God has gathered us together as His church for such a time as this. It is ALL for GOD'S glory and for our good.

Pastor Mike and his wife Angie speak on relationships and learning your strengths and weaknesses with any relationship. Take a listen!

 

Matthew 22:37-39 Psalm 139:13-14 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 

Take the assessment here: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/4-animals-personality-test/

 

 

1 Corinthians 1:9, 10. 12:18;  Acts 2:42;  1 John 1:3   What are your first thoughts when you think of fellowship?   - Fellowship is a core value at Gratis.   - What is Christian fellowship?  It comes from the word, Koinonia, which means participation, partnership, community, communion.   - Christian fellowship begins with a relationship.  1 Corinthians 1:9;  1 John 1:3         - God calls you to participate.   - Christian fellowship is shared with fellow believers.  Acts 2:42          - God equips you to participate.  1 Corinthians 12:18   - Christian fellowship is hindered by division.  1 Corinthians 1:10        - God instructs us to let there be no divisions among us.       Why?  Because it will hinder our spiritual growth.                Because it will distract us from our mission - making disciples.                Because it will hurt our witness to the world.

John 13:35;  Philippians 2:1-4   - Unity is a Core Value at Gratis.   - Why is unity important in our church?  John 13:35.   Philippians 2:1         - Unity is the result of love.        - Because there is encouragement in Christ.      - Because there is consolation (comfort) in love from our Heavenly Father.      - Because there is fellowship of the Spirit.      - Because there is affection and compassion.   - What keeps unity in our church?   Philippians 2:2        - By being of the same mind.  Like-minded.      - By maintaining the same love.      - By being united in spirit.      - By being intent on one purpose.            Our Purpose Statement:  We exist to glorify God and to advance His kingdom.   - How are we going to keep unity in our church?   Philippians 2:3-4         - Do nothing from selfishness.  (strife, rivalry, I've got my agenda mindset)       - Do nothing from empty conceit. (empty glory, seeking your own glory)         But      - Regard one another as more important than yourself.      - Look out for the interest of others.               J - esus             O - thers             Y -ourself

Text:  Matthew 4:18-22;  Luke 6:12-13   Have you ever experienced going on a fishing trip?   - Matthew 4:18-22:  Focus on v. 19   - The four men that Jesus asked to follow Him were professional fishermen.   - Jesus said, "Follow Me"          - A disciple is someone who knows and follows Jesus.  (Head)   - Jesus said, "and I will make you"           - A disciple is someone who is being changed by Jesus.  (Heart)   - Jesus said, "fishers of men."           - A disciple is someone who is on mission with Jesus.  (Hands)     - Has Jesus asked you to follow Him?  If so, did you obey Him? - As a follower of Jesus, how is your life different?  How has He changed you? - Where do you see yourself on mission with Jesus?

Matthew 5:6. Matthew 6:16-18. John 6:35.  Zechariah 7:4-6. Acts 13:2-3.  Acts 14:23   Have you ever thought about why God made you feel hungry and thirsty?     Jesus said,  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."  Matthew 5:6           "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will not thirst."  John 6:35   - What is Fasting?  Biblical fasting is going without food and or water for a specific time and for a spiritual purpose.   - In God's Word the purposes for fasting are repentance, confession of sin, weeping, mourning, guidance, and seeking the Lord     - Moses fasted 40 days on the mountain with God - the Ten Commandments   - David fasted for 7 days for his infant son until he died.   - Esther asked the Jews to fast with her for 3 days before she approached the King.   - Israel fasted for 7 days when King Saul and his 3 sons were killed in battle.   - Jesus fasted for 40 days while in the wilderness.  Matthew 4:2   - In Acts 13:2-3 the church fasted and set apart Barnabas and Saul.   - Having prayed with fasting they appointed elders for them in every church.  Acts 14:23   -  Fasting is NOT:        - A diet plan to lose weight.        - About punishing your body.        - About manipulating God.        - About appearing more spiritual than others.  (Matthew 6:16-18)   - Why is fasting important?  The Motive. (Zechariah 7:4-6)       - God asked, "When you fasted all those years, was it actually for Me that you fasted."         - "Fasting is feasting upon God". David Willard         - Fasting is far more about focus than food.       - Fasting changes you, not God.   - Types of fast:      - Daniel fast - eat vegetables only      - food only      - food and water      - sexual relations      - social media, tv, etc.   Will you join me this week as we feast upon God?

Mark 1:35;  Matthew 4:1-4   Do you like going to meetings?  How many of you have jobs that require them?   - As a follower of Jesus the most important meeting of your day is ____________________.   - Jesus demonstrates the importance of meeting with God.  Mark 1:35            "And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there."             - A quiet time is a set-aside part of your day where you meet with God.             - Your quiet time (meeting) with God sets the tone for the day.   - Jesus reveals why it is essential to meet with God.  Matthew 4:1-4. (Deut. 8:3)         - It is essential for you to eat bread (food) to live.  (Physically)       - It is essential for you to read God's Word to live.  (Spiritually)     - A daily quiet time with God involves:            - Praying with God.  Talking to Him and listening to Him.          - Reading God's Word.            - Writing down what He reveals to you.          - Obeying what He tells you to do for the day.          - Sharing it with others throughout the day.     We are on Day 5 of 2025 with 360 more days ahead.                 I want to challenge you to make 2025 the year where you meet with God daily.                 If you accept this challenge, your life will never be the same.