Gulf Coast Community Church Podcast – St. Petersburg

Text: James 1:27

Themes: Gospel Mercy as an essential of Being a People of God’s Mission

The Bible tells us we are a kingdom of priests and a holy people. What does that mean?

Since the Reformation conversation about that has largely focused on the priesthood of all believers, but while that is a thing, it isn’t really what that phrase in Scripture (Exodus 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9) is about. That phrase envisions a whole community of priests.

Why does God want a priesthood and what does that have to do with His mission? And why does He want a community to do it instead of a bunch of individuals? What does a community require that a collection of individuals doesn’t?

Join us this Sunday in worship as we seek answers to these questions in our continuing series: Becoming People of God’s Mission.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday which is sadly one of the more neglected days on the church calendar. For some “Pentecost” is merely a reference to one particular strain of Christians that emphasize emotionalism (as described pejoratively by their detractors). It can bring to mind debates about supernatural gifts of the Spirit. But Pentecost is so much bigger than this.

To grasp the significance of Pentecost we will explore the events of Acts 2 this Sunday setting out to answer 3 things. First, what was Pentecost before it was Pentecost? (I.e. what was Jewish Pentecost in the 1st century, before it became known as the Christian event on the church calendar?) Second, how does Pentecost help us understand Paul? And finally, how did Pentecost change everything?

Join us in worship as we celebrate this momentous day in the history of God’s people.

Themes: Life and abortion

As a pastor, it’s not uncommon to be asked the question, “What is the church’s mission?” It’s a fair question but I am not sure if it is the right question. At least, I don’t think it is the right question for the church to be asking itself.

The right question for the church to ask itself is, “What is God’s mission?” Once we find out what that is, we certainly ought to do everything we can by His grace to join right in. In fact, Genesis 1–2  tell us that we were made to be God’s representatives in His mission in the world.

What is God’s original mission? What is God’s redemptive and restorative mission? How do the two relate? What is our role in them?

Join us this Sunday as we begin a new series “Becoming People of God’s Mission” and explore the answers to those questions right from the start.

What does it mean to be a praying church? How do we become one? What would a praying church pray for?

We’ve spent 4 weeks focused on Becoming a Praying Church as an essential part of what it means to fulfill our calling as a royal priesthood and holy people. This Sunday we will explore what has been given to us as an essential tool for formation into a church becoming a praying church.

Join us this Sunday as we explore 3 key ways the Lord’s Prayer shapes us into a people that are becoming a praying church that knows what it ought to be praying for.

Themes: God’s people are blessed. What does this mean and look like? We are to bless others. What does this mean and look like?

The blessing of God as He involves us in His mission as we bless others we too are blessed.

What does this look like over history and for us now?

Texts: Gal 3:8-9. Gen 1:22, Gen 12:1-3, Ex 19:5-6, Acts 1:8

The church is called to be a royal priesthood and holy people. Core to that calling is our calling to pray for one another, for the world, and for our enemies. In a word, intercession.

This week, in our series Becoming a Praying Church, we are exploring intercession. We will look at what it is and why it is needed, we will see how Israel failed in her calling but also see excellent examples in our rich heritage of intercessors in both the Old and New Testaments. Finally, we will consider the church’s calling to intercede on behalf of the world.

Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore what it means to be an interceding people, making all kinds of requests to God on behalf of all people (1 Tim. 2:1-6a).

What is the meaning of the Resurrection? Each of the Gospel writers shares details that make us curious. It is not uncommon for people to talk about how the Resurrection means we will not die but go to heaven. However, it is interesting that none of the Gospel writers, seem to draw that meaning when the events happened.

What was the significance of the Resurrection? Why can the first “Easter” rightly be called, “The Day the New Creation Began”? What does that mean for our worship? What does that mean for our lives? Why should it change everything?

Join us this Easter in worship of the risen Lord as we explore John’s account of the Resurrection and how it answers those questions.

Palm Sunday opens what is traditionally called Holy Week. It shouldn’t be missed that there was not much “holy” going on that first “Holy Week.” The events we remember on Palm Sunday start that week, and the trial and crucifixion of Jesus complete it. These accounts challenge us to examine the idols in our own hearts and rid ourselves of them.

We in the modern world have demystified the world so we no longer have any idols, right? Wrong! Idols are any human construct (“made by human hands”) that we trust in rather than God. By that definition, they are as numerous today as at any time.

Join us as we examine our worship of Jesus our King to see if our outpost of the kingdom constitutes a house of prayer or an insurrectionists’ lair.