SPEAKER: Pastor Martin Chang

TITLE: Work: Cultivating The Garden

TEXT: Mat.6:19-21; Col.3:23

INTRO: New Yorkers work more than those from any other American city; on average more than forty nine hours a week! Occupying more than just our time and energy, work speaks into our sense of identity and purpose. Given all this, how does the gospel change the way we understand and do our work?

SPEAKER: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: Ephesians 1:18-21, Matthew 5:14

INTRO: For many, one's religion is a private choice and lifestyle. But Jesus tells his disciples that they are to be together, a light unto the world, a "city on a hill" that is shines amidst the world. What does it look like to be a "city on a hill," an alternate city that actively illustrates and invites others to the age to come?

SPEAKER: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: 1Peter 1:3

INTRO: He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! This morning as we once again celebrate Jesus' resurrection, how might we understand the significance of His being raised from the dead? What does it mean to us, and how might we step into the path of new life that He's blazed?

SPEAKER: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: 1Pet. 2:9-12

INTRO: Even non Christians have quipped that genuine community is as basic a need as food and shelter. But more than supplying a mere commodity, communities that are built off of Christ and His gospel are distinctive and deep. How might we intentionally look to shape gospel community here, in and around us?

SPEAKER: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: Romans 1:18-25

INTRO: Those who understand human nature end up paying attention to ulterior motives. The Bible points to sin not just in terms of external behavior, but the motivation that drives our actions. How do we identify our idols, and how do we experience heart transformation through the gospel?

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TITLE: Heart: Three Ways to Live

TEXT: Luke 15:11-32

INTRO: We live our lives, inside out. Our behavior is not just determined by our thoughts, but at the level of our heart; i.e. how we interpret what is significant at the core. Today as we discuss the three different ways of operant living, i.e. the religious, the irreligious, and the gospel; what would it look like for us to live the gospel, from the heart?

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TEXT: Jeremiah 29: 4-15

INTRO: People are not just visiting the great cities of the world, they are moving to them. As the world rapidly urbanizes, what is to be our understanding of God's purposes for the city? Today as we start our GRACE group season proper, how might we seek the prosperity of our city?

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TITLE: Gospel: The Reign of God

TEXT: Mark 1:14-15

INTRO: For some, the word "gospel" evokes images of African Americans singing passionately together in robes. For others, it's the idea that Jesus died for us on the cross, and that if we believed in Him our sins would be forgiven and that we would secure a ticket to heaven. What does "the gospel" mean? Today as we explore what Jesus means when he begins to proclaim his gospel. We'll also survey our spring GRACE group course, "Gospel in Life"; in how we can live out the gospel in our every day life.

Speaker: Pastor Martin Chang

TITLE: Living Walk

TEXT: Genesis 5:21-24

INTRO: One of the more cliche' metaphors for being in right relationship with God is that of walking with HIm. Despite its shallow overuse, there is something deeply valid and centering in the metaphor that is worth our deepening attention. What does it mean to walk with God, and how can we respond to God's call for friendship and close proximity in our daily lives?

Speaker: Rev. Howard Burgoyne [East Coast Conference Superintendent of the Evangelical Covenant Church]

TITLE: Eyes Wide Open

TEXT: John 1:43-51, Mark 9:2-10

THEMES:

Discipleship is a new way of “seeing” in the world (Jesus came to bring ‘sight to the blind’) — seeing as He sees…a great revelation...

Discipleship is a new way of “being” in the world (Jesus came to make the lame walk again) — walking as He walked…a great reconciliation...