Saint John Community Church

Rev. Dr. Iosmar Alvarez shares with us his sermon that will focus on the concept of Grace as explained in Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast." This verse reminds us that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our own works. This verse emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned through our own efforts.

Pastor Tom Grieb completes our series "By Faith"

If you will allow me Sunday, I have pulled together a couple of real-life ministry experiences that will go right along with what we have been talking about the past few weeks.  I look forward to continuing our study of what it means to live by faith.  While my faith is by no means perfect, it has been the very thing that has kept me connected to God who has led me through the entirety of my life.

I can’t believe I am writing this, but after 45 years of ministry I will be preaching my last sermon on Sunday, at least as an appointed pastor.  I am a full believer though that all of us are the only sermon some will ever see, me included.  In that regard, I look very much forward to continuing my “preaching” ministry.

To say thanks for your love and support these past five years does not come close to expressing my feelings for you and my beloved Saint John.  It has been my esteemed honor to serve alongside you in the name of Christ.  In a word, I love you deeply.

God bless, Tom Grieb

The story of Daniel is the story of a resolute faith. Daniel, much like Joseph, was a Hebrew who rose to high standing in the court of a foreign Kingdom. In Daniel’s case, he was a high ranking official in the court of Babylon. Like Joseph, Daniel stayed faithful to God. His relationship with God was strong in every way. Case in point, Daniel prayed three times each day with his face pointed to Jerusalem. It was his regular practice of prayer that landed him in the lion’s den. As the story goes, even though Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den, he was not harmed. God protected him from the threat that loomed and, by so doing, God was glorified. Daniel’s trust in God set him apart and was a strong witness to all, even to the Babylonian king whom he served. There are “lions” all around us that threaten us and seek to do harm. Placing our trust in God helps us face them and emerge victorious. We will be talking about such things as we continue our present sermon series on living By Faith. We will be studying Daniel 6:16-23. Please know that my prayers are with you. God bless, Tom Grieb

A.W. Tozer said, “Christians should be the boldest people in the world; not cocky and sure of ourselves, but sure of Him.”

Our hero of the faith this week did this well at times and honestly, not so well at others. Gideon, who you’ll find in the book of Judges, was one of those people who is important to study so we can learn from not only what he did right, but from what he did wrong. We don’t come at this from a place of judgment, though, but a place of curiosity. After all, he was human just as we are, and we could all use some help and accountability at times.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "By Faith"

 

Moses is another of those heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. The writer of Hebrews spends a good deal of time listing the ways Moses lived by faith. That faith started with his parents and was developed over a lifetime. By faith, Moses stood strong in his identity as a child of God. He was open to the call God gave him at the burning bush. He courageously approached Pharoah about letting God’s people go. He walked triumphantly with those same people through the Red Sea.

 

God was always at work in Moses’ life building his faith so that when the time came for Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt he was up to the task. God is always at work in our lives as well, building our faith. He is always preparing not only for the day at hand, but for what’s next. He is fully aware that only as we place our faith in him will we be up for what he has in store.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "By Faith"

 

Joseph, son of Jacob, was one of those Old Testament heroes that lived by faith. The writer of Hebrews includes Joseph in the Hall of Faith.

 

As a young man, Joseph was full of himself. He was his father’s favorite and he knew it, as did his brothers. In a fit of jealousy, his brothers sold Joseph into slavery and sent him off to Egypt. While there, Joseph seemed to always land on his feet. Eventually, he was appointed by Pharoah to oversee the entire country. While in that position, Joseph stored grain in the event of a famine. Famine struck and nations far and wide came to Egypt for help, including Israel. Joseph’s brothers came seeking aid on behalf of their father

 

In the end, Joseph forgave them for what they had done, while affirming God’s will. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” he said. God worked to bring about his good purposes in Joseph’s life. He does the same for you and me.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "By Faith"

 

Sarah was well past childbearing age, yet God was insistent upon holding fast to his promise that her husband, Abraham, would be the head of a great nation and that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars in the sky. Upon hearing the news that she would soon give birth Sarah laughed in disbelief. She would find God true to his word, though. Isaac would born and Abraham and Sarah would be blessed with many descendants.

 

“Nothing is too hard for the Lord.” That’s the message of this wonderful story. It’s not so much our faith, but God’s faithfulness that makes it so.

Pastor Ashlee Adkins continues our series "By Faith"

 

All throughout Scripture, we discover how God can use unlikely people to participate in his plan of provision and protection.

 

This week we are talking about one of those people – a woman who stepped out in faith and ended up providing the opportunity for the Israelites to finally enter into the promised land of Canaan.

 

Rahab is a hero of the faith. I’m excited to dig into her story so we can learn how she inspires us to follow in her brave and willing footsteps in response to God’s great ways.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "By Faith"

 

Abraham has been called the “Father of the Faith.” He remained faithful to whatever God called him to do and was even willing to sacrifice his son. Of course, we know from scripture that God provided a ram for the sacrifice. Abraham was tested and proved that he would trust God come what may. Needless to say, God proved himself as well.

 

God is always worthy of our trust. He will always prove himself true and come through. Above all things, God will never leave us or forsake us.

 

Hebrews chapter 11, the scriptural base for our current sermon series, encourages us to live by faith. It does so with a long list of those who consciously chose to put their faith in God. That “cloud of witnesses”  trusted God without caution or reserve, and they inspire us to this day.

 

Today we are talking about Father Abraham. Our scripture is Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-19.

Pastor Tom Grieb begins a new series "By Faith"

 

We begin a new sermon series that hopefully will challenge each of us to live by faith more consistently. We will be using as our scriptural base that great passage from Hebrews 11 where persons of faith from the Old Testament are listed. Their lives inspire and challenge us to this day.

 

Today we will be considering the life of Noah and the way his faith provided for a brand-new start. Noah remained faithful even when those around him chided him for doing so. In a word, they thought he was crazy for building an ark in the middle of nowhere. Who could blame them? Noah persevered, only to experience the redemption of God for his life, the life of his family, and the world as a whole. That’s what happens for those who walk with the Lord.

 

Our scripture is Hebrews 11:7 and Genesis 6:9-18.