Saint John Community Church

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our Advent/Christmas series.

 

During the weeks of Advent, we have encountered the great themes of Christmas. To date, we have talked about peace, joy, and love. This week we consider how the birth of Christ reminds us of the miracle of new life. Who of us hasn’t marveled at the birth of a newborn? Who of us hasn’t marveled at the birth of Jesus? The story of Christ’s birth is that new life paves the way for new life.

 

As Christians, we are a people of new life. Our lives have been transformed by the great gift that is Jesus in the world. What was once old has passed; the new has come. In Christ, we are transformed from our old selves into new creations. In a word, we are made new. It is always good to start over, isn’t it? If anything, the Christian life is a life that celebrates starting over and the new life that follows.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "The Themes of Christmas."

 

John 3:16 has been called the “gospel in miniature.” John puts it well when it comes to God’s generosity. “God so loved the world that he gave.” The great gift God gives is the gift of his son, through whom we not only have the promise of abundant life in this life, but the joys of eternal life later on.

 

At Christmas, we celebrate God’s great gift in Jesus and find our hearts warmed with the broad assurance that God has acted in the greatest show of love that has ever been.

Pastor Ashlee Adkins continues our series "The Themes of Christmas."

 

When people find themselves in the midst of grief, hurt, anger, uncertainty, and hopelessness, hope can seem like a fallacy, not remotely close to bringing comfort. In those moments, hope can seem like a four-letter word, even when it’s offered in kindness.

 

Israel had gone through rough times. They were in despair and hopelessness so deep they had sought other avenues, searching for anything and everything that would provide a distraction to their deep angst. Isaiah offered a good word. A word of hope. A promise of a new covenant.

 

Today we know what that hope was and still is. We know who was to come and offer the hope we all long for. True hope. Not a wishy-washy hope that may or may not come to fruition. Hope that allows us a foundation to stand upon today and a confident and sure anticipation of what’s to come.

 

What does this hope look like? So that even when we face hard times or meet those who are, we can grasp to the truth and offer light in the darkness?

Pastor Tom Grieb begins our series "The Themes of Christmas."

 

From the celebration of Thanksgiving, we move to the first Sunday of Advent and set our sights on the grand season that anticipates the birth of Christ.

 

As you approach Advent, may you become open to the great things God longs to do in your life. This Sunday we are talking about Christ as the Prince of Peace as we study the great prophecy from Isaiah 9:2-7.

Pastor Tom Grieb concludes our series "Immeasurably More."

 

It follows that being well-assured of God’s love leads to a generous heart. God’s love awakens us to the many blessings he bestows upon our lives. God is all about looking after our needs. Moreover, he is deeply interested in filling our hearts to the overflowing. Because of that, we can’t help but respond. While there are many ways to respond, giving is one of the more tangible.

 

The current of God’s love always finds a way to express itself. When struck by that love we will not only want to give, we will need to give.

 

The scripture teaches that when we “give, it will be given to us.” The more we give, the blessings of God will become even more apparent. Those blessings will not only fill us, but will do so to the overflowing.

Pastor Ashlee Adkins continues our series "Immeasurably More."

 

This week we visit a story from Matthew about a woman who anoints Jesus with a very expensive, fancy oil. The disciples become outraged at the woman and I’m sure Jesus’ reply throws them off. He defends the woman’s act!

 

What does this story tell us about stewardship and God’s abilities to be immeasurably more in our lives? Lots! We could do a whole sermon series on this wonderful story that kicks off the Passion narrative.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series “Immeasurably More.”

 

Bobby McFerrin’s famous song encourages us by saying “Don’t worry, be happy.” More importantly, Jesus says “don’t worry.” He calls on us to trust in God’s provision and assures us that God always takes care of our needs. We are to trust in him day by day, and in that we will not only be happy but full of joy.

Pastor Tom Grieb kicks off our series “Immeasurably More.”

 

In Ephesians 3:20-21 Paul writes from prison, and in a glorious way. In the concluding verses of chapter 3, he launches into a prayer for those who make up the church. It is a beautiful prayer that leads us to remember the love God has for us in Jesus Christ. Paul leads us to consider God’s power and the difference it makes not only in the church, but in the life of every believer. He says that this power is “immeasurably more” than we could ever think or imagine and is able to carry us through this life in triumphant fashion and takes us on to the next.

 

In a culture that is all about accumulating more and more stuff, the “immeasurably more” Paul talks about has to do with the presence of God making a supreme difference in our lives. In his presence, we will find ourselves filled to the overflowing, which is vastly more important than any material things we could ever accumulate.

Pastor Tom Grieb concludes our series based on the visions and values of Saint John.

 

Scripture has a way of informing our lives like few things can. God is able to speak through scripture. For those who are interested in listening there is strength for the downtrodden, peace for the anxious, and direction for those who seem to be floundering. Although scripture was written centuries ago, it is as contemporary today as the day it was written. We would all do well to make a regular practice of readying scripture.

 

This Sunday, we wrap up our sermon series on the Vision and Values of the church by talking about what it means to be Biblically based. We will be studying that great passage from the Psalms, Psalm 119:105, and talking about what it means for scripture to be both a guard and guide for our lives. “The word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.”

Pastor Ashlee Adkins and Pastor Tom Grieb continue our series based on the visions and values of Saint John.

 

This week we discuss our value of being mission-minded. As a church whose mind is on mission, we abide in Christ by always staying aware of where God is calling us to join him in the kingdom work he is doing.

 

We will be studying Romans 10 where Paul writes to the church to emphasize their crucial mission: to be God’s people who live for and preach specifically about Jesus so people can call out to him and know him, then go out and do the same themselves. It’s an important evangelical piece of theology that strikes to the core of who we are called to be: a people who serve others in love, but in Jesus’ name and to his glory.

 

Even though there is lots of bad and evil in the world, there is also lots of kindness and goodness. The question is, are we—Christ’s disciples—living out the good things of God while also professing we are doing so in Jesus’ name for his glory?