Saint John Community Church

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "Well-Connected."

God’s every desire is for us to mature in the faith.  That sort of thing comes from a lifelong journey of relationship with Christ.  All along we are challenged to move from the “milk of the gospel” to solid food.  We should never be content to stay as we are.  We are to be open to the movement of God’s Spirit to move us along.  God doesn’t want us stuck, mired, or otherwise stagnant.  He longs for our spiritual lives to be vital and vibrant in every way. 

It is possible to grow old and not grow up.  That’s certainly true when it comes to our life in Christ.  I challenge myself often by asking whether I am different today than I was yesterday.  By so doing, I pause to consider if I am really allowing God to do his thing in my life.  I do pray that I am becoming more and more like Christ, not because of anything I’m doing, but because of what God is doing in me.  I pray that I am “growing up” in the faith by studying God’s Word dutifully, praying for God’s will fervently, serving in God’s name humbly, giving to God’s Kingdom generously, and sharing God’s love regularly.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "Well-Connected."

In the quest to “live a live worthy of the calling we have received” we’d do well to consider how Christ is shaping us for ministry, realizing that what Christ does in us is a matter of grace.  That’s why Paul can say in Ephesians 4:7, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned us.”  Each and every one of us would do well to consider how God’s grace is at work in our lives and how that grace is fitting us for the very things he wants us to do. 

Paul suggests that when it comes to such things certain roles need to be fulfilled.  In Ephesians 4:11, Paul talks about apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.  As these roles are fulfilled the church will become more unified, its knowledge of Christ will abound, and maturity will be evidenced for all to see. 

Pastor Tom Grieb begins our new series "Well-Connected."

The Apostle Paul urges us to live a life worth living.  He writes in Ephesians 4:1, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.”  In our dealings with others we are to be humble, gentle, patient, and full of love.  That’s particularly the case when it comes to church.  The Spirit of God binds us together and unifies us.  We become one body, just as there is “one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all.”  Because of the work of the God’s Spirit in our midst we are able to Huddle Up, enjoying not only the presence of God, but the presence of others. 

Guest Speaker Will Partin of G.O. Ministries wraps up our series "inside OUT."

This sermon series has challenged us to keep our focus outward.  Inside/out is a rhythm for every Christian.  As we tend to things inside, we find ourselves at a much better place to be concerned about things “outside.”  As our relationship with Christ grows, our ability to relate to others grows as well.  We will find ourselves so much more effective in seeking to further God’s Kingdom, whether it be near or far.

And speaking of “far,” today we hear from Will Partin as he delivers the message.  Will grew up at Saint John and for over a decade has been doing wonderful ministry in the Dominican Republic through G.O. Ministries.  Will clearly exemplifies what it means to live inside/out.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "inside OUT."

The church in Antioch took seriously the responsibility of sending people out.   In the case of Paul and Barnabas, they not only recognized God’s call upon them, but set them apart for the work God was calling them to do.  In and through it all, the church there left plenty of room for the Holy Spirit to move.  You and I can learn from that.  We, too, need to leave plenty of room for the Spirit to move as we consider what God might be calling us to do, individually and as a church.

Pastor Tom Grieb continues our series "inside OUT."

When it comes to the Kingdom, it is always harvest time.  There are always those around us who are “ripe for the harvest,” when it comes to them responding to the call of God upon their lives.  What is needed are those willing to bring in that harvest.  It comes to you and me to be ever vigilant when it comes to reaching out in the name of our Lord.  We are to be ever mindful of those around us who would do well to hear a good word about God’s good news in Jesus Christ. 

Jesus leaves it to us to bring in the harvest when he says in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, to send workers into his field.”  His plan is for you and me to head out into the field wherever that might be and seek to make a difference in Christ’s name.  By word and deed, we are called to be Christ’s people wherever we are.  We are called to share as he leads to the end that a great harvest is brought in for the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Ashlee Adkins continues our series "inside OUT."

Paul has a way of delivering humble pie through his letters. And he doesn’t disappoint in the first letter to the Corinthians either. Paul emphasizes to the church that he and Apollos, pastors and leaders in the foundation and growth of the church, were nothing, simply servants. Servants and instruments of the great someone, God the grower and giver of life.

While Paul is overemphasizing the unimportance of he and Apollo’s roles, he does impress the importance of each person having a part in the great kingdom work. And while everyone is born with different talents and gifts, we all have the same purpose – to reflect God and share the good news. And we cannot do that work, we cannot point or bring glory to God, without God. He is the one already doing the work, and we simply join him to do our part. Hallelujah.

Mike & Sherri of Thailand Now continue our series "inside OUT." The Morrisseys have served in Thailand for a number of years and share their experience.