Scripture Talk by Grace Church

10 Lepers were healed. One came back and said thank you. You should definitely give thanks to God. Job done. Right? Well, the one that came back and gave thanks was a hated Samaritan, and all lepers themselves were social rejects. So, God’s grace being for everyone, even the least likely people, is a part of this story too. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy issue the challenge not just to be thankful but to radically accept as God does.

Ever feel like you’re living one of those lives where nothing goes right? Ever look around and wonder if you’re the only one feeling like this? Good news, you’re not alone, and there is hope. In Lamentations, the Jews who had their Temple destroyed and their people taken into exile lament their circumstance. It’s pretty lamentable all things considered. However, they make the turn to hope - hope in God, in God’s faithfulness, in God’s mercy. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy talk about how we can do the same.

Life is full of temptation. Apparently, this is especially true if you are rich. Whether it is the bad stuff that money can buy or the false sense of security from relying on your own wealth, "more money, more problems" turns out to be Biblical to a certain degree. However, the story doesn't have to end at temptation. We can learn to rely on God in all things and be generous through the Holy Spirit. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy may not be financial experts, but they talk through how to give it away and let God's kingdom grow.

God definitely care about people - their souls and their physical lives. Christians like to spiritualize things. If we are caring for souls, then, we most be doing okay. Amos, and other Old Testament Prophets, definitely disagree. Part of truly loving people is to care for them in totality - mind, body, and soul. This involves starting to see all of our decisions in how they impact others - the others that God has called us to love and care for. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy try to navigate this challenge to care with the temptations of modern life.

God leaves the 99 to seek the one. Obviously, when you're the one being sought, there's joy in that. However, when you're the 99, part of the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin is that you should celebrate too. It's suppose to be joy all around. Christ welcomes us in - no matter what, and challenges us to continue to celebrate each new arrival - no matter what. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Emily talk about the challenge to continually stay open to the movement of the Spirit.

We are all children of God. Society may assign different labels and values - based on money, ability, appearance, family of origin, etc. The Kingdom of God assign only one label and one value - beloved sibling in Christ. On the surface, Philemon is a letter where Paul seeks to free a slave. Underneath, it’s a bold statement of our equality in God. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Emily try to envision what this equality means for us.

In God's eyes, we are a lot more than we think that we are. God called Jeremiah, when he was just a boy. This surprised Jeremiah to say the least, and he told God that he was too young. God kindly corrected him. He was not just a boy. He was called and empowered by God. And, so are we - no matter who we are. If we claim Christ, we receive that same calling and power. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy talk about what our act of saying yes to this means for us.

Social settings can be difficult to navigate - especially in the ancient world. Who sat where? How important am I? But Jesus makes it a lot simpler - just be humble and invite those how get left out. This is especially relevant when you see this party as the Kingdom of God. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy try to shine light on these tricky social situations.

Paul wasn’t always the Paul we know - ya know? The Apostle Paul goes from a Pharisee persecuting Christians to the fledgling faith’s leading evangelist and theologian. We understand a lot about how our faith works because of Paul’s weirdly specific background and journey. This teaches us something both about reaching seeker and continuing as seekers even after we come to Christ because Paul was the prototypical seeker. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy dive into Paul’s background and what it teaches us today.

But, what will happen to Dead Fred? Christ isn’t back! Fred is dead! Did Fred miss the boat? These are the very real questions that Paul’s friends the Thessalonians are facing. They thought that Christ was coming back super soon, but as time went on, some of their number began to pass away. This created an intense fear over whether or not those individuals would get their heavenly reward. Good News! Paul tells them, yes! We’re all going to the same place. Fear not. Pastor Trey, Pastor Scott, and Brandy (alongside producer Stacy) talk about our heavenly home and still our need for missional urgency.