Sermons – GraceLife Church: Deltona, FL

God’s sense of timing will probably never match ours. We want deliverance. And we want it now. We want change—yesterday. Whether that change involves spiritual growth, a relationship, a bank account, a career, or even our health, God doesn’t operate on our time-scale. He’s not bound to our rushed schedule. And that’s good news. It’s really good news. He’s a wise, loving father. He always gives us what we need, but rarely when we think we need it. A strange and unsettling encounter with Jesus in the Gospel of Mark highlights that truth. I hope you can join us for, When God Takes His Time.

Reflect on all the teachers you’ve ever sat under. Two kinds probably emerge: those you obey because you had to, and those you obey because you want to. Harsh teachers can squeeze compliance out of you, but good teachers inspire us into change. You might even say they love us into change. For ten years we’ve modeled the ministry of GraceLife after the pattern we find in the new Testament: only a deep experience of God’s grace can transform us. Paul says it like this in his letter to Titus, “God’s grace…teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” That’s some teacher! Have you ever sat under Grace? Join us for our ten year anniversary celebration this week as we explore the “School of Grace.”

Imagine this scenario: you’re closing out a doctrinally instructive letter to a growing church in Rome. You’ve poured out chapter after chapter of rich theology, covering the depths of human sin and the heights of God’s redemptive love in Christ. And now it’s time to sign off. You’ve sent greetings to everyone you know and warned against false teaching that would contradict your instruction. Now it’s time for your final thoughts. What do you leave the Christians in Rome with? Paul can’t help himself. He goes for the gospel—again! What it is, who it’s about, and what it does. It’s a fitting end to his theological magnum opus. And it’s a fitting end to our study of this tremendous letter. I hope you can join us for our final message on Romans this week at GraceLife, Before I Go…

In 1831, a French diplomat visited the United States to study the new democracy and prosperity the young nation was enjoying. Here was his main observation of the people: "Americans are restless in the midst of their well-being." The Frenchman was surprised that the success and comfort of the people did not lead to their rest. They couldn't sit still and enjoy what they had. Some 200 years later, I believe the observation still stands. Why are we so restless? Join us this Sunday at GraceLife as we trace the theme of Rest throughout the Bible.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in Life Together: “It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brothers and sisters.” The final chapter in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome highlights that often forgotten truth. In just a few verses, Paul sends greetings and thanks to dozens of people he knew by name, family, and ministry alliance. He worked hard at building and enjoying community. That was one of the secrets to his fruitfulness and the means God used to bless his work. Join us this weekend for our final service of 2024 as we consider Building Community and how it can shape our lives in 2025.

Have you grown numb to the message of Christmas? Here’s a test. Consider these words. GOD. WITH. US. Did your heart leap? Did your head spin? Did your soul rejoice? That truth of the incarnation should stop us in our tracks. But something tragic has happened: it has become pedestrian to us, just another decoration along with tinsel and mistletoe. We’re numb to the miracle of Christmas. God with us. Not God above us. Not God against us. Not God apart from us. Those we get. Those we expect. Those we dread and suppress. No…the message is God has come down to save us. Join us at GraceLife this Sunday for our Christmas service: God With Us. 10am at the DHS Auditorium. Come early for some Christmas treats!

What kind of church—and what kind of Christian—does God use to reach the nations and make disciples? What qualities should we possess? As Paul closes out his letter to the church at Rome, he shows us timeless qualities—both from his own life and the church he is writing to. They are simple, clear, and revolutionary.

If you had to describe the prevailing mindset of your Christian life, would “abounding in hope” make the cut? When the Apostle Paul nears the end of his gospel letter to the church in Rome, he prays: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” That apostolic prayer represents the heart of God toward his people. God wants to fill you with joy and peace; and make you abound in hope. What do we have to be so hopeful about? Join us at GraceLife this week to find out!