Grace Community Church Listen Again

In Matthew 5:4 we read, ​“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Mourning is an outward sign of inward grief, and it can be a very personal experience. We are encouraged in scripture, that there is supernatural comfort available to us through the Holy Spirit. We are also instructed to bring comfort to those around us, just as God has brought comfort to us. Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/blessed-are-those-who-mourn

Shrek, in the film of the same name, built a wall around him because he was tired of a world that made up its mind about him before it got to know him. James challenges this idea. Two thousand years later, we still make judgments based on how people look or sound, before we get to know them. My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. — James 2 (The Message, by Eugene Peterson) Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/you-judge-me-before-you-know-me

In Luke 10 we read the story of the Good Samaritan. In this account, we can see that it was through compassion and mercy that the Samaritan helped a stranger who was in need of help. Despite being noticed by others, he had been overlooked and avoided. In this instance, the Samaritan was not looking for someone to help, but rather came across the situation in his everyday life. So too can our compassion and mercy be extended to others. It’s not always in our official roles or ministries that we do the work of God, but in our mundane, everyday tasks of life. When Jesus is teaching this parable, it is a command for us all to ​“Go and do likewise”.

In Jesus’ and Paul’s community, there was a culture of judgment. When people failed to adhere to the ​‘rules,’ they were immediately admonished. In our communities, we often admonish those in the ​‘other’ group. It’s all about left or right, conservative or liberal, us or them. Jesus suggests a third way. Rather than exacting judgment, we lend an ear to hear and understand those whose views differ from ours in a loving way. Can we be a people of mercy?

In Jesus' time, being considered "blessed" meant wealth and success, seemingly tied to religious devotion. This perception persists today, with people projecting an illusion of having it all together. Jesus, however, redefines true blessing, challenging cultural norms and blessing the overlooked. Jesus introduces a radical notion of blessedness—being "poor in spirit." This reflects the Kingdom of God, emphasizing an attitude devoid of pretense. It's standing before God without self-sufficiency, contrasting with self-reliance. The poor in spirit recognize their dependence on God and acknowledge that everything they need is provided. The question arises: Does the church align more with the Pharisee or the tax collector? Are you navigating life in your own strength or relying on God? Reflect on the areas of your life where dependency on God is essential.

Being a follower of Jesus has never been easy, there is always a cost. We are called to take the words and commands of Jesus seriously. In the gospel of Matthew, we read the account of the Sermon on the Mount, which gives clear instruction about how we are to live and love in this world. As Christians, we are to submit to the authority of Jesus, who ultimately has our best interests at heart. His authority is unprecedented, and there is no comparison to any other ​‘experts’ who may seek to guide us. Written within the beatitudes, are not just commands or suggestions, but ways in which we can announce the Kingdom of God on earth.

The fullness of salvation is that we behold Jesus, so we can become like him. Before your mind is filled with the stuff of Christmas, know you are more than you thought you were. You are the light of the world.

Even when the world feels overwhelming and hope seems distant, we must remind ourselves of who God is. Our God is characterized by loving kindness. The Hebrew word for loving kindness, Hesed, holds deep meaning that cannot be directly translated. Hesed is one of God’s fundamental characteristics, often describing His heart for His people. It is because of His loving kindness towards us that we can show kindness to others. In times of overwhelming situations, let us hold onto God’s loving kindness and perform small acts of kindness that can make a big impact on those who receive them.

Under the tyrannical rule of King Herod, there was darkness and pain. In a place of barrenness and disappointment, the angel Gabriel assures Zechariah that his prayers have always been heard. Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, gives birth to a boy, and Zechariah prophesies over their newborn baby, John (the Baptist), who would prepare the way for the one who would ​“shine on those living in darkness and guide their feet into the path of peace.” That’s exactly what Jesus did, and it’s what the Prince of Peace continues to do. He sets people free from fear and fills them with peace. However, his path to peace is in stark contrast to Herod’s way and the world’s way. His peace, which is beyond understanding, is a peace that the world cannot give or take away.

Advent is traditionally celebrated at the beginning of the year, rather than at the end as we currently do. Mary’s story is one of patient waiting. She is a young, unmarried woman of humble status. When Mary sings her song, you can hear the depth of her faith. Despite uncertainty, she clings to hope. Through her words of worship, she rejoices in God’s nature and her own identity in His eyes. She understands that God’s blessings extend beyond herself and her people, reaching the entire world. As we enter this season, let’s take a moment to pause and listen to God. Amidst chaos, let’s focus on the hope found in God’s promises.

In the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, was God’s act of coming down and scattering the people a curse or a blessing? God values unity in diversity and variety, not uniformity. Throughout the Bible, God opposes empires, which eventually fall apart or are scattered. In Genesis 12, a people group emerges that seems to be the start of an empire. God instructs Abram to leave his empire behind and move. Micah 4 presents a vision of what the kingdom would look like across nations. The Great Compassion in Matthew 28 calls us to cross boundaries: ethnic, cultural, and status-related. In Acts 2, the events of the Tower of Babel are reversed.

The Bible portrays various families, showcasing the consequences of brokenness and disobedience. For instance, Adam and Eve’s sin affected future generations, as seen in the tragic relationship between Cain and Abel. God’s disapproval was directed at Cain’s offering, not Cain himself. In the story of Joseph, we encounter brokenness, pain, jealousy, and heartache. However, God’s goodness shines through, demonstrating His care for those who feel rejected. We are encouraged to extend this goodness to others as well. God is devoted to loving and reconciling families, and we should follow suit. Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/good-news-for-families

Women have played vital roles in Scripture and throughout the history of the Church. For many years, Junia's name was mis-translated. Whether this was on purpose or not, it's been embarrassing for many that a translations of the Bible have had to be corrected to reinstate her. Named as someone who was outstanding among the apostles, Junia's voice was important. As a church, we believe no one should be silent because of gender, ethnicity or status. Today, we invite Amy Anderson into leadership. She follows a long line of women whose voices deserve to our attention.

One of the 10 Commandments instructs us to observe and partake in a Sabbath day. Observing this commandment looks different depending on culture, background and upbringing. We might all define a Sabbath differently, but one thing we can agree on is the benefit and blessing that can be found in a true day of rest and rejuvenation. A Sabbath might look like a day set aside to intentionally spend time with the Lord, and the people we love. It might look like time of celebration as we worship and give thanks to God. It might be a time to remember the goodness of God and re-establish our relationship with him. However our Sabbath might look, it should feel like a sanctuary in our week.

John 4 describes the meeting of Jesus and a Samaritan woman. In this account, we learn that this woman carried a great deal of shame and pain from her life experiences. This is another example of a ​“Good News” story, for all those who have felt the weight of shame, rejection or hurt. Jesus offers her a drink from the ​‘living water’, which never runs dry. Unlike many temporary solutions or quick fixes, which inevitably never last, we have the opportunity to come the Well of Living Water to quench our thirst. This woman’s life was transformed by her encounter with Jesus, just as ours can be too.

Our anger at situations in our world often leads us to wish for retribution. Does the gospel’s call to ​“love our enemies” require us to look at things differently? In Luke 4, Jesus quotes most of Isaiahs prophecy from chapter 61, announcing that the year of the Lords favour has been fulfilled in him which is good news for everyone, even Israels enemies. What makes Jesus’ statement interesting is what he leaves out.

The story of Jonah is perhaps one of the most well-known bible stories, beautifully portrayed in children’s books and animated cartoons. However, this portrayal might make it easy to miss the themes of justice, love and God’s continual mercy. We read of Jonah’s struggle with God’s love towards the people of Nineveh, causing him to literally run away. There are lessons for us in this story, perhaps even seeing aspects of ourselves in Jonah. Do we struggle with the idea of justice for everyone? Do we have an instinct to sleep or act selfishly, when we are being asked love the unloveable? We are called to stand up for justice, love those who God loves and be counter-cultural, when needed. ​‘Agape’ love doesn’t depend on how lovable a person might be, it depends on the Goodness of God, which never fails.

Sadly, when we hear someone preach, we seem to enjoy when the preacher is pointing out someone else’s sin. We like that feeling of superiority when we don’t believe we have a problem with sin. As we use our judgement, we can become guilty of projecting our conclusions of what’s right and wrong onto God. God’s wrath is an often-misrepresented thing. Gospel presentations, especially in Western Christianity, uses the fear that often accompanies our idea of God’s wrath to scare people into becoming Christians. Instead, it may be more useful to think of wrath as the inevitable consequences of walking away from love. God holds us, but he is not forceful. Sometimes we choose to go our own way, but as we do, God is waiting for us to return.

The two trees in Genesis 3 pose a number of interesting questions. When it comes to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the exchange between the serpent and Eve challenges her relationship with God. In the previous chapter, there is a beautiful picture of God breathing life into humans. His power is shared with us and there is a ​“shalom” that accompanies that. There is goodness in this relationship. There is also goodness in the relationship between people here, as well as with creation. What happens at the Tree cuts that good relationship. While we often look for perfection of character in relationship, could it be ​“goodness” that is what’s really important? And is it possible that sin is anything that breaks this goodness apart?

I was made for the Gospel. Exploring the ​“now-ness” of the Kingdom. Often we use language in church that we don’t use elsewhere. There are words we use, like ​“Gospel” that we assume we know, but make we don’t. The problem is, the Gospel is difficult to describe and, as much as we try, we can’t fit our description into a snapshot. It’s much more than Jesus dying for our sins so we can go to heaven. The fact that there are four accounts of the Gospel in the Bible shows that it is multi-faceted and has a different impact depending on the audience and how it affects particular lives and aspects of society.