Grace Chapel Knoxville Sermons

The hows of church aren’t obligations; they are responses to something incredible being made available. In this message, we explore the stunning contrast in Hebrews 12 between Sinai and Zion—between fear and full access to God. Through the blood of Christ and the anointing of the Spirit, we can draw near. As an anointed people, we gather and we extend.

The Church isn’t just tradition—it’s the present-tense expression of a new world that’s coming. This message draws a straight line from Christian eschatology to why we gather now, showing how the Spirit-empowered Church can align with the coming Kingdom because our future has been defined, revealed, and secured.

This week, we hear from Allison Allen, who shares on Psalm 84.

This week, we hear from Pastor Jonathan Allen, who continued in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6.

This week, Diane Spencer brought such a beautiful message about motherhood and being seen by God. Through the examples of women in the scriptures, we were pointed to times where women who were otherwise unseen were valued and validated by God. Hagar, Hannah, and Mary show us that we are important to Him, and even when our circumstances are difficult, He cares. Whether it is a season of longing, loneliness, or despair, the Lord is with us and loves us right where we are.

This week, we discussed two stories in the life of Jesus that, at first glance, may seem unrelated, but as we learned, they were actually more alike than they appeared. We opened with the story of the disciples in the boat with Jesus in the midst of a raging storm. While they were panicked and feared for their lives, Jesus calmly spoke to the wind and waves, and they subsided. Then we read about Jesus meeting the demon-possessed man on the shore and freeing him from his torment. Though these stories seem different, upon closer inspection, we see that Jesus was calming storms in both, and the responses from those who witnessed them were similar. Now, all of these years later, we serve the same God who can calm the storms in our lives, but will we trust in his almighty power, or will we fall victim to the storm of fear within our own hearts?

He is risen! What a beautiful Easter service celebrating our risen savior! This week we looked at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and what this, the most important day we celebrate as Christians, means to our faith. While our human nature may crave revenge and justice, Jesus came to bring a message of forgiveness and healing. His death and resurrection serve as reminders and mandates for us to be ever mindful of the forgiveness we received from his that we do not deserve, so that we can be living examples of that in our own lives. This forgiveness is not easy, but it is freedom. If we can follow the example of Christ, we can walk in a freedom that is unlike any other.

Jesus often taught large groups with short and simple parables. This week, we read the parable of the sower, but our discussion was about more than just this parable. We dug into the reason why Jesus spoke in parables that may have felt confusing to the large crowds and how as believers now we are invited (as the disciples were) to ask questions and learn the meanings behind why Jesus taught the way he did or to just take these stories at face value and pat ourselves on the back for reading them.

This week we were blessed to hear from Pastor Dave Buehring in a message on Jesus’ sermon on the mount from Matthew 5. We learned about the intentionality Jesus’ delivery as he spoke about the levels of spiritual maturity involved in a life following Christ with intention. As believers, we should be yielding to the Lord and allowing him to form us into people that live out each of these categories as we follow him in our daily walk.

As the ministry of Jesus grows, more and more people are becoming aware of him. There are many curious and needy people drawn to him, as well as a growing skepticism and opposition from religious leaders and even his own family. In the midst of this, Jesus focuses on what really matters - fulfilling his purpose and having others join him in life and ministry. He prayerfully identifies those who will be with him, serve alongside him, and be sent out on his behalf to minister. Living with Kingdom purpose and embracing our place in the Family of God was the role of Jesus’ disciples then, and remains our call today.

In today’s message, we look at the true purpose of the Law and Religious Tradition. In Mark's Gospel, we see that Jesus breaks from tradition and the “letter of the law” but never the heart of the law. In fact, he is restoring the true heart of the law. In our religious practices and traditions like fasting and practicing the Sabbath, let us consider the message of Jesus found in the scriptures we are exploring today - that the good thing that the Law anticipated and Tradition prepared us for is now here and present. Namely, God himself has come, bringing rest, freedom, healing, and new life!

This week, Pastor Jonathan taught on the story of Jesus calling Levi to be a disciple and the resulting dinner with sinners. The good news is we can all come to Jesus as we are, but when He calls us it’s so we will grow and change, becoming like Him. It’s so important that we take Jesus as He is, not as we want Him to be. Let’s resist the urge to try and make Jesus into the image we want. Instead, may we learn to follow Him, allowing Him to mold us into His image.

In week 4 of our study of Mark’s gospel, we discussed the story of the paralyzed man who was carried by his friends to see Jesus. The story of perseverance and courage displayed by his friends, as well as the clarity with which Jesus see’s the hearts of the people involved serves as a reminder that we follow a savior who recognizes the real eternal issues in our lives as well as having compassion for the temporary suffering that we endure. His forgiveness and grace gives each of us the opportunity to pick up the burdens we carried in the past and boldly walk with a testimony that only he can give.

This week, we finished chapter 1 of Mark’s gospel by discussing three miracles Jesus performed. Through these miracles, we can see and understand the authority and care with which Jesus handled different people and situations. While they are three very different situations, Jesus remains consistent. He deeply cares for the people in each scenario, but he also has unmistakable authority over the powers of darkness and disease. His authority is in each of us as believers, but it also serves as a refining fire for the dark places in our own hearts and lives. As we walk in His authority, consider if you are willing and able to accept the freedom He offers even when it feels difficult.

In Part 2, we continue diving into Mark Chapter 1 as Jesus begins his public ministry. Jesus’ primary message is sharing the Good News that the Kingdom of God is available to us. Jesus’ primary method is to make disciples so that God’s Kingdom grows in us and is shared with the world through us. The question is, will we respond to the good news of God’s Kingdom by submitting to Jesus’ leadership in our lives? Let’s embrace living as His disciples, according to His definition, not our own.

We kicked off a new series this week exploring the life and ministry of Jesus. In Mark’s gospel Jesus shows up “suddenly” and changes people’s lives. He comes to cleanse and purify us through the power of the cross and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s posture ourselves to respond to His presence and share His life with those around us.

This week was our Yearly Update. We discussed the heart of our church, our missions, and our finances. Our leadership values transparency and open dialogue, so this is a great check-in for our body to know the heart and plans as we enter a new year.

Last week Allison Allen taught on transitions and moving into new things and out of old. This week, Jonathan Allen taught us how God created new things and how the songs we sing are all important as we move out of the old and into the new.

This week, Allison Allen reminded us, as we enter a new year in a new building, why it is important to walk through seasons of transition with Jesus. Through the story of the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, Allison gave us some practical tools to use as we walk from one season to the next. Whether it be out of mourning or new life changes, scripture has plans that we can use to transition in a healthy way.

This week, we explored Jesus’ parable about the persistent widow found in Luke 18. Jesus teaches us that there is great power available when we are persistent in prayer. Despite all the challenges that could cause us to become weary and burdened, Jesus encourages us that when we draw near to God, we will find the strength we need to not lose heart.