LaGrave Live, April 19, 2026

LaGrave Live LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-19-2026 More Than Merely Human About The Service: Pastor Jonker will preach on 1 Corinthians 3. Order of Worship: https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-19-AM-order-of-worship.pdf About the Church: We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months) We'd love to hear from you: Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact Let us pray for you: Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/ Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178 The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis. Listen on the go: Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT Follow us! Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc Website: https://www.lagrave.org #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC More Than Merely Human: Living the Resurrection Life Beyond the Mortal: Reflections on Life After Easter More Than Merely Human: A guide to spiritual reconstruction based on 1 Corinthians 3 "We are no longer defined by the sum of fear, sorrow, or sin. Our Judge is also the Redeemer, and we are the resurrected people. ” — LaGrave Sunday Sermon Summary Core metaphor: dots and stars Quote from Max Lucado's fable: Wemmicks wooden figures label each other every day – good for Venus and mess up gray dots. Secular trap: Corinthian "climbing spirit" that turns faith into competition and comparison. Path to Freedom: Like Lucia, the label can no longer be attached to her body due to her connection to the Creator. Comparison of the two foundations of life Secular Mode (Merely Human)Grass and straw / pride / comparison In ChristGold, silver, gemstones, grace, and security Action Guide: Build the Eternal Project # Stop comparison# Build confidence# Live your love 1. Recognize: Realize that social media and the workplace are essentially a "dot and star" game. 2. Rooted: Christ alone is the unshakable foundation. 3. Build: Invest in things that will survive even after the trial of fire with "faith, hope, and love." Reading time: about 12 minutes | Suitable for: Seeking spiritual growth Easter Season 2026 2026, at LaGrave Church. The service explores the transition from celebrating Christ's resurrection to understanding its practical implications, specifically how believers can move beyond "merely human" tendencies of competition and comparison to live a life rooted in grace. Detailed Point Summary The Call to Resurrection Life The service opens with a celebration of the Easter season, emphasizing that Jesus’ victory over death allows believers to shrug off fear and live a life that is "really life." This "Resurrection Life" is not just a future hope but a present reality that redefines how individuals view their griefs, sins, and identities. By setting their minds on "things above," the congregation is encouraged to put to death earthly practices like anger and greed, instead clothing themselves in compassion, humility, and love. The "Merely Human" vs. The New Creation Merely Human Competitive Climbing "Dots and Stars" Validation Factions & Pride Worldly Wisdom In Christ Radiant Grace Secure Identity in the Maker Unity in Love Faith, Hope, & Love The Spirit of Corinth and the Climbing Culture Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, the sermon highlights Paul’s frustration with the early church's "worldliness." Ancient Corinth was a strategic, wealthy trade hub—a city of "competitive climbers" and aggressive entrepreneurs who sought to make something of themselves in a new Roman colony. This cultural spirit of climbing the ladder of success had infected the church, leading to factions where members competed over spiritual maturity, knowledge, and gifts like speaking in tongues. Paul critiques this as being "merely human," noting that such behavior is indistinguishable from the surrounding secular culture. The "Dots and Stars" Analogy To illustrate the exhaustion of a life built on comparison, the sermon references Max Lucado’s You Are Special. In the story, the "Wemmicks" spend their days sticking gold stars on the impressive and gray dots on the clumsy. This "dots and stars game" mirrors modern social media and workplace dynamics, where validation is external and performance-based. The character Lucia, however, remains unaffected by these labels because she maintains a constant relationship with her Maker. This serves as a metaphor for the Christian life: when one's foundation is the grace of Christ, the "dots and stars" of worldly opinion no longer stick. The Foundation of Endurance Paul identifies that while knowledge and status pass away, three things endure: Faith Hope Love "The greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13 Building on the True Foundation The sermon concludes by challenging the congregation to build their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ using materials that last: faith, hope, and love. Unlike the "straw" of pride and competition, these virtues survive the "fire" of life's stresses. Living this way often appears "foolish" by worldly economic standards—such as giving generously to the needy or investing in community rather than self-advancement—but it is the hallmark of being "more than merely human". Key Data & Milestones New Members/Births: Grace Elizabeth and Henry Roger were born last week. Milestones: Laura Jean Colbert is celebrating a milestone birthday. Community Arrivals: Jim and Beverly Ludema are new to the community and being welcomed. Missions: A mission team recently returned from service in Mexico City. To-Do / Next Steps Participate in the congregational meeting during the 10:00 hour to select new elders and deacons. Attend the 6:00 PM evening worship service featuring a visit from missionaries Dan and Priscilla Cummings regarding their ministry in Angola. Engage in the daily practice of "clothing oneself with Christ" by choosing compassion and forgiveness over worldly competition. Support and encourage the mission team as they debrief from their recent trip to Mexico City. Pray for healing and strength for members recovering from illness or injury, including Ellen, Dan, Bill, and Jack. Conclusion The service serves as a profound reminder that the Resurrection is a call to exit the "merely human" cycle of comparison. By finding security in the Maker’s love, believers are freed from the "dots and stars" of culture, enabling them to build a lasting legacy of faith, hope, and love.