Grace Church Indiana Sermons

Every human being, regardless of background or belief, carries the same deep drive for meaning, connection, and something bigger than themselves. Scientists have studied it, neuroscientists have mapped it in the brain, and every major religion in history has tried to answer it. So what is that longing, and where does it actually lead? This sermon looks at Jesus' conversation with a Samaritan woman in John 4, two people from completely different religions having an honest talk about worship, truth, and what the soul is really thirsty for. Jesus might just be the answer to every question your right brain has been asking. 📖 Scripture: John 4:7-26, John 1:14, John 10:30, John 14:9, Colossians 1:15-19 🗓️ Series: What If It's True? 📍 gracechurch.us 📱 @GraceChurchIN on Instagram and Facebook

Everyone has that feeling when they watch the news, or see someone get taken advantage of, that something is deeply wrong with the world. Where does that come from, and does it mean anything? This sermon looks at one of the most unjust moments in history, the trial of Jesus in John 18, and asks what it tells us about justice, power, and why we all long for things to be made right. The answer isn't just that justice is coming. It's that it has already begun. 📖 Scripture: John 18:19-40, John 1:10-11, John 1:18, John 20:21, Philippians 2:6-8 🗓️ Series: What If It's True? 📍 gracechurch.us 📱 @GraceChurchIN on Instagram and Facebook

Looking for Someone Looking for You by Grace Church

As the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders reaches a boiling point, Jesus gives one of the most intense and incendiary teachings about their failure to live up to their role. He repeatedly calls the religious leaders of Israel “hypocrites” and points out their lack of integrity – placing unbearable religious demands on the people while ignoring their own sin and wickedness. Within these teachings is a vital look at the difference between legalism and grace which is a message the Church of today needs to hear.

After coming to Jerusalem and beginning his final week before the crucifixion, Jesus teaches daily in the temple. Here, his teachings reveal not just his expert subversion of the religious leaders of Israel, but the profound beauty of his kingdom message. When they are trying to trip him up about the “most important commandment,” Jesus quotes from two Old Testament laws which encapsulate the entire Spirit of God’s desires. Although the basic formulation, “Love God, love others,” is familiar to many of us, the two laws he quotes gain even more significance when seen in their original context. One is from a passage about wholehearted dedication to the teaching of God. The other is from a series of laws promoting true justice, mercy, and equality among the people. Jesus is not just cleverly answering a trick question; he is inviting his followers into a profound and whole-life commitment to the desires and teachings of God.

When the mother of two of Jesus’ disciples asks for them to be given roles of great importance and power in his kingdom, Jesus reveals a surprising truth: that those desiring greatest influence should seek the humblest position of a slave. As we see many times throughout the gospel of Matthew, Jesus upends the ordinary expectations of humanity by introducing an “upside down” kingdom. In his kingdom, the key to true greatness lies not in human power but in self-giving love.

One of the most overlooked aspects of the Holy Spirit in our world is the overwhelming life that is made possible by his presence. Although this absolutely applies to the new, resurrection life we can experience in the New Creation thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus, the Spirit of Life goes even deeper in our world, now. Throughout Scripture we see God’s Spirit as the vivifying source of all life in Creation, we see the Spirit drawing humanity away from our violent and warlike tendencies and into life-sustaining peace, and we see the Spirit shaping Christ-followers into fountains of God’s life and abundance in a still broken world. The Spirit helps us champion the life of the downtrodden, protect the life of the vulnerable, and even nurture the life of our physical world. In a time filled with decay, pain, violence, and death, it is vital to remember that the Spirit within us is working to transform us into sources of life in our world now, not just in the resurrection. What might it look like to delve deeply into the life-giving richness of the Holy Spirit this year, allowing New Creation to spring up everywhere we go, and thus bringing the life of our Creator into our broken world?

One of the primary challenges for the health of the Church is that it’s made up of… well, people. We are prone to division and easily fall into traps of “othering” those not like ourselves. The good news is that God’s Spirit is constantly working to overcome those divisions to make us one. It is God’s Holy Spirit who allows a diverse community of faith, made up of different cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds, into a single, unified body. In a time filled with political rage, cultural tribalism, and divisive rhetoric, ideas of unity, even within the Church, can sometimes seem like wishful thinking. However, if we allow the Spirit of Unity to transform us, we can overcome the hatred of our time and demonstrate to the world that an entirely different kind of community is possible. What might it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to give us hearts of unity this year, as we allow our lives to be shaped by the others-focused, self-giving love of Jesus?

One of the surprising outcomes of God’s Spirit taking up residence in the hearts of Christ-followers is that otherwise ordinary people began developing extraordinary power – power to heal, to serve, to teach, and to speak truth about the very heart of God. This power, otherwise known as the “spiritual gifts” given to believers, is one of the primary ways that God grows, supports, and guides his Church. As we use our Spirit-given gifts to serve, His power shapes the community of faith around us in unexpected ways. In a time when the brokenness of our world seems insurmountable and the Church struggles with division, it can be tempting to allow our faith to become little more than an individualistic relationship between us and God. However, with the Spirit empowering us, we can recover the vision of the Church as the body of Christ in our world and recapture the self-giving love we were created to demonstrate as a community. What might it look like to explore and live into our spiritual giftings in new ways this year as the Spirit empowers us to become the Church God desires?

January 23 & 24 | Christmas at Grace | Barry Rodriguez by Grace Church

As Jesus prepared for his death, resurrection, and ultimate ascension, his followers were understandably worried. What would they do without Jesus by their side? Who was going to teach them? How would they know what was true? Jesus’ promise in response to these worries was that God would give them “another Advocate,” the Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. This promise, which remains true for all Christ-followers even today, is a profound one: that the very presence of Christ would dwell within his followers, guiding them into the truth. In a time like ours, filled with untruths, misinformation, and teachers with hidden motives, it can sometimes feel like “Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed” (Isaiah 59:14). But with God’s Spirit guiding us, we can find truth through Scripture, through teaching, through the voice of God in our hearts, and through the words of other believers. What might it look like to invite the Spirit of Truth to dwell more richly in us this year than ever before? ------------------------------------------

As we have seen throughout our study of the book of Matthew, the gospel writer frequently writes on multiple levels. In the case of the magi from the east, Matthew is not just looking back to the Hebrew Bible and the fulfillment of God’s ancient promises. He is also offering stark commentary on the current realities faced by his readers in the late 1st century. Matthew’s readers faced cultural pressure from the all-powerful Roman Empire as well as persecution from wealthy local elites. They undoubtedly wondered, “How will the Church survive in the face of such mighty opposition?” To respond to such pressure, Matthew’s depiction of the magi visiting Jesus makes a mockery of Roman propaganda about the Caesars (e.g. Frankincense! Magi from the east! The star!) and hints at the boundless blessings to be had not at the top of the social ladder, but at the foot of the cross. As Jesus himself says later in the gospel, “those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last” (Matthew 20:6). This layer of meaning will offer us a stark reminder this Christmas of those who are truly blessed in the kingdom of God!

December 7 | A Story Fulfilled | Follow Me Part III | Barry Rodriguez by Grace Church

In this final message of “Follow Me: Part II,” we will explore the famous passage of the rich man who “went away sad” when invited by Jesus to sell his possessions and follow him. The story is a stark reminder that we are invited to surrender our lives to Jesus, not just go through the religious motions. The words of the martyred missionary Jim Elliot ring true here. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” What are we willing to surrender to Christ in our trust that he will renew our lives for eternity?

November 23 | Who Is The Greatest In The Kingdom? | Follow Me Part II | Barry Rodriguez by Grace Church

In the final week of our Peter miniseries, we see this rash, eager, and imperfect disciple witnessing the true nature of Jesus as the son of God during the transfiguration. In this sacred moment, Jesus takes three of his disciples away to a high mountain where he is transformed into a being of radiant light, pouring the glory of God into the world. Peter’s reaction is predictably bumbling but reflects his faith in Jesus. This moment, especially with Peter’s impending denial of Jesus at his trial looming in the not-too-distant future, is an invitation to consider our own faith and willingness to allow the light of Christ to transform our understanding of reality.

In this second part of our Peter trilogy, we will explore some of the highest and lowest moments of Peter’s relationship with Jesus (until the crucifixion and resurrection, of course). First, Peter’s declaration of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah is met by Jesus with a declaration of his own: it is upon the “rock” of Peter’s faith that Christ will build his Church. Second, however, this is followed almost immediately by Peter reprimanding Jesus for saying he would be killed. To this, Jesus says, “Get away from me, Satan!” Matthew’s juxtaposition of these two moments is undoubtedly intentional. It gives us a glimpse at the need for us all to continuously set our own perspectives aside to be shaped by those of our savior’s.

Part II begins with a prayer of thanksgiving by Jesus, as well as one of his most famous invitations to the weary and burdened. Through his prayer and invitation, Jesus is continuing to set up a sharp contrast between himself and the religious leaders of Israel. Where they offer strict religious restrictions for the people and favor the wealthy, educated, and elite, Jesus offers an “easy yoke” and favors the “childlike.” It is a reminder of both the “upside-down” nature of Christ’s kingdom, as well as an invitation to set aside our sin and shame and take up the gracious love of Jesus instead. Are we willing to accept the yoke of Jesus

In the final week of the series, we will get very practical about how we as individuals can respond to God’s call during this divisive time. As we will see, Paul sets a high bar for his readers in Colossae. First, to “set your minds on things above” – to live in such a way that our minds are laser focused on the things God cares about. Second, to “put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you,” to be deeply intentional about the sin and idolatry within each of us which seeks to corrupt our trust in Christ. Finally, to “clothe yourself” in things like compassion, kindness, humility, and, most of all, love. Put simply, we each have a choice of how we respond in this cultural moment. We can choose what we think about, what we reject, and what we “wear” as we live out our faith. Let us all keep our eyes focused on Christ and his powerful resurrection. May we become people of love and mercy as we take his hand and follow him into the kingdom of God. Possible Response Element: Give everyone time to write some kind of commitment on a card based on the invitations from the passage. Perhaps they could bring them to the front, to be prayed over by the pastors, and then to be passed out to the congregation as people leave to pray over the commitments of others

As we continue exploring Colossians, we will dig deeper into the mixing (a.k.a. “syncretism”) which is happening in the church today between the gospel of Jesus and the powers of this world. We will specifically explore the god of Domination and the god of Self, which have so infected our body with “empty philosophies” and “high-sounding nonsense.” To untangle their influence over us, we will explore what it means for Christ to have “disarmed the rulers and authorities” of our world, and what it looks like for us to reject their influence in our own lives. By repenting of our syncretism and re-focusing on Christ above all, we may yet find a way to live in this broken world set free from the powers seeking to corrupt the gospel.

Paul wrote his letter to the church in Colossae because they were mixing pagan elements into their Christian faith (i.e. worshipping Jesus as well as some of the elemental powers of this world). His aim in the letter was to help them understand that Christ is supreme over the powers, and that their mixing is not only muddying the gospel, but downright dangerous to their faith. In the American Church today we are also prone to mixing our faith with the powers of this world, combining our love for Jesus with the powers of domination, hatred, violence, and selfishness. Our algorithms have herded us into vitriolic tribes and turned our “enemies” into vile, subhuman monsters in our minds. Like in Colossae, this mixing is not only muddying the gospel, but downright dangerous to our faith. As Paul says in Colossians 2:20, “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world?” To begin crawling out of this hate-filled pit, we are going to start by mediating on Paul’s transcendent Christological hymn in Colossians 1:15-20, using a piece of contemplative art – the Anastasis Fresco from Chora Church in Constantinople – as a guide. As we will see, Christ is supreme over the powers of this world, and we can find common ground in our combined helplessness to overcome the power of death ourselves. Let us all experience the power of Christ’s incredible sacrifice and the unbelievable love he has for each of us as we are ripped from the grave by his victory over the powers. If we do, perhaps we can begin to see our “enemies” as broken, helpless image-bearers of God just like ourselves, and find ourselves unified in the love God has for us all.

Our world is burdened by the broken place of hatred. We see discrimination, racism, genocide, dehumanization, and segregation along so many different lines (gender, age, race, nationality, ability, etc.). Most of the time when we try to fix these problems, however, we don’t acknowledge the fact that these are outcomes of a much longer path of hatred which starts anytime we see ourselves as better than the “other” we are encountering. To heal the broken place of hatred, we must walk an entirely different path: the path of self-giving love. In Philippians 2:1-11, Paul pleads with the church in Philippi to “love one another” and “work together with one mind and purpose.” To do this, he suggests we must have “the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” And how did Jesus live? He walked the path of self-giving love. Even though he had all power in the universe, he “gave up his divine privileges,” lowered himself in humility, and lifted broken humanity up through his self-sacrificial love on the cross. As Christ’s church, we can show the world an alternative to the hatred we see around us. When we encounter “others,” we must follow our savior down the humble path he chose to walk.

With so many other issues swirling around us in this broken world, it can be very easy to think that caring for the planet falls pretty low on our priority list. Why worry about climate change or species extinction when there seem to be so many more pressing matters? The answer is simple: because God cares about his Creation and we should too. In this message we will explore how God’s love and sustaining Spirit extend even to the physical world, including the plants and creatures who live here, and how our role from the very beginning was as caretakers of the Creation he sustains. We will also consider how the poor and marginalized of humanity (whom God also dearly loves) are threatened when our physical world is neglected and how the broken place of decay influences all the other broken places. By meditating on this thread from Scripture we will begin to see how our best possible life includes living in harmony and peace with the Earth and joining God in his sustaining work over Creation.

To discuss the broken place of pain, we must start by acknowledging the universality of pain and the many forms it takes (body, mind, and spirit). From the grief we experience at the loss of a loved one, to the anxiety and depression so often clouding our minds, to the chronic illness and pain which beset our bodies, pain is a part of all of our lives. Then we must explore the character of our God as one in the business of healing that pain (a.k.a. Jehova rapha – “the God who heals,” Exodus 15:26). In Psalm 147 the psalmist depicts God as being actively involved in healing our pain: rebuilding broken cities, bringing exiles home, healing the brokenhearted, bandaging wounds, supporting the humble, and blessing children. Luke 6:17-19 describes Jesus doing very much the same thing (“He healed everyone”). What might it look like for us to put our trust in a God who heals? And how might we join him in that healing work in the lives of others?

Along with being created to be in relationship with our Creator, we were also created to be in relationship with one another. Yet again, however, the rebellion of humanity against God’s intentions has led us into places of deep isolation. This is especially true today, when loneliness is epidemic. In the famous story of the woman at the well, Jesus plows through social protocols to show love to an isolated Samaritan woman. Not only does he reconnect her with her community; he calls her to a greater purpose and reminds her of the dignity she has as a child of God. To those of us who are isolated, this story is a reminder that we, image-bearers of God, are more than worthy of love. To Grace Church as a whole, this story is an intense challenge to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by calling out the image of God in others and drawing them out of isolation and into community.

Humans were created to live in just, loving relationships. Because of our rebellion, however, we too often spread injustice instead. Systems of poverty deepen, preventable diseases spread, slavery is perpetuated, and the poor and marginalized are neglected. However, as with the other broken places, God cares deeply about bringing healing to injustice and desires for his children to heal it as well. As he says through the prophet Amos, “I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living” (Amos 5:24). What is truly remarkable, though, is the degree to which God identifies with those crushed by injustice. Nowhere is this clearer than the provocative teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25, where he claims that when his followers are serving the poor, they are actually serving Him! It’s a provocative invitation to make the work of God’s justice not just an occasional act, but a lifestyle.

Humans were created to dwell in God’s presence, experiencing his love and abundance as we lead all of creation in worship. However, in our selfishness, humans have chosen to rebel against God’s intentions, exiling ourselves from the presence of our Creator. Because of this separation from God, we corrupt this good world with injustice, isolation, pain, decay, and hatred. Thankfully, that’s not the end of the story. Because of his great love for us, God sent his son, Jesus, to bring us back into his presence. Through his sacrifice and resurrection, Christ has permanently opened the door to a new way to be human, reconciled with our Creator and transformed to become the forces of healing and life we were always created to be.

In a very comfort-obsessed culture, the idea of sticking with it through difficult circumstances is the last thing we want to do. If we seek advice on the internet for how to deal with challenges in a marriage, far too often the advice is simply, “end it!” But if we are truly called to demonstrate covenant faithfulness to our broken world, this cannot be our default response to hardships. Scripture consistently invites us to endure the challenges we face because they give God a chance to work, and they give us a chance to grow. The same thing is true when we face difficulty in our marriages. We must remember that we are not just honoring our spouse in marriage; through our dedication to covenant faithfulness we are also honoring God. By keeping our eyes focused on the Lord, we stand a far greater chance of avoiding the “poisonous root of bitterness” (Hebrews 12:15) which can take root if we lose focus and turn our attention back to our own selfish desires. It is time for us to do the hard work which will bear the long-term fruit in our marriages of joy, peace, and love. Keep your eyes on the prize!

The pastors of Grace have witnessed many, many marriages in our spiritual family facing trials, challenges, and even collapse. From our vantage point, we have seen one common denominator appear too many times to count: selfishness. Whether it’s a mentality that says, “what I want/need is most important,” or an addiction to control, or an aversion to doing the difficult work of conflict resolution because it’s just too uncomfortable, a focus on self damages marriages faster than almost anything else. In Romans 12, however, Paul calls Christ-followers to take a different approach: one of self-giving love. In v.10 he says, literally, “outdo one another in showing honor.” The mental image of running a race with your spouse to outdo them in love and honor as they do the same (rather than looking for what love and honor they’ll give you), is a powerful one. If we adopt this posture, we can reverse the corrosive influence of selfishness in our marriages and replace it with Christlike love which can bring healing and long-term fulfillment. Marriage is a race to the bottom.

When it comes to marriage, many Christ-followers have lost the plot. With a multi-billion-dollar wedding industry commodifying romance, a flood of TikTok influencers offering quick fixes for relationships, and dating apps promising to help people find “the one,” we have too often bought the lie that marriage should be passionate, fulfilling, fun, easy, and adventurous at all times. If they fail to live up to those standards, we begin to consider other options.

Before the Great Commission, there was the first mission. Jesus sends out the twelve with power and purpose—and his words still ring true for us today. Pastor Barry reveals what it means to live sent and how to go boldly into a broken world. Keywords: Matthew 10 sermon, Jesus sends the twelve, living on mission, Great Commission, how to follow Jesus

Before the Great Commission, there was the first mission. Jesus sends out the twelve with power and purpose, and his words still ring true for us today. Pastor Barry reveals what it means to live sent and how to go boldly into a broken world. Keywords: Matthew 10 sermon, Jesus sends the twelve, living on mission, Great Commission, how to follow Jesus

Why would Jesus call a tax collector—an outcast—to follow him? And why does that matter for us today? Pastor Maron takes us into this transformational moment that still echoes for anyone who feels disqualified or unworthy. Keywords: Matthew the disciple, Jesus calls sinners, tax collector Bible story, call to discipleship, Matthew 9 sermon

A Roman soldier. Unlikely faith. Stunning praise from Jesus. In this message, we explore what it means to trust God without reservation—and how even outsiders are welcomed into His kingdom. Keywords: faith of Roman centurion, Matthew 8 explained, Jesus amazed by faith, great faith in the Bible

It’s not about appearances—it’s about fruit. In Matthew 7, Jesus challenges us to evaluate our lives by the impact we make. Pastor Barry explores what it looks like to live out a faith that actually bears fruit. Keywords: Matthew 7 sermon, fruit of the Spirit, spiritual growth sermon, how to follow Jesus, tree and its fruit meaning

Blessed are the poor? The grieving? The persecuted? Jesus flips everything we think we know about blessing. This sermon dives deep into the Beatitudes and invites you into a kingdom unlike any other. Keywords: Beatitudes explained, Matthew 5:1-12 sermon, who God blesses, Jesus blessings, upside-down kingdom

What did Jesus actually teach, and why did it turn the world upside down? This message gives an aerial view of the Sermon on the Mount, exploring how Jesus fulfills the law and sets a new way to live. Think grace, truth, and transformation. Keywords: Sermon on the Mount overview, Matthew 5 sermon, Jesus fulfills the law, Jesus’ teachings explained

In the wilderness, Jesus faces real temptation—and wins. But how? Pastor Barry reveals how Scripture and surrender shaped Jesus' resistance and what that means for us today. If you're battling temptation, don’t miss this. Keywords: Jesus temptation Matthew 4, resisting temptation Bible, how to overcome temptation, spiritual warfare sermon

Why did Jesus need to be baptized? Wasn’t he sinless? Pastor Maron explores this pivotal moment in Matthew 3 where heaven opens, identity is confirmed, and Jesus' mission begins. Learn what this moment means for your own identity and calling. Keywords: Jesus baptism meaning, Matthew 3 sermon, why Jesus was baptized, identity in Christ, John the Baptist message

Matthew 1 is a radical declaration of who belongs in the kingdom of God. This week, Pastor Barry unpacks the surprising people in Jesus' family tree and what they reveal about God’s upside-down kingdom. Perfect for anyone wondering where they fit in God's story. Keywords: Matthew genealogy meaning, Jesus family tree explained, Gospel of Matthew intro, Bible genealogy sermon

On Easter Sunday, join us as we uncover the power behind Jesus’ final words in the Gospel of Matthew. What does it mean to "go and make disciples"? Why does the resurrection launch a mission that still impacts us today? Dive into Matthew 28 with Pastor Barry and discover the authority, purpose, and promise of the risen Christ.

“Are we weak and heavy laden? Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer! Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer. In His arms He’ll take and shield thee. Thou wilt find a solace there!” Many among us are carrying heavy burdens. Like Scriven, even as we bear the weight of our own suffering, we are also tasked with helping to shoulder the burdens of others. How can we manage to hold it all together? The answer: take it to the Lord in prayer! God is referenced all over the Bible as our refuge and strong tower. Prayer is our key to the doorway of the ‘secret place of the Most High’ where we find shelter, and rest, and renewal!

“Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer! Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer!” Joseph Scriven’s song is a personal testimony of God’s tender and faithful love. In his weakness, he found encouragement and steadfast friendship in Christ Jesus. What does it mean for Christ to ‘know our every weakness?’ What comfort and assurance does the Man of Sorrows/Suffering Servant have to offer us in our own suffering and weakness?

“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit! O what needless pain we bear! All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!” Joseph Scriven had written this song as a poem to encourage his mother who was ill. But he, himself, had suffered 2 tragic losses, and faced physical ailments of his own. Yet despite all the sorrow he faced in his lifetime, his primary focus was serving others in need, and walking humbly with his God. For Scriven, prayer was an anchor in a very tumultuous sea! What inspiration can we draw from Scriven’s example? In John 15:15, Jesus said, “I have called you friends.” Are we living lives of prayerful intimacy with our Savior and friend? Are we truly taking everything to God in prayer?

This series began with a recognition that Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church is one of his most joyful and encouraging in the New Testament. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his famous command, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (4:4 NRSV). As we’ve seen, Paul had a lot to be joyful for in the lives of his brothers and sisters in Philippi: a church that took root deeply in the love of Jesus, a community overflowing with generosity, and a family that stayed true to Paul when others fell away. Paul’s joy is well founded, and he wants the Philippians to carry that joy forward forever. Today, as we celebrate what God is doing at Grace through the Reimagine Initiative, let us not only dream about what is to come, but rejoice with thanksgiving at what he has done through those who have come before. Like the Church in Philippi, let us build on the gifts of our forebears and “keep putting into practice all we learned and received from them” (4:9), even as we grow, dream, and adapt to the new realities God has called us into.

Commitment Sunday. Leave 10 minutes in service for filling out commitment cards. Response moment in service for making commitments. Overview: As Paul considers the possible end of his life in an Ephesian jail, he wants the Philippians to understand that whether he lives or dies, he will “bring honor to Christ” (1:20). Why? Because if he dies, he will go to be with the Lord. But if he lives, he can live for Christ and even visit with the Philippians again to help them “grow and experience the joy of their faith” (1:25). This mindset, of complete confidence that God is working, is one we must have as we lead Grace Church into the future. If we face hardships, we’ll experience God’s presence in the midst of them. If we face abundance, we’ll experience God’s blessing in new ways. Either way, let us not be ashamed of what God is doing at Grace, but renew our dedication to join God in his mission to heal this broken world!

Paul knew a thing or two about endurance. In his ministry he faced prison, shipwrecks, whips, bandits, snakebites, and, perhaps most painful of all, rejection from those he cared about. Out of this hardship Paul developed a commitment to “press on” until the very end. Writing to his dear friends in Philippi while in chains, Paul wants to make sure they share this mindset as they serve Jesus. “Pattern your lives after mine” (3:17). There is much joy and excitement for Grace Church in the days ahead, as we see God’s hand at work in our midst. But there will also be challenges and obstacles in our way. Because of this, let us take Paul’s words to heart and renew our dedication to “press on to reach the end of the race” so we can see our community healed in Jesus’ name.

Throughout his letter to the Philippians, Paul shares his heart’s desire for the Philippian church, not knowing if he would ever see them again. In many ways, his advice reads like the last will and testament of a dying man. Ultimately, Paul longs for his brothers and sisters in Philippi to carry on the work which was started when he first preached the gospel to them. He pleads with them to “obey God,” “live clean, innocent lives,” “shine like bright lights,” and “hold firmly to the word of life.” Grace Church was started with a commitment to jump in wherever the Holy Spirit was moving. As we continue to listen for the voice of God in this new generation and pool our resources to invest in what’s to come, let’s join the Philippians in “working hard to show the results of our salvation” so that the “ones” God has laid on our heart can come to know the love of Jesus as we have.

One of the clearest distinctives of the Philippian church to Paul was their constant and overwhelming generosity. From opening their homes to opening their wallets (coin pouches?), this community was dedicated to sharing their resources to see the mission of God continue. In fact, the likely occasion for this letter was Paul’s gratitude for the gifts the Philippian church had just sent with Epaphroditus to care for Paul in prison (4:18). In his thanksgiving, Paul reminds the Philippians that their generosity is more than just a tangible contribution; it is a sweet-smelling offering to God. At Grace we dream of finding new ways to use our building to reach our community. We have ideas of new ministry expressions which will help our church family reach their “ones” with the love of Christ. And we would love to make our space more welcoming to all who are longing for community. With the Reimagine Initiative we have an opportunity to share generously of our resources to do just that, and to celebrate the joy of seeing what God can do with our humble offerings, just as he did with the Philippians’.

To better understand Paul’s overwhelming love and joy for the Philippian church, it is helpful to remember how their journey together began. Acts 16 tells the story of Paul’s first visit to Philippi and the rag-tag group of believers who founded the church: a middle-class cloth merchant who hosted the city’s first church gatherings in her home, a fortune-telling slave-girl delivered of demons, and a jailer spared from suicide by the graciousness of his Judean prisoners… Despite opposition in the city, Paul’s ministry there was fruitful, and gave him newfound confidence in God’s mission to bring salvation to the gentiles of Europe. Paul’s encouragement to these Philippian believers six years later, after these beautiful events had faded into memory, recall the joy and community of those early days. “Make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Phil. 2:2). At Grace Church we too have fond memories of our early years, and yet our community must chart a new course through a world that has changed in many ways. As we consider what the path ahead holds for us, let us never forget what made us who we are: the fellowship, love, and compassion which knit our community together in the first place.