Grace Community Church Clarksville, TN

What separates David and Saul? What defines the difference between a righteous king and a king ruled by fear and pride? The heart. Why does the heart matter so deeply, not only for a king, but for every person? Why does the Lord look at our hearts, and how can we begin to cultivate hearts that better reflect Him, our true King? Key Verses: 1 Samuel 16:6-13

The tragic story of King Saul highlights how seemingly small compromises can lead to a significant downfall. This teaching explores the progression of disobedience, pride, and jealousy, and how these traits ultimately unraveled his life and leadership. Key Verses: 1 Samuel 13:7b-14

This week, we continue our series on King Saul and King David by looking at the accounts of the private and public anointing of Saul by the prophet Samuel. In these moments, we get a close-up look at God's grace and His faithfulness to His people, and His power to change lives. We will be encouraged by glimpses of obedience from Saul, and will ultimately see that Jesus, the eternal King, is a far greater source of hope than anyone else could ever be.

As we begin our series on King Saul and King David, we first explore how Israel's demand for a human king reflected their desire for control rather than trust in God. Through the early life of Saul, we are reminded that God often uses the mundane detours of our daily lives to quietly orchestrate His ultimate plans. Key Verses: 1 Samuel 9:15-21

God often works in the small, hidden, ordinary parts of life. From manna in the wilderness to five loaves multiplied for a crowd to Jesus calling Himself the Bread of Life, we see a God who meets us with daily provision, surprising abundance, and grace we could never earn. Key Verses: Matthew 13:33-35

What do I live for? This is the question at the heart of all we do. What we live for is what we dedicate our time, energy, attention, resources, emotions, and love to. As Christians, we want to say the answer to this question is ultimately Jesus, but is it? We are all living for something, but only some truly live. What does it look like to truly live our days for the Lord, and how does this allow us to truly live with purpose? Key Verses: Psalm 25:1

The Lord's Prayer confronts us with ourselves. It exposes how often our prayers reflect our worst tendencies, our need to control, to manipulate, to hide, yet Jesus invites us to come as we are, messy and honest. This prayer becomes a mirror that reorders our desires, teaches us how a child talks to a perfect Father, and reshapes our heart around what is actually real. Key Verses: Matthew 6:9-13

This week, we begin a series of standalone sermons by looking at Hebrews 12:1-2. This passage is full of imagery that describes faith as a race. In it, we will learn the importance of the truth that faith is not a solo activity, but a commitment to live in community. The author of Hebrews goes on to challenge Christians to live with endurance and lay aside anything holding them back from pursuing Jesus. These timeless reminders contain many applications to our lives today. By God's grace, we can "run the race" of our lives for His glory and our good. Key Verses: Hebrews 12:1-2

In Peter's second sermon, he shows us the nature of our hearts — that we reject Jesus, and we are ignorant about it. But despite these realities, God offers us what all of us most need — forgiveness, refreshment, and restoration. In this sermon, we look at how Peter's words can still speak to us today. Key Verses: Acts 3:12-21

As the church continues to build and establish at the beginning of the book of Acts, we see Peter and John perform the first miracle of the church. This miracle, or work of restoration, is a reminder to all believers then and today that the work of the church is the work of restoration. What is the work of restoration that we, the church, are called to do today? How can we begin to do it? Key Verses: Acts 3:1-11

When the first followers of Jesus gathered in his name, they formed the very first Christian church. In this sermon, we look at why the church exists, why we need it, and the miracle that makes any real church possible — including today. Key Verses: Acts 2:42-47

When people first heard the message of Jesus' resurrection, they rightly asked "Now, what do we do?" Peter told them two things: repent and believe. In this sermon, we look at why God calls us to these two responses, and how we can practice them today. Key Verses: Acts 2:32-41

The second chapter of Acts brings us to the miracle of Pentecost, where God meets human emptiness with His Spirit. The waiting disciples are filled, the Church is born, and the gospel starts its movement into the world. Key Verses: Acts 2:1-13

As the disciples prepared to lead the early church, they faced a problem — who would replace Judas? As they sought to solve this problem, they realized an invaluable truth that would comfort their hearts as they faced the rest of their lives. In this sermon, we look at God's leading power and presence, and how they can help us live today. Key Verses: Acts 1:15-26

Jesus calls His followers to wait with expectancy. In Acts 1, God uses quiet, in‑between moments to prepare His people, even as the disciples wrestle with the unknown. Then comes the promise that changes everything: the Spirit's power turns ordinary people into witnesses. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, our lives should testify to the risen Jesus. Key Verses: Acts 1:6-11

Before Jesus left his followers and ascended back to heaven, he gave them a promise — that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. What did this mean? In this sermon, we look at why the Holy Spirit such an important part of our relationship with God, and how we can depend on him as we live. Key Verses: Acts 1:1-5

What does Easter have to do with the rest of our lives? As we celebrate the Easter, we see that through Jesus' death and resurrection, God gives us what every heart truly needs — joy. Key Verses: Matthew 28:1-9

Jesus regularly confronts evil with two things: his compassion and his miraculous power. In this sermon, we see how Jesus gives both to not only a suffering boy, but to his father, and the disciples, as well. Key Verses: Mark 9:14-29

In Mark 5:25-34, the story of Jairus' daughter's healing is interrupted by a woman suffering from chronic bleeding. Through her interruption, we see what happens when nothing we do can stop our suffering. The answer is not found in ourselves, but in coming to the end of ourselves and placing our faith in the One who can truly heal what is broken. Key Verses: Mark 5:25-34

In Mark 5, we meet a man named Jairus. He is a leader of the local synagogue desperate to save his young daughter, who is dying. Jesus meets the man's desperation with compassion by agreeing to go with Jairus. What transpires reveals three gifts that Jesus' presence offers to us. It also highlights Jesus' power over death. This story serves as a precursor to the Savior's own resurrection, and invites us to embrace the awe and wonder that we rightly feel in His presence. Key Verses: Mark 5:21-24; 35-43

We often face storms in our lives — things that threaten us and unsettle our sense of peace. How do we face them? In this sermon, we look at what we can learn from these storms and, more importantly, how Jesus can meet us in their midst. Key Verses: Mark 4:35-41

When Jesus encounters a paralyzed man, he not only heals him of his physical condition, but also promises him forgiveness, as well. In this sermon, we look at how Jesus cares for every part of our lives, including the parts that are broken and in need of help. Key Verses: Mark 2:1-12

In ancient times, to suffer from leprosy meant far more than physical pain — it meant being on the outside. In this sermon, we look at how Jesus not only heals what is wrong with us, but also calls us back into a real, meaningful life with his love. Key Verses: Mark 1:40-45

At first glance, the story of the man with the evil spirit seems to have nothing to do with us today. But when we look deeper, we see that his problem is the same as many of our problems — unsolvable. In this sermon, we see how Jesus deals with unsolvable problems with his authority and his grace. Key Verses: Mark 1:21-28

In one of Jesus' most memorable teachings, He calls us to "judge not." This command not only confronts our natural tendency to evaluate and criticize others, but it is also one of the most misunderstood passages in Scripture. What is wrong with judgment? What kind of judgment, if any, is necessary? And what should be our response to judgment? Key Verses: Matthew 7:1-6

Part of following Jesus means that we are to stop worrying. How can we obey this sometimes impossible command? In this sermon we look at how worry actually works and then how Jesus can help us towards a different way to live. Key Verses: Matthew 6:25-34

Forgiveness is central to the Christian life, but it's costly, complicated, and often painfully personal. In this message, we explore why forgiveness is different from reconciliation, the danger of holding onto bitterness, and the transforming grace Jesus offers—even to those who betray Him. Key Verses: Matthew 6:7-15

When we face an enemy, we face a test to see what we really believe — and Jesus says that we are called to love our enemies. In this sermon, we look at what Jesus means with this famous teaching and how we can better follow it today. Key Verses: Luke 6:27-36

In our world today, it is often assumed we should try to get what we "deserve." But Jesus tells us something radically different — that we should be more concerned with giving than getting. In this sermon, we look at the importance and the power of giving in our lives today. Key Verses: Acts 20:33-35

Following Jesus means believing in the things he said— even the hard things. In this sermon, we look at one of the most difficult teachings he gave to his followers and how it can bring us into the freedom we most desire. Key Verses: Matthew 16:24-25

Throughout all ages and times, there is one character trait that is held higher than anything else humility. In this sermon, we look at how the wisemen who journeyed to Jesus can show us how to grow in our humility today. Key Verses: Matthew 2:1-11

In a world that hates waiting, Joseph's story in Matthew shows the importance of patience. Patience isn't passive; it creates space for God's work, protects relationships, and aligns us with His greater story. Waiting faithfully can change everything. Key Verses: Matthew 1:18-24

Christianity gives us an extraordinary promise — that God can give us a new character. In this sermon, we look at how Mary found courage in the face of the unknown, and how we can do the same today. Key Verses: Luke 1:26-38

The author of Hebrews ends his letter by encouraging his intensely persecuted readers about the importance of faithful endurance. As we work, suffer, and live in this race set before us, we have the tools of spiritual discipline to help us find the endurance that comes from Christ. What we are all called to in the here and now is the work of spiritual discipline, the work of faithful endurance, that leads us towards our spiritual home. Key Verses: Hebrews 12:1-4

The Bible repeatedly tells us to "live by faith," but what does this actually mean? In this sermon we look at how faith intersects with everything we encounter in our lives, and ultimately leads us into something beyond our lives, as well. Key Verses: Hebrews 11:32-40

Our lives are often uncertain — and yet God asks us to have "faith" in him and his plan. In this sermon we look at what it means to live with faith, and the hope that faith can bring to our hearts when we do. Key Verses: Hebrews 11:1-3

Hebrews 10 reminds us that Jesus did more than forgive our sins. Through His sacrifice, He opened the way for us to live in God's presence with confidence. We can approach Him boldly, not from a distance, and hold tightly to the hope He offers. This hope shapes the way we live, encouraging us to love others well and stay faithful in community. Key Verses: Hebrews 10:19-25

Our lives will one day end. And then what? In this passage, the author of Hebrews shows us that we can face the end of our lives with great hope, because of Jesus. Key Verses: Hebrews 9:27-28

The Bible teaches that we can never save our own selves, but that we often try. In this sermon, we see how we need something better than our own efforts to save us, and how God works his grace into where we need it most. Key Verses: Hebrews 7:23-28

Our relationship with God should be deepening, growing, and maturing. To grow spiritually is to wrestle our will with God's and for Him to come out victorious. This is hard work, but a necessary work to grow spiritually in our relationship with God. The question is: are you ready to grow and mature spiritually by wrestling with God? Key Verses: Hebrews 6:1-3

In Hebrews 5, the author points us to the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. There, we see the suffering Savior of the world crying out to the Father. Jesus felt abandoned, overwhelmed, and too weak to carry life's burdens. In the middle of emotional and physical pain, He still chose to obey. His obedience gives us inspiration to choose obedience when we face our own suffering, and hope that it is not in vain. This passage is an excellent reminder that with Jesus as our perfect High Priest, our suffering will not have the last word. Key Verses: Hebrews 5:7-10

What do we really need in our lives? Apart from the basic essentials, we all need the same two things: to be forgiven and to be invited in. In this sermon, we look at how Jesus comes to meet these two needs for us through his life and his death. Key Verses: Hebrews 4:14-16

When the Bible says that we have a heart, it is talking about the very center of our beings — the part of us that tells us how to live. In this sermon, we look at the importance of paying attention to our hearts, and the importance of keeping a soft heart that can trust in God, through everything. Key Verses: Hebrews 3:12-19

Hebrews warns us not to drift from Jesus, urging us to listen carefully to the truth we've heard. It reveals again to us Christ's supremacy, our tendency to wander, and our need to anchor ourselves in Him. Key Verses: Hebrews 2:1-4

Why should we give our lives over to Jesus? As we begin our new series on the letter to the Hebrews, we see that Jesus is far greater than anyone or anything else that we could follow. Key Verses: Hebrews 1:1-4

What does it mean to be a community of people, gathered as a church, and marked by God's grace? Today we celebrate our twentieth anniversary by looking at our name — Grace Community Church — and what it still means for us as we look ahead. Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 1:3, 1 Corinthians 16:23-24

In this standalone message, we will take a fresh look at a popular Bible story- the prodigal son. As we do, we will be challenged to evaluate our propensity to rebel against God and our predisposition of pride. We will remember that our hope, as always, is in Jesus. He pursues the undeserving and invites us to be free of unfulfillment and bitterness that would otherwise define our lives because of our sin. Key Verses: Luke 15:11-32

Everything about God begins with His holiness, and His holiness finds its fullest expression in His compassion. What really is compassion, though? How does God show us His compassion? How are we called to activate compassion in our own lives? Key Verses: Psalm 25:1-7

We often hear that God is loving, but how do we reconcile this with our innate desire for justice for God to do something about what is wrong in our lives? In this sermon, we look at what it means that God is both loving and just, and how this can help us live in the midst of things that are unfair or unjust today. Key Verses: Psalm 7:6-17

When we deal with God, we are dealing with someone who is eternally faithful — meaning he will never change who he is or how he relates to his creation. In this sermon, we look at what this truth means and how it can be an incredible resource for our lives today. Key Verses: Psalm 138