Grace & Truth

James Williams
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  • CHRISTIANITY

Join Senior Pastor, Rev. James Williams, and the Grace Resurrection Methodist Church family as we navigate faith in a new era of church. Real conversations, biblical wisdom, and a welcoming space for all—whether you're seeking, questioning, or deepening your walk with Christ. No pretense, just Grace and Truth.

  1. JAN 13 · VIDEO

    Understanding Baptism: Grace, Faith, and the Methodist Way

    What does it truly mean to be baptized, and why does this ancient practice still matter in our modern faith journey? This conversation takes us deep into the heart of baptism, revealing it as far more than a religious ritual—it's an outward sign of an invisible grace at work within us. We discover that baptism isn't something we do to earn God's favor, but rather something God does in us and through us. The discussion beautifully unpacks Jesus's own baptism, where He insisted that John baptize Him not because He needed it, but to show us that baptism is about what the Father does, not about our own worthiness or understanding. This shifts everything: we don't have to fully comprehend the mystery of faith to participate in it. Whether we're baptized as infants or adults, whether we remember the moment or not, the sacred mark remains. The conversation challenges us to see baptism as part of our ongoing journey of saying 'yes' to Jesus—not just once, but every single day as we die to our self-centered selves and live for Christ. For those of us navigating questions about when and how to baptize, or wondering about the significance of our own baptism, this exploration offers profound reassurance that God's grace meets us wherever we are in our understanding.

    26 min

  2. 12/31/2025 · VIDEO

    Almost There: Jesus' Temptation and Our Journey in the Wilderness

    What if the wilderness seasons of our lives aren't mistakes or detours, but divine preparation for who we're becoming? This conversation explores Jesus' temptation in the wilderness through both Luke and Matthew's accounts, revealing a profound truth: the Holy Spirit led Jesus into testing, not just into blessing. We discover that Jesus' encounter with Satan mirrors the tests Israel failed in Exodus and echoes back to the Garden of Eden, but this time, Jesus breaks the cycle. The three names for the adversary—tempter, slanderer, and Satan—reveal the multifaceted ways we're challenged in our faith journey. Perhaps most liberating is understanding that temptation itself isn't sin; it's the human condition that reminds us we need a Savior. When we grasp that Jesus experienced every temptation we face yet remained perfect, we find both comfort and calling. The wilderness isn't punishment; it's preparation. And recognizing we're 'almost there' rather than 'already arrived' keeps us humble, hungry for growth, and dependent on grace. This perspective transforms how we view our struggles and invites us to get back on the wagon whenever we fall, knowing Jesus offers more grace than judgment.

    28 min

  3. 12/11/2025 · VIDEO

    Grace and Truth: A Conversation with Tullian Tchividjian

    Summary In this episode of the Grace and Truth podcast, hosts Taylor Bacon and James engage in a deep conversation with Tullian Tchividjian, exploring themes of grace, authenticity, and the challenges faced by the modern church. Tullian shares his personal journey of recovery and the impact of his family legacy, particularly the influence of his grandfather, Billy Graham. The discussion emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership and the need for churches to authentically connect with younger generations. Tullian's insights on the gospel's transformative power and the necessity of grace in the church resonate throughout the conversation, culminating in a call for a more genuine and grace-filled approach to ministry.

    1 hr

  4. 12/08/2025 · VIDEO

    Peace in the Midst of Polarization

    In this powerful exploration of peace during Advent, we're challenged to examine how the church can truly offer peace in a polarized world. The conversation reveals a sobering truth: we often lack peace because we're doing exactly what Scripture warns against—leaning on our own understanding rather than depending on Christ. Drawing from the wisdom of Proverbs, we're reminded that religion itself doesn't bring peace; rather, it's Christ crucified, salvation, grace, and mercy that offer genuine peace. This peace isn't just a temporary feeling but a stabilizing force that can sustain us even when life's greatest struggles hit us between the eyes. The discussion emphasizes that Christians face a dual temptation—either over-assimilating into culture or completely separating from it—when Jesus calls us to neither extreme. Instead, we're called to be 'marketplace missionaries,' allowing Christ to shape our culture rather than letting culture shape our faith. The Apostle Paul's instruction to 'not be conformed to the world' takes on fresh urgency as we realize that the church holds the best solutions for the world's lack of peace, yet we've been frivolous with this treasure. This Advent season invites us to reclaim authentic peace by letting Christ transform us first, so we can then transform our communities.

    31 min

  5. 11/24/2025 · VIDEO

    The Next Chapter at Grace Resurrection

    What does it truly mean to be the church in our communities today? This conversation explores the profound biblical principle of equipping the saints for ministry, drawing from 1 Peter's powerful imagery of believers as a new priesthood and a living temple. We're reminded that authentic Christian community isn't about hiring staff to do ministry for us, but about becoming the hands and feet of Christ ourselves. The discussion challenges us to examine whether we've fallen into the trap of expecting professionals to do the work that God has called each of us to do. When we embrace our role as ministers—not spectators—we discover that generosity flows naturally, community deepens organically, and our impact multiplies exponentially. This isn't just theory; it's the New Testament pattern where ordinary believers transformed their world by living out their faith together. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel? Are we ready to invest in relationships, serve our neighbors, and make our communities look more like the kingdom of heaven? The path forward isn't about building bigger programs or hiring more staff—it's about rediscovering what it means to be a priesthood of all believers.

    39 min

  6. 10/06/2025 · VIDEO

    The Podcast You've Been Waiting For - James & Randy

    It’s the conversation we’ve been waiting for. To mark Grace Resurrection’s third anniversary, Senior Pastor James Williams sits down with Pastor Emeritus, Randy Mickler for a wide-ranging, heartfelt interview.  You’ll laugh, get a little nostalgic, and hear new stories from the early days—along with the why behind Randy’s return from retirement. How do you plant a church from the ground up? What sacrifices and surprises shaped our beginning? This episode will deepen your appreciation for the faith, grit, and generosity that built Grace Resurrection. And, that's what we're talking about on the podcast this week. Enjoy!

    28 min

  7. 09/16/2025 · VIDEO

    Pastors in Conversation

    In this episode, James sits down with Rev. Dr. Ted Sauter. A retired pastor, Ted and his wife, Ginger, have been attending Grace Resurrection since 2023. After 57 years in ministry, Ted sheds light on his take on this new church plant, his myriad experiences in ministry, a few of his philosophies that got him through, and why he's a part of this congregation, but did not choose this church. It's not what you think. We enjoyed hearing these two pastors talk about both "Grace" and grace. (Our podcast studio is under construction, so you're hearing the raw version! Exciting things are ahead!)

    32 min

  8. 08/18/2025 · VIDEO

    What Happened? Part Two: What's Methodism, What's Wesleyan, What's UMC?

    The tough stuff. In this episode of our podcast, Rev. Williams expands on his front row perspective of the more recent crises in the UMC. He covers the LGBQT issue, the pros and cons of a connectional system and navigating through the tough times. You may be surprised; you will definitely be informed. And that's what we're talking about this week.

    34 min
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About

Join Senior Pastor, Rev. James Williams, and the Grace Resurrection Methodist Church family as we navigate faith in a new era of church. Real conversations, biblical wisdom, and a welcoming space for all—whether you're seeking, questioning, or deepening your walk with Christ. No pretense, just Grace and Truth.

Information

  • Creator
    James Williams
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Grace Resurrection Methodist Church
  • Show Website
    Grace & Truth