Grace Chapel Knoxville Sermons GraceChapelKnoxville

Following Resurrection Sunday, we continued our discussion on the clothing that Jesus wore during His death and resurrection, but also what we are clothed in once we decide to become His followers. This week we reflected on how we are clothed from above, with new life, wisdom, and power. The garments that the Lord has for us are good and perfect, but we often try to just choose the pieces we want or think we need. Our savior was clothed in humility so that we may be clothed in new life and power. May we step into those garments and leave behind the rags we have been wearing.

This week we celebrated our risen, Savior, Jesus, and explored what his clothes told us about him and his character. We see the humility and sacrifice of Jesus, as he lays aside his garments to wash his disciples’ feet. Through the story of the woman who is healed by touching his garment, we see that Jesus uses his power and authority, not for his own gain, but to love and serve humanity. And, as Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes, as a child, we see the creator of the universe wrapped in the frailty of humanity, that he might lay down his life for us. Jesus took on the garments of humanity, laying aside his divinity, in order that we might be clothed with salvation!

As Jesus began his journey towards Jerusalem and ultimately the cross, he had several significant encounters along the way. May we see Jesus inviting us into his true riches, glory, and healing. As followers of Jesus let’s be purposeful to engage in what might seem to be interruptions, in order to share Jesus with people in need.

Pastor Dave Buehring joined us this Sunday and delivered a great word based on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. We walked step by step through this encouraging and challenging passage found in chapter 13 that defines God’s love and how we ought to love one another. May we all open our hearts to the Lord and allow him to reveal, reconcile, and redeem our love for Him and one another.

As we wrapped up our series this week, we spent some time reflecting on how important it is for the church to live on mission with Jesus. In the book of Acts, we have many wonderful examples of people being present and intentional to minister to others, attentive and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, and willingly facing their fears and life’s challenges to bring the hope of Jesus to a world in need. May we learn from their examples and embrace a lifestyle of living on mission!

As followers of Jesus, discipleship should be a part of our everyday life. When Jesus first called Andrew and Peter, he gave them three simple instructions that still apply to us today: follow, change, and mission. It can be tempting to choose one or two of these instructions to live out, but without all three, we are missing out on the full life that we are promised in Him. As individual believers and as a church body, may we be actively choosing to follow him, allowing him to change us, and staying on mission with him.