Grace Community Church Bartlesville Grace Community Church

The central event in human history is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Even in our increasingly secularized culture, we split time into two categories: before Christ (BC) and the Christian era (AD). Likewise, the central event in our lives, personally, is the moment we came to understand the astonishing love of Jesus who suffered for us on the cross. As believers, it’s our privilege to continuously contemplate the mysteries of this historic and transforming act. This morning, as we prepare for Easter 2020, we want to see the power of contemplating the cross and how we can enter into this life-giving discipline.

Did you know there were likely two “Jesuses” standing before Pontius Pilate? Today marks the second week in our Cross Connections series. In it, we will be examining various characters at the end of Christ’s life. This week, we look to a man named “Jesus, son of Abba” (Matt 27:16)— or as you may know him, “Barabbas.”
Matthew intentionally highlights a confusing similarity between Christ and Barabbas in order to pose a question that matters to us: “Which ‘Jesus’ do you want (The Christ of Scripture, or the one who merely fits your preferences)?

This morning we begin a new series in preparation for Easter called Cross Connections. In it, we will examine the characters who appear in Jesus’ passion story, both his enemies and friends. All these characters appear in the story for a reason, and we’ll attempt to see ourselves in these people. How did they respond to Jesus? Who responded in faith? Who responded in unbelief, and what can we learn? The central theme in this series is that the cross lies at the center of who we are as followers of Jesus. Therefore, each moment, we face a choice: 1) receive Jesus’ work on the cross and grow or 2) resist and shrink back. We begin by looking at the story of three enemies.

This is the last week in our series called Transforming the Next Generation. Today marks the day we have the privilege of committing to the vision God has given to our church. To help us consider this commitment, I take us to Matthew 14, to the story of Peter walking on water in a storm. I believe the kind of faith we need for a decision like this is the kind of faith Peter mustered when he approached Jesus on the roiling waves.

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ basic discipleship teaching for new believers. Surprisingly, he has much to say about finances. On the one hand, finances are tangible. You can measure them objectively. On the other hand, finances are supernatural. God can break through and provide. That mystery should encourage generosity. If we are going to grow as faithful givers we must learn to live joyfully in that mystery, seeking first his kingdom. We begin with...

As we begin to grasp the principles of regular proportional grace giving, the act of giving increasingly becomes an act of joyful worship.