But For Grace | Pastor Tre | 6.30.24

But for Grace

 

Ephesians 2:1-10 

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

What is Grace?

Exodus 34:6 

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

·      gracious: /khen/ (adj.) delightful, favorable. The giving of favor that is not deserved

John 1:14-17 

¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.¹⁵ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.¹⁶ And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

·      grace: /charis/ (n.) gift [gracious gift]. A favorable gift that is not deserved

What does Grace do?

·      It helps us

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

·      It offers salvation to all

Titus 2:11-12

  ¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

 

·      It transforms us

1 Timothy 1:12-14 

¹² And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;¹³ Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

 

 

What does Grace not do?

·      It does not make us exempt from temptation

Matthew 4:1 

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Hebrew 4:15  

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin

 

How do we obtain Grace?

·      Know it is yours

2 Timothy 1:8-10 

⁸ Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;⁹ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,¹⁰ But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel

 

Receive the Word

James 1:21 

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls

 

What do I do with Grace?

·      God always expects multiplication (production)

Genesis 1:28

 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth

Matthew 20:3 

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace

Matthew 21:43 T

herefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof

·      Get to know HIM

2 Peter 1:2 

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord

·      Get to WORK

1 Corinthians 15:9-10

  ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

By Grace Through Faith | Bishop Kyle Searcy | 10am

By Grace Through Faith

Eph 2:1-10

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2  in which you once walked

according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit

who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3  among whom also we all once conducted

ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by

nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great

love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together

with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6  and raised us up together, and made us sit

together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7  that in the ages to come He might show the

exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8  For by grace you have

been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9  not of works, lest

anyone should boast. 10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

I. THE CONTRAST

Eph 2:1-3

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2  in which you once

walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of

the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3  among whom also we

all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the

flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Two distinctions

- Alive - Dead

- Course of this World - Course of Kingdom of God

- Prince of the power of the Air – Prince of Peace

- Spirit that works in sons of disobedience – Spirit of Christ in us

- Conduct themselves according to the flesh – Walk in the spirit not fulfil the lust

of the flesh (Gal 5:16)

- By Nature children of wrath – by Nature children of God

Salvation is not just a Band-Aid it’s a total makeover!

II. THE CONNECTION

Eph 2:4

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by

grace you have been saved)

SALVATION IS ABOUT THE CONNECTION!!!

III. THE CONDITION

Eph 2:5-9

Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by

grace you have been saved), 6  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in

the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7  that in the ages to come He might show the

exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8  For by grace

you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9  not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Eph 1:19-21

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according

to the working of his mighty power, 20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised

him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21  Far

above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is

named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

IV. THE CALL

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God

prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

1. Tell it

2. Live it

3. Fulfil it

“Dads… You Matter!” Pt2 | Pastor Chris Searcy | 10am

 “Dads… You Matter!” Pt2

Fathers Day 2024

Dads you matter…….. No matter the circumstances

Mercy

Matthew 1:19

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Leviticus 20:10 ‘the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife … the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death’

Deuteronomy 22:22 if a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die’.

Boldness

Matthew 1:20

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

Matthew 1:24

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

Matthew 1:25

25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Protection

Matthew 2:13-15 The Flight to Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 

14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Matthew 2

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Spiritual leadership

Luke 2

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

He was circumcised 

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

He attended the purification sacrifice ceremony

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.

They went to the feast of the passover

Matthew 13:55 (ESV): "Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”

Mark 6:3 (ESV): "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary

Joseph showed:

Mercy 

Boldness

Sacrifice

Protection

Leadership

Provision

Despite the fact that he was in the most difficult situation imaginable!

And if he can do it by the grace of God….. you can too!

And if you do that…….

Fatherless Children Statistics:

#1. Children are 85% less likely to be incarcerated. (Texas Department of Corrections)

#4. Children are two times more likely to finish school.

#13. 75% less likely to end ups in a substance abuse center. (U.S. Department of Justice)

#15. 90% less likely to be homeless or run away. (U.S. Department of Justice)

#28. Children are 279% less likely to deal drugs or carry firearms for offensive purposes (Allen and Lo)

https://lifeisbeautiful.org/statistics-on-fatherless-homes/

Burn The Boats | Pastor Chris Searcy | 06.09.24

 Burn the boats

Refuse to turn from purpose.

Matthew 10:34-39 ESV - Not Peace, but a Sword

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to

bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and

a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-

law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever

loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son

or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take

his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will

lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

1 important thing to clarify

Difference between purpose and assignment.

1 Peter 2:9

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special

possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of

darkness into his marvelous light.

Isaiah 43:7: "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.”

Romans 11:36: "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him

be glory forever. Amen.”

Philippians 2:10-11 in the ESV:

"So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth

and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the

glory of God the Father."

Acts 3-4

Chapter 3

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the

ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily

at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those

entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he

asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and

said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive

something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do

have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and

walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately

his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to

walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising

God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized

him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And

they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran

together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he

addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you

stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him

walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God

of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in

the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you

denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to

you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this

we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man

strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the

man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be

destroyed from the people.’

Peter and John Before the Council

Chapter 4

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the

temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they

were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the

dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it

was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed,

and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in

Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander,

and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the

midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and

elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a

crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all

of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of

Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this

man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by

you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in

no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which

we must be saved.”

15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with

one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable

sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of

Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further

among the people, let us warn them to……….. speak no more to anyone in this

name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in

the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in

the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we

cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had

further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish

them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had

happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was

more than forty years old.

Matthew 10:21-22 ESV

21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children

will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by

all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The Words of Eternal Life

John 6:67-69

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the

words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that

you are the Holy One of God.”

Blessings on Blessings | Pastor Chris Searcy | 6.02.24

Blessings on Blessings

The Blessings of Being Chosen by God

Ephesians 1:3-5

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Blessed in greek = eulogetos

Which is where we get the English word Eulogy.

Everything Paul is saying in this chapter is a reason why you and I should Praise God with all of our Heart Soul Mind and Strength.

Reasons to praise: 

Ephesians 1:3

“He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”

Spiritual blessings:

1. He chose us before the foundation of the world. Eph 1:4 

A. Ephesians 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

B. You are in him when you believe.

C. The destination of these IN HIM is predetermined. 

D. Example: A planes destination is predetermined but only for those who board. 

E. God has predetermined the destination of all of those that enter Christ through faith.

In faith you have responsibility. The ability to respond.

1 Timothy 2:3-6 

3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yrlzDfX8AQ

2. God has made us holy. (Set apart) eph 1:4

God has called the believer to be set apart from the wickedness around them and called to Christ likeness. 

Ephesians 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Romans 12:1-2:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

3. God made us blameless Eph 1:4 

As we walk in the light God makes us blameless through the blood of Christ. We are justified by our faith in Christ, and are no longer guilty of our trespasses. 

Ephesians 1:7: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”

1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

4. We have been adopted into his family. Ephesians 1:5

A. Benefits of being in Gods family: 

1. Prayer : 

1 John 5:14-15:

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”

2. Protection :

Proverbs 18:10:

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

3. Provision :

Philippians 4:19:

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 6:31-33:

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

4. Presence :

Psalm 139:7-10:

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

Psalm 16:11:

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

5. God predestined us to a purpose eph 1:5 (Next week)

God has set us apart to accomplish his purposes on this planet. 

Ephesians 1:5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

6. We have been redeemed eph 1:7 

(purchased from the slave market of sin) (see pastor Trey’s sermon from last week)

7. For forgiveness of sin eph 1:7

Given a clean slate before God (see pastor Trey’s sermon from last week)

8. God has given us an inheritance eph 1:11 

1 Peter 1:3-4:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”

1 Corinthians 2:9. 

"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.'"

9. He has given us the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Roles of the Holy Spirit:

1. Helper and Comforter

John 14:16-17: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

2. Teacher and Reminder

John 14:26: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

3. Guide into All Truth

John 16:13: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

4. Convicts the World of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment

John 16:8: "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."

5. Giver of Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4-11: "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit... All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."

6. Empowers Believers for Witness

Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

7. Intercedes for Believers

Romans 8:26-27: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

8. Transforms and Renews

Titus 3:5: "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."

9. Sanctifies Believers

1 Peter 1:2: "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."

10. Indwells Believers

1 Corinthians 6:19: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own."

11. Produces Fruit in Believers

Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

12. Testifies about Jesus

John 15:26: "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me."

13. Reveals God’s Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:10-11: "these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

14. Gives Life

Romans 8:11: "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."