Message Series - Greg Whiting | Grace Baptist Church

Greg Whiting: Message Series

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BE THE CHURCH

Extreme Faith Workout 4.18.2010 - This morning, we begin a new message series entitled: Extreme Faith Workout, a study in the book of James. And let me be right up front with my intentions: I am going to try and communicate this book in such a way so that its intentions are clear: God wants to challenge us, to stretch our faith, and to put it into action. This is not a book of the Bible for those of us who want to be coddled or feel comfortable. This is a book study for those of us who are willing to be humbled, to be challenged; and are ready to grow. I am going to challenge myself and challenge you, to take your next steps of faith during this series; and I want to ask you to be willing to do so. At the end of this message, I will give you instructions on how to follow through with accepting these challenges if you so choose. But, first, let’s jump into the book of James.
God Rules
Next Steps It is so important for everyone here at Grace to know what we are trying to accomplish and why. Those who are leaders need to know what we are doing, those who have been long time members need to keep hearing what is important to us as a church, and those who are not yet committed to this particular church; or maybe not yet to Christ, need to know what we are trying to do, and why we are doing it that way. That is what this 4 week series: NEXT STEPS is all about.
Next Steps: Questions

Join us for the next several weeks while we dig deep into questions about how to take the Next Steps in your spiritual journey.
Redeemed For Relationship This morning, we enter into a new message series entitled: Redeemed for Relationship. Would you say it out loud with me? Redeemed for Relationship – Again – Redeemed for Relationship. Over time, you will see how this fits, as it is actually a study through the Old Testament book of Exodus. I am excited about it, and I hope you will be very soon as well. It is one of those books that most of us have not read all the way through, let alone heard messages on all 40 chapters. Some might even take a cursory look and say something like: “Exodus looks boring”! But, there is a passage of Scripture, in the New Testament, that tells us how important the book of Exodus is:

II Timothy 3:16,17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

When this book was written, the “all Scripture” included this book of Exodus, which means we can put Exodus in the place of “all Scripture” in this way: “Exodus is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the people of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

Do you believe what God’s Word says? If so, then we cannot approach Exodus, hoping just to learn some facts that we never knew before. We must approach it with the expectation that God is going to speak directly to our hearts through His Word; and that His Word of Exodus is going to change our hearts and lives, if we are humble before His Spirit. Are you willing?
Show Me The Way A message series from the Gospel of Mark, teaching us to be devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
The Greatest Love Song

Whether you are young or old, married or single, divorced, engaged or widowed, The Song of Solomon is here to help you grow spiritually, and to help you be better prepared to help others grow spiritually.

If you are married, regardless of how long, Song of Solomon has something for you. If you will allow it, God can use this book to strengthen your love life with your spouse.

If you are single and desire to be married, Song of Solomon has something for you. Not only will you see what marriage can be like some day, but you will get an idea of what you need to be doing now and what kind of mate to be looking for.

If you are single and do not desire to be married, Song of Solomon has something for you. Perhaps you will be married someday, but even if you don’t, you know married people; and God will give you opportunities to help them strengthen their marriage; and perhaps part of that help will be what you learn through this study. If you are a grandpa or grandma, you will have something to pass on to your grandchildren.

This is why. First:

  • The Song of Solomon is inspired by God Himself! All Scripture includes the Song of Solomon and that means that this book has been inspired, that is…breathed out by God Himself. That should be enough motivation for us to study this book. Out of the countless millions of books available today, this is just one out of 66 that are a part of the revealed, inspired, perfect Word of God. And beside this, we also find out from these verses that:
  • The Song of Solomon is profitable for our lives, even helping us take the next steps in our spiritual journey. These verses tell us that the Song of Solomon is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that we may be competent (spiritually), equipped for every good work. Despite the challenges and the unfortunate view of many, this book is here to help you grow in your relationship with God. This book is here to help you grow in your love relationship with your spouse. This book is here to help you, as a single, prepare for a marriage that honors God. This book is here to teach you about pure love, from God’s point of view, and yet with very human, flesh-like qualities. This is the real story of a man and woman, who exemplify pure love for one another, couched in this Hebrew, wisdom literature.

Do you believe that?  Then join us as we study, The Greatest Love Song!
The Perfect Church This morning, we begin a message series entitled: The Perfect Church. You probably know that it is somewhat of a misnomer, because, no matter how hard you look, there is no technically perfect church. There is always something that could be improved or that we wish were different. And of course, the reason it is not perfect is because churches are full of people, and we are far from perfect, aren’t we?

But, the focus of this message series centers around finding the perfect church for you: that is, a local church that fits your heart in accomplishing God’s purposes. Our desire for you, is that you would find a church, with which you may not always agree; but a church, nonetheless, where you are unified with the vision that God has given the leadership.

This series is an opportunity for us to present to you what Grace Baptist Church is all about: who we are, why we do what we do. And it is a great opportunity, also, for you: to consider whether or not we are the “perfect church” for you. If we are not, there are hundreds of churches close to here that are different than us. But, we hope that most of you will catch our vision, feel the heart of what we are pursuing for God’s glory, and that you will choose to be a positive part of our future here at Grace.
What does God say about...Church Leadership?
What's In Your Wallet? This morning we begin a brief series of messages entitled: What’s In Your Wallet. This is a series of biblical messages on what God has to say about money. This may be one of the more stupid things I have attempted, as it relates to a message series. There are several reasons why talking about money and giving doesn’t make good sense right now:
•    Everywhere you turn or click in the news media, you are hearing how difficult these economic times are; and that we are facing a crisis
•    Some people think churches are only concerned about getting their money
•    Many people are facing personal financial worries: job insecurity, investment failures and a uncertain future
•    With the holidays approaching, people are preparing to use their money for food, trips and gifts. I heard a report the other day that said 12% of people are still paying off the Christmas gifts they bought last year!

So, why would I want to talk about money in times like these? In preaching a series of messages on giving and money right now means I am taking risks: that you won’t listen, that you will be offended and never come back; or that you will be just a little offended and stop giving to God through this ministry what you have been. I’m willing to take these risks.

There was only one good reason that I could think of, at first, as to why I would preach this series of messages right now: I truly believe it is what God wants me to do. When I begin to think ahead about message series, I pray and ask God to direct me to what He desires. If I just count on my own desires, I know that I will pick things for the wrong reasons and make a mess out of it. It needs to be about God. It is His Word that I preach from; and I am willing to communicate all of the truths from the Bible, even if they are controversial.
When God Became Man

 

Here, at the beginning of this New Year, we are going to begin a journey through a book of the Bible that answers the most important questions there are to answer: about life and death and the afterlife:

  • How do you have a full life now?
  • What happens when this life is over?
  • How can you know that you will spend eternity with God in Heaven?

These are some key, critical questions, that must be answered. And as we take our journey through John, we are going to see these questions handled in a variety of ways; and yet, we are also going to see some very clear answer. But, these answers are not just going to fill our head with knowledge. These answers are going to invite us, challenge us, and exhort us, to make some very important decisions, right now, that will affect the rest of our lives.

If you have been waiting for a series of messages, to which you can invite friends that are not yet followers of Jesus, this is it. If you have been waiting for a series of messages, to which you can invite friends that need to come face to face with Jesus, and come to a point of decision, week after week, this is it. If you have been waiting for a series of messages that is going to equip you to share your faith and what you believe with others, this is it.

It will take us a while to get through this book, but each week, the passage we will cover, will stand on its own. And the foundational thing that you must understand in the book of John is the foundational truth that we will see today, in these first several verses. This truth makes all the difference. Because this particular thing is true, then everything else we read in this gospel of John is also true, and is laid on this foundation. It has everything to do with Jesus Christ and who He is really is. Are you ready to enter this exciting journey together?