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Grace Church
Just Three Words - "How Are You?"
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
We are in a five week series called "Just three words."
Week 1: I Love You - saying "I Love You" should reflect the love God shows each of us. We learned that love is an action, not an emotion.
Week 2: God Bless You - we explored what it means to bless someone and took time to reflect on and recognize the Veterans of our Armed Forces.
Week 3: How's it Going
Week 4: Thanks So Much
Week 5: Come On In
Week 1: I Love You - saying "I Love You" should reflect the love God shows each of us. We learned that love is an action, not an emotion.
Week 2: God Bless You - we explored what it means to bless someone and took time to reflect on and recognize the Veterans of our Armed Forces.
Week 3: How's it Going
Week 4: Thanks So Much
Week 5: Come On In
This week we are focused on three words that are probably the most common greeting in our culture. We use these three words dozens of times...unless we are a hermit.
This week our three words are: "How Are You?"
The phrase can take on many forms and variations and the answers to that question can be varied as well.
But just like saying "I Love You" or "God Bless You", this phrase is overused or at least misused. We ask the question, "How Are You?" not really expecting a truthful answer. We also answer the question to be polite, but are we being honest?
This week our three words are: "How Are You?"
The phrase can take on many forms and variations and the answers to that question can be varied as well.
But just like saying "I Love You" or "God Bless You", this phrase is overused or at least misused. We ask the question, "How Are You?" not really expecting a truthful answer. We also answer the question to be polite, but are we being honest?
The reality is that when we either ask the question as a pleasantry or answer with a canned answer, it doesn't allow us to develop deeper relationships.
One of the issues with asking this question is that it's too broad. When someone asks, "How Are You?", you don't know in what area they are interested in learning about you.
One of the issues with asking this question is that it's too broad. When someone asks, "How Are You?", you don't know in what area they are interested in learning about you.
Christians in Nigeria are being murdered and their churches destroyed. But they don't quit, they don't complain, they continue to meet and worship God, they continue to live like Jesus. How do they do that?
Here in the US we seem to find the bad in the good. But the Christians throughout the world who live in hostile countries have a different mindset. Jesus is all they have and He is all that anyone needs. In their lives, there in nothing that is competing with Jesus. Here is the US, we fall for the lie that we can balance our lives and that Jesus is one of the many things that we need to balance. We often try to order or rank things in our lives (God, Family, Country).
Here in the US we seem to find the bad in the good. But the Christians throughout the world who live in hostile countries have a different mindset. Jesus is all they have and He is all that anyone needs. In their lives, there in nothing that is competing with Jesus. Here is the US, we fall for the lie that we can balance our lives and that Jesus is one of the many things that we need to balance. We often try to order or rank things in our lives (God, Family, Country).
Colossians 1:15-21
These verses show us that Jesus isn't just in first place...there isn't even a competition. Preeminence - not only is He first, nothing else exists if not for Him. Because of this, nothing else matters - only Jesus.
In the example of the Nigerian Christians and other Christians throughout the world who face persecution is that Jesus is the only thing they focus on and in turn, everything else will be taken care of.
These verses show us that Jesus isn't just in first place...there isn't even a competition. Preeminence - not only is He first, nothing else exists if not for Him. Because of this, nothing else matters - only Jesus.
In the example of the Nigerian Christians and other Christians throughout the world who face persecution is that Jesus is the only thing they focus on and in turn, everything else will be taken care of.
Let's take five areas of our lives and see what the effect of making Jesus first in those areas would look like:
Spiritually -
Blaize Pascal - one thing all humans have in common is a craving for something. There is an emptiness or void that we try to fill with something. We often call this a God-shaped hole. We try to fill it with a number of things such as relationships, hobbies, work, possessions, indulgences, and even religion. But the only person who can fill that hole is Jesus. When we fill that hole by making Jesus first in our lives, we experience true joy and contentment regardless of the circumstances.
Spiritually -
Blaize Pascal - one thing all humans have in common is a craving for something. There is an emptiness or void that we try to fill with something. We often call this a God-shaped hole. We try to fill it with a number of things such as relationships, hobbies, work, possessions, indulgences, and even religion. But the only person who can fill that hole is Jesus. When we fill that hole by making Jesus first in our lives, we experience true joy and contentment regardless of the circumstances.
Emotionally-
When we set our hearts on anything except for Jesus, we will always be up and down emotionally. Jesus never fails. He doesn't change. Jesus provides us with exactly what we need. When we realize this truth and look to follow Him and do what He wants us to, we can live lives that are hallmarked by joy and peace in every situation.
When we set our hearts on anything except for Jesus, we will always be up and down emotionally. Jesus never fails. He doesn't change. Jesus provides us with exactly what we need. When we realize this truth and look to follow Him and do what He wants us to, we can live lives that are hallmarked by joy and peace in every situation.
Physically-
When we put Christ and His ways first, physical training becomes less important than becoming more like Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
Our bodies are a way to share God's love with others, but they aren't our end all be all. Our bodies will fail us but when we put Jesus first, your body becomes an avenue for sharing God's love with others.
When we put Christ and His ways first, physical training becomes less important than becoming more like Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
Our bodies are a way to share God's love with others, but they aren't our end all be all. Our bodies will fail us but when we put Jesus first, your body becomes an avenue for sharing God's love with others.
Work-
This is an area of our lives that we can control and something we can identify with and be identified by. The problem is that work is temporary and we are more than just our job. By putting Jesus first in our life, we are free to become what He has created us to be.
This is an area of our lives that we can control and something we can identify with and be identified by. The problem is that work is temporary and we are more than just our job. By putting Jesus first in our life, we are free to become what He has created us to be.
Family/Friends-
God created the family and He made it for a reason. But families can usurp the position of Jesus in our lives. Families can become preeminent in our lives. We are warned against that in Ephesians 6:1. In families we have imperfect people who will not meet our expectations and will let us down. Keeping Jesus first helps to have realistic expectations for others and helps us to love each other better.
God created the family and He made it for a reason. But families can usurp the position of Jesus in our lives. Families can become preeminent in our lives. We are warned against that in Ephesians 6:1. In families we have imperfect people who will not meet our expectations and will let us down. Keeping Jesus first helps to have realistic expectations for others and helps us to love each other better.
Are you interested in seeing change in any of these areas of your life? Let's take a look at how we can all put Jesus first and experience a fuller life.
Application:
Step 1: Change your focus.
Colossians 3:1-4
We have to begin changing what we think about. This begins with a healthy prayer life and reading the Bible regularly. It changes our thought patterns and helps us to focus on Christ and eternity.
Application:
Step 1: Change your focus.
Colossians 3:1-4
We have to begin changing what we think about. This begins with a healthy prayer life and reading the Bible regularly. It changes our thought patterns and helps us to focus on Christ and eternity.
Step 2: Cancel your old ways.
Colossians 3:5-11
Once our thinking has changed our actions will follow suit. This second step is all about removing or getting rid of actions associated with our earthly nature.
Colossians 3:5-11
Once our thinking has changed our actions will follow suit. This second step is all about removing or getting rid of actions associated with our earthly nature.
Step 3: Create new paths forward.
Colossians 3:12-17
According to this passage, there are many actions we can take. These are all actions that you can begin to do as part of putting Jesus first in your life.
Colossians 3:12-17
According to this passage, there are many actions we can take. These are all actions that you can begin to do as part of putting Jesus first in your life.
How are you?
Do you want a fuller life? Do you want Jesus to be first in your life?
Pray about and begin taking the steps that have been shared today.
Do you want a fuller life? Do you want Jesus to be first in your life?
Pray about and begin taking the steps that have been shared today.
Grace Church Website
https://gc3.org/Giving at Grace
https://gc3.org/pages/giveFind us on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@GraceChurchMIBreeze Directory
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account. Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/r/dashboardCJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order
Skip the line and order your latte ahead of time!
https://gc3.org/pages/cjs-orderGrace Church has an App!
Access messages, prayer posts, news & events, Breeze login, and more! Use the link below to download the Grace Church app through Tithely. This is an easy way to access all of the most important things found on our website or even get to the website itself. Once you download the app it will ask what topics you would like notifications for so that you won't miss out on any information that is shared. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) or Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org).
https://tithely.app.link/gc3Join a H.O.M.E. Group
Life is better lived in community with one another. As Christ followers, we know that being in community helps us tremendously as we learn and grow in our faith. Grace Church offers H.O.M.E. Groups that help us do just that! These groups meet from September to May in homes throughout our 4 county region. H.O.M.E. Groups guide us in four key areas: Hospitality, Obedience, Ministry, and Evangelism. It is our hope that everyone be able to experience life lived in community through a H.O.M.E. Group! If you have questions or want help finding a group that is right for you, contact the church office (grace@gc3.org). You can learn more and sign-up using the link below.
https://gc3.org/pages/h-o-m-e-groupsMeet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
Grace Wear 2025
You Can Order from Courtside Today!
We have a whole new line of shirts available to order from Courtside Screen-Printing and Embroidery. You can see all of the t-shirts, long sleeve tee's, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, and more when you visit the online store at the link below. All questions should be directed to Courtside; their contact information can be found at the bottom of their page.
https://gracechurch-2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/Annual Christmas Tree Decorating Contest
Sign-up to decorate a tree today!
Each year we set up 10 trees in the lobby for individuals or groups to decorate as part of our Grace Church Christmas tradition. This annual event is designed to give you an opportunity to unleash your creativity, serve the church with friends/family, and to HAVE FUN!!
This year our December theme is Advent. We ask that you decorate your tree with one of the four themes of Advent (Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love). Think creatively as to how you can convey the meaning of the word you choose in your tree decorations.
We need to know that you would like a tree reserved to decorate no later than Monday, November 24th so that we can have a tree ready for you/your group to decorate on Sunday, November 30th following our anniversary lunch.
Voting will take place on December 7th so all trees will need to be decorated before then. It is a "friendly competition" with the attenders voting to award their favorite tree. All trees need to be lit so you'll need to add lights if your tree isn't pre-lit. We look forward to seeing what you will come up with! Contact Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org) with any questions.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/trees25Grace Church Anniversary
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch after the morning service as we celebrate what God has done in and through Grace Church over the past 32 years!
Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch after the morning service as we celebrate what God has done in and through Grace Church over the past 32 years!
Barry County Cares is Seeking Donations
As Don Wiser shared on Sunday, Barry County Cares has a list of personal care and household items that are needed as they help to meet needs that arise in the Barry County region. If you are able to purchase any of these items, they can be placed in the designated bin in the lobby anytime during the month of November.
* Toothbrushes
* Toothpaste
* Deoderant
* Hand Soap
* Body Wash
* Laundry Detergent
* Dish Soap
* Toilet Paper
* Paper Towel
If you would like to learn more about who Barry County Cares is and how to support them, you can contact Don Wiser (donaldwiser@rocketmail.com) or visit their website at the link be
https://www.barrycountycares.org/Birthdays and Anniversaries we're celebrating this week:
Sunday, November 16th - Don Kerby, Josh Sams
Thursday, November 20th - Amanda Simons
Thursday, November 20th - Amanda Simons