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Grace Church
New Year - New You! #10 Self Control
2026 is a new year and our challenge is to be more like Jesus and less like the person we currently are. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is all about...not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking closely with the Holy Spirit.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
We've come to the end of a 10-week series called New Year - New You.
The idea behind this series is to discover the key to living the Christian life.
When a person puts their faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, they've become a New Creation.
The key to living the Christian life is simple to say and even to understand, but incredibly difficult to do because we desire to live our own life under our own rules.
Here's how it's done:
1. Staying connected to God
2. Submitting our will do God's
3. Seeking to model our life like Jesus
4. Sharing our life with other followers of Jesus
In Galatians 5:22-23 we see that the Spirit wants to produce fruit in our lives. These demonstrate the character qualities of Jesus.
The idea behind this series is to discover the key to living the Christian life.
When a person puts their faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, they've become a New Creation.
The key to living the Christian life is simple to say and even to understand, but incredibly difficult to do because we desire to live our own life under our own rules.
Here's how it's done:
1. Staying connected to God
2. Submitting our will do God's
3. Seeking to model our life like Jesus
4. Sharing our life with other followers of Jesus
In Galatians 5:22-23 we see that the Spirit wants to produce fruit in our lives. These demonstrate the character qualities of Jesus.
There has been a lot going on in the world of sports so far this year. One of the things we can appreciate when we look at competitors in these types of events is the self-discipline or self-control that it requires to perform at a very high level.
But we also have to ask ourselves why, as church goers, do we put so much effort into sports, and not as much effort into our own Christian growth and that of our kids?
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
But we also have to ask ourselves why, as church goers, do we put so much effort into sports, and not as much effort into our own Christian growth and that of our kids?
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Today we look at the last of the fruit of the Spirit...Self-Control.
Self-control means having power over your being - mind, heart, and body.
The Bible points out a number of areas where we especially need to exert self-control: Overeating, greed, drunkeness, anger, passions, addictions, etc.
Self-control has to do with our natural desires.
Proverbs 16:32 [CEV]
Self-control means having power over your being - mind, heart, and body.
The Bible points out a number of areas where we especially need to exert self-control: Overeating, greed, drunkeness, anger, passions, addictions, etc.
Self-control has to do with our natural desires.
Proverbs 16:32 [CEV]
Jesus modeled self-control throughout His life. Not because He was some sort of Superman, but because He loved God the Father more than He did the thought or pleasure of doing His own thing.
We live in a world of instant everything (food, replies, and immediate gratification of all kinds). Our culture tells kids that they are entitled and deserve whatever they want...which is now ingrained by many adults.
Today many feel that if they have to wait, they are being robbed and the result is frustration and even rebellion.
Self-control isn't about restriction...it's about direction. It's not about losing freedom; it's about gaining mastery over the things that try to control us.
We live in a world of instant everything (food, replies, and immediate gratification of all kinds). Our culture tells kids that they are entitled and deserve whatever they want...which is now ingrained by many adults.
Today many feel that if they have to wait, they are being robbed and the result is frustration and even rebellion.
Self-control isn't about restriction...it's about direction. It's not about losing freedom; it's about gaining mastery over the things that try to control us.
The Marshmallow Test
The ability to delay gratification shapes who we are and our future.
Earthly self-control is about trying harder, learning new skills, or even blaming your shortage upon the people and circumstances that you are embroiled in.
Biblical self-control is about Spirit-empowered restraint
The ability to delay gratification shapes who we are and our future.
Earthly self-control is about trying harder, learning new skills, or even blaming your shortage upon the people and circumstances that you are embroiled in.
Biblical self-control is about Spirit-empowered restraint
Practical ways to Grow in Self-Control:
1. Practice the Power of the Pause.
Are you responding or reacting?
1. Practice the Power of the Pause.
Are you responding or reacting?
2. Pre-Decide your Values and Behaviors.
You don't rise to the occasion - you fall to your level of preparation.
You don't rise to the occasion - you fall to your level of preparation.
3. Remove Triggers, not just Temptations.
Self-control grows when wisdom leads.
Self-control grows when wisdom leads.
4. Stay Spiritually Connected.
The closer you walk with God, the stronger your inner restraint becomes.
The closer you walk with God, the stronger your inner restraint becomes.
5. Replace, don't just Remove.
Empty space invites old habits back.
Empty space invites old habits back.
The Brake System
Self-control can be viewed as a braking system. Keeps you from going too fast, getting too close, and crashing too badly.
Self-control can be viewed as a braking system. Keeps you from going too fast, getting too close, and crashing too badly.
Self-control isn't about limiting yourself or holding yourself back...it's about becoming who God saved you to be.
There is a reason that self-control is placed last. Not because it isn't important but because without it, none of the rest will take place.
There is a reason that self-control is placed last. Not because it isn't important but because without it, none of the rest will take place.
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).
Bible Reading Plan 2026
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org).
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org).
The Mindful Marriage Conference
A BIBLICALLY-BASED MARRIAGE EVENT FOR COUPLES
Hosted by Rockford Reformed Church, 4890 11 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI
Everything you need to know can be found at the link below. Don't wait to move on this as early registration (a $20 discount) ends January 4th!
See Jeff & Mary Burpee if you have questions (jburp24@gmail.com).
https://rockfordreformedchurch.org/mindful-marriageCleaning Team
Did you know that the church is cleaned entirely by people who attend this church? From vacuuming, to mopping, to dusting, to cleaning counters and toilets - we appreciate all of the different volunteers who work hard to make Grace Church a clean and comfortable place to be.
Right now we are looking for a few people who could commit to cleaning an area of the church each week. You would be able to set a time that is convenient for you...this is typically done in an hour or less.
Contact Ryan Hickey if you have questions or want to talk about this ministry opportunity (ryan@gc3.org).
Right now we are looking for a few people who could commit to cleaning an area of the church each week. You would be able to set a time that is convenient for you...this is typically done in an hour or less.
Contact Ryan Hickey if you have questions or want to talk about this ministry opportunity (ryan@gc3.org).
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Ages Toddler to 6th grade - Saturday, April 4, 2026 Grace Church will host it's annual Easter Egg Hunt for the community on April 4th at 10:00 am. The location is still yet to be determined as Putnam Park is not an option this year due to construction. We are looking for folks who would like to volunteer to help with this event. Here are the things we need: Candy (and lots of it) to put inside hundreds of Easter Eggs. Candy can be placed in the bins in the lobby.Monetary donations to purchase prizes. You can do this at the link below or with an offering envelope.Help stuff the eggs on April 1st at 6:30 pm in the church lobby.Help set up, greet families, and/or clean up on April 4th. You can use the link below to let us know what you'd like to help with. Let Tracy Nelson (gt_nelson@yahoo.com) or Jillyn Boldrey (jillynboldrey@gmail.com) know if you have any questions.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/EEH26Birthdays and Anniversaries we're celebrating this week:
Sunday, March 29th - Ann Booth, Archer Pfund
Tuesday, March 31st - Bev Oleson, Henry Pfund, Steve & Alida Gauss
Wednesday, April 1st - Gloria Rolfe
Tuesday, March 31st - Bev Oleson, Henry Pfund, Steve & Alida Gauss
Wednesday, April 1st - Gloria Rolfe