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Grace Church
Walking with Jesus #5 - The Growing Movement
Our summer series, Walking with Jesus, uses a chronological approach to look at the life and ministry of our Lord. This series will provide a deeper knowledge of the life of Jesus, a greater devotion to Him, and a life-long commitment to His mission for your life.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our summer series is called Walking with Jesus. We are looking at the life and ministry of the Lord using a chronological approach which involves a study of the Harmony of the Gospels.
When we study the Harmony, it gives us a sense of walking with the Lord, experiencing history with Him.
When we study the Harmony, it gives us a sense of walking with the Lord, experiencing history with Him.
We've been using a graph to illustrate this series so we have a frame of reference. Last year we spent 3 months looking at the Preparation Phase and the Foundations Phase in which the Lord spent time building relationships with a number of individuals.
The Lord's mission at this point was to call people from a casual level of interest in God into a committed relationship.
In our current 3 month segment of the series, we are looking at the 6-9 month segment of time that covers the Ministry Training and Outreach Phases.
The Lord's mission at this point was to call people from a casual level of interest in God into a committed relationship.
In our current 3 month segment of the series, we are looking at the 6-9 month segment of time that covers the Ministry Training and Outreach Phases.
This morning we're looking at Section #44 of the Harmony. We'll learn that the movement of disciple making is growing!
As pointed out last week, once Jesus called people to be "Fishers of Men," He launched into a time of Ministry Experiences and Ministry Expeditions.
Ministry Experiences: times when He demonstrated to His disciples how to reach people for God in the common arenas of life.
Ministry Expeditions: trips or tours in which He led His disciples into differing cultural situations in order to learn a number of things.
As pointed out last week, once Jesus called people to be "Fishers of Men," He launched into a time of Ministry Experiences and Ministry Expeditions.
Ministry Experiences: times when He demonstrated to His disciples how to reach people for God in the common arenas of life.
Ministry Expeditions: trips or tours in which He led His disciples into differing cultural situations in order to learn a number of things.
Today we're looking at the 2nd of His Ministry Expeditions.
The first Ministry Expedition was a trip through Samaria (John 4) in which there was a lot of animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews. Jesus wanted to show His disciples how to diffuse conflict, build relationships with people from a different culture, and to put into practice what they had already learned from Him about disciple making.
Sometimes we have to raise the bar of expectations to see the character, competency, and commitment for those who say they are followers of Jesus.
Luke 16:10
The first Ministry Expedition was a trip through Samaria (John 4) in which there was a lot of animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews. Jesus wanted to show His disciples how to diffuse conflict, build relationships with people from a different culture, and to put into practice what they had already learned from Him about disciple making.
Sometimes we have to raise the bar of expectations to see the character, competency, and commitment for those who say they are followers of Jesus.
Luke 16:10
Today we look at the 2nd Ministry Expedition, and our text will be Mark 1:32-39. Verse 32 follows last week's story of the healing of Peter's Mother-in-law.
Verses 32-34 bridges the time between this event and the expedition.
The commitment that Jesus had to the people stands out. Ministry is not a Sunday only thing or when you have time.
Verses 32-34 bridges the time between this event and the expedition.
The commitment that Jesus had to the people stands out. Ministry is not a Sunday only thing or when you have time.
This then sets the stage for what will happen next. Jesus leads His team of new trainees off on a whirl wind trip in verses 35-39.
Solitary place comes from the Greek word, Eremos, which is often used to depict a remote, empty, or unfrequented location where there are no people or companions around.
Eremos is a singular cave on the north side of the Sea of Galilee approximately 1 1/2 miles from Capernaum.
Solitary place comes from the Greek word, Eremos, which is often used to depict a remote, empty, or unfrequented location where there are no people or companions around.
Eremos is a singular cave on the north side of the Sea of Galilee approximately 1 1/2 miles from Capernaum.
There are simple lessons in our text this morning. These lessons are worthless unless they are applied to our lives.
1. Jesus LIVED life purposefully.
He intentionally...
Invested His life in people
Challenged them
Demonstrated how to live life as a disciplemaker
Used everyday experiences to grow His faith and train others
Stretched them by taking them on expeditions
1. Jesus LIVED life purposefully.
He intentionally...
Invested His life in people
Challenged them
Demonstrated how to live life as a disciplemaker
Used everyday experiences to grow His faith and train others
Stretched them by taking them on expeditions
2. Jesus MODELED a life of commitment to His disciples.
The reality of our faith is seen in the tough times, the dry times, and the empty times. Jesus understood that ministry for God requires commitment.
The reality of our faith is seen in the tough times, the dry times, and the empty times. Jesus understood that ministry for God requires commitment.
3. Jesus GAINED power and wisdom through His prayer life.
When Jesus went to Eremos to pray, He was following the practice of many people throughout Scripture (Hagar, Moses, the Israelites coming from Egypt, Abraham, Jacob, David, Elijah, John the Baptist).
The wilderness or quiet place is where God meets and refreshes people.
1 Peter 5:7 [NLT]
When Jesus went to Eremos to pray, He was following the practice of many people throughout Scripture (Hagar, Moses, the Israelites coming from Egypt, Abraham, Jacob, David, Elijah, John the Baptist).
The wilderness or quiet place is where God meets and refreshes people.
1 Peter 5:7 [NLT]
4. Jesus PRIORITIZED God's agenda for His life.
Jesus walked away from people's agendas. He knew they could only see things through the grid of their whims and wants.
Jesus walked away from people's agendas. He knew they could only see things through the grid of their whims and wants.
5. Jesus PROCLAIMED truth and HELPED those in need.
Our mission is to represent Jesus to others, not just attend, sit, soak, and socialize.
The movement of Christianity grew because those who were committed to God did everything within their power to help people know Jesus and meet their needs in the process.
Our mission is to represent Jesus to others, not just attend, sit, soak, and socialize.
The movement of Christianity grew because those who were committed to God did everything within their power to help people know Jesus and meet their needs in the process.
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/gc3Meet 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).
The Harmony Bible Reading Plan - Resources and Blogs
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.
https://gc3.org/bible-reading-planAugust/September Grace U Classes
Upcoming Classes: Love to Pray - Developing the Skills of Prayer This class is perfect for those who want to grow in the discipline of prayer. Lisa Sterkenburg will be teaching this class on Sundays from Noon-1:00 pm beginning August 2nd. The book is available online or in CJ's coffee shop ($7). Apologetics - Learn how to effectively share the truth and answers to life's big questions Want to learn how to give a reason or defense for your faith in this skeptical & argumentative world? Apologetics will help you with that and more! The class will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm beginning August 5th with Ryan Hickey. The book is available online or in CJ's coffee shop ($13). Creative Outreach Strategies - Learning to reach your sphere of influence for Christ We spent the month of June learning about how to share the Gospel (Good News) with the people around us. You can dig deeper and continue to grow in this area with Creative Outreach Strategies. This class will meet on Sunday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm beginning August 2nd. Class dates are: August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and September 20, 27. The book is available for purchase in CJ's coffee shop ($5).
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/grace_uFree Ice Cream Night Sponsored by Grace Church
Join us as we get out and build relationships in our community at the Nashville Moo-ville on Thursday, August 13th from 5:00-7:00 pm. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you!
Baptism Service
Have you recently begun a relationship with Christ and have a desire to be baptized as a public profession of your faith? Or maybe you've been a Christian a while but have never taken the step of being baptized? Whatever the case, we invite you to consider taking part in our Grace Church Baptism Service on August 9th after the morning service (Noon) at Ryan & Tracy Hickey's pool in Vermontville. Contact Pastor Don if you have questions (don@gc3.org). You can learn more and fill out a Baptism Application at the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/baptismBiblical Citizenship Class at Grace Church
The class will take place on Tuesday evenings beginning August 18th through October 6th from 6:00-8:00 pm.
The class is free but there is an optional workbook ($20).
Contact Sandy Schilz (517-539-2827) if you have questions or would like to sign-up for the class.
Throughout our history, American pastors & churches have played a vital role in establishing and preserving religious and civil liberty. Being “salt & light” requires knowledge of the culture we are attempting to preserve as we fulfill the Great Commission to “make disciples.” Being Biblical Citizens requires a knowledge of Biblical principles and how to apply them to the world around us.
The Biblical Citizenship course includes a captivating overview of the Constitution, filmed in Independence Hall where it was actually framed, along with historically accurate and intriguing facts and artifacts from the founding era, all enhanced with teachings and interviews from pastors and other Christian leaders who are engaged in today’s cultural battles!
Learn more at the link below.
https://www.patriotacademy.com/biblicalcitizenship/?_gl=1*12p2gb9*_ga*nza3nzgynjy2lje3oduzndeymtg.*_ga_1cpwk4ql4m*cze3odu0mzu0njckbzmkzzekdde3odu0mzy0otakaju4jgwwjggwGoodbye Summer Shindig
Fun for the Whole Family!
We hope you'll invite your friends and join us for a Goodbye Summer Shindig on August 30th / 11:30 am-1:30 pm, in front of the church.
Some things to look forward to...
* Lunch (Hot Dogs & More, Popcorn, S'mores)
* Pie Baking Contest
* Corn Hole Tournament
* Bocce Ball & Disc Golf Contests
* Water Balloon Games
* Family Relay Races
Let us know you are coming at the link below.
Contact the church office with questions (grace@gc3.org / 517-852-1783)
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/shindigBirthdays and Anniversaries we're celebrating this week:
August 2nd - Kyle Booher, Ed & Sherry Knauss
August 4th - Chris DePyper
August 7th - Shane Hickey
August 8th - Ryder Massie
August 4th - Chris DePyper
August 7th - Shane Hickey
August 8th - Ryder Massie