Grace Fellowship Sermons

The Unseen War- "The Promised Feast"Revelation 19:1-21Visit our Website:https://www.gracefellowship.onlineGive Online:https://gfcharis.churchcenter.com/givingPrayer Requests:https://www.gracefellowship.online/next-steps

The Unseen War- "Guardian Angels"Acts 12:1-17

Journey to the Nativity, Part 4Part 4 - "Learning to Expect God to do the Unexpected."Luke 2:8-20 NIVAnd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this childand all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.We can EXPECT God to do the UNEXPECTED!God DOES the UNEXPECTED to demonstrate His glory!(Luke 2:9, 14-15, 20)God RECONCILES the UNEXPECTED for His glory!(Luke 2:10-14)God USES the UNEXPECTED for His glory!(Luke 2:8-9, 16-18, 20)Ephesians 2:11-22 NIVTherefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostilityby setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.Colossians 1:21-22 NIVOnce you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NIVTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliationthat God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.What would it look like to EXPECT God to do the UNEXPECTED in YOUR life?Challenge: This week, pray on simple prayer each morning, "God, I am available. I You want to interrupt my plans today, I'm listening."Visit our Website:https://www.gracefellowship.onlineGive Online:https://gfcharis.churchcenter.com/givingPrayer Requests:https://www.gracefellowship.online/next-steps

"The Long Hard Journey"Luke 2:1-7 NIVIn those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)And everyone went to their own town to register.So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.While they were there, the time came for the baby to be bornand she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.Matthew 2:13 NIVWhen they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”Micah 5:2 NIV“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”Why does the journey of life have to be so a hard?Three Biblical Reasons1. To teach us that our journey is only a small part of a greater story.2. To teach us that we can trust God's divine plans are for our good.3. To develop our faith.Philippians 2:6-11 NIVWho, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantagerather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every namethat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earthand every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Ephesians 1:4-6 NIVFor he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In lovehe predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and willto the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.John 17:24 NIV“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.1 Corinthians 2:7 NIVNo, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.2 Timothy 1:8-10 NIVSo do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of timebut it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.Romans 8:28 NIVAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.Genesis 12:1-5 NIVThe LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.James 1:2-5 NIVConsider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kindsbecause you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.How do you need to respond to God this morning as you reflect on your journey through life?Thank you for joining us this morning!Visit our Website:https://www.gracefellowship.onlineGive Online:https://gfcharis.churchcenter.com/givingPrayer Requests:https://www.gracefellowship.online/next-steps