12/16/18 Third Week of Advent - Joy to the World - Pastor Kevin     Call To Worship   PSALMS 100   “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”           Luke 2:8-14   "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,     and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”   Vs. 8 - Out In A Field   Vs. 9 - An Angel Appeared   Vs. 10–12 - Bringing Good News of Great Joy   Vs. 13–14 - A Sign, A Multitude Praising God, For Peace on Earth          Benediction    May we be people of of God’s great joy. May God’s Joy shine in our hearts as we proclaim Good News to those we meet. Let us share God’s Joy by blessing each other. Let us share God’s Joy as we obey the Commands of Christ. Let us share God’s Joy by praying for those lost without God’s Peace. Remember that God’s Joy will sustain us through all seasons of life. Go and share joy, love and hope with all those you meet.   Amen.

Grace and Truth Community Church

Joy To the World

12/09/18 - During the second week of our celebration of Advent, we are looking at Love, its true meaning and how as Christians we are to see it differently than the world. - Pastor Kevin Vance   CALL TO WORSHIP Adapted from Psalm 103:1-4, 8–11 (Respond Together) “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all our iniquity, who heals all our diseases, who redeems us life from the pit, who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy..."   (Call) The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always rebuke us, nor will he keep his anger forever. For those who trust in God, He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him . . .”   1 Corinthians 13:1-7 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."   VS. 1-3 - THINGS YOU CAN DO WITHOUT LOVE VS. 4–7 - WHAT PERFECT LOVE LOOKS LIKE   Benediction  (A Blessing for the Road) Go now, and wherever people will hear you, speak the soul-changing love of Jesus. Do not fear your weakness, but rely on Christ’s strength at work within you. Honor those who cherish The Gospel. God is your protection and true home; Through faith in Jesus the power of Christ dwells in you; by faith The Holy Spirit is your guide forever.

Love Is Everything

Join us in celebrating Advent this year starting today, Sunday December 2, 2018. Advent means the coming of Christ. We set aside four weeks (Hope, Love, Joy & Peace) to meditate, celebrate and examine our hearts in preparation of Christmas Day, the birth of our Savior. In order to see our need for a beautiful Savior, we need to see the depth of our darkest night.   Lamentations 3:21-25 But this I call to mind,     and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]     his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;     great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,     “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him,     to the soul who seeks him.  

Assurance of Hope

James 4:1-6 "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Call to Worship Adapted from Proverbs 11:2 & 2 Chronicles 7:14 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Vs. 1-3 - The Source of Discord Vs. 4 - Who Do You Love?  Vs. 5-6 - God’s Jealous Love Gives More Grace  Benediction Romans 15:5-7 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father  of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Friendship With the World is Hatred For God

James 3:13-18 "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Main Point "Wisdom = Conduct" Vs. 13 - Love God and Love Others Vs. 14 - Don't Be False Vs. 15-16 - Demonic Wisdom Vs. 17 - Pure Wisdom How do we practically care for Orphans? Vs. 18 - Harvest of Peace  

Two Kinds of Wisdom - Orphan Sunday

11/04/18 - Pastor Kevin We all need boundaries and to know how to use our speech for good and to please God. With our mouths we can bless or curse, we can encourage or tear down.  See what James teaches us in this warning passage about the spiritual discipline of godly speech. "Speech that is not tied to our faith is deadly."  Call To Worship Isaiah 6:5–7 “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts! Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."     James 3:6–12 "The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." Vs. 6 - The Tongue Burns Vs. 7-8 - Taming Animals (But Not Your Tongue)   Vs. 9-10 - The Thing That Should Not Be Vs. 11–12 - Consider The Source   Benediction Hope of Future Glory Revelation 22:1-5 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” 

Don’t Play With Fire!

James chapter 3 begins to describe how important are words on day to day and for the course of our lives, others lives, and eternity. 10/28/18 -  Pastor Kevin Vance - James 3:1-5  Call to Worship Adapted from Psalm 19 “The heavens declare the glory of God, & the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Keep back your servants from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over your people! Then we shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” James 3:1-5 "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!" Vs. 1 - We’ll All Be Judged Vs. 2 - We All Sin With Words Vs. 3-4 - Words Are Powerful Vs. 5 - Hurting Or Healing Words?   Benediction 1 John 5:1-5 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

With Words...

10/21/18 - James 2:20-26 - Pastor Kevin Vance Sermon Title: Faith Working Through a Prophet and a Prostitute   Call to Worship ADAPTED FROM John 6:28-29 (After Jesus miraculously fed a multitude of people they asked Jesus:) "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Or what can we do to please God Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."    Vs. 20–24 - Abraham Faith Worked Vs. 25 - Rahab’s Faith Worked Vs. 26 - Does Your Faith Work?  Benediction Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Faith Working Through a Prophet and a Prostitute

James 1:2 -  Pastor Kevin Vance Sermon Title: The Purpose of Testing (For God's People)   1 Peter 1:3-7 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”    Vs. 2 - Count it ALL Joy Vs. 3 - Testing Produces Steadfastness Vs. 4 - Perseverance Produces Perfection   Benediction/Assurance of God’s Goodness Psalm 34:1-6 “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”      

The Purpose of Testing (For God's People)

10/07/18 - Pastor Kevin Vance Call To Worship Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”   The Passage - James 2:14-17 Sermon Title - True Faith Loves Vs. 14 - False Faith Vs. 15–16 - An Example of False Faith Vs. 17 - Faith Rooted in Nothing Benediction Ephesians 6:23-24 “Peace be to you and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”

True Faith Loves

10/14/18 - Pastor Kevin Vance -   Passage James 2:18–19 PROFESSION OF FAITH DOESN’T = POSSESSION OF FAITH   James 2:12 “So speak & SO act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” Colossians 3:1-8   Vs. 18 - True Faith Accompanied By Good Works Vs. 19 - You Know Some Things About God, So What!   Benediction 1 John 5:1-5 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.” Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Profession of Faith Does Not = Possession of Faith

9/30/18 - Pastor Kevin Vance CALL TO WORSHIP Romans 12:9-16 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”   Passage - James 2:8-13 Sermon Title: Live Like You Know God Vs. 9 - Showing Partiality is Sin Vs. 10-11 - We've All Sinned, So Why Judge Others? Vs. 12 - Speak, Act, and Live Humbly Vs. 13a - Those Who Judged Will Be Judged Vs. 13b - Remember The Power of God’s Grace   BENEDICTION 1 Peter 5:6-11 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  

Live Like You Know God

9/16/18 -  Pastor Kevin Sermon Text - James 2:8  "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well."   Loving others as you love yourself is messy, but we are commanded to love God and Love others.  If we have true affection for God, we will want to please Him.  This section of scripture answers these big questions. How do I love God?  Who is my Neighbor? How Do I Love My Neighbor? Other text used in sermon: 1 John 5:3, Lev 19:9-18, Mark 12:29-31, 2 Peter 1:

The Royal Law

9/9/18 - Pastor Kevin Our true hope and treasure is in Christ Jesus Alone. We should not look at people based on income, status, race, sex, or ability, or politics. All humans beings have dignity worth and value.    CALL TO WORSHIP    Psalm 10:10–13 KJV “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”     Sermon Text James 2:1-7 "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?"   Leviticus 19:15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.”   Malachi 2:9 “So I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”   Proverbs 22:2 “The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.”   Vs. 1 - TRUE FAITH SHOWS NO PARTIALITY   Vs. 2-4 - PARTIALITY LOOKS LIKE  THIS   Vs. 5-7 - DON’T BE A HYPOCRITE!   BENEDICTION/COMMISSION   Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Look To God Not To Gold

James 1:19-27 9/2/18  - B. Kauk   1. What Should We Know? 2. How Should We Receive? Quickly Purely Humbly Implanted Why? 3. How Should We Respond? - What Should We Do? Bridle our Tongue Take Care of the Afflicted Keep Unstained 

Receive and Respond to the Word

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