We Are COMMUNAL

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SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series called Kingdom People Pastor Shawn and Krista will help us to understand what it means to demonstrate the Kingdom of God. This week, we discover how Biblical community is formational. Without it, we lack the ability to truly demonstrate the Kingdom of God.

Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin the last main point “It’s beneficial” to begin playing behind as I close the message out and move into the salvation altar call. FYI-no song needed as we will move right into the C-Group call to action with Amanda.

Series | Kingdom People

Pre-Message Welcome

Grace Place family! It’s awesome to have you here with us today, whether in person or online.

I’m Shawn, and along with my wife, we serve as the Co-Pastors of this incredible church.

At The Grace Place, our mission is clear: we are Caring People, Caring for People.

We pray that you experience God’s care in our time together and in your life.

Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!

A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos… es-pera-mos que usted… y su familia.. se-sien-tan bien a-tend-idos también.

To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.

***Good to have Keri Keith back in the house after a tough -tough physical battle -today is a Miriale for her-she was on deaths door we almost lost her -

Before we get into the message today….

Pastor Plug: Contribution Statements

The last week of January, you will be sent a link to download your 2025 Contribution Statement.

The email will come from from Planning Center Giving, not The Grace Place.

Please take these next couple of weeks to check your profile on Church Center to make sure your information and email address is up to date.

If you have any questions, you can contact [e-mail]

Sometimes they end up in junk or spam folders - so don’t forget to check there

How many cow boy fans are in the house today -

-

Transition: This week we are starting a brand new series called…

____ Series | Kingdom People

The word Christian has been drug through the mud through the centuries. In early US history it was popularized by it’s biblical mortal values.

Friends…. We are not merely the moral police… We are the PEOPLE of God called to represent Heaven on Earth through following Jesus. He forms and informs us on his Kingdom ways.

Here’s whats at stake….

Lets look at it on the screen together…

If we are not being formed as Kingdom people, we may be following a version of Jesus - while still being shaped by the patterns of this world; failing to live out His mission to expand and express His rule.

(let me say that agin.. REPEATE)

As the Church, as people redeemed by Jesus… we now belong to the Kingdom of God - and we should Look like it

***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

YOU CAN WALK OFF THE STAGE WHEN YOU SAY AMEN

We’re talking about…

Kingdom People

IN YOUR NOTES lets talk about…

Understanding the Kingdom of God

Well do that by answering some questions… … IN YOUR NOTES…

WHAT is the Kingdom of God? Rm 14:7

Scripture helps us answer this clearly…

For example Paul said in Rom. 14:17…. lets look at it on the screen together…

Romans 14:17 ESV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking (moral rules- but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit- Its about representing heaven on earth

Romans is saying this… IN YOUR NOTES

The Kingdom of God is not about theFLESH, but the LIFE God always intended.

Imagine the Garden of Eden, with God ruling and reigning God people. No serpent… no sin. A place where we see and know God fully. A place with nothing but love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

Personal Story: I remembered when I got saved at 18, I started hanging around Kingdom people - I could not believe how different it was… how refreshing it was - I was at church as much as I could - I loved being around Kingdom people- I got addicted to it! ANYONE KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT?

Next…IN YOUR NOTES… lets answer the question…

WHEN is the Kingdom of God? Lk 17:21, Mt 24:14

I remember being confused when the Kingdom of God would come. trying to understand its timing…. … becuase scripture described it both as already here and a future thing that happens at the return of Christ. So which is it?

Theologians help us understand this… IN YOUR NOTES… by saying…

The Kingdom of God is both an ALREADY and NOT-YET Kingdom

Meaning, it’s already here and not yet fully realized and wont be until were face to face with Jesus.

Let’s see how Jesus describes it in Lk 17:21… it’s on the screen….

Luke 17:21 ESV

nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Jesus has begun His public ministry and announces… the KINGDOM of GOD is HERE. It begun as heaven broke through at the birth of Christ but the world could not see it.

Jesus also say’s in Matt. 25:34 it’s on the screen…. speaking of the end…

Matthew 25:34 ESV

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father(those who are Saved), inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

In the end when Jesus returns… God will gather his sons and daughters and they will inherit the Kingdom of God and receive all that God has in store for them

Well what does this mean for us as modern Kingdom believers?

It means At salvation, we are invited into His Kingdom rule… and those who reject Christ… are NOT.

it means…Our calling is to express and expand his Kingdom until he returns.

Over the next few weeks we will talk about what it looks like for the family of God to express and expand Gods rule as Kingdom People.

Transition: the title of our brief message for today is...

Sermon Title | Kingdom People Are COMMUNAL

Across scripture… we see Kingdom People live in COMMUNITY… this is how God chose to express his Kingdom Rule to the world.

Here are the two things that I notice about Kingdom Community as I look across scripture… IN YOUR NOTES…

Kingdom Community Is BIBLICAL. (Acts 2:46)

Its not a modern idea…

If we we’re to walk into the 1st century… we would see community was a way of life

Many people today undervalue Kingdom Community.

Some see it as a lesser spiritual activity… as optional .

When its actually FOUNDATIONAL to spiritual formation.

Community was central to life in the early church.

We see this in In Acts 2:46 … lets look at it on the screen together… it says..

Acts 2:46 ESV

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Culture has since changed… But COMMUNITY still remains a mark of Kingdom People.

Friends… Community is just as SPIRITUAL as other Kingdom activities

Who should we be doing community with as the people of God?

If your taking notes…

It’s biblical community with those who BELONG (Acts 2:46)

If you are NOT in biblical community…. you are missing a major part of spiritual formation. (Im not talking about those who are homebound, I’ll and unable) but abled body people

Getting saved at 18… simply being around other believers taught me how to…

To love, show gracious, deal with my baggage, I learned how to raise Kids, and be married…

all by by these living example of Gods word.

It gave me a vision for what life could be like for me.

It was as powerful as a Sermon.

CHECK CLOCK 17.5 min left (12.5min)

CHECK CLOCK 17.5 min left (12.5min)

Who else should we be doing Kingdom with…. Next… IN YOUR NOTES

It’s biblical to do community with the BROKEN (Lk 15:1-2, Jn 4:7-26

yea.. with those who are broken, lost, and far from Jesus.

This is the life Jesus demonstrated as he brought biblical community with those far from God. With sinners of every kind…

We see this over and over again scripture. One of these is found in Luke 15:1-2… it says this of Jesus…

Luke 15:1–2 ESV

Now the tax collectors(they were Slimy and took advantage of people )and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus exampled Kingdom Community by…. welcoming lost sinners.. and commune’s with them.” This is central to how Jesus lived and lead others to live.

We have some great Kingdom People in the house today…

People like: The Knowles, The tripple threat sisters… Lilia, Laura and Lizette Lilly & H-jamie, Christian Rosbrock, Pedro and Maddy… people welcoming in the lost, broken, hurting…

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: How are you involved in biblical community?

What does this look like in your life right now

Are you connected through our Mid Week Cultivation classes or in a C-group?

Are you inviting the broken, lost and hurting into community

Kingdom People Are COMMUNAL

Its biblical- its how we share God with the world as we live in it and share it with the lost..

The last thing… IN YOUR NOTES is this..

Kingdom Community is BENEFICIAL (Prov 27:17

There are amazing benefits to Kingdom Community…

Proverbs 27:17 says it like this….

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

There is spiritual sharpening that takes place and you can not receive anywhere else. (Without Community you will be DULL)

But with it… you’ll be sharper and more effective -

Story 2: STORY: Derick Kamicheck

When I got saved - I cussed like a sailor… it was just 2nd nature… I was emotionally unstable… Thats still questionable - and a Youth leader named Derick Kemecheck was one of the 1st gentle spirited, humble guys I ment.

He challenged me with with his life… he Sharpened me - he made me better… and I made him better… I was a lot in those early days… I taught him things lie patience and long suffering lol -

This leads me to some of the benefits we get from biblical community.. IN your notes… Community is beneficial in…

How it SHOWS us- Heb 10:24-25

It Shows - real love lived out

It’s Tangible

Nothing holds believers accountable and encourages us quite like walking in close community.

Some have never seen it until they walk into it

Heb. 10:24-25 puts it like this… lets look at it on the screen together…

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Friends…. Kingdom Community will keep us in check - scripture says don’t give up on it but lock in on it!

You will rub shoulders with people like

Roger and Rochelle

Adam and Ceci

Andrew Gonze

The Weimers…

The list goes on and on of people in our Church who will help sharpen you

CHECK CLOCK 5min left (20min)

CHECK CLOCK 5min left (20min)

Here is the next benefit… IN YOUR NOTES… Community is beneficial in…

How it SHARES with us. Ecc. 4:8-12

The Kingdom Community…. freely-share’s it time, talent and treasures.

So the Kingdom of God can be strengthened and Grow.

This is why the Grace Place exists … to share with one another

We are here to…

Share our time and use our talents so the local church can thrive..

Every Kingdom Person should do something within the family of God to share the load… all the way from brand new new to seasoned beleiver.

Today might be the day for someone to pick up a Next Step Card and select I want to VOLUNTEER my time and talents

We are also here to…

To be generous with our finances… to invest in the work of God.

***Clay Please Put up the Generosity Journey Slide or just part of it.

This last year we introduce the discipleship path for growing in Generosity by asking… “Where am I on my Generosity Journey”

Are you a…

Testing Giver… someone learning to exercise the muscle of generosity, occasionally giving

Are you a…

Trusting Giver… faithfully returning the 10% of your income to God?

Or… Are you a…

Or Thriving Giver… someone giving above and beyond the tithe.

Biblical community Shares… its generous with its time , talents and treasures

Ecc. 4:9-12 puts it like this… lets look at it…

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 ESV

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.(work) For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Church here is the bottom line… IN Community

WE ARE BETTER … we have a better RETURN on our efforts…

We accomplish more together - we go further faster

Who is looking at the current status of their Christian Walk and say’s I want to go FUTHER FASTER in my walk with God… I’m ready for some big things in me to shift… I’m ready for some big things around me to shift…

Look at your neighbor and give them that look - I GOT YOU

Here is the two question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Questions:

How can you benefit more from Kingdom Community?

How can the Kingdom community benefit from you?

Well.. how do you become part of the Kigndom Community?

CHECK CLOCK 5min left (30min)

Altar Call… Far From Christ…

Altar to be the Biblical kingdom Community that we see in Scripture…

PAUSE -CLIP BEGINING

PAUSE -CLIP ENDING

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

Salvation Altar Call

I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…

It’s about believing

Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.

The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:

1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.

2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action Altar Call

We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.

ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Going Deeper

What stuck out to you the in this passage? v. 1-13

Will I be ready when he returns? v. 1-3

What things are distracting me from Jesus? v. 4-8

How am I following his directions, How might I be missing it? v. 9-13

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).