Grace United Family Church

The Ten Words: simply laws handed down from a dictatorial deity? Or are they much more? Can these words from the Lord really be a way, indeed the way, of freedom? If so, how can we implement the Lord's ways? Where do we start? The simple, but profound answer: it starts in the heart--and this is what the 10th Word, the Tenth Commandment is all about. Come with the Grace United crew as we discover what God's word has to say about coveting, and how to deal with this thing that resides in all of our hearts.

October 31 is . . . Reformation Day! But how many observe it? What we as Americans observe is, and what we have been preparing for, which seems like weeks, is . . . Halloween. Did you know that "Halloween" has Christian roots? How so? And how far back does it go? And why is there so much focus on death on October 31? What is it all about? Come with the Grace United crew as we discover the bad, the good and the glorious elements of Halloween.

The meme is "Law bad, Grace good." We tend to think that the Lord's primary purpose for giving us the Law is to show us that we need a Savior. While it is true that the Law is like a mirror, pointing out our sin, it is far and away more precious and valuable than a mere set of rules. Rather, Commandments 6-9 highlight the inherent dignity the Lord has given to his people. How so? Come with the Grace United crew as we discover anew and afresh how the Torah reveals our dignity.

Three great words to live by: rest, remember, honor. These words are part and parcel of the 4th and 5th words God gave Moses that he might teach Israel how to really live. But "this is Old Testament! Can anything good come from studying THAT?" Come with the Grace United crew as we experience the 4th and 5th words of the Decalogue, a.k.a: the 10 Commandments.

We call them the Ten Commandments. But in reality they are the "Ten Words." What do these words, these commandments have to do with Christians living in 21st Century America? For this is the heart of the Law of God. The long standing understanding by many followers of Jesus is "Law bad; grace good." But the fingerprints of the grace of God are all over these words. In this installment of "The Ten Words," we will cover the first three. Come with the Grace United crew as we discover how awesome and life-giving these words are.

The Ten Commandments. Beautful words. "Really?" This is the Law of God, though! Aren't we to see the Ten Commandments as, "Law bad, grace good?" Wasn't the Law given to us to show us that we can't keep it? That we need grace to get us to heaven? In this ongoing series of the "Gospel According to Moses," Moses will show that the Ten Commandments serve a far different purpose. What is that purpose? They were also only given to a certain group of people in the world. Who are they? Come with the Grace United crew as we uncover marvelous things about the Ten Commandments that have been hidden in plain sight. For a LONG time.

To God be the glory, great things He has done! What has He done in your life? With all the chaos in our world, it may seem that the Lord is absent. But that cannot be farther from the truth. Evil has run in cycles, and this is yet another one. In our onging series of "The Gospel According to Moses," Moses recounts the glorious things the Lord has done in the life of Israel, in spite of their sin and unfaithfulness. What kinds of things? Come with the Grace United crew as we marvel the great things He has done for His people. Truly, To God Be The Glory!

Predictive prophecy. This for many translates to what will happen to Christians at the end of the world as we know it. The rapture, Great Tribulation, Christ's return and millennial reign. The Great White Throne judgment. Then eternity begins! But what if predictive prophecy translated into . . . God's people committing idolatry? God through Moses predicted Israel was going to commit idolatry. What would be the fallout for the multipled times Israel would commit spiritual adultery? And what doe it have to do with 21st Century Christians? Join the Grace United crew as we explore "Idolatry . . . in Prophecy."

Being "privileged" is a really bad word in our culture. The notion is used as a bludgeon by members of one culture upon another. This is yet another weapon the enemy of the ONE human race has in his arsonal to divide us--and tragically he is doing a good job. But the people of God actually HAVE a privilege status. It is recounted in one of Moses' last messages he gave to the sons and daughters of Israel. What does privilege mean? What does it mean to "claim the privilege"? Come with the Grace United crew where, as people of God understand and learn how to apply our privilege.

Oh, the freedom of open doors. And oh, the inconvenience of locked gates--unless one happens to be in Afghanistan. The sons and daughters of Israel experienced tremendous open doors. However, Moses, their leader suffered the absolute tragedy of a locked gate. God told him that he was not to enter the land of promise. What was the reason for the locked gate? And how does that apply to our lives today? Come with the Grace United crew as we explore open doors and locked gates.

Warfare is a tragic, evil thing. It's been with us almost as long as we've been around. Where did the idea come from? And what about a guy named Og? Who was he? And the Rephaim--what about them? Nephilim, anyone? These things are talked about in "The Sihog Campaign." Come with the Grace United crew as we explore them.

Are real giants talked about in the Bible? If so, who are they? Or is this to be considered a no kidding mythical tale? What does this sort of thing have to do with God, with God's people, even with Christians in teh 21st century? Join the Grace United crew as we dive in to the "Gospel According to Moses" exploring a "giant" issue.

There are not many guarantees in this life, but here is one of them: God WILL discipline his people. But it is never without a purpose. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that the Father disciplines his children that they might share his holiness. This is truth, whether one is a Christian or a member of the nation of Israel, God's chosen people. In Deuteronomy 1.19-46, we might call God's interaction with his people a "severe mercy." How severe? Come with the Grace United crew as we have a "front row seat" observing for our instruction, God's discipline of grace in the days of Moses.

Grace United Family Church celebrates 9 years of the Lord's goodness and blessing to this small congregation! What has He been up to with us over these years? Come with the Grace United crew as we walk down memory lane, and at the same time being challenged to go forward by His grace to fulfill the mission He has given us.

Every year about this time, the Grace United youth and young adults serve in corporate worship, to include the preaching. This year, Aidan and Liam tag teamed to deliver a powerful 2 part message concerning what worship is from their perspective. In this day and age there seems to be a premium placed on "nones". However, there are still some youth who hold fast to the truth. What are Aidan's and Liam's take on worship? Tune in to find out. You just might be surprised. My prayer as their pastor is that you would be challenged by these young men, teenagers, regarding the worship of the King.

Sacred space. This is how the Lord sees HIS land. We would call that land Israel. The Lord of heaven and earth tasked His people, Israel, to cleanse this land, taking it by force from a wicked people. As Christians, the Lord considers his church to be sacred space as well. The Lord Jesus commanded his people to be his witnesses in all the world. What is the greatest witness his people can give to the world? Come with the Grace United crew as we discover anew and afresh of the extent of God's blessings, both to Israel in ancient days and to his people in our day.

"These are the words . . ." so begins Deuteronomy, which in the Hebrew Bible is the actual title of this book. What words did Moses speak to the hundreds of thousands who at that time made up the nation of Israel? Words of reminder. Words of rebuke. Implied words of hope and of the faithfulness of the Lord. Is there a lesson for us today as followers of Christ, in one of the books of the Law of God? Come with the Grace United crew as we hear Moses' opening words to his people.

If salvation is by grace, as followers of Christ is there any reason to study the Law? Specifically, the book of Deuteronomy? When was the last time you even read it, let alone studied it? How many Christians have adopted the notion, "law bad, grace good?" Could it be that we the members of the church of Jesus Christ need a little reorientation of our spiritual map? For after all, Paul's words declaring all Scripture is given by inspiration of God is applicable to Deuteronomy as well--just as inspired and authoritative as is Romans or John. Come with the Grace United crew as we discover how to re-orient our spiritual map, preparing to travel down the "Deuteronomy Road."

"Uh Oh! Guess what day it is??" So says the Geico camel. For Grace United, it is "Nutshell Day," where we put the entire Corinthian Correspondence together. What does 1 and 2 Corinthians look like in a "nutshell"? Come with the Grace United crew and find out!