Grace Hills Church Podcast

What would you do for a friend in need? What if that need was for your friend who couldn't walk? Would you take them to Jesus? As we look at Mark 1:40-2:14, we see that's what some people did for their friend. But beyond this miraculous healing, why else did people come to Jesus? In this message we find several reasons - reasons for us to care about people who need God's care.

If you went to Sunday school as a child, you may remember singing a song about Jesus making people fishers of men. In today's message from Luke 5:1-11, we continue in our series The Chosen in the Gospels where we look in at the event when Jesus called on Peter to become a fisher of men.

Love is not a feeling that leads to action, but love is an action that leads to feelings. This is confirmed in our text for this message, 1 John 3:16 where we're told that Jesus laid down His life for us. What is our response? We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. This is love in action.

As we at Grace Hills watch season one of the TV series drama "The Chosen" based on the life of Christ, we do so with a sermon series entitled, The Chosen in the Gospels. In today's message from Matthew 16:13-20, we seek to answer the most pivotal question Jesus asked his disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" What's your answer? What say you?

As Peter wraps up his first letter, he concludes with a message for everyone. In this sermon from 1 Peter 5:5-14, Peter offers all believers some helpful instruction - so helpful that you can be hopeful, not matter what.

How can we lead well spiritually? In this message from 1 Peter 5:1-4, we learn about three important steps we can take to lead well spiritually.

How would you respond if someone said to you, "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you."? As we'll see in today's message from 1 Peter 4:12-19, that someone is Peter. This is the charge that he gave to believers in Christ who were undergoing trials and persecution because of following Christ. Today we'll look at six steps you can take to remain faithful to Christ when the temperature rises in your life as a result of following Christ.

Often at the conclusion of an old movie, you'll see the words, "The End". But what about "the end" in real life? Scripture says, "the end of all things is near..." What does this mean? How is the end of all things near? In this message from 1 Peter 4:7-11, we discover some answers - answers that provide us with specific action steps so we're ready for "the end" whenever it comes.

Why be hopeful when you're not? What good is it to be hopeful? In this message from 1 Peter 4:1-6, we discover five important reasons - reasons that can give us hope!

In this fallen and imperfect world we live in, all of us have encountered suffering. Suffering is part of life. But are there any ways to understand suffering? In this message from 1 Peter 3:17-22, we explore five ways that can help us not only understand suffering, but endure it.

1 Peter 3:15 says, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." How do we do this? How do you become a source of hope? In this message from 1 Peter 3:13-16, we discover the steps we need to take to be a source of hope to others.

If you've been part of a church for any length of time, then you have a beginning for when church started for you. In today's message from Acts 2:42-47, we explore the beginning of Christ's church. As we do, we'll see the church had purpose and that the believers were devoted to Christ and his church. From then until now, Christ's church continues to be the greatest cause for good in all of human history.

When we look in at coming of the Holy Spirit following Christ's resurrection, we may think about the Day of Pentecost. But as we'll see in this message today, there is actually more to the Holy Spirit than this one time event. In fact, the Holy Spirit was active in Old Testament days and He remains active in the lives of believers today. Wherever you are today in your walk with Jesus, you have the benefits of having the Holy Spirit with you every step of the way.

The Bible tells us when the tomb that Jesus was in was looked in at, it was found to be empty. Could there be a natural explanation to this? Could there be a supernatural explanation? The answer to both of these questions is, "yes". But, which one makes more sense? Today from John 20 and Philippians 3, we seek to answer both of these questions. The question for you is, "Which explanation do you believe?"

On that first Easter Sunday, who came to look in and what happened? John 20:1-10 informs us that Mary Magdalene, Peter and John looked in. How did they respond to what they saw? For us today, what does the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus mean to those who believe? When we look in, we can find the answers to this most important question. Are you ready? Then let's look in!

From Isaiah 53:4-6, we look in at the cross on this Good Friday to rediscover and honor Christ's redeeming and atoning work on the cross for our salvation.

When we look in at the Triumphal Entry known as Palm Sunday, what do we see? From John 12:12-19, we see the symbolism and the crowds. What is the meaning behind this famous story and what do the crowds gather there want to see? Do they want to see Jesus as king... or Jesus as King. How do you see Him? Your answer matters if you want see all there is to see on Palm Sunday.

Do you want the blessing of God on your life? Then bless others to be blessed by God! In fact, bless those who insult you or seek to bring harm against you. That's the message we find in our text today from 1 Peter 3:8-12. In other words, don't be normal; Be contrarian! This kind of obedience to the Lord is what He blesses.

Have you ever been to a 50th wedding anniversary celebration and wondered how their marriage lasted for 50 years? Without exception, every couple would tell you that to make your marriage work, it is going to take work to make it work. In this message from 1 Peter 3:1-7, we discover that God wants marriages to work - that He has provided wives and husbands valuable instruction for how to make your marriage work. Are you ready? Let's get to work!

Do you want to have favor with God? What if that favor involved suffering? Would you still want God's favor on your life? In this message from 1 Peter 2:19-25, we explore these questions and discover that even when you suffer after doing everything right, you can be comforted and remain hopeful thanks to the Shepherd and Guardian of your soul.