Gretnalife's Sunday Gatherings

Text: Matthew 15:21–28 Topics: Faith, Perseverance, Humility Big Idea of the Message: Christ has come to save not only the children of Israel but the entire world. Application Point: How does your current pursuit of Jesus reflect this EPIC truth?

Big Idea of the Series: This six-week series looks at some of the passages in the Bible that don’t sit well with most modern readers. Passages like the imprecatory Psalms, the story of Judah and Tamar, Jesus dismissing the gentile woman at the dinner table, and Jesus’s command to hate our families. By exploring several parts of Scripture that challenge our understanding of the Bible and of God, we can strengthen our faith and find unexpected blessings in his Word. Text: 2 Kings 2:23–25 Topics: Reverence, Worship, Holiness, Words Big Idea of the Message: We must esteem God with our reverent worship and devotion in all aspects of our lives - including our words.

Week 2 Text: Genesis 38:6–26 Topics: Righteousness, Criticism, Sin Big Idea of the Message: Christians are called to grow and move toward the likeness of Jesus. Sometimes, that takes a willingness to hear the loving criticism of one another.

Big Idea of the Series: This six-week series looks at some of the passages in the Bible that don’t sit well with most modern readers. Passages like the imprecatory Psalms, the story of Judah and Tamar, Jesus dismissing the gentile woman at the dinner table, and Jesus’s command to hate our families. By exploring several parts of Scripture that challenge our understanding of the Bible and of God, we can strengthen our faith and find unexpected blessings in his Word. Week 1 Text: Psalm 137:1–9 Topics: Righteous Anger, Grace, Remembrance Big Idea of the Message: Imprecatory prayers are a way to be honest with God, to initiate a process of spiritual healing through God’s grace and mercy, and only possible if our friendship with the Lord is strong.  

Dougie Boggs shares his testimony of how God has changed his life and how important recovery is to the process.

Katie is a candidate for the role of Associate Pastor at Gretna. We hope her message encourages and inspires.

Text: Malachi 1:1–4:6 Topics: Disillusionment, Covenant, Unfaithfulness, Judgment, Disputation, Hope Big Idea of the Message: God is always faithful to both discipline and redeem on the basis of his covenantal promises. Application Point: When disappointments come our way, we must choose to cling to God’s promises and remain faithful.

Text: Zechariah 4:1–14 Topics: Reconstruction, Surrender, Grace, Redemption, Salvation Big Idea of the Message: God is in the business of building and constructing his kingdom. Application Point: As Christians, we should spur others to spiritual growth while striving to progress in our own walks with Christ.

Text: Haggai 1:1–2:23 Topics: Repercussions, Responsiveness, Obedience, Holiness, Encouragement, Hope Big Idea of the Message: God is a God of restoration who invites his people to participate in his works of renewal. Application Point: When God calls us to a work, we are to be responsive and obedient, even in disappointment—always remaining hopeful for the blessings of God on the basis of his unwavering faithfulness to his promises.  

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Text: Zephaniah 1:1–3:20 Topics: Judgment, Cleansing, Faithfulness, Mercy, Remnant, Sovereignty Big Idea of the Message: Even in the midst of disaster, God always has a remnant. Application Point: Christians are called to be people of restoration and members of God’s restoration community.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Text: Habakkuk 1:1–3:19 Topics: Theodicy, Evil, Justice, Vindication, Victory, Faith Big Idea of the Message: Despite appearances to the contrary at times, God is always just and faithful. Application Point: Christians must patiently trust God to fulfill his purposes in their lives.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Text: Nahum 1:7–8 Topics: Justice, Destruction, Compassion, Fulfillment Big Idea of the Message: God is a God of justice and compassion. Application Point: As Christians, we are called to be people of justice and compassion.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Text: Micah 1:3–4; 6:6–8; 7:18–20 Topics: Religion, Threat, Hope, Judgment, Salvation Big Idea of the Message: God is both our source of judgment and our source of hope. Application Point: Even in the midst of God’s discipline, we can have hope in his redemption and salvation.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Text: Jonah 1:1–2; 3:5–9; 4:1–3 Topics: Enemies, Bitterness, Sovereignty, Compassion, Repentance, Forgiveness Application Point: Christians are called to love their enemies, pray for those who persecute them, and forgive their trespassers unendingly.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Week 4 Text: Obadiah 1:1–21 Topics: Anger, Betrayal, War, Justice, Zion, Kingship, Hope Big Idea of the Message: God is always faithful to his promises—promises to bring justice and redemption. Application Point: Christians must never lose hope in the justice and faithfulness of God, no matter how dispiriting our circumstances might be.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Text: Amos 1:2; 8:1–3; 9:11–15 Topics: Sovereignty, Judgment, Idolatry, Injustice, Remnant, Renewal Big Idea of the Message: The justice of God demands that there be punishment for wickedness, but the faithfulness and grace of God demand that there be renewal and restoration.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Week 2 Text: Joel 1:1–3:21 Topics: Judgment, Repentance, Compassion, Healing, Sovereignty Big Idea of the Message: God is the sovereign Judge and Savior of the universe. Application Point: The proper response to God’s judgment is repentance, which is a means to the restoring and healing power of God.

Big Idea of the Series: This is a series on the Old Testament Minor Prophets. Each week will focus on one prophet and their story or message. Common themes will run throughout these twelve prophets in Israel’s history, and a primary theme is restoration. Though the prophets often brought words of judgment, they also spoke words of hope and ultimate renewal. Week 1 Text: Hosea 1:1–3:5 Topics: Infidelity, Idolatry, Judgment, Salvation, Restoration Big Idea of the Message: God hates our sin, but he loves us. In fact, God hates our sin because he loves us. Application Point: Don’t wait for difficult times to get close to God. Learn how to be faithful in both good and bad times.

Big Idea of the Series: This three-week series invites us to practice the discipline of healthy rest. We will challenge some of the ways we say we “rest”, and the notion that we can thrive without rest.  Most importantly: We will learn what resting in the presence of Jesus looks like, and the relief it provides. Text: Philippians 4:6–9; Proverbs 4:25–27 Topics: Unplugging, Fully Present, Gift of Presence Big Idea of the Message: Believers are offered the gift of God’s presence, but we often settle for friendship with technology, and other things as well. Application Point: Leave the technology to become present to others and God.

Big Idea of The Series: This three-week series invites us to practice the discipline of healthy rest. We will challenge some of the ways we say we “rest”, and the notion that we can thrive without rest. Most importantly: We will learn what resting in the presence of Jesus looks like, and the relief it provides. Text: Matthew 11:28–30; Jeremiah 6:16 Topics: Rest, Darkness, Limitations Big Idea of the Message: It is wise to honor God and my limitations through restful rhythms. Application Point: We rest by guarding our time from distracting activities.