Grace Community Church Clarksville, TN

When we step into life on God's terms, he calls us to live differently — but not entirely. In this sermon, we explore how a Christian faith leaves us, in many ways, the same as everyone else, while at the same also leaving us profoundly different than those around us. Key Verses: John 2:1-11 Key Words: difference, grace, mercy, spiritual identity, spiritual formation

Praising God fulfills the purpose for which we were put on this earth, and yet it can be really challenging at times. In this sermon, we look at the last chapter in the book of Psalms to gain a deeper understanding of what praising the Lord looks like and how it can enrich our lives. Key Verses: Psalm 150 Key Words: praise, hallelujah, God's character, worship

One of the marks of real spiritual growth is an increasing awareness of our weaknesses. In this sermon, we look at the reality of our weaknesses, why God allows them in our lives, and how he calls us to live with them. Key Verses: Ezekiel 34:11-16 Key Words: weakness, spiritual growth, grace, compassion

There is nothing that poses more of a threat to the good life that Jesus offers us than pride. In this sermon, we look at a conversation between Jesus and two of his disciples and learn about humility from the One Who embodies it fully. Key Verses: Mark 10:35-45 Key Words: humility, Jesus, serving others, greatness

Jesus tells us to "strive" to enter into life with him. In this sermon, we look at the role of effort in our spiritual growth — what it does, what it doesn't do, and how we can know if we are on the right track when we do it. Key Verses: Luke 13:22-30 Key Words: growth, effort, trying, spiritual formation, grace

Compassion is the fruit of genuine empathy whereby we attempt to alleviate the suffering of those around us. We can only create this community of compassion because of the mercy and love shown to us in the person of Jesus. He is our great gift of compassion and, simultaneously, our most outstanding example. Key Verses: Luke 7:11-17 Key Words: compassion, kingdom, empathy, judgmental, community

Jesus makes us a remarkable promise: we can experience great joy in him. In this sermon, we look at the importance of joy and how it can come to us through our everyday lives. Key Verses: John 15-1-11 Key Words: joy, hope, happiness, growth

Jesus tells us that part of living a good life must include radical generosity. In this sermon, we see how living a generous life means more than just giving away our money, and how being generous opens us up to receive the Kingdom of God. Key Verses: Mark 10:17-31 Key Words: giving, generosity, freedom, spiritual growth, wealth

Jesus tells us that it's literally impossible to live our lives with God unless we practice regular forgiveness. In this sermon, we look at why God calls us to forgive those who hurt us, and how it's possible to actually do it. Key Verses: Matthew 18:21-35 Key Words: forgiveness, mercy, grace, justice, relationships, freedom

When Jesus invites us into a "good" life, he invites us into a life filled with faith. In this sermon we see what true faith in God is, and how it can grow in our lives today. Key Verses: Mark 4:35-41 Key Words: faith, fear, Jesus, storms, peace

What does it mean to live a good life? In this sermon, we see how Jesus tells us that a good life begins with a surrender to his kingdom plans and ways. Key Verses: Matthew 6:25-33 Key Words: good life, kingdom, anxiety, worry, freedom, surrender

In one of the most famous stories of the Bible, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. In this sermon, we see how we can join Jesus and the power of his resurrection, too. Key Verses: John 11:17-27 Key Words: resurrection, easter, Lazarus, waiting, power, hope

We see in exceptional vividness the slowly changing life of the man born blind and instantly healed by Jesus. Beginning with only a limited understanding of Jesus he is led through questions and controversy to eventually outright rejection by those who are supposed to help. Finally, he is found by the good shepherd and his life is forever changed into one of belief. Key Verses: John 9:1-41 Key Words: darkness, light, blindness, sight, salvation, belief

God's power to change our lives comes at just the right time. In this sermon, we explore how an invalid who had suffered for thirty-eight years found healing grace when he met Jesus — and how we can do the same. Key Verses: John 5:1-8 Key Words: healing, power, grace, conversion, change

Conversion is the heart of the Christian faith. But it is often varied in how it happens. In this sermon, we look at a hurting woman's surprising conversion at a well and how Jesus can do the same thing in us today. Key Verses: John 4: 7-15 Key Words: conversion, salvation, woman at the well, hope

God calls us to radical transformation that reorients our entire lives. In this sermon, we look at a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus and learn what it means to be born again. Key Verses: John 3:1-22 Key Words: new life, conversion, Jesus, hope, salvation

How are we supposed to view the Old Testament and its commandments now, after the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? In this sermon, we will explore the role of the commandments in our lives today and how they ultimately point us to God's great redemptive work in our lives. Key Verses: Matthew 5:17-20 Key Words: Ten Commandments, Old Testament, Jesus, sermon on the mount, grace, spiritual growth, holiness

The tenth commandment warns us against an unhealthy desire for the lives of others. This command to not covet is the other nine commandments' heart level culmination, beginning with inner obedience that should lead to our external actions. The only right solution to this internal discontent is to find contentment in Christ alone. Key Verses: Exodus 20:1-2, 17 Key Words: covet, desire, contentment, commandments, heart

Every community requires a foundation of truth to flourish. In this sermon, we see how the absence of truth can threaten our relationships and, more importantly, how to become handle the truth with love. Key Verses: Exodus 20:1-2, 16 Key Words: lying, false witness, truth, Ten Commandments

God wants his people to live with other in holy and sustainable ways. In this sermon, we look at how murder, adultery, and stealing breaks down community and keeps us from living holy lives. Key Verses: Exodus 20:1-2, 13-15 Key Words: murder, adultery, stealing, Ten Commandments, holiness, faith

God values our family relationships. In this sermon, we explore the call to "honor your father and mother" as an invitation to both showing and experiencing God's love. Key Verses: Exodus 20:1-2, 12 Key Words: family, father, mother, Ten Commandments, grace, forgiveness

In our modern world, we rarely rest like we should. In this sermon, we explore the Fourth Commandment and its call to holy rest as both a challenge and a comfort to our souls. Key Verses: Exodus 20:1-2,8-11 Key Words: rest, sabbath, work, salvation, Exodus,

At first glance, the third commandment seems simple — "Don't say God's name unless you mean it." In this sermon, we will take deeper look into this commandment and discover that it speaks to something of far greater importance — surrender to the true and living God. Key Verses: Exodus 20:1-2, 7 Key Words: Ten Commandments, Moses, law, holiness, name of the lord, surrender

The second commandment directs us towards Christ. It warns us of sin, tell us of the steadfast love of God, and drives us to the person of Jesus Christ. Instead of reducing God to the power of our own imaginations, we are being remade ourselves into God's image. Key Verses: Exodus 20:4-6 Key Words: Invisible God, idols, images, commandments

As we begin a new year, we are using this season to reflect on God's holy law, the Ten Commandments. In this first sermon, we see how God wants to be in an exclusive relationship with us, which means he calls us to cast off our competing desires and drives and surrender to him alone. Key Verses: Exodus 19:1-6, 20:1-3 Key Words: law, Ten Commandments, Exodus, Moses, idols, worship, grace

One of the most important ways we can experience comfort and joy from God comes through celebration. In this sermon, we look at how the wise men celebrated Jesus by giving him gifts, and by receiving an even greater gift themselves. Key Verses: Matthew 2:7-12 Key Words: Christmas, advent, generosity, giving, receiving, spiritual formation, wise men

One of the most important ways we can warm our hearts to God is through listening to his words. In this sermon, we look at what God gave us when Jesus became flesh, and how he gives us these same things through his Word today. Key Verses: John 1:1-5, 9-14 Key Words: Jesus, Christmas, advent, spiritual formation, word, bible, study, meditation, comfort, joy

As we celebrate the Christmas season, we are looking at ways in which we can warm our hearts to the great reality of God and his love. In this sermon, we see how Mary responded to God with worship, and how we can do the same. Key Verses: Luke 1:46-56 Key Words: Christmas, advent, Mary, worship, spiritual disciplines, comfort, joy

As Paul ends his letter to the Colossians, we see him return to his most foundational message: grace. In this sermon, we look at how grace can have the last word in our lives, as well. Key Verses: Colossians 4:7-18 Key Words: grace, spiritual growth, maturity, forgiveness, love, mercy

Our conversations with God are to be marked by our steadfast devotion to Him, always staying vigilant and aware of the world around us, while remaining thankful at all times. This purposeful prayer life enables us to clearly express the loving wisdom of God to the world we live in. Key Verses: Colossians 4:2-6 Key Words: Colossians, prayer, devotion, culture

How does the truth of God's love change the way that we relate to others? In this sermon, we see how the reality of Jesus moves us to trust all of our relationships to his leadership and care. Key Verses: Colossians 3:18-4:1 Key Words: submission, obedience, marriage, work, family, relationships, holiness

Real, deep, and lasting new life is possible when we surrender to Jesus. In this sermon, we look at some of the marks of this new life and how to see them operate more often in our lives. Key Verses: Colossians 3:12-17 Key Words: new life, growth, maturity, holiness, love, peace, forgiveness

How do we become mature, godly people? In this sermon, we see that every Christian is must fight against sin and, in turn, to surrender to God's renewing love. Key Verses: Colossians 3:5-11 Key Words: sin, sanctification, old man, new man, growth, maturity

The heart of Christian salvation is an exchanged life — Jesus gives us his life in exchange for ours. In this sermon, we see what this great exchange show us about God, ourselves, and how we are called to live. Key Verses: Colossians 3:1-4 Key Words: new life, exchange, atonement, salvation, hidden with Christ

Real Christian growth has two foundational truths: freedom and self-denial. In this sermon, we see how these two necessary realties help us grow towards God and make us mature. Key Verses: Colossians 2:16-23 Key Words: freedom, self-denial, growth, maturity

We are warned not to overvalue the empty philosophies and deceits of culture, and instead are encouraged to grow alive together with Christ. This life is to be lived in the reality of the fullness of God in our own lives; a reality that invades every part of our lives. Key Verses: Colossians 2:8-15 Key Words: Colossians, new life, reconciliation, fullness

All spiritual growth and maturity consists of two, foundational things. In this sermon, we look at how to receive Christ into our lives and then how to continue to walk with him, in faith, as a friend. Key Verses: Colossians 2:6-7 Key Words: new life, receiving Jesus, repentance, faith, hope, gratitude

Paul endured painful struggles in his ministry, but they didn't ruin him. In this sermon, we see how he experienced growth and joy through God's assurance, and how we can do the same. Key Verses: Colossians 1:24-2:5 Key Words: joy, struggles, suffering, assurance, experience, maturity, growth

In many ways, we are familiar with how Jesus lived, what he said, and the fact that he died on a cross. In this sermon, we see the real work behind all of these things that Jesus was doing, and still does for us today. Key Verses: Colossians 1:15-23 Key Words: Jesus, creation, incarnation, reconciled

In Paul's letter to the Colossians, he begins his address with a prayer for maturity and growth. In this sermon, we look at how we become mature under God's love and care. Scriptures: Colossians 1:1-14

Paul's words in Ephesians help us realize who and what, as children of God, we are and are called to be. All in the Family of God are called to love each other, pray for each other, and grow together in wisdom. Scriptures: Ephesians 1:1-23 Keywords: family, community, Father, Ephesians

Through his teachings, Jesus is trying to lead his followers to joy. In this sermon, we look at the Beatitudes can help us find true and lasting happiness. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: joy, happiness, rejoicing, heaven

Jesus makes the startling claim that those who suffer persecution are near to God. In this sermon, we see how we can find God in the midst of being treated unfairly, and how to endure for the sake of the Kingdom. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: persecution, suffering, pain, injustice, kingdom of heaven

God gives us his peace through Jesus so that we might become "peacemakers" to those around us. In this sermon, we see what God's peace fully means and how it can move our hearts to pursue peace in our world. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, adoption

Jesus proclaims that the flourishing life of His kingdom is for those with pure hearts. The good news of the Gospel is that he offers his purity in place of our own impure motives and actions. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: beatitudes, purity, heart, obedience, sincerity

Jesus tells us that life with God centers around mercy. In this sermon, we look at what mercy is and how God's mercy towards us leads us to show mercy towards others. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: mercy, grace, love, compassion, forgiveness, beatitudes

What will give us a happy life? In this sermon, we see that true happiness only comes when we seek after God and his righteousness. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: righteousness, holiness, beatitudes, happiness

The meek are those that do not assert themselves to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: beatitudes, meek, tender, gentle, humble,

Too often, life either gives us what we don't want or does not give us what we most want. In this sermon, we see how mourning our reality can lead us to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: grief, sadness, despair, mourning, comfort, hope

This summer, we will walk through some of Jesus' most famous sayings — the Beatitudes. In this sermon, we see how having a poor spirit helps us receive God's power and mercy. Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 Keywords: beatitudes, sermon on the mount, discipleship, trust, poor in spirit, mercy, poverty