Grace & Peace Presbyterian

How do you feel when you hear the words "conflict," "disagreement," and "debate"? Probably not too excited! The Acts of the Apostles, however, shows us how conflict and debate are signs of health in the church when we engage in them in the way Christ intended. Acts displays conflict in a new light and points a way forward for healthy and productive debate in the church. In Acts 15, we see the church facing unprecedented questions and challenges as the gospel continues to spread to new frontiers. As the church grows in number, a new community is taking shape that represents an immense diversity of backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. What will hold together this growing movement of diverse Christians as they navigate multiple cultures and beliefs? What will be their anchor as their customs and traditions are challenged in light of God's redemptive acts? How will they work through sharp disagreement and difference while maintaining unity and peace? What will their engagement in healthy conflict proclaim to the watching world? These questions are just as important and prevalent for Grace & Peace today as they were for the church in the very beginning! Come join us this Sunday to discover how only the gospel can provide true unity in diversity.

Have you ever faced or witnessed opposition to the Gospel? As we continue in our study of the Book of Acts, we will read about Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey, and see that they experienced a fury of opposition and persecution for sharing the Good News of Christ. We will also see that the Spirit enabled them to be bold and resilient, because when the world is against you, it often means God has you right where He wants you. As we ponder God's Word and this story, I want you to ask two questions: How is the Spirit at work even in times of opposition? How should we respond to these challenges if and when we face them? Pray this week that the Lord would show you how you are to be a part of God's mission "to the ends of the earth" right here in Tulsa, and pray that His Spirit would empower you to face opposition with boldness, and not bitterness.

Pop quiz: Who's the main character in Acts - Peter, Paul, or the Church? Answer: None of them. It's the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit so dominates the book that some theologians have suggested that we call it Acts of the Holy Spirit, not Acts of the Apostles. It is the Holy Spirit who works in and through the Church to take the gospel to the ends of the Earth; the same Holy Spirit who is STILL at work in the Church today (although it might look a little different, okay sometimes a lot different, than it did back then). As we study this book, let us never lose sight of the fact that we are learning how to take the gospel to the ends of the earth through the power of the Spirit!

Last week we started a new sermon series called To the Ends of the Earth. It's a study of Acts 9-28. There Luke records the apostles bearing witness to the words and deeds of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit to the ends of the Earth. God began this work two thousand years ago, and he is continuing this work today! We live in the next chapter of this story, Acts 29 if you will! As we study these scriptures, I want us to answer this question together: How can we bear witness to the words and deeds of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit today? We believe that the answer to this question will help us fulfill our purpose as a church and as individuals, and invite you to join us in God's journey to the ends of the earth.

What is your purpose? What is my purpose? How do I find my purpose? What is the purpose of the Church, including Grace & Peace? These are common questions we all ask, because we were created to live for a purpose. Without purpose, we lose meaning, direction, and hope. Thankfully, the Bible gives us many powerful answers to these important questions! One of the best places to find answers to those questions is the book of Acts. There we read about God fulfilling His promises and his purposes through the Church. How? Acts 1:8 lays the groundwork, There Jesus says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The rest of the book of Acts describes how this promise unfolded in the early Church. Chapters 1-8, which we covered two years ago, shows how the Church bore witness to Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Chapters 9-28 show how the Church bore witness to these promises to the ends of the Earth. This Summer we are going to a study of Acts 9-28 called To the Ends of the Earth. During this study, we hope to show you how WE (you, me, Grace & Peace, and the Church Universal) can participate in the ongoing work of God by bearing witness to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit to the ends of the Earth. By God's grace , we will find our purpose, as individuals and as a Church, in God's greater purpose!

Have you ever been asked to pay for something that you already owned? I think we can agree that this would feel pretty backwards. In our passage this week from Matthew 17:24-27, we encounter Jesus being asked to pay a tax for the very Temple that belonged to Him. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to pay the Temple tax like everyone else, but Jesus knew something that they didn't: sons of the King don't pay tribute to live in the Kingdom. While this can seem like a simple dispute on the surface, it reveals to us a revolutionary truth about who we are in Christ. This week as we prepare our hearts for Sunday, I want you to take a moment and ponder what it means to be God's children, and what it means to trust in God as our Father; as people who are free from the guilt, shame, and condemnation that once held us captive, and sons of God who are free to live as the beloved children who are welcomed into our Father's house.

Have you ever seen a sneak preview of a great movie before it was released? Or tasted a delicious meal before it officially went on the menu? Or listened to an incredible song before the album was live? In each of these moments, you are getting a glimpse of something wonderful that will soon be revealed to the world. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ is the ultimate glimpse-behind-the-curtain moment. In this event, Christ's divine identity and his glorious future as the exalted Redeemer is revealed. As Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent suffering, he assures them of his promised glory. Why? Because they too will suffer, but their suffering will be transformed in the redemption secured by the Crucified King. Take a moment this week to read Matthew 17:1-13. Make a list of all the ways you are suffering right now. It could be anything: betrayal, financial strain, chronic illness, loss of a loved one, the demise of a long-held dream, the inevitable consequences of your own choices. Reflect upon the difference it would make in your sufferings if you heard God say to you, "You are my beloved child with whom I am well pleased."

As we approach Easter, we will focus on essential Christian doctrines that shape the Christian faith and the life of a follower of Jesus - scripture, faith, grace, confessing Christ and following Christ. These truths will challenge our heads, hearts, and hands as we seek to worship Jesus in our context. We encourage you to prepare your heart for worship by reading and meditating on these passages. Bring your hopes, fears, questions and concerns. Bring your friends, family and neighbors. In the end, everyone who seeks a relationship with Him by grace through faith will leave radically transformed!

Worship Info for February 23, 2025 Text: Ephesians 6:10-24 Title: Standing Firm in Christ C.S. Lewis once wrote the following about human beings: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." Which one of those extremes best describes your own tendency? Ephesians 6:10-24 tells us that all Christians are engaged in a cosmic spiritual conflict. As citizens of God's kingdom we face opposition from the spiritual forces of evil on a daily basis. What is the true nature of that opposition? How can we be equipped to face this spiritual conflict? And how does Christ give us ultimate victory in this cosmic battle?

Ephesians 6:1-4 Parenting in Christ

This week, Pastor Shane will continue with us in our study of Ephesians and teach us about God's design for marriage. We will see what mutual submission for mutual edification means and how living together in this way blesses us and honors God. Whether single, married, divorced or widowed, this passage of Scripture has life and growth for each of us as we ponder Jesus' love for us as His bride.

This week as we continue our study of Ephesians, Pastor Shane will discuss what it means to turn away from our past life of death and darkness and walk in God's light. As we live out obedience that flows from our changed nature, the Holy Spirit works in us to bear fruit and illuminate the world around us. Pray with us this week that He would be working in our midst to transform our lives with radical obedience and shine His light in us to the lost in our city.

When someone asks you who you are, what do you say? Do you identify yourself by your profession or your stage of life? Do you talk about what you do? Maybe you identify with certain character traits or things you're passionate about? Would other people identify you by the same things? Or would they say something else? As we start a brand new year, let's consider our identity and who God says we are. Let's look at how He has formed us and called us. And let's consider the footsteps of Jesus as we step out into 2025.