New Year - New You! #8 Faithfulness
2026 is a new year and our challenge is to be more like Jesus and less like the person we currently are. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is all about...not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking cl
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Pick up a Harmony Study booklet on Sunday after church!
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
March 15 - Donita Firman
March 18 - Adam & Amanda Simons
March 20 - Chris Kuestner
March 18 - Adam & Amanda Simons
March 20 - Chris Kuestner
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Our February and March series is called New Year - New You.
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
Galatians 5:22-23
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22-23
BSB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
BSB
Do you have people in your life that are there for you through thick and thin?
The people that come to mind probably have the aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that we are talking about today...FAITHFULNESS.
“Faithfulness is a God-induced steadfastness evidenced by keeping our Word, deepening our Worship, and maintaining our Walk.”
In this definition is a reliability to both God and others. It is important that people can trust what we say, knowing that we will follow through, and do the right thing.
Each week we continue to emphasize how the nine qualities are interconnected. Over time, the Spirit will produce each fruit in our lives with the goal of our reflecting the character of Jesus and to enable us to be like Him. We have to be willing to submit to the Spirit's work in us.
The people that come to mind probably have the aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that we are talking about today...FAITHFULNESS.
“Faithfulness is a God-induced steadfastness evidenced by keeping our Word, deepening our Worship, and maintaining our Walk.”
In this definition is a reliability to both God and others. It is important that people can trust what we say, knowing that we will follow through, and do the right thing.
Each week we continue to emphasize how the nine qualities are interconnected. Over time, the Spirit will produce each fruit in our lives with the goal of our reflecting the character of Jesus and to enable us to be like Him. We have to be willing to submit to the Spirit's work in us.
We know that faithfulness starts with God.
Psalm 33:4
We see God's faithfulness throughout the Bible and with His Son Jesus.
Today we're going to look at how Jesus demonstrates faithfulness.
Psalm 33:4
We see God's faithfulness throughout the Bible and with His Son Jesus.
Today we're going to look at how Jesus demonstrates faithfulness.
Psalms 33:4
BSB
4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is trustworthy.
BSB
Our text today is found in Mark 6:45-51.
This passage deals with Jesus walking on water but in the verses preceeding verse 45, Jesus and the disciples have just gotten done feeding the 5,000. It had been a really long day for them!
For most of us, a busy day like that would bring fatigue and drain us of the energy that we need to get things done.
But in these verses we find Jesus sending, praying, watching over, coming to others' aid, encouraging, teaching, and sharing life.
This passage deals with Jesus walking on water but in the verses preceeding verse 45, Jesus and the disciples have just gotten done feeding the 5,000. It had been a really long day for them!
For most of us, a busy day like that would bring fatigue and drain us of the energy that we need to get things done.
But in these verses we find Jesus sending, praying, watching over, coming to others' aid, encouraging, teaching, and sharing life.
Mark 6:45-51
BSB
45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.
46 After bidding them farewell, He went up on the mountain to pray.
47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and Jesus was alone on land.
48 He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them,
49 but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost—
50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
51 Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. And the disciples were utterly astounded,
46 After bidding them farewell, He went up on the mountain to pray.
47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and Jesus was alone on land.
48 He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them,
49 but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost—
50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
51 Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. And the disciples were utterly astounded,
BSB
Let's look at three ways that Jesus responds to the long day and demonstrates His faithfulness:
1. Jesus PRIORITIZED His relationship with the Father.
Mark 6:45-46
Have you been faithful in keeping open communication with God?
1. Jesus PRIORITIZED His relationship with the Father.
Mark 6:45-46
Have you been faithful in keeping open communication with God?
2. Jesus HELPED His friends.
Mark 6:48-51
Have you stood by someone who is struggling and going through difficult times?
Mark 6:48-51
Have you stood by someone who is struggling and going through difficult times?
3. Jesus DEMONSTRATED the importance of staying on God’s mission.
Mark 6:51
How have you responded to weariness when you have a task to do?
Mark 6:51
How have you responded to weariness when you have a task to do?
In order for us to follow the example of Jesus, it is important to complete the task that Jesus has given us as our main priority.
Acts 20:24
Like Jesus, Paul's words clearly indicate that his priority was what the Lord had called him to do.
Acts 20:24
Like Jesus, Paul's words clearly indicate that his priority was what the Lord had called him to do.
Acts 20:24
BSB
24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
BSB
Here are a few ways in which faithfulness will be evidenced in our lives:
1. Our relationship with God will be a regular part of our everyday lifestyle:
Are you intentionally dedicating time to getting to know God better?
1. Our relationship with God will be a regular part of our everyday lifestyle:
Are you intentionally dedicating time to getting to know God better?
2. We will actively invest our time into the lives of others:
Are you aware of the needs of the people around you?
Are you aware of the needs of the people around you?
3. We will begin to live out the mission that God has for our lives:
Have you taken ownership for your development as a disciple?
Have you taken ownership for your development as a disciple?
Remember that God will develop faithfulness in our lives to the degree that we will submit to His will for our lives.
Do we see what God wants for our lives as more important than our own personal desires that are centered around us and what we want?
Allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you to develop the fruit of faithfulness in your life this week.
Do we see what God wants for our lives as more important than our own personal desires that are centered around us and what we want?
Allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you to develop the fruit of faithfulness in your life this week.
