Paul's Odyssey II #6 - A Baby is Born
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Grace Church By John Demo

Paul's Odyssey II #6 - A Baby is Born

Part 2 of a 3-part study of the life and ministry of Paul. This summer segment will focus on Paul's Second Missionary Journey.

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schedule 19 min read
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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. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on August 25th 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]).
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Barry County Cares could use donations of the following items which will be distributed to folks in need in Barry County. If you can help, drop items off in the church office.
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
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Come help remove brush, fallen trees, and debris on the course paths.
Need tractors or ATV's with buckets, chain saws, pole saws, or wood chippers.
This will take place August 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 9:00 am to Noon.
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Saturday, August 10th - Sara Walker, Kyle & Leslie Booher, Dan & Linda Cheadle
Sunday, August 11th - Abby Whitten
Monday, August 12th - Brice & Mindy Hasselback
Tuesday, August 13th - Colin & Holly Paul
Wednesday, August 14th - Paul & Jillyn Boldrey
Friday, August 16th - Alice Wiser, Aiden Bolinger, Shannah Shaver
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July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
The focus of this series is on how the early Church spread Christianity in the midst of a pagan society while enduring hostile religious persecution.
Last week we saw Paul and Silas arriving in Philippi where they stayed several days. While there they met several people who had salvation experiences.
Today we'll look at just one verse, Acts 16:40.

Question: What is your biggest regret?

After Paul and Silas were released from prison they decided to move on to a new harvest field, but first wanted to say goodbye to their new friends and leave instructions in the things of God. Do you wonder if they regretted this trip to Philippi?
As the passage concludes, we see the birth of the very first Church in what we know as Europe. The make up of this new church would have included the wealthy woman (Lydia) along with her family and associates, and possibly the fortune telling female along with others who saw her transformation, and the suicidal soldier and his family and associates.
Acts 16:40
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40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.
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What is the Church? How would you describe it?
The word church is a translation of the Greek word "ekklesia" which is defined as "an assembly" or "called out ones."
A church is not a building!
Romans 16:5a
The church is not Jews or Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 10:32
The church is people!
There are all kinds of churches filled with all kinds of people who attend for all kinds of reasons.
Romans 16:5
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5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
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1 Corinthians 10:32
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32 Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
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We have a choice. Will we do as Matthew 6:33 says?
If Christ loved the Church enough to die for it, and I love Christ, then I have got to love His Church, warts and all!
Although the church is not a physical building, believers are referred to as the building or temple of God. The Scriptures also make reference to the church being "the bride of Christ."
If anyone asks you, "What is the Church?" do you know how to answer them?
The Scriptures provide some very helpful visual images of what the church is like to help us understand and be able to describe it to others when asked.
Matthew 6:33
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33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
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1. A FAMILY
Romans 8:15-17 [NLT]
Lesson: Let us love and encourage each other as brothers and sisters.
Romans 8:15-17
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15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
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2. A BODY
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 [NLT]
Lesson: Let us use our different gifts God has given, to serve Him and others because we all have a role to play.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
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12 The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
14 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.
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3. A BRIDE
2 Corinthians 11:2 [NLT]
Lesson: Let us remember we are the bride, loved so much by Christ that He sacrificed Himself to make us clean and holy.
2 Corinthians 11:2
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2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
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4. A TEMPLE
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Lesson: Let us stand firm on the truth of Jesus, making sure that Scripture is taught as the central focus. As we gather as a Church, we are like a temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
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16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
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5. A LAMP-STAND
John 8:12 [NLT]
Lesson: Let us shine the light of the gospel out of our church into this world like a lamp-stand by telling our story and sharing His story.
John 8:12
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12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
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Hopefully these five visuals of the church will help us understand more about how God views the church and what He wants His church to be doing.
- Pray that we see the importance of this social connection that allows us to share life together.
- Meditate and pray over these five visuals that God has revealed to us about His Church.
- Pray for a pure heart and lifestyle as we mirror Christ to the lost we encounter.
- Pray that we remain faithful to each other and the mission God has called each of us to.
The laboratory for developing Christ-like character and strong relationships is our homes. (Ephesians 5-6)
The laboratory for developing and displaying the love of Christ is the Church. (John 13:34-35)
John 13:34-35
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34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
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