Grace Chapel

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:11-13

Love Your Ideological Enemy by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

[Paul and Barnabas] had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. Acts 15:39-40 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:2-6, 16 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21

Scripture Focus: Let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. Romans 14:19

Transformed, not Conformed by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Romans 10:9-13, 11:25-26, 28-29 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Paul writes some of the most beloved words of scripture, “Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus.” In Paul’s day, their was tension between fulfilling the law and the freedom found in Christ’s love. Do we follow the law? How does Jesus fulfill the law? Paul describes how Christ fulfilled the law and sets a new covenant. We struggle with the desire to do what is right and good, but also temptation and sin, the question of suffering and evil is persistent. How are we to live? Paul reminds there is no condemnation in life with Jesus which enables us to live differently. We’ll incorporate the Grace Pathway: Grow with Practice. Deepening faith takes time, practice, recognition of God’s love.

How are we justified in faith? What does Jesus death on the cross mean for us. In this sermon we'll understand that Jesus made grace visible.

magine the next 25 years…what will Grace Chapel look like? Or, imagine the next year. We begin a new chapter at Grace. God wants to lead us on an adventure. The Apostle Paul’s life and ministry was filled with adventure because he was transformed by Christ. He invited others into the adventure. We’ll kick off the fall with Vision Weekend introducing Paul’s letter to the Romans. It’s a gritty, grace filled. Paul writes, “I am unashamed of the gospel.” He was determined to share the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. But his focus on God’s righteousness through Christ, not our own—and grace—changed everything. To a diverse congregation(s) Paul writes, “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” We all share same human condition. Key theological theme to introduce views on prevenient/irresistible grace. It is God’s initiative through Jesus to heal, restore, and renew. Grace is for everyone. We live this out through the four Grace Pathways: be curious, grow in practice, find community, make an impact—the first step is to get started.

Jesus gave the command to love one another. This was harder than expected. As the Holy Spirit led them, the early followers of Jesus discovered the power of the one-another, irresistible church. Today, church seems all too resistible. But does it have to be? We’ll consider what makes Christian community compelling.

Each gospel includes Jesus’ invitation to the disciples to follow him or to come and see what he’s about. The invitation changed their lives as they chose to follow him. One invitation led to another invitation until someone invited you to follow Jesus, too. We’ll consider the power of invitation and how we invite others.

Psalm 23 by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Looking into the Most-Googled Bible Verses by Dr. Pat Battem, (Associate Director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)

Looking into the Most-Googled Bible Verses most popular verses South America

John 10:10 by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Looking into the Most-Googed Bible Verses

Looking into the Most-Googled Bible Verses

Partners in Joy by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Partners in Unity by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Partners in Perseverance by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Bible calls us to have the same mentality of Jesus that led him to the cross, which is self-emptying, and voluntarily sacrificial. To live a life shaped, informed, and influenced by the cross, for the sake of loving others.

A Conversation with Pastor Bryan, 40 Years of Ministry and the impact of God’s Story unfolding in one man’s life of faith and service. An open and honest hour-long sit-down with Pastor Bryan, who has faithfully served as a pastor for over 40 years, the last 25 right here at Grace Chapel. Hear stories from his early years, vulnerable reflections on pivotal moments that shaped his faith and ministry, wisdom from decades of following God, and candid insights into the dedication required to shepherd a church. Listen for how God's hand guided Pastor Bryan's journey, calling him to ministry, and shaping his path along the way.

Partners in God-Given Courage by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

“The broad, beautiful, expansive gospel. “Jesus as king” changes everything about the world, our work, our engagement in society, and our very reason for living - and we don’t live it or experience it alone! If it is what Paul suggests it is, then every moment/circumstance of life holds gospel potential.”

I still believe in the genius of the local church, as long as it continues to repent and reform

I still believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not just for going to heaven, but for this life, and for the good of the world.

I still believe the Bible is inspired by God and worthy of our trust, engagement, and re-discovery.

I still believe in a God who loves us, more than I dared to ask or imagine

In God's hands, even a bad ending can be a new beginning

Praying "Thy will be done" means surrendering our power, our privileges, and our preferences in the service of others.

Praying "Thy will be done" means surrendering our future to the power, the purpose, and the promises of God.

Surrendering our Hope by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Thy Will Be Done by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Crying at KFC by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Go Time by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Throughout Mark's Gospel, we see Jesus performing miracles of healing. Yet, our own experiences of praying for healing have often yielded the outcomes we were hoping against. How do we keep praying for healing in a world that has false claims of miracles, exaggerations, outright lies, in addition to disease, suffering and tragedy? What is Jesus telling us in the healing miracles in Scripture?

When God does something new, it always upsets the status quo, and starts a fresh fire

When God does something new, it's always grounded in the life-changing message of Jesus

When God does something new, it always involves repentance.

Prepare the way by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

When we recognize the victory that has "already" been won, we are able to navigate life in the "not yet" of a future hope.

From Monologue Sunday Dec, 17th, 2023 Based on Luke 2:25-35 Bryan Wilkerson, Senior Pastor / Script by Meghan Blosser

Blessed are the Peacemakers by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

If there's ever going to be peace on earth, it's going to have to come from somewhere and someone beyond ourselves

Pastor Jon discusses the mission of God and our role in it. He quotes verses from Genesis and John, highlighting that God is inherently sending and that we are called to participate in His mission alongside Jesus Christ. Jon encourages us to embrace our mission with faith, peace, and joy, living out our purpose in various contexts such as work, relationships, and community. This message reminds us that even in the turbulent seasons of our lives, we can find confidence and peace knowing that Jesus has overcome death and empowers us for His mission.

Seeds of grace are sown generously, grow mysteriously, and bear fruit abundantly.

Sam George GAW guest speaker discusses the scattering and gathering of the first Christians and draws lessons from this passage for the church in North America today. They emphasize the unprecedented shift in the center of gravity of Christianity, with most Christians now residing in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The speaker explores the implications of this shift and the global reach of the Gospel, highlighting the mission from everywhere to everywhere. They also discuss the diversity and unity within the church, the importance of welcoming and embracing people from different backgrounds, and the role of migration in the growth and revival of Christianity. The speaker encourages the viewers to have a global vision, celebrate diversity, and engage in mission with God.

The Beginning of the Gospel by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

From the beginning, God has been calling people into personal, conversational relationship with Him, based on faith alone.

From the beginning, God designed human beings for intimate, honorable, and life-giving relationships that lead us closer to each other and to God.

Ed Stetzer, dean of Talbot school of theology delves into the theme of God's mission and our role in it. He begins by highlighting how God is on a mission, drawing from the stories of Abraham and Jesus. The speaker emphasizes that just as God sent Abraham and Jesus, he also sends us to be a blessing in the world. He encourages us to embrace their calling with faith, peace, joy, and confidence in the resurrection of Jesus.

In every new beginning, we have the opportunity to choose life instead of death, good instead of evil, and trust instead of fear.

The Beginning of Humankind by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

When God begins something new, it's always Purposeful, Personal, and Progressive

In this conversation, the senior pastor of Grace Chapel, Brian Wilkerson, discusses his 24-year tenure at the church and his journey from pastoring in New York to Boston. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of embracing new beginnings, both in his personal life and in his role as a pastor. He shares his experiences of navigating difficult times, such as the transition to online ministry during the Covid-19 pandemic, and his hopes for the future. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's ability to bring about new things and encourages the congregation to lean into the new things God is doing. The conversation concludes with a prayer for the online community and the upcoming year of ministry.

God Redeems our Work by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

We don't have to fear change, because with Christ, every change is an opportunity to be changed, and to become the person God is calling us to be.

Like most everything else in life, change goes better when we do it together.

Letting Go by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

When we embrace change with courage and faith, we discover God to be the same here, there, and everywhere in between.

Sunsets are good for your soul because the sunset points us to God.

Fire pits create an environment for human connection.

Travel is good for your soul when you invited God along for the ride.

How can we experience more joy in our lives? How can we be people who embody the joy of God in our lives? Well maybe we all just need to eat a little more ice-cream

After defeating the false prophets of Baal, Elijah is on the run from the Queen who has vowed to kill him. He's exhausted, burned out, and just wants to quit. God sends an angel to him and the first thing Elijah does is take a nap. Similarly, after a long year, summer is finally here but you might find yourself exhausted, burned out, and maybe wanting to quit. Taking some naps this summer may be the first step in saving your soul and your sanity.

The best thing you can do for your soul is to hitch it to Jesus.

Our hope for the world is that one day evil will be no more, good will be even more, and God will be with us like never before, forevermore.

Church can be an easy place to visit once a week, but what if the community of the church was meant for something more? When we love Jesus, love like Jesus, and point people to Jesus with the way we live our lives TOGETHER, one thing can lead to another. What impact could we have on the next generation?

Judgment is good for the world because it will eradicate evil once and for all.

Spirit-empowered witnesses walk with God, love like Jesus loves, and serve as a kingdom of priests declaring the marvelous deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Pastor Bryan shares his decision to transition out of the senior pastor role, and offers a challenging vision for Grace Chapel's future

Worship centers us on God and sends us into the world.

We hear about countless doomsday scenarios from nuclear war to asteroids to natural disasters. And when it comes to the book of Revelation, there has been a tendency to treat it as sets of doomsday prophecies. But the central theme of Revelation is about the unveiling of Jesus as the true Lord and it's central to understanding the book.

Revelation tells the story of God's final victory over evil through Christ, and invites us to play our part in that story.

Mission Of Jesus by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Clarity For Today by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Resurrection And The Life by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

I AM the Bread - The Worst Sermon Ever? by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Gate by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Light of the World by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Abide by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Good Shepherd by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Thoughts and Prayers? by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Order of the Towel by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Forgiveness and Peacemaking in Quiet-Quitting Cancel Culture by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

From Stranger to Friend by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Talk to me by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

When we take the time to understand another person's experience, we, and they, become more open to God's work in our lives.

There’s a lot of work we have to do on our journey toward racial justice. Empathy may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but empathy is a vital step on that journey. And it’s more powerful than we may think you. Real empathy is hard work, and it’s a risk, because we’re opening ourselves up to other people’s experiences, seeing what they see, hearing what they hear, and feeling what they feel. But through it we gain a deeper understanding of the issues the world is facing… and ourselves. A few years ago Grace Chapel invited a handful of people to join Pastor Jeanette Yep on a Racial Justice Team, with the goal of helping our congregation understand and address the challenges facing the church and society today. In this podcast a few of those team members come together to share a bit about their life experiences and the role that empathy has played in their journeys and their efforts.

From loneliness to love by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

New Years' Day is a day we think about what could be. The year is new. Mark's gospel begins with Jesus entering the world stage as an adult and proclaiming that the time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Jesus calls his first disciples, and even though they do not understand what he is calling them to, they follow. Will we take the next step even if we don't know what the future holds? What is my next step in following Jesus? How do I move confidently into an unknown future? When Jesus calls, how should I respond? call, respond, repent, believe, commitment, trust

When God Finds His Voice // Christmas 2022 by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Waiting in the Wings by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Language of Silence by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

The Sound of Silence by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

When God is Silent by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

Gratitude Sunday by Grace Chapel Sermon Media

With God, every ending can be a new beginning.

Listening to God in Mission by Grace Chapel Sermon Media