Bible, Church, Birthday, Anniversary

Happy 19th Birthday!

For 19 years, Grace Church has existed as a place where anyone could explore faith and come to know and follow Jesus. This weekend, we’re celebrating not just our church’s birthday, but focusing on a vision that’s bigger than ourselves. We’re dreaming of seeing all of our spiritually disconnected friends and neighbors come alive with hope and new life. Join us as we reflect on what God has done through our church and explore what it means to continue going to new places, reach the unreached, and be part of a movement that can change New England.

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MESSAGE NOTES

Grace Church 19th Anniversary

God’s Plan Through History: From Babel to New England

Our Current Context: The Political Landscape

Two Philosophies of Government:

  • Democrats: Government’s role is to care for its people
  • Republicans: Government’s role is to ensure fair play

“You are a child of the living God. Both parties represent different perspectives of how Babylonians should lead Babylon. And we live as citizens of a GREATER kingdom.”

[Romans 13:1] “For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

God’s Redemptive Plan Through History

  1. God’s Original Command (Genesis)
    • Command to Noah’s sons to fill the earth
    • Humanity’s resistance at Babel
    • God’s response: scattering of nations
  2. God’s Team Selection

[Deuteronomy 32:8-9] “When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court… For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession.”

  1. The Authority Over Nations

[Luke 4:5-7] “Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ‘I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,’ the devil said, ‘because they are mine to give to anyone I please.'”

  1. Christ’s Victory and New Authority

[Matthew 28:18] “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

God’s Gathering of Nations

  1. Pentecost Reversal (Acts 2)
    • Babel scattered languages
    • Pentecost unified languages
    • Gospel spreading begins
  2. Paul’s Understanding

[Romans 11:25] “I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles come to Christ.”

  1. The Apostles’ Global Reach
    • Peter: Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome
    • Andrew: Scythia, Asia Minor, Greece
    • Thomas: Parthia, India
    • Paul: Syria, Turkey, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy (List continues with other apostles)

Our Mission Today

[Romans 15:20-21] “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.'”

Current Challenge:

  • New England among top five least religious states
  • Strategic placement for kingdom impact

Application

  1. Plant a flag in your home for the kingdom of God
  2. Plant a flag in your town for the kingdom of God
  3. Rearrange your life to help take back God’s Kingdom

“What do you think He wants US to do with the rest of our lives? The same thing he told THEM to do with their lives – Go into every nation and plant a flag for the Kingdom of God.”

Historical Framework

  • Spiritual warfare begins in Genesis 11
  • Jesus reclaims authority in Matthew 28
  • Church given authority in Acts 2
  • We continue the mission today

“You want to fix the brokenness in our country? Forget Trump, Kamala, and DC. You want to fix the brokenness in New England? Plant a church!”

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Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?

For 19 years, Grace Church has existed as a place where anyone could explore faith and come to know and follow Jesus. This weekend, we’re celebrating not just our church’s birthday, but focusing on a vision that’s bigger than ourselves. We’re dreaming of seeing all of our spiritually disconnected friends and neighbors come alive with hope and new life. Join us as we reflect on what God has done through our church and explore what it means to continue going to new places, reach the unreached, and be part of a movement that can change New England.

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