Gospel Grace Church Sermon Audio

1 Timothy 5:1-15 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - 1Timothy 5 is a very practical section of the book that deals with interpersonal relationships in the church. Paul reminds us that the church is like a family and we should treat one another as such. The text goes on to talk about care for widows and proper work relationships. So, read ahead and join us tomorrow as we hear from God’s word about loving, caring, and serving relationships in our lives.

- Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Easter Sunday has come and gone, but the work of our resurrected Savior isn’t over. One of the most beautiful post-resurrection accounts in scripture traces the forgiveness of Peter. On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied the Lord three times. He turned away from Jesus, but Jesus didn’t turn away from him. After suffering on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus specifically appeared to Peter. He wanted to forgive his fallen disciple and restore him to service. Forgiveness is something everyone needs. So may the Lord help us learn some powerful lessons this weekend as we embrace his work and follow his example.

Romans 10:1-13 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Easter is a time when we remember our risen Savior and rejoice in the life he offers to all believers. This coming Sunday we will consider what it means to have a right standing before God. In Romans 10, the apostle Paul addresses two very different paths - the “way of works” and the “way of faith.” Some people try to secure their righteousness by doing good deeds. But Paul makes it clear that only by trusting in the One who died and rose again can we as sinners be right with God. May the gospel message be both a witness and a cause for worship this Easter.

John 18:28-19:16 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Palm Sunday is a time when we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey beginning what is known as Passion Week. As people laid palm branches on the road, the crowds were shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” The gospel of Matthew tells us that all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Zechariah five centuries earlier when he wrote, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). In that significant and symbolic event, Jesus was identified as King. But the question remained, would people receive him or reject him? This Sunday, may we embrace the true King and receive him as our timely substitute.

1 Timothy 4:1-16 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - In the book of Ephesians, Paul explains that our warfare is not primarily against adversaries of flesh and blood, but against wickedness and dark spirits. He reminds us of the cosmic war raging all around us. The fact is, there is a clash of kingdoms, a collision of light and darkness, truth and lies. In our text this weekend, Paul identifies false teaching and commends truth teaching. He wants the pillar and buttress of the truth to be prepared for the onslaught of deception and lies. It's easy to look at false religions or aberrant philosophies and forget that behind them reside the teachings of demons. May the Lord help us to be devoted to his word and committed to the truth. May we keep a close watch on ourselves and our teaching.

- Speaker: Lukus Counterman - In this lesson we’ll look at the key texts in the discussion on deacons.

1 Timothy 3:14-16 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - The first three chapters of 1Timothy are very practical. They address false teaching, call believers to be people of prayer, instruct men and women regarding roles in corporate worship, and they describe the types of elders and deacons needed in the church. But in our text this weekend Paul indicates that his practical teaching was meant to form our conduct. It was intended to shape how we behave as the assembly of the living God. The church is a special institution centered on Christ, so may we receive the Lord’s instruction and become a people for his own possession that bring him glory.

Luke 8:1-3 - Speaker: Josh Lankford - In this Gospel Growth, we consider a biblical theme from 1 Timothy 6 about how God wants us to invest everything we have (our money) in everything God is doing (his ministry).

Ecclesiastes 4:4-12 - Speaker: Jon Kopp - This week, we will discuss the rhythm “grow in community.” Our rhythms at Gospel Grace are the ordinary, but essential practices that we as a church devote ourselves to on the path of following Jesus. When we talk about community at Gospel Grace, we are referring to something much more significant than being around people who are like us or who we like. Community isn’t just living in the same place as a group of people or being with people of common backgrounds, interests, languages, or life stages. Community is how we describe the unity with God and others that humans were made for as a result of bearing the image of God. Though that design has been broken by sin, God is at work through the gospel to restore relationships with Him and others. Although God saves men and women as individuals, He saves them into a new community–a family! And, if God has made them into a family, we should live like one in authentic love and sacrificial good works toward each other and th

1 Timothy 3:8-13 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Paul wrote the letter of 1Timothy so that people in the church of Ephesus would “know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God” (1Tim. 3:15). He wanted to see health and order in the congregation. So, part of the get-well plan for the church was appointing qualified elders and deacons. Though the first part of 1Tim. 3 discusses eldership, the second half of the chapter deals with deacons. The Bible explains that deacons are needed in the church to provide logistical and material support so that the elders can concentrate their efforts on the Word of God and prayer. Deacons are not responsible to teach or spiritually lead the congregation, but instead provide oversight in the service-oriented functions of the church so that needs are cared for and the gospel can spread. So, may the Lord help us have deacons who meet the biblical requirements, fulfill their service responsibilities, and then experience the blessed resul

- Speaker: Lukus Counterman - In this lesson we’ll look at the key texts in the discussion on deacons.

James 1:27 - Speaker: Joe Skinner - Throughout history God has repeatedly shown how he is caring and providing for widows. In 1 Timothy Paul gives us one of the largest sections on widow care in scripture, and emphasizes the importance of family and church in caring for widows. Today's Gospel Growth will explore how it is God has cared for widows throughout scripture, and how the we as the church have opportunity to reflect God's heart for widows today. God cares for widows, the church should too.

Hebrews 10:19-25 - Speaker: Jon Kopp - In the midst of our study through 1 and 2 Timothy this year, we are going to be taking a few breaks along the way to teach through what we call The Rhythms of Gospel Grace. When we talk about the rhythms of Gospel Grace we aren’t referring to drums and beats, we mean the ordinary, but essential practices that we as a church devote ourselves to on the path of following Jesus. Our rhythms are a way of highlighting the healthy habits of Christian living that lead us to flourishing in the body of Christ. Some might refer to them as a discipleship pathway or steps to growing in grace. We call them our rhythms. Our hope is that as we work through these 5 practices throughout this year you can locate where you are in your journey of faith and discover what next steps God has for you as you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our first rhythm is “Gather in Worship.” May God help us to grow both personally and corporately in seeing Him for Who He

- Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Q&A on eldership and bi-vocationality.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Ephesus was plagued by false teachers along with men and women who were confused in ministry their roles. So, Paul sent Timothy to set things in order and teach the church how to conduct itself as the house of God and pillar of truth. What we learn in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, is that a healthy church needs healthy elders. It needs men who are exemplary in their marriage and family, their personality and character, and in their devotion to and communication of God’s word. Elders are meant to be models of how truth transforms life. So, Timothy was supposed to pursue qualified men to lead quality churches for the glory of God. May the Lord teach us the importance of having biblically qualified elders to lead the church. And may we pray for our pastors as they seek to please God and follow his lead.

- Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Q&A on women in ministry

1 Timothy 2:8-15 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - In an age when churches are so diverse in worship structures and styles, and when the roles of men and women in ministry take so many different forms, perhaps now more than ever the we need the Word of God to speak. In our text this week we will look at God’s plan for corporate worship. He has instruction for both men and women, and it’s for our good. So, may God be glorified in his church as we follow his lead.

1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - As Paul finishes warning the church about false teaching and distracting teachers, he tells us to fight the good fight of the faith. Now, that’s all well and good, but how should we wage the good warfare in a Christian congregation? Well, Paul admonishes the church to begin the fight on its knees. Begin with prayer. Our text this week encourages us to pray for everyone and preach to everyone because God has a good heart towards everyone. God’s desire and Christ’s death are our only hope, so may we pursue that above all else.

1 Timothy 1:12-20 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - Paul wrote the letter of 1Timothy to help the church of Ephesus be the pillar and buttress of truth in their community. He wanted them to be rightly ordered and grounded in the gospel. But false teaching had crept in and blown them to and fro with every wind of doctrine. So, the apostle called them back to the faith that had previously been delivered to them. They needed to hear once again that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And the mercy every believer received was meant to be an example to those around them. May the Lord ground us in the gospel afresh, and give us thankful hearts as we serve him.

1 Timothy 1:1-11 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul helps us understand God’s design for the church. He addresses important themes like the church’s doctrine, its public worship, its formal officers, its social responsibilities, and its attitude toward material possessions. As John Calvin put it in his 1556 commentary, “this letter is highly relevant to our own times.” In a day when so many churches are tempted to get distracted, corrupted, or diluted, perhaps now more than ever we need God’s blueprint. May our study of 1 Timothy help us pursue God’s design for the church.