Stephen was a man who glorified Christ in life and death. His martyrdom gives testimony to the power of Christ to change people and to set them on a path of faithfulness to the end. Today, as we consider the death of Stephen, let us consecrate our lives to Christ that he may be glorified in all things. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

As Stephen stood before the council accused of speaking against the holy things of God, he spoke for Jesus of Nazareth who is the Righteous One sent by God and announced by the prophets. He then brought a charge against the members of the council. It is they who have resisted the Holy Spirit by rejecting Jesus. The word of Christ comes to us with the same force of conviction of sin, then with the same call to repent and receive the gift of God in Jesus. Today is a day of grace to hear and to heed the word of Christ. Today Stephen’s message goes forth from the church in the power of the Holy Spirit. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

Scott and Josh talk about what it means to be an ordinary Christian who is filled with the Spirit. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

The account of the accusation, defense, and martyrdom of Stephen is long enough for us to consider in three weeks. Today, we introduce Stephen as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. Through Stephen's life and death, we see a God who carries out his redemptive plan through people, and equips them for their calling. We are encouraged to live our lives by the power of the Holy Spirt who has been give to us by God. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

How do churches decide which needs to meet? Scott and Josh discuss this and other issues on this week’s episode. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

This episode in the life of the early church shows us the priority work of the church is the ministry of the word of Christ, and the fruit of the Spirit in the church is the meeting of real needs. The early church found a way to do both so that the word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied. May the Lord give us grace to do the same. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

The apostles of Jesus Christ show us what it looks like to suffer with joy for faithfulness to Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit in their lives shows us how we come to love Christ so deeply that we are honored to be dishonored with him. These last days call for faithfulness to Christ, and the Holy Spirit provides the strength. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

Josh and Scott discuss the ways in which human hearts are behind world events in history. The only hope for the world is Christ changing human hearts through the power of the Gospel. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

Acts 5 gives us a glimpse of the Sovereign God moving redemptive history along despite the persecution of the church. It also gives us insight into the power of sin and grace in human hearts that are part of history. We are called to hope in God to accomplish his work in the world and in our hearts for his glory. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

We have seen the threat to the early church from the religious leaders who from the outside tried to stop the apostles from speaking in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we see another threat that comes from within. When the impurity of deceit and hypocrisy surfaces in the church, it is a threat to her unity and the power of her witness. May the Lord use this example to lead us to greater purity of heart for Christ. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

Scott and Josh discuss what it means to be faithful today. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

The preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ is met with both unbelief and belief. Unbelief in Jesus is more than indifference, it is opposition to him. Genuine belief in Jesus leads to faithfulness to him. Acts 4 exposes unbelief and calls for repentance. It also shows the kind of thinking and praying that keeps us boldly believing and proclaiming him. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

In this episode, Scott and Josh talk about what it means to be Spirit-filled Christian in a Spirit-filled church. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

Jesus taught the disciples that the Holy Spirit would be given to bear witness about him (John 15:26). That day has come. Acts 3 begins with a healing miracle, but quickly turns into a sermon about Jesus of Nazareth. The Holy Spirit is active in the healing, the preaching, and the reception of the message by those who heard it. But not all submitted themselves to the Spirit and the word. And so, the opposition begins. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart, but believe. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

Scott and Josh discuss how we can tell what’s normal—exploring how to discern which aspects of Acts should shape and characterize our church today. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

The preaching of the gospel of Jesus and the reception of that message by the repentant crowd led to a gathering of new believers filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately they devoted themselves to congregational life that built them up and continued the witness of Christ to others. This is what the Holy Spirit birthed on the day of Pentecost. May we be led by the Spirit and share their devotion today. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

Scott and Josh talk about the real and timeless need for repentance. The human heart has not changed, nor has our need for the Gospel. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty

The message of Jesus as Lord and Christ, and the realization that it was this Jesus that they crucified, landed on the hearts of the people of Jerusalem with the force of cutting conviction. They knew they were guilty. What should they do? This Jesus whom they crucified will forgive them. The very death they caused is the means by which their sin is removed. Repentance, faith, and confession of Jesus as Lord is the way forward. This remains the way today. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.

Scott and Josh talk about the difference between feeling the weight of sin that leads us to repentance, and a continual sense of unworthiness. One leads to life, and the other prevents us from seeing God’s grace. The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

The two responses of the crowd in Jerusalem to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit reflect their unbelief. Some are confused, some mock, but all are blind to the reality that the Spirit of God has come upon his people. Peter, the once fearful disciple who denied his Lord, now stands filled with courage by the power of the Spirit to declare that what is happening can be explained only as the work of Jesus of Nazareth. This Jesus, crucified and raised, has now poured out the Holy Spirit. This Jesus is both Lord and Christ. To this Jesus we turn in repentance and faith. This Jesus we proclaim. Grace Community Church exists to build spiritually healthy people for ministry in the world. One of the ways that we pursue this mission is by gathering each Sunday for corporate worship, prayer, and biblical teaching. The corporate nature of this gathering is both edifying to the believer and a witness of God’s grace to the world. Sermon speaker is Scott Patty unless otherwise noted.