The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus' most popular parables. But have we become so familiar with the story that we don't see Jesus' point? Who is the Good Samaritan?

Download: grace-sermon-20100725.mp3

No sermon notes.

Habakkuk 2 provides practical help for times when our foundations are shaken. When we receive bad news that someone we love will soon die, that peace and security are quickly moving toward war and destruction, or that our religious leadership is falling from grace through corruption, our personal world can be shaken to the core.

Download: grace-sermon-20100718.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 071810-When Everything Seems Dark - live by Faith.pdf

There are many things that happen in our lives that perplex us. But the bigger problems for us as Christians occur when these things that happen seem to be contradictory to who think God is! We have learned that we are to take these concerns to God and leave them there--but how do we wait?

Download: grace-sermon-20100711.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 071110-Waiting for God's Answer.pdf

Download: grace-sermon-20100704.mp3

What is going on in our world???

Download: grace-sermon-20100627.mp3

Sermon note sheet 062710-Habakkuk's Bewilderment.pdf

God's ways are not our ways--because His ways are higher than ours! Understanding God's divine providence is the essence of hope and peace in our lives!

Download: grace-sermon-20100620.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 062010-The Strangeness of God's Ways- Pt 2.pdf

God's ways are not our ways--because His ways are higher than ours! We often find ourselves confused about how God acts, but this is not His desire for His children. He wants us to live by faith (trust) in Him!

Download: grace-sermon-20100613.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 061310-The Strangeness of God's Ways.pdf

There are lots of opinions about how to improve worship in the church. Making worship better starts with the worshipers themselves. God is looking for worshipers who worship in spirit and truth. So, what would it look like for worship to be "better" at Grace?

Download: grace-sermon-20100606.mp3

No sermon notes available.

As we listen to the news these days and look around at what is going on in our world, we as Christians can't help but ask; 'What are you doing God?' Many of us today struggle with the problem of history, both in our own lives and in the world around us. God has never wanted us to struggle with this - so He has spoken to us through His word to give us hope.

Download: grace-sermon-20100530.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 053010 An Introduction.pdf

As Paul closes out his letter to the churches in Galatia he gives them one last parting exhortation and that exhortation summarizes again the whole letter and all of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Download: grace-sermon-20100523.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 052310 - To Sum It All Up - Gal 6-11-18.pdf

As we set a budget in place to support ministry this year--we must ask ourselves why do we exist? And is what we do worth me giving everything to it to help it succeed?

Download: grace-sermon-20100516.mp3

Sermon notes: Vision Sunday - 2010 - Being the Church God Called Us To Be.pdf

Spirituality is "in", but what do we mean by spirituality? The world's view of spirituality has invaded the church and confused many of us. The apostle Paul here in Galatians 6 clarifies for us what true biblical spirituality looks like."

Download: grace-sermon-20100509.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 050910 True Spirituality pt 3- Sowing & Reaping.pdf

We gather to celebrate communion today. But what exactly is it that Jesus wants us to remember and why?

Download: grace-sermon-20100502.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 050210 -Dying to Live - Romans 6-1-14.pdf

Spirituality is "in", but what do we mean by spirituality? The world's view of spirituality has invaded the church and confused many of us. The apostle Paul here in Galatians 6 clarifies for us what true biblical spirituality looks like.

Download: grace-sermon-20100425.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 042510 True Spirituality pt 2.pdf

Explanation of believer's baptism.

Download: grace-sermon-20100418.mp3

No sermon notes available.

Spirituality is "in", but what do we mean by spirituality? The world's view of spirituality has invaded the church and confused many of us. The apostle Paul here in Galatians 6 clarifies for us what true biblical spirituality looks like.

Download: grace-sermon-20100411.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 041110 True Spirituality.pdf

All of history turns on the hinge of that first Easter weekend in Jerusalem. The day that Jesus walked out of the tomb everything changed. Or did it? Whatever you think about what happened does not change what happened. The real issue is what do you believe and how do you believe what you believe.

Download: grace-sermon-20100404.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 040410 - What Are We To Believe - Easter.pdf

Jesus' death and resurrection are the end and the beginning all at the same time. But what was it that was accomplished on the cross and why did Jesus have to die. When we understand the problem only then can we correctly give the cure.

Download: grace-sermon-20100328.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 032810 - Jesus - The Solution to Our Problem.pdf

As we prepare our hearts and minds for Easter we want to look at some incredible ironies that are found in Matthew 27:27-51a. Here we read Matthew's account of the crucifixion of Jesus and embedded in the text are four amazing ironies.

Download: grace-sermon-20100321.mp3

Sermon note sheet 032110 - The Ironies of the Cross.pdf

Jesus said that if we loved Him we would keep His commands and love one another in such a way that the world would know that we are His disciples. Yet conflict to a disastrous level remains in the lives of Christians and the church. Why is that? How could that be? It is because we have not learned to surrender to the Spirit and put our flesh to death.

Download: grace-sermon-20100314.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 031410 A Life Directed by the Spirit.pdf

Jesus' death on the cross was no accident. It was planned out by the Father before time began. Jesus' death is more than an offer of redemption it has effective power to live the redeemed life. This morning we will focus on God's design and purposes in the cross.

Download: grace-sermon-20100307.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 030710 - God's Design and Purpose in the Cross.pdf

Download: grace-sermon-20100228.mp3

Download: grace-sermon-20100221.mp3

As Christians we have been saved from the wrath of God by putting our trust in the work of God, namely what Jesus did on the cross in our behalf. But we are also equipped by God to live our lives as new creations, with new attitudes. If we can learn to walk by the Spirit we will have peace.

Download: grace-sermon-20100214.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 021410 A Life of Peace pt 2.pdf

We are free in Christ, but we so easily get sidetracked and loose control to our flesh. How do we keep from wandering of the road of freedom? Paul would answer, "By keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, who guides us along the path of righteousness."

Download: grace-sermon-20100207.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 070210 A Life of Peace.pdf

As Christians we have been saved from the wrath of God by putting our trust in the work of God, namely what Jesus did on the cross in our behalf. But we are also equipped by God to live our lives as new creations, with new attitudes. If we can learn to walk by the Spirit we will have joy and peace.

Download: grace-sermon-20100131.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 310110 Life in the Spirit pt 3.pdf

It has always been hard to do the things we really would like to do. If we live by our own impulses the negative will always overpower the positive. The only hope we have of changing this is to learn how to walk in the Spirit.

Download: grace-sermon-20100124.mp3

Sermon note sheet 012410 - Life in the Spirit pt 1.pdf

It has always been hard to do the things we really would like to do. If we live by our own impulses the negative will always overpower the positive. The only hope we have of changing this is to learn how to walk in the Spirit.

Download: grace-sermon-20100117.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 011710 - Life in the Spirit pt 1.pdf

You are here this morning--you have come to church. How often do you stop and ask yourself -"Why?" Why are you here when you could be doing so many other things? And while you are thinking about that, what does it mean to be a part of a church?

Download: grace-sermon-20100110.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 011010 Why Church.pdf

Thankfulness should mark the Christian life and kills a myriad of sins. May thankfulness pour out of us for God's goodness in 2009 and abound in 2010.

Download: grace-sermon-20100103.mp3

No sermon notes this week.

What is the proper response to Christmas? More importantly, what is the proper response to CHRIST?

Download: grace-sermon-20091227.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 122709 -What Then Is the Proper Response to Christmas = Worship.pdf

No other fact in the Christmas account is more important that the virgin birth. The virgin birth must have happened exactly the way Scripture says. Otherwise, Christmas has no point at all.

Download: grace-sermon-20091220.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 122009 - The Virgin Birth - Is it Really that Essential.pdf

We take a look at some of those who missed the first Christmas and the reasons why and then relate their issues to ours. Let's make sure we don't miss Christmas this year.

Download: grace-sermon-20091213.mp3

We are in danger of losing Christmas! This time of the year has been so mythologized and secularized that often the true meaning of this season is so buried beneath all that stuff that we loose sight of what it is that we are celebrating--The birth of Jesus--Immanuel, God with us!

Download: grace-sermon-20091206.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 120609 - A Promised King - A New Kind of Kingdom.pdf

It is that time of the year when we celebrate "Thanksgiving" - a national holiday, but what is "thanksgiving" and how should it leave it's mark on a follower of Jesus?

Download: grace-sermon-20091129.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 112909 Thanksgiving.pdf

As Christians, we are all tempted to return to the law when we struggle. But God tells us to walk by his Spirit.

Download: grace-sermon-20091122.mp3

Sermon notes: Sermon note sheet 112209.pdf

The Holy Spirit does not leave us in the state that we were in when Jesus found and saved us. He is in the business of renovating us from the inside out. His primary renovating tool is the Word of God.

Download: grace-sermon-20091115.mp3
Click here for sermon notes

What baptism is and what baptism is not.

Download: grace-sermon-20091108.mp3

God says that we are to be holy as he is holy. This is the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification.

Download: grace-sermon-20091101.mp3

A close look at the Spirit's initial work in a person's life.

Download: grace-sermon-20091025.mp3

The Christian life is impossible without the Holy Spirit.

Download: grace-sermon-20091018.mp3

A look at Luke 22 and 1 Corinthians 11 on why we celebrate Communion. We observe the Lord's Supper to remember Jesus' love for us.

Download: grace-sermon-20091011.mp3

The natural inclination of the Christian is to love other Christians.

Download: grace-sermon-20091004.mp3

Pastor Lance gives a practical description of what love is and what love does from 1 Corinthians 13.

Leadership is always the key ingredient to any organization. The same is true of the church. God has not left His people in the dark concerning how He designed his church to function.

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love." An incredible statement, but what do we mean by love? What is our motivator to love? God commands Christians to serve one another through love. Come and explore how we can be motivated to fulfill this command as well as understand what it means to "love one another."

Our day is a day that cries out for personal freedom. It seems like everyone is demanding that they have the right to do whatever they want. Even Christians are confused about what it means to be free in Christ. In today's sermon, pastor Ray Russell helps us understand what true freedom in Christ is all about.

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It is not how you start the race that matters the most, but how you finish the race that matters the most!

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Pastor Ray Russell helps us understand the dangers of taking scripture out of context.

Pastor Ray Russell focuses on why Paul pauses one last time to warn the Galatians about embracing a works based salvation.  Sermon by Ray Russell given on August 16th 2009.

Join us as we explore why Paul is so adamant about us knowing and understanding the freedom we have through Christ! Sermon by Ray Russell given on August 9th 2009.

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Those who are born from above are children of a promise! Join us as Pastor Ray walks through Galatians 4:21-31. Sermon by Ray Russell given on July 26th 2009.

Matt Morken walks us through the first part of Colossians 3. Sermon given by Matt Morken on July 12th 2009.

Pastor Lance continues our series on Galatians as we learn together what it means for Christ to be formed in us. Sermon given on July 5th 2009.

As we celebrate 100 years of God's faithfulness to His church here at Grace, we need to be reminded that Jesus bought the church with His own blood and has a plan for it. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on June 28th 2009.

Under the law of the Old Testament, we as sinner's were slaves to a standard that we could never live up to. Jesus Christ has not only freed us from that slavery but has adopted us as son's and fellow heirs of the Father's Kingdom.  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on June 21st 2009.

Jesus is more than a good man or a prophet. He is God eternal, the Agent of creation, and the life and light of all men. Sermon given by guest speaker Caleb Stomberg on June 14th 2009.

Grace not only rescues us from the prison of the Law but delivers us into God's family. To believers, the time in prison has passed - Faith has brought us to freedom ... and family. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on June 7th 2009.

God's promises are very different than our own.  We tend to break promises or go back on our word.  But God is different.  His promises are trustworthy.  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on May 31st 2009.

Pastor Ray and Diane give an account of the sorrow in their lives over the past year and describe how God is faithful and mighty to save through times of difficulty.  In Him we find our joy.  Message given on May 24th 2009.

The law clearly teaches that all people have broken God's law and are therefore under a curse.  The good news is that Jesus came to become that curse for us and free us to live righteous lives before God.  Sermon given by Pastor Lance Olimb on May 17th 2009.

God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations.  This promise was made before God established circumcision as the sign of His covenant with Abraham.  By Abraham's faith, he was blessed by God.  This truth is important for us to understand as we seek to be children of faith rather than children of the law.  Sermon given by Pastor Lance Olimb on May 10th 2009.

The apostle John said; "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." When we turn from living in the Spirit to trying to live our Christian life based on works we have turned from the gospel of Grace. How does this happen to people?

Baptism is Identification with Jesus.  We celebrate together as we baptize believers and followers of Christ.  Service recording from April 26th 2009. 

True freedom comes only from trusting in Jesus.  It's not until we experience the grace of God and embrace Jesus as our savior that we are really free from sin.  Sermon given on April 19th 2009 by Pastor Ray Russell.

Jesus' work on the cross bought us out of slavery to sin and freed us to live a life that glorifies Him. The resurrection proves that Jesus is who He said He was. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on April 12th 2009.

Without loving confrontation we will find it easy to slip into a way of living that does not align itself with the gospel. We will sell ourselves back into bondage. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on April 5th 2009.

The beginning of Galatians 2 teaches us that freedom must be continually fought for.  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on March 29th 2009.

What makes the Gospel that Paul preaches different than all other world views?  How does one know who to listen to?  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on March 22nd 2009.

As followers of Jesus, we often loose sight of what it is that He wants from us and when we do this we tend to drift towards legalism - works.  But God is most glorified by us when we are most satisfied with Him.  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on March 15th 2009.

Paul's letter to the Galatians is an urgent one. It is passionate. He is genuinely and deeply concerned that this young church may lose its moorings and find itself moving from freedom back into bondage. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on March 8th 2009.

What are the implications of our adoption as sons and daughters of God?  Guest speaker Tim Spark elaborates on our adoption and how we find our identity in the One who saves us.  Sermon given on March 1st 2009.

Jesus demands to love our enemies can be difficult to follow.  It can be even more difficult to tell them the truth in love.  Pastor Ray Russell finishes his mini-series on "The Path of Love" on Feb 22nd 2009.

The Scribes and Pharisees had, in their traditions, changed the teaching of God's Word to make themselves seem separate and somehow better than others.  But Jesus command to love your enemy brings people back to reality.  Sermon by Pastor Ray Russell given on Feb 15th 2009.

"See what an incredible quality of love the Father has given us, that we should be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God!"  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Feb 8th 2009.

Pastor Ray expounds on God's redemptive love for the world.  The second sermon in a four part mini-series on love.  Sermon given on Feb 1st 2009.

We are called in the Bible to love as Jesus loved.  How does that affect the way we interact with other believers?  Pastor Ray focuses on what Jesus taught about how to love those who are in Christ.  Sermon given on Jan 25th 2009.

As a disciple, what should our attitude be towards other disciples? Jesus' answer was that we are to love them by serving them. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Jan 18th 2009.

What does it mean to take up the "light yoke" of Jesus?  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Jan 11th 2009.

How did Jesus view the necessity of prayer while he was on earth?  Why must the Son of God pray?  Sermon given by Pastor Lance Olimb on Jan 4th 2009.

The Christmas account has a tendency to adopt certain myths as truth.  Were there really three kings present at Jesus' birth?  Who were they and where did they come from?  But most importantly... what can we learn from their actions?  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Dec 28th 2008.

What can we learn from the mistakes of the Innkeeper, Herod, the religious leaders, and the townspeople? Have we made the same mistakes? Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Dec 21st 2008.

When we loose something precious to us, it can open our eyes as to its importance.  The virgin birth is one such precious truth.  Many claim that is doesn't matter.  But it is essential to the deity of Jesus.  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Dec 7th 2008.

Our understanding of the Christmas story can be shaped or clouded by many myths.  But it is much more than a story.  It is an account of Jesus' entry into this world.  It is a factual event that really took place and (in many ways) differently than we tend to believe. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Nov 30th 2008.

Glorifying God is nothing if it is not active and dynamic. The life of a true worshiper is a joyous, vibrant life - a life of actively seeking to glorify God in practical ways. Sermon by Ray Russell given on November 23 2008.

In John 4, Jesus says that God seeks worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth.  This week Pastor Ray focuses on what it means to "worship in truth".  Sermon given on Nov 16th 2008.

To worship God in spirit and truth is the believer's responsibility, privilege, and highest calling. Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Nov 9th 2008.

A true follower of Jesus pursues a lifestyle of biblical faith and obedience.  Another mark of a Christ follower is an attitude of humility.  Sermon given by Pastor Ray Russell on Nov 2nd 2008.

Is it possible for some to truly believe in Jesus and not live a life that grows in obedience to His word?  Sermon by Pastor Ray Russell given on Oct 26th 2008.

Did Jesus himself ever really claim to be the Messiah?  Sermon by Pastor Ray Russell given on Oct 19th 2008.

Jesus' identity is unmistakable based on the prophecies that He has fulfilled in the bible.  God planned for only one man to fulfill each of these prophecies so that there would be no mistaking, Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah.

The Gospel of John records various miraculous acts and signs that Jesus performed.  These signs all have a purpose... to point to the divinity of Jesus Christ and give glory to Him as the true Son of God.  Sermon given by Pastor Lance Olimb on Oct 5th 2008.

Jesus asks: "Who do you say that I AM?" How we answer this question will determine everything about us forever.  Sermon by Pastor Ray Russell given on Sept 28th 2008.

The intense commitment of the Thessalonians serves as a guiding light for Christians today.  Sermon by guest speaker, Pastor Phyl Putz given on Sept 21st 2008.

To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Christ.  There is no distinction.  The misunderstanding that there is a difference between these two can lead to a week and ineffective church.  Sermon by Pastor Ray Russell given on Sept. 14th 2008.

Our study of Romans 11:33-36 last week showed us that a God centered theology will lead to a life that gives all the glory to God.  But how does that same truth affect the church as an institution?

Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Every activity of the Christian is to be sanctified unto the glory of God. Sermon by Ray Russel given on August 31st 2008.

God wants His children to have the assurance of their salvation. He does not want us walking around continually doubting what he has done is actually real. Sermon by Ray Russell given on August 24th 2008.