Grace Community Church
Preppers #6 John the Baptist - Prepping to Make a Difference
The Bible has a number of stories that emphasize the idea of preparedness. During this series we'll look at the lives of people who prepared and learn some lessons that will help us as we look into the future.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our Spring series deals with the idea of Preppers. When you hear the word "prepper," what comes to mind?
Prepping is creating plans, gathering resources, and developing skills to overcome emergencies, disasters, and survival situations.
What have you preparred for today, this week, or this year?
Prepping is creating plans, gathering resources, and developing skills to overcome emergencies, disasters, and survival situations.
What have you preparred for today, this week, or this year?
Today is Palm Sunday.
All of Scripture had prepared the Jewish people for this moment. The introduction of their long awaited Messiah.
This procession was an introduction or opener to the greatest week in history.
All of Scripture had prepared the Jewish people for this moment. The introduction of their long awaited Messiah.
This procession was an introduction or opener to the greatest week in history.
Matthew Chapter 21 Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRhpyw3cDxkWhen have you experienced a really great opener? This could be an opening band, an opening boxing match, or even an opening speaker. The opener is tasked with "warming up" or preparing the audience for the headliner.
Discuss around your tables - Have you been to something where there was an opening act, event, or period of time before the main event?
Discuss around your tables - Have you been to something where there was an opening act, event, or period of time before the main event?
So far in our series we've taken a look at a number of individuals who were preparing something or being prepared to do something.
Today we look at another prepper who could be considered one of the greatest openers. We know him as John the Baptist.
Matthew 11:11
Today we look at another prepper who could be considered one of the greatest openers. We know him as John the Baptist.
Matthew 11:11
Prior to John there has been a 400 year period of silence where God has not spoken to the people like he did previously through the prophets.
We assume that after 400 years there is growing anticipation among the people of the promised Messiah.
We assume that after 400 years there is growing anticipation among the people of the promised Messiah.
Here are some observations about John and what he did to prepare the people for Jesus:
1. John EMBRACED God's mission for his life.
Luke 1:80
1. John EMBRACED God's mission for his life.
Luke 1:80
2. John ALLOWED God's Spirit to develop his life.
Luke 3:2
Luke 3:2
3. John PLACED himself where lost people were.
Luke 3:3
Mark 1:4-5
Luke 3:3
Mark 1:4-5
4. John COMMUNICATED a simple message about Jesus.
Matthew 3:1-2
John 1:29, 34
Matthew 3:1-2
John 1:29, 34
5. John DISCIPLED others to do likewise.
Luke 7:18
John 1:35
Luke 7:18
John 1:35
6. John CHALLENGED people to make a choice.
Luke 3:8-9
Luke 3:8-9
7. John ENCOURAGED others to make Jesus their priority.
Luke 3:16-18
John 1:36-37, 3:27-30
Luke 3:16-18
John 1:36-37, 3:27-30
Considering what we have observed in his life, we can learn some points of application from John the Baptist:
1. EMBRACING
Have you embraced God's plan for your life?
1. EMBRACING
Have you embraced God's plan for your life?
2. TELLING
Who will you communicate the message to and when?
Who will you communicate the message to and when?
3. DISCIPLING
Who are you investing your life into to go do likewise?
Who are you investing your life into to go do likewise?
YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/GraceChurchMIGiving Link
https://gc3.breezechms.com/give/onlineTools Link
https://www.gc3.org/tools/H.O.M.E. Groups
https://www.gc3.org/home-groups/2022 Bible Reading Plan
https://www.gc3.org/bible/Prayer for Ukraine
Grace Church invites you to visit the church to pray for the people of Ukraine on Thursdays. We have a prayer station set up that will help guide your thoughts. This station will be available each Thursday at two different times, Noon to 1:00 pm and again 6:00-7:00 pm. Contact the church if you have any questions (grace@gc3.org).
The Greenhouse Project
Check out everything that's happening at Grace Church on Thursday evenings. 6:30-8:00 pm. Registration is not required to stop in or hang out in the coffee shop but most of the classes will require registration so we can plan for your participation.Learn more and sign-up at the link below.
https://www.gc3.org/tgp/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://cjs-gracegc3.square.site/Easter Egg Hunt - April 16th
The annual Easter Egg Hunt at Putnam Park in Nashville is April 16th at 10:00 am!Here's how you can get involved:-Sign-up to help on the day of the event at the link below. We need lots of hands to make the egg hunt a success.-Donations of candy that will fit inside the plastic Easter Eggs and LOTS of it. Candy can be placed in the bins in the lobby by April 10th.-Share the event on Facebook and invite your friends and family. Help us get the word out!-Pray for this event. Families who attend will receive printed information about the Easter Story as well as an invitation to Easter services at Grace Church. Let's be in prayer for God to be glorified through this event.-Help stuff eggs at the church on Wednesday, April 13th at 6:30 pm
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/5483fa55Meet and Greet
There will be a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on Sunday, April 24th 11:45am to 12:15pm in the Lab (east hallway).
This is a chance for the staff to get to know you as well as for you to learn more about Grace Church.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org) by April 21st. We hope to see you there!
This is a chance for the staff to get to know you as well as for you to learn more about Grace Church.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org) by April 21st. We hope to see you there!
Pop Can/Bottle Fundraiser
The Bridge (youth group) is collecting pop cans again this spring to help pay for the cost of shipping the Operaton Christmas Child shoeboxes they will pack this fall. Cans can be placed in the garage or outside the doors on the east end of the church. Contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org) if you have any questions.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Saturday, April 9th - Naomi Yenger, David Smith
Sunday, April 10th - Deseray DePyper, Tony & Linsey Wright
Tuesday, April 12th - Tracy Nelson
Thursday, April 14th - Ruth Hickey
Friday, April 15th - Cheryl Ayles, Brice Hasselback, Tyler Binkowski
Sunday, April 10th - Deseray DePyper, Tony & Linsey Wright
Tuesday, April 12th - Tracy Nelson
Thursday, April 14th - Ruth Hickey
Friday, April 15th - Cheryl Ayles, Brice Hasselback, Tyler Binkowski