![[Sunday] Freely - King’s Table](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1763608759984-90GCUBKCWQJ0H8NOVYGU/Freely5a.jpg)
[Sunday] Freely - King’s Table
The freely given truth of Christ the King: He is not found on a distant throne but is waiting for us in the face of the hungry, the stranger, and the sinner.
The freely given truth of Christ the King: He is not found on a distant throne but is waiting for us in the face of the hungry, the stranger, and the sinner.
Questions for the Week: Freely Given/Shared - King’s Table
Norman Rockwell’s painting illustrates how we often want the image of a perfect Thanksgiving without doing the hard work of loving imperfect people (like "crazy Uncle Larry"). What does "lowering yourself to make room at the table" actually look like for you this holiday season?
The "goats" may actually be the religious leaders who focused on looking holy but ignored the hurting. In what ways do we sometimes prioritize "being right" or "looking religious" over actually seeing the people right in front of us?
We naturally look "up" to find a king, but Jesus is found "down" among the hungry, the stranger, and the sick. How does this change how you view the needy or the "interruptions" in your life this week?
Jesus is the King who didn't demand perfection but gave up His throne to serve us. How does knowing you are already welcomed at His table by grace change your motivation for serving others?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Freely - Witness](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1763081926738-NTIAR1U7F2XSQSAZXV8H/Freely4a.jpg)
Let’s Talk Dementia Dec. 6th
Learn the essentials of dementia, explore ways to support brain health, and get practical tips to make caregiving safer, calmer, and more effective
December 6th 9AM - Noon
Grace Lutheran PSL
Grace Hall
Learn the essentials of dementia, explore ways to support brain health, and get practical tips to make caregiving safer, calmer, and more effective
Blake Davis BS, CDP
"Practical Strategies For Managing Behaviors"
Alexandria St. Rose APRN, AGNP-C, FMACP
“Feed the Brain, Protect the Memory: Everyday Steps to Stop Cognitive Decline”
1st John Chapter 1:1-3:10 - The Johns Bible Study
A candid, lively study in 1 John 1–3 explored living in the light of Christ through honest confession, embodied fellowship, love over hatred, resisting worldliness, discerning “antichrist” attitudes, and abiding in Jesus as children of God.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd John
1 John Chapter 1:1 - 3:10
This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.
Short Summary of the Whole Class
We revisited the Christian hope of bodily resurrection and read through 1 John 1:1–3:10. John grounds faith in Jesus’ tangible incarnation and calls us to walk in the light through confession, fellowship, and love. We discussed Jesus as our Advocate and atoning sacrifice, the “old yet new” command to love, identity as God’s children, resisting the world’s desires, discerning “many antichrists,” abiding in the truth by the Spirit’s anointing, and practicing righteousness. Along the way we connected Genesis, Isaiah, Revelation, Gospel texts, and practical stories—from “sunshine laws” and cockroaches scattering in light to C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce, everyday neighbor-love, church leadership dynamics, and a discussion challenging closed communion. We concluded by celebrating Christ’s victory over darkness and our invitation to keep walking in the light together.
Section-by-Section Summary
Opening Context: Death, Suffering, and the Hope of Resurrection
What we discussed:
We acknowledged pastoral concerns around death and suffering and emphasized that Christian hope centers on bodily resurrection, not a disembodied escape.
Seeing Scripture through this lens clarifies passages and aligns with the goodness of creation and the incarnation.
Bible verses mentioned:
Allusions to Genesis 1:3 (“Let there be light”) and Revelation’s new-creation light.
Stories/Illustrations:
Contrast between popular notions of a disembodied soul and the biblical picture of embodied resurrection.
Short summary:
Framing our study with the hope of bodily resurrection shapes how we understand suffering, creation’s goodness, and the incarnation.
1 John 1:1–4 — The Word of Life, Manifestation, and Fellowship
What we discussed:
John’s eyewitness language (“heard,” “seen,” “handled”) asserts Jesus’ tangible, historical reality.
Purpose: fellowship with the Father and the Son and fullness of joy.
Pushback against Gnostic ideas: the physical is good; Jesus is truly human.
Faith is active life in God’s kingdom, not mere cognitive assent.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 1:1–4
Stories/Illustrations:
Gnosticism explained; The Da Vinci Code as a popular reflection of Gnostic themes.
Short summary:
John grounds the gospel in tangible reality to secure fellowship and joy, opposing any denial of Jesus’ real humanity and creation’s goodness.
1 John 1:5–10 — God Is Light; Walking in the Light Through Confession and Fellowship
What we discussed:
“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all”: holiness, truth, and life versus evil and falsehood.
Walking in the light involves fellowship, confession, and cleansing by Jesus’ blood.
Claiming sinlessness is self-deception; confession brings forgiveness and renewal.
Transparency builds trust and community.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 1:5–10
John 1:1–9 (alluded), Isaiah 9:2, Genesis 1:3 (alluded), Revelation’s light imagery
Stories/Illustrations:
Florida “sunshine laws”; cockroaches scattering when the light turns on; C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce.
Short summary:
God’s light exposes and heals; confession and fellowship mark a community walking in the light.
1 John 2:1–6 — Advocate and Propitiation; Obedience and Imitation
What we discussed:
Comfort: If we sin, Jesus Christ the Righteous is our Advocate and atoning sacrifice for our sins and the whole world.
Knowing Christ is evidenced by keeping his commandments; abide in him by walking as he walked.
Counters antinomianism and disembodied spirituality.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 2:1–6
Stories/Illustrations:
None specific in this segment.
Short summary:
Christ advocates and atones for us; true knowledge of him is seen in obedient, Christ-like living.
1 John 2:7–11 — Old and New Commandment; Love Versus Hate
What we discussed:
Love is both “old” (from the beginning) and “new” (true in Christ and believers).
Darkness is passing; the true light is already shining.
Test of living in the light: loving our brothers and sisters; hatred signals darkness and blindness.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 2:7–11
Stories/Illustrations:
Practical neighbor-love in ordinary settings (e.g., self-checkout story, helping an elderly person).
Short summary:
Love is the concrete mark of the light; hatred exposes darkness and causes stumbling.
1 John 2:12–17 — Identity and Not Loving the World
What we discussed:
Poetic address to “children,” “fathers,” and “young people”: forgiveness, knowledge of God, strength, overcoming the evil one.
“Do not love the world”: desires and pride are passing away; doing God’s will abides forever.
Identity as “little children” calls us to humility and belonging.
Translation note on “overcome/conquer” (nikaō) and its resonance with Revelation.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 2:12–17
Cross-references: 1 John 4:4; 5:4–5; Revelation 2–3; Hebrews 5:12–14; 1 Corinthians 3:1–2
Stories/Illustrations:
Jesus welcoming little children; metaphors of milk vs. meat; Gladiator’s emperor-as-father trope contrasted with God’s true fatherhood.
Short summary:
As God’s children we overcome by abiding in his word and rejecting worldly desires that fade.
1 John 2:18–27 — Antichrists, Abiding Truth, and Anointing
What we discussed:
“Last hour”: many antichrists—those denying Jesus as the Christ and departing the fellowship.
Abide in what you heard from the beginning; remain in the Son and the Father.
Anointing from the Holy One grants discernment to resist deception.
Antichrist attitudes: self-exalting puffery versus childlike humility and love.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 2:18–27
Stories/Illustrations:
HOA and church leadership dynamics; a young man leaving St. Andrew when his contractor wasn’t chosen; leadership vacuums and notoriety seeking.
Short summary:
In an age of deception, abide in the original gospel and rely on God’s anointing to remain in the truth.
Community Health, Power, and Healing (Applied Themes of Fellowship)
What we discussed:
Patient, gracious leadership rebuilds community health; resisting power grabs leads to durable fellowship.
Example of long-term reform leading to care initiatives (e.g., Alzheimer’s daycare).
Bible verses mentioned:
Fellowship themes implied from 1 John 1:3
Stories/Illustrations:
Mark’s church slowly becoming healthy through gracious reform and communal care.
Short summary:
Healthy churches grow through patient, gracious leadership and care-oriented practices.
Light vs. Darkness: Choosing the Kingdom’s Reality (Applied to Daily Life)
What we discussed:
The Kingdom’s reality invites us to forgiveness and fellowship rather than insisting on our own way.
Isolation and self-will reflect darkness; humility and unity reflect light.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 1:5–7 (implied)
Stories/Illustrations:
C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce as a picture of choosing isolation over fellowship.
Short summary:
Living in the light means forgiving and belonging; self-centered exclusion drifts toward darkness.
Sin, Confession, and Relationships in the Light (Applied Pastoral Care)
What we discussed:
Mistakes don’t fix identity; confession and truth illuminate relationships for healing.
Healthy marriages and friendships keep communication open; counseling helps “let the light back in.”
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 1:8–9 (implied)
Stories/Illustrations:
Personal testimony: friendship forged through disagreements handled in the light.
Short summary:
Open confession and communication sustain relationships and keep communities in God’s light.
Violence, Politics, and the Darkness of Contempt
What we discussed:
Violence and contempt reject God’s light and place us above others, undermining love of neighbor.
Political polarization tempts us to label neighbors as enemies.
Bible verses mentioned:
Love-of-neighbor themes implicit; 1 John’s light/darkness framework
Stories/Illustrations:
Observations about polarization and contempt for those who vote differently.
Short summary:
Love and humility resist polarization; contempt and violence are expressions of darkness.
Communion and Togetherness: Challenging Closed Communion
What we discussed:
Strong disagreement with closed communion; Jesus’ invitation and Paul’s teaching emphasize unity.
Communion expresses togetherness; exclusion undermines fellowship.
Bible verses mentioned:
Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17–20 (Words of Institution)
1 Corinthians 10–11 (unity and discernment)
Stories/Illustrations:
Personal story of being turned away from communion at a Lutheran church.
Short summary:
The Lord’s Supper should embody unity and shared fellowship; exclusion contradicts the gospel’s togetherness.
1 John 2:28–3:10 — Children of God, Hope, Purity, and Practicing Righteousness
What we discussed:
Confidence at Christ’s appearing through abiding in him.
“Behold what manner of love”: we are God’s children now; we will be like Christ.
Hope leads to purity; practicing righteousness and love shows new birth; persistent sin reflects darkness.
Bible verses mentioned:
1 John 2:28–3:10
Stories/Illustrations:
None specific beyond overarching contrasts.
Short summary:
As God’s children, we live with hope and purity, practicing righteousness and love because Christ destroys the devil’s works.
Christ’s Victory Over Darkness: Creation Imagery and the Cross
What we discussed:
Jesus’ death and resurrection as decisive defeat of darkness; new-creation light.
Ongoing confession keeps us in the light and in fellowship.
Bible verses mentioned:
Genesis 1:3; Genesis 15:5 (imagery); 1 John 1:9 (implied)
Stories/Illustrations:
Teaching metaphor: Abraham’s stars coalescing into tomb’s darkness; God speaking “Let there be light again.”
Short summary:
Christ brings new-creation light into our darkness; confession keeps us walking together in his grace.
Medium-Length Summary of the Class
Our study in 1 John 1:1–3:10, framed by the pastoral realities of death and suffering, reaffirmed the Christian hope of bodily resurrection and the goodness of creation. John’s eyewitness testimony anchors faith in Jesus’ tangible incarnation to secure fellowship and joy. We explored the light/darkness motif: God is pure light, and walking in that light means transparent confession, mutual fellowship, and cleansing through Christ’s blood. We received comfort in Jesus as our Advocate and atoning sacrifice, while hearing the call to obey his commands and walk as he walked. Love—both old and new—is the decisive mark of living in the light; hatred reveals darkness.
John’s poetic identity language (“children, fathers, young people”) reminded us we overcome the evil one by God’s word abiding in us and by not loving the world’s desires. We discern “many antichrists” as patterns that deny Christ and depart the fellowship, and we remain anchored by the anointing that teaches us to abide in the truth. Practically, we applied these themes to church life, leadership, and daily choices: patient, gracious reform builds healthy communities; insisting on our own way fosters darkness. We discussed confession as relational light, resisted polarization and contempt, and challenged closed communion in favor of unity and togetherness. We ended by celebrating Christ’s victory over darkness and God’s new-creation light, committing to ongoing confession and fellowship as children of God who practice righteousness and love.
Main Points
Christian hope centers on bodily resurrection, affirming creation’s goodness.
Jesus’ incarnation is tangible and real; faith is lived, not merely believed.
God is light; walking in the light means confession, cleansing, and fellowship.
Claiming sinlessness is self-deception; confession brings forgiveness and renewal.
Jesus is our Advocate and atoning sacrifice; grace empowers obedient imitation.
Love of brothers and sisters is the decisive mark of living in the light; hatred signals darkness.
Our identity as God’s children calls us to humility, hope, purity, and practiced righteousness.
Do not love the world’s desires; those who do God’s will abide forever.
Many “antichrists” deny Christ and depart; abide in the original truth and rely on the anointing.
Healthy church life resists power grabs and nurtures gracious, patient reform.
Communion should embody unity and togetherness; closed communion was challenged as divisive.
Bible Scriptures Mentioned
1 John 1:1–4 — Manifestation of the Word of Life; fellowship; full joy
1 John 1:5–10 — God is light; walking in the light; confession and cleansing
1 John 2:1–6 — Advocate and propitiation; obedience; walking as Jesus walked
1 John 2:7–11 — Old/new commandment; love vs. hate; darkness passing, true light shining
1 John 2:12–17 — Identity poem; overcoming; not loving the world
1 John 2:18–27 — Antichrists; abiding; anointing and truth
1 John 2:28–3:10 — Children of God; hope; purity; practicing righteousness
John 1:1–9 (alluded) — Light shining in darkness
Genesis 1:3 (alluded) — “Let there be light”
Isaiah 9:2 (quoted/alluded) — Great light for those in darkness
Revelation 2–3 (alluded) — Overcoming (nikaō)
Matthew 22:37–40; Mark 12:29–31 — Greatest commandments: love God and neighbor
Matthew 25:31–46 — Sheep and goats (Christ the King emphasis)
1 Corinthians 10–11 — Communion, unity, and discernment
Hebrews 5:12–14; 1 Corinthians 3:1–2 — Milk and meat (growth and humility)
Genesis 15:5 (alluded) — Abraham’s stars
Stories and Illustrations Mentioned
Gnosticism explained; The Da Vinci Code noted for Gnostic themes
Florida “sunshine laws” as a transparency analogy
Cockroaches scattering when the light turns on (exposure and cleansing)
C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce (isolation vs. fellowship)
Self-checkout anecdote (choosing neighbor-love and humility)
Gladiator movie reference (emperor-as-father vs. God’s true fatherhood)
HOA/church leadership dynamics; a young man leaving St. Andrew over a contractor decision
Mark’s church: patient, gracious reform leading to an Alzheimer’s daycare and healthier community
Personal testimony: friendship strengthened through disagreements handled in the light
Experience of being turned away from communion at a Lutheran church (closed communion debate)
Teaching metaphor: Abraham’s stars coalescing into the tomb’s darkness; God speaking new-creation light again
New Member Sunday! (Photos)
New Member Sunday at Grace
What an incredible way to end such a wonderful week at Grace. On Saturday, we packed boxes and completed our final session of Grace Hello. We were also joined by Eric from the District office, who shared valuable insights about the district. It was a truly meaningful time. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a warm welcome to our new members.
Christmas Carol Dec. 21st. 2pm Pineapple Playhouse
A Christmas Carol – Dec 21st. at the Pineapple Playhouse
A Christmas Carol
Local Theater: Pineapple Playhouse Production
2PM Start, 1:30pm Doors open.
Tickets Go on sale Nov. 30th Between Services
I encourage you to get there early.
December 21st, Sunday
Event Starts at 2pm, Doors open at 1:30pm
Tickets are 15 Dollars, Only 106 Tickets Available (General Admission)
Address: 700 W Weatherbee Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Theater gets Dark at 2PM
Doors Open 1:30PM
Pineapple playhouse is a local theater.
We will be watching our neighbors preform for us.
There will be 11 other people with us.
We will indicate where their seats are
We will have general admission.
700 W Weatherbee Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
[Sunday] Freely - Witness
Christ has already secured the victory, our mission isn't to fight, but to embody our hope through gentle and respectful action.
Christ has already secured the victory, our mission isn't to fight, but to embody our hope through gentle and respectful action.
Questions for the Week: Freely Given/Shared - Witness
Share how you came to faith? Describe the witness to Jesus others shared with you? What tone did they have?
Read 1 Peter 3:8-18. Peter emphasizes living humbly and sharing with gentleness and respect. How does this emphasis on how we witness—rather than if we are right—change how you engage in difficult conversations about faith?
Daniel had a powerful witness as he quietly trusted in the Lord while in the lion’s den (Daniel 6). Share a time when choosing humility and patience (not fighting) was unexpectedly effective in demonstrating Christ’s victory to someone else?
Since we are freely given Christ's victory, we are called to freely share it through tangible, loving actions. What is one practical, non-verbal act of service or generosity you could focus on this week to be a gentle, living example of the hope you possess?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Christmas tubs for the children of Haiti!!!
Lets fill these tubs with fun for Christmas
Please bring items by November 9th.
Boys and girls, age groups: 5-7, 8-10, 11-13 yrs old. Please mark your box with “boy” or “girl” and the age group. Thank you.
Suggested items THAT WILL FIT IN A SHOEBOX TUB are:
A “wow” toy: children’s baseball caps, musical instrument
Craft items
Small toys: cars, games, jump ropes, puzzles (be sure to include picture of finished puzzle)
Small hard candies, lollipops, lunch box size pkg of gummies, cookies, etc.
BALLS, Marbles, playing cards, fidget toys
Dolls, dominoes, playdoh, tangrans, magnetic drawing boards
Bracelets, Christian jewelry, sunglasses
Flashlights (with batteries or hand crank), tic tac toe games
Underwear (small & medium), socks, flip flops
Hygiene items: hair brushes, comb, washcloths, toothbrush/toothpaste, bar soap, alcohol wipes, bandaids, deodorant, lip balm
coloring books
*NO SCHOOL SUPPLIES, PLEASE*
“PACKING” DAY
November 15, 2025 – Beginning at 9:00 am
Photos from Middle School Gathering
Kyler and Cris got to have a great weekend at the Meddle and High School gathering.
Pastor Cris led the main events and served as pastor for the 2025 middle school gathering. This let him connect with the young people. We had 400 students this year.
November 2nd Sunday School
Great time with bracelets this month.
The kids really enjoyed themselves and enthusiastically assembled so many beautiful bracelets to include in our Christmas boxes for Haiti.
1st John Chapter 1 - The Johns Bible Study
This week in our study of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, we explored the core message that God is light and love, which led to a profound discussion on the Christian hope of resurrection in the face of death and suffering.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd John
1 John Chapter 1
This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.
Short Summary of the Class
Our class began with an overview of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, establishing their context as letters written to combat false teachings and encourage believers. We focused on the opening chapters of 1 John, discussing the foundational themes of God as light, the necessity of walking in that light, and the command to love one another. This discussion on light versus darkness naturally transitioned into a deep and personal conversation about the Christian understanding of death. We challenged the idea that death is a release, instead affirming it as an enemy overcome by Christ. The class concluded by exploring the robust, hopeful vision of the resurrection, where grief coexists with the joyful promise of a renewed creation and reunion with our loved ones.
Detailed Class Summary
Introduction and Overview of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John
The class started with a brief overview of our plan to study 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, along with some housekeeping notes about our upcoming schedule around Thanksgiving and Christmas. To get a big-picture view, we watched a Bible Project video on the letters of John. The video explained that these letters were written by "the Elder" (likely the apostle John) to a network of house churches facing a crisis from a group that had broken away and denied that Jesus was the Messiah.
2nd John warns a church not to support these "deceivers."
3rd John encourages a man named Gaius to welcome legitimate missionaries.
1st John is a poetic, sermon-like letter written as "damage control" to remind believers of the truth they already know.
The video highlighted 1st John's unique literary style, which uses "amplification" to cycle repeatedly around core ideas like life, truth, and love, using stark contrasts like light vs. darkness. The sermon is structured around two main declarations: "God is light" and "God is love."
Summary: We established our study topic and holiday schedule. A video provided crucial context, explaining that John's letters were written to combat false teachings and encourage believers to hold fast to the truth of Jesus, with 1st John being a poetic sermon centered on the themes that God is light and God is love.
Reading and Discussion: 1 John 1:1 - 2:11
After discussing the video, we read the first portion of the letter, focusing on the foundational concepts.
The Word of Life and Fellowship (1 John 1:1-4): John begins by establishing the apostles' authority as eyewitnesses to Jesus, the "Word of life." Their purpose is to bring readers into koinonia (fellowship) with the Father and the Son, which is the source of full joy.
Walking in the Light (1 John 1:5-10): John delivers the first core message: "God is light." True fellowship requires us to "walk in the light." This means living truthfully, which includes confessing our sins. We noted how the phrase from 1 John 1:8-9, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves," is a familiar part of Christian liturgy. The path forward is confession, and God is "faithful and just" to forgive and cleanse us.
Christ Our Advocate and Keeping His Commands (1 John 2:1-11): John addresses his readers as "my little children," assuring them that when we sin, we have an "advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Jesus is the "propitiation" (atoning sacrifice) for our sins. True knowledge of God is proven by obedience, specifically to the "old" yet "new" commandment to love one another. This love is the practical test of whether we are walking in the light or stumbling in darkness.
Summary: In this section, John establishes that fellowship with God requires walking in the light. This involves honestly confessing our sins, for which Jesus is our advocate and atoning sacrifice. The primary evidence that we know God and are walking in His light is our obedience to His command to love one another.
Gnosticism, Death, and the Problem of Suffering
The discussion of light versus darkness, and John's use of the term "my dear children" in 1 John 2:1, led to a deeper theological conversation. John was addressing a serious heresy known as Gnosticism, the belief that the spiritual realm is good while the physical realm (including our bodies) is evil. This ancient heresy still influences modern thought, often surfacing in phrases like someone being "released from their body of captivity" at death.
The class challenged this idea, affirming the biblical truth from Genesis 1 that creation, including our physical bodies, was made "good." The pastor shared a pivotal realization from his early ministry: "Death's the problem. Why are we celebrating death?" We concluded that death is not a victory but the ultimate consequence of sin and brokenness. The true victory is the resurrection. While it's comforting to say someone is "free from pain," the reality is they have succumbed to it. Our hope is not in death itself, but in the fact that, as Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, nothing—not even death—can separate us from the love of God.
Summary: We identified and deconstructed the heresy of Gnosticism, which wrongly views the physical body as evil. The class concluded that death is the ultimate problem and the result of sin, not a release. Our true hope is in the resurrection and the promise that even in death, we remain with Jesus.
The Hope of Resurrection and Our Resurrected Bodies
The conversation then explored the nature of our future resurrected bodies. The example of the resurrected Jesus, who still bore the wounds of his crucifixion, was central. His scars were not a sign of diminishment but a testament to his victory and identity. This led to a reflection on how our own scars and wounds shape who we are. Erasing them might mean erasing a part of ourselves.
Instead of a flawless existence, the resurrection promises a renewed creation where "life is on the loose," ruled by life and light. In this new reality, our scars may still be part of our story, but the pain associated with them will be gone. To illustrate this, a story from C.S. Lewis's The Magician's Nephew was shared, where a talking animal's fall into a mud puddle in pre-fallen Narnia results in innocent, joyful laughter, not shame. This paints a picture of an existence where mishaps are simply part of a full life of learning.
Summary: We contemplated what our resurrected bodies will be like, using the image of Jesus's post-resurrection scars. Our scars are part of our identity, and in the resurrection, they will exist without pain in a world where life is unencumbered and God's light reigns supreme.
Grieving with Hope
The class concluded by reinforcing the central message: death is the problem, but light and life are the answer. Our ultimate Christian hope is in the "resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." We do not grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13); we grieve honestly, but with the profound hope of the resurrection. A Christian funeral, therefore, is not a denial of sadness but an acknowledgment of loss coupled with a powerful declaration of hope in Jesus's victory.
The church community plays a vital role in this, gathering to support the grieving and affirm their shared hope, often through the simple act of sharing a meal. This robust, resurrection-focused view of death and the afterlife provides a deep and lasting encouragement, grounding our faith in the promise of new life.
Summary: The final focus was on our ultimate hope in the resurrection. We grieve with hope, and the church community gathers to support one another, affirming that light and life triumph over darkness and death.
Final Summary
In our study on the letters of John, we established the historical context, learning they were written by the apostle John to a community of churches facing false teachings that denied the truth about Jesus Christ. 1st John, in particular, is a pastoral and poetic sermon written to reassure the faithful.
Our study focused on the first part of this sermon (1 John 1:1–2:11), where John grounds his message in the apostles' direct experience of Jesus, the "Word of life." He presents the foundational truth that "God is light," which has immediate practical implications: to walk with God, we must also walk in the light. This means living truthfully, which includes acknowledging and confessing our sin. John provides comfort by reminding us that when we fail, we have an advocate in Jesus, whose death is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. The ultimate proof of walking in the light is concrete obedience to Christ's command to love one another.
This theme of light versus darkness led to a profound discussion on the Christian understanding of death and suffering. We confronted the ancient heresy of Gnosticism, which wrongly views the physical body as evil and death as a welcome release. The class firmly rejected this, affirming the biblical view that our bodies are created good and that death is the true enemy. Our hope is not in escaping our bodies, but in the promise of the resurrection. Using the example of Jesus, who retained his crucifixion scars, we considered that our own scars might remain as part of our story, but without the associated pain. We concluded that our hope is not in death, but in the life and light that flows from Christ's victory over the grave, trusting that we and our loved ones will be reunited in a new creation.
Main Points
The letters of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John were written to address a crisis of false teachers who denied Jesus.
The two central themes of 1st John are "God is light" and "God is love."
Walking in the light is necessary for fellowship with God and involves honest confession of sin and obedience to His command to love one another.
Gnosticism, the belief that the physical body is evil, is an ancient heresy that wrongly frames death as a release.
Death is not a victory; it is the problem and the consequence of sin that Christ came to overcome.
Our ultimate hope is not in death, but in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come.
The resurrected Jesus retained his scars, suggesting our resurrected selves may retain the marks of our story, but without the pain.
Christians grieve, but we grieve with hope in the resurrection, which fundamentally changes our experience of loss.
Scriptures and Stories Mentioned
Bible Scriptures:
1 John (entire book)
2 John (entire book)
3 John (entire book)
1 John 1:1-10
1 John 1:8-9: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
1 John 2:1-11
Gospel of John (Referenced for similar themes and language)
John 13-17: Jesus' final speech, which provides the key ideas for 1 John.
Genesis 1: The creation story, specifically God's command, "Let there be light."
Genesis 3: The introduction of sin and death into the world.
Genesis 4: The story of Cain and Abel.
Proverbs 8 (Referenced in comparison to John's prologue)
Romans 8:38-39 (Paraphrased): "Neither death nor life... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (Paraphrased): "We do not grieve like others do [who are without hope]. We grieve, but we grieve with hope in the resurrection."
Revelation (General): Mentioned in reference to the theme of light and the final victory over death.
Stories and Illustrations:
The Story of Creation: God speaking light into darkness on the first day.
The Story of Cain and Abel: Mentioned as an example of hatred leading to murder, contrasted with Christian love.
The Last Supper: Mentioned as the context where Jesus gave the "old/new" command to love one another.
The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus: The ultimate story of light overcoming darkness, with Jesus retaining his scars after his resurrection.
The Story of Abraham: God telling Abraham to look at the stars in the night sky as a promise.
C.S. Lewis's The Magician's Nephew: A story where a talking animal falls in a mud puddle in pre-fallen Narnia, and the reaction is innocent laughter rather than shame.
C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce: The image of souls journeying closer and closer to the mountains in heaven.
The pastor's personal story: A realization after a funeral early in his ministry that death is the problem, which reshaped his entire approach to funerals and grief.
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[Sunday] Freely - Tenants
The essence of true Christian living: recognizing that God owns everything and has freely given us Christ’s transformation, moving us away from the "Rich Fool's" selfish materialism toward the cheerful and shared stewardship of all our resources.
The essence of true Christian living: recognizing that God owns everything and has freely given us Christ’s transformation, moving us away from the "Rich Fool's" selfish materialism toward the cheerful and shared stewardship of all our resources.
Questions for the Week: Freely Given/Shared - Tenants
Read Leviticus 25:23-24. "God owns everything" and we are merely tenants. How does this foundational truth change your view of your own bank account, house, or time?
Read Luke 12:13-21. The Rich Fool's fatal flaw was his focus on "my, my, my." What are some subtle ways we today isolate ourselves from God and neighbor by being self-contained in our prosperity?
The Rich Fool was rich toward himself but bankrupt toward God. What does it mean practically to be "rich toward God" in your daily life?
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. The ultimate gift is Christ. How does knowing you have received this "unexpressible gift" free you to move from fearfully owning your resources to cheerfully sharing them?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Freely Dwell](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1761872439620-0NL4CWJAC0EXUFWBB601/Freely2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Freely Dwell
Shifting focus from the temple as a static building, the freely shared reality is that God desires to dwell among us, using our diverse and imperfect gifts as the very means to make His presence known for the benefit of all.
Shifting focus from the temple as a static building, the freely shared reality is that God desires to dwell among us, using our diverse and imperfect gifts as the very means to make His presence known for the benefit of all.
Questions for the Week: Freely Given/Share: Freely Dwell
Read Exodus Chapter 35: God used the Israelites' gifts to build the Tabernacle. What unique gifts do you have which can bless others?
The Israelites sinned but still brought freewill offerings to God. How does the knowledge of your own past "Golden Calves" (sins) make you more or less motivated to offer your gifts to God now?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 Have you ever been "carried by the faith" or service of another believer during a time of struggle?
"Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven." How do your everyday actions and service help bring God's heavenly will to earth?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Why Halloween Might Be the Most Christian Holiday of All
Our masks aren’t just signs of embarrassment; they’re declarations of independence from God.
Grace isn’t fair. It’s reckless and lavish and handed out freely to those who don’t deserve a thing.
Read the orginal article here. https://www.1517.org/articles/why-halloween-might-be-the-most-christian-holiday-of-all
Every Halloween, our front yard transforms into a small carnival. For more than twenty years, my late wife Jill and I rented a giant inflatable bounce house, set it up on the lawn, and welcomed the entire neighborhood. We started doing this even before we had kids. Our friends thought we were crazy; who rents a bounce house for other people’s children? But that was kind of the point. It wasn’t about us; it was about giving something away.
As the years went by and our kids grew up, they invited their classmates, and the party expanded. Some years, thirty or forty people would be bouncing, laughing, and talking while Jill handed out juice boxes and I passed out candy. For the grown-ups, we offered water, maybe a beer, or a glass of wine. We didn’t take names, ask questions, or charge a dime. We just gave it all away because it felt right, like a glimpse of grace in a world that doesn’t give much for free.
“On no other night do we open our doors to complete strangers, delight in their disguises, and give them gifts they haven’t earned. ”
I understand what some say about Halloween. It has pagan roots, and can lend itself to a fascination with the darker side: with death, demons, and fear. That’s true enough. But if you step back, you might see that this night has become, in its own odd way, one of the most grace-filled evenings on the American calendar.
Think about it. On no other night do we open our doors to complete strangers, delight in their disguises, and give them gifts they haven’t earned. There’s no transaction, no exchange rate of good behavior for candy. Kids don’t need to say a prayer or sign a pledge. They just ring the doorbell, shout “Trick or treat,” and are showered with sweetness.
That’s grace, pure, unearned, undeserved.
Of course, the night also reveals the truth about us. We hide. Every one of us wears a mask, not just on October 31. We conceal our shame, guilt, and insecurity. We pretend to be stronger, braver, or more put-together than we really are. This is what sin does: it pushes us into hiding.
“Our masks aren’t just signs of embarrassment; they’re declarations of independence from God. ”
The first time this happened was in the garden, when Adam and Eve realized what they had done and tried to cover themselves. Since then, we’ve been doing the same thing with different materials: paper masks, polite smiles, curated lives. We want to look good enough for God or for the people around us.
But there’s a deeper truth beneath all that pretending. Our masks aren’t just signs of embarrassment; they’re declarations of independence from God. We hide not only because we’re ashamed, but because we want to believe we’re still alive on our own.
Yet this night reminds us that the grave waits for all of us, and apart from Christ, we’re not just hiding; we’re dead. It’s not simply that we refuse rescue; it’s that we’re incapable of saving ourselves. We can dress it up, paint it over, and call it life, but apart from the Giver, we’re only the walking dead, clutching our candy and pretending it’s enough.
And so, when it comes to our idea of grace, we start rationing. We draw the curtains, click off the porch light, and lock the doors. We’d rather stay inside, safe and self-contained, than open the door to those we don’t think deserve it.
We fail to give as freely as God gives. We hoard grace as if it were running out. We measure our kindness and guard our goodness, keeping track of who’s earned what. We want to make sure people have proven themselves before they get their share. In the end, we’d rather be the ones holding the bowl, deciding who gets the candy, than the ones welcoming the masked person at the door.
It’s the same resentment that appears in Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard. The landowner pays everyone the same, regardless of how long they’ve worked, and the early laborers can’t stand it. “You’ve made them equal to us,” they protest (Matt. 20:12). In other words, they didn’t earn this.
That’s the scandal of grace. We want God’s generosity to make sense, to reward effort, to pay out fairly. But grace isn’t fair. It’s reckless and lavish and handed out freely to those who don’t deserve a thing. That’s what makes the gospel so astonishing. God doesn’t wait for us to unmask ourselves or prove we’re worthy of the gift. He flings open the door, welcomes us in, and showers us with his mercy.
The hymn “Today Your Mercy Calls Us” captures it beautifully:
“Today Your gate is open, and all who enter in
Shall find a Father’s welcome and pardon for their sin.
The past shall be forgotten, a present joy be given,
A future grace be promised, a glorious crown in heaven.” (LSB 915:2)
That’s the gospel in poetic form. The door is open. The Father welcomes. The gift is already prepared. And, as the next verse says,
“No question will be asked us, how often we have come,
Although we oft have wandered, it is our Father’s home.” (LSB 915:3)
No interrogation, no hesitation, no conditions. Just mercy, dolled out again and again.
Every Halloween, when a costumed child runs up to our porch, I think about that kind of grace. They’re covered in masks and capes and glitter, but we don’t care. We hand over the goods like it’s the most natural thing in the world. It’s not earned. It’s given.
That’s what God does for us. He sees through every disguise and gives the sweetest gift of all, his Son.
As Paul writes, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)
That’s not a fun-size portion of mercy. That’s King-Size Grace.
In some neighborhoods, the kids whisper about the house that gives out king-size candy bars. You can see the joy on their faces when they realize they’ve come to the right place. They may have wandered into a street they’ve never visited before. They may not even live in the neighborhood. But they’re welcomed like family and handed the best gift on the block.
Spiritually, that’s every one of us. We’ve not just wandered into a neighborhood where we don’t belong; we are lost and dead in our sin. We’ve shown up uninvited. We’ve walked streets that aren’t ours, and we’ve knocked on the door of a house that should’ve stayed shut to us.
But Jesus came to our neighborhood first. The King left his own home and entered ours, wrapped not in royal robes but in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. As Paul says,
“Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:6–7).
The true King became the Servant, stepping onto our dark streets so that the outcasts and wanderers could be welcomed home. At his cross, he handed out the richest gift imaginable, his own life, for those who didn’t belong, for those who had nothing to offer in return, even for those who drove the nails into his flesh. But his grace didn’t end there. The King who died is the King who rose, wrenching the mask off death itself. The Son of God left the glory of heaven to bear our shame, to walk among the dead, and to breathe life into those who could not save themselves. At the cross, he opened wide the door of mercy, and in his resurrection, he flicks the porch light on and keeps the door open forever, grace that keeps flowing, a sweetness that never sours, a promise that death itself cannot swallow.
That’s King-Size Grace, given by the King who still opens his door and fills our empty hands with his sweet gifts.
Jill loved this night. She enjoyed the people, the laughter, and the opportunity to connect in simple ways. Every year, when the bounce house is set up and the porch light clicks on, I can still see her heart in it all, a heart that welcomed others and gave freely because she knew how much she had been loved.
When the night ends, the last of trick or treaters have gone home, the bounce house deflates, and the laughter fades into quiet, I’ll stand on the porch and look down the street at the other glowing doorsteps, and I won’t be able to help but think that maybe this is what grace looks like in miniature, porch lights shining in the dark, open doors, hands giving freely, strangers made welcome, the promise that the feast will never run out, and the taste of his King-Size Grace will still linger long after the doorbell stops ringing.
Kitchen Refresh Started
Mike and Joseph got a good start on the kitchen refresh.
Mike and Joseph got a good start on the kitchen refresh.
Re(D)Formation Pictures
Pictures for our Reformation Dinner 25’
We had a wonderful time celebrating the Reformation. We enjoyed playing Reformation Bingo, where many won fantastic prizes. We also awarded prizes for the juiciest beets and other red-themed foods.
Revelation Ch 21-22 Bible Study
We traced Revelation 21–22 as the climactic reunification of heaven and earth, connecting its temple/tabernacle imagery, priestly stones, and the Bride/City to Eden’s river and tree of life, contrasting Babylon’s coercive economy with God’s freely given water of life and the Lamb’s healing light for the nations.
The Book of Revelation.
Chapter 21-22
This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.
Short Summary of the Whole Class
Our class explored Revelation 21–22 as the culmination of Scripture’s story: God dwelling with His people in the New Jerusalem, a holy city shaped by temple/tabernacle echoes (gold, jewels, perfect cube, priestly stones) where the Lamb is the light, the nations are healed, and tears, death, and pain are no more. We contrasted Babylon/Rome’s exploitative splendor and coercive “peace” with God’s economy of abundance and gift—“without cost”—and saw how the city’s gates and foundations bear the names of God’s people, forming a Bride/City crafted by God. Revelation 22’s renewed Eden (river of life, tree of life) anchored an invitation to “Come,” a call to worship God alone, guard the prophetic word, and embody kingdom mercy within worldly systems without worshiping them.
Timestamped Walkthrough and Section Summaries
0:00–3:00 — Setting the Stage: Revelation’s Climax and Eden’s Echo
Discussion: Positioned Revelation 20–22 as a unified picture of Jesus’ victory and the reunification of heaven and earth (God’s space and human space), returning the story to Eden’s original unity.
Scriptures: Revelation 20–22 (overview).
Stories/Themes: Eden as unified space; New Creation as end-goal.
Short summary: The end brings us back to the beginning—God and humanity sharing one space.
3:01–10:00 — Reading Revelation 21 Aloud
Discussion: Read Revelation 21:1–27—new heaven and earth; New Jerusalem as Bride; God dwelling with His people; no more tears, death, sorrow, pain; “Behold, I make all things new”; water of life freely given; cube-like city; no temple—God and the Lamb are its temple; the Lamb as light; nations and kings in submission; purity of those in the Lamb’s book of life.
Scriptures: Revelation 21:1–27.
Short summary: Revelation 21 paints a lavish, symbolic vision of God’s healing presence with His people.
10:01–16:00 — Interpreting the Imagery: Symbolism over Literalism
Discussion: Emphasized the symbolic nature of ornate descriptions (e.g., transparent gold), rooted in biblical patterns rather than literal architecture; splendor serves theological purpose—God’s dwelling.
Scriptures: Revelation 21 (imagery).
Short summary: The city’s beauty is biblical symbolism, pointing to God’s historic dwelling with His people.
16:01–24:00 — Tabernacle Echoes: Gold, Jewels, and the Cube
Discussion: Connected the city’s measurements and jewels to the tabernacle/temple; highlighted the Holy of Holies as a cube, reflected in the city’s equal dimensions; paradox of “gold like transparent glass” evokes surpassing splendor.
Scriptures: Revelation 21:15–17; Exodus 26.
Short summary: The whole city mirrors the Holy of Holies—God’s sacred presence now fills all.
24:01–32:00 — Exodus Offerings and Reoriented Splendor
Discussion: Read Exodus 35:4–29 (offerings for the tabernacle) showing wealth redirected from idolatry (golden calf, Exodus 32) to worship; contrasted Babylon/Rome’s power-glorifying splendor with biblical splendor that glorifies God’s dwelling.
Scriptures: Exodus 35:4–29; Exodus 32; Revelation 21 (foundations, gates).
Stories: Golden calf.
Short summary: God repurposes human wealth to build a dwelling where heaven meets earth.
32:01–40:00 — No More Tears: Lamb’s Peace vs. Pax Romana
Discussion: Focused on Revelation 21:4; contrasted Rome’s Pax Romana (peace by domination) with the Lamb’s compassionate reign that wipes away tears.
Scriptures: Revelation 21:4.
Stories/Themes: Pax Romana vs. Lamb’s peace.
Short summary: The Lamb brings true peace that heals suffering, unlike coercive imperial “peace.”
40:01–48:00 — Nations and Kings in the Lamb’s Light
Discussion: Revelation 21:23–26—nations walk in the Lamb’s light; kings bring glory in submission; contrasted merchants mourning Babylon (Revelation 18–19) with purified honor in God’s presence.
Scriptures: Revelation 21:23–26; Revelation 18–19 (allusion).
Short summary: Earthly glory is surrendered and purified in the Lamb’s light.
48:01–56:00 — God’s Economy: Water of Life Without Cost
Discussion: Revelation 21:6—life is gift, not transaction; contrasted Babylon’s scarcity/exploitation with divine abundance; noted echoes of Revelation 6 (balances of commerce).
Scriptures: Revelation 21:6; Revelation 6 (allusion).
Short summary: God’s economy replaces scarcity with free, abundant life.
56:01–64:00 — Desert Contrast and True Splendor
Discussion: Exodus 26’s rich design in a desert underscores God’s life breaking into desolation; contrasted Herod’s performative vanity with the Lamb’s substantive splendor around the slain-yet-victorious Christ.
Scriptures: Exodus 26.
Stories: Herod and John the Baptist (Mark 6:17–29, implied).
Short summary: God’s presence brings real beauty into barren places, unlike hollow imperial show.
64:01–72:00 — Priestly Stones and the City’s Holiness
Discussion: Compared Exodus 28:17–20 (breastplate stones) with Revelation 21:19–21 (foundations/gates); city as priestly, holy space; New Jerusalem embodies God’s desire to dwell with His people.
Scriptures: Exodus 28:17–20; Revelation 21:19–21.
Short summary: What was once limited to priests/Holy of Holies now defines the shared life of God with His people.
72:01–80:00 — Twelve Stones, Seals, and Foundations Mean People
Discussion: Exodus 28:21’s engraved stones as tribal representation; “twelve” symbolizes God’s people (tribes/apostles); city “built out of the people,” yet wrought by God; reflection on the torn temple curtain.
Scriptures: Exodus 28:21.
Stories: Temple curtain torn at the crucifixion (thickness noted).
Short summary: The city’s foundations signify God’s people and God’s initiative in redemption.
80:01–88:00 — Bride and City; Names on Gates; Holy of Holies Geometry
Discussion: Revelation 21:9–14—angel shows the Bride as the City; twelve gates named for tribes; twelve foundations; cubic geometry evokes Holy of Holies; names inscribed signal covenant identity.
Scriptures: Revelation 21:9–14.
Short summary: The Bride/City bears the names of God’s people—identity embedded in God’s dwelling.
88:01–95:00 — Pronoun Nuance: “She” vs. “It” and God-Lit City
Discussion: Greek feminine forms tie the city to Bride imagery; Revelation 21:22–27—no temple; Lamb is light; nations walk by His light; Lord’s Prayer motivates mercy ministries as kingdom living now.
Scriptures: Revelation 21:22–27; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 1:23; Matthew 28:20.
Stories: Mercy ministry example (serving those with Alzheimer’s).
Short summary: The Bride/City’s personal identity and God-lit reality call the church to live the kingdom through mercy.
95:01–102:00 — Eden Renewed: River and Tree of Life
Discussion: Revelation 22:1–5—river from the throne; tree of life with twelve fruits; leaves heal the nations; no more curse; God’s face; reigning forever; continuity with Genesis/Ezekiel.
Scriptures: Revelation 22:1–5; Genesis 2 (implied); Ezekiel 47 (implied).
Short summary: Eden is restored—perpetual life, healing, and unmediated communion with God.
102:01–110:00 — Faithful Words, Worship God, and Openness
Discussion: Revelation 22:6–11—“These words are faithful and true”; John corrected to worship God; “Do not seal” the words—urgency and accessibility of the message.
Scriptures: Revelation 22:6–11.
Short summary: The faithful, urgent word redirects worship to God and keeps Revelation’s hope open.
110:01–118:00 — “I Am Coming Quickly”: Invitation to “Come”
Discussion: Revelation 22:12–17—Christ’s identity (Alpha and Omega, root and offspring of David, bright morning star); blessing on those who keep His commandments; universal invitation: “Come…take the water of life freely.”
Scriptures: Revelation 22:12–17; Numbers 24:17 (echo).
Stories: C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce (invitation imagery).
Short summary: Christ’s imminent coming grounds a church that welcomes all to receive free life.
118:01–125:00 — Guarding the Message; “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”
Discussion: Revelation 22:18–21—warnings against adding/subtracting; “Surely I am coming quickly”; “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”; benediction of grace; guard the message from misuse to prop up worldly control.
Scriptures: Revelation 22:18–21.
Short summary: Protect Revelation’s hope, await Jesus’ coming, and rest in grace.
125:01–135:00 — Living in Babylon without Worshiping It
Discussion: Identity marked by God’s name (vs. beast’s mark); baptismal belonging; participate in everyday systems without capitulation; hope endures as God deals with evil.
Scriptures: Revelation 22:4; Revelation 13 (referenced); Romans 6:3–4 (implied); Revelation 21:4 (echoed).
Stories: Modern examples (Amazon, air conditioning, Cracker Barrel, selling a house).
Short summary: We inhabit worldly systems but refuse to worship them; our identity and hope are in God.
135:01–145:00 — OT Echoes and Pastoral Caution
Discussion: Revelation’s deep OT vocabulary (gems, city, temple); recover OT resonance for clarity; resist religious abuse; keep saying “Come” with mercy and hope.
Scriptures: Exodus 28 (implied); Revelation 21–22; Micah 6:8 (implied).
Stories: Pastoral warnings against weaponizing faith.
Short summary: Understanding OT echoes clarifies Revelation; our witness remains invitational and merciful.
Medium-Length Summary of the Class
We followed Revelation 21–22 as Scripture’s consummation: God reunites heaven and earth and dwells with His people in the New Jerusalem. The chapter’s ornate imagery—gold, jewels, a perfect cube—draws from the tabernacle, temple, and priestly stones, signaling that the entire city is the Holy of Holies where God’s presence fills all. This splendor is not self-glorifying; it reorients wealth, power, and beauty around the slain Lamb whose light guides the nations and transforms earthly glory into humble submission. We contrasted Babylon/Rome’s coercive economy and hollow “peace” with God’s gift economy: the water of life given “without cost,” the removal of tears, death, and pain, and the healing of the nations. Revelation 22’s renewed Eden—river of life, tree of life with twelve-fold fruit, the end of the curse, God’s name on His people—anchors our identity and worship. We heard Christ’s “I am coming quickly” as promise and presence, guarded the prophetic word from misuse, and embraced the universal invitation: “Come.” Practically, we live within worldly systems without worshiping them, embodying mercy and justice as the Spirit and the Bride keep calling thirsty people to life.
Main Points
Revelation 21–22 climaxes Scripture’s story with the reunification of heaven and earth.
The New Jerusalem’s ornate imagery echoes the tabernacle, temple, Holy of Holies, and priestly stones.
God dwells with His people; no more tears, death, sorrow, or pain.
The Lamb is the city’s light; nations walk in His radiance; kings bring their glory in submission.
God’s economy is abundance and gift—“without cost”—contrasting Babylon’s scarcity and coercion.
Eden is renewed: river of life, tree of life with healing leaves, no more curse, God’s name on His people.
The Bride/City is formed by God and bears the names of His people; “twelve” signifies covenant identity.
Worship God alone; guard Revelation’s message; live kingdom mercy now within worldly systems without worshiping them.
Christ is coming quickly; the church echoes the Spirit’s invitation: “Come.”
Scriptures Mentioned
Revelation 20–22 (overview)
Revelation 21:1–27
Revelation 21:4
Revelation 21:6
Revelation 21:9–14
Revelation 21:15–17
Revelation 21:19–21
Revelation 21:22–27
Revelation 18–19 (allusion)
Revelation 6 (allusion)
Revelation 22:1–5
Revelation 22:6–11
Revelation 22:12–17
Revelation 22:18–21
Revelation 13 (referenced)
Exodus 26
Exodus 28:17–21
Exodus 35:4–29
Exodus 32
Matthew 1:23
Matthew 6:10
Matthew 28:20
Numbers 24:17 (echo)
Romans 6:3–4 (implied)
Genesis 2 (implied)
Ezekiel 47 (implied)
Micah 6:8 (implied)
Mark 6:17–29 (implied)
Stories and Illustrations Mentioned
Eden: original unity of God’s space and human space
Golden Calf (Exodus 32)
Herod and John the Baptist (Mark 6:17–29, implied)
Temple curtain torn at the crucifixion (thickness noted)
Church practice of writing names on building studs (identity inscription parallel)
Pax Romana vs. Lamb’s peace
Merchants mourning Babylon (Revelation 18–19, allusion)
Mercy ministries (serving those with Alzheimer’s)
C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce (invitation imagery)
Modern consumer examples: Amazon, air conditioning, Cracker Barrel, selling a house
Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32, referenced conceptually)
Abraham’s failures with Pharaoh/Abimelech (Genesis 12:10–20; 20:1–18)
![[Sunday] Reformation - Sola Gratia - Freely](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1761273301890-F1LE8S0V2OBCT837YDE4/Freely1a.jpg)
[Sunday] Reformation - Sola Gratia - Freely
Overturning the common belief that grace is reluctantly earned, the freely given reality of the Gospel is that God's salvation flows from His eager delight to love and forgive us.
Overturning the common belief that grace is reluctantly earned, the freely given reality of the Gospel is that God's salvation flows from His eager delight to love and forgive us.
Questions for the Week: Reformation - Sola Gratia
Do you personally find it easier to focus on your sinfulness and the need for grace, or on God's active delight in extending that grace?
God's grace is rooted in His delight. What does it mean for your daily life to know that God doesn't just tolerate you, but actively delights in showing you kindness and forgiveness? (Psalm 145:8)
Read Ephesians 2:1-10. The sermon contrasted living under the "burden" of earning grace with living under the "delight" of free grace. What are some ways you might still unconsciously try to "pay" for your sins today?
Esau met Jacob, his deceiver, with grace and delight. How can you practically extend that same kind of delighted, extravagant forgiveness to someone who has wronged you?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Re(D)formation Party Oct 26th 4:30pm
Red Food Cookoff!
Bingo!
Oct 27th 4PM
Our next event “Red-formation”
Sunday, October 26th from 4:30 PM
There will be a “Red” Pot Luck Dinner & Bingo.
All are invited!. “Wear red!”
FOOD!!! PRIZES!!! FUN!!! Especially - FELLOWSHIP!!
Photos of from last year
Freely: Given/Shared (Teaching Series)
We are the recipients of God's overflowing grace and boundless love. This gift transforms our very identity, compelling us toward a life of radical gratitude and contagious generosity. Let's fully embrace this joyful way to live by sharing our time, talents, and resources.
We are the recipients of God's overflowing grace and boundless love. This gift transforms our very identity, compelling us toward a life of radical gratitude and contagious generosity. Let's fully embrace this joyful way to live by sharing our time, talents, and resources.
Reading Plan
10/26/25
Reformation & Rediscovering GraceIsaiah 55:1-5
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:13-21
11/2/25
Stewarding Our Time and Talents (Gifts)Exodus 35:30-35
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
11/9/25
Stewarding our ResourcesLeviticus 25:18-28
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Luke 12:13-21
11/16/25
Stewarding our WitnessMicah 6:1-8
1 Peter 3:8-18
Matthew 5:13-20
11/23/25
Christ The King SundayPsalm 95:1-7a
1 Cor 15:20-28
Matthew 25:31-46
Revelation Ch 20-21 Bible Study
Revelation chapter 20-21 Worship, Martyrdom, and Final Judgment
The Book of Revelation.
Chapter 20-21
This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.
Short Summary of the Whole Class
This Bible study walked through Revelation 20–21, highlighting God’s ultimate defeat of evil, the reality of judgment, the hope of bodily resurrection, and the renewal of creation as heaven comes down to earth. We connected Revelation’s imagery to Genesis, Job, the Gospels, and Romans, countered gnostic misunderstandings, and applied these truths pastorally to Christian grief and funerals. The class emphasized that Jesus has overcome, believers share in His victory, death cannot separate us from God’s love, and God will dwell with His people in a renewed creation.
Section 1: Reading and Framing Revelation 20
We recalled Revelation 20’s imagery: the abyss (bottomless pit), the dragon/serpent, and links back to Genesis 1 (primordial depths), Genesis 3 (serpent), and Job’s cosmic conflict.
We read about the thousand years, the first resurrection, Satan’s brief release, Gog and Magog, the final defeat of the devil, the great white throne judgment, the opening of books and the Book of Life, and death and Hades being cast into the lake of fire.
We framed the chapter as victory portraits rather than a strict timeline, underscoring God’s sovereignty and evil’s restraint.
Short summary:
Revelation 20 sets the stage for God’s sovereign victory: evil is restrained and ultimately destroyed, the saints reign with Christ, judgment is rendered, and death is defeated.
Section 2: Noticing the Theme of Destruction and Hope
We noted the recurring theme of destruction, clarified as God’s destruction of evil, not of creation’s goodness.
The call to “overcome” in Revelation was traced from the churches to Jesus Himself; believers share in His overcoming.
Short summary:
Destruction in Revelation is hopeful because it targets evil, and believers share in Jesus’ victory through the call to overcome.
Section 3: The Sea, Death, and Hades Giving Up the Dead
We discussed how the sea, death, and Hades “give up the dead,” affirming God’s power to raise all, regardless of how or where bodies were lost.
We addressed cremation history (noting some 19th-century atheist challenges) and clarified that God can resurrect all.
We explained “Hades” as the Greek underworld concept used culturally to show nothing is beyond God’s summons to judgment.
Short summary:
No realm can retain the dead—God will raise all for judgment and restoration; “Hades” reflects cultural language to emphasize God’s comprehensive authority.
Section 4: Countering Gnosticism: Tangibility and Resurrection
We confronted gnostic ideas that demean material creation and over-spiritualize hope.
We highlighted Scripture’s affirmation of creation’s goodness and Jesus’ bodily resurrection (eating, being touched) as the anchor of our future bodily resurrection.
Funeral language was examined to avoid implying that bodies are bad; the Christian hope is embodied and tangible.
Short summary:
Christian hope is bodily; Jesus’ real resurrection grounds our own, and creation’s goodness will be restored—counter to gnostic tendencies.
Section 5: Pastoral Application—Death, Grief, and Hope
We named death as the problem and evidence of sin; grief is honest and appropriate.
Lutheran funerals center on resurrection hope, contrasting abstract or purely spiritual views (e.g., Masonic elements).
We affirmed that believers are “with Jesus,” and nothing—death included—can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8).
Short summary:
We grieve honestly because death is the evidence of sin, yet we hope confidently in Christ’s presence and the promise of bodily resurrection and reunion.
Section 6: Grieving with Hope and the Trajectory Toward Eden
We discussed cultural practices of celebrating life at funerals, holding stories and hope together.
We framed Scripture’s trajectory as movement back toward Eden—reunification and restoration—anticipating Revelation 21–22.
We preferred saying “with Jesus” over speculation about the intermediate state, trusting His promise to be with us.
Short summary:
Christian grief blends sorrow and hope, aiming toward restored Eden; Jesus’ abiding presence secures our comfort even amid judgment scenes.
Section 7: The “Second Death,” the Millennium, and Evil Restrained (Revelation 20)
We examined the “second death” (lake of fire) as final judgment.
We acknowledged diverse millennial views without settling on one, focusing pastorally on God’s sovereign restraint of evil.
Like in Job, what threatens is limited by God; Satan is bound, and the climactic battle is anticlimactic under God’s reign.
Short summary:
Revelation 20 emphasizes God’s sovereign control—evil is restrained; the second death is final judgment, but believers rest secure in Christ.
Section 8: The “First Resurrection” and Interpreting Difficult Passages
We wrestled with the “first resurrection,” considering various interpretations.
Pastorally, we connected it to Christ’s resurrection and believers’ participation, ensuring the second death has no power over those in Him.
Central theme: death is the problem; Christ’s resurrection is the solution.
Short summary:
Though interpretive details vary, sharing in Christ’s resurrection secures believers against the second death; our hope is anchored in Jesus.
Section 9: The Books, the Book of Life, and Judgment (Revelation 20:11–15)
We explored the “books” recording deeds and the Book of Life identifying God’s people.
We connected Revelation 20 with Revelation 5, where only the Lamb is worthy to open the scrolls, implying Christ mediates judgment.
Without Christ, none could stand; with the Lamb’s victory, judgment becomes survivable for believers.
Short summary:
Judgment is comprehensive and mediated by Christ; the Book of Life marks God’s people, and the Lamb’s victory makes salvation possible.
Section 10: Clarifying the Millennium and Transition to Revelation 21
We noted traditional distinctions between the millennium and the new creation (world to come), avoiding rigid timelines.
We anticipated Revelation 21’s clearer comfort: God’s dwelling with humanity, end of death and sorrow, and renewal.
Short summary:
We emphasized Christ’s reign over precise chronology and looked forward to Revelation 21’s clearer promises of renewal and presence.
Section 11: Reading and Hearing Revelation 21:1–27
We read the vision of new heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem descending, and God dwelling with His people.
Former things pass away—no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain.
The city’s radiance, open gates, and God/Lamb as light underscore holiness and welcome for those in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Short summary:
Revelation 21 paints a vivid, hope-filled picture of renewed creation and God’s dwelling with His people, ending suffering and establishing holy, radiant life.
Section 12: “No More Sea” and the End of Chaos
“No more sea” was explained as symbolic of the end of chaos and evil (Leviathan imagery), not literal ocean removal.
This draws on biblical patterns where the sea represents disorder opposed to God’s purposes.
Short summary:
“No more sea” signals the complete removal of chaos and evil as God brings new creation.
Section 13: The New Jerusalem Comes Down—Heaven to Earth
We emphasized that heaven comes down—God’s kingdom arrives here.
Christian hope is renewal, not escape; “Thy kingdom come” shapes ethical living and stewardship now.
Short summary:
God brings heaven to earth; therefore our present life, justice, and care for creation matter in light of God’s coming kingdom.
Section 14: God Dwelling with His People—Emmanuel and Presence
We focused on God’s permanent dwelling among His people (Revelation 21:3), fulfilling the Emmanuel promise and Jesus’ “I am with you always.”
God consistently comes down—from incarnation to consummation.
Short summary:
God’s abiding presence culminates in Revelation 21, fulfilling Emmanuel as He dwells with His people forever.
Section 15: Alpha and Omega, Overcomers, and Evil Excluded
God declares His sovereignty: “I make all things new… I am the Alpha and Omega.”
Those who thirst receive the water of life; overcomers inherit.
Evil and unrepentant wickedness remain outside, preserving the holiness of the city.
Short summary:
God’s total sovereignty guarantees new creation; the faithful inherit life, and evil is excluded to maintain holiness.
Section 16: City Dimensions, Gates, Foundations, and Light
The city’s measurements and symbolism unite Israel’s tribes (twelve gates) and the apostles (twelve foundations).
No temple is needed—God and the Lamb are its temple; no sun or moon—God’s glory is its light.
Gates remain open; the nations bring their glory; only those in the Lamb’s Book of Life enter.
Short summary:
The city’s design signifies the unity of God’s people and perpetual, holy openness under God’s radiant presence.
Section 17: Bible Project Video—“Heaven and Earth”
The video explained heaven (God’s space) and earth (our space), once united in Eden, separated by sin, and overlapping through temples—ultimately reunited in Jesus.
Jesus as true temple and sacrifice creates “pockets of heaven,” culminating in the New Jerusalem where heaven and earth fully unite.
Clarified that while believers are with Jesus after death, Scripture’s focus is the future union of heaven and earth.
Short summary:
Jesus reunites God’s space and human space, leading to the full renewal of creation when heaven comes down and New Jerusalem fills the world with God’s presence.
End-of-Class Summary
We connected Revelation 20–21 to the broader biblical story and pastoral life: Jesus has overcome, evil is destroyed, judgment is mediated by the Lamb, and death itself is cast out. Christian hope is bodily resurrection and renewed creation as heaven comes to earth. We countered gnostic misunderstandings, affirmed creation’s goodness, and emphasized honest grief anchored in Christ’s presence. Revelation 21’s vision of New Jerusalem gave clear comfort: God dwells with His people, suffering ends, and the holy city welcomes the redeemed nations.
Main Points
God sovereignly restrains and defeats evil; Satan, death, and Hades are vanquished.
Judgment is comprehensive; the books record deeds; the Book of Life marks God’s people; the Lamb mediates judgment.
The “second death” is final judgment; those who share in Christ’s resurrection are secure from it.
The Christian hope is bodily resurrection and tangible renewal of creation, not escape from the material world.
Gnosticism’s denigration of the body is rejected; Jesus’ bodily resurrection guarantees ours.
Grief is honest; death is the evidence of sin, yet nothing can separate believers from God’s love.
Heaven comes down; New Jerusalem descends; God dwells with His people forever.
“No more sea” symbolizes the end of chaos and evil; God makes all things new.
The city’s architecture signifies the unity of Israel and the apostles; God and the Lamb are the temple and light.
Present life and stewardship matter because God is renewing this world.
Scriptures Mentioned or Alluded To
Revelation 20 (entire chapter): millennium, first resurrection, Satan’s release, Gog and Magog, great white throne, books opened, Book of Life, death and Hades cast into the lake of fire
Revelation 21:1–27: new heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem, God dwelling with His people, end of death and sorrow, city’s radiance and holiness
Revelation 3:5: overcoming, white garments, names in the Book of Life
Revelation 5:1–10: scroll with seven seals; only the Lamb is worthy to open them
Genesis 1: primordial depths (abyss) imagery
Genesis 3: the serpent of old
Job (general allusion): cosmic imagery and limits on evil
Romans 8: nothing can separate us from the love of God
Gospel accounts of Jesus’ bodily resurrection (e.g., Luke 24:36–43; John 20:24–29): Jesus eats and is touched
Matthew 1:23: Emmanuel (“God with us”)
Matthew 28:20: “I am with you always, to the end of the age”
Matthew 6:10 (Lord’s Prayer): “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
Leviathan/sea-as-chaos themes (e.g., Job 41; Psalm 74:13–14) noted conceptually
Stories and Topics Discussed
Abyss and serpent imagery connecting Revelation to Genesis
Sea, death, and Hades giving up the dead; God’s authority over all realms
Historical note on cremation and 19th-century atheist movements; pastoral implications
Gnosticism’s influence on modern funeral language and the correction by Scripture
Lutheran funeral focus on resurrection contrasted with Masonic elements
Pastoral language: speaking of the deceased as “with Jesus”
Assurance of bodily resurrection and restored creation
Cultural practices of celebrating life at funerals; grieving with hope
The story of Job illustrating evil’s limits under God’s sovereignty
The Lamb’s victory and authority to open the scrolls in Revelation
The anticlimactic “big battle” under God’s reign
Distinctions between the millennium and the new heavens/new earth in traditional thought
The New Jerusalem descending; heaven to earth renewal
Bible Project “Heaven and Earth” framework: Jesus as temple and sacrifice, pockets of heaven, final union in New Jerusalem
The freely given truth of Christ the King: He is not found on a distant throne but is waiting for us in the face of the hungry, the stranger, and the sinner.