Micah Intro &amp; Chapter 1 Class 1 - Bible Study

  
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What Had happened at Grace this week.

Featured

September 27, 2026

[Sunday] Day of Infamy - Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah Ch25

September 27, 2026

We all have days we’ll never forget; when the phone rang, the diagnosis came, and everything fell apart. Jeremiah 25, points to a day of infamy just like this. But also in Gethsemane, Jesus steps right into the middle of our darkest moments to offer us a hope that nothing can uproot.

September 27, 2026

September 24, 2026

September 24, 2026

A lively Bible study traced Mark’s unfolding revelation of Jesus—from John’s beheading and the feeding signs through Peter’s confession and the Transfiguration to prayerful dependence—highlighting Jewish and Gentile symbolism, numbers (5, 7, 12, 4), the Son of Man/Son of God themes, and the call to faith, humility, and cross-shaped discipleship.

September 24, 2026

September 24, 2026

Thursday, October 1st at 5:45pm at Dales BBQ on US1

September 24, 2026

September 23, 2026

September 23, 2026

Find out how it all begins.

September 23, 2026

September 20, 2026

[Sunday] Den of Robbers - Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah Ch7

September 20, 2026

It’s incredibly easy to look at the world, point fingers, and feel secure just because we are the righteous. Jeremiah 7 shows us how God wants to uproot our pride and plant His grace.

September 20, 2026

September 18, 2026

Backpacks in Haiti & The Our Girls First Day of School [Photos]

September 18, 2026

This year was another great success, providing so many children with the bags and supplies they need for the new school year.

September 18, 2026

September 18, 2026

A hands-on briefing on navigating modern financial fraud

September 18, 2026

September 17, 2026

September 17, 2026

Our class on September 17, 2026, explored how Jesus's miracles and teachings in Mark 6-8 challenge worldly power, culminating in Peter's flawed confession and Jesus's radical call to a discipleship of self-denial and sacrifice.

September 17, 2026

September 13, 2026

September 13, 2026

When the world feels frozen in a bleak winter, God shows us the almond branch. He is awake. He is on the move. Jesus took the destruction upon Himself on the cross so He could plant the breath of new life in you!

September 13, 2026

September 11, 2026

September 11, 2026

Great event at the end of our summer.

September 11, 2026

Cris Escher 3/21/26 Cris Escher 3/21/26

Letter from Claubert

A letter of gratitude from Claubert.

Dear Members of Grace Lutheran Church,

Grace and Peace be with you from our Father through His Son Jesus Christ.

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your support and for voting for me in the election this past Sunday. I am truly honored and deeply thankful for the confidence you have placed in me. It brought me great joy to receive this news, and I want you to know how much it means to me.

I am now prayerfully preparing myself to come and serve alongside you at Grace. I look forward to joining you in ministry, growing together in faith, and working as one body in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Thank you once again for your trust, your kindness, and your warm welcome. I am excited for what God has in store for us as we walk this journey together.

With sincere gratitude and joy,

Claubert

Cris Escher 3/19/26 Cris Escher 3/19/26

Jonah Chapter 4 Class 3 - Bible Study

A lively Bible study on March 19, 2026 explored Jonah 4’s surprising ending, God’s mercy toward enemies (and even animals), Jonah’s anger, echoes in Job and Mark, and our own struggles with tribalism and forgiveness—inviting us to embrace God’s expansive grace.

Jonah Chapter 4

This is our 3rd class on Jonah

This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.

Short summary of the whole class

On March 19, 2026, our class read Jonah 4 and examined Jonah’s anger when God spared Nineveh after its repentance. We traced God’s object lesson through the plant, worm, and east wind, and considered how Jonah’s complaint weaponizes Israel’s creed about God’s mercy. We connected Jonah’s open-ended finish to Job’s probing questions and Mark 16:8, explored links to Jesus’ welcome of outsiders, and paralleled Jonah with the elder brother in the Prodigal Son. The conversation turned to modern mirrors—politics, “God is on our side” rhetoric, daily frustrations (traffic, lines), and church life—asking what we do when God loves our enemy. We concluded that Scripture calls us to share God’s pity for all creation and practice humble, enemy-loving mercy.

Walkthrough of the class with section-by-section summaries

1) Setting the stage: Jonah 3’s outcome and the pivot to Jonah 4

What we discussed:
- Jonah’s reluctant warning to Nineveh (“Yet forty days…”) surprisingly worked; the city repented in a way Israel often didn’t under prophets like Amos and Joel.
- God relented from disaster because Nineveh turned from evil, setting up the tension in Jonah 4.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 3:4–10
- Prophets referenced: Amos; Joel
Short wrap-up:
- Nineveh’s dramatic repentance prepares us for Jonah 4’s central conflict: a merciful God and a prophet who dislikes mercy for enemies.

2) Reading Jonah 4 and first reactions: anger and a divine question

What we discussed:
- Jonah is “exceedingly displeased and angry,” praying that he knew God is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,” and asking to die.
- God asks, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah camps east of the city to see what will happen.
- God appoints a plant to shade Jonah, a worm to kill it, and a scorching east wind—Jonah again wants to die.
- God contrasts Jonah’s pity for the plant with His pity for 120,000 people who “do not know their right hand from their left—and much livestock.”
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 4:1–11
Short wrap-up:
- Jonah’s anger collides with God’s compassion; the plant becomes a spiritual mirror exposing Jonah’s misplaced values.

3) Abrupt endings and literary echoes: Jonah, Job, and Mark

What we discussed:
- Jonah’s open ending (God’s unanswered question) recalls Job’s conclusion with divine questions and the Gospel of Mark’s shorter ending (Mark 16:8), where the women flee in fear and amazement.
- These unresolved finales function as invitations rather than tidy conclusions.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 4:10–11
- Job (chs. 38–42 referenced for God’s questioning)
- Mark 16:8
Short wrap-up:
- Like Job and early Mark, Jonah leaves a question hanging—pushing readers to examine their hearts.

4) Why is Jonah so angry? Enemies, identity, and the scandal of mercy

What we discussed:
- Jonah may fear Israel’s reaction if he “saves” Assyrian enemies, functioning as a stand-in for national sentiment.
- He recites Israel’s creed (Exod 34:6) but uses it as a complaint—mercy for “us” is fine, not for “them.”
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 4:2 (echoing Exodus 34:6)
- Broad OT backdrop: Israel and Assyria/Nineveh
Short wrap-up:
- Jonah reveals the hypocrisy of celebrating grace for ourselves while resenting it for our enemies.

5) Jonah’s anger: the plant and the people

What we discussed:
- Jonah stands in for Israel’s calling to bless the nations yet resents mercy to outsiders.
- God asks twice, “Is it right for you to be angry?”—about Nineveh and the plant—placing Jonah’s self-interest beside God’s care for people.
- Zeal alone doesn’t make a cause righteous; intensity isn’t legitimacy.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 4:4, 4:9
- Illustration: the “willing to die for a brownie” quip highlighting that passion doesn’t guarantee righteousness.
Short wrap-up:
- Jonah’s grief over a plant outweighs compassion for a city—his values are misaligned.

6) Jonah and Job: learning humility before God

What we discussed:
- Job eventually confesses, “I have spoken too much,” while Jonah never explicitly reaches that humility in the text.
- God’s “creation tour” in Job reframes suffering; in Jonah, God widens perspective to encompass people and animals.
- Anger often grows in “small stuff” when we lose sight of God’s big picture.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Job 38–42
- Jonah 4:10–11
- Illustration: “middle school drama” image for how small irritations eclipse larger truths.
Short wrap-up:
- Wisdom and humility come from seeing beyond ourselves to God’s vast purposes.

7) God’s compassion for Nineveh—and the “holy” number

What we discussed:
- “More than 120,000 persons” who don’t know right from left underscores Nineveh’s size and God’s pity, challenging tribal boundaries.
- Echoes to Israel’s symbolic numbers and Jesus’ ministry: welcoming outsiders and refusing sectarian control.
- Parallels: Jesus weeping over Jerusalem’s rejection of peace; disciples upset about others acting in Jesus’ name.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 4:11
- Luke 19:41–44; Luke 19:39–40
- Mark 9:38–41 or Luke 9:49–50
Short wrap-up:
- God’s mercy stretches beyond our lines; the question is whether we will rejoice when “outsiders” turn to God.

8) “Much cattle”: God’s care for creation

What we discussed:
- The ESV’s closing phrase (“and also much cattle”) sparked reflection on God’s care for animals and the vulnerable.
- In Jonah 3 even animals donned sackcloth—playful imagery (hamsters, cockroaches) made a serious point: mercy extends to all God made.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 3:7–8; Jonah 4:11
Short wrap-up:
- Jonah widens our horizon: God’s compassion embraces humans and beasts.

9) Modern mirrors: politics, “God is on our side,” and public witness

What we discussed:
- Jonah’s posture connects to contemporary “takedown” culture and drafting God to our side.
- Outsiders often perceive Christians as unloving; while we can’t fix every perception, we can embody hope, humility, and mercy locally.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- No additional verses beyond Jonah 4 in this segment
- Stories: media/political “takedown” culture; church’s public reputation
Short wrap-up:
- Resist tribal victory narratives; recover a witness marked by mercy.

10) “What do you do when God loves your enemy?”—The gospel’s call

What we discussed:
- Jesus commands us to love enemies; Scripture offends when it confronts our preferences.
- Confined mercy—only for “our side”—distorts the gospel.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Matthew 5:43–48; Luke 6:27–36
Short wrap-up:
- The gospel demands we extend to others the mercy we receive.

11) C. S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce” and choosing separation

What we discussed:
- Some would rather reject heaven than share it with those they despise—mirroring Jonah’s “better for me to die” than coexist with forgiven Ninevites.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Story: C. S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce
Short wrap-up:
- Grievance can isolate us from grace; God calls us back into shared joy.

12) The older brother pattern: forgiveness resisted

What we discussed:
- Jonah and the elder brother both resent mercy shown to “the other.”
- The Gospels crescendo in forgiveness and invite us to inhabit that goodness rather than cling to anger.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Luke 15:11–32
Short wrap-up:
- Mercy for me but judgment for you is a heart disease both Jonah and the elder brother expose.

13) Violence, cycles of hate, and the prophetic critique

What we discussed:
- Warfare narratives (Joshua, Judges, 1–2 Maccabees) show escalating hostility—even within Israel.
- Jonah subverts the cycle with repentance and divine pity for a violent city.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Joshua; Judges; 1–2 Maccabees
Short wrap-up:
- God prefers repentance and life over endless reprisals.

14) God’s object lesson: plant, worm, wind—and Jonah’s heart

What we discussed:
- Possible ID of the plant (castor oil plant) with large leaves; God appoints plant, worm, and scorching east wind.
- Jonah mourns the plant but not Nineveh; God’s question reframes pity to include 120,000 people and animals.
- A personal windburn anecdote highlighted the east wind’s harshness.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 4:4–11
- Study note: castor oil plant as a candidate
- Story: windburn experience
Short wrap-up:
- The object lesson exposes compassion skewed toward comfort rather than human life and creation.

15) Everyday application: anger, traffic, and gratitude

What we discussed:
- Practicing patience in traffic and lines by seeing each person as God’s image-bearer.
- Church-life vignettes: some take extra pain meds to attend; some argue and still show up—prompting gratitude over harshness.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Thematic tie to Jonah 4; no specific verse cited beyond earlier references
- Stories: Arkansas congregation moments; pastoral shift toward gratitude during offering
Short wrap-up:
- Slow down, see people, and choose mercy; life already gives enough “law.”

16) Open-ended endings: Jonah, the Prodigal’s elder brother, and Mark’s women

What we discussed:
- Jonah’s abrupt close parallels the elder brother left outside the party and Mark 16:8’s fearful women.
- “The Lady or the Tiger?” illustrates how open endings force reader response.
- Historical backdrop: the Roman world’s harshness in which early Christianity grew.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Jonah 4; Luke 15:25–32; Mark 16:8
- Stories: “The Lady or the Tiger?”; Roman Colosseum context
Short wrap-up:
- Scripture declares God’s mercy and leaves the next move to us: will we join the celebration?

17) God’s desire for life, not death

What we discussed:
- God preserves man and beast, takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and desires all to be saved.
- Our posture should be humble gratitude for grace given to us and available to all.
Scriptures and stories mentioned:
- Ezekiel 18:23; Ezekiel 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:3–4; Psalm 36:6; Jonah 4:11
Short wrap-up:
- God’s heart is restorative; we’re invited to mirror that heart.

Medium-length final summary of the class

On March 19, 2026, we explored Jonah 4, where Jonah is furious that God spares Nineveh after its repentance. He recites Israel’s creed—God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger—yet wields it as a complaint when mercy reaches enemies. God stages an object lesson with a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind to expose Jonah’s compassion for comfort over people. We compared Jonah’s open ending to Job’s divine questions and Mark 16:8, seeing how Scripture sometimes leaves us with a question to answer. We linked Jonah’s themes to Jesus’ welcome of outsiders, the elder brother’s resentment in Luke 15, and modern tribal politics and media “takedowns.” The class also pressed practical discipleship: patience in traffic, gentleness in church life, gratitude for others’ sacrifices, and a commitment to love enemies. We noted God’s pity for “more than 120,000 persons … and also much cattle,” widening our view to include all creation. Jonah 4 ultimately asks: What do we do when God loves our enemy? God’s final word is pity; the invitation is to align our hearts with His.

Main points

Jonah 4 reveals a prophet angered by God’s mercy to enemies, exposing hypocrisy about grace.
The book’s abrupt ending functions like Job and Mark 16:8—leaving a divine question that aims at the reader’s heart.
God’s plant–worm–wind lesson uncovers Jonah’s misplaced compassion: comfort over human lives and creation.
Zeal or willingness to die doesn’t make a cause righteous; alignment with God’s mercy does.
Scripture consistently calls God’s people to love enemies; Jonah mirrors the elder brother’s resentment.
Modern parallels abound: partisan “takedown” culture and the impulse to conscript God to our side.
God’s pity extends to all—even animals—and invites us to share His compassion rather than cling to anger.
Practical discipleship means humility, patience, and gratitude in daily life and church community.

Scriptures mentioned

Jonah 3:4–10
Jonah 4:1–11; Jonah 4:2; Jonah 4:4; Jonah 4:9–11
Exodus 34:6 (echoed in Jonah 4:2)
Amos; Joel (prophetic backdrop)
Job 38–42
Mark 16:8
Matthew 5:43–48; Luke 6:27–36
Luke 15:11–32; Luke 15:25–32
Luke 19:39–44; Luke 19:41–44
Mark 9:38–41; Luke 9:49–50
Ezekiel 18:23; Ezekiel 33:11
1 Timothy 2:3–4
Psalm 36:6
Joshua; Judges; 1–2 Maccabees (contextual references)

Stories and works referenced

Nineveh’s repentance in Jonah
The elder brother in the Prodigal Son
Contemporary media/political “takedown” culture and the church’s public witness
C. S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce (choosing separation rather than shared grace)
“The Lady or the Tiger?” (open-ended narrative)
Roman Colosseum context (harsh backdrop for early Christianity)
Everyday life: traffic jams, checkout lines, impatience and tribalism
Church-life vignettes: congregants’ sacrifices to attend; pastoral move toward gratitude
Anecdote illustrating the east wind’s harshness (windburn)
Note on the plant (possible castor oil plant)

Cris Escher 3/17/26 Cris Escher 3/17/26

Vicar Claubert is Coming to Grace Lutheran PSL

On Sunday, March 15th,
the congregation voted to welcome Claubert as our new pastoral intern.

Claubert is currently in his second year of seminary, with two years remaining in his program.

While at Grace, he will gain hands-on experience in pastoral leadership and ministry. Excitingly, he will also be leading the effort to establish a Haitian congregation within our church family.

Please stay tuned for more information!

This Sunday March 15th
9:40 am
at the regularly scheduled voters' meeting.

Please come and support the church b

During March 8th Meeting

New questions will be answered.
This is the largest question we go over the this week.

Concern that Pastor Cris and Grace will have the abilities and resources to perform the duties of the vicarage.
- Concern about burn out.
- Concern about Pastor Cris leaving because of bad program.
- Concern About District Support.

March 1st & 8th
9:40am [In-between Services]

Please join us for an informational meeting between our two Sunday services to discuss Grace bringing in Claubert as a Vicar. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about this new chapter in our ministry together.

We will be discussing:

Our goals for Claubert’s ministry here at Grace.
Pastor Cris’ responsibilities in supervising and mentoring a Vicar.
The seminary’s expectations for both the student and the congregation.
The fiscal cost to Grace and how we are preparing for it.
The timeframe of the program and what to expect.

...and so much more! Come discover the plan, ask your questions, and share your input as we prepare for this journey.

Why We Hold Informational Meetings

At Grace, we always aim to hold at least two informational meetings before any significant vote. This serves two important purposes:

To Listen and Adjust: We want to hear your feedback early so we can make any necessary adjustments to the proposal before the formal vote.
To Streamline Our Process: By answering questions and discussing details now, we can keep the actual Voters’ Meeting on March 15th focused and efficient.

Please join us to ensure your voice is heard and that we are all well-prepared for the upcoming decision.

Cris Escher 3/15/26 Cris Escher 3/15/26

[Sunday] Creation Day 4 - Day or Hour, The Week

God created the Sun, Moon, and Stars on Day 4 to bring order. But the sun went dark as the Creator took our chaos. You don't have to fix your life in the dark; the Lamb is your light.

God created the Sun, Moon, and Stars on Day 4 to bring order. But the sun went dark as the Creator took our chaos. You don't have to fix your life in the dark; the Lamb is your light.

Sermon Series: The Week
Content Creation Date
- March 15, 2026, 10:43:18
Sermon Context
- Series concept: Interweaving Holy Week with the seven days of Creation to reveal God’s redemptive arc in the Old Testament and its fulfillment in Jesus.
- This sermon focuses on Day Four of Creation and its resonance with Jesus’ apocalyptic teachings in Matthew 22–25, the cross, and the hope of new creation.
Opening Prayer
- Gratitude for God’s goodness, holiness, and presence amid chaos and distress.
- Request that the sermon reflect God’s will for His people.
Review of Previous Weeks: Days 1–3 of Creation
- God’s creative acts counter the “tohu vavohu” (formless and void; wild and waste) by bringing order and life.
- Connections to Holy Week:
  - Day 1: “Let there be light” corresponds to Jesus’ entry into dark Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
  - Day 2: Separation of waters corresponds to Jesus overturning the tables, opening the temple to the blind, hurting, and outsiders.
  - Day 3: Emergence of dry ground and fruitfulness corresponds to the fig tree incident, revealing the danger of appearing healthy without true fruit.
Day Four of Creation: Filling the Order with Lights
- Scripture: Genesis Day Four.
  - “And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them serve as signs to mark the sacred times, days, and years…’” — Highlighting cosmic order and governance by sun, moon, and stars.
- Theological observation:
  - Days 4–6 “fill” the form placed in Days 1–3. Day Four “fills” Day One’s light with governing lights that establish order and sacred times.
  - These lights provide rhythm, breathability, and stability to human life.
The Question of Disorder: When Governance Breaks Down
- Pastoral application:
  - Even small disruptions (e.g., time change) can unsettle us; how much more when cosmic order collapses?
  - Cultural anecdote: Floridians’ dependence on sunlight; Seattle’s low-light environment as an example of emotional impact.
- Spiritual implication:
  - The apocalyptic teachings of Jesus in Matthew 22–25 warn of times when the cosmic order fails and chaos returns.
Jesus’ Apocalyptic Teaching: Matthew 22–25
- Scripture: Matthew 24:29–31.
  - “Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky… Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man… and he will send his angels… and they will gather his elect…”
- Key points:
  1. The language of cosmic collapse echoes the creation themes and signals profound judgment and transition.
  2. Jesus situates Himself within the prophetic tradition, not inventing apocalyptic imagery but fulfilling it.
Prophetic Background: Amos and the Day of the Lord
- Scripture: Amos 8:9–10.
  - “‘In that day,’ declares the Sovereign Lord, ‘I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight… I will turn your religious festivals into mourning… like mourning for an only son.’”
- Interpretation:
  - Amos frames darkness as judgment tied to sin and rebellion. The “Day of the Lord” is a reversal of Day Four’s order—lights fail, sacred times turn to mourning.
Historical Fulfillment: The Temple and Judgment
- Jesus’ fig tree teaching and mountain/temple saying:
  - “If you have faith… you can say to this mountain… be thrown into the sea.” Interpreted as a prophetic sign regarding the temple’s fate.
- Historical note:
  - The destruction of the temple (c. AD 70) occurred within a generation of Jesus’ words.
  - For the Jewish people, this felt like cosmic darkness—the collapse of the center of worship and order.
Personal Chaos: Modern Applications
- Examples:
  - Medical diagnoses that plunge us into fear.
  - Relationship trauma that reawakens pain.
- Temptations:
  - To fight in our strength (“war paint”).
  - To mislabel darkness as light—especially in politicized or militarized narratives.
Pastoral Warning on Calling Darkness Light
- Contemporary note:
  - Social media giddiness about war or temple-related geopolitics as “signals” for Jesus’ return.
- Caution:
  - We do not know the day or hour; beware of voices that monetize apocalyptic predictions.
  - Do not baptize destruction as light; remain grounded in the Gospel’s true hope.
The Cross as the Great and Glorious Day of the Lord
- Scripture: Matthew 27:45; Psalm 22:1 (echoed by Jesus).
  - “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.”
  - “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
- Theological claim:
  - On the cross, creation “rolls back” into “tohu vavohu”—the lights fail, the clock stops.
  - Yet God the Father is not far from the Son. Jesus embraces chaos, dies for us, and descends into the darkness.
Resurrection: “Let There Be Lights” Again
- Creation echoes:
  - The Spirit still hovers; the Father’s call renews the light.
  - Easter is the new dawn—Jesus rises as the true Light, reestablishing order and peace.
- Identity and calling:
  - Who God is: Holy, present, sovereign over chaos, faithful to redeem.
  - Who you are: Beloved, carried by God’s Spirit, called to trust and be prepared.
  - How to live: Breathe, do not manufacture light, wait on God’s governance and grace.
Parable of the Ten Maidens: Preparedness in Darkness
- Scripture: Matthew 25:1–13.
  - Ten maidens await the bridegroom; five wise bring oil and are ready for the delay and the night, five foolish assume perpetual daylight and are unprepared.
- Clarification:
  - “Virgin” as a translation of “young maiden.”
- Application:
  - Wisdom is readiness for darkness—trusting God’s provision when rhythms fail.
  - Foolishness is presuming endless daylight—neglecting serious engagement with faith and discipleship.
Final Hope: New Creation and the Seventh Day
- Scripture: Revelation 21:22–23.
  - “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon… for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
- Eschatological vision:
  - The temple is fulfilled in God and the Lamb.
  - Sun and moon become unnecessary—Jesus is the Light, establishing eternal order and peace.
Applications for Today
- When your life feels like “tohu vavohu”:
  - Breathe. God’s Spirit gives breath.
  - Do not try to manufacture your own light or baptize darkness as light.
  - Prepare your faith-life for seasons of darkness—practice trust, prayer, community, and Scripture now.
  - Remember: Jesus took the chaos upon Himself and rose to govern your days with His peace.
Key Points
1. God’s creation brings ordered light into chaos; Day Four fills Day One’s light with governing lights and sacred rhythms.
2. Jesus’ apocalyptic teaching echoes the prophets: the Day of the Lord is a reversal of created order, revealing judgment and the need to be ready.
3. The cross is the great Day of the Lord: darkness at noon signifies creation’s rollback; yet God remains faithful, and resurrection renews light.
4. Do not call darkness light—avoid apocalyptic speculation and politicized “giddiness” over conflict; cling to the true Light, Jesus.
5. Wisdom is preparedness: like the five maidens with oil, cultivate a faith that can endure the night, trusting God to say again, “Let there be lights.”
6. Our identity and hope: We are carried by the Spirit, governed by the Lamb’s light, and destined for a new creation where Jesus Himself is our lamp.
Closing Exhortation and Prayer
- Exhortation:
  - “Breathe; He will carry you through. Everything’s going to be okay, even when it doesn’t seem like it is. Just breathe because He will say, ‘Let there be lights.’”
- Prayer:
  - Thanksgiving for God’s abiding presence.
  - Petition for readiness in darkness and trust that God will lead us through by His light.

Sunday Bulletin March 15th

Questions for the Week: The Week: The Week: Day 4 - Day or Hour

A one-hour time change at Daylight Savings Time throws us off. Why do you think human beings are so deeply dependent on rhythm, routine, and the "governors" of our time to feel at peace?
Read Matthew 24:29-31. Jesus warned of a time when the sun and moon would go dark, times when life feels completely chaotic and time seems to stand still. Can you share a time in your life (like a sudden phone call or crisis) when it felt like the "clocks stopped" and everything went dark?
When we hit times of darkness, our temptation is to try and "fix it" by finding or creating our own light, which often just brings more chaos. What does "manufacturing your own light" look like in your life when you are stressed or afraid?
On the cross, Jesus took the total darkness of our sin upon Himself (Matthew 27:45) so that He could be our eternal light (Revelation 21:22-27). How does knowing that Jesus has already conquered the ultimate darkness change how you handle the "dark days" in your current life?

Give to Grace

  
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What Had happened at Grace this week.

Featured

September 27, 2026

[Sunday] Day of Infamy - Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah Ch25

September 27, 2026

September 24, 2026

September 24, 2026

September 24, 2026

Thursday, October 1st at 5:45pm at Dales BBQ on US1

September 24, 2026

September 23, 2026

September 23, 2026

Find out how it all begins.

September 23, 2026

September 20, 2026

[Sunday] Den of Robbers - Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah Ch7

September 20, 2026

It’s incredibly easy to look at the world, point fingers, and feel secure just because we are the righteous. Jeremiah 7 shows us how God wants to uproot our pride and plant His grace.

September 20, 2026

September 18, 2026

Backpacks in Haiti & The Our Girls First Day of School [Photos]

September 18, 2026

This year was another great success, providing so many children with the bags and supplies they need for the new school year.

September 18, 2026

September 18, 2026

A hands-on briefing on navigating modern financial fraud

September 18, 2026

September 17, 2026

September 17, 2026

September 13, 2026

September 13, 2026

September 11, 2026

September 11, 2026

Great event at the end of our summer.

September 11, 2026

Cris Escher 3/13/26 Cris Escher 3/13/26

Dublin the Fun (Photos)

We had more than Dublin the Fun!

What an incredible time we had at "Dublin the Fun"! My heart is still so full from seeing everyone. The day was packed with laughs, starting with that super fun bounce house that was a hit all day long. And the food! We had so many baked potatoes and other yummy treats. I even spotted some Irish coffee creamer by the coffee station, lol!

We really went all out with the games, and they were such a blast. A huge congrats again to Pam for winning the Pot of Gold challenge! Watching everyone compete in Hot Potato and especially the 3-Legged Race (where there may have been some creative carrying involved) was hilarious. We even got a little help from the weather when the clouds came out right at 5 PM to give us some needed shade.

But honestly, what made me the happiest was just seeing everyone together, enjoying each other’s company. Watching old friends catch up and new friendships start, that’s how we live as the body of Christ together. A massive thanks to everyone who helped organize and to everyone who came out to make "Dublin the Fun" so special!

Cris Escher 3/12/26 Cris Escher 3/12/26

Children’s Ministry at the Beginning of the Year [Photos]

It’s been a joy to see the kids so active at Grace lately

It’s been a joy to see the kids so active at Grace lately. From honoring our scouts on Scouting Sunday to the heart they put into making Valentines for their loved ones, they are truly living out that love.

Our new Wednesday kids program during the Lenten services has also been a highlight, giving them a space to grow together as the body of Christ. Seeing them enjoy each other’s company while learning that Jesus is their Savior is exactly what it’s all about.

Cris Escher 3/12/26 Cris Escher 3/12/26

2 Weeks and 2 Baptisms

Great to have 2 baptisms in the last few weeks.

Talk about a holy streak! It has been an incredible couple of weeks at Grace. First, we had a new family move to the area and ask for their baby to be baptized, and who are we to keep the gifts of God to ourselves!?

Then, just three weeks ago, Hunter and his father joined us for worship, and Hunter shared that he wanted to be baptized too. From the littlest ones to those a bit older, seeing the family of God grow like this is such a gift. It’s been a very good couple of weeks!

Cris Escher 3/12/26 Cris Escher 3/12/26

Jonah Chapter 2-3 Class 2 - Bible Study

Our Bible study explored Jonah as holy satire and a mirror of mercy—challenging our comfort with God loving enemies, tracing creation motifs, and connecting to Jesus’ “sign of Jonah.”

Jonah Chapter 2-3

This is our 2nd class on Jonah

This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.

Short Summary of the Whole Class

During our Bible study sessions, we delved into the profound theological depths of the book of Jonah, particularly chapters 2, 3, and 4. We began with Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish, seeing it as a picture of Israel's pattern of crying out to God only in distress. The discussion then moved to the shocking, widespread repentance of Nineveh in response to Jonah's reluctant preaching, a stark contrast to Israel's own disobedience. We explored how Jonah's anger at God's mercy reveals the dangers of spiritual pride and an unforgiving heart. Ultimately, we connected the entire story to Jesus' teachings on the "sign of Jonah," concluding that the book demonstrates that salvation is a sovereign act of God, whose grace extends to all who repent, even His enemies.

Detailed Class Summary

Church Announcements and Jonah's Prayer in the Deep

Our class began with a brief recap of Jonah chapter 1 and some church announcements. There was a discussion about potentially starting a new Bible study on Wednesday nights to accommodate more people, though our current Thursday study is expected to remain.

We then read Jonah chapter 2, analyzing Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish. The group noted that the prayer is rich with language from the Psalms, showing Jonah's scriptural knowledge. However, the irony was not lost on us: he only cried out to God in desperation, not when he was causing the trouble on the ship. This was seen as symbolic of Israel's own pattern of rebellion followed by cries for help only when in deep distress. A key insight shared was viewing the fish not merely as a punishment but as a "rescue," saving Jonah from drowning. This provided a powerful parallel to Christ's time in the tomb, which seemed like the end but was ultimately the rescue for all humanity. The section concluded by focusing on the core truth from Jonah's prayer: "Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9), highlighting that his rescue was due to God's sovereign will, not his own merit.

Section Summary: We discussed potential new Bible study times before analyzing Jonah's prayer in chapter 2. We saw his prayer as a model of Israel's crisis-driven faith and reframed the fish as a "rescue," underscoring the theme that salvation is a sovereign act of God.
Bible Verses Mentioned: Jonah 1, Jonah 2, Jonah 2:9.
Stories Mentioned: Jonah and the storm at sea, Jonah being swallowed by the great fish, Jesus calming the storm.

The Second Chance and the Shocking Repentance of Nineveh

Transitioning to chapter 3, we saw Jonah get a second chance to obey God's command. He travels to the great city of Nineveh and delivers a stark, eight-word message: "Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown." The class was astonished by the city's immediate and universal repentance. Jonah was only one day into his journey when the entire city, from the "greatest to the least," responded. The king himself humbled himself, trading his royal robe for sackcloth and ashes. The most striking detail was the decree for even the animals to fast and wear sackcloth, which we interpreted as a sign of the extreme sincerity of Nineveh's plea for God's mercy. This profound repentance from Israel's brutal enemy stood in stark contrast to Israel's own repeated failure to repent despite countless warnings from numerous prophets.

Section Summary: Given a second chance, Jonah delivers a brief sermon. In response, Nineveh undertakes an immediate and profound city-wide act of repentance, involving everyone from the king down to the animals, demonstrating a sincere desire for God's mercy that shames Israel's own history of disobedience.
Bible Verses Mentioned: Jonah 3:4-9.
Stories Mentioned: Jonah preaching to Nineveh.

The "Sign of Jonah," Pride, and Forgiveness

The final part of our discussion tied these events together, focusing on the "sign of Jonah" as referenced by Jesus. We read Matthew 12:38-42, where Jesus explicitly compares Jonah's three days in the fish to His three days in the earth. More importantly, Jesus states, "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here." We concluded that the "sign of Jonah" is not just about the three days, but about God's power to bring repentance to Gentiles (Nineveh).

This highlighted the danger of spiritual pride, as seen in Jonah, who was angry at God's mercy. He didn't flee out of fear, but because he knew God was gracious and he wanted his enemies to be destroyed. This unwillingness to see his enemies forgiven was connected to the Lord's Prayer ("forgive us as we forgive others") and the idea from C.S. Lewis that we might choose our own damnation if we cannot stand to be in heaven with those we refuse to forgive. The story shows that salvation is God's initiative, not dependent on the messenger, a truth ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, whose sacrifice opened salvation to all nations.

Section Summary: We examined how Jesus uses Nineveh's repentance as the "sign of Jonah" to condemn the unbelief of his generation. We discussed how Jonah's anger at God's mercy reveals the danger of spiritual pride and an unforgiving heart, concluding that the story points to the gospel, where Jesus opens God's grace to all people.
Bible Verses Mentioned: Matthew 12:38-42, Luke 11:29, Matthew 16:4, Matthew 6:12 (The Lord's Prayer), Revelation 21.
Stories Mentioned: The Queen of the South visiting Solomon, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the tearing of the temple curtain.

Final Medium-Length Summary

Our Bible study on March 11-12, 2026, focused on the book of Jonah, revealing its deep connections to the person and work of Jesus. We began with Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish (Jonah 2), seeing it not just as a personal lament but as a reflection of Israel's tendency to cry out to God only in desperation. A key insight was reframing the fish as an act of "rescue," a powerful parallel to Christ's tomb experience being the ultimate rescue for humanity. We then contrasted Jonah’s reluctant obedience with the shocking and complete repentance of Nineveh in chapter 3. The pagan city responded with more humility to a brief, hostile sermon than Israel did to generations of prophetic warnings. This led to our core discussion on the "sign of Jonah" from Matthew 12. We concluded the true sign was twofold: the three days in the fish/tomb, and, more significantly, the repentance of the Gentiles (Nineveh), which condemns the hard-heartedness of those who should know better. Jonah’s anger at God’s mercy for his enemies served as a stark warning against spiritual pride and an unforgiving spirit, showing that salvation is from the Lord and His grace extends far beyond our prejudices.

Main Points

Jonah's prayer in chapter 2 is a compilation of scripture, but it highlights a reactive faith, mirroring Israel's pattern of crying out only in crisis.
The great fish can be interpreted as a "rescue" for Jonah, providing a parallel to Christ's tomb experience being a rescue for humanity.
The "sign of Jonah" referenced by Jesus includes both the three days/nights and, crucially, the repentance of the pagan Ninevites in response to God's word.
Nineveh's sincere, universal repentance stands in stark contrast to Jonah's bitterness and Israel's own history of disobedience.
Jonah's anger at God's mercy reveals the danger of spiritual pride and an unforgiving heart.
The story of Jonah demonstrates that "salvation is from the Lord" and prefigures the gospel, where Jesus's sacrifice opens God's mercy to all nations.

Scriptures and Stories

Bible Scriptures:
- Jonah 1, 2, 3, 4
- Matthew 12:38-42
- Matthew 16:4
- Luke 11:29
- Luke 19:40
- Matthew 6:12 (The Lord's Prayer)
- Revelation 21
- The Book of Judges
Bible Stories:
- Jonah and the storm at sea.
- Jonah being swallowed by the great fish.
- Jonah preaching in Nineveh.
- The city-wide repentance of Nineveh.
- Jesus calming the storm.
- The Queen of the South visiting King Solomon.
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
- Jesus' death and resurrection.

Cris Escher 3/8/26 Cris Escher 3/8/26

[Sunday] Day 3 - Sprout, The Week

We often settle for the mere "leaves of religion" by simply going through the motions, yet the third day of Creation reveals our design to sprout and bear fruit.

We often settle for the mere "leaves of religion" by simply going through the motions, yet the third day of Creation reveals our design to sprout and bear fruit.

1. Notes for Your Bible
- Genesis 1 (The Creation Account): The sermon extensively parallels the first three days of creation with the events of Holy Week. The speaker suggests that the authors of the Gospels, inspired by the Spirit, naturally saw the "re-creation" work of Jesus through the lens of the original creation.
  - Day 1 (Genesis 1:3, "Let there be light"): This is compared to Jesus, the Light of the World, entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He brings light into a city that believed it was already enlightened.
  - Day 2 (Genesis 1:6-8, Separating the waters): This is paralleled with Jesus cleansing the temple. By driving out the merchants, Jesus "separated" the chaos from the holy space, reigning in the chaos just as God reigned in the waters to create the sky, allowing people to "breathe" again and find peace.
  - Day 3 (Genesis 1:9-13, Dry ground appears & vegetation sprouts): This day has two parts. First, God further reigns in the chaotic seas by making dry land appear. Second, the land is commanded to be fruitful, producing vegetation and fruit-bearing trees. This theme of "fruitfulness" becomes the central focus of the sermon.
- Matthew 21:19 ("Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. And he said, 'May you never bear fruit again.' And immediately the tree withered."):
  - Meaning: The withering of the fig tree is not an act of random anger from Jesus. It is a symbolic act. The tree, full of leaves but lacking fruit, represents the religious system of the day, particularly the temple in Jerusalem. It had the outward appearance of life and religiosity ("spiritual foliage") but was spiritually barren and not producing the "fruit" of justice, mercy, and love for neighbor.
  - Context: Jesus performs this act while walking from Bethany up toward the Temple Mount, making the temple the clear object of this symbolic judgment.
- Matthew 21:21 ("...you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done."):
  - Meaning: This is not about literal mountain-moving. The "mountain" refers to the Temple Mount, the center of the fruitless religious system. The "sea" represents the primordial chaos and formlessness ("tohu vavohu") from Genesis 1.
  - Application: Jesus is teaching that faith in Him allows believers to recognize that fruitless religious structures and outward shows of piety are hopeless and should be "cast away" into chaos. The real hope is not in the building or the rituals, but in God's work of producing genuine fruit in people's lives.
- Amos 5:21-24 ("I hate, I despise your religious festivals... But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream."):
  - Purpose: This passage is used as an Old Testament parallel to Jesus's critique of the temple. It demonstrates that God has always been more concerned with the "fruit" of justice, righteousness, and care for the needy than with the "leaves" of religious festivals, sacrifices, and songs. It serves as a mirror, forcing listeners to question if their own worship is just "lip service."
- Gospel of John (Resurrection Account): The speaker notes that in John's Gospel, the resurrected Jesus is presented as a "gardener." This connects the resurrection to the Day 3 creation theme of the land sprouting new life and fruitfulness. Jesus's resurrection is the ultimate act of "sprouting" life from the darkness of the tomb.
2. General Summary of Main Points
The sermon intertwines the creation narrative from Genesis 1 with the events of Jesus's final week in Jerusalem to explore the theme of genuine "fruitfulness" versus empty religious appearance. The speaker posits that the Gospel writers naturally saw Jesus's work of "re-creation" through the lens of the original creation.
The central metaphor is the contrast between leaves and fruit, drawn from Jesus cursing the barren fig tree. The leaves represent the outward appearance of religiosity—rituals, magnificent buildings (the temple), and going through the motions of faith. The fruit, however, represents the tangible outcomes of true faith: justice, love for neighbor, patience, forgiveness, and caring for the vulnerable.
The speaker argues that Jesus's actions, like cleansing the temple and cursing the fig tree, were a prophetic judgment on a religious system that was all "leaves" and no "fruit." He calls the congregation to self-examination, warning against the ease of cultivating "spiritual foliage" while neglecting the actual fruit God desires. The ultimate hope is found not in our own efforts to be fruitful, but in the Gospel, where Jesus takes our barrenness upon Himself on the cross (a barren "tree") and, through His resurrection, brings forth new life and true fruitfulness for all who have faith in Him. This new creation is now breaking into the world through the Spirit's work in the church and in the lives of individual believers.
3. Gospel Presentation
The Gospel is taught explicitly towards the end of the sermon.
- Time Stamp: The core message begins around 00:16:04 from the start of the recording.
- Summary: The speaker explains that while we, like the barren fig tree, are often fruitless and caught in sin, deserving to be "thrown back into the sea" of chaos, the Gospel presents a divine exchange. Jesus takes our "unfruitful, barren tree" (our sin and failure) and exchanges it for His "fruitful tree." He dies on the cross—our "tree of barrenness"—for us. In his death, the Creator of the universe takes on the "regressing of creation," entering the darkness and chaos ("tohu vavohu") of the tomb. But just as God commanded "Let there be light" on Day 1 and "Let the earth sprout" on Day 3, God raises Jesus from the dead, filling His lungs with air again. Through this resurrection, Jesus brings forth the fruit of forgiveness and grace for us. This act initiates a new creation in which believers are joined, enabling them to bear true spiritual fruit through the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Illustrations and Their Points
- Writing the Sermon with a Friend:
  - Illustration: The speaker recounts a conversation with his friend Mark about the deep parallels between the Genesis creation story and Matthew's account of Holy Week. His friend suggested it wasn't a deliberate, formulaic mapping but rather that the themes of creation were so foundational to the Gospel writers' worldview that they naturally emerged as they wrote about Jesus's work of re-creation.
  - Point: This idea makes the connection feel more organic and profound. It shows that the work of salvation is intrinsically linked to the work of creation, as both are expressions of who God is.
- Citrus Greening Disease in Florida:
  - Illustration: The speaker describes a disease affecting Florida's citrus trees. A key characteristic is that an infected tree can initially look healthy and full of leaves but will not produce any fruit. Eventually, it begins to die, and farmers must quickly remove it to prevent the disease from spreading.
  - Point: This serves as a modern-day parallel to the barren fig tree and the temple. A religious life, or a church, can look healthy and vibrant on the outside (many leaves) but be spiritually diseased and fruitless on the inside. This external health is deceiving, and the lack of fruit is the true indicator of its spiritual state.
- The Temple Mount's Location:
  - Illustration: The speaker describes the geography of Jerusalem, noting that the path from Bethany to the city ascends toward the Temple Mount. Jesus's actions against the fig tree and his teaching about casting "this mountain" into the sea happen in the literal shadow of the temple.
  - Point: This physical context makes the symbolic meaning of Jesus's actions undeniable. The fig tree is a stand-in for the temple, and the "mountain" is the Temple Mount itself. The proximity connects the judgment on the tree directly to the judgment on the fruitless religious system centered at the temple.
5. Interesting Quotes
- Quote: "I think it's just who they are. That so interweaved is the theme of the creative order that when they are writing and the Spirit is inspiring their writing about how Jesus saves the world... it just mirrors themes of creation too."
  - Point: This quote emphasizes that the connection between creation and redemption is not a clever literary device but a deep theological reality. The God who creates is the same God who saves, and His methods of bringing order from chaos and life from nothingness are consistent.
- Quote: "It's incredibly easy to grow leaves of religion... to know how to show up on Sunday morning, know when to stand, when to sit, when to laugh at the pastor's jokes... We put a magnificent display of spiritual foliage."
  - Point: This quote makes the sermon's warning highly personal and practical. It defines "leaves" not just as ancient temple rituals, but as modern church-going habits that can exist without any genuine inner transformation or outward love for others. It challenges the listener to look past their own religious performance.
- Quote: "How many times have you read this verse in your lifetime, and you've never thought about the sea of chaos in the creation?... He's saying that if you have enough faith, you can realize that all of that empty platitudes of religion, it all can be thrown away."
  - Point: This highlights a fresh interpretation of a familiar passage (Matthew 21:21). By linking the "sea" to the chaos of Genesis 1, it transforms the verse from a generic statement about faith into a specific, powerful declaration that faith in Jesus frees us from relying on dead, fruitless religious systems.

Sunday Bulletin March 8th

Questions for the Week: The Week: The Week: Day 3 - Sprout

We are often tempted to just show the "leaves of religion" (showing up on Sunday, knowing the songs) and mistake them for the actual "fruit" of faith (loving neighbors, patience, genuine repentance). What are some ways we easily mistake having "leaves" for actually bearing "fruit"?
Read Matthew 21:18-22. Have you ever experienced a season in your spiritual life where you looked fine on the outside but felt completely "fruitless" and disconnected from God on the inside?
Read Amos 5:21-24. Why is God so opposed to religious routine that doesn't actually result in loving people or seeking justice?
Where have you seen genuine spiritual fruit in the lives of the people around you recently?

Give to Grace

  
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What Had happened at Grace this week.

Featured

September 27, 2026

[Sunday] Day of Infamy - Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah Ch25

September 27, 2026

September 24, 2026

September 24, 2026

September 24, 2026

Thursday, October 1st at 5:45pm at Dales BBQ on US1

September 24, 2026

September 23, 2026

September 23, 2026

Find out how it all begins.

September 23, 2026

September 20, 2026

[Sunday] Den of Robbers - Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah Ch7

September 20, 2026

It’s incredibly easy to look at the world, point fingers, and feel secure just because we are the righteous. Jeremiah 7 shows us how God wants to uproot our pride and plant His grace.

September 20, 2026

September 18, 2026

Backpacks in Haiti & The Our Girls First Day of School [Photos]

September 18, 2026

This year was another great success, providing so many children with the bags and supplies they need for the new school year.

September 18, 2026

September 18, 2026

A hands-on briefing on navigating modern financial fraud

September 18, 2026

September 17, 2026

September 17, 2026

September 13, 2026

September 13, 2026

September 11, 2026

September 11, 2026

Great event at the end of our summer.

September 11, 2026

Cris Escher 3/6/26 Cris Escher 3/6/26

Guys Night at Millers! [Photos]

Great time at Miller’s

Huge thanks to everyone who came out to Miller’s Ale House! We hit a new milestone with 18 in attendance, making it our largest gathering to date.

The energy was so high we even had a few people mention the volume—apparently, we’re officially the "loud table" now! Love seeing this group grow.

Cris Escher 3/6/26 Cris Escher 3/6/26

Dublin The Fun March 8th 5pm

Why just have fun when you can Dublin it.
March 8th

Time Change of Dublin the Fun.
5pm now.

Just like that struggle of "springing forward" into Daylight Saving Time, Tons of Fun is shifting the clock! To keep things cool and comfortable, we are moving our Dublin the Fun start time to 5:00 PM.

In all seriousness, the 3:00 PM heat today was just too intense with the current lack of shade. We want you focusing on the fun, not the heat exhaustion! See you an hour later for a much cooler event.

DUBLIN THE FUN! ☘️

Sunday, March 8th | 5:00 PM

Join us for a day of Irish-inspired fellowship and
"spud-tacular" food!

The Feast:
We’re providing a Baked Potato Bar with all the fixin’s
Sign up to bring your favorite Irish dish, side dish or dessert!
The Fun:
Kids’ bounce house,
Potato sack races,
and so much more!

Bring a dish, bring a friend, and let’s Dublin the fun!

Photos of from last year

Cris Escher 3/5/26 Cris Escher 3/5/26

Jonah Chapter 1 Class 1 - Bible Study

our Bible study explored Jonah as holy satire and a mirror of mercy—challenging our comfort with God loving enemies, tracing creation motifs, and connecting to Jesus’ “sign of Jonah.”

Jonah Chapter 1

This is our 1st class on Jonah

This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.

Short summary of the whole class

On March 5, 2026 at 12:03:15, we walked through Jonah (especially chapter 1), situating the prophet in Israel’s history, unpacking satire and literary symmetry, and following themes of creation, chaos, descent, and mercy for enemies. We compared Jonah’s reluctance with the sailors’ reverence, linked the three-days motif to Jesus’ “sign of Jonah,” and drew applications to mission, evangelism fears, and method debates. We concluded that Jonah is a mirror asking whether we will accept God’s compassion for our enemies and join His mission rather than run from it.

Walk-through and sectional summaries

1) Setting the stage: Why Jonah?

Discussion highlights:
- Jonah is a favorite precisely because many were told a fish-focused version, then discovered deep satire and heart-level challenge when reading closely.
- Parallels with Genesis creation narratives and the Gospels: texts often reveal new layers when revisited.
- Comparison with Job: Job wished for death amid suffering; Jonah would rather die than obey—similar despair, different causes.
- Open-ended ending likened to Jesus’ Prodigal Son, where the Father’s compassion confronts the elder brother’s resentment—mirroring Jonah’s anger.
Name meanings and satire:
- Jonah means “dove”; Amittai relates to “faithfulness.” The “dove, son of faithfulness” behaves faithlessly—signaling satire.
Historical anchor:
- 2 Kings 14:23–27 places Jonah in Jeroboam II’s time; he prophesied under a wicked king, raising questions about privilege and character.
Stories/illustrations mentioned:
- Jesus’ Prodigal Son ending.
- Light pop-culture nod to satire (e.g., a Naked Gun-style comedic edge).
Scriptures mentioned:
- 2 Kings 14:23–27.
Section summary:
- Jonah introduces a credentialed prophet whose context under Jeroboam II contrasts with his calling, signaling a satirical critique of self-righteous religiosity and resistance to God’s mercy.

2) The BibleProject overview and the mirror

Key points:
- Jonah is a narrative about a prophet rather than a collection of prophecies.
- Literary symmetry: chapters 1 and 3 feature pagans (sailors/Ninevites); chapters 2 and 4 feature Jonah’s prayers.
- Comic reversals: pagan sailors and the king of Nineveh repent; Jonah resists; even the cattle are included in Nineveh’s repentance.
- The five-word sermon’s “overturn” can mean overthrow or transform—fulfilled by Nineveh’s repentance.
- The plant and worm expose Jonah’s misplaced compassion; the ending asks if we are okay with God loving our enemies (and their cattle).
Scriptures mentioned:
- Jonah 1–4 (overview).
Section summary:
- The video frames Jonah as satire designed to expose our reluctance to extend God’s mercy, turning the story into a mirror for our own hearts.

3) Creation motifs, “rolling back creation,” and Jonah’s flight

Discussion:
- Jonah’s worldview reflects Genesis themes—sea, air, dry land; his flight to Tarshish symbolizes going to “the end of the line.”
- Sea as chaos; Jonah’s descent “down” (to Joppa, into the ship, into sleep, into the sea) dramatizes spiritual retreat, a “rolling back” of creation’s order.
Three days motif and Jesus’ “sign of Jonah”:
- “Three days and three nights” in the fish parallels Jesus’ three days in the tomb and His explicit “sign of Jonah” reference.
Scriptures mentioned:
- Genesis 1; Jonah 1:1–5, 1:17; Matthew 12:39–41.
Stories mentioned:
- Creation narrative motifs.
Section summary:
- Jonah’s flight is cast as a reversal of creation—descending into chaos—and his three days in the fish prefigure Jesus’ burial and resurrection.

4) Reading Jonah 1 together: Running from God, waking the world (Jonah 1:1–17)

Text covered aloud:
- Jonah 1:1–17 (call to Nineveh; flight to Tarshish; storm; lots; sailors’ prayer; Jonah overboard; great fish).
Observations:
- Jonah runs without stated reason in chapter 1; motives appear later.
- Tarshish functions as “as far as possible,” symbolizing maximum avoidance.
- Irony: pagan sailors discern, pray, show compassion; Jonah sleeps and resists.
- Jonah’s “throw me overboard” skews toward escape—better death than obedience—while sailors try to spare him and ultimately fear the Lord.
- The fish becomes a “watery tomb” and rescue, foiling Jonah’s escape.
Stories/themes:
- Sea as chaos; fish as paradoxical rescue.
Scriptures mentioned:
- Jonah 1:1–17.
Section summary:
- Chapter 1 contrasts Jonah’s hardened flight with the sailors’ soft hearts, showing that God’s mercy reaches outsiders even through a reluctant prophet.

5) The sailors’ interrogation, prayer, and reverence (Jonah 1:8–16)

Discussion:
- Sailors interrogate Jonah about identity and guilt; Jonah confesses the Creator God of sea and land.
- Jonah proposes, “Throw me into the sea,” while the sailors initially try to row back, reluctant to harm him.
- The sailors pray to the Lord, cast Jonah overboard, the sea calms; they fear the Lord, offer sacrifice, and make vows.
New Testament echo:
- Calming of the sea with the disciples’ awe provides a typological line toward Christ.
Scriptures mentioned:
- Jonah 1:8–16; Mark 4:35–41 (echo).
Stories mentioned:
- Jesus calming the storm.
Section summary:
- Outsiders model humility, compassion, and reverence—contrasting Jonah’s avoidance—and respond to God with worship when the sea calms.

6) Anticipating chapters 2–4: Prayer, repentance, anger, and the plant

Chapter 2:
- Jonah’s prayer thanks God but lacks full confession; he promises obedience; the fish vomits him out.
Chapter 3:
- The five-word sermon triggers citywide repentance, including the king and animals; God relents.
Chapter 4:
- Jonah admits he ran because God is gracious and merciful (echoing Exodus 34:6–7).
- The plant and worm reveal Jonah’s misplaced compassion; God asks if He may care for Nineveh (and their cattle).
Scriptures mentioned:
- Jonah 2–4; Exodus 34:6–7.
Stories mentioned:
- Prodigal Son’s open ending (as a parallel to Jonah 4).
Section summary:
- The heart of Jonah is God’s scandalous compassion and Jonah’s exposed heart, culminating in God’s unanswered question to readers.

7) Amos, justice, and continuity with Jesus

Discussion:
- Amos rebukes Israel’s injustice; mercy and justice in the Old Testament align with Jesus’ ethic.
- Jonah’s mission extends beyond Israel, reinforcing God’s global compassion.
Scriptures mentioned:
- Amos 2; Amos 5.
Stories mentioned:
- Prophetic critiques of injustice in Amos.
Section summary:
- The Testaments are unified in justice and mercy; Jonah fits the prophetic pattern God later amplifies through Jesus.

8) Enemy love, discipleship, and costly grace

Discussion:
- Assyria/Nineveh as Israel’s oppressor explains Jonah’s resistance but does not excuse it.
- Discipleship demands forgiveness and love toward adversaries—“bringing the word to people you hate.”
- C. S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce illustrates pride’s refusal to enter forgiveness; Lord’s Prayer underscores reciprocity of mercy.
Scriptures mentioned:
- Jonah 1:2; Jonah 3; Matthew 5:43–48; Matthew 6:12.
Stories mentioned:
- The Great Divorce; themes in the Lord’s Prayer.
Section summary:
- Jonah surfaces how offensive enemy-love feels and how central forgiveness is to entering God’s kingdom.

9) Jonah and Jesus: storm narratives, Gethsemane, and true Israel

Discussion:
- Jonah stills the sea by surrender; Jesus calms it by command, revealing His authority.
- Jonah’s avoidance contrasts with Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer, “Your will be done,” embodying salvation in the cross.
- Satirical “Israel” in Jonah versus Jesus as faithful Israel fulfilling the vocation rightly.
Scriptures mentioned:
- Jonah 1:12–15; Mark 4:35–41; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42; John 19 (thematic).
Stories mentioned:
- Calming the storm; Gethsemane; crucifixion.
Section summary:
- Where Jonah dramatizes Israel’s failure, Jesus embodies faithful obedience, fulfilling Israel’s mission and conquering chaos by His word and cross.

Medium-length final summary (class held on 2026-03-05 at 12:03:15)

On March 5, 2026 at 12:03:15, we studied Jonah as holy satire and a mirror of mercy. We situated Jonah under Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:23–27), noting his privileged context and how that primes skepticism about his “righteousness.” The BibleProject overview highlighted symmetrical structure, comic reversals, and the book’s final question. Reading Jonah 1, we followed Jonah’s flight to Tarshish—“rolling back creation” with repeated descent language—while pagan sailors displayed compassion, prayed to the Lord, and vowed after the sea calmed. We connected Jonah’s three days in the fish to Jesus’ “sign of Jonah” (Matthew 12:39–41) and contrasted Jonah’s avoidance with Jesus’ Gethsemane obedience. Anticipating chapters 2–4, we saw Jonah’s half-hearted prayer, Nineveh’s wholesale repentance from a minimal sermon, and Jonah’s fury at God’s grace, exposed through the plant and worm. Drawing on Amos, we affirmed that justice and mercy are consistent across Scripture. For application, we named our fears about evangelism, warned against an overfocus on methods, and asked whether we are okay with God loving those we dislike. Jonah’s final question stands: Will we accept God’s compassion for our enemies and join His mission?

Main points

Jonah functions as satire, exposing pseudo-righteousness and resistance to God’s mercy.
Historical context (2 Kings 14:23–27) places Jonah under Jeroboam II, prompting suspicion of his privileged stance.
Literary symmetry contrasts Jonah’s hardness with outsiders’ repentance (sailors and Ninevites).
Jonah’s flight “rolls back creation” with a downward descent into chaos.
God’s mission succeeds even through minimal, imperfect obedience (five-word sermon).
The fish is both rescue and rebuke—God pursues runaways and turns death toward deliverance.
Jesus’ “sign of Jonah” connects the prophet’s three days to Christ’s death and resurrection.
Amos’ justice and Jesus’ ethic show a unified biblical call to mercy and righteousness.
Discipleship demands forgiveness and enemy-love, confronting legitimate grievances.
The book ends with God’s question: Will we accept His compassion and participate in His mission?

Bible Scriptures mentioned

Jonah 1:1–17; Jonah 1:8–16; Jonah 1:17
Jonah 2–4
2 Kings 14:23–27
Exodus 34:6–7
Genesis 1
Matthew 12:39–41; Matthew 5:43–48; Matthew 6:12; Matthew 26:39; Matthew 21 (Palm Sunday and fig tree events referenced)
Mark 4:35–41; Mark 15 (thematic passion reference)
Luke 22:42; Luke 10:25–37 (Good Samaritan)
John 19 (crucifixion, thematic)

Stories and illustrations talked about

Jonah’s call, flight to Tarshish, storm at sea, sailors’ interrogation, prayer, vows, and the great fish
Nineveh’s citywide repentance, including king and animals
Jesus calming the storm; disciples’ awe
Gethsemane prayer and crucifixion
Jesus’ Prodigal Son’s open-ended conclusion (parallel to Jonah 4)
The Good Samaritan (as a contrast in self-giving)
Creation motifs (sea/chaos, “let there be light”)
C. S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce (forgiveness and pride)
Light pop-culture satire analogy (Naked Gun tone)
VeggieTales’ Jonah scene illustrating immediate calm (humorous echo)

Cris Escher 3/1/26 Cris Escher 3/1/26

[Sunday] Day 2 - Flipping Water, The Week

When we are drowning in anxiety and noise, Jesus steps in to flip the tables, pushing back the chaotic waters like on day 2 of creation, so we can finally catch our breath.

When we are drowning in anxiety and noise, Jesus steps in to flip the tables, pushing back the chaotic waters like on day 2 of creation, so we can finally catch our breath.

The Week: Day Two — “Separation of the Waters” (Holy Week and Creation Interwoven)
Series Context
- Ongoing sermon series: “The Week,” interweaving Holy Week with the seven days of Creation.
- Last week: Day One of Creation aligned with Palm Sunday—“Let there be light” as Jesus, the Light of the World, enters dark Jerusalem.
Scripture Read and Framing
- Primary text: “And God said, ‘Let the vault between the waters separate water from water.’ So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault sky. And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.” — Highlighted as from Genesis Day Two (see NIV rendering).
- Translation note:
  - The pastor affirmed “vault/expanse/sky” (NIV) as a strong translation.
  - He critiqued translations that render it “heaven” in a way that confuses it with God’s dwelling; insisted this is the sky where the birds fly, not the heavenly throne.
  - Emphasized the value of consulting multiple translations to see the full sense.
Theological Thesis
- Day Two is not trivial meteorology; it is profoundly theological.
- God is pictured as establishing boundaries that restrain chaotic waters, creating breathable, safe space for life.
- Parallel in Holy Week: Jesus enters the Temple to push back chaos and create a place of prayer and restoration.
Cultural and Personal Illustrations: Water in Its Place vs. Out of Bounds
- Personal love for water: tranquil scenes at Daytona Beach as a “slice of heaven.”
- When water exceeds boundaries, it becomes terrifying:
  - 2022 hurricanes in Daytona Beach: seawall breaches; pools hanging or eroded; concrete stairs torn off and buried ~15 feet under sand.
  - St. Louis flooding near Interstate 44: concrete barriers wrapped in plastic sandbagging the freeway; water overtopping the road—an image of destructive chaos.
- Universal human instinct: fear of the deep (e.g., dangling toes while treading water after falling off skis); myths of monsters (Leviathan) in the deep.
- Hebrew imagination: “the deep” as chaotic, destructive, unpredictable.
Biblical-Theological Development: From Tohu Vavohu to Breathed Space
- Creation language: God confronts tohu vavohu (formless and void) by bounding chaos.
- Day Two: God separates waters and names the expanse “sky,” granting a breathable space—humanity comes up out of chaos for a gasp of life.
- This is a pattern: God orders chaos into life-giving environments.
Holy Week Parallel: Jesus Clears the Temple
- Text alluded to: “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling… ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” — Highlighted as from the Gospel accounts of the Temple cleansing (e.g., Matthew 21:12–14).
- Temple design: The Court of the Gentiles intended as the place where the nations, the lame, and the blind could approach God.
- Problem: Chaotic “waters” of commerce, greed, noise, animal bleating, and market scales flooded the space meant for the vulnerable.
- Theological action: Jesus did not lose His temper; He enacted Day Two—forcefully pushing back the waters of chaos to create a safe expanse for prayer and healing.
- Immediate fruit: “The blind and the lame came to Him…and He healed them.” The vulnerable, previously “drowned out,” re-enter and find life.
Who God Is and How He Responds to Humans
- God is the Creator who:
  - Sets firm boundaries against chaos.
  - Creates spaces where humans can breathe, pray, and live.
- Jesus reveals God’s character in action:
  - He confronts and restrains dehumanizing systems.
  - He makes room for the vulnerable and heals them.
  - He transforms acts that appear destructive into new-creation moments of order, peace, and restoration.
Who You Are in God and How to Live
- Identity:
  - In Christ, you are intended to be a temple—a house of prayer (see 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 implied). You are made for peace and rest in God’s presence.
- Calling:
  - Invite Jesus to separate the “waters” in your life—allow Him to push back anxiety, greed, noise, and idolatry.
  - Protect the vulnerable; ensure your “courts” make space for those in need.
  - Practice rhythms that sustain a house-of-prayer life: Scripture, prayer, forgiveness, and love of neighbor.
Self-Examination: Our Hearts as Courtyards
- Modern chaos floods in:
  - Constant noise, overloaded schedules, pursuit of wealth, social media churn, simmering anger and anxiety.
- Consequence:
  - The “marketplace of worry” squeezes out prayer, Scripture, forgiveness, and neighbor-love.
  - We regress into darkness and drown in chaos of our own making.
- Gospel hope:
  - Jesus does not convene committees; He clears the courts. He confronts and removes what drowns us.
  - His cleansing is an act of creation, not mere destruction.
Cross and Resurrection: The Ultimate Separation of the Waters
- Crucifixion as drowning:
  - In Roman crucifixion, death occurs by asphyxiation—Jesus “drowns” under the chaotic waters of our sin: greed, anxiety, idolatry, rebellion.
- Baptismal imagery:
  - Jesus descends into the waters of judgment and chaos on our behalf.
  - The Father fulfills the Day Two word—He holds back the waters; Jesus breathes again on Easter.
- New life:
  - Jesus’ breath becomes our breath; His Spirit our spirit.
  - In baptism, we go under the waters and rise into new life with Christ.
Application for Today’s Culture (American context)
- The news cycle, work pressures, family tensions, even neighborhood conflicts can feel like hurricanes and floods tearing apart established places of peace.
- God’s word to drowners: “Let the waters be separated”—come up to the expanse of grace where you can breathe again.
- Practical implications:
  - Create intentional “expanse” daily: a quiet, tech-free space for prayer and Scripture.
  - Name and remove “money changer tables” in your life: practices or patterns that monetize or instrumentalize relationships and worship.
  - Re-center on those pushed out by noise and busyness: the vulnerable in your community, family, and church.
  - Receive Jesus’ cleansing as mercy, not condemnation—His goal is your life and breathing room.
Key Texts Highlighted in the Sermon
- Genesis Day Two: “Let there be a vault/expanse… God called the vault sky… evening and morning, the second day.” — Highlighted as from Genesis 1:6–8 (NIV emphasis on “sky”).
- “My house will be called a house of prayer… but you are making it a den of robbers.” — Highlighted as from Matthew 21:12–13; Mark 11:15–17; Luke 19:45–46 (Temple cleansing).
- Themes referenced:
  - “Tohu vavohu” (formless and void) — Highlighted as from Genesis 1:2.
  - Leviathan (sea monster imagery) — Highlighted as from Job 41; Psalm 74:14; Isaiah 27:1.
  - Temple as a house of prayer for all nations — Highlighted as from Isaiah 56:7, echoed by Jesus.
Practical Steps for the Week
- Morning and evening “breath prayers” to mark your own “evening and morning”:
  - Inhale: “Lord Jesus Christ” — Exhale: “Give me Your peace.”
  - Inhale: “Holy Spirit” — Exhale: “Make me a house of prayer.”
- Identify one “table” to overturn this week:
  - Examples: a social media habit that stirs anxiety; an overpacked schedule; a financial pursuit overshadowing generosity; a harboring resentment.
- Re-open the Court of the Gentiles in your life:
  - Make space for someone on the margins—invite, listen, serve, or pray with them.
- Recommit to Scripture and prayer:
  - Read Genesis 1:1–10 and Matthew 21:12–17; journal where God is separating waters in your life.
Closing Exhortation and Prayer
- Exhortation:
  - When chaos rises like sea billows, hear God’s creative word: “Let the waters be separated.” Come up and breathe in Christ’s peace.
  - “And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.” This is good news for those gasping for breath.
- Closing prayer (themes):
  - Thanksgiving for gathering.
  - Petition for God to bind up chaos, keep us from returning to tohu vavohu, reveal His peace and love, and let us breathe again in His rest.
  - Amen.
Closing Song (Selected Lines)
- “When sorrows like sea billows roll… it is well with my soul.”
- “My sin—not in part, but the whole—is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, O my soul.”
- Assurance: Christ has died for my soul; it is well with God.
Summary Takeaways
- God bounds chaos to create life-giving space; Jesus enacts this in the Temple and in our lives.
- You are God’s temple—made for prayer, peace, and welcome to the vulnerable.
- Let Jesus overturn the tables that drown your soul; rise to breathe in the Spirit’s life.
- The cross is Jesus’ descent into our drowning; the resurrection is the Father’s separation of the waters so we can live.

Sunday Bulletin March 1st

Questions for the Week: The Week: The Week: Day 2 - Flipping Water

Read Genesis 1:6-8. What is your favorite memory of being near the water, and have you ever been in a storm that kind of scared you?
Read Matthew 21:12-17 The Temple was supposed to be a place of peace, but it became a chaotic marketplace that drowned out the vulnerable. What are the "chaotic waters" (anxiety, schedules, social media, etc.) that currently flood your own mind and squeeze out your peace and the peace of others?
To the moneychangers, Jesus driving them out of the temple looked like an act of destruction. To the blind and lame, it was an act of creation that gave them room to breathe. Has there ever been a time in your life when God "flipped the tables" on your plans, which felt destructive at the time but ultimately brought you peace?
Jesus drowned in our chaos on Friday so we could breathe anew on Sunday. When the news, your job, or life pressures make you feel like you are going under, how does remembering that Jesus has already conquered the depths help you find rest?

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What Had happened at Grace this week.

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Find out how it all begins.

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[Sunday] Den of Robbers - Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah Ch7

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September 18, 2026

This year was another great success, providing so many children with the bags and supplies they need for the new school year.

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A hands-on briefing on navigating modern financial fraud

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September 17, 2026

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September 13, 2026

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September 11, 2026

September 11, 2026

Great event at the end of our summer.

September 11, 2026

Cris Escher 2/26/26 Cris Escher 2/26/26

Habitat for Children at Best Practices

Meshac and Shirlon got to attend Best Practices!

Meschac and Shirlon at the opportunity to attend 2026 Best Practices conference.

The Best Practices in Ministry Conference is a completely free, high-energy gathering in Phoenix designed to refresh church leaders through practical workshops and the simple, powerful reminder that they aren't doing ministry alone.

Cris Escher 2/26/26 Cris Escher 2/26/26

Amos Chapters 9 & Obadiah Class 5 - Bible Study

Our class closed Amos with chapter 9’s sweeping judgment and surprising hope, then turned to Obadiah’s focus on Edom and all nations, tracing themes of justice, restoration, and God’s kingship with messianic echoes.

Amos Chapters 9 - Obadiah

This is our 5th class on Amos

This is an AI Recap of the class.
Some things may be incorrect.

Short summary of the whole class

On 2026-02-26, we listened to and discussed Amos 9, moving from temple-toppling judgment and inescapable justice to the restoration of the “booth of David” overflowing to the nations. We explored translation nuances (Sheol vs. “hell,” “in/on” the land), water/chaos imagery, Eden-like abundance, and intertextual ties in the Gospels and Revelation. We then read Obadiah, examining Edom’s pride and betrayal during Babylon’s conquest, the Day of the Lord widening judgment to all nations, and the closing affirmation that “the kingdom shall be the Lord’s,” while comparing themes with Joel and Amos and discussing the debated location of “Sepharad.” We concluded by planning to study Jonah next and likely read C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce after Easter.

Walkthrough and sectional summaries

1) Setting goals and lighthearted opener (Amos 9 and Obadiah)

Plan: finish Amos with chapter 9; begin Obadiah.
Framing: Amos’s consistent indictment of exploitation of the poor and resonance with the Gospels and Revelation.
Personal anecdote: two childhood cats named Oba (for Obadiah) and Bob—“Bob was the best cat.”

Short summary of section:

We set goals to complete Amos 9 and start Obadiah, recalling Amos’s justice theme and sharing a light personal story.

Bible verses mentioned:

General reference to Amos (no specific verse cited here).

Stories mentioned:

Childhood cats: Oba and Bob.

2) Listening to Amos 9 (reading and first impressions)

Read/heard Amos 9:1–15.
Noted the stark arc from judgment to a “glimmer of hope” in verse 11.

Short summary of section:

We heard Amos 9 in full, recognizing its shift from total judgment to promised restoration.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:1–15 (highlighted v. 11).

Stories mentioned:

None.

3) Initial observations: judgment, humility, and false security

Israel is not exempt from justice (Amos 9:7–10).
Amos 9:10 challenges complacency: “calamity shall not overtake us.”

Short summary of section:

Amos confronts Israel’s moral complacency: being God’s people does not shield unrepentant injustice from judgment.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:7–10.

Stories mentioned:

None.

4) Promise of restoration and Eden imagery

Reversal of earlier deprivation: abundance, rebuilt cities, vineyards (Amos 9:13–15).
“The plowman shall overtake the reaper” signals overflowing fruitfulness.

Short summary of section:

Amos pivots to Eden-like renewal, where God replaces deprivation with abundant delight.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:13–15.

Stories mentioned:

None.

5) Temple-pillar language and the scope of judgment (Amos 9:1)

“Strike the tops of the pillars/doorposts/capitals” to collapse the sanctuary.
Emphasis on judgment reaching even sacred spaces.

Short summary of section:

God topples the sanctuary from its highest points, signaling comprehensive judgment.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:1.

Stories mentioned:

None.

6) Sheol, the sea, and the inescapability of God (Amos 9:2–6)

Translation note: prefer “Sheol” over “hell.”
No escape: heights, depths, Carmel, sea—God finds them (Amos 9:2–3).
Chaos-water motifs: serpent in the sea, Nile swelling, God summoning waters (Amos 9:5–6).
Intertext: creation waters, Noah’s flood, Revelation’s abyss/sea.

Short summary of section:

Amos portrays God’s searching judgment using Sheol and chaos-water imagery to show there’s no hiding place.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:2–6.
Allusions: Genesis 1; Genesis 6–9; Revelation (abyss/sea).

Stories mentioned:

None (intertextual themes noted).

7) “On that day” and the Booth of David (Amos 9:11–12)

“On that day” marks restoration.
“Booth/tabernacle of David” restored—messianic resonance.
Nations included: remnant of Edom and “all the Gentiles who are called by my name.”

Short summary of section:

Restoration is messianic and expansive: God rebuilds David’s booth and gathers Israel and the nations.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:11–12.

Stories mentioned:

Gospel theme: Jesus as true temple (veil imagery referenced).

8) Abundance fulfilled and Garden imagery carried into the Gospels

Overflowing wine, gardens, rebuilt cities (Amos 9:13–15).
John 20: Mary mistakes the risen Jesus for a gardener—Eden echo.

Short summary of section:

Amos’s restoration imagery flavors the resurrection garden scene, signaling new creation.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:13–15.
John 20 (Mary and the gardener).

Stories mentioned:

Mary Magdalene at the tomb.

9) Translation nuance: “in” vs. “on,” and spirit/wind/breath

Amos 9:15: “in/on their land” reflects Hebrew preposition range.
Note on single Hebrew/Greek terms for spirit/wind/breath.

Short summary of section:

We observed how translation choices shape meaning, especially with prepositions and key theological terms.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:15.

Stories mentioned:

None.

10) Amos’s core indictment and a pastoral reflection

Amos critiques showy religion alongside exploitation of the poor.
Practical reflection: caution against performative religiosity (e.g., public fasting) without justice and mercy.

Short summary of section:

Amos calls for authentic obedience—justice for the poor over religious performance.

Bible verses mentioned:

Thematic reference to Amos’s broader critique (no single verse cited here).

Stories mentioned:

Practical note related to public religious displays.

11) Obadiah overview: setting the stage

Positioned Obadiah in the crisis of Babylon’s conquest (background: 2 Kings 25).
Watched a short overview video to frame reading.

Short summary of section:

We located Obadiah within the Babylonian crisis and prepped to read the book with an overview.

Bible verses mentioned:

Historical backdrop: 2 Kings 25 (not read aloud).

Stories mentioned:

None.

12) Public reading of Obadiah 1:1–9 (Pride and downfall)

Edom’s pride deceived them; God will bring them down (1:3–4).
Thorough searching out; failed alliances; end of Teman’s wisdom (1:5–9).

Short summary of section:

God indicts Edom’s arrogance and announces comprehensive collapse, even among their allies and sages.

Bible verses mentioned:

Obadiah 1:1–9.

Stories mentioned:

None.

13) Obadiah 1:10–14 (Betrayal of a brother)

“Violence against your brother Jacob” (1:10).
Charges: gloating, looting, ambushing refugees, handing survivors over (1:12–14).

Short summary of section:

Edom’s guilt centers on fraternal betrayal—gloating and harming Judah at its most vulnerable.

Bible verses mentioned:

Obadiah 1:10–14.
Background: Genesis (Jacob and Esau).

Stories mentioned:

Jacob and Esau as ancestral backdrop.

14) Class reflections: family, pride, and internal strife

Betrayal is worse when done by those who “know better.”
Parallels to Judges’ intra-Israel conflict; teacher recalled a sermon titled “Don’t Look Away.”
Pride and gloating as spiritual decay.

Short summary of section:

We reflected on the moral weight of harming kin and how pride corrodes communities.

Bible verses mentioned:

Judges (theme of internal conflict; no specific verse cited).

Stories mentioned:

Sermon: “Don’t Look Away.”

15) Obadiah 1:15–18 (The Day of the Lord and recompense)

Hinge to all nations: “The day of the Lord… is near” (1:15).
Principle: “As you have done, it shall be done to you” (1:15).
Zion’s deliverance; Jacob and Joseph as fire, Esau as stubble (1:17–18).

Short summary of section:

Judgment widens to all nations with measure-for-measure justice; Zion becomes the locus of deliverance.

Bible verses mentioned:

Obadiah 1:15–18.

Stories mentioned:

None.

16) Obadiah 1:19–21 (Restoration and the Lord’s kingdom)

Restoration geography and return of exiles (1:19–20).
“Saviors shall come to Mount Zion… And the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (1:21).

Short summary of section:

Obadiah closes with restoration for Zion’s remnant and the universal claim of God’s kingship.

Bible verses mentioned:

Obadiah 1:19–21.

Stories mentioned:

None.

17) Comparing Obadiah with Amos and Joel

Tension: Amos 9:11–12 includes “remnant of Edom and all nations”; Obadiah 1:18 stresses severe judgment on Esau.
Harmonizing lens: Edom as a historical nation and a type of human pride; prophetic hope still envisions nations called by God’s name.
Joel contributes post-judgment deliverance from Zion.

Short summary of section:

We contrasted Obadiah’s sharp judgments with Amos’s and Joel’s inclusive restoration, seeing Edom as both concrete and symbolic.

Bible verses mentioned:

Amos 9:11–12.
Joel 2–3.

Stories mentioned:

None.

18) Notes on terms and places: Sepharad and later identity

Obadiah 1:20 mentions “Sepharad”—debated identifications: Sardis (Asia Minor), Spain (Sephardim), Western Media, others.
Recognized long-standing Jewish association with Spain shaping diaspora identity.

Short summary of section:

“Sepharad” has multiple scholarly proposals, with the Spanish association shaping the identity of Sephardic Jews.

Bible verses mentioned:

Obadiah 1:20.

Stories mentioned:

Historical-cultural note on Sephardic Jews.

19) Obadiah’s ending and God’s kingship

Translation nuance: “the kingdom/kingship will be the Lord’s” (Obadiah 1:21).
Obadiah centers God’s direct kingship without explicitly foregrounding a Davidic messiah.
Resonances with Deuteronomic/Joshua themes of covenantal justice and conquest.

Short summary of section:

Obadiah climaxes with God’s kingship, emphasizing covenantal justice more than royal messianism.

Bible verses mentioned:

Obadiah 1:21.
Thematic references: Deuteronomy, Joshua (no specific verses cited).

Stories mentioned:

None.

20) Concluding plans: Jonah next; The Great Divorce after Easter

Next study: Jonah (2–3 weeks).
Likely post-Easter reading: C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce.

Short summary of section:

We wrapped Obadiah and set plans to study Jonah next, with a likely return to The Great Divorce after Easter.

Bible verses mentioned:

None (future study preview).

Stories mentioned:

Literary work: C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce.

Medium-length summary of the class

On 2026-02-26, we concluded Amos with chapter 9, tracing its movement from God’s temple-toppling judgment and inescapable justice (Amos 9:1–10) to the restoration of the “booth of David” that embraces the remnant of Edom and all Gentiles called by God’s name (9:11–12), culminating in Eden-like abundance (9:13–15). We noted translation nuances (Sheol vs. “hell,” “in/on” the land) and water/chaos motifs linking creation, flood, and Revelation. Turning to Obadiah, we read the whole book and examined Edom’s pride and fraternal betrayal (1:1–14), the hinge to a universal Day of the Lord with measure-for-measure justice (1:15–18), and the restoration culminating in “the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (1:19–21). We discussed the debated location of “Sepharad” (1:20), thematic comparisons with Joel and Amos on judgment and inclusion, and how Obadiah foregrounds God’s kingship with Deuteronomic/Joshua resonances. We closed by planning to study Jonah next and likely read The Great Divorce after Easter.

Main points

God’s judgment is comprehensive and inescapable (Amos 9:1–10).
Chaos-water imagery underscores divine sovereignty and judgment (Amos 9:2–6).
Translation matters: Sheol vs. “hell,” “in/on” the land, spirit/wind/breath.
Restoration follows judgment: God rebuilds the “booth of David,” including the nations (Amos 9:11–12).
Eden-like abundance symbolizes renewal (Amos 9:13–15).
Obadiah indicts Edom’s pride and betrayal, then widens judgment to all nations (Obadiah 1:1–18).
Measure-for-measure justice: “As you have done, it shall be done to you” (Obadiah 1:15).
Obadiah ends with God’s universal kingship: “the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (Obadiah 1:21).
“Sepharad” (Obadiah 1:20) has debated identifications; Spanish association shaped Sephardic identity.
Comparative theme: Amos and Joel highlight post-judgment inclusion; Obadiah stresses severe judgment but shares Zion-centered hope.
Next steps: Study Jonah; likely read The Great Divorce after Easter.

Scriptures mentioned

Amos 9:1–15 (focus on 9:1; 9:2–6; 9:7–10; 9:11–12; 9:13–15)
Obadiah 1:1–21 (focus on 1:1–9; 1:10–14; 1:15–18; 1:19–21)
Genesis 1 (creation waters/Spirit)
Genesis 6–9 (Noah’s flood)
Genesis (Jacob and Esau background)
2 Kings 25 (Babylon’s conquest context)
Joel 2–3 (Day of the Lord; Zion deliverance)
Judges (theme of internal conflict)
John 20 (Mary and the “gardener”)
Revelation (abyss/sea imagery)

Stories and works mentioned

Childhood cats: Oba (Obadiah) and Bob.
Mary Magdalene mistaking the risen Jesus for the gardener (John 20).
Sermon reference: “Don’t Look Away.”
Historical-cultural: Sephardic Jews (Sephardim) and association with Spain.
Upcoming/related: C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce.

Content creation date: 2026-02-26 12:04:06.

Cris Escher 2/22/26 Cris Escher 2/22/26

[Sunday] Day 1 - Triumphal Light, The Week

The Triumphal Entry shows us the difference. We chase the 'wins' of this world; Jesus rides into the darkness of this world. We look for success; He brings the Light that saves.

The Triumphal Entry shows us the difference. We chase the 'wins' of this world; Jesus rides into the darkness of this world. We look for success; He brings the Light that saves.

This is an AI Summery, some things may be incorrect.
Overview
- Sermon series title: “The Week”
- Concept: Interweaving the seven days of Creation with the days of Holy Week.
- Focus for this sermon: Day 1 of Creation (“Let there be light”) aligned with Palm Sunday.
- Aim: To show how God’s creation theme—bringing order and light out of chaos—runs through Scripture and culminates in Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, His passion, death, and resurrection.
Opening Context: Reading Creation as Theme, Not Only Timetable
- Pastor reflects on moving from a strictly literal “six 24-hour days” view to noticing Scripture’s deeper themes.
- Key theological insight: God creates by bringing order out of chaos—out of “tohu vavohu” (formless and void).
  - Example threads across Scripture:
    Israel’s journey from Egyptian slavery through the wilderness to the tabernacle/temple—God reorders chaos into worship and presence.
    Jesus’ Passion described with cosmic darkness—creation “rolling back”—then resurrection as new light.
- Application: Reading Scripture for its patterns helps us see God’s consistent work to bring light out of human and cosmic darkness.
Palm Sunday: Jesus as the Light Entering Jerusalem
- Jesus enters Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week; He is the true Light.
- Crowd response: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” with cloaks and palm branches (public acclaim of Messiah and Light).
- Key question: Are people actually holding the Light—or mistaking their own “lanterns” (agendas) for it?
Artistic Illustration: Rembrandt’s “The Adoration of the Shepherds”
- Style note: Stark contrast of light and dark (chiaroscuro).
- Theological observation:
  - The baby Christ is the source of light in the painting.
  - A lantern is present but contributes little light—suggesting humans often think their light originates from themselves.
- Application: We frequently try to be “lantern-bearers,” mistaking our own influence, plans, or righteousness as the source of light rather than Christ.
Contrast with Jerusalem and the Pharisees
- Jerusalem’s self-image: “shining city on a hill,” self-assured, believing themselves to be the light for the nations.
- Pharisees’ posture:
  - Authority figures insisting they define and control the light for others.
  - Response to the crowd’s praise: “Teacher, rebuke your disciples” (desiring to silence witness to Jesus).
- Jesus’ reply: If praise is suppressed, “the rocks will cry out.”
- Application:
  - Warning against spiritual pride and gatekeeping—confusing stewardship of truth with self-centered control.
  - Even the enthusiastic crowd can misread Jesus by projecting their agendas onto Him.
Historical Expectation: Judas Maccabeus vs. Jesus
- Background: A century earlier, Judas Maccabeus (“the Hammer”) led a rebellion against Greek rule; celebrated with palms and “Hosanna,” entering Jerusalem on a warhorse.
- Crowd’s mistaken hope: Jesus as a new Maccabeus—political liberator who will expel Rome and elevate Jerusalem’s status.
- Jesus’ actual mission:
  - Enters on a donkey (sign of humility; fulfills messianic peace rather than war).
  - Comes not to conquer Rome but to suffer, die, and rise—conquering sin, death, and the grave.
Human Agendas vs. Christ’s Light
- Examples of modern “lantern” agendas:
  - Political victories (“If we win this election, light will come”).
  - Life scripts (marriage, children, promotions, retirement) treated as salvation.
  - Seeking control, status, and personal validation.
- Outcomes of agenda-driven living:
  - Division, mistrust, hurt, and darkness rather than true life and peace.
- Application:
  - Recognize where we equate our plans with God’s light.
  - Repent of idolatry of self, success, and power; receive Christ as the true source of light and peace.
Jesus’ Heart for a Dark City
- As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He weeps over it.
- Quotation from Jesus: “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…”
- Identity of Jesus:
  - The Prince of Peace who stands before them, unrecognized.
  - The Light who enters Jerusalem’s darkness, and ultimately the tomb’s darkness, for our sake.
- Christ’s peace:
  - Not delivered through force or triumphalism, but through His broken body and shed blood—true reconciliation with God.
Creation and New Creation
- Day 1 of Creation: “Let there be light.” Evening and morning—the first day.
- Holy Week pattern:
  - Good Friday’s darkness transitions to Easter morning’s light.
  - Resurrection as God’s “new creation” spoken into the void of death.
- Application:
  - The light of Christ shines into our hearts despite our idolatrous agendas.
  - He dies and rises for all, bringing order and life into our chaos.
Who God Is, Who We Are, and How We Live
- Who God Is:
  - Creator who speaks light into darkness and order into chaos.
  - Faithful Redeemer who enters our darkness, weeps over our lostness, and brings peace by sacrifice.
  - The true source of light—Jesus Christ.
- Who God Says We Are:
  - Beloved yet often misguided people prone to self-reliance and idolatry.
  - Recipients of His light, mercy, and new creation life through Christ’s death and resurrection.
- How We Are to Live:
  - Humble dependence on Christ as light, not on our “lanterns.”
  - Pursue peace shaped by Christ’s cross rather than power and agendas.
  - Worship and witness that point to Jesus’ light, even when others try to silence it.
Scripture References Highlighted
- Genesis creation theme: “Let there be light.” — Genesis 1:3
- Jesus’ Triumphal Entry: — Matthew 21:1–11; — Mark 11:1–10; — Luke 19:28–40; — John 12:12–19
- Jesus’ weeping over Jerusalem: — Luke 19:41–44
- “Hosanna” acclamation: — Matthew 21:9; — Mark 11:9–10; — John 12:13
- “The rocks will cry out”: — Luke 19:40
- Darkness at the crucifixion: — Matthew 27:45; — Mark 15:33; — Luke 23:44–45
- Christ’s resurrection and new creation theme: — Matthew 28:1–10; — Mark 16:1–8; — Luke 24:1–12; — John 20:1–18
Key Applications and Examples
- Art as theology: Rembrandt’s baby Christ illuminating the scene versus the dim lantern—our tendency to replace Christ’s light with our self-made light.
- Cultural examples:
  - Corporate ladder in Arkansas: promotions pursued as salvation, yet leaving emptiness.
  - Retirement disillusionment: expecting rest to save, discovering we never learned to rest in God.
- Church life example:
  - The shift from praising to condemning within days—mirrors the crowd’s move from “Hosanna” to “Crucify,” exposing how quickly agendas supplant faith.
Closing Gospel Assurance
- The Light of Christ is for you.
- The empty tomb is for you.
- Hosanna—God saves. Evening gave way to morning; the first day concludes with light.
- Good news: Jesus, the true Light, has come, and He brings peace by His cross and resurrection.

Sunday Bulletin February 22nd

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Rembrant

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/research/research-resources/research-papers/close-examination/the-adoration-of-the-shepherds

Questions for the Week: The Week: Day 1 - Triumphal Light

In the Rembrandt painting, Adoration of the Shepherds, the man holding the lantern thinks he is bringing light, but the real light comes from Jesus. In what ways do we, like that man, think we are "bringing the light" to the world, when we are actually just holding a dim lantern compared to Jesus?
Read Luke 19:35-44. Why is it often disappointing when God answers our need for peace instead of our desire for victory?
We sometimes turn good things (like wanting a happy family, doing well in school/work, or politics) into "idols" that take the place of God. How can we make sure we are following Jesus' light rather than carrying around our own lanterns?
Jesus conquered sin and death not by fighting back but by letting Himself be broken on the cross. How does Jesus’s humble victory change the way we think about "winning" or "being strong" in our own lives?

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