Grace Church Of The Bay Area

In our continuing series on the wisdom of God, Pastor Roger explains how Paul's methodology in his ministry serves as a model for our evangelism.

Boasting can be good or bad, depending on what you are boasting in. Boasting in the Lord is a good thing, but boasting in yourself is quite the opposite. That kind of boasting is putting one’s confidence and trust in themselves. It is finding your self-worth through the recognition of your accomplishments by others. But with God’s salvation plan, God’s call, no man can boast. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Roger brings us today’s sermon.

Today, we consider our calling. A calling by God. In our passage, Paul’s point was not to embarrass or criticize the Corinthian believers. Paul’s point was to exalt the marvelous grace and wisdom of God. The whole point is to dignify us, so that God will be exalted. To magnify Himself. So, maybe being “foolish” is not such a bad thing. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Roger brings us today’s sermon.

The primary reason man’s wisdom is inferior to God’s is because, through their wisdom, they could not gain salvation. Man couldn’t earn it. They couldn’t achieve it. There is no way man, whether through good works or human wisdom, can reach God on his own. So the choice is simple: trust God and His foolishness, or keep up the pretense of wisdom and perish. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Roger brings us today’s sermon.

All are either being saved or being destroyed. To those that are perishing, the Gospel is moronic and silly. But the contrast that Paul makes in today’s passage, between the perishing and the saved, does not correspond to man’s foolishness verses man’s wisdom. It’s man’s foolishness verses God’s power. It is in the Cross that God’s promises and transforming activity become operative. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Roger brings us today’s sermon.

With art, it is believed that contrast and distinction is one of the primary characteristics that make something beautiful. And we too as humans are drawn to distinction. So, what makes God distinct? Today, Jesse Fenn brings us a message from the Apostle Paul. Teaching that faithful Christianity is seen most distinctly and most beautifully when it is proclaimed against the backdrop of a confused and chaotic world. Listen along to learn more.

Our concern for the Church, the Body of Christ, must outweigh our desire to gossip about people in the church, or even to protect our own reputation by wanting to stay anonymous. Gossip won’t solve the problem. Instead, what will ultimately end division in the church is the centrality of the Cross. Don’t worry about your own reputation. Take the focus off your self and put it on Christ. Listen along to learn more, as Pastor Roger brings us today’s sermon.

Division within the church is dangerous. It’s like having a body with an injured limb, it won’t function properly. In the same way, when there’s disunity or disagreement, the church is not one. It is broken. Instead, we must be unified internally and externally. We must do away with divisions and put the church back together the way it was meant to be, complete, as one whole functioning body. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Roger brings us today’s sermon.

Already, not yet. Our salvation is secure in Christ, but it is not yet fulfilled. Therefore, we should not wait around idly, but live in light of His coming. We are not to just stand on the foundation of the grace of God as those who are enriched with speech and knowledge, rather we are to stand on our tiptoes like a child looking out of the window, eagerly anticipating the return of the King. Listen along as Pastor Roger brings us today’s sermon.

Blessing and grace are interconnected. As true blessing is an act of grace. And when we focus on grace, we can truly be thankful, despite our circumstances. And why can we be thankful? Because we have everything we need. Listen along to learn more about what that means, as Pastor Roger teaches eight realities of the grace bestowed upon believers.

As Christians, we understand that we did not earn our salvation, nor do we deserve it. Salvation is entirely a gift from God, through the sacrifice of Christ. Positionally, we belong to God, but our practice does not always reflect that. And yet, one of the best motivations for us to avoid sin is to remember our position in Christ. Listen along to learn more, as Pastor Roger teaches five classifications of the true church.

Introductions are in order! As we begin a new year, Pastor Roger also begins a new book of the Bible, as we are introduced to Paul, an apostle. Listen along as we take a closer look at the life of Paul and what it takes to be an apostle. That we would follow in the footsteps of people like Paul. And although we are not apostles, we have the same Holy Spirit as he did. And we too are Christians.

Today is our 5th Sunday questions and answers. Pastor Roger answers questions regarding if Christians should celebrate Christmas. He also discusses the phrase, “I rebuke you Satan”, and if it is an appropriate thing for a believer to say or pray. And he finishes with speaking about the inerrancy of Scripture and the impact of the Word on the world. Listen along to learn more in this thought-provoking Q&A.

For many, Christmas is the highlight of the season. And today, Pastor Roger brings out its significance by focusing on the Person of Christ. Taking a look at His genealogy, but also His life on earth. Yes, we celebrate the birth of a baby, a human being. But this baby was also 100% God. He was the fulfilment of generations of promises. The wait is over. Listen along to learn more.

With Christmas fast approaching, it is important for us to be reminded of its true meaning. And it all starts with the Person of Christ. Today, Pastor Alton goes over Jesus’ origin story. But he also teaches us about His mission, and the significance of His life. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Alton teaches us four truths about Christ.

When Jesus said that we are lights of the world, He was telling us who we. Being a light of the world is not about becoming something else, but about being who you already are in Christ. This is who you are. This is the mission of the Church. And stars shine the brightest in the darkness. Listen along to learn more, as Pastor Alton brings us today’s sermon.

In today’s sermon, Pastor Roger completes his series on 1 Peter. Explaining, through Peter’s conclusion, that he is encouraging the recipients of the letter, and reminding them of all that has been written. Telling them that they have the peace that comes only to those who know Jesus Christ. This is a prayer, from an apostle. They are Peter’s closing thoughts, and we should be reminded and encouraged by them. Listen along to learn more.

God often uses trials, difficulties, and suffering in our lives to grow us in spiritual maturity. But it is important to understand that it is not the trials themselves that perfect us, but the One who is sovereign over those trials. It is not the temptations that strengthen us, but the One who provides the way of escape from those temptations. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Roger teaches five roles necessary for productive trials.

Many of us understand that being tempted to sin is not sin, giving in to the temptation is. That being said, temptation is dangerous. One reason being, the temptation to sin is often not all that obvious: subtle is the temptation, but great is the consequence. Listen along to learn more as Pastor Roger teaches four keys to remember to avoid temptation.

As a child of God, you have two options: humble yourself, or be humbled by God. Many of us understand the importance of humility, and yet our desire for control makes it difficult to be humble. And we end up becoming anxious. Today, Pastor Roger explains the importance of humility, and that when you’re anxious in the things of life, it’s really an expression of pride. Listen along to learn more.