This past week we took a deeper look at the ministry and arrest of Stephen in the book of Acts and its implications for our own lives. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 6:8-14
TITLE: A Worthy Example
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: As Christians, we have the Word of God AND the Spirit of God. THEREFORE, we should be HOPEFUL—that is our hearts should be filled with expectation that God will work in us and through us to advance the gospel and build His church by bringing salvation to sinners.

POINTS: 
1.  Full of Grace 
2. Full of Power
3. Full of Wisdom

SERMON EXCERPTS:
“There was a genuine sweetness, a gentleness, a winsomeness about Stephen. He wasn’t just a pleasant guy to be around. He didn’t merely have a likeable personality. God’s grace toward him flowed out to others. There was an authentic Christ-likeness about him—He was full of grace.” 

“Do you expect God to do amazing things as you courageously speak truth in the power of the Spirit?“ 

“Stephen’s powerful ministry was fruit of the grace and power of the Spirit at work through him. And though separated by millennia and cultures, it is the same for us today. Effective ministry, both personally and collectively, is based on grace, power, and wisdom from above.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
1 Peter 3:15 - “…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

John 14:25-26 - “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

QUOTES:
Eckhard Schnabel - “Christians living in the West are in danger of being to thoroughly influenced by a culture that values technical skills, management strategies, and methodical planning. While expertise in these areas are not unimportant, it can easily obscure the fact that ministries, particularly mission and evangelism, are not rendered effective by techniques but by the power of God, who empowers his witness through his Spirit”

APPLICATION:
How do we prepare and position ourselves for the Holy Spirit empowered ministry and witness?    

1. Be a student of the Word. If the Word is in your heart, the Word will be at the heart of your words!

2. Embrace your dependance on the Spirit. It’s the Spirit that makes truth alive in our minds and hearts and it’s the Spirit that makes our ministry efforts fruitful.

   • How do we embrace our dependance? Prayer—Lord, fill me up freshly with your Spirt for the strength and power to have: 

     • Humility—be full of grace!

     • Clarity

     • Boldness

     • Discernment and wisdom in the moment

     • Right words at right time

     • Fruit

3. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing! Salvation is the goal and the gospel is the only way. So Give them Jesus—the Way, the Truth, the Life.

4. Don’t be surprised by opposition. Jesus promised it. History has proven it. Don’t be surprised by opposition. If you are, you will probably be silenced by opposition.

We heard from guest Pastor Mark Alderton, from our Aurora, CO church, about being a Word AND Spirit-led church. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

TEXT: Luke 24:44-49, Acts 1:6-9
TITLE: Becoming A “Word and Spirit” Church
PREACHER: Guest Pastor Mark Alderton
BIG IDEA: God’s word is not enough to transform people…without the Holy Spirit.

POINTS: 
1. We can expect God to be working apart from us   
2. We can expect God to speak to us directly
3. We can expect to be placed in uncomfortable ministry situations that require dependence on the Spirit
4. We can expect God to do amazing things

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”The biblical church is a word and spirit church. It’s not either/or; it’s both/and. It’s a church that is anchored in the clear and careful teaching of God’s word, and that also leaves room for and asks for the Spirit of God to empower that teaching and do things outside of that teaching for the good of the church and the conversion of unbelievers.”

“This story starts with Cornelius, not Peter. God is preparing this man to hear the gospel through a supernatural work, a vision of an angel of God, before Peter even knows of his existence. …Do you expect God to be doing that in our day? Do you think that the Spirit of God might be operating on someone right now, placing in their minds something that makes them suddenly open to the gospel – totally apart from you?”

“…we have a category for this. It’s what we might call the revelatory gifts. I would put prophecy, tongues with interpretation, the utterance of knowledge and the discerning of spirits in that category, all gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. They are strange, but they are in the Bible. And the Spirit works through them as part of the package of building up the church and advancing the gospel.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Acts 10:1-48
John 16:7-14

APPLICATION:
- What would it look like if we are more intentional about relying on the Holy Spirit in our lives?
- Anything can displace Jesus from the center, especially good things like the Spirit’s broad ministry. But not if we keep the word and the Spirit together.

• God’s written word points to Jesus everywhere as the hero of the redemption story in this fallen world.

• And the Spirit also points us to Jesus

On Sunday, in an effort to stir you up by way of reminder and prepare you for our Family Meeting next Sunday night, we decided to seize the moment to be reminded how Scripture speaks to Deacons and the biblical office they hold. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 6:1-7
TITLE: We Are Deacon Dependent
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: Deacons are unique and vital expressions of God’s wisdom, goodness, and care for His church.

POINTS: 
1. Deacons Exist to Serve the Pastors   
2. Deacons Serve the Pastors by Serving the People
3. Deacons are Difference Makers in Our Gospel Mission

QUOTES:
Alexander Strauch - “Church shepherds must radically insist on a schedule that affirms the spiritual priorities of prayer and the ministry of God’s Word. The deacons of the church, also, need to fix these priorities firmly in their minds.”

Sovereign Grace Church Deacon Policy - “Deacons are men uniquely called and qualified by God to serve the pastors by serving the people. They do this in various ways and with delegated authority and responsibility from their pastors. This ensures there are no unserved people and no unmet needs in the church while at the same time ensuring the pastors can govern the church and devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
1 Timothy 3:8-13 - Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

APPLICATION:
Join us the evening of Sunday, January 30th (RSVP HERE) as we install Scott Mcleod and Bob Rabe as deacons. It will be a marker in the life of our church as well as a celebration of God’s wisdom and goodness toward us through these men. 

What areas of your life do you wish God would hit the fast-forward button? In what areas do you feel stuck? On Sunday we learned that when it comes to revival God can do in a moment what we could never do in a lifetime! Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

TEXT: Psalm 85
PREACHER: Guest Pastor, Dustin Smetona
BIG IDEA: Pray and prepare for revival!

POINTS: 
1.  Revival is our family history. (vs. 1-3)   
2. Revival is our present need. (vs. 4-7)
3. Revival is our future state. (vs. 8-13)

OPENING ILLUSTRATION & QUESTIONS:
”As I was talking to [my six-year-old son] about his anger I told him, ‘Buddy, you’ve got to remember to talk back to your anger and say no to it.’ Without missing a beat he responded, ‘Dad I’m trying! But my anger just won’t listen to me and it’s so loud that I can’t talk over it.’

My son felt stuck.
What are those areas for you?

• Does anger have a grip on you?

• Are you spiritually dry or joyless? Depressed?

• Do you lack direction and vision for what God wants you to do?

• Are you stuck in a pattern of sin and feel like you can’t get out?

Wouldn’t you be so relieved if God hit the fast-forward button on that?”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Romans 8 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

QUOTES:
Ray Ortlund - “Revival is a season in the life of the church when God causes the normal ministry of the gospel to surge forward with extraordinary spiritual power. Revival is seasonal, not perennial. God causes it; we do not. It is the normal ministry of the gospel, not something eccentric or even different from what the church is always charged to do. What sets revival apart is simply that our usual efforts greatly accelerate in their spiritual effects. God hits the fast-forward button.”

Martyn Lloyd-Jones - “The history of the church is a history of revivals.”

Jonathan Edwards - “This work of God, as it was carried on, and the number of true saints multiplied, soon made a glorious alteration in the town: so that in the spring and summer following, the town seemed to be full of the presence of God: it never was so full of love, nor of joy, and yet so full of distress, as it was then. There were remarkable tokens of God’s presence in almost every house. It was a time of joy in families on account of salvation being brought to them; parents rejoicing over their children as newborn, and husbands over their wives, and wives over their husbands. Our public assemblies were then beautiful: the congregation was alive in God’s service, every one earnestly intent on the public worship, every hearer eager to drink in the words of the minister as they came from his mouth; the assembly in general were, from time to time, in tears while the word was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbors.”

Richard Lovelace - “[Revival] is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit which restores the people of God to normal spiritual life after a period of corporate decline. Periods of spiritual decline occur in history because the gravity of indwelling sin keeps pulling believers first into formal religion and then into open apostasy. Periods of awakening alternate with these as God graciously breathes new life into his people.”

John Piper - “The only life I have left to live is future life. The past is not in my hands to offer or alter. It is gone. Not even God will change the past. All the expectations of God are future expectations. All the possibilities of faith and love are future possibilities. And all the power that touches me with help to live in love is future power. As precious as the bygone blessings of God may be, if He leaves me only with the memory of those, and not with the promise of more, I will be undone. My hope for future goodness and future glory is future grace.”

As 2021 ends and 2022 begins, we are excited to gather as a church in a unique way. We call it a Family Meeting. We don’t call a Family Meeting regularly, but I’m sure, like your family meetings, when we do, there is a purpose, and they are memorable. 

Here’s the scoop. We will have dinner together at 5 pm. After dinner, the children will be released to childcare. We will begin with a time of singing and end with a time of prayer. In between, we will do three things:

1. Introduce new members

2. Set in new deacons

3. Announce an exciting opportunity we believe the Lord will use to bless and grow our church

Each of the above represents special and vital events in our church life. Therefore, we humbly appeal that you do all you can to be there as a family. To make it as easy as possible, we are taking care of dinner and providing childcare. 

So, please do two things right now. First, to help us with our dinner and childcare planning, click this RSVP link (sovgracetucson.org/family-meeting). Second, save January 30th, 5 pm, on your calendar. Trust us; you don’t want to miss this Family Meeting.  

This last Sunday we learned that Jesus is our King and we belong to Him. He is with us even now calling us to GET BACK TO IT and never give up no matter what may come! Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 5:12-42
TITLE: Go and Stand Firm
PREACHER: Guest Pastor, Tom Wilkins
BIG IDEA: The Church is commissioned in the Gospel of Jesus that will advance in power no matter what!

POINTS: 
1.  The Church’s Gospel Mission Advances In Power   
2. The Church’s Gospel Mission Advances In Opposition
3. The Church’s Gospel Mission Advances In Suffering

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
James 5:7-11 - Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

QUOTES:
Kent Hughes - “All of these died knowing that God can deliver his people anytime he wants. Scripture says that when waves of persecution or trial come, God can deliver us if he so wills. No matter how dark or oppressive the wave, he can rescue us. Believe it!”

Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “A Happy Christian” - “The worldling blesses God while he gives him plenty, but the Christian blesses him when he smites him: he believes him to be too wise to err and too good to be unkind; he trusts him where he cannot trace him, looks up to him in the darkest hour, and believes that all is well.”

John Newton: “Are not you amazed sometimes that you should have so much as a hope, that, poor and needy as you are, the Lord thinketh of you? But let not all you feel discourage you. For if our Physician is almighty, our disease cannot be desperate and if He casts none out that come to Him, why should you fear?”

APPLICATION:

1. Obey GOD rather than man! The rage, the opposition, the suffering is just waiting for us. But, we are called to obey God rather than man! There are situations in which we will be called to be Shadrach Meshach and Abednego - so moved by obedience to God that they MUST do so no matter if He delivers them or not!

2. Get Back To It! - Obedience that is met with God’s power
   Church, we are called to get back to it! Get back to the proclamation, back to the witness, back to “this life!” 

3. Never Give Up In It! - Perseverance that sustains 

   “Stand “ Firm - Hold Your Ground - Vs. 20
   “Every day” - do not stop preaching that the Christ is Jesus!!!! Vs. 42
   “Counted worthy to suffer” - Get back to it - NO MATTER what may come - opposition, suffering is worth it because Jesus is worth it.

Sunday, we looked at the twin realities of the church: The Church is shaped by grace and marked by holiness. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 4:32-5:11
TITLE: The Day God Killed People At Church
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: The church is a community shaped by grace and marked by holiness—And God will have it no other way.
OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Is He safe? Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King; I tell you—The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis)

POINTS: 
1.   The Church is Shaped by Grace    
2.   The Church is Marked by Holiness

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:

Joshua 7:1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. 

Titus 2:9-10 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 

1 Peter 5:6-9 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Hebrews 3:12-13 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

APPLICATION:

1. Stay humble by celebrating grace as often as possible—in your life and others. It’s all too easy to forget that it’s all by grace. This is the difference between holy humility and sinful pride.

2. Never allow others to think more highly of you than they ought. Correct the record and deflect the glory to God.

3. Identify areas of sin you tend to commit while thinking to yourself—I know God will  forgive me. At that moment, you aren’t living in the fear of God; you are living as if you don’t fear what God thinks about your sin.

4. Read The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges.

It’s here! A brand new year. As it begins, I pray your hearts are filled with gratitude for the abundant grace and goodness of the Lord in 2021. What the new year has for you, only God knows. But here’s what you do know as a Christian: Whatever role, season, or situation God has you in, nothing you do in 2022 will be more important than prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), preaching the gospel to yourself (Colossians 3:1-4), and reading the Bible (Psalm 1:1-3). 

For this reason, I encourage you to consider Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Bible reading plan. Mr. M’Cheyne was a nineteenth-century Scottish pastor. The Lord took him home just a few weeks before his 30th birthday. Though his life and ministry were short, his impact has lasted centuries, mainly through his annual bible reading plan. 

A foremost passion for himself and his church was reading the Bible with great intentionality and purpose. One gets a sense of this in his encouragement: 

You read your Bible regularly, of course; but do try and understand it, and still more to feel it. Read more parts than one at a time. For example, if you are reading Genesis, read a Psalm also; or if you are reading Matthew, read a small bit of an Epistle also. Turn the Bible into prayer. Thus, if you were reading the First Psalm, spread the Bible on the chair before you, and kneel and pray, “O Lord, give me the blessedness of the man”; “let me not stand in the counsel of the ungodly.” This is the best way of knowing the meaning of the Bible, and of learning to pray.

Wherever you are in your bible reading, right now is a great time to start reading or rereading the Bible. And let’s do it together. Let’s talk about it on Sunday mornings in the lobby. Let’s share our time in the Word in the home, on the double-date, or that one-on-one coffee. In the hands of the Spirit, God’s Word is active and alive, transforming our hearts and lives to live another year in the good of the gospel and for the glory of our King!

For your convenience, I have included three ways (taken from The Gospel Coalition) you can join us this year:

1. Bible Reading Plan. Read the entire Bible according to Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s plan, which takes you through the entire Bible in a year (including the New Testament and Psalms twice). Download the PDF reading plan

2. Daily Newsletter. This daily email contains Don Carson’s devotional reflection, along with related articles and links to go deeper in each day’s Bible readings. Subscribe here.

3. Podcast. This podcast contains audio reading of Don Carson’s For the Love of God,a daily devotional commentary that follows the M’Cheyne plan: podcast (Apple | Stitcher | Spotify).

Happy New Year and Happy Bible Reading all year!

“Jesus is the reason for the season!” How many times have we heard that phrase?!

Every year, amidst the joyfully hectic hustle and bustle of December, we gather together as a church to pause and remember the birth of Jesus. We don’t do this simply to remind each other, our friends, and neighbors of a cute story about a baby in a barn. But to remind us of where our hope and joy truly belongs, not only in this season but in all of life - THE GOSPEL. The life and death of our precious Savior. A baby in a barn is only a piece of that story!

This year will be no different! And we invite you to join us this Christmas Eve at 6:00 PM for our annual Candlelight Service. There will be paper invitations for you in the lobby on Sunday, however, feel free to screen-shot the image below to share the details that way! The Gospel will be preached!

“Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you what you are.” - Iron Chef Japan

The world’s most coveted culinary title is BACK.

Sovereign Grace Church’s Iron Chef 2021.

Unexpected? It’s time to get used to the unexpected! Join us New Years Eve for this epic annual showdown. Show your audience - and the professional judges! - just what it takes to be a master of the culinary arts (or simply what it takes to make your dishes taste good with the unexpected surprise ingredient of caramel corn thrown in…thanks Pastor Derek!)

This is a great opportunity to invite family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, your favorite greeter at Wal-Mart - to compete or join us the audience! Snacks and plenty of fellowship will be included!

The Iron Chef positions fill up fast so mark your calendars, sharpen your knives, grab a sous chef, and be prepared to sign up in the church lobby on Sunday, December 12th.

Sunday, we began a series in the Book of Acts titled Hopeful. Hopeful for what? Hopeful God will work in us, for us, and through us as we testify to the person and work of Jesus individually and collectively in all we do and say. From the opening verses, we learned:

We are hopeful because our mission is centered on Jesus.

Our mission is not built on an ancient philosophy or new idea. Our mission is centered on the person and work of Jesus. Really, our mission IS Jesus, the living and ascended Christ who promises to return for us one day.   

We are hopeful because our mission is rooted in history. 

Biblical hope is not about wishful thinking; it’s about certainty. The life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus are as sure as the screen you are looking at right now because Jesus is a historical figure. That means our faith is built on proven fact!

We are hopeful because our mission is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

God, Himself is at work saving sinners and building His church through the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel. Who can thwart God? Anyone or anything? No, not even the gates of hell!

Two thousand years have passed since the believers in Acts set the world on fire with the gospel. But two thousand years later, the mission remains the same: the Church as Holy Spirit-empowered witnesses for Jesus. As we spend time seeing and marveling at how God built His church through the Spirit and His people in the first century, may hopefulness spring forth in our hearts for our mission that is like no other mission right here in Tucson, AZ!

With that in mind, please join your pastors as we commit to praying for the Spirit’s work in our church through this series in the following ways:

1. A deeper desperation for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit

2. A stronger conviction of the privilege, obligation, and implications of being witnesses  for Jesus

3. A greater hope for what God can do in this city through our church

Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4 declare the goal of every parent—Train your children in the truths of God and the Gospel. If you are a parent (or a grandparent like me), you know how frustrating it can be to find good books for your child's spiritual benefit. Finding a biblically sound, gospel-centered book that is relevant and readable for your child can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

For this reason, I am grateful to people like Marty Machowski. Marty has been a pastor for years at Covenant Fellowship, our sister church in Glen Mills, PA. He has been a blessing to his church, our family of churches, and beyond in the area of parenting and Children's Ministry. One way the Lord has gifted him is his ability to communicate sound doctrine and the clear gospel message to children through writing.

So it is with much excitement, I share a list of all the books Marty has written for children over the years. I pray the Lord uses it as a means of grace as you walk in the privilege of parenting for the glory of God!

---

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Angels on Your Side

Picture Book
For Preschool - 2nd Grade

FORTHCOMING NOV 1, 2021 This picture book is written to help young children combat their fears and point them to God’s protection. It introduces them to God’s angels, who he sends to watch over and protect all but Christ. While Jesus could have called down an army of angels, he did not. He gave up his life for us that we could be reconciled to God. All those who turn from their sin to trust in Jesus are welcomed into God’s family and enjoy his Fatherly protection.

Buy on Amazon

Brave and Bold

Bible Study
For Men

This Bible study is written for young men who have grown up in our computer gaming culture. It is designed to challenge them toward courageous biblical manhood. The devotions are short and easy to read. Each devotional begins with a military or sports-themed story to introduce the topic of the day. It is designed to clearly articulate the gospel and Christ as the true source of our courage and strength.

Buy on Amazon

Don’t Blame The Mud

Picture Book
For Preschool - 2nd Grade

This picture book is designed to teach our children about sin and our need for the gospel. The main character of the story disobeys his mom and then tries to hide his sin.

Buy on Amazon

Dragon Seed

Gospel Allegory
For Middle Schoolers

Dragon Seed is a fictional allegory the expands the biblical allegory of the dragon found in Revelation 12:3-5. Dragon seeds are synonymous with pride. Once a dragon seed sprouts, it sends its black roots deep down. If plucked out quickly, it dies. But if left to grow and send its black roots down, it turns a person into a dragon. The book ends with a Bible study on humility entitled “The Antidote.”

Buy on Amazon

God Made Boys and Girls

Picture Book
For Preschool - 2nd Grade

This book is designed for our youngest children to build into them two critical biblical truths. First, our gender is a good gift from God, and second, our gender can never change. With so many promoting gender fluidity, it is essential to teach these two important truths to our youngest children. Building a solid foundation of truth in our children is the best way to help them combat the lies and deceptions of our day.

Buy on Amazon

God Made Me For Heaven

Picture Book
For Preschool - 2nd Grade

This picture book provides a biblical view of heaven to include Jesus’ return and remake the earth and live with us here. The book also helps children who have lost a loved one to deal with that loss

Buy on Amazon

The Gospel Story Bible

Children’s Bible
For Preschool - 3rd Grade

This children’s story Bible follows the 156 stories covered in the Gospel Story Curriculum. The last paragraph of each OT story answers the question, “Where is Jesus?” Each NT story answers the question, “Where is the gospel?”

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

Gospel Story Curriculum

Children’s Ministry Curriculum
For Preschool - 6th Grade

A biblical theology survey of the Bible for three age groups - Preschool, early elementary, and upper elementary. Each of the 78 OT lessons answers the question, “Where is Jesus?” Each of the 78n NT Lessons answers the question, “Where is the Gospel?” The devotionals, Long Story Short and Old Story New, follow the same scope and sequence so that parents can disciple their children at home in concert with the children’s ministry Sunday lesson. The Gospel Story Bible also follows the same scope and sequence, providing a family devotional resource for younger children.

Buy on Amazon

Leading Your Child to Christ

Minibook
For Parents

This booklet helps parents relate to their children’s response to the gospel. Unlike many profession-centered approaches. This book emphasizes the need to observe repentance and fruit, following Paul’s model from Acts 26:20 - “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.”

Buy on Amazon

Listen Up

Family Devotional Parables
For Preschool - 6th Grade

This family devotional on the parables of Jesus is designed to provide a 12-week family introduction to the parables of Jesus. The Sovereign Grace Children’s album, Listen Up, was created to follow the lessons in the Listen up book and companion curriculum.

SHOP CURRICULUM HERE

Listen Up Curriculum

Children’s Ministry Curriculum
For Preschool - 6th Grade

This 12-week children's ministry curriculum follows the same scope and sequence as the book of the same title so that parents can follow the classroom lesson in their family devotions.

Buy on Amazon

Long Story Short

Family Devotional Old Testament
Gradeschool

This Old Testament devotional is designed to follow the scope and sequence of the first half of the Gospel Story Curriculum, providing 18 months of five devotions per week. The goal is for the devotions to take 10 minutes per day to make them easy for parents to use.

Buy on Amazon

Old Story New

Family Devotional New Testament
Gradeschool

This New Testament devotional is designed to follow the scope and sequence of the second half of the Gospel Story Curriculum, providing 18 months of five devotions per week. The goal is for the devotions to take 10 minutes per day to make them easy for parents to use.

Buy on Amazon

Parenting First Aid

Topical Study
For Adult - Parents

This parenting book is designed to help parents see the importance of partnering with the Lord in parenting. Each study begins with a true-life parenting story. Not all of these stories have a happy ending, but all point to the help we receive from Christ in our parenting trials. This is a great book to give to parents of struggling teens.

PURCHASE STUDY GUIDE HERE

Parenting First Aid - Study Guide

Study Guide
For Adult - Small Group, Parents

This small group study follows the book of the same title.

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Prepare Him Room

Family Advent Devotional
Preschool - 6th Grade

This family advent devotional includes a family Bible study of the Old Testament Christmas prophecies and their corresponding fulfillment in the New Testament. In addition to the Bible study, it includes activities, crafts, and a fictional Christmas story. The companion Sovereign Grace Christmas Album of the same title is designed to be used with this book.

PURCHASE CURRICULUM PACKAGE HERE

Prepare Him Room Curriculum

Children’s Ministry Curriculum
For Preschool - 6th Grade

This children's ministry advent curriculum follows the family devotional.

COMING SOON…

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Teach Them Jesus

Ministry
For Adults

FORTHCOMING OCT 4, 2021 This book, co-authored with Deepak Reju is designed to be a comprehensive children’s ministry manual focusing on both the practical and theological priorities in leading a children’s ministry.

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Teaching Your Child About Money

Minibook
For Adult - Parents

This booklet helps parents teach biblical stewardship to their children.

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The Ology

Systematic Theology
For Preschool - 3rd Grade

This picture book systematic theology for children incorporates creative analogies to communicate complex theological ideas. It includes a study in the back for older children.

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Wise Up

Family Devotional Proverbs
For Preschool - 6th Grade

This family devotional on the book of Proverbs is designed to provide a 12-week family introduction to the book. The book was designed to incorporate the Walking with the Wise Sovereign Grace Children’s Album.

PURCHASE CURRICULUM HERE

Wise Up Curriculum

Children’s Ministry Curriculum
For Preschool - 6th Grade

This 12-week children's ministry curriculum follows the same scope and sequence as the book of the same title so that parents can follow the classroom lesson in their family devotions.

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Wonderful

Bible Study Psalms
For Preschool - 3rd Grade

Wonderful follows the same layout as The Ology and includes illustrations by the same illustrator. This picture book Bible study of the Psalms teaches children how to read the psalms and use them to guide our prayers. The book includes a fictional story woven through the Bible study. The story focus is on a boy whose grandfather is dying. He learns how his grandfather finds comfort in the psalms and learns how to use the Psalms for his own comfort. The story is designed to provide an illustrated application of the psalms as an example.

In a fallen world, suffering and hardship come in all shapes and sizes. Jesus promised it; history proves it. Right now, there are many suffering in the wake of destruction left by hurricane IDA. 

Please pray for them. Pray for our sister churches in New Orleans and Covington. Pray God would give the leaders wisdom to lead the church as they care for one another. Pray the Lord would keep people safe, keep families together, and most of all, opportunities for the gospel would abound.

Of course, if you would like to GO help physically or GIVE financially, Sovereign Grace Churches has provided a way. Please read the brief update report below and click the link provided for details.

Whatever you do, we are grateful for our partnership and have confidence in God’s grace as we serve one another!

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“Greetings friends,

I hope you're enjoying the grace of the Lord today.

As many of you know, New Orleans has begun the process of recovery from Hurricane Ida. We have been in contact with our friends at Lakeview Christian Center and Christ Community Church and have learned that a number of their members are without power and some have experienced significant home damage from the storm.

Information about ways to support these churches can be found here and we will update this page as new support opportunities arise.

These are the moments where I am freshly grateful for the affection and generosity of our partnership. May the Lord give us grace to care for each other well!

Grace to you all,
Jon Payne
On behalf of the Leadership Team

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness—Psalm 145:5-7

God is good. He is infinitely good! As a local church, we see and experience His goodness in so many ways. I encourage you, take a moment and ponder what God’s abundant goodness looks like in your life today. Marvel in it and marvel at Him for it. 

I also encourage you to take a moment to read about God’s abundant goodness around the world. God is using our small family of churches to make Himself known. From the Sovereign Grace Pastors College in Kentucky to the rural villages of Latin America to the Down Under in the Pacific, God is at work doing the good work of saving and sanctifying sinners. 

Click the images and arrows below to check it out and be AMAZED!

EMERGING NATIONS

PODCAST LAUNCH IN AUSTRALIA

TRANSLATING THE STATEMENT OF FAITH

WELCOME PC CLASS OF 2022

In May, we introduced (and gave you one as a gift for the Fifth Sunday book) the inaugural edition of the Sovereign Grace Journal.  A compilation of articles written by Sovereign Grace pastors, the journal exists to enlarge our thoughts about God and help us treasure Christ with our mind, affections, and life (Ephesians 1:16-21). We trust as you have taken the time to read through the articles, you have indeed grown closer to Jesus. 

We are excited to announce another journal is here! Listen to Sovereign Grace Executive Director Mark Prater’s description of the newest edition: 

“Titled, A Christ-Centered People, this issue is a treasure. I can't wait for you to read these articles. In the introduction, I wrote: ‘The gospel, which shapes the culture in our family of churches, declares what Christ has accomplished for us through his death and resurrection. Based on the finished work of Jesus Christ that we receive by faith, we are a people who joyfully respond to this good news by walking in him, living for him, and staying centered on him. Colossians 2:6-7 says, Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him. Because the gospel is for all of life, there isn’t an area of our lives where we aren’t centered on Christ—whether that is parenting, politics, living the single life, or our involvement in missions. This edition of the journal speaks into each of these areas and more.’"

As a local church passionate about growing in Christ, we encourage you to read the new edition. To view the PDF for free or order on Amazon, just click here. From corporate worship to parenting in the home, we pray this journal will build you up in Christ for your good and His glory!

Over the years, I have heard people much smarter than me encourage Christians to think about your sanctification in terms of formative activities and corrective actions.  Formative is the disciplines and habits built into your life – morning devotions, prayer, fellowship, Church attendance, etc. Corrective actions sometimes come directly from the Holy Spirit but a majority of the time they come from people God has placed in your life.  Both of these means of grace are fundamental activities in our Community Groups and become a huge tool in God’s Rescue Plan. 

Community Groups are a structure that helps us formatively build solid relationships, get into fellowship, apply God’s Word, have accountability, live out the one another’s, etc. 

The problem is that when it comes time for correction, when we need to pursue someone wandering from the truth, it’s crucial to have a history with that person, to know and be known and have a bridge of friendship strong enough to handle the truth and oftentimes the difficulty that can come when we embark on an effort “to bring back a sinner from his wandering.” 

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Here’s the beauty of Community Groups.  By God’s grace we give ourselves to living out our Christian lives and pursuing sanctification with a small group of likeminded, gospel centered believers in our Church.  That’s the majority of our experience in Community Group (1 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 3:12-13).  

If a member of my group (or me!) begins to wander, there is a built in guard rail to nip things in the bud (as we like to say).  Loving relationships, friends, people we have history and memories with, people we have lived life with ready (and hopefully willing) to pursue that member (or me!).  What a beautiful thing! 

Think about Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus’ teaching on Church discipline.  Just like we heard in James 5:19-20, this is God’s Rescue Plan!  Do you see yourself in V. 15?  “… go and tell him … you have gained a brother.” Community Groups provide that platform to be the guard rail in God’s Rescue Plan and live out Biblical truths like these.  

Why? Why would I want to get involved in God’s Rescue Plan?  Why pursue fellow Christians who are wandering?  Isn’t that just going to get messy?  You might be thinking “I have enough problems in my life!”

Here’s a view of Community Groups you might not have considered.  More than just a means of grace, more than just being a tool in God’s Rescue Plan, Community Groups function in a way that image God (Ephesians 5:1)  How’s that?  

Think about it.  The gospel is God’s ultimate rescue plan.  We learned last Sunday that to pursue God we pursue God’s people.   When we pursue a wandering brother we image Christ and His pursuit of you and I who wandered since day one and yet Jesus rescued us by going to the Cross. 

Bottom line … we pursue the wandering believer because Christ pursued us! 

If you have been around Sovereign Grace Church for any length of time at all, you have probably heard the following statement: While you can’t find the phrase “church membership” in the Bible, church membership is thoroughly biblical. Or, in the words of Mark Dever*, “It is everywhere implied.”

It’s true. Whether it is theological, historical, or practical, personal identity with and commitment to a local church is clearly God’s design and desire for all He saves by His grace.  But don’t take my word for it. Grab your Bible this week and let the Scriptures below do the talking. You might be surprised at what you find!

A biblical argument for local church membership:  

1. Obvious pattern of the NT (Most Epistles were written to specific local churches)

2. Intimate metaphors for the church (Human body—1 Corinthians 12:27; Flock—Acts 20:28; Household—1 Timothy 3:15)

3. Clear practice of the early church (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; 5:12-14)

4. Call to submit to leaders (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5)

5. Command of church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-12)

6. Charge for pastors to care for and govern the flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:17)

7. Sobering reality of a pastor’s accountability to God (Hebrews 13:17)

* Mark Dever has served as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church since 1994 and as president of 9Marks (a ministry to churches and church leaders) since its founding in 1998. Mark has authored a number of books, including 9 Marks of a Healthy Church.

To study the letter of James is to learn much about the Christian life. Probing questions and penetrating illustrations are masterfully employed by James to draw the reader into the sobering and exciting call the gospel brings to the everyday life of a believer. None as practical as the Christian’s speech. 

James cared about the tongue. He knew, because he learned from his brother Jesus (Luke 6:45), the tongue is tied to the heart.

His theology of the tongue was simple: If my heart is right, my tongue will show it. If my heart is wrong, my tongue will show it.

Of course, James’ instruction on the tongue flowed from four realities: 

1. Holiness of God

2. Sinfulness of man

3. Redemption in Christ

4. Priority of cross-centered relationships

As sinners, we have been saved from the eternal wrath of an infinitely holy God. How? Only through the perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. And this all by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Now, reconciled and restored to God and one another, our lives, including and especially our tongues, are to be a fountain and reflection of the redemption we have graciously received. Sounds nice, right? But what does that mean, and how does that look?

In his outstanding article, Speaking Redemptively, Paul Tripp tells us. Using Galatians 5:16-6:2, Mr. Tripp draws ten implications with clear gospel focus and everyday relevance. I encourage you to take a few minutes this week and review the list below, then click here to read the full article. May God be glorified, and our Savior exalted as our speech increasingly reflects the redemption we have in Christ! 

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1. Speaking redemptively begins by recognizing the war within.

2. Speaking redemptively means never giving in to the desires of the sinful nature as we talk.

3. Speaking redemptively means refusing to speak in any way that is contrary to what the Spirit is seeking to produce in me and others.

4. Speaking redemptively involves a willingness to examine how the fruit of the sin nature is present in my talk.

5. Speaking redemptively means saying “no” to any rationalization, blame-shifting, or self-serving arguments that would excuse talk that is contrary to the work of the Spirit, or that would make this talk look appropriate or acceptable for a kingdom citizen.

6. Speaking redemptively means speaking “in step with the Spirit.”

7. Speaking redemptively means giving no place to the passions and desires of the sinful nature.

8. Speaking redemptively means having a restorative view of relationships.

9. Speaking redemptively means speaking with humility and gentleness.

10. Speaking redemptively means other-centered living and other-centered communication.

The Book of James teaches believers how to live by faith in a fallen world. Responding to trials, obedience to Scripture, humility in relationships, and taming the tongue are just a few of the contexts James exhorts us to walk by faith, in holiness, for the glory of God.

Speaking of the tongue, no place in the Bible do we find more comprehensive teaching on the importance of our words than the Book of James. The words we speak can seem so ordinary and harmless. They are not. James knows this. James knows our words matter. They can calm an anxious heart or create a raging war. Our words matter because the tongue is tied to the heart.

For this reason, we recommend Paul Tripp’s War of Words as a worthy addition to your summer reading list! Take a moment to consider what others have to say about War of Words (pay close attention to the last one!).

 An important and biblical book about our words and our God. Few of us really think about the power, the blessing, the gift, the effect, and the danger of our words. This book will make you think before you speak—Steve Brown

 Paul Tripp does not offer superficial solutions to our failures of communication. He recognizes that the spiritual quality of our words emanates from our hearts—Tremper Longman III

 Until our hearts are completely purified by God in heaven, we must set strong guards at the gates of our mouths and fight daily battles to restrain the overflow of our sinful desires. I have never before read such helpful insights and practical tools for this battle—Ken Sande 

 Most of us are quickly sobered if we give any thought to Jesus teaching about giving an account for every word we speak (Matt 12:36-37). What is one to do? I'd encourage you to give yourself to an in-depth study in God's Word about His agenda for our words as His children. You won't find a better resource than War of Words—Timothy Lambros

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles (Resources for Changing Lives)

By Paul David Tripp

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In last week’s post, we were reminded of how easily summertime can shrivel our souls (if you have not read the post, I encourage you to read it now). The bottom line is this: If we are not careful, the busyness of summer can put our communion with God and fellowship with His church in the backseat of life. 

One way we can resist this temptation to take a vacation from God is to pray.

Whether you are at the beach, in the mountains, or in the privacy of your backyard, summertime is a time to pray. As you consider your prayer life over the next few months, please consider the following prayer requests: 

• Pray that God would provide opportunities and courage to share the gospel with unbelievers here at home and on vacation.

• Pray God would strengthen our church relationally through hospitality, fellowship, and mutual care for one another.

• Pray for our brothers and sisters in Bolivia as they continue to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel throughout the city of Santa Cruz. 

• Pray God would continue to provide financially for our church so that we will be positioned in the new budget year (Sep 1-Aug 31) to continue the ministries God has given us and be positioned for new opportunities in our community and beyond. 

• Pray for those who continue to experience physical pain and limitations (Heidi Aranda, Dave Fronk, Sarah Carey, Jerome Walsh, Mary Hope, Beth McGee, and others)

• Pray for our ministry team leaders as they plan and prepare this summer for the new ministry year beginning in September. 

• Pray about where God would have you serve this fall. Is he calling you to something new, different, or the same?

• Pray that God will give your pastors wisdom and clarity this summer for the Fall/Winter preaching schedule as well as the next step for those in the Pastoral Evaluation Group (Bakers, Carseys, Overstreets, and Elijah Mckenna).

• Pray the Lord will bring new people to our church who are hungry for sound doctrine, gospel-centered preaching, and genuine relationships.

Thanks for praying and have a great summer!