Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

Light On Dark Clouds: Grumbling

April 2, 2023 || Numbers 11

MAIN POINT: Replace deadly grumbling with life-giving gratitude by remembering God is powerful, good, and trustworthy in all circumstances. 

1. Grumbling: the consuming cancer of the soul

2. Gratitude: the remedy of right remembering

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: Naaman Is Cured

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1–16

Bible Truth: God welcomes repentant sinners but casts out the hypocrites.

Where is Jesus: 1 Peter 2:24

Just as God healed Naaman, so we look to God for our healing. Peter tells us that we can be healed because of the finished work of Christ. Healing is possible for us because of what Jesus did on the cross. We look to God for our healing from the spiritual sickness of sin as well as physical sickness.

Elisha’s cleansing of Naaman’s leprosy points forward to Jesus and the healing of the lepers in his ministry. In Luke 4:27 Jesus says: “There were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

Naaman foreshadowed the plan of God to reach the Gentiles with the grace of the gospel.

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Easter Picnic!

This Easter Sunday, we are extending our celebration of Christ’s resurrection by enjoying food and fellowship - picnic style!

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and plan to stick around to enjoy these good gifts. Check with your Community Group leader to see what your group is providing. And if you aren’t in a Community Group yet - bring something yummy to share!

CJ is coming!

We are so excited to welcome CJ Mahaney, Senior Pastor at Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville, to Trinity Grace Church on Sunday, April 16!

Sunday Preview: April 2, 2023 at the YMCA

Each Sunday, the pastors carefully put together an order of worship for us.

In an effort to help you prepare your heart & your family, we have included this Sunday’s order of worship below, as well as some important information. All the Scripture readings are noted. Links to videos of all the songs are included as well.

MEETING REMINDER

When: 10:30 am

Where: The YMCA - 205 Knoxville Ave

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Doxology

Call to Worship: Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice

He Is Our God

Responsive Reading: 1 Peter 2:22-25

Christ Our Hope In Life And Death

As Long As You Are Glorified

Sermon: Numbers 11 // Light on Dark Clouds: Grumbling

Christ Is Mine Forevermore

Benediction

A Few Highlights from My Trip to Ethiopia!

One of the things we often say is: Churches are stronger together!

We believe the New Testament describes local churches in strong partnership with other local churches for encouragement, prayer, church planting, & more. We cherish our partnership with other Sovereign Grace churches for many of these same reasons. We are a stronger church because of our partnership with other churches!

My recent trip to Ethiopia from March 23–February 4 was a product with our partnership with Trinity Fellowship Church & the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College.

I was strengthened & encouraged in the following ways.

Loaded up with members of Trinity Fellowship in the truck after a full day of worshiping God & feasting on Ethiopian cuisine!

THE JOY OF TRINITY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

John Newton once said, “The life of faith is a happy life!”

Planted just over two years ago in a different continent & in a very different culture, Trinity Fellowship is a happy church in the Lord. They treasure the gospel. They cherish the Word of God. They strive after holiness. But—they are also happy!

I believe true gospel-centered churches have a distinct, self-forgetful joy. And Trinity Fellowship, led by their pastor Michael Granger, has this joy in spades!

One seemingly insignificant highlight was riding around with a van full of church members after the Sunday service. Michael cranked up this Ethiopian wedding song. Everyone in the car was singing & dancing & laughing! (Pre-party PICTURE above!)

The students of the Trinity Fellowship Pastors College—including Jordan Thomas (on the far right of the first row)!

THE COURAGE & CONVICTION OF THE PASTORS COLLEGE STUDENTS

The Trinity Fellowship Pastors College includes ten men, mostly in their mid-twenties.

They are young men but they are men of conviction. They are devoted to rightly handling the Word. They are careful students of the Word.

But they are also men of courage.

One of them was from Nairobi, Kenya, who relocated to Addis Ababa with his family to attend the Pastors College & hopes to return in a year or so to plant a gospel-centered church in Nairobi.

Another is a man from a country north of Addis Ababa who converted from Islam & lost any relationship with his extended family & any inheritance that belonged to him. Yet, in God’s mercy, he has gone on to lead his sister & mother to the Lord!

Another is a Somali man who was converted from Islam & has become a bold witness to Christ among his people. Because his beliefs are so rejected, he has been beaten severely 14 times, beaten to unconsciousness several times, & now has a hit out on his life from the terrorist group in Somalia. Nevertheless, he hopes to plant a church among the Somali people in Addis Ababa in the next several months.

Michael & myself overlooking the capital city of Addis Ababa.

THE ZEAL OF MICHAEL GRANGER

As I mentioned already, Trinity Fellowship was planted by Michael Granger just over two years ago.

Perhaps the most significant thing I took away from my time in Ethiopia: a desire to emulate Michael’s zeal.

Ethiopia is not Michael’s home country. (He’s from America.) Yet, he has a seemingly insatiable love for Ethiopia & desire to see healthy churches planted throughout Ethiopia.

I want to be like him. I want us to be like him. Romans 12:10 says: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

May God help us.

CONCLUSION

Thank you for your support & your many prayers for my trip Ethiopia!

I pray that we are stronger because of the partnership with Trinity Fellowship Church. May God bless their church planting efforts throughout Addis Ababa & the rest of Ethiopia!

Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

Light On Dark Clouds: Envy

March 26, 2023 || Psalm 73

MAIN POINT: Only contentment in Christ can rescue you from the snare of envy. 

1. The Crisis: Others receive good things while you suffer (v.1-12).  

2. The Temptation: Your suffering is not what you believe you deserve (v.13-22). 

3. The Comfort: God is walking with you through suffering & will guide you to glory (v.23-28). 

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: Elisha's Ministry

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:13-22; 4:1-7; 6:1-7

Bible Truth: Elisha’s life and ministry point to Christ.

Where is Jesus: 2 Kings 4:32–37

God used Elisha to multiply a widow’s oil, to give a wealthy woman a son, and now here in this story, to raise her son after he dies. The miracles that Elisha performs illustrate God’s power and point to the day when God would send another prophet even greater than Elisha.

When Jesus comes, he also performs miracles. He turns water into wine and multiplies a few fishes and loaves of bread to feed a crowd of more than five thousand. Jesus heals the sick and even raises the dead. Jesus also dies on the cross for our sins and is raised from the dead so that we can have new life. The new life God gave the young boy through Elisha is a small hint of the new life God gives to all his children.

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Brotherhood

WHEN: March 31 || 6:00 am

WHERE: 219 E Madison Ave, Athens, TN 37303

WHAT: A gathering for the men of Trinity Grace to encourage and edify one another.

Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast

WHEN: April 1, 2023 || 9:00 am

WHERE: The Hollingsworth Home - 125 Keith Lane

Youth Olympics!

WHEN: Friday, March 31, 2023 || 6:30pm – 8:30pm

WHERE: The Pritchett’s Home || 447 Co Rd 249, Athens, TN 3730

WHAT: TGC Youth (6th-12th grade) and parents are welcome to participate in our 2023 Olympic Games. It will be an evening to forge friendship through hilarious competition and, of course, delicious food to follow. Weather permitting, we'll be outside. So, bring a lawn chair!

Sunday Preview: March 26, 2023 at the YMCA

Baptism Class Sunday!

WHEN: March 26 | 9:00 am

WHERE: Glass Lobby at the YMCA

Each Sunday, the pastors carefully put together an order of worship for us.

In an effort to help you prepare your heart & your family, we have included this Sunday’s order of worship below, as well as some important information. All the Scripture readings are noted. Links to videos of all the songs are included as well.

MEETING REMINDER

When: 10:30 am

Where: The YMCA - 205 Knoxville Ave

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Doxology

Call to Worship: Psalm 119:89–91

Praise To The Lord The Almighty

How Great (Psalm 145)

Responsive Reading: Romans 8:31-39

There Is One Gospel

Sermon: Psalm 73 // Light On Dark Clouds: Envy

Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

Receive The Lord’s Supper

Jesus There’s No One Like You

Benediction: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

Light On Dark Clouds: Fear

March 19, 2023 || Mark 4:35-41

MAIN POINT: Do not fear, it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you everything He has. 

1. The great storm. 

2. The great calm. 

3. The great fear of the disciples.

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: Elijah Is Taken Up To Heaven

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1–15

Bible Truth: Elisha takes Elijah’s place as God’s prophet to carry on the work.

Where is Jesus: Luke 9:28–31

Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot on a whirlwind. That is not the last time we see him. He appears again in the New Testament with Jesus and Moses at Christ’s transfiguration. One day, like Elijah, we will all be with the Lord.

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Baptism Class

WHEN: March 26 | 9:00 am

WHERE: Glass Lobby at the YMCA

The Brotherhood

WHEN: March 31, 6:30 am

WHERE: 219 E Madison Ave, Athens, TN 37303

WHAT: A gathering for the men of Trinity Grace to encourage an edify one another.

Sunday Preview: March 19, 2023 at the YMCA

Each Sunday, the pastors carefully put together an order of worship for us.

In an effort to help you prepare your heart & your family, we have included this Sunday’s order of worship below, as well as some important information. All the Scripture readings are noted. Links to videos of all the songs are included as well.

MEETING REMINDER

When: 10:30 am

Where: The YMCA - 205 Knoxville Ave

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Doxology

Call to Worship: 1 Timothy 6:15–16

Behold Our God

All Creatures Of Our God And King

Corporate Confession: Middelburg Liturgy (1586)

Shine Into Our Night

Bless The Lord O My Soul (Psalm 103)

Sermon: Mark 4:35-41 // Traps of Suffering: Fear

Benediction

Up 'Til Now: 2023 Church Life in Pics

Occasionally, we like to pause and simply look back at the good things God has done in our church. Below are a few snapshots in the life of Trinity Grace Church since the turn of the year up until Spring Break. Hope you enjoy these as we look ahead to to what God has in store for us.

Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

To The Church In Philadelphia

March 12, 2023 || Revelation 3:7-13

MAIN POINT: The church that bears fruit in every age will depend on Christ for everything. 

1. The reality of self-confidence (v.14-17). 

2. The remedy for self-confidence (v.18). 

3. The source to true confidence (v.19-22).

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: Elijah & the Prophets of Baal

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:17–38

Bible Truth: Our God is above all gods.

Where is Jesus: Matthew 27:49

On Mount Carmel God revealed himself through consuming the sacrifice offered by Elijah. This was an expression of his grace. Even though the people of Israel rejected him, he showed himself by accepting Elijah’s sacrifice.

The sacrifice of the bull was another reminder before God that one day a sacrifice would be made to atone for all the sins of his people. Knowing Jesus’ sacrifice would come, God poured out mercy and accepted Elijah’s sacrifice that day.

When Jesus hung on the cross the people mocked him saying, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save him” (Matthew 27:49). Little did the people know that all of Elijah’s wonders were meant to point to Jesus.

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Preview: March 12, 2023 at the YMCA

Spring Forward!

Don’t forget to set your clocks for Daylight Savings Time this Sunday!

Each Sunday, the pastors carefully put together an order of worship for us.

In an effort to help you prepare your heart & your family, we have included this Sunday’s order of worship below, as well as some important information. All the Scripture readings are noted. Links to videos of all the songs are included as well.

MEETING REMINDER

When: 10:30 am

Where: The YMCA - 205 Knoxville Ave

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Doxology

Call to Worship: 1 Kings 8:23, 56-57

All People That On Earth Do Dwell

How Great Thou Art

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:1-3

Turn Your Eyes

There Is One Gospel

Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22 // Laodicea: Satisfied & Useless

Come Ye Sinners

Benediction

Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

To The Church In Philadelphia

March 5, 2023 || Revelation 3:7-13

MAIN POINT: Hold fast to the name of Jesus Christ who loves us and will secure us in his presence.

1. The open door that cannot be shut (v. 7-8)

2. The loved ones that Christ will keep (v. 9-13)

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: God Provides for Elijah in Miraculous Ways

Scripture: 1 Kings 17

Bible Truth: God is at work in the midst of a sinful generation.

Where is Jesus: John 6:35

God, using the prophet, provided for the widow by multiplying her bread and oil. This is a picture of another prophet who would come and multiply bread for the multitudes. His name is Jesus. But besides providing the physical bread, Jesus himself was the bread of life that will never run out!

“Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35).

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TG YOUTH!

WHAT: 6th-12th graders and parents are welcome to join us for games, testimony, teaching, snacks, time to hang out!

WHEN: Wednesday, March 8 || 6:30-8:00 pm

WHERE: 1360 County Road 658, Athens, TN

Sunday Preview: March 5, 2023 at the YMCA

Each Sunday, the pastors carefully put together an order of worship for us.

In an effort to help you prepare your heart & your family, we have included this Sunday’s order of worship below, as well as some important information. All the Scripture readings are noted. Links to videos of all the songs are included as well.

MEETING REMINDER

When: 10:30 am

Where: The YMCA - 205 Knoxville Ave

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Doxology

Call to Worship: Psalm 28:7-8

Praise To The Lord The Almighty

He Who Is Mighty

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

As Long As You Are Glorified

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

Sermon: Revelation 3:7-13 // To the Church in Philadelphia

Christ Our Glory

Benediction

Pray for Our Global Family: March 2023

We have the joy of partnering with like-minded churches around the world. The following is a brief overview of things to pray for as Sovereign Grace Churches are planted and established in many different countries. The following is the latest prayer update for the month of March:

Psalm 93, ‘The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, for evermore.’

None of us really knows what the weather ahead looks like in 2023, but what we do know, and what we can be absolutely confident about, is that the LORD reigns! The majestic and mighty LORD, our sovereign protector and ruler, He reigns!! What a wonderful and inspiring truth this is!

Here then is how you can be praying to Him for us in the month ahead…

1. Please pray for Jeffrey Jo, Lead Pastor of CCSGM Manila, Cavite, as he pulls together seven of our key SG Philippines Pastors, for the first half of our SG Pastors Immersion Training, 3-27th March in Manila. This training will help to put some key foundations into Sovereign Grace Churches Philippines and bring these Pastors together as a foundational leadership cohort. We’re very excited about this step, as our two big groups of Churches start to come together in partnership in this way, all under the one banner of SGC Philippines.

2. Please pray for our SG Asia-Pacific Pastors Conference, 28th-30th March, in Manila, Philippines. Folk will be traveling from Australia, Nepal, India, South Korea, Pakistan, and the US to attend this time. Please pray for Dave Taylor, Jeffrey Jo & Mark Prater as they lead this conference, and for every pastor and wife in attendance.

3. Please pray for Dyonah Thomas, Lead Pastor of Gracelife Church in Monrovia, and key leader of our work in Liberia. He has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and so will be heading to Accra, Ghana, for further tests and treatment early this month. Liberia does not have an oncology department, and so please pray for Dyonah, for his wife Mai, and for everyone involved in this. May the Lord bring His healing hand to our brother.

4. Please pray for our team of SG Pastors who are traveling to Amman, Jordan, March 4-9th, to train ten Pastors from Pakistan. These Pastors have a long relationship with our family of Churches, represent well over 100 Churches, and are keen to explore full partnership with Sovereign Grace. Please pray for much wisdom, faith and understanding for everyone involved in this opportunity.

5. Please pray for our brothers in LATAM, as they have a busy month ahead! Please pray for Carlos Contreras as he leads a Simeon Trust Preaching Workshop in Guadalajara, March 8-9th; for Aberlado Munez as he leads the same Workshop in Juarez, March 13-15th; and for Joselo Mercado as he speaks at the Revive our Hearts Conference, an 8000 strong conference, in Guadalajara, March 31-April 1st.

… With so many different weathers to navigate across the world, may we never forget: The LORD reigns.

Thank you for praying with us. May His grace abound! To subscribe to the monthly Sovereign Grace Missions Newsletter, follow the link below.

Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

Trusting God in the Real World

February 26, 2023 || Psalm 37

MAIN POINT: Trust in the Lord fully and you will live securely in his protection and care forever.

1. Two kinds of people: A Tale of Two Peoples

2. The Temptation of Evildoers

3. Three Aspects of Faith

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: The Kingdom Is Divided

Scripture: 1 Kings 11-12

Bible Truth: A divided heart leads to a divided life.

Where is Jesus: 1 Kings 11:13

Even though God judged Solomon for worshiping false gods, there was hope in God’s punishment. God gave Solomon good news mixed with the bad news. The bad news was that God was taking the kingdom away from Solomon, but the good news was that he promised not to do it until Solomon’s son was king. And even then God promised not to take all of Israel away, but to allow Solomon’s son to be king over one tribe.

God did this for the sake of David and for the sake of Jerusalem. You see, God had promised David that he would have a son on the throne forever. So even though Solomon disobeyed God, he remained on the throne so God could keep his promise to David.

Jesus, one of Solomon’s far-off grandchildren, is the ultimate way God kept that promise. By saving the tribe of Judah (the tribe Jesus came from) and allowing Solomon to remain on the throne, God kept his promise to David and opened the way for the good news of the gospel to come to us all.

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Community Groups

Community Groups meeting this week! For more information about how to connect, click the button below!

Community Groups

Sunday Preview: February 26, 2023 at the YMCA

Each Sunday, the pastors carefully put together an order of worship for us.

In an effort to help you prepare your heart & your family, we have included this Sunday’s order of worship below, as well as some important information. All the Scripture readings are noted. Links to videos of all the songs are included as well.

MEETING REMINDER

When: 10:30 am

Where: The YMCA - 205 Knoxville Ave

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Doxology

Call to Worship: Ezekiel 36:26-27

How Great (Psalm 145)

How Rich A Treasure We Possess

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:15-17

All I Have Is Christ

Jesus Thank You

Sermon: Psalm 37 // Trusting God in the Real World

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Benedition: Luke 6:47-48

Who Told You?: Lauren Trew

1Co 3:5-7 - “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

This passage captures the truth of how God uses his people to carry out his purposes of bringing new life - and he often does so incrementally.

This past Sunday, we invited Lauren Trew to share about those who planted and watered the gospel in her life and how God used their influence to bring the gospel’s effects to fruition in her soul.

Who has God placed in your life? We don’t know if we’ll be planting or watering, but let’s ask the Lord to help us engage in the process!

The following is Lauren’s testimony from Sunday:

My name is Lauren Trew. I’ve been a Christian for 23 years now and I’m excited to tell you the story about three special people who told me about Jesus!

Thinking through three distinct “seasons” of my life, brought these individuals quickly to mind. When I was a child, I was fortunate to spend quite a bit of time with my great-great aunt Bessie. She was in her 70’s, a widow, and always made me feel special. She sang hymns to and with me, taught me the 23rd Psalm (which we recited while making the bed together) and she talked freely about Jesus. The way she told me about Jesus made Him sound like He was her best friend. Looking back, Aunt Bessie definitely planted the seed of faith, showing me that Jesus is Emmanuel - God With Us.

Jumping ahead to the season of life with two young daughters. By now, we were a church going family. I liked church. I actually liked Jesus at church - a lot. But only on Sundays. I didn’t see a need for Jesus in my life on any other days. My best friend Tiena went to church and also to a Bible Study - on a whole different day! She was crazy about that Bible Study. I just thought she was crazy. But Tiena always impressed me with the way she spoke about her husband. He had the same job as my husband, but Tiena didn’t seem to get nearly as easily angry, rustrated, or irritated as I did. Her language was kinder, gentler. She was more patient. She gave Jesus credit for all of that. I liked Jesus. But only on Sundays. When Tiena found out their family was moving…to Africa!…she insisted I visit her Bible Study with her to check it out. She made sure I joined and is a dear friend to this day! She’s still telling me about Jesus every time we talk!

This Bible Study was where special person number three entered my life. I will forever be grateful to the teaching leader of that class, Bonnie, for opening up the Word of God and telling me the truth about Jesus! I know now that there were others along the way who had told me the Truth, I just either wasn’t listening or my heart wasn’t ready to fully receive it. It was during this season of my life, that God’s Word and the truth that perfect Jesus Christ died on the cross for MY sins - not just “the sins of the world” - finally sunk in! Bonnie’s teaching from the Bible showed me that I am a sinner in need of God’s saving grace.

There wasn’t much fanfare to it, but I remember asking God’s forgiveness for my sin and telling Him that I believed Jesus was who He said He was - God’s Son - given to me so that believing in HIM, I would not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus saved me and changed me from being a rule-following church-goer to a daughter of the King! Week after week, I couldn’t get enough of wanting to read God’s Word, wanting to hear Bonnie tell me more about Jesus, wanting my relationship with my Savior to grow more and more. That was a sweet season of Bonnie telling me about Jesus!

These three women greatly impacted my relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. I thank God for my great-great aunt, Bess Moses…my best good friend, Tiena Wisniewsky, and my Bible Study Fellowship Teaching Leader and friend, Bonnie Zadoretsky. To God be the Glory!

Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

To The Church in Sardis

February 19, 2023 || Revelation 3:1-6

MAIN POINT: The church must have more than a good reputation, it must have a deep, Spirit-empowered life.

1. The appearance of godliness (v.1-2).  

2. The path of godliness (v.3-4). 

3. The reward of godliness (v.5-6).

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: Solomon & the Temple of God

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28—29

Bible Truth: Now that peace has come to Israel, Solomon builds a house for God.

Where is Jesus: 1 Corinthians 3:16–17

Solomon was commissioned by God to build the temple. The temple would be the place where God’s presence would dwell. All of worship would revolve around the temple. This temple was only a shadow of another temple, our hearts. Paul draws the connection in 1 Corinthians 3:16–17: “Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

The temple of Solomon would be filled with the presence of God. Now as believers we are also filled with the Spirit of Christ.

Solomon was chosen by God to build the temple because he was a man of peace (1 Chronicles 22:9–10). David was not permitted to build God’s house because he was a man of war. One day the king would come who would reign on the throne of Solomon forever. This king, Jesus, would build God a house—the church. Of the increase of his peace there would be no end (Isaiah 9:7). God chose Solomon, a man of peace, to point forward to the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TGC Youth Skate Night!

WHAT: We’ve rented out Niota Skateland for TGC Youth (6th-12th grade) and parents. We’ll have some spectacular competitions, games, music, and prizes - including the golden skate and the golden belt!

Cost is $5/person and includes skate rental. Bring a friend and join us as we roll out an unforgettable evening together.

WHEN: February 21, 2023 from 6:30-8:30pm

WHERE: Niota Skateland (819 Willson St, Niota, TN 37826)

Sunday Preview: February 19, 2023 at the YMCA

Each Sunday, the pastors carefully put together an order of worship for us.

In an effort to help you prepare your heart & your family, we have included this Sunday’s order of worship below, as well as some important information. All the Scripture readings are noted. Links to videos of all the songs are included as well.

MEETING REMINDER

When: 10:30 am

Where: The YMCA - 205 Knoxville Ave

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Doxology

Call to Worship: Isaiah 8:11-13

Holy, Holy, Holy

How Great (Psalm 145)

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

On That Day

Sermon: Revelation 3:1-6 // To the Church in Sardis

Before The Throne Of God Above

Receive the Lord’s Supper

Bless The Lord O My Soul (Psalm 103)

Benedition

Walt’s Prayer Requests for the Ethiopia Trip

One of the things we often say around here is that we believe churches are stronger together. We are thankful for our partnership with churches in our region & throughout the world with Sovereign Grace. 

Along these lines, I have the privilege of visiting Trinity Fellowship Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. If you remember, we have prayed for this church for several years. Michael & Kenean Granger were sent from our sister church in Louisville, KY to plant Trinity Fellowship just over 2 years ago. By God’s grace, in the face of Covid and civil war, this church has grown in number and in unity.

In connection with the local church, Trinity Fellowship has helped launch a pastors college modeled after the college both Taylor and I had the privilege of attending. This college aims to equip pastors for ministry in Sovereign Grace Churches. So, I will have the honor of teaching at the Ethiopian Pastors College. 

This past year, they graduated their first class. Each of these students will be coming to Addis Ababa for us to study “A Practical Theology of Suffering for Pastors.” I am very excited!

I want to ask for your prayers for: 

• Safe travel - It is an international flight with a few different connections. Pray that I make it there and back with no logistical or safety issues.

• Health - Leading up to the trip, pray for good health that won’t compromise travel. And, of course, I would appreciate prayer to be healthy while there so I can fully engage the students and friends and serve them well.

• The power of the Spirit - This is a weighty topic and I need the Lord’s help to communicate powerfully so that these men might personally walk through suffering with steadfast hope and pastor those under their care with compassion and confidence in Christ.

I want to thank you. One of the burdens we have as an eldership is that we would view ourselves as members of the body of Christ throughout the world. I hope this update helps all of us get a small glimpse of what God is doing throughout the world among Sovereign Grace & wonderfully far beyond.

Announcements + Sunday Recap

SERMON RECAP

Thyatira: Love Without Truth

February 12, 2023 || Revelation 2:18-29

MAIN POINT: The church that survives will be strangers in this world but faithful to the end.

1. Let us watch our life. 

2. Let us watch our doctrine (v.20-23). 

3. Jesus is watching us & will bring us into judgment (v.24-29).

TGKIDS RECAP

TGKIDS

The heart of TGKids is to help children understand that the Bible is all about Jesus! Below is the story, scripture, and main teaching points from the TGKids lesson, so that you can talk with your kids about what they learned.

Bible Story: David The Psalmist

Scripture: Psalm 23

Bible Truth: There is rest in the presence of the Lord.

Where is Jesus: Psalm 23:6

There is only one way any of us could enjoy God’s mercy and live in heaven with him forever. God sent Jesus, his only Son, to die on the cross for our sin. Now all those who trust in Jesus are forgiven and get to live in the house of God (in heaven) forever. Jesus is the way God kept the promises David sang about. If we trust in Jesus we can live forever in heaven. One day, everyone who goes to heaven will meet David, the man who wrote Psalm 23.

When David sang, “The Lord is my shepherd,” he was exactly right. Hundreds of years later, when Jesus began his ministry, he said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14–15).

If you want to learn more about TGKids, click the button below!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TGC Couples’ Night

WHAT: Join us for an evening for married couples to receive biblical help in avoiding the little things that ruin marriage.

WHEN: February 17, 2023 - 7 pm

WHERE: First Baptist Church (305 Ingleside Ave)

For more information and to RSVP, click the button below!