Bethel Community Church Orlando

THIS IS OUR GOD // GRACE

Ephesians 2:7 says, "so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2 goes on to tell us that by God's grace is how we are saved from eternal death. But God's grace doesn't just save us; it permeates every aspect of our lives. 

THIS IS OUR GOD // COMPASSION

In Isaiah 49, the Israelites accuse God of forsaking them. God’s reply to Israel’s foolish allegation is one of compassion. God asks, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

God goes on to tell the Israelites how much they actually mean to Him. They are so loved and so dear to Him that He has carved their names on the very palms of His hands. God’s compassion would not and could not allow Him to forget His children.

THIS IS OUR GOD // JUSTICE

Justice is one of God’s attributes and flows out of His holiness. Because God is a just God, He must judge everyone who does not meet His standards for perfection. However, God, in His loving mercy, sent Jesus to the world despite the fact that our sin demands our death. God sent His Son to be our substitute upon the cross, and Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. God's mercy and grace are not in spite of His justice, but because of it. 

Why We Work

Although work was part of the punishment for mankind after the sin of Adam and Eve, I Corinthians 15:58 tells us that our labor is not in vain. We are instructed to always be working for the Lord. This can be sharing the gospel with others or going to our day job. Our work provides finances and resources for the Lord's work and for our daily lives. Not only is work part of God's provision, but He promises that we will receive a reward for our hard work. You never know what kind of impact your work will have on others or in the future!

JOSHUA - WEEK 12 // SERVE THE LORD

In the last chapter of Joshua, we see that Joshua is nearing death and leaves his last words of wisdom with the Israelites. After all the fighting and wars in the land of Canaan in order to take the land God had promised, Joshua urges the people to continue serving the Lord. He essentially tells them to make their choice; choose their god/God. If they chose not to choose, then they had already made their choice; and it wasn't the one true God. Joshua chose to serve the Lord, and he wanted the Israelites to as well. 

 

JOSHUA - WEEK 11 // FAILURE

In Joshua 16-17, Joshua continues to divide up the Promise Land among the tribes. Ephraim and half of Manasseh are assigned their plots and given land in Canaan. Immediately there are problems. These tribes did not completely drive out their enemies like God had told them. Once again, the people of Israel didn't fully trust that God would bring them the victory. We, too, are in a spiritual battle with the world. We cannot get fatigued in fighting against the evil of today. We must not compromise our calling or beliefs and take the easy way out.

JOSHUA - WEEK 10 // CALEB

We first meet Caleb when he is about 40 years old, and a recognized leader of his tribe, the tribe of Judah. The Israelites are encamped at Kadesh Barnea. Out of 12 spies sent to preview the promise land, Caleb, along with Joshua, return to give a good report. The other 10 spies, however, were afraid. This led to them wandering in the desert for 40 years. Now, over 40 years later, only Caleb and Joshua are still living. In all that time, through all the battles, and despite the ups and downs, Caleb wholeheartedly served the Lord. As Craig Groeschel says, "If you're not dead, you're not done." Caleb certainly exemplified that statement.

JOSHUA - WEEK 9 // SUN STOOD STILL

There is a unique story in Joshua chapter 10 where Joshua, as leader of the Israelite army, asks God to cause the moon and the sun to stand still so that they could continue to fight by daylight. Joshua had the boldness to pray a God-sized prayer. Where did he get that courage? Joshua knew that God had promised him the victory. Joshua didn't have a passive faith either. He wasn't waiting around and hoping for success; he walked in faith as he and the Israelites fought and won the battle.

JOSHUA - WEEK 8 // GIBEON

Joshua chapter 9 describes how the people of Gibeon deceived the people of Israel. They wanted the Israelites to believe they lived far away from the land of Canaan and were not a threat to Israel. The Israelites were deceived because they depended on their own observations and did not “ask counsel from the Lord.” This can happen to us today as well. Based on what we believe, we draw a conclusion, quickly make a decision, but forget to ask God’s guidance. Eventually, the Israelites learned the truth, but kept their promise to spare the Gibeonites. By God's grace, many people of Gibeon learned who God was and began to serve him alongside the Israelites. 

JOSHUA - WEEK 7 // AI, ACHAN, AND HIDDEN SIN

Previously, the Israelites encountered the large city of Jericho, but it was a small battle with God on their side. In contrast, Ai was a small city but a massive defeat without God on their side. Achan, one of the Israelites, chose to sin and hide it. He, his whole family, along with the Israelites suffered consequences due to Achan's sin. When Joshua and Israel repented of their sins, they were able to recover God’s plan - to move forward into the Promised Land and accomplish all that God had for them.