Glory of Christ Fellowship

Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of Christ By Pastor Charlie Do you want to grow in love for Jesus? Do you long to experience more of his grace day by day? Do you desire for your life to bring glory to Christ? Most Christians will, of course, answer “yes” to these questions, but I want to encourage you to join me in searching our hearts to see if our “yes” really means “yes.” Are we willing to take up our cross daily and die to anything that stands in the way of our progress in Christ? Are we willing to sell everything we have in order to gain him? The Apostle Peter drew his second letter to a close with these wise and pastoral words: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Beloved, this is an exhortation from an elder brother in Christ, and it’s also a command. The word “grow” is in the imperative mood which means that it’s a directive. Peter is saying to peopl...

The Spirit Gives Life John 6:60-71 July 2, 2017 Questions for Study and Meditation Read 6:60-65. Why were Jesus’ disciples grumbling against him? If we were there, would we also have grumbled? How do you understand Jesus’ answer in verse 62? Why does Jesus say some believe and others do not believe? Read 6:66-71. Why did so many of Jesus’ disciples turn back and stop following him? In light of John 2:24-25, how do you suppose Jesus thought and felt about this? Why did Jesus question the twelve in verse 67? What’s the heart of Peter’s response? Do you think the twelve struggled with Jesus’ teaching as well? Why did Jesus respond as he did in verse 70? What’s the most important thing you learned from today’s sermon? From John 6:60-71? How has this sermon helped you to grow in love for God and others? What’s the most important thing Jesus would have you do in light of this sermon? Take some time to worship Jesus. Thank him, praise him, and ask for his...

Announcements - July 2, 2017 5-Day Club! July 10-14 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.:   Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to join us for a week of Bible lessons, games, memory verses, a missionary story, skits and a snack. Kids will put on their detective hats and discover new things each day about Jesus. They will see that Jesus loves the lost (parable of the lost sheep), Jesus takes away sin (the story of Bartimaeus), only Jesus satisfies (Jesus feeds the 5,000), Jesus has power over death (raising Lazarus), and they can put their faith in Jesus (healing of the official's son). Club will meet each day at the Perry's home: 13945 Jasmine Way Rogers, MN. RSVP: 763.428.9634. To learn more visit 5dayclub.com . Half-Day of Prayer Saturday, July 8: Join us at Otsego Park (weather permitting) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a tech-free time of prayer and training. Pastor Charlie will provide instruction and guidelines for two sessions of personal meditation and prayer, after which pa...

True Freedom and Deep Joy By Pastor Charlie Handren It is said that America is a free country, and when freedom is defined in a certain way this is true. However, many Americans are anything but free. They are enslaved by pornography, by legal and illegal substances, by greed, by debt, by envy, by jealousy, by anger, by deceit, by unhealthy relationships, by hidden sin, and so on. Many of us appear to be free, but in truth we are slaves in disguise. The Bible tells us why people can seem to be free but are not – it’s because they are living under the letter of the law of God, and the letter kills (2 Corinthians 3:6). Their knowledge of the law comes either from the Bible itself, or from their conscience which is the law of God written on the heart. People who’ve never even seen a Bible know that they should not kill, lie, commit adultery, and many other things. This is because God created us to know right from wrong, and we all do. When we knowingly or unknowingly use our f...

1.      The most common prayer request of the Haitian people was that their faith would grow stronger, especially in the face of opposition and persecution. Wow! As Americans, we would have guessed it would have been for better jobs and better living conditions. 2.      Meditating on John 6 for personal devotions and seeing the relevance of Jesus’ ministry for our ministry. Jesus is both sufficient and satisfying as we serve God’s kingdom. 3.      Meditating on John 7 for personal devotions and making the connection of Jesus’ secret to ministry success to our lives: looking to his father, seeking the glory of his Father and only doing the will of his Father. 4.      Realizing that amidst the incredible needs of Haiti and beyond that Jesus gives us a clear job description in John 6:29 “Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 5.   ...

The mission of GCF is to make disciples for the glory of Jesus. Of course, this comes from the great commission given by Jesus, after his resurrection from the dead and just prior to his ascension into heaven where he went to continue his reign at the right hand of God the father. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 Recently, our student ministries took a mission trip to Haiti where we spent six days doing ministry. Since it is a tall task to begin summarizing a tremendous experience that took us to a different country that happened to be considered third world, let me simply say that the money spent on it the trip was well worth it! Maybe this is my lack of f...

They Will Be Taught By God John 6:41-59 June 25, 2017 Questions for Study and Meditation Read 6:41-51. Why were the Jews grumbling against Jesus? If we were there, would we have grumbled, too? What was Jesus primary reason for telling the Jews not to grumble? How does the quote in verse 45 support his claim? How does the repetition of the “bread of life” language advance his claim? Read 6:52-59. Why were the Jews arguing among themselves? If we were there, would we also have struggled with Jesus’ teaching? Did Jesus know how offensive his words would be to the Jews? Why was he willing to offend them anyway? What is the relationship between the life flowing between the Father and Son, and the life flowing between Jesus and those who believe? Practically speaking, how does one eat Jesus’ flesh and drink his blood? What’s the most important thing you learned from today’s sermon? From John 6:41-59? How has this sermon helped you to grow in love for God and o...