The Power of the Cross (Grace Community Church)

Warrior

Courage — Numbers 13:1-3,25-33 Pastor Brandon Myers

https://theorchardefc.org/home/sermons-resources/sermons/view-sermon/?sermon_id=32514

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More Than Conquerors - Steven Curtis Chapman

The Un-envisioned Place - Francis Frangipane

 

 

The Un-envisioned Place

By Francis Frangipane

If we look at the heroes of faith in the Scriptures, we will find people that, without fail, were people of vision. Yet, upon deeper study, we also discover that, even as people of vision, they often found themselves in circumstances that were unlike anything they expected. Yet, it was in this "un-envisioned place" that God established character in His servant. It was here where the Lord released power that fulfilled destiny.

Consider Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. He wrote of his "great desire" to travel to the church in Thessalonica more than once. Yet, he said, "Satan hindered us" (1Thess. 2:17-18)

Paul must have believed that God was telling him to travel, plant churches and evangelize. Yet, if we look at Paul’s life, it seems Paul found himself often stuck in jail, not traveling on apostolic journeys. Although he felt that Satan had thwarted him, God was watching. There, in dark, mildewed cells, Paul allowed the character of Christ to emerge: singing hymns at midnight, rejoicing always, praying without ceasing (see 1 Thess. 5). Jail was not what Paul envisioned for himself, yet in the crucible of this un-envisioned place, by keeping his heart like Christ’s, he stayed inspired. From prison he turned to writing and there penned some of his most profound epistles.

What seemed like a setback, in God’s hands becomes a setup for greater victory! Paul and the other leaders thought that Christ would return in their lifetimes. Having been put in prison and unable to travel, they were forced to write their revelation and not just speak it. Thus, instead of only reaching their generation by personal contact, their writings would touch lives for nearly 2000 years!

Or consider the apostle John. At the end of his life he was exiled to a lonely life on the Isle of Patmos. If anyone was a "people person," it would have been John. He could have become bitter. Certainly, this was not what God wanted for this man, the last one who had been with Jesus Himself? Yet if he had not been exiled, we would not have been given the majesty of the Revelation of John.

Or what of Joseph -- betrayal, slavery and jail was not what this great man envisioned, but it's what the Holy Spirit used to transformed a dreamer into a mighty leader in Egypt. Or did David expect after being anointed by the prophet Samuel, that he would find himself in a wilderness, a fugitive for seven years? No, but it was here, in the injustice of the wilderness years, that God forged in David and his followers the greatest sense of unity the Old Testament would attain.

So also with you. Your current circumstances may not be what you envisioned for yourself, but they are no obstacle for God. Paul learned that God was fully able to reveal Himself, not only in the expected places, but in that which was unexpected as well.

Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place" (2 Cor. 2:14).

I love this verse. Paul wrote that in a time when he might have despaired of life itself. But God is faithful. No matter what the setback seems to be, God always leads us in His triumph in Christ. We can find the sweet aroma of Christ in every place.

He is there with you. As you exercise your faith, as you rest, trusting in Him, do what Christ would do in your circumstances. Unbelief will flee as you become Christlike in the crisis. God will turn your setback into a setup that releases destiny in the un-envisioned place.

https://francisfrangipanemessages.blogspot.com/

Worthy - Thais Schucman

Priest — Leviticus 16:1-22 Sermon by pastor Colin Smith.

https://theorchardefc.org/home/sermons-resources/sermons/view-sermon/?sermon_id=32453
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Beauty Will Rise - Steven Curtis Chapman

Jesus Will Meet You There - Steven Curtis Chapman'

Remember to Remember - Steven Curtis Chapman

Well, I've been looking back over my shoulder
Retracing every step trying to unforget
And I see the mountaintops I've journeyed over
And I see the valleys deep where I crawled on my hands and knees
Pages and memories filled with joy and stained with tears
They call my name and if I listen, I can hear them saying

Chorus:

Remember the way He led you up to the top of the highest mountain
Remember the way He carried you through the deepest dark
Remember His promises for every step on the road ahead
Look where you've been and where you're going
And remember to remember
Remember, remember

And now I'm looking out at the road that's waiting
But my eyes can only see so far out ahead of me
As sure as the sun will shine there'll be more mountains I will climb
And more deep dark shadowlands where desperate faith is all I have
Until I'm home, I'm resting all my hope and trust
In the only One whose name is: God with us

And now the day is coming when He's going to wipe the tears away
He'll look in our eyes and say
Remember the way I led you off the mountain
Remember the way I carried you, ohh

Remember the way I led you up to the top of the highest mountain
Remember the way I carried you through the deepest dark
Remember my promises for every step on the road ahead

Look where you've been and where you're going
Look where we've been and where we're going
And remember to remember

Oh remember to remember
Oh remember to remember
Oh remember to remember

Steven Curtis Chapman's Interview and Hallelujah, You Are Good (feat. Matt Maher)

We are standing in between
Hope and despair
Believing in Your grace
And the faith to declare

You are with us, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, You are good

 

In the ashes and the dust
The sorrow and pain
Lies the promise of Your Word
And the pow'r of Your Name

You are with us, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, You are good

 

And when faith gives way to fear
I will trust Your heart
I will trust Your heart
 

When I cannot feel Your near
I will trust Your heart
I will trust Your heart

 

There's a message being written
With the morning sun
And a new song for the broken
Death is lost, love is won

You are with us, Hallelujah
 

Hallelujah, You are good

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
 

Hallelujah, You are good

Hallelujah, I have tasted
Hallelujah, I have see it
Hallelujah, You are good

 

Hallelujah, I remember
Hallelujah, I believe it
Hallelujah, You are good

 

You are with us, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, You are good

Glorious Unfolding - Steven Curtis Chapman

Atonement — Exodus 32:1-16 - Sermon by pastor Colin Smith.

https://theorchardefc.org/home/sermons-resources/sermons/view-sermon/?sermon_id=32385
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Not For A Moment (After All) - Meredith Andrews

Law — Exodus 20:1-17 Sermon by Pastor Colin Smith

https://theorchardefc.org/home/sermons-resources/sermons/view-sermon/?sermon_id=32307
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