Archive for the ‘Acts 2’ Tag
“How to Hear and Receive Father God’s Word! Pt 1”
Filed under: Bible, By Pastor Timothy, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Christmas, Church, Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Liturgy, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Pentecost, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Resurrection, Sermons, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Acts 2, Acts 2: 42, Adoption, Basic Christian Doctrine, Being In God's Family, Christ Our Foundation, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Devoted To The Word, Faith, GCI Baltimore, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's love, Gospel, Grace Communion International, Having The Peace Of God, Hearing Through Christ, How God Reveals Himself, Humanity Revealed, Humanity Revealed In Jesus, Jesus, Knowing The Father's Love, Life In Participation, Life's meaning and Significance, Love, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, One True Gospel, Relationships, Revealing Your Life's Purpose, Sharing God More Accurately, Sharing In God's JOy, Sharing In God's Laughter, Sharing In The Divine Nature, The Basic Christian Belief, The God Who Is Love, the reason for your existence, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trinitarian Theology, Trinity, Understanding God, Understanding Human Beings, Understanding Life's Calling, Who Is God?, Who Is Jesus?
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Part 1A:
Part 1B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 42
Summary:
This week’s message from Pastor Timothy Brassell offers a deeply clarifying and convicting call to return to the foundation of all true Christian life and preaching — Jesus Christ Himself. The sermon, drawn from Acts 2:42, explores what it really means to hear and receive God’s Word as Jesus intends, not as a set of “how-to” instructions, but as a living participation in His ongoing relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Tim reminded listeners that worship is never something we perform or generate: “When we gather, we are not just getting our praise on; we are participating in Jesus’ own worship of the Father.” True discipleship, then, begins not with our doing, but with our being. Being joined to Christ, who is the living Word of God.
As Karl Barth declared in The Barmen Theological Declaration (1934):
“Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear, and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death.”
This powerful truth framed the entire message: the Church’s greatest need is not more information, activity, or innovation. It is devotion to the one Word of God: Jesus Christ.
Pastor Tim emphasized that every sermon, every act of worship, and every reading of Scripture must be centered on Christ, interpreted through Christ, and lived out in participation with Christ. Without Him as the content and foundation, even the most well-intended message becomes hollow.
From Acts 2:42, he identified the early Church’s threefold devotion, a model for the Church today:
- Devotion to Jesus Himself
- Devotion to the Proclamation of Jesus
- Devotion to the Apostolic Teaching of Scripture
Through these, believers move from hearing about God to hearing from God.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
- Jesus Is the Foundation
- Theme: Every true word of God flows from the person of Jesus Christ. Without Him as the foundation, the Christian message collapses into moralism or self-help. Discipleship Question: Is Jesus the foundation of your daily thoughts, choices, and actions, or have you built on something else?
- Hearing the Word in Christ
- Theme: Hearing God’s Word means joining in Christ’s own conversation with the Father. Scripture becomes alive when we listen through Him. Discipleship Question: How are you intentionally listening for Christ’s voice through Scripture this week?
- Devotion to Apostolic Teaching
- Theme: The early Church grew because it was devoted to the apostles’ teaching. Scripture that proclaimed Jesus as the Living Word. Discipleship Question: How can you grow in devotion to the apostles’ teaching, so your faith remains rooted in Christ and not in culture?
- Guarding the Gospel
- Theme: There is only one Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any message that sidelines Him for other topics loses the life-giving power of grace. Discipleship Question: Are you discerning what you hear and read through the lens of Jesus as the true Gospel?
- Participation, Not Performance
- Theme: The Christian life is not about doing things for God, but joining Christ in what He is already doing through you. Discipleship Question: In what ways can you shift from performing for God to participating with Him this week?
Reflective Moment:
“Lord Jesus, quiet my heart, open my ears, to hear You. Let every word I read, every song I sing, and every prayer I pray draw me deeper into Your life and love. Tune my heart to listen, not for information, but for transformation. May my worship, reading, and serving be rooted in You, the one Word of God whom I must hear, trust, and obey in life and in death. Draw me into Your divine conversation with the Father, and help me to live as a true participant in Your ongoing life and mission. Amen.”
“Some Specific Areas of Repentance for Jesus’ Church!” Pt 1
Filed under: Bible, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Liturgy, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Pentecost, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Resurrection, Scripture Paraphrases, Sermons, Song, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Acts, Acts 2, Acts 2: 36-41, Acts 2: 37-47, Adoption, Basic Christian Doctrine, Being In God's Family, Christ Over Culture, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Devoted To Doctrine, Faith, GCI Baltimore, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's love, Gospel, Grace Communion International, Growth In Grace, Having The Peace Of God, How God Reveals Himself, Humanity Revealed, Humanity Revealed In Jesus, Jesus, Knowing The Father's Love, Life's meaning and Significance, Lifestyle Of Repentance, Love, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Preach The True Gospel, Relationships, Repent and Return, Revealing Your Life's Purpose, Sharing God More Accurately, Sharing In God's JOy, Sharing In God's Laughter, Sharing In The Divine Nature, The Basic Christian Belief, The God Who Is Love, the reason for your existence, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trinitarian Theology, Trinity, Understanding God, Understanding Human Beings, Understanding Life's Calling, Who Is God?, Who Is Jesus?
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Part 1A:
Part 1B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 37-47
Introduction:
In an age when culture often redefines Christianity, this Gospel message of Acts 2 comes as both a clarion call and a corrective lens. This sermon urgently challenges believers to repent, recenter, and realign our faith with the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as preached by the Apostles and preserved in Scripture.
Pastor Timothy Brassell begins by stating what many of us need to hear: our view of repentance is often too vague, and our Gospel too shallow. But in the light of Acts 2, we are called to respond, not with fear, but with clarity and joyful surrender.
Summary:
This powerful gospel filled sermon opens by reminding us that Pentecost wasn’t just a moment, it was a movement of the Holy Spirit that continues today. In Acts 2:36–41, Peter preaches boldly, calling his hearers to recognize Jesus as both Lord and Messiah. Their response is not passive: they are pierced to the heart, and thousands repent, are baptized, and begin a new life of devotion.
But this repentance is not a moral checklist, it’s a Spirit-led turning toward Christ, in every part of life. As Pastor Tim declares, Jesus Himself is our repentance. He is the one who acts for us, and in Him, we are free to respond, not out of fear, but out of joy.
“Jesus Christ is not only God’s address to man; He is man’s address to God.”
— T.F. Torrance, The Mediation of Christ
This message invites us to rethink repentance, not as a condition to gain God’s favor, but as a response to the grace already given in Christ. Our evangelism, theology, and church life must reflect that truth.
“Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms… This movement full speed astern is what Christians call repentance.”
— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
This sermon then highlights Acts 2:42, a verse too often overlooked as the culmination of repentance. The early believers didn’t just make a decision. They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
“In Jesus, God wills to be true God not only in the height but also in the depth — in the depth of human creatureliness, sinfulness and mortality.”
— Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics IV/1
This is why our repentance must touch real life. Our jobs, families, habits, thoughts, social media, and priorities. If Christ has entered the depth of our humanity, then nothing in us is off-limits to His redeeming work.
This message ends by confronting modern distortions: when we prioritize the American dream over God’s kingdom, treat the Gospel like a contract, or see ministry as someone else’s job, we have drifted. And the call of Acts 2 is to come home.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
1. Gospel Accuracy and Bold Proclamation 📣📖
- Theme: Like Peter, we must proclaim a clear, Christ-centered Gospel that does not depend on human effort but celebrates divine grace.
- Reflection Question: Have I clearly understood and accurately shared the Gospel, or have I embraced a cultural version?
- #PreachTheTrueGospel
2. Repentance Is Real and Daily 🔄🕊️
- Theme: Repentance is not abstract sorrow. It’s a daily turning toward Jesus in the details of life.
- Reflection Question: What is one area in my life where Jesus is calling me to lay down my arms and return to Him?
- #LifestyleOfRepentance
3. Devotion to Apostolic Teaching 📚🔥
- Theme: Acts 2:42 shows the early believers were committed to Scripture and truth, not trends or personalities.
- Reflection Question: Has my hunger for the Word of God grown or faded in this season?
- #DevotedToDoctrine
4. Rejecting the American Dream Theology 🇺🇸💭🚫
- Theme: We often place cultural success at the center of our faith. But Jesus must reign alone.
- Reflection Question: Have I expected God to serve my dreams rather than submit to His?
- #ChristOverCulture
5. Growth Is Not Optional 🌱🧠
- Theme: Like Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, every disciple is called to ongoing transformation.
- Reflection Question: How am I actively growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ?
- #GrowInGrace
Reflective Moment: Returning to the Center
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”— Acts 2:42
This isn’t a call to performance; it’s a call to participation. To repent is not to prove ourselves worthy, but to respond to the One who already stood in our place. In Christ, God has descended into the very depths of our brokenness to lift us into the life of His Spirit. You don’t need to earn this, just receive, respond, and remain.
“God does not deal with us on the basis of a contract. He acts toward us in grace.”
(Torrance, paraphrased truth from sermon)
The Gospel is not a transaction; it’s a transformation. So, let us repent, not because we fear rejection, but because we’ve been irrevocably accepted in Jesus Christ.
“God Is for Us; The Satan Against Us!”
Filed under: Bible, By Pastor Timothy, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Pentecost, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Resurrection, Sermons, Spiritual Warfare, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: #Victory In Christ, Acts 2, Acts 2: 36-41, Adoption, Basic Christian Doctrine, Being In God's Family, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Daily Repentance, Faith, GCI Baltimore, God is a consuming fire, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's love, Gospel, Grace Communion International, Having The Peace Of God, How God Reveals Himself, Humanity Revealed, Humanity Revealed In Jesus, James 4, James 4: 7-10, Jesus, Knowing The Father's Love, Life's meaning and Significance, Living Salvation, Love, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, Relationships, Resist The Enemy, Revealing Your Life's Purpose, Sharing God More Accurately, Sharing In God's JOy, Sharing In God's Laughter, Sharing In The Divine Nature, The Basic Christian Belief, The God Who Is Love, the reason for your existence, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trinitarian Theology, Trinity, Understanding God, Understanding Human Beings, Understanding Life's Calling, Who Is God?, Who Is Jesus?
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 36-41 James 4: 7-10
Summary:
This powerful message, based on Acts 2:36–41 and James 4:7–10, highlighted God’s holiness, the reality of spiritual opposition, and the gift of repentance. Pastor Timothy Brassell reminded us that our God is a consuming fire. A God who says “yes” to His Son Jesus and “no” to anything that stands apart from Him. Repentance is not simply about turning away from sin; it is about turning toward Christ in trust and obedience, a continual relational act empowered by the Spirit.
As Karl Barth reminds us: “The preaching of the Gospel is the power of God because it brings about repentance, the radical turning of man away from himself and to God, away from sin and to grace.” (Church Dogmatics II/2, p. 744)
The sermon emphasized that salvation is dynamic, not static. It is not just a past event but an ongoing journey of becoming, walking with Christ daily, saying “yes” to God and “no” to all that opposes Him. In this battle, we are reminded that the adversary is real. Satan seeks to divide, deceive, and discourage, but he is not God’s equal. In Christ, we resist him by submitting to God, drawing near to Him, and relying on the Spirit’s power.
Repentance, Pastor Tim explained, is one of God’s greatest relational powers. It may feel painful, like going against yourself, cutting off something familiar, but it is the way God- Father-Son and Holy Spirit, turns our lives right side up. Just as 3,000 people responded to Peter’s message at Pentecost, we are urged today to respond with faith, repentance, and baptism, receiving the promise of the Spirit.
And as Augustine declared: “The devil is conquered, not by our power, but by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.”(Tractates on the Gospel of John, Tractate 84, §2)
In Christ, we share in His victory over sin, death, and the devil. Salvation, therefore, is not simply about avoiding evil, but about entering deeply into the life of God who is for us, even as the adversary is against us.
Key Points and Highlights
- God Is a Consuming Fire 🔥👑
- Theme: God’s holiness includes both a “yes” to His Son Jesus and a “no” to everything opposed to Him. He accepts us in Christ while rejecting sin and rebellion.
- Discipleship Question: Where in your life do you need to say “no” so that your “yes” to Christ is clear?
- #GodIsAConsumingFire
- Repentance: God’s Relational Power 🔄❤️
- Theme: Repentance is not simply turning from sin but turning toward Christ in trust and obedience. It is one of God’s greatest relational powers, a continual act that often feels painful but turns our lives right side up.
- Discipleship Question: How will you practice repentance as a daily response to God’s love this week?
- #DailyRepentance
- Salvation as a Living Journey 🚶♂️⛰️
- Theme: Salvation is dynamic, not static. It is not just a past event but an ongoing walk of faith and obedience. In Christ, we say “yes” daily to God’s transforming work, trusting Him to complete what He has begun.
- Discipleship Question: What step of obedience is God calling you to take right now in your journey?
- #LivingSalvation
- The Adversary and Our Resistance ⚔️🐍
- Theme: Satan is real and seeks to divide, deceive, and discourage, but he is not God’s equal. We resist him by submitting to God, drawing near to Christ, and relying on the Spirit’s power. The devil is conquered not by our strength but by Christ’s blood and our faithful testimony.
- Discipleship Question: How can you actively resist the enemy this week by submitting to God?
- #ResistTheEnemy
- Hope in the Victory of Christ ✝️🏆
- Theme: Christ has already defeated sin, death, and the devil. Repentance, baptism, and life in the Spirit anchor us in His triumph. Our calling is to share in His victory and bear witness to His saving power.
- Discipleship Question: How can remembering Christ’s victory give you courage in the struggles you face?
- #VictoryInChrist
Reflection Moment
Take a pause and ask yourself:
Where is God calling me to turn from self-reliance and cling to Christ more fully?
Remember: Repentance is not condemnation. It may feel costly, but it is God’s gift of love and power to turn you right side up in Christ. Your victory is not found in your strength, but in the blood of the Lamb and in the Spirit who empowers your testimony. It is God’s-Father, Son and Holy Spirit invitation into deeper life with Him. Resist the adversary not by fear, but by fixing your eyes on Jesus, who has already overcome.
“Take It Personal And Be Relational With Father!”Pt3
Filed under: Bible, By Pastor Timothy, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Easter, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Good News Celebration, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Pentecost, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Scripture Paraphrases, Sermons, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Acts 2, Acts 2: 29-41, Basic Christian Doctrine, Being In God's Family, Bible, By Pastor Timothy, By Tim Brassell, By Timothy Brassell, Choose Eternity Well, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Daily Repentance, Evangelism, Faith, Faith Not Performance, GCI Baltimore, GCI Windsor Mill, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's Faith, God's Grace, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, Having The Peace Of God, How God Reveals Himself, Humanity Revealed, Humanity Revealed In Jesus, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Knowing The Father's Love, Life's meaning and Significance, Love, Maryland, MD., Ministry, New Life Fellowship Baltimore MD, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, Ongoing Salvation, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Relate To The Father, relationship with God, Relationships, Revealing Your Life's Purpose, Sermons, Sharing God More Accurately, Sharing In God's JOy, Sharing In God's Laughter, Sharing In The Divine Nature, Son and Holy Spirit, Spirit Led Life, The Basic Christian Belief, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, The Father Loves and Like You Fest, The God Who Is Love, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, the reason for your existence, Timothy Brassell of New Life Fellowship, Trinitarian Theology, Trinity, Uncategorized, Understanding God, Understanding Human Beings, Understanding Life's Calling, Union with Christ, Who Is God?, Who Is Jesus?, Worship, Worshipping Jesus Adoption
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Part 3A:
Part 3B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts: 2: 29-41
Summary:
In this powerful and deeply personal message, Pastor Timothy Brassell invites us to reimagine what it truly means to walk with God not just as Lord, but as Father. Drawing from Acts 2:29–41 and the foundational truths of the gospel, he challenges us to stop keeping our faith at arm’s length and instead, take it personally.
Pastor Tim reminds us that the good news of Jesus Christ is not just an idea or a doctrine, it’s a relationship. Jesus didn’t come to earth only to forgive sins or model righteousness. He came to show us the Father, and to bring us into the same relational communion He enjoys with Him. Jesus, even in His divinity, continually looked to the Father for every word, every move, every moment. That’s the model for us. Not religious striving, but relational surrender.
Repentance, Pastor Tim explains, is more than a one-time act for sinners. It’s a continual lifestyle for every believer, a daily turning away from self-reliance and back toward the loving gaze of the Father. Many of us think of repentance as something tied to guilt or shame, but biblically, it is an invitation into freedom. It is how we stay connected and soft-hearted, participating in the life that Christ has already made possible.
The Holy Spirit, then, becomes our vital connection point, the one who empowers us to repent, believe, and live in the reality of our identity in Christ. Even Jesus, the Son of God, received the Holy Spirit to fulfill His mission. How much more do we, in our weakness, need the Spirit’s power to live, love, and serve well?
Another core truth echoed throughout the sermon is that our identity is found in Christ, not in our performance. Jesus didn’t just die for us; He took on our entire human nature, redeeming it from within. This means we don’t relate to God based on how well we behave, but on how deeply we trust in who He says we are: beloved, included, and renewed.
Pastor Tim is also careful to remind us that salvation is not a transaction but a relationship, an ongoing journey of knowing and being known. It is possible to “believe” in theory while remaining distant in practice. The call of this sermon is to close that gap. To not just know about God but to be with God. To participate in His love, His mission, and His joy.
In harmony with this message, theologian Dan Mohler beautifully articulates the same heart of relational intimacy with God:
“We’ve been called into intimacy in relationship with God. We’re not just called to live a life of faith. We’re not just called to serve the Lord — a doctrine. We’re called into intimacy in the fellowship of His Son. The greatest ability you possess in the grace of God is to be with Him, not heal the sick. What surpasses everything you’ll ever do in the Christian life is the ability to be with Him — the ability to be one with Him, to have your face unveiled, to know Him and to be known by Him. It’s the greatest blessing of your life. [It] isn’t to serve the Lord, it’s to know the Lord.”
— Dan Mohler
This quote echoes Pastor Tim’s emphasis that God is not looking for performance, He’s longing for participation. He’s not impressed by how “useful” we are for the kingdom but rather how near we are to His heart.
Toward the end of the message, Pastor Brassell quotes C.S. Lewis to emphasize the seriousness of our spiritual decisions. Lewis writes:
“Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before… you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature.”
This quote reminds us that our choices, even the subtle ones, carry eternal weight. We are always in formation, becoming more like Christ or more detached from Him. The beauty of grace is that we are never too far to return, but return we must.
1. Relating to the Father Personally 🙏👨👧👦
- Theme: Jesus invites us to relate to God not only as Lord but as Father, personally, intimately, and dependently. This mirrors Jesus’ own ongoing relationship with the Father as a human.
- Discipleship Question: How are you cultivating personal intimacy with God as your Father this week?
- #RelateToTheFather
2. Repentance Is a Lifestyle 🔄🧎♀️
- Theme: Repentance isn’t just for new believers. It’s a daily turning from self to Christ, a humble, Spirit-led reorientation to God’s truth and love.
- Discipleship Question: What is one area where God is calling you to return to Him today?
- #DailyRepentance
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit 🕊️⚡
- Theme: Even Jesus received the Holy Spirit to fulfill His mission. We, too, must rely on the Spirit for faith, repentance, and holy living. No true relationship with God is possible without Him.
- Discipleship Question: Are you surrendering daily to the Spirit’s guidance and power?
- #SpiritLedLife
4. Your Identity Is in Christ 👑🧬
- Theme: Jesus took on human nature, not just one person’s story, but all humanity’s. Our truest identity is found in who He is, not in what we do.
- Discipleship Question: What would change if you truly believed your identity was rooted in Christ alone?
- #IdentityInChrist
5. Faith Is Participation, Not Performance 🤝🛐
- Theme: We don’t earn God’s love. Instead, we’re invited to participate in the faith of Jesus. Salvation is not just belief, it’s communion and shared life with Christ.
- Discipleship Question: Are you approaching God as a performer or as a participant in His grace?
- #FaithNotPerformance
6. Salvation as Ongoing Relationship 💞🔁
- Theme: Salvation isn’t a one-time event, it’s a lifelong relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Repentance, worship, and communion are part of an ongoing journey.
- Discipleship Question: Is your salvation more like a memory or a daily relationship with God?
- #OngoingSalvation
7. The Urgency of Eternal Choices ⏳🔥
- Theme: Every decision shapes us into a being of light or darkness, peace or rebellion. As C.S. Lewis said, every choice moves us closer to heaven or hell.
- Discipleship Question: What choices are you making today that are shaping your eternal direction?
- #ChooseEternityWell
🌿 Reflective Moment:
Pause for a moment and consider this:
Are you relating to God today as a person — a Father — or merely as an idea?
Are you performing your faith, or participating in Christ’s love?
Are you coasting in belief, or continually turning your heart toward Him?
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any distance in your relationship with the Father, not to condemn, but to draw you closer.
Jesus has already made the way. The invitation is open. Will you take it personally?
🕊️ “You belong to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit not because of what you’ve done, but because of who He is.”
Make space this week to be with Him. Speak. Listen. Rest. Repent.
Let your faith be relational not just informational.
“What The Father Wants Most From You/Us!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2: 22-36
Summary:
In this continuation of the Acts 2 series “Take It Personal and Be Relational With Father!”, Pastor Timothy Brassell unpacks the vital truth that what God the Father most desires from humanity is His Son, Jesus Christ standing in for us, substituting for us in every part of our human life, and sharing His perfect relationship with the Father in the Spirit. Drawing from Acts 2:22–36, Pastor Tim shows that God’s desire is not for our independent efforts, moral achievements, or political victories, but for us to live in Christ’s union with Him.
The sermon confronts the false hopes we often place in politics, national identity, or even human unity apart from Christ, warning that these can become idols when they replace God’s kingdom purposes. Pastor Tim emphasizes that true peace, justice, and reconciliation flow only from participation in Jesus’ relationship with the Father, not from human effort or ideology.
He highlights the deeply relational nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and the call for believers to reject isolation and individualism, choosing instead to live in loving connection with God and others. The message calls listeners to see repentance, baptism, ministry, and obedience not as self-generated acts, but as participation in what Christ has already done perfectly on our behalf.
Ultimately, the sermon urges believers to shift from asking, “What can I give God?” to receiving the reality of what God has already given in Jesus. This is the foundation for Christian living, mission, and worship: abiding in Christ, trusting His work, and letting every good deed flow from His life in us.
Key Themes and Reflection Questions:
1) Union With Christ Above All 🤝✝️
- Theme: God’s greatest desire is for us to share in His Son’s relationship with Him through the Spirit. Everything else flows from that union.
- Discipleship Question: How can you shift your focus this week from “what can I give God” to “how can I receive and live in Christ’s life”?
- #UnionWithChrist
2) Resisting Cultural Idols 🛡️🌍
- Theme: Political power, national identity, and even human unity apart from Christ cannot satisfy God’s desire for us. These can become distractions from His kingdom.
- Discipleship Question: Which cultural values or movements do you need to evaluate in light of Jesus’ reign and relationship with the Father?
- #KingdomFirst
3) Living Relationally, Not in Isolation 🏠🤗
- Theme: God, as Father-Son-Holy Spirit, is relational by nature and calls us out of self-centered isolation into loving participation with Him and others.
- Discipleship Question: Who can you intentionally connect with this week as an expression of sharing in God’s relational life?
- #RelationalFaith
4) Christ as Our True Representative 👑🙌
- Theme: Jesus, fully God and fully human, stands in our place, resisting sin, fulfilling righteousness, and offering His perfect obedience to the Father on our behalf.
- Discipleship Question: How does knowing Jesus stands in for you change your approach to repentance, service, or worship?
- #JesusInMyPlace
5) Receiving Before Giving 🎁💖
- Theme: God doesn’t want anything from us apart from His Son. He first gives us Christ, and we respond by participating in what He has already done.
- Discipleship Question: In what ways can you practice receiving God’s gifts this week before rushing to give something back?
- #GraceFirst
Context:
This message follows a previous sermon answering, “What Does the Father Want Most for You?” and now addresses “What Does the Father Want Most from You?” Using Acts 2:22–36 as the foundation, Pastor Brassell teaches that the answer is always the same: Jesus Christ, standing in for us, representing us, and sharing His relationship with the Father by the Spirit. The sermon confronts common cultural substitutes for God’s kingdom, affirms the relational nature of Christian life, and calls believers into deeper dependence on Christ as the only way to give God what He truly desires.
Reflective Moment:
The gospel begins with a gift, not a demand. God’s greatest desire is not your best effort but for you to share in the perfect love and obedience of His Son.
“Union with Christ is really the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation not only in its application but also in its once-for-all accomplishment in the finished work of Christ.”
— John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied
Pastor Timothy Brassell: “What the Father most wants from you and from us is His Son, Jesus Christ, standing in for you and substituting for you in every part of your human life.”
This is what Acts 2 reminds us: God’s greatest desire isn’t your performance, but for you to live in the life His Son has already secured for you. When you rest in Christ’s finished work, you are already giving the Father what He most wants from you.
This week, slow down, receive the reality of Christ’s life in you, and let that be the wellspring from which all your actions and relationships flow.
“Remembering What Is Often Forgotten About Pentecost (TRINITY)!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2, Matthew 28: 19-20, 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, 2 Corinthians 13:14 John 14
Summary:
In this insightful and foundational sermon, Pastor Timothy Brassell challenges us to move beyond a fragmented view of God that emphasizes one Person of the Trinity over the others. Instead, he calls us to embrace the full relational unity of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our worship, discipleship, and daily life.
Drawing from Acts 2, John 14, and the Nicene Creed, Pastor Tim calls the Church back to honoring God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, indivisible and fully unified. He reminds us that Pentecost is not merely about the Holy Spirit’s arrival; it’s about encountering the whole God in unified action. When we divide the Trinity, we distort the gospel and hinder our spiritual growth. But when we hold the Persons of God together, we see clearly, live rightly, and worship fully. This is a call to deeper reverence, relational intimacy, and Christ-centered living empowered by the Spirit.
Key Themes & Highlights:
1. The Trinity in Full Unity 🔺💞
- Theme: The Church often emphasizes one Person of the Trinity over the others, but true worship involves knowing and honoring God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, united not divided.
- Discipleship Question: Are you growing in relationship with the whole Triune God, not just a “part” of Him? Are you remembering that He doesn’t come in parts but in Whole?
- #WholeGodWorship
2. The Forgotten Side of Pentecost 🔥🔄
- Theme: Pentecost is more than the Holy Spirit’s outpouring; it’s an encounter with the entire Trinity, working in love and mission.
- Discipleship Question: How can you celebrate the full presence of the Trinity in your spiritual life this week?
- #TrinitarianPentecost
3. God Revealed Through Relationship 👨👦👦💬
- Theme: God reveals Himself through the relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—not abstract doctrines, but living, loving Persons.
- Discipleship Question: How does viewing God as relational impact the way you relate to others?
- #GodIsRelationship
4. True Doctrine is Like Glasses 🤓📖
- Theme: Sound doctrine isn’t just theology; it’s a gift from God to help our broken minds see Him more clearly, like corrective lenses.
- Discipleship Question: Are you viewing doctrine as a tool for clarity or as a burden?
- #DoctrineAsGlasses
5. God Is Not Distant—He’s Hidden for Our Good 🌫️❤️
- Theme: God’s hiddenness (especially through the Holy Spirit) is intentional. It protects our free will and invites pursuit.
- Discipleship Question: How can you respond with trust even when God seems silent?
- #HiddenButPresent
6. Worship the One, Not Just the Parts 🙌💠
- Theme: Dividing God into Father-only, Jesus-only, or Spirit-only leads to spiritual confusion. Worship must be holistic.
- Discipleship Question: In what ways can your worship better reflect the unity of the Trinity?
- #UndividedGod
7. The Holy Spirit Always Points to the Son and Father 🕊️➡️👑
- Theme: The Spirit doesn’t draw attention to Himself. He glorifies Jesus and leads us to the Father.
- Discipleship Question: Are your spiritual experiences drawing you deeper into relationship with Jesus and the Father in the Holy Spirit?
- #SpiritLeadsToChrist
8. The Trinity Teaches Us to Hold Things Together 🧩🫂
- Theme: Just as God’s nature is united in three persons, we are called to unity, not division, in doctrine, worship, and life.
- Discipleship Question: What part of your life needs the integrative healing of the Triune God?
- #HoldItTogetherInChrist
9. Baptism and Salvation Are Trinitarian Acts 💧✝️
- Theme: Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reflects that salvation is the shared mission of the Triune God.
- Discipleship Question: How can you live as someone who’s been baptized into the fullness of God?
- #TrinitarianBaptism
10. God Is Always Working—even in Chaos 🌍🔧
- Theme: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are actively involved in redeeming the world, even when it seems chaotic.
- Discipleship Question: Where can you discern the presence of God working in the brokenness around you?
- #GodInTheMess
Context:
In a time when many churches tend to highlight the Father’s authority, the Son’s grace, or the Spirit’s power in isolation, this message calls us back to the wholeness of who God truly is. Pentecost is often reduced to a celebration of the Holy Spirit alone; but what if we’ve forgotten something essential?
Pastor Tim leads us into a richer understanding of Pentecost as a revelation of the entire Triune God. Through Acts 2 and the Nicene Creed, he urges the Church to honor God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, indivisible and fully unified, working together to redeem creation and empower His people.
Reflective Moment:
✨ What part of your faith practice has become one-dimensional?
✨ Are you embracing God as Father, Son, and Spirit or just the “parts” you’re most comfortable with? ✨ Where can you discern the presence of God working in the brokenness around you?
This message emphasizes reverence, sound doctrine, spiritual maturity, and a return to a fully Trinitarian gospel. Let it lead you into deeper worship, clearer understanding, and a renewed desire to live in step with the fullness of God.
📖 Rediscover Pentecost through a Trinitarian lens.
💬 Reflect. Repent. Receive the fullness of God.
“Remembering What Is Often Forgotten About Pentecost (JESUS)!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Acts 2
Summary:
In this Pentecost message, Pastor Timothy Brassell launches a new series in the Book of Acts, emphasizing the foundational Gospel truth that Jesus Christ is the main point—even at Pentecost. With bold theological clarity and relational depth, Pastor Tim challenges the Church to rethink how we read Scripture and experience the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that Scripture is not self-interpreting, it must be read through Christ, by the Spirit, in relationship with the Triune God. The Church is urged to return to Jesus as the lens, center, and life of all understanding, especially when reflecting on Pentecost.
1. You Can’t Understand God Without God:
Theme: Relationship is the only way to truly know God. Pentecost is about divine relationship, not isolated knowledge.
“You can’t understand a thing about God apart from a relationship with God, in Christ, by the Spirit.”
Discipleship Question: Am I approaching Scripture as relationship with Jesus or merely information about God?
#KnowThroughChrist #RelationalRevelation #GodWithUs
2. Jesus Is the Real Text of Scripture:
Theme: Jesus is the living Word. Scripture points to Him and is interpreted through Him. “Jesus is the real text of Scripture. He is the one true Word of God, ahead of Scripture but not apart from it.”
Discipleship Question: Is my reading of the Bible centered on Jesus as the true Word?
#ChristTheText #ScriptureThroughJesus #LivingWord
3. Misreading Happens When We Miss Jesus:
Theme: When Jesus isn’t the focus, interpretation distorts and distractions multiply.
“When we forget Jesus as the main point, we also misread and get caught up in other distracting points.”
Discipleship Question: What theological or cultural side issues have taken my focus off Jesus?
#KeepJesusCentral #ChristAboveAll #ScripturalClarity
4. Pentecost Reveals Christ, Not Just Power:
Theme: The Holy Spirit doesn’t point to Himself, He reveals Jesus and enables us to know Him deeply.
“The Holy Spirit comes not to reveal Himself, but to reveal Jesus and share what He knows.”
Discipleship Question: Is my experience of the Spirit drawing me to Christ or just seeking phenomena?
#SpiritOfChrist #PentecostRevisited #JesusIsThePoint
5. The Spirit Works in Light, Not Force:
Theme: God’s — Father, Son, Holy Spirit—power is expressed through light, subtle, relational, patient transformation, not coercion.
“God is light… and works in a light way so that you can actually participate.”
Discipleship Question: Am I looking for God in loud power or in the quiet light of His presence?
#PowerInLight #DivineGentleness #HolySpiritMovesSoftly
6. Scripture Must Be Breathed Anew Each Time:
Theme: The Scriptures don’t have “stored magic”, they require the Spirit’s fresh breath each reading.
“You aren’t hearing from the Lord unless the living Lord is actually speaking at the time you’re reading.”
Discipleship Question: Do I begin my Bible reading with a prayerful dependence on the Spirit?
#LivingBreath #NotMagicWords #SpiritInspiredReading
7. Start With Relationship, Not Rules:
Theme: Before any theological understanding or practice, relationship with the Triune God must come first.
“You must be relating to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit, or else you can’t understand a Godly thing.”
Discipleship Question: What are my “first things” when I approach faith?
#FirstThingsFirst #GodBeforeDoctrine #RelateThenUnderstand
8. Communion Affirms Christ’s Judgment Over Us:
Theme: Taking Communion is embracing Christ’s verdict: you are loved, forgiven, and included.
“You are judged right now in Christ as no sinner… holy and blameless before the Lord.”
Discipleship Question: Do I receive the Lord’s Supper as performance or as grace freely given?
#JudgedInChrist #GraceAtTheTable #CommunionWithChrist
9. The Spirit Testifies. We Must Too:
Theme: Just as the Spirit testifies to Jesus, so must the Church boldly bear witness to Him alone.
“You will receive power… and you will testify about Jesus.”
Discipleship Question: Who is the focus of my witness—Jesus or spiritual activity?
#WitnessToJesus #SpiritLedMission #GospelFocus
10. Pentecost Is About Remembering Jesus:
Theme: The Day of Pentecost is not first about gifts or experiences, it’s about remembering Jesus Christ.
“This series is about remembering what is often forgotten about Pentecost: Jesus!”
Discipleship Question: Have I let secondary things cloud the central revelation of Christ?
#JesusOfPentecost #ForgottenNoMore #ChristOurCenter
Context:
This message is the first in a Pentecost-focused series out of Acts 2, aimed at correcting widespread misreadings and misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit and the role of Scripture. Pastor Tim roots the teaching in Trinitarian theology, Christ-centered interpretation, and the call to discipleship that begins with love, not legalism. The Spirit’s power, he reminds us, is light, not spectacle, and it is Jesus who remains the heart of Pentecost, Scripture, and Church life.
Reflective Moment: Jesus—The True Word of Pentecost:
Take a moment and ask:
Am I approaching Scripture to meet Jesus or merely to gather facts? Have I subtly replaced Christ with concepts, even spiritual ones? What would it look like for me to receive the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Jesus, leading me deeper into His life and mission? Let the Word read you as you read it. Come not to conquer Scripture, but to be transformed by the Living Word—Jesus Christ.
“The Significance Of Receiving The Holy Spirit!”
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Scripture: Ephesians 1, Mark 1, Acts 2
Summary:
This sermon, delivered by Pastor Timothy Brassell, focuses on the significance of receiving the Holy Spirit as a critical part of the Christian journey. Pastor Tim emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not just a power or presence but a divine person to be received, celebrated, and intimately known. Through scripture, he outlines the Spirit’s role in transforming believers, empowering them to live holy lives, and participating in God’s work. By exploring scripture like Ephesians 1 and Acts 2, Pastor Tim invites listeners to deepen their relationship with the Holy Spirit and understand the immense value of being Spirit-filled.
Key Points and Highlights
- 🌟 The Spirit’s Role in Christian Life
- The Holy Spirit is essential for a believer to fully experience and participate in the life of God. The Spirit guides, empowers, and reveals God’s will.
- 🔥 Receiving the Holy Spirit is Receiving a Person
- Pastor Tim clarifies that the Holy Spirit is a person to be received, not a force or mystical experience. He wants believers to understand that this is a relational encounter.
- ✝️ The Holy Spirit Reveals God’s Love and Presence
- Through the Holy Spirit, believers are drawn into deeper intimacy with God, understanding His love, character, and desires in a transformative way.
- 🔄 God’s Sovereign Decision to Send the Spirit
- The pouring out of the Spirit is a sovereign act of God, planned before the creation of the world. It shows God’s initiative in building a relationship with humanity.
- 🤝 Participation in God’s Mission Through the Spirit
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers to actively participate in God’s redemptive mission on earth, extending His love, grace, and truth to others.
- 💞 The Holy Spirit Brings Unity and Relationship
- Pastor Tim emphasizes that the Spirit is the bond of love in the Trinity and serves as the connection between believers, fostering true Christian community and fellowship.
- 🛡️ Spiritual Security and Confidence
- Being sealed by the Holy Spirit is a promise of God’s faithfulness, giving believers the confidence that they belong to God and are protected by Him.
- 🔧 The Necessity of Humility
- The act of receiving the Holy Spirit requires humility, recognizing that it’s not about what believers can achieve but about accepting a gracious gift from God.
- 🌍 The Spirit’s Universal Reach
- The Holy Spirit is poured out on all people (Acts 2), making Him universally accessible. However, receiving Him and responding to His work is still a personal choice, that He helps a person to make.
- 🙏 Our Response: Will You Receive Him?
- Pastor Tim concludes with a heartfelt call to action, asking each believer to reflect on whether they have truly received the Holy Spirit, embraced His presence, and allowed Him to guide their lives.
Context:
This sermon was delivered on a Sunday morning as part of a series focusing on the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of the church and individual believers. Pastor Tim’s primary intent was to deepen the congregation’s understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and what it means to truly receive Him. By grounding his teaching in both Old and New Testament scripture, he aims to align his listeners’ perspectives with a Trinitarian view of God, emphasizing the relational nature of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work. He also addressed some common theological misunderstandings, such as viewing the Holy Spirit as an impersonal entity or something believers can achieve through effort, stressing that receiving the Spirit is entirely a work of God’s grace.
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In Jesus, The Church Is The Spirit’s New Community!
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Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Bible Verses: Acts 2: 42-47 1Cor 7: 17- 24
Introduction:
Because Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son has come and lived, and suffered, and died, and risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven, in our glorified humanity, sending the Holy Spirit to us, a new world order has been inaugurated from the Father, through Jesus the Son, and in the Holy Spirit! A new humanity is breaking in and rising up in believers who share in the responses of Christ in the holy Spirit, through Jesus, and to the Glory of the Father! This New Humanity, or New Creation, breaking into our present is what it means to be a part of the Church, a part of the Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit-God’s New Community!”
Theological Theme:
“There can be no doubt, however, that the New Testament is pervaded with the joyful sense of God’s actual presence in Jesus Christ, and with the realisation that the coming age has already broken into the present and overlaps it. That is precisely the good news of the gospel, that here and now in Christ Jesus God is present in all his royal power, not only to speak a word of pardon but actually to enact it and fulfil it in the liberation of the children of God.” – T.F. Torrance
Christ Connection:
“…when we do hear God’s voice through Jesus Christ, It calls us out of ourselves into community with God and man. And then individual Gospel and social Gospel become all one. We can’t separate them, without killing both, and running away from God…God was incarnate in Jesus Christ, and He created in the world a new community – the fellowship of the Holy Spirit – to draw us out of ourselves into community with God and man, for our own salvation and the salvation of the world.” – Donald Baillie
Missional Application:
“And if you, my friend, feel your heart pierced, in this your day and generation, by the woes of your fellows, that is perhaps the beginning of God’s work in your heart, saving you from yourself, drawing you out of yourself, into a life worth living, where you wiIl be lifted above your own temptations and defeats by the enthusiasm of the service of God and man, in the Community of the Holy Spirit. God is beginning that work in you – let Him have his way.” – Donald Baillie
The scriptures indicate what Salvation in Christ sounds and looks like in Acts 2:
“36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”…
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
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In Jesus, The Church Is God’s New Humanity!
Filed under: Ascension, Ascension of Jesus, Bible, By Tim Brassell, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Discipleship, Easter, Faith, GCI Windsor Mill, Maryland, God, God Father Son and Spirit, God the Trinity, God's love, good news, Gospel, Grace Communion Baltimore, Grace Communion International, identity in Christ, Inclusion, Jesus Christ, Lent, Love, Ministry, New Life Fellowship Of Baltimore Maryland, New Life Fellowship Of Windsor Mill, MD., On Mission with Christ, Participation with Christ, Participation with Jesus, Pentecost, Perichoresis, Prayer, relationship with God, Relationships, Sermons, The Church, The Dance and Dream of the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Gospel Project, The Holy Spirit, The Plan of Adoption, Timothy Brassell, Trinity, Uncategorized, union, Union In Christ, Union with Christ, Witness, Witnessing to God, Witnessing to Jesus, Worship, Worshiping God, Worshipping Jesus | Tags: Acts 2, Acts 2: 42-47, Adoption, All Are Included In Christ, Christian Living, Church, Church as Community, community, Discipleship, father, Fruit of God's Grace, GCI Baltimore, God Father Son and Spirit, God in Flesh, God Incarnate, God Likes You, God the Trinity, God's Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Gift, God's Grace, God's Healing, God's Hope, God's Humility, God's love, God's Love And Life, God's Mercy, God's Mission, God's Patience, God's Power, God's Presence, Gospel, grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, Grace Communion International, humanity, Humanity Revealed, Humanity Uplifted, Humility, Humility of God, Incarnation, Included In Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus Is God's Love Revealed, Jesus is the way the truth and the life, jesus ministry, Jesus' Presence, Love, Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit, Participation with Jesus, Pastor Timothy Brassell of New Life Baltimore, Purpose, purpose-driven life, Relationship With Jesus, repentance, Resurrection, Resurrection of Christ, resurrection of Jesus, Romans 8, Salvation, Salvation By Grace Alone, sharing in Jesus' humanity, Sin, Spiritual Maturity, Spirituality, The Father, The Father's Love, The Father-Son-and-Spirit-God, The Holy Spirit, Trinitarian Theology, Trinity, Unconditional, Unconditional Love, Union and Communion, Union With Jesus, Vicarious humanity of Christ, Wholeness in Christ, Worship
Comments (1) 
Part A:
Part B:
Full Message:
Bible Verse: Acts 2:42 – 47 Romans 8
Introduction:
Because Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son has come and lived, and suffered, and died, and risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven, in our glorified humanity, sending the Holy Spirit to us, a new world order has been inaugurated from the Father, through Jesus the Son, and in the Holy Spirit! A new humanity is breaking in and rising up in believers who share in the responses of Christ in the holy Spirit, through Jesus, and to the Glory of the Father! This New Humanity, or New Creation, breaking into our present is what it means to be a part of the Church, a part of the Father-Son-and-Holy-Spirit-God’s New Community!”
Theological Theme:
“There can be no doubt, however, that the New Testament is pervaded with the joyful sense of God’s actual presence in Jesus Christ, and with the realisation that the coming age has already broken into the present and overlaps it. That is precisely the good news of the gospel, that here and now in Christ Jesus God is present in all his royal power, not only to speak a word of pardon but actually to enact it and fulfil it in the liberation of the children of God.” – T.F. Torrance
Christ Connection:
“…when we do hear God’s voice through Jesus Christ, It calls us out of ourselves into community with God and man. And then individual Gospel and social Gospel become all one. We can’t separate them, without killing both, and running away from God…God was incarnate in Jesus Christ, and He created in the world a new community – the fellowship of the Holy Spirit – to draw us out of ourselves into community with God and man, for our own salvation and the salvation of the world.” – Donald Baillie
Missional Application:
“And if you, my friend, feel your heart pierced, in this your day and generation, by the woes of your fellows, that is perhaps the beginning of God’s work in your heart, saving you from yourself, drawing you out of yourself, into a life worth living, where you wiIl be lifted above your own temptations and defeats by the enthusiasm of the service of God and man, in the Community of the Holy Spirit. God is beginning that work in you – let Him have his way.” – Donald Baillie
The scriptures indicate what Salvation in Christ sounds and looks like in Acts 2:
“36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
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