More Grace Than You Have Sin

Church Family:
The Gospel is shocking! Astonishing! Outrageous! Words fall short! The Gospel of God bursts onto the scene as His divine rescue for sinners like us who deserve nothing but His wrath, yet Jesus arrives with joyful, overflowing, eternal mercy! Abundant joyful hope surges through every vein of the gospel, so let it surge through our spiritual veins as well.

Picture Paul, foaming at the mouth with murderous rage, hunting Christians like prey. He was the last person on earth who should get a second chance, a blasphemer who cheered at executions, a self-righteous killer hell-bent on erasing the Church from the earth. And then, on Paul’s way to Damascus on a dusty road, a blinding light from heaven! Jesus Himself stops Paul in his tracks, calling, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). Not a slap in the face, not fire from the sky but Jesus’ voice of pure, pursuing love that knocks Paul flat and lifts him into eternity. That is the Gospel! The Rescuer, Jesus, didn’t wait for Paul to clean himself up or even stop the persecution or killing of Christians; He simply immersed Himself into the sinful mess, yet without sin, grabbed the worst sinner by the soul, Paul, and shouted, “You are now Mine!”

Do you remember when Jesus did that to you? Is it still astonishing? Jesus didn’t just forgive Paul’s or your atrocities; He indwells you with His Holy Spirit, giving you, like Paul, God-like strength, faith, and love that explodes into purposeful service for Christ. Grace didn’t trickle onto you; it flooded your life. Jesus turned Paul from a Christian-killer into the world’s greatest evangelist. And so, Paul continues to yell from the rooftops: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” Not “was foremost” but “I am foremost” (1 Timothy 1:12-17). Do you remember your sin-loving condemnation before Christ rescued you from it? Paul is saying, “if you think that you are a hopeless out-of-control sinner, look! If He saved me, He can save anybody!” No sinful pit is too deep, no guilt is too heavy, no rebellion is too far from God’s abounding grace.

Church, let the divine rescue of the Gospel for the worst sinner awaken your soul today. Every time you stumble, every hidden shame, every lukewarm day, Jesus is already running toward you, arms wide, with more grace than you have sin. Jesus is not unwilling; He is eager to save, empower, and launch you into His mission in this world. These truths led Paul to worship: “To the King eternal, immortal, invisible—the only God—be honor and glory forever!” (1Timothy 1:17). Let these truths ignite worship in us as well.

See you Sunday, loving the Gospel: Steve

Important Church-Wide Meeting This Sunday After Worship:
We invite everyone to stay after worship this Sunday for an update from the building team about our project’s progress and financial needs. The team will discuss our current status and outline the next steps we need to take to move forward with completing and moving into the new building.

GCT Prayer Needs:
Shiloh Luke multiple surgeries for Spina bifida - parents Max and Melissa
Jeanne Farabaugh aneurism(s) in brain
Will and Val Corsey kitchen fire recovery and needs
Kim Zino surgery recovery, clarity of symptoms, healing
Sherrie Pruitt’s mother went home to the Lord, Tuesday
Jill Torbert’s father James – end of life
Elliott Roberts transplant
Cody Randles intestinal cancer surgery and recovery
Phan Marrow recovery from thyroid surgery
Necey Highet shoulder/arm healing
Betty Jo Marshall progression of Parkinsons
Evan, Greyson, Joey, Jacob, John - USMC work
Dave Thomas and caring family
Marie Brame with sister Halina in cancer treatment
Church Building financial needs – God’s perfect provision

(let me know how GCT can pray for you)