It’s the “and” that catches us every time. We’re more likely to lean one way or the other: Grit “or” Grace, depending on our point of view. And we can usually quote a trusty Bible verse for support.

But when we take an honest look at both values in the whole of Scripture, we see the significance of the “and” that combines the two.

Join us for a new series that challenges us to live in the tension of Grit & Grace.

Tolerance

Sunday, January 17
Dr. Jim Dixon, Senior Pastor

Grit holds convictions.
Grace agrees to disagree.

In a world where everyone’s entitled to their own beliefs, how can you take a stand yours and know which ones are worth fighting for? And what does it mean to “love your neighbor” when you absolutely disagree with their opinions, choices or way of life?

Afterlife

Sunday, January 24
Communion Sunday
Dr. Jim Dixon, Senior Pastor

Grit is heaven vs. hell.
Grace lets God be the judge.

Uncertainty is uncomfortable, so we’re quick to look for proof and settle the question: heaven or hell? But God only knows what lies deep within the soul. If you have faith enough to believe for yourself, do you have faith enough to let God be the judge of others?

Fulfillment

Sunday, January 31
Mark Shupe, Pastor of Small Groups

Grit works overtime.
Grace takes a day off.

Here in America, we applaud the can-do spirit of “whatever it takes.” But what if that work ethic is used as camouflage for selfish feelings of pride and control? How do we know when to push our God-given abilities to the max and when to humbly recognize that we just can’t do it all?

Sexuality

Sunday, February 7
Dr. Jim Dixon, Senior Pastor

Grit is a moral standard.
Grace is a merciful perspective.

These days, God’s design for sex is perceived as a funny kind of Valentine: if it’s supposed to be an expression and celebration of love, why is it all boxed up in old-fashioned morals? Why not let it out of the box? Or a harder question, what if you’re out of the box?

Parental discretion advised.

Stewardship

Sunday, February 21
Dr. Jim Dixon, Senior Pastor

Grit gets bang for your buck.
Grace is extravagant.

Which opportunity would be more pleasing to God: to feed multitudes of the world’s poor or to lavish a year’s wages on an expression of whole-hearted worship? That’s a trick question, but this one isn’t: with limited resources and so many choices, what is God really asking of us?