GracePoint Kitsap Podcast

HOW SWEET THE SOUND (Part 1) • "Amazing Grace" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: In many ways, hymns are the oral history of our faith. Like the Psalms in the Bible, they are passed from generation to generation and sung in cathedrals, chapels, churches and sometimes around a family piano. This How Sweet the Sound series delves into some of those classic hymns and explore the story behind these songs. We hope it will also breathe new life into their melodies to illuminate the hope they have for us today.

 

• This Week: When John Newton was young, he worked on a slave ship. He had such a hatred of God that he was referred to as the “Great Blasphemer.” During a horrible storm, he cried out to God for mercy. Surviving, he began to read the Bible and accepted Christ as Savior. He then penned one of the most famous hymns of all time: Amazing Grace.

 

Key Phrase: “You were… but God…by grace…” Ephesians 2:1-5

PREPARING FOR CHRIST'S RETURN (Part 6) • "Stress Test Checklist" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: The first letter to the church at Thessalonica is a relevant letter for our day. These believers were worried and a bit stressed that they had somehow missed the coming of Christ. Today, many believers are worried and stressed that the coming of Christ is not coming fast enough. This study through this intimate letter will help prepare us for the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

 

• This Week: Before takeoff, every pilot has a series of things to check off before the airplane can take off. Paul finishes this personal letter by giving the Thessalonian believers a detailed checklist for them to do before meeting Jesus.

 

Key Phrase: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances…” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

PREPARING FOR CHRIST'S RETURN (Part 5) • "Raptured" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: The first letter to the church at Thessalonica is a relevant letter for our day. These believers were worried and a bit stressed that they had somehow missed the coming of Christ. Today, many believers are worried and stressed that the coming of Christ is not coming fast enough. This study through this intimate letter will help prepare us for the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

 

• This Week: There is still a raging theological debate regarding a word that is not even mentioned in the Bible: Rapture. However, I will give you reasons why I believe scripture points to the rapture of believers prior to the wrath of God called the Tribulation.

 

Key Phrase: “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together…” 1 Thessalonians 4:17

PREPARING FOR CHRIST'S RETURN (Part 4) • "Hope" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: The first letter to the church at Thessalonica is a relevant letter for our day. These believers were worried and a bit stressed that they had somehow missed the coming of Christ. Today, many believers are worried and stressed that the coming of Christ is not coming fast enough. This study through this intimate letter will help prepare us for the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

 

• This Week: Because of Jesus Christ and what awaits those who have placed their faith in him, we shouldn’t view death like everyone else in this world. In our post-Christian culture, death is the end. To the believer, death is just the beginning of eternal life. Both Jesus and Paul do not refer to death as death. Instead, it’s just “sleep.”

 

Key Phrase: “We do not grieve like those… who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

PREPARING FOR CHRIST'S RETURN (Part 3) • "Sanctified" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: The first letter to the church at Thessalonica is a relevant letter for our day. These believers were worried and a bit stressed that they had somehow missed the coming of Christ. Today, many believers are worried and stressed that the coming of Christ is not coming fast enough. This study through this intimate letter will help prepare us for the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

 

• This Week: The will of God is pretty clear in this passage: be sanctified in our sexuality! One of the clearest and most powerful testimonies we can have in our sex-crazed culture is to live with sexual self-control. It is unheard of, crazy, out of this universe kind of living that please God. Paul goes point by point in what God wants in this area of our life.

 

Key Phrase: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…” 1 Thessalonians 4:3

PREPARING FOR CHRIST'S RETURN (Part 2) • "Living to Please" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: The first letter to the church at Thessalonica is a relevant letter for our day. These believers were worried and a bit stressed that they had somehow missed the coming of Christ. Today, many believers are worried and stressed that the coming of Christ is not coming fast enough. This study through this intimate letter will help prepare us for the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

 

• This Week: The most repeated theme in 1 Thessalonians is challenging them to live in such a way that would please the Lord. Shouldn’t this be our aim? Our goal? Our desire?

 

Key Phrase: “We instructed you how to live in order to please God.” 1 Thess. 4:1

PREPARING FOR CHRIST'S RETURN (Part 1) • "Persecution" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: The first letter to the church at Thessalonica is a relevant letter for our day. These believers were worried and a bit stressed that they had somehow missed the coming of Christ. Today, many believers are worried and stressed that the coming of Christ is not coming fast enough. This study through this intimate letter will help prepare us for the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

 

• This Week: After Paul goes into great detail of his love for this church, he encourages these believers in their persecution. Many believers are surprised, shocked, and flat out angry when they face persecution for their faith. Buckle up believers, it’s just getting started. How will you stand in the face of persecution?

 

Key Phrase: “You are standing firm in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 38

SECURE ME (Part 6) • "Big Kingdom vs little kingdom" • Kevin Scruggs

• This Series: Insecurity began in the garden of Eden. It’s part of the original sin. God gave us everything. Satan said we were missing out. When I begin my relationship with Christ, everything changes. I learn that God loves me. God likes me. God pursues me. Therefore, my security is found in Him. I don’t need to be good enough. I can’t.

SECURE ME (Part 5) • "Being a Victim, Less" • Kevin Scruggs

• This Series: Insecurity began in the garden of Eden. It’s part of the original sin. God gave us everything. Satan said we were missing out. When I begin my relationship with Christ, everything changes. I learn that God loves me. God likes me. God pursues me. Therefore, my security is found in Him. I don’t need to be good enough. I can’t.

SECURE ME (Part 4) • "Deep Wounds" • Barry Bandara

• This Series: Insecurity began in the garden of Eden. It’s part of the original sin. God gave us everything. Satan said we were missing out. When I begin my relationship with Christ, everything changes. I learn that God loves me. God likes me. God pursues me. Therefore, my security is found in Him. I don’t need to be good enough. I can’t.