Welcome to Gratia Community Church
Gratia church started its Christian book club this month of August and expects it can be an open door for others to come to Jesus Christ while church members can deepen their understanding of faith through this as well. We pray that God bless this fellowship as they seek for the Holy Spirit guide all things. .
On Saturday September 2, Gratia Church held their first full day of the Fall Retreat. The Fall Retreat is a time to reunite after being away for the summer and prepare for a new semester of evangelism and missions. The retreat was held in Sacramento, the capital of California.
The day started with opening service led by Pastor Sharon who preached on John 2 and described the qualitative life change that the Lord brings. For the first Bible Study, Pastor Walker preached from John 5 about the invalid man being healed and the heart of faith that is called in effort to stand up for God. The retreat also featured games and a walk outdoors that was a time for attendees to have deep fellowship together. Also, attendees shared talents by performing in a talent show with a Christian skits, songs, piano playing, and even a Christian rap. Fellowship meals were full of God’s grace. The day ended in a graceful prayer meeting where the Holy Spirit touched the members.
In the sermon, Pastor Tzeng spoke the wind and the waves that may rock our lives. It makes us realize we are not in control and the unknown feeling puts us in fear and anxiety. However, faith is understanding that God is sovereign and in control of this world and He does not leave us alone. The disciples thought Jesus was a ghost, but he actually came by walking on water. In the same way, God doesn’t just come to us mystically, but He helps us practically and tangibly in our lives.
Peter also does something amazing by walking on water as well. It shows that he has love and courage and was willing to change his thinking. Peter would not have been able to walk on water if he didn’t get out of the boat in the first place. It’s the same with us, in order to have the miracle of walking on water, we need to get out of the boat that we are stuck in. This is about changing our hearts and relying on God is in control and helps us walk on water. What started off as love and courage, however, ended up with doubt in Peter and he fell when he saw the winds. Doubt is being double-minded, while faith is being single-minded and having simple obedience to the Lord. At no time does the Lord shake, he is in complete control even amidst the wind and the waves. We must have faith in order to go straight and continue on absolutely. That being said, Peter’s story doesn’t end badly, because he did have faith in the salvation of the Lord. He said, “Lord, save me” and Jesus did reach out his hand and save Peter. Faith in salvation is the basic Christian faith. Without faith in salvation, who would ever go beyond their boundaries? However, Peter got out of the boat, he walked on water, fell in doubt, but was saved by the Lord in faith. This kind of dynamic life is one that we must live as well for the Kingdom, trusting in God who saves us. We are all limited, but may we all be the ones who walk on water like the Lord, and follow him in faith.