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The Parable of the Tenants

Gratia Church held a graceful Sunday service on March 30, filled with worship and praise. Pastor Walker delivered a message based on Matthew 21:33-46, and below is a summary of that message.

Jesus tells the parable of a vineyard owner whose tenants refuse to give him the harvest, even resorting to beating and killing his servants – a reflection of Israel’s repeated rejection of God’s prophets. Through this story, Jesus exposes the power lust and hatred of the religious establishment of His time, who viewed themselves as the rightful heirs of God’s Kingdom. Rather than humbly stewarding God’s vineyard in love, they hardened their hearts, ultimately plotting the murder of God’s very own Son. This parable reveals that the cross was no mere accident but an act of violent rejection by those drunk with authority.

Yet, the heart of the Father was never for His Son to be murdered – the parable highlights God’s patient hope that His people would honor His Son and repent. God does not cause evil, but even though He foresaw the tenants’ hostility, He sent His Son out of love, giving the Jewish leaders every chance to turn back to Him. However, their stubbornness entrenched them deeper in sin, and the tragic consequence was the crucifixion of Jesus. Through this very act of rejection, however, grace extended beyond the confines of Israel’s religious system to Gentiles and sinners everywhere – those willing to produce the fruit of genuine love.

Ultimately, the parable points to both judgment and hope: the tenants forfeited the Kingdom due to their violence, but a door of blessing was opened wide to the spiritually lowly and contrite. Even though Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross appeared wretched and humiliating, it overturned sin through the power of perfect love. When we accept His death and resurrection in our hearts, we witness this rejected Stone becoming the cornerstone of our salvation. Through the cross, God’s grand new world has been unveiled to all, urging us to live by grace rather than being bound by the corrupt power structures of this world. 

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Looking Unto Jesus

Even though we live in the tension of the “already but not yet” – where we have experienced salvation through Christ yet await its ultimate fulfillment – we are encouraged to press on by drawing strength from His example. By looking to Jesus, who endured the cross and scorned its shame, we find a model for enduring hardships and temptations with unwavering perseverance. Instead of being weighed down by the past or distracted by worldly enticements, we are inspired to throw off every hindrance and stay focused on the One who leads us forward in faith.

This perspective on Christ shapes how we live for the Kingdom of God here and now. While the full restoration of creation awaits a future completion, the power of Jesus’ victory is already accessible in our daily lives. Fixing our gaze on Him reminds us that our ultimate purpose extends beyond temporary earthly goals. Rather than being overwhelmed by this life’s pressures or lured by self-centered ambitions, our eyes remain on Jesus, guiding our decisions and energizing us to serve others for His glory. The “already but not yet” reality compels us to live out Kingdom values-love, grace, and justice-even as we anticipate the day when all is brought under Christ’s lordship. By running with perseverance and fixing our eyes on Jesus, we not only endure the race but also experience the joy of participating in God’s ongoing redemptive work.

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Gratia Sunday Service and Farewell Prayer for Missionary

Gratia Church held a graceful Sunday service on March 23, filled with powerful and heartfelt praise and worship. The message delivered was based on Luke 5. Below is a summary of today’s message.

In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus instructs His disciples to move out into deeper water after an unproductive night of fishing, prompting them to cast their nets once more. Their eventual miraculous catch is a powerful image of what happens when we allow Jesus to lead us beyond our comfort zones. In the same way, He calls each of us to a deeper faith that touches every aspect of our lives, pushing us past the surface-level routines and assumptions we’ve grown used to. When we trust and act on His Word, even the most barren areas can yield abundant fruit.

This invitation to go deeper is ultimately about welcoming Jesus into our hearts, letting His presence transform and guide our decisions. We may think we’ve done all we can on our own-like the disciples who had fished all night-but Christ sees hidden possibilities where we see dead ends. Embracing this new depth of faith involves surrendering our plans and desires to Him, allowing Him to direct us toward blessings we could never achieve alone. As we open our lives to His leading, we come to realize that genuine transformation doesn’t stay at the shallow end but discovers overflowing grace in the deep waters of faith.

After the service, members prayed for Pastor Nancy, who has faithfully served YD Berkeley is returning to her home country. Her devotion and passion for Jesus Christ were sown in this land and have borne beautiful fruit through her life. Members wished her well on her new journey and prayed that her life would continue to be a great blessing to many. They also prayed that she would keep living as a witness for Jesus Christ.

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Unless I See His Wounds

In John 20:24-31, Thomas famously declares he will not believe in the resurrection of Jesus unless he can see and touch the nail marks for himself. This episode vividly portrays the opposition between faith and doubt, challenging us to consider which force dominates our hearts. Faith, at its core, involves trust in truths and realities we cannot fully see or grasp, whereas doubt often arises when fear and skepticism overshadow our willingness to believe. Thomas’ insistence on physical evidence highlights a closed heart, one that can miss the profound reality unfolding before it simply because it demands certainty on its own terms.

Yet, Jesus responds with both patience and grace, inviting Thomas to place his hands in the wounds. This moment offers a picture of what happens when a once-closed heart becomes open to divine truth: doubt is dispelled, and faith flourishes. The heart that shifts from stubborn skepticism to humble trust experiences transformation and deeper intimacy with Christ. Thus, Thomas’ journey reminds us that while faith and doubt may be polar opposites, Jesus stands ready to guide us toward belief. When we open our hearts and allow Christ to meet us in our hesitations, we discover that faith grows not by having all the answers, but by resting in the One who truly is the answer.

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Be Set Free on the Sabbath

In the passage, Jesus encounters a woman who has been crippled for eighteen years, a stark image of the burdens and constraints we face in our fallen world. Much like her bent-over condition, the stresses of money, family, or school can keep us bowed low, unable to stand upright or move freely. However, when Jesus sees her affliction, He calls her forward and heals her on the spot, demonstrating that He can untangle the knots that confine us. This miracle reminds us that no matter how long we’ve been stuck, Christ’s power and compassion are sufficient to straighten what has been bent for years.

Despite this amazing act of mercy, the synagogue leaders object to healing on the Sabbath, illustrating a legalistic mindset that values rules over people. Jesus responds by highlighting God’s true intention for the Sabbath: setting His beloved children free rather than burdening them with more constraints. Just as He refused to let the letter of the Law overshadow the dignity of the crippled woman, He also calls us to recognize when our own rule-keeping or perfectionism blinds us to God’s grace.

Ultimately, Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath, and genuine rest is found in embracing His victory, not in exhaustively meeting a checklist of demands. By healing on the Sabbath, Jesus reveals that rest in God is about freedom-physically, spiritually, and relationally. The heart of the Sabbath is a celebration of God’s completed work, dating back to Creation when He set aside a day of true peace and renewal for humanity.

As we approach Lent and look toward Easter, we’re reminded that Christ came to release us from every crippling power of sin and the world’s oppressive structures. When we allow Him to loosen our bonds, we step into a new realm of freedom where His grace supports us, lifting our heads and enabling us to live uprightly as part of His Kingdom.

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Student Bible Study Continues to Bring Joy and Grace

Gratia students continue to find joy and grace through their weekly Bible study. They gather every Monday at 7 PM and have been studying the book of Galatians together. Sister Ruth has been faithfully leading the study, and all participants have been receiving abundant grace.

Being college students, they face a heavy load of schoolwork and other commitments. This time in the Word has become a much-needed moment of true rest in Him. Gratia Church prays that God’s Word will continue to be their power and strength, helping them overcome challenges and stand firm in the Lord.

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