We want our neighbors to know that we're here, we're here to serve them and we're here to stay. Online presence is one of the best ways to spread that news. Help Sovereign Grace Santa Ana become more visible online by writing a review on Yelp. We want to do everything we can to spread the joy of Jesus to our neighbors.
In the very last encounter with John the Baptist in the Gospel of John (3:22-36), we see his ministry and influence declining, yet he makes the astounding claim that "my joy is now complete". He would be executed a mere matter of months later, but he died a joyful man. The same joy is available to all who've placed their faith in Christ and it comes as a result of an unexpected equation that involves the increase and glory not of self, but of another.
As we continued our series in the book of John, we were reminded that John's purpose for writing is that the reader "believe that Jesus is the Christ" (20:31). However, in 2:12-3:21, we encounter manifestations of unbelief and Jesus explanation that its remedy is far more drastic than even the most religious would have guessed. Listen to last week's message to be reminded of the severity of unbelief, yet the readiness and power of the Savior to cure the condition.
High atop a hill above Trabuco Canyon this past Saturday, the leaders of Sovereign Grace Churches of Orange and Santa Ana looked forward to the coming year and beyond and planned as best we could for what and where we believe God is leading our churches.
It was an ambitious task, but at the end of the day, we know it's not by the strength or wisdom of our leadership that plans will be accomplished. It's by God's grace and His alone. We believe He is and has gone before us. We believe that we are simply carrying out the mission He has sent His Church on.
We also spent some time looking back over the last year and praising God for the grace He's already visibly extended through you. We returned more grateful for our brothers and sisters and cities than when we left.
God has equipped and established leaders in local churches. Leaders lead best when they're actively following the leadership of Christ.
This Saturday, the leaders (pastors, deacons, ministry team leaders) of Sovereign Grace Orange and Sovereign Grace Santa Ana will spend 12 hours planning, preparing and praying for Christ to lead our local churches. There might also be some playing.
Would you pray that these 12 hours would be well-spent? We hope that God works through small moments like these to build His church and save Californians - to spread the joy of Jesus in our cities.
We believe that God has planted Sovereign Grace Santa Ana in the DTSA neighborhood for the good of the neighborhood - to spread the joy of Jesus by proclaiming the Gospel and serving our neighbors.
Sometimes, serving our neighbors comes through big, coordinated and planned events.
Sometimes, and much more often, serving our neighbors comes through meeting the needs of our neighbors one by one. We have the privilege of extending God's mercy in this way.
This past week, a number of members worked together to help a family prepare for school by supplying school supplies, backpacks and uniforms.
We praise God for His mercy extended through you.
Months ago, Sovereign Grace Santa Ana multiplied small groups. Since then, God has built up those multiple small groups and strengthened the relationships between the members of each small group. This Friday, though, we'll all be together for a brief "family reunion". Come to the Houlton home at 7:00pm, bring a friend and enjoy the fellowship we have together in Christ.
Jesus creates unity between people unlike anything this world has ever seen. This past Sunday, Luke Friedly, our friend from Sovereign Grace Church, Pasadena, reminded us from Psalm 133 how precious unity is to God and to what lengths God has gone to in order to create and preserve unity in His Church. It's our privilege to experience that unity and our responsibility to guard that unity.
The Gospel Coalition is hosting its first West Coast conference in Fullerton, California from October 16-18.
They are looking for volunteers from partner churches in the area to serve throughout the conference. All volunteers receive free conference registration, a t-shirt and meals during volunteer shifts.
If you're available and able to volunteer, go, build relationships with other brothers and sisters from Southern California churches, be encouraged by the messages and bring a report back to the church!
Every month, the men of Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana meet to open up God's Word together, to pray and to learn from one another? Why? To grow as Christian men. As men, we need one another's example, encouragement and prayer in order to live godly lives in our own spheres. All guests are welcome.
