Suffering Will Come. When It Does, Where Will You Turn?

The New Testament is clear that among the many experiences a Christian can expect during the course of following Christ, one very real expectation is that we will suffer for His name. When those moments do come, what is our hope? Where should we look for comfort and encouragement? Listen to this week’s sermon from 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 to learn about the miraculous power of the average local church to support one another through suffering.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

Deep Fellowship, Gospel Culture, Healthy Competition

Last week, men from Sovereign Grace Santa Ana joined men from Sovereign Grace Orange and Pasadena in the mountains of Idyllwild for the every-other-year Men’s retreat. While there, guest speaker Ben Krepps encouraged and reminded the men of the power of God at work in the Gospel and creating a “gospel culture” in our churches.

Alongside the times of worship and speaking sessions were friendly competitions between the men of all three churches. This year, our small but mighty group SGSA came in first place!

SIGN UP FOR OUR SPRING CLASS

If we’re all going to be honest, we could each grow in our money=spending a stewardship habits in at least one area. Money is such a complex and pervasive element of our human experience that it’s easy to lose our way or even to find our way in the first place to God’s designed purpose for our money.

If you’d like to become a better steward of the resources God has supplied you with, then register for our 2020 spring class centered on teaching you Biblical principles of financial stewardship for God’s glory. The classes are conducted in a small group setting, using a discussion format and curriculum from Crown Ministries MoneyLife series. 

6 CLASSES, EVERY OTHER MONDAY, BEGINNING MARCH 9TH

MEETINGS WILL BE AT 7PM AT THE CUNNINGHAM RESIDENCE.

THERE WILL BE NO CHILDCARE AVAILABLE.

Jim and Angie Cunningham will lead the class. Their mentorship is invaluable. Our sister church in Orange has done this class for many years. You can check out testimonies of those who’ve been impacted by their class here. 

Printed Material is $40 per person and Online Material is $15 per person. You can choose whichever type works best for you. Scholarships are available.

Space for this class is limited, so make sure to sign up today!

Sign-ups close on February 29th. 

SIGN ME UP.

A DINNER THAT REPRESENTS THE LIFE WE SHARE

Every year on Daylight Saving’s Sunday, we switch gears and hold an evening service. Mark your calendars for March 8th at 5:00pm. Our regular Sunday service will be replaced by an all-church meal centered on the Lord's Supper. We will eat and drink together as we meditate more deeply on our Savior's sacrifice.

Not only will we share in the eating of a meal. We’ll share in the preparation of the meal. This is an event that requires all hands on deck. Whether you’re a single or a family, sign up to bring one of the needed dishes or items on March 8th.

Sign up for a dish/item here.

2020 HOSPITALITY CHALLENGE

This is the second month of our 2020 Hospitality Challenge. Hopefully over the past few weeks, you have been thinking of different people you could share a meal with. We want you to be able to use both your home and your time for the glory of God and the good of our Santa Ana neighbors.

The first month of the challenge has already had a positive impact on members. Click here to read a testimony from last month.

Why are we doing a hospitality challenge? Because it’s one of the best ways to get to know and love new neighbors. Author Tim Chester says,

“Few acts are more expressive of companionship than the shared meal… . Someone with whom we share food is likely to be our friend, or well on the way to becoming one.”

In this, we’re simply following the model of Jesus, who used food as a means for effective Gospel ministry:

“Jesus spent his time eating and drinking—a lot of his time … His mission strategy was a long meal, stretching into the evening. He did evangelism and discipleship round a table with some grilled fish, a loaf of bread, and a pitcher of wine.”

Out of ideas of who to invite into your home? Consider inviting one of your neighbors next door or down the street from your home. Don’t know any? Look for opportunities to introduce yourself to one or two of them in particular this month.

ALL MEN, HIGH SCHOOL AGE AND OLDER, WELCOME

THURSDAY, 7:00PM

FRONT PATIO OF THE 4TH STREET MARKET

God Loves The Church

In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, the Apostle Paul expresses intense affection toward the church in Thessalonica that might seem disproportionate given their lack of size, influence, etc. This transparent moment in the writings of Paul teaches us something fundamental about the local church - that it is precious because it’s precious to God. The men and women who comprise each local church are “blood-bought” treasures to the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28) who gave His very life to call them His own. The implication for us? We ought to love and treasure and prioritize what God treasures. Love your brothers and sisters in the local church.

Listen to this week’s sermon here.

Evening Communion Service on March 8th

Every year on Daylight Saving’s Sunday, we switch gears and hold an evening service. Mark your calendars for March 8th at 5:00pm. Our regular Sunday service will be replaced by an all-church meal centered on the Lord's Supper. We will eat and drink together as we meditate more deeply on our Savior's sacrifice.

It's a potluck and more instructions will be coming, so keep an eye on the blog. 

Pray for the Men of Sovereign Grace Santa Ana, Orange and Pasadena

This Thursday- Saturday men from Sovereign Grace Church of Santa Ana, Orange, and Pasadena will be traveling up to the mountains of Idyllwild for the every-other year Men’s retreat. Spend time this week praying for these men:

• That God would deepen the relationships between the men that attend

• That God would use Ben Kreps, the guest speaker, to apply biblical truth to us in a

  powerful and pointed way.

• That God would strengthen men who are struggling and in need of care.

• That God would save men who aren’t Christians who join us at the retreat.

• For the men that could not join in the retreat this year: that their walks with God would be strengthened as well

• For the wives & children of the men attending, that things would run smoothly while their husbands/fathers are away

Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith by Wayne Grudem

Doctrina Biblica: Enseñanzas Esenciales de la Fe Cristiana por Wayne Grudem

By recommending a new book every month, we’re recommending resources to you that help you to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18). It is not required that you purchase or read these books. They’re mere recommendations to assist you in choosing good books that help you to make the best use of the precious time you have.

A “Systematic Theology” For The Everyday Christian

February’s book of the month is “Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith” by Wayne Grudem. This book is a “systematic theology” book. “What does that mean?”, you ask. Systematic theology answers “what does the Bible teach about (____) subject?”, brings together all of the passages regarding that subject and provides you with a clear and oftentimes simple way to understand what can often be difficult teachings or doctrines of the Christian faith. What does the Bible teach about the Trinity, spiritual gifts, salvation, the Son of God, the Church, angels and demons, holiness, or the end times? You’ll find helpful answers grounded in the Scriptures to all of these questions and more. To learn more about what systematic theology is, click here. Whether you consider yourself a scholar or not, this is the kind of book every Christian should own and regularly refer back to. Mercifully, this particular systematic theology is an abridged version of Wayne Grudem’s original Systematic Theology.

It’s still admittedly a large book, but every page will enrich your mind with the wonder of God’s Word.

Purchase the book in English here.

Purchase the book in Spanish here.