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“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” — Psalm 104:24

Q: What keeps us in this community? 

Vision: To be a church for our city that seeks new life in Jesus.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” — 1 Peter 4:10-11

Mission: Equip people with the gospel for everyday life.

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” — Ephesians 4:11-13

Q: Will you live on mission by God’s grace as long as HE has you here?

TEXT: Acts 21:7-14

What can we learn about God’s restraining grace? It helps us to…(1. Stay the course 2. Count the cost 3. Trust God’s voice)

      1. Stay the course (v. 7-8)

“When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.”

      2. Count the cost (v. 10-11)

“While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

“I’m saying yes to You and no to my desires // I’ll leave myself behind and follow You. // I’ll walk the narrow road, ’cause it leads me to You, I’ll fall, but grace will pick me up again. I’ve counted up the cost, Oh, I’ve counted up the cost, Yes, I’ve counted up the cost, And You are worth it. I do not need safety as much as I need You, You’re dangerous but Lord, You’re beautiful. // I’ll chase You through the pain, I’ll carry my cross,’Cause real love is not afraid to bleed. Jesus, take my all, Take my everything. I’ve counted up the cost, And You’re worth everything.” — Rend Collective Song “The Cost”

      3. Trust God’s voice (v. 12-14)

“When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” — Corrie Ten Boom

TAKEAWAYS: What can we take away as a church in 2022?

• Staying the course happens when we listen to Jesus first

“You are my friends…” — John 15:14

• Counting the cost is about obeying God’s will

“…if you do what I command you.” — John 15:14

• Trusting God’s voice leads to greater Gospel good

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” — Mark 8:36-38