Videos from Grace Church, Modesto.  

We're a fellowship in Modesto, California, that takes the Bible seriously, aiming to teach all its truths accurately, without alteration or compromise, and to live our lives accordingly.

Grace Church

We examine the text upon which Thomas Watson based his work, ''Heaven Taken by Storm''. We see: 
 
* First, that the preaching of John and Jesus (and the disciples) moved many of those who heard to press forward into the kingdom. 
* Second, what it means that they pressed forward into the kingdom. 
 
We are all urged to follow the examples presented to us in Scripture, and to do whatever it takes to press forward into heaven, making sure that we are among those for whom Christ laid down His life. 
 
See the evening lecture (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/thomas-watson-heaven-taken-by-storm) to learn more about Watson and the theme of his work. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We examine the text upon which Thomas Watson based his work, ''Heaven Taken by Storm''.  We see:

* First, that the preaching of John and Jesus (and the disciples) moved many of those who heard to press forward into the kingdom.  
* Second, what it means that they pressed forward into the kingdom. 

We are all urged to follow the examples presented to us in Scripture, and to do whatever it takes to press forward into heaven, making sure that we are among those for whom Christ laid down His life.

See the evening lecture (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/thomas-watson-heaven-taken-by-storm) to learn more about Watson and the theme of his work.

www.gcmodesto.org

091025am - Violent Men Take It by Force - Matthew 11:12

We examine the life of Thomas Brooks, and some of the main themes in his work on spiritual warfare, ''Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices''. 
 
See the morning sermon (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/spiritual-warfare) to learn more about how to be prepared for Satan's attacks. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We examine the life of Thomas Brooks, and some of the main themes in his work on spiritual warfare, ''Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices''.

See the morning sermon (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/spiritual-warfare) to learn more about how to be prepared for Satan's attacks.

www.gcmodesto.org

091018pm - Thomas Brooks:  Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices - 2 Corinthians 2:11

We examine the life of Jeremiah Burroughs and some of the main themes contained within his famous work, ''The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment''. 
 
See the morning sermon (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/content-in-all-things) from Philippians 4:10-13 to learn more about how to be content in every situation. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We examine the life of Jeremiah Burroughs and some of the main themes contained within his famous work, ''The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment''.

See the morning sermon (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/content-in-all-things) from Philippians 4:10-13 to learn more about how to be content in every situation.

www.gcmodesto.org

091011pm - Jeremiah Burroughs: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment - Philippians 4:10-13

Paul indicates in our text that he had learned contentment in any situation -- whether he was in plenty or in want. 
 
We consider two things from this: 
*What contentment is, and 
*How we can be content. 
 
Arising from this example, we are asked the following questions: 
*Are you content when you have an abundance? 
*Are you content when you don't have enough? 
*What will it take to make you content? 
We see that the things of this world are all finite, they are all limited: they will never bring us lasting contentment. A relationship with the Lord is the only thing that will satisfy. We are urged to examine ourselves to see if we have such a relationship, and (if we do not) to come to Christ, trusting only in Him for salvation, to find true contentment that lasts. 
 
See the evening lecture (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/jeremiah-burroughs-the-rare-jewel-of-christian-contentment) on Jeremiah Burroughs and ''The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment'' to learn more about contentment. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

Paul indicates in our text that he had learned contentment in any situation -- whether he was in plenty or in want. 

We consider two things from this:  
*What contentment is, and
*How we can be content.  

Arising from this example, we are asked the following questions: 
*Are you content when you have an abundance? 
*Are you content when you don't have enough? 
*What will it take to make you content? 
We see that the things of this world are all finite, they are all limited:  they will never bring us lasting contentment.  A relationship with the Lord is the only thing that will satisfy. We are urged to examine ourselves to see if we have such a relationship, and (if we do not) to come to Christ, trusting only in Him for salvation, to find true contentment that lasts.

See the evening lecture (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/jeremiah-burroughs-the-rare-jewel-of-christian-contentment) on Jeremiah Burroughs and ''The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment'' to learn more about contentme

091011am - Content in All Things - Philippians 4:10-13

Beginning our 11th Annual Reformation Lecture Series, we survey ''The Bruised Reed'' by Richard Sibbes. 
 
See the morning sermon (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/the-mercies-of-christ) to learn more about the theme of this work. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

Beginning our 11th Annual Reformation Lecture Series, we survey ''The Bruised Reed'' by Richard Sibbes.

See the morning sermon (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/the-mercies-of-christ) to learn more about the theme of this work.

www.gcmodesto.org

091004pm - Richard Sibbes: The Bruised Reed - Matthew 12:17-21

We consider the theme of Richard Sibbes' ''The Bruised Reed'', seeing Jesus' humility and meekness in light of Isaiah's prophecy of how Messiah would deal with the bruised reed and the smoldering wick. 
We consider two things: 
 
*First, who the Servant of the Lord is, and something of His character. 
*And second, something of the work He was to do. 
 
From Jesus' example, we are challenged to not argue to get our own way, to not blow our own trumpet or to draw attention to ourselves. We should instead be humble servants, doing all we can to give glory to the Father and the Son and to live in such a way as to adorn the Gospel, rather than detract from it. 
 
See the evening lecture (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/richard-sibbes-the-bruised-reed) to learn more about the Lord's grace in Sibbes' life and to see how he applied the mercy of Christ more broadly to our situation. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We consider the theme of Richard Sibbes' ''The Bruised Reed'', seeing Jesus' humility and meekness in light of Isaiah's prophecy of how Messiah would deal with the bruised reed and the smoldering wick. 
We consider two things:  

*First, who the Servant of the Lord is, and something of His character.  
*And second, something of the work He was to do.  

From Jesus' example, we are challenged to not argue to get our own way, to not blow our own trumpet or to draw attention to ourselves. We should instead be humble servants, doing all we can to give glory to the Father and the Son and to live in such a way as to adorn the Gospel, rather than detract from it.   

See the evening lecture (http://gcmodesto.sermons.io/sermons/richard-sibbes-the-bruised-reed) to learn more about the Lord's grace in Sibbes' life and to see how he applied the mercy of Christ more broadly to our situation.

www.gcmodesto.org

091004am - The Mercies of Christ - Matthew 12:17-21

Grace, properly understood, will lead to greater knowledge -- a closer relationship with God through Christ. But there is a knowledge that is necessary to bring this relationship about. 
 
This evening, we consider: 
*First, that we are to grow in knowledge. 
*Second, that we are to grow in grace. 
 
We must do what the Spirit of God exhorts us to do through Peter, what Jesus also exhorted Peter to do: We must grow in grace and knowledge; we must set our minds on God's interests and not man's. 
 
We are encouraged to grow in grace and knowledge, and exhorted to take advantage of the means the Lord has provided us here to do so. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

Grace, properly understood, will lead to greater knowledge -- a closer relationship with God through Christ.  But there is a knowledge that is necessary to bring this relationship about. 

This evening, we consider:  
*First, that we are to grow in knowledge.  
*Second, that we are to grow in grace.  
 
We must do what the Spirit of God exhorts us to do through Peter, what Jesus also exhorted Peter to do:  We must grow in grace and knowledge; we must set our minds on God's interests and not man's.  

We are encouraged to grow in grace and knowledge, and exhorted to take advantage of the means the Lord has provided us here to do so.

www.gcmodesto.org

090927pm - Grow in Grace and Knowledge - 2 Peter 3:17-18

We consider how the Lord preserved the tribe of Judah at the time of king Asa, since this was the tribe through which the Messiah would come. Applying the principles of this account to ourselves, we see that the Lord is the only One who is able to help us, and He has promised to do so if we will only call on Him. 
 
We are challenged to not slide down into the pit of immorality with the rest of the world, but to be renewed in our hearts and call on the name of the Lord to help us in our spiritual battle. We must be faithful to call on Him, as Asa and Judah did when faced with enemies far too strong for them to defeat without God's help. The Lord is not to be our last resort - He is to be the One to whom we look first in time of need. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We consider how the Lord preserved the tribe of Judah at the time of king Asa, since this was the tribe through which the Messiah ...

090920am - There Is None But You to Help - 2 Chronicles 14:11

We consider another motive to help us live the Christian life to which the Lord called us: the fear of the Lord. This is something seldom heard in modern evangelical circles. Though it's not a very popular topic, it is something we need to hear and take account of in our Christian pilgrimage. 
 
We look at two points: 
*First, what the fear of the Lord is. 
*And second, what the fear of the Lord can teach us. 
 
We are urged to let the fear of the Lord be another means to awaken our souls from sleep, another motivation to seek His kingdom, and to reach out to others while there is still time. As Paul writes, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16). 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We consider another motive to help us live the Christian life to which the Lord called us:  the fear of the Lord.  This is something seldom heard in modern evangelical circles. Though it's not a very popular topic, it is something we need to hear and take account of in our Christian pilgrimage.  

We look at two points:
*First, what the fear of the Lord is.  
*And second, what the fear of the Lord can teach us.  

We are urged to let the fear of the Lord be another means to awaken our souls from sleep, another motivation to seek His kingdom, and to reach out to others while there is still time.  As Paul writes, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16).

www.gcmodesto.org

090830pm - The Fear of the Lord - 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

In Solomon's day, after the Temple was finished, the kingdom of Israel was raised to its greatest glory, and the Lord provided a picture of the future glorious reign of the Lord Jesus Christ in the reign of Solomon. After these days, the kingdom gradually began to decline, the glory began to diminish, because it was not the reality; it was merely pointing to it. The coming glory will never diminish. 
 
In this message, we consider Solomon's kingdom as a picture of Christ's future kingdom. We see two things: 
*First, how the Lord greatly poured out His blessings on Israel under Solomon's reign. 
*Second, how this was a picture of what the Lord Jesus Christ would bring during His earthly reign. 
 
 
We are challenged to continue to pray that God's kingdom would advance, to pray for the church as a whole that the Lord would purify her and make her to shine again with the light of His truth, to continue to reach out to our lost loved ones and those around us with the Gospel, and to look forward to that glorious rest that is ahead of us in heaven when our days on earth are finished, of which the Lord's Day is a picture to us. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

In Solomon's day, after the Temple was finished, the kingdom of Israel was raised to its greatest glory, and the Lord provided a picture of the future glorious reign of the Lord Jesus Christ in the reign of Solomon.  After these days, the kingdom gradually began to decline, the glory began to diminish, because it was not the reality; it was merely pointing to it. The coming glory will never diminish. 

In this message, we consider Solomon's kingdom as a picture of Christ's future kingdom.  We see two things:  
*First, how the Lord greatly poured out His blessings on Israel under Solomon's reign.  
*Second, how this was a picture of what the Lord Jesus Christ would bring during His earthly reign.  


We are challenged to continue to pray that God's kingdom would advance, to pray for the church as a whole that the Lord would purify her and make her to shine again with the light of His truth, to continue to reach out to our lost loved ones and those around us with the Gospel, and to look 

090830am - Solomon's Reign - 1 Kings 4:1, 20-21, 29-34

We come to another step forward in God's work of redemption: the building of that more permanent place of worship, the Temple. God had already given the tabernacle to His people, but it was only meant to be temporary, while they were in the wilderness, until the Lord brought them into the Promised Land. This temple represents another important step forward in the work of redemption because of its connection with Christ and His benefits. 
This morning, we see three things: 
*First, the Temple's connection with heaven. 
*Second, the Temple's connection with Christ. 
*And finally, the Temple's connection with the Church. 
 
We are challenged to go out, armed with the Gospel, and through the Gospel gather the living stones of the spiritual temple together. Make sure that you are trusting in Christ to save you, and make sure that your life shows that you are through your pursuit of holiness. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We come to another step forward in God's work of redemption: the building of that more permanent place of worship, the Temple. God had already given the tabernacle to His people, but it was only meant to be temporary, while they were in the wilderness, until the Lord brought them into the Promised Land. This temple represents another important step forward in the work of redemption because of its connection with Christ and His benefits.  
This morning, we see three things:  
*First, the Temple's connection with heaven.  
*Second, the Temple's connection with Christ.  
*And finally, the Temple's connection with the Church.

We are challenged to go out, armed with the Gospel, and through the Gospel gather the living stones of the spiritual temple together. Make sure that you are trusting in Christ to save you, and make sure that your life shows that you are through your pursuit of holiness.

www.gcmodesto.org

090823am - The Temple - 2 Chronicles 3:1; 5:1

Continuing to look at the evidences Jesus gave while here on earth that He is the Messiah promised by God, we review this account of the healing of a mute man. 
We see how physical muteness is a picture to use of spiritual muteness that results from sin, and how that may be healed. We consider: 
*Sin makes you spiritually mute 
*Jesus can heal your spiritual muteness 
*The healing miracles of Jesus raise a question you must answer 
All are called to humble themselves, to pray, to turn from wickedness and to come to Jesus for healing from sin. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

Continuing to look at the evidences Jesus gave while here on earth that He is the Messiah promised by God, we review this account of the healing of a mute man.
We see how physical muteness is a picture to use of spiritual muteness that results from sin, and how that may be healed.  We consider:
*Sin makes you spiritually mute
*Jesus can heal your spiritual muteness
*The healing miracles of Jesus raise a question you must answer
All are called to humble themselves, to pray, to turn from wickedness and to come to Jesus for healing from sin.

www.gcmodesto.org

090816am - The Tongue of the Mute Will Shout for Joy - Matthew 12:22-23

This morning, we consider more generally how the Lord fulfilled His promise to David that he would never lack a man to sit on his throne. This was true for as long as Judah continued as an independent nation, and that in spite of the wickedness of many of David's sons. 
 
We see three things: 
* First, how God's promise was fulfilled in David's line. 
* Second, how the lack of this promise and blessing on the northern kingdom brought numerous coups and civil wars. 
* And finally, why God fulfilled this promise to David. 
 
Believers should be encouraged that God has not changed and His faithfulness extends to them for the sake of His Son, Jesus. Unbelievers are warned that God is also faithful to His promises to judge all those who refuse His offer of salvation and mercy in Christ. Today is still a day of salvation and all may come to Jesus to be saved from the judgment that is surely coming. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

This morning, we consider more generally how the Lord fulfilled His promise to David that he would never lack a man to sit on his throne.  This was true for as long as Judah continued as an independent nation, and that in spite of the wickedness of many of David's sons. 
 
We see three things:
* First, how God's promise was fulfilled in David's line.
* Second, how the lack of this promise and blessing on the northern kingdom brought numerous coups and civil wars.
* And finally, why God fulfilled this promise to David.

Believers should be encouraged that God has not changed and His faithfulness extends to them for the sake of His Son, Jesus.  Unbelievers are warned that God is also faithful to His promises to judge all those who refuse His offer of salvation and mercy in Christ.  Today is still a day of salvation and all may come to Jesus to be saved from the judgment that is surely coming.

www.gcmodesto.org

090809am - God's Faithfulness - Psalm 89:20-37

This morning we consider why the Lord gave further revelation at the time of David by adding several new books to Scripture. We look at how each of them points to Christ's coming and His work of redemption. We are also reminded of how important and precious Scripture (both the Old and New Testaments) is to us today. It is the only source of the Gospel, of right doctrine, and of how to live our lives to the glory of God. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

This morning we consider why the Lord gave further revelation at the time of David by adding several new books to Scripture. We look at how each of them points to Christ's coming and His work of redemption.  We are also reminded of how important and precious Scripture (both the Old and New Testaments) is to us today.  It is the only source of the Gospel, of right doctrine, and of how to live our lives to the glory of God.

www.gcmodesto.org

090628am - God's Word Revealed - 1 Chronicles 29:29-30

Through the parable of the farmer, Jesus shows us how the Gospel progresses in the lives of individuals and also in the world as a whole. As the seed of the Gospel is sown in the world and hearts are changed, so is the world. 
 
We have an eye in this study (as the parable does) to the final harvest - the Day of Judgment. On that Day, we will all be called to account to God for how we have lived our lives and what fruit we have produced. For believers this will be a judgment for reward but for others it will seal their fate in eternal punishment. Are you spiritually alive and growing in grace? Has the seed of the Gospel been sown in your heart? These are the questions we are challenged to answer. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

Through the parable of the farmer, Jesus shows us how the Gospel progresses in the lives of individuals and also in the world as a whole. As the seed of the Gospel is sown in the world and hearts are changed, so is the world. 

We have an eye in this study (as the parable does) to the final harvest - the Day of Judgment.  On that Day, we will all be called to account to God for how we have lived our lives and what fruit we have produced.  For believers this will be a judgment for reward but for others it will seal their fate in eternal punishment.  Are you spiritually alive and growing in grace? Has the seed of the Gospel been sown in your heart? These are the questions we are challenged to answer.

www.gcmodesto.org

120122am - The Progress of God's Kingdom - Mark 4:26-29

This evening, we begin to look at a series of arguments Jonathan Edwards uses to prove that our actions are the best of all the evidences we can give that we have saving faith. 
We consider: 
*First, how reason shows us that we choose those things that we really want to do. 
*And second, how Scripture shows us the same thing. 
We are challenged to weigh our actions against this touchstone to see what condition our hearts are in and to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

This evening, we begin to look at a series of arguments Jonathan Edwards uses to prove that our actions are the best of all the evidences we can give that we have saving faith.
We consider:  
*First, how reason shows us that we choose those things that we really want to do. 
*And second, how Scripture shows us the same thing.  
We are challenged to weigh our actions against this touchstone to see what condition our hearts are in and to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

www.gcmodesto.org

090614pm - What's Really in Your Heart? - Proverbs 4:23

We consider "The Sons of The Prophets", the school that the Lord established in the Old Covenant to reveal His coming and advance His work, increasing His light in order to prepare Israel for the coming of Messiah. 
We consider three things: 
*First, that this was not the beginning of the prophetic gift, since the Lord had already established the office of prophet. 
*Second, that this was the establishing of a school of prophets that would provide an unbroken line of prophets to Israel. 
*And finally, the reason He did this was to give His people a greater light to prepare them for the coming of His Son. 
We are challenged to see that the Lord still speaks to His people today through His Word, and to be obedient to what He has revealed to us and declares to us today through the men He has appointed. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We consider "The Sons of The Prophets", the school that the Lord established in the Old Covenant to reveal His coming and advance His work, increasing His light in order to prepare Israel for the coming of Messiah. 
We consider three things: 
*First, that this was not the beginning of the prophetic gift, since the Lord had already established the office of prophet.  
*Second, that this was the establishing of a school of prophets that would provide an unbroken line of prophets to Israel.  
*And finally, the reason He did this was to give His people a greater light to prepare them for the coming of His Son.
We are challenged to see that the Lord still speaks to His people today through His Word, and to be obedient to what He has revealed to us and declares to us today through the men He has appointed.

www.gcmodesto.org

090607am - The Sons of the Prophets - Acts 3:18-26

We review the teaching concerning works that Jonathan Edwards derived from Scriptures such as the following verse: Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). 
From this we see that our good works (though not an infallible testimony) are the best evidence to others that we're genuine believers, and that reason also teaches us the same thing. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We review the teaching concerning works that Jonathan Edwards derived from Scriptures such as the following verse: Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).  
From this we see that our good works (though not an infallible testimony) are the best evidence to others that we're genuine believers, and that reason also teaches us the same thing.

www.gcmodesto.org

090531pm - You Will Know Them by Their Fruits - Matthew 7:16-20

We consider another encouraging facet of the Lord's work in the history of redemption: the many times Christ appeared to reveal something more of His glory, and the glorious work He would perform on behalf of His church in the distant future. We consider six of these appearances this morning: 
*His appearance to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, when Aaron and Miriam spoke out against Moses. 
*To Moses when He gave him the Ten Commandments the second time. 
*To Moses and the elders of Israel on Mount Sinai after the first giving of the Law. 
*To Joshua before the Conquest of the Land. 
*To Gideon before his battle with the Midianites. 
*And finally, to Manoah and his wife before the birth of Samson. 
Very often, He appeared in human form -- the form He would later take when He came into the world at His incarnation -- and in each case, He revealed something further about Himself and His work. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We consider another encouraging facet of the Lord's work in the history of redemption: the many times Christ appeared to reveal something more of His glory, and the glorious work He would perform on behalf of His church in the distant future. We consider six of these appearances this morning:
*His appearance to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, when Aaron and Miriam spoke out against Moses.
*To Moses when He gave him the Ten Commandments the second time.
*To Moses and the elders of Israel on Mount Sinai after the first giving of the Law.
*To Joshua before the Conquest of the Land.
*To Gideon before his battle with the Midianites. 
*And finally, to Manoah and his wife before the birth of Samson.
Very often, He appeared in human form -- the form He would later take when He came into the world at His incarnation -- and in each case, He revealed something further about Himself and His work.

www.gcmodesto.org

090531am - Christ Reveals His Glory - Exodus 33:7-34:8

We continue to examine the book of Revelation, considering how much of it may apply to the time in AD70 when the Temple was destroyed and God took a new bride, His Church. We focus on the seven seal judgments. 
 
www.gcmodesto.org

We continue to examine the book of Revelation, considering how much of it may apply to the time in AD70 when the Temple was destroyed and God took a new bride, His Church.  We focus on the seven seal judgments.

www.gcmodesto.org

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