Grace Lutheran
Sunday 2026 Setting 3 January 11
      • Bible Trivia
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      • Matthew 28:20ESV

      • Isaiah 42:1–9ESV

      • Romans 6:1–11ESV

      • Matthew 3:13–17ESV

      • Romans 8:1–11ESV

      • Psalm 29ESV

      • Romans 8:1–11ESV

      • Isaiah 42:1–9ESV

      • Romans 8:1–11ESV

      • Romans 6:1–11ESV

      • John 11:1–53ESV

      • Matthew 3:13–17ESV

  • Matthew 28:18-20
    Children’s Message
    (Invite the children forward)
    Good morning, guys—and Happy New Year!
    Quick question: who got something new for Christmas? A toy, a game, maybe something fun?
    Now, if someone gave you a brand-new bike, what would you do with it? You wouldn’t hang it on the wall and just look at it, right? You’d ride it.
    But here’s the thing—did you learn to ride a bike all by yourself?
    No. Someone showed you. Someone walked alongside you. Someone said, “Watch me—now you try.”
    That’s how learning works.
    Today, Jesus talks about learning too. He talks about disciples. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, learns from Jesus, and lives the way Jesus teaches.
    Right before Jesus went back to heaven, He said:
    “Go and make disciples… teaching them… and I am with you always.”
    That means Jesus doesn’t say, “Good luck—figure it out.” He says, “Follow me. Learn from me. And I’ll be with you the whole way.”
    And this isn’t just for kids. It’s for parents, grandparents, and the whole church.
    Because church isn’t just a place we go—it’s where we learn to follow Jesus together.
    So today, as we start a new year, we’re asking one big question: Who is God calling us to be as His church?
    And Jesus gives the answer: Make disciples. Follow me. Learn from me. Live life together in me.
    Alright—you can head back to your seats.

    As We Enter the New Year: Who Is God Calling Us to Be?

    Here we are, stepping into a brand-new year. And honestly? It’s probably way past time for us to stop and ask a serious question: Who is God calling us to be as His Church?
    Not who’s the easiest to please. Not what’s comfortable or familiar. Not just doing what we’ve always done because, well… that’s what we do.
    Nope. This is about what Christ Himself has commanded.
    You know how a new year always feels like a fresh start? We make resolutions, sign up for gym memberships (which many of us forget by February), and promise ourselves we’ll do better.
    But here’s the thing about the Church: we don’t get to just try something new or hope for the best. We have a calling—a mission that’s been laid out by Jesus Himself.
    Since I was called here, I’ve been doing what one of my mentors advised when I first started the ministry for the first two to three years: watching, listening, and learning. I’ve been getting a feel for the heartbeat of Grace Lutheran. I’ve seen the strengths—plenty to celebrate—and also noticed some blind spots. And I’ve seen where faith runs deep and steady, but also where it might have been assumed rather than actively nurtured.
    And no, that’s not just sitting on the sidelines doing nothing. That’s discernment.
    Because before we can ask, “What’s next for us?” we have to really understand who we are now.
    And now, after all that watching and praying, the question is impossible to ignore:
    What’s the next phase for Grace Lutheran? What is the Holy Spirit calling us to step into—not in some vague church-speak, but in real, everyday ways?
    The great thing is, I didn’t really have to look far as Jesus already gave us the answer.
    Matthew 28:19 ESV
    Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
    Not just making sure people show up on Sunday. Not just filling volunteer spots. Not just keeping the building running.
    Making disciples.
    That’s the mission—and that’s where we start this year, no matter how comfortable or uncomfortable it feels.

    Discipleship Is Not an Add-On—It Is the Church’s Reason for Being

    We need to be honest about something. One of the biggest mistakes the modern church makes is treating discipleship like it’s just another program on the calendar—something you check off once a month or maybe add when you’ve got extra time.
    But here’s the kicker: Discipleship is not a program. It’s not a committee. It’s not an event or even a Bible study you attend, and no I am not picking on our Thursday Bible study group, disciples is a great name.
    Discipleship is what the Church is.
    If we haven’t figured it out already the Church is not a social club, it’s not a community center, not even just a place where people come to hear nice music and friendly sermons. The Church is God’s people—called out, shaped, and sent.
    Jesus didn’t just gather crowds on a hillside and hope some folks would stick around. No, He called people by name.
    “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19)
    And that call should change everything.
    When we were called by Jesus, it wasn’t a casual decision, it wasn’t even our decision if we are honest. It wasn’t like we were picking movie to watch on Netflix. Following Jesus changes how we think. It changes how we live. It changes how we understand God, ourselves, and the whole world around us.
    That’s discipleship—it’s lifelong formation in Christ.
    Paul describes it like this:
    Galatians 4:19 ESV
    my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
    That’s not some quick fix or a one-time experience. It’s a process. It’s daily. It’s ongoing. It’s everything.
    And here’s the truth that nobody likes to admit: discipleship doesn’t happen by accident. It doesn’t happen by hanging around the church building hoping faith will rub off by osmosis.
    If the Church is not intentionally discipling, then rest assured, the world will gladly do it for us.
    And guess what the world’s curriculum looks like? It’s full of self-interest, instant gratification, and “do what feels right for you” gospel. It’s louder than the Church’s voice if we’re not careful.
    Scripture never pretends there’s a middle ground here. Jesus tells us:
    Matthew 6:24 ESV
    “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
    You can’t sit on the fence and expect to have your faith intact. You’re either with Jesus, or you’re not.
    Matthew 12:30 ESV
    Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
    So here’s the reality we face: discipleship is happening—no matter what.
    Either the world is discipling you… or Christ is discipling you.
    There’s no neutral zone.
    And as the Church—God’s people—we have to decide which curriculum we’re committed to.

    What Discipleship Looks Like: Life Together in Christ

    That brings us to the big question “what does discipleship actually look like?” If someone asked you, “So, what does being a disciple really mean day-to-day?” how would you answer?
    Luke gives us one of the clearest pictures. After Jesus ascended, the very first Christians didn’t sit around waiting for the next big program or the church building to be finished. They simply lived life together in Christ, and it looked like this:
    Acts 2:42 ESV
    And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
    That word devoted is key. This wasn’t some casual, “If it fits my schedule, maybe I’ll show up” kind of thing. This wasn’t just “Oh, I’m here if nothing better comes along.” No way.
    This was commitment. This was intentional. This was Life Together in Christ.
    So what were they devoted to? Four things stand out—four pillars of discipleship.

    1. The Apostles’ Teaching

    First, the Word of God was central—not an afterthought, not a filler before coffee and donuts, but the heart of their life together.
    Jesus said it best:
    “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
    That means discipleship starts with getting into God’s Word. Not just hearing it on Sundays, but living it, chewing on it, wrestling with it, letting it shape us.

    2. Fellowship

    Next, fellowship wasn’t just polite conversation or small talk after worship (though those are nice). It was shared life under the cross.
    Paul puts it simply:
    “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
    That means showing up for each other—not just for the good times but also when life gets messy, hard, and painful.
    Fellowship is not convenience; it’s commitment.

    3. The Breaking of the Bread

    Third, the breaking of the bread—the Lord’s Supper—was a central, regular part of their gathering.
    Jesus promised:
    “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” (John 6:56)
    This is where Christ Himself meets us—giving Himself to nourish our souls and keep us connected to Him and to each other.

    4. Prayer

    And finally, prayer. A community dependent on God, not trying to do it all on their own.
    Paul encourages:
    “Devote yourselves to prayer.” (Colossians 4:2)
    Prayer shapes the heartbeat of the church. It’s how we stay connected to the Father and rely on His Spirit to guide, sustain, and empower us.
    So there you have it—that’s discipleship.
    It’s not about fancy programs or institutional checklists. Structure can help, sure. It can keep things running smoothly. But structure cannot replace these core practices.
    Discipleship is living life together in Christ—rooted in His Word, sustained by His grace, and bound by love and prayer.
    That’s the rhythm we’re called to return to and live out, starting right here, right now.

    Teaching Comes First: Faith Comes by Hearing

    Now that we’ve talked about what discipleship looks like—life together in Christ, rooted in Word, fellowship, Sacrament, and prayer. Where or how do we start? How does someone go from “interested” or “curious” to a fully formed disciple?
    Jesus tells us clearly:
    Matthew 28:20 ESV
    teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
    The key word there is teaching.
    You see, discipleship isn’t just about feeling inspired or having good intentions. It’s about learning—learning what Jesus actually taught, what He commanded, and how He calls us to live.
    Paul nails why this is so crucial when he asks a pretty straightforward question:
    Romans 10:14 ESV
    How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
    No hearing, no believing. No believing, no faith.
    And faith, Paul reminds us,
    Romans 10:17 ESV
    So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
    Plain and simple: No Word—no faith. No teaching—no disciples.
    That means discipleship always begins at the same place: getting into God’s Word.
    And here’s where many stumble—discipleship isn’t about picking and choosing the nice, comfortable parts of Scripture, the verses that make us feel good, or the stories that fit our schedule.
    Nope.
    Paul challenges the Ephesian elders with this:
    “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)
    It’s the whole counsel of God.
    That means all of it—the difficult parts, the clear commands, the promises, the warnings, the Gospel, the Law.
    That’s what shapes disciples.
    So as we begin this journey of renewed discipleship, our first and greatest task is to open up God’s Word—not occasionally, not selectively, but faithfully and regularly—letting it form us into the people God calls us to be.
    Because it’s in the Word where faith grows, life changes, and disciples are made.

    Where We Are Headed: A Deliberate Turn Toward Formation

    What does all this mean for us as we step into this new year? What’s next for Grace Lutheran as we answer Jesus’ call to make disciples?
    It means we’re making a deliberate, intentional turn back to the biblical model of discipleship. Not chasing after the latest trends or quick fixes, but starting right where God always starts—with His Word.
    I am challenging everyone to read through their Bible this year, there are many options on your phone, I can give you a plan, but most of all not only read it but get into a Bible study. To learn it, to understand it, and to let it teach you.
    Now, don’t hear this as just another item on your to-do list or a box to check off. This isn’t about speed reading or skimming for the “best parts.” This is about letting God’s Word set the agenda for our lives.
    Psalm 119 puts it beautifully:
    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
    We need that light—every step of the way.
    From this foundation, we’ll build future Bible studies that dive deeper. Because disciples aren’t just made by hearing once or twice—they’re learners by nature, growing in faith and understanding every day.
    And yes, this journey includes outward-facing opportunities like Alpha—open to the whole community. Because discipleship is never meant to be a private club.
    Jesus made that clear:
    “Go… make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
    We’re not retreating from the world or hiding in the church building. We’re stepping out—formed by Christ, grounded in His Word—not shaped by the world’s ideas.
    This is the direction we’re headed: faithful formation, intentional learning, and bold engagement.

    The Direction Is Clear

    What’s next, where do we go from here?
    Let me be clear: This isn’t about abandoning our past or throwing out everything we’ve built. Far from it. We honor our history when we are faithful to it—not by clinging to old habits, but by returning to what has always made the Church grow and thrive.
    The Church doesn’t grow because of institutions, fancy buildings, clever marketing, or even a certain type of music. The Church grows through the Word, the Sacraments, and shared life in Christ.
    That’s where our focus belongs.
    As we look ahead, the real question isn’t, “Are we busy?” Because churches can be busy and still miss the point.
    The question is this: Are we being formed as disciples?
    Are we growing in faith? Are we living out Life Together in Christ, shaped and sustained by His Word and grace?
    Because “Life Together in Christ” isn’t just a nice slogan to put on a bulletin or a website.
    It is the calling God has placed before us—clear, biblical, and urgent.
    And with that calling comes the promise that makes all the difference:
    Matthew 28:20 ESV
    teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
    We are not alone in this.
    Where Christ leads, we follow. Together.
    That is our direction. That is our mission. That is our hope for Grace Lutheran as we step forward in faith into this next year and season. Amen
    Closing Prayer
    Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd who calls us by name and leads us in the way of life. As we step into this new year, help us to hear Your voice clearly and follow You faithfully. Shape us by Your Word, nourish us with Your Sacraments, and bind us together in true fellowship. Keep us from being shaped by the world’s ways, and instead form us into disciples who live out Your call daily. Give us courage to go forward—together—knowing You are with us always, to the very end. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.

      • Matthew 28:19ESV

      • Galatians 4:19ESV

      • Matthew 6:24ESV

      • Matthew 12:30ESV

      • Acts 2:42ESV

      • Matthew 28:20ESV

      • Romans 10:14ESV

      • Romans 10:17ESV

      • Matthew 28:20ESV

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