Grassroots Church | Thunder Bay, Ontario

Part 3: Galatians - Avoiding a Divided Table over Differing Tastes: In Christ

In Part 3, Pastor Steve looks at how a church that resists judgement and embraces diversity can become a rich and caring Christ-centred community.

Scriptures referenced include Galatians 2:20-21; Galatians 3:26-29, and Galatians 4:7.

The Relevant Magazine article on Kat Von D can be found here.

For more reading see Mark Baker's book Freedom for Religiosity and Judgmentalism: Studies in Paul's Letter to the Galatians. Get info here.

Get more information on Sarah Clarkson's book This Beautiful Truth here.

Here is the quote from Connie Nicholson that Pastor Steve encouraged the congregation to take a picture of:

“If someone tells me that they’re going to treat me as a man and ignore my femininity, is that supposed to be a compliment? How much more powerful (and empowering) is it to say, “I see your femininity, I don’t want you to act like a man. I see your race, your social status, I see you.” The power of being “in-Christ” is not that our differences disappear, but that our identity and value is not in these AND that since our identity does not rest on these traits, we do not use our distinction as a means to oppress or belittle others. A Christ-centric community has the commonality of Jesus – He is the common denominator. It is a powerful statement when polar opposites hang out together because they are a testament to their shared Christ-denominator which launches them into relating to one another “in Christ” as a family instead of through our lenses of distinction.” 

Part 2: Galatians - Avoiding a Divided Table over Differing Tastes: Just Jesus; No And.

In Part 2, Pastor Steve explores the situation at Galatia more closely by looking at the distorted concept of grace that was being taught to Galatia. A form of grace that had prerequisites to being "in." If we're going to move past a bounded/fuzzy-set model for how to do church, we begin with an inward look at our own tendencies to build religion built on a false gospel that implies Jesus is not enough.  

Part 1: Galatians - Avoiding a Divided Table over Differing Tastes: Why so Urgent, Paul?

Jesus clearly calls for the church to be unified - and we are clearly falling short of that ideal. In part 1 of this series, Pastor Steve Bill starts to look at the book of Galatians and what we can learn from Paul's letter to that community.

Scriptures in this sermon include Galatians 2: 11-14; Acts 10; and John 17: 21

For further exploration see Mark Baker's book Freedom for Religiosity and Judgmentalism: Studies in Paul's Letter to the Galatians. Get info here.

The Thanksgiving Liturgy was taken from Shane Clairborne's Common Prayer: A Liturgy from Ordinary Radicals. See more here.

The Diverse Table

Guest speaker Amy Baker takes a look at the Great Banquet described in Luke 14 and what the church needs to do to bring about this vision of the Kingdom of God.

This message was originally delivered October 1, 2023.

Jesus Collective Recap Part 2

Pastor Steve Bill continues his recap of the Jesus Collective, this time focusing on the last 4 Markers of the New Reformation.

Scriptures used in this sermon include Romans 12:14, 21; Acts 1:5-6; John 17:21-23.

This sermon was originally recorded on September 24, 2023.

For more information on Grassroots Church, visit our newly refreshed website at grassroots.church. 

Jesus Collective Recap Part 1

Pastor Steve Bill begins his recap of the Jesus Collective and the 5 markers of the new reformation. This sermon was originally recorded on September 17, 2023.

For more information on Grassroots Church, visit our newly refreshed website at grassroots.church. 

Borrowing Eyes

In his first official sermon as Grassroots Church's full-time pastor, Steve Bill preaches on how new situations can lead to doubt. When that happens, we can rely on each other to provide the perspective on our situation that we're unable to see. This sermon was originally delivered on September 10, 2023.

Bikers Against Child Abuse Special Presentation

At Grassroots, we believe in protecting the vulnerable, and that evil can be overcome through the power of suffering love. That is why we were so happy to have some members of Bikers Against Child Abuse come speak to our congregation about the work they do in Thunder Bay. This presentation was originally delivered July 9, 2023.

5 Markers Part 6 (Summary): A new way to disagree

Pastor Steve Bill summarizes the last two sermons before our small group discussion times. He goes over the essentials from his last two sermons based around the marker: "The church is defined by our shared center, not by the lines we draw."

Grassroots Church is changing format for the summer starting next week. We're not sure what that means for the podcast yet - stay subscribed to this feed for the latest!

5 Markers Part 6: A new way to disagree (Part 2)

Pastor Steve Bill expands further on the last of the Jesus Collective's Markers of a New Reformation: "The church is defined by our shared centre, not by the lines we draw." Listen for practical and spiritual ways to live in Christian unity. This message was originally delivered at Grassroots Church on June 25, 2023.