Advertise on podcast: Grace Community Bible Church

Sometimes life suddenly places us in a story we never imagined—one we cannot control, fix, or understand. Acts 12 finds the early church in exactly that place: James has been killed, Peter is imprisoned, and the situation appears hopeless. But earnest prayer was made to God by the church. In this message, we consider the wonder of prayer—the astonishing privilege of helpless people coming before an all-powerful God who hears and acts—the mystery of God’s providence when His answers are not always what we expect, and what it means to pray earnestly, with our hearts fully engaged. Ultimately, Acts 12 confronts us with a deeply personal question: What are we passionate about, and how can God awaken in us a greater passion for prayer?

What do we do when we cannot understand what God is doing? Acts 12 reminds us that even when God’s hand is hidden, His heart can still be trusted and His purposes cannot be stopped. Through the death of James, the miraculous deliverance of Peter, and the downfall of Herod, we discover three important truths for our lives: following Jesus wholeheartedly will cost us, nothing is impossible for God, and pride always destroys. When life doesn’t make sense and we cannot trace His hand, we can still trust His heart.

In Nehemiah 2, God put it into Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, His hand was upon him for good, and the people responded, “Let us rise up and build.” In this message, Pastor Tony launches GCBC’s new Rise Up initiative and reflects on the ways God has led and provided for the church on the journey toward The Haven. But ultimately, we are not building a building—we are building people. The Haven is simply a tool for making disciples, strengthening families, reaching the lost, and carrying the gospel into our community and beyond. When we believe God has made His will clear, the call is to be “all there,” strengthen our hands for the good work, and rise up and build.

In Nehemiah 1, God begins rebuilding long before a single stone is put back into place. He awakens Nehemiah to brokenness, drives him to prayer, and teaches us that true renewal looks up to God, looks within with honesty, looks back to His promises, and looks forward with surrendered availability. Ultimately, Nehemiah reminds us that God’s greatest concern has never merely been rebuilding walls—it is renewing people, something only Jesus can ultimately accomplish.

We are all paying attention to something—but are we paying attention to what matters most? In 1 Timothy 4:16, Paul urges Timothy to “keep a close watch” on two things: his life and his teaching. In this message, Pastor Tony challenges us to examine who we are becoming, the truth that is shaping us, and the influence our lives have on those around us. Godliness requires intentional attention to both our lives and our doctrine, because what we believe and how we live not only shapes us—it impacts others.

In Romans 14, Paul challenges us to lay down our need to be right and instead pursue love, unity, and peace with one another. As we navigate differences within the church, we’re reminded that following Jesus means becoming people who help one another along the journey—not people who demand that everyone take the same path.

GCBC is launching a new discipleship journey called "Rooted." In this sermon Tony (along with their community pastor Chris Lorenz) introduces this new journey to the church. But much deeper than just introducing Rooted, Tony shows from the Scripture how the Christian life is to be much more than "knowing" truth, we are called to "live" truth, and to live it together.

This sermon is the final one in Tony's two part series from 2 Corinthians 4. One of the great dangers God's people face is the potential to "lose heart" and walk away from what Jesus has entrusted to us. How can we keep from losing heart?

Tony has just returned from his summer break and is bringing a couple of sermons from 2 Corinthians 4 to his church. He felt compelled to do this because while away he thought a lot about finishing the race well and what would be the "enemies" of finishing well. Paul highlights what might be the #1 enemy - "losing heart."

Summer is a busy time for the students and church here at GCBC. God has been at work and this is a great opportunity to be inspired by the testimonies of what He has done in these young lives!

In Part 3 of this three-part series through Ephesians 1:15–23, we confront the gap between knowing God is powerful and actually living from His power. Discover Paul's prayer that the eyes of our hearts would be opened to see the immeasurable greatness of God's power toward us who believe.

In Part 2 of this three-part series through Ephesians 1:15–23, we explore one of the most important questions every person must answer: What does God think about me? Discover Paul's prayer that the eyes of our hearts would be opened to see what has been true all along.

In Part 1 of this three-part series through Ephesians 1:15–23, we explore why there's often a gap between what we know about God and what we actually experience. Discover why Paul's prayer is that God would open the eyes of our hearts to see the hope that is already ours in Christ—and how that changes everything.

Every decision is a step. Every step takes me in a direction. Every direction leads to a destination. Our future is hidden in our decisions. Pondering your decisions can lead to wisdom.

In this sermon Tony takes us to see how God was saving many people in Antioch which spurred the apostles to send Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas was the right choice and what a man he was. Tony paints a picture of this man and you will not be able to resist the desire to have a Barnabas in your life, but can you be one?