<description>Have you ever looked at the state of the world—or the state of your own life—and wondered where the peace is? We often define peace as the absence of conflict or the end of our problems. But if that’s the standard, hope can feel impossible to find.

In this talk, we challenge that definition. We explore the Hebrew concept of Shalom, discovering that it isn't about everything being quiet; it’s about everything being made whole. We look at how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, didn't arrive in a vacuum of safety but entered a world of political turmoil and personal danger. He didn't come to simply stop the noise; He came to be present within it.

Drawing from the trenches of 1914 and the prophecies of Isaiah, we offer practical steps to access this peace today. Whether it is through the act of singing, the hard work of forgiveness, or the discipline of prayer, you will find a path to a peace that doesn't just survive the chaos—it transcends it. Come and take a breath.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/finding-shalom</description>

Have you ever looked at the state of the world—or…

Have you ever looked at the state of the world—or the state of your own life—and wondered where the peace is? We often define peace as the absence of conflict or the end of our problems. But if that’s the standard, hope can feel impossible to find.

In this talk, we challenge that definition. We explore the Hebrew concept of Shalom, discovering that it isn't about everything being quiet; it’s about everything being made whole. We look at how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, didn't arrive in a vacuum of safety but entered a world of political turmoil and personal danger. He didn't come to simply stop the noise; He came to be present within it.

Drawing from the trenches of 1914 and the prophecies of Isaiah, we offer practical steps to access this peace today. Whether it is through the act of singing, the hard work of forgiveness, or the discipline of prayer, you will find a path to a peace that doesn't just survive the chaos—it transcends it. Come and take a breath.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/finding-shalom

Finding Shalom

<description>Have you ever felt like your efforts are invisible? You show up, you do the right thing, and you pray, yet on the surface, nothing seems to change. It’s easy to wonder if God is actually at work or if you’re just wasting your time.

In this talk, we open up Matthew 13 to look at one of Jesus' shortest but most shocking parables: the parable of the yeast. We explore why Jesus chose a symbol often associated with corruption to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, and how this challenges our demand for control and instant results.

We discuss the tension between the "two-drawer life"—separating our faith from our daily reality—and a life where the Kingdom permeates everything. If you are feeling discouraged by the slow pace of change, this message is a reminder that the Kingdom is steady, unseen, and unstoppable. Just because you don't see it yet, doesn't mean it isn't growing.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/the-yeast-factor</description>

Have you ever felt like your efforts are invisibl…

Have you ever felt like your efforts are invisible? You show up, you do the right thing, and you pray, yet on the surface, nothing seems to change. It’s easy to wonder if God is actually at work or if you’re just wasting your time.

In this talk, we open up Matthew 13 to look at one of Jesus' shortest but most shocking parables: the parable of the yeast. We explore why Jesus chose a symbol often associated with corruption to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, and how this challenges our demand for control and instant results.

We discuss the tension between the "two-drawer life"—separating our faith from our daily reality—and a life where the Kingdom permeates everything. If you are feeling discouraged by the slow pace of change, this message is a reminder that the Kingdom is steady, unseen, and unstoppable. Just because you don't see it yet, doesn't mean it isn't growing.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/the-yeast-factor

The Yeast Factor

<description>Have you ever felt like it is your specific job to set everyone else straight? We often mistake being the "salt of the earth" with a duty to act as the morality police or to fiercely guard religious traditions. But when we look closely at the life of Jesus, we see Him constantly turning those very traditions on their heads—not to be rebellious, but to reach the people on the margins.

We explore the tension of what it really means to preserve the world around us. What if our calling isn't to enforce rules, but to preserve the inherent worth of every person we meet? We dig into the difficult reality that salt cannot do its work without contact. You cannot influence a world that you refuse to touch, even if that contact threatens your reputation.

This conversation invites you to reconsider your impact. It challenges you to stop forcing your own "flavour" on others and instead listen well enough to bring out the beauty God has already placed within them. It is a call to move beyond judgment and into a life of restorative love.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/salt-light-and-the-upside-down-kingdom</description>

Have you ever felt like it is your specific job t…

Have you ever felt like it is your specific job to set everyone else straight? We often mistake being the "salt of the earth" with a duty to act as the morality police or to fiercely guard religious traditions. But when we look closely at the life of Jesus, we see Him constantly turning those very traditions on their heads—not to be rebellious, but to reach the people on the margins.

We explore the tension of what it really means to preserve the world around us. What if our calling isn't to enforce rules, but to preserve the inherent worth of every person we meet? We dig into the difficult reality that salt cannot do its work without contact. You cannot influence a world that you refuse to touch, even if that contact threatens your reputation.

This conversation invites you to reconsider your impact. It challenges you to stop forcing your own "flavour" on others and instead listen well enough to bring out the beauty God has already placed within them. It is a call to move beyond judgment and into a life of restorative love.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/salt-light-and-the-upside-down-kingdom

Salt, Light, and the Upside-Down Kingdom

<description>Have you ever felt a deep tension between the God of love you read about and the terrifying wrathful God you were taught to fear? For many of us, the idea of an ​“eternal conscious torment” has been a foundational, yet deeply troubling, part of our Christian upbringing. It creates a picture of God that seems impossible to reconcile with the one who calls us to love our enemies. What if the primary reason Jesus spoke in parables wasn’t to give us black-and-white answers, but to provoke more questions and call us to wrestle with the truth in community?

In this conversation, we’re diving into the challenging parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25 to question our assumptions about afterlife judgment. We’ll look at the historical context of the word Jesus used—Gehenna—which was a literal, infamous place, not just a metaphor for an eternal fire. More importantly, we’ll ask: what was the core message of the early church? When the apostles preached the gospel, they weren’t leading with a threat of hell. They were declaring a new King and a new Kingdom established here and now. Join the discussion as we suggest that the path to life isn’t found in a ​‘sinner’s prayer,’ but in a committed life of co-suffering love and mercy for ​“the least of these.”

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/the-sheep-and-the-goats</description>

Have you ever felt a deep tension between the God…

Have you ever felt a deep tension between the God of love you read about and the terrifying wrathful God you were taught to fear? For many of us, the idea of an ​“eternal conscious torment” has been a foundational, yet deeply troubling, part of our Christian upbringing. It creates a picture of God that seems impossible to reconcile with the one who calls us to love our enemies. What if the primary reason Jesus spoke in parables wasn’t to give us black-and-white answers, but to provoke more questions and call us to wrestle with the truth in community?

In this conversation, we’re diving into the challenging parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25 to question our assumptions about afterlife judgment. We’ll look at the historical context of the word Jesus used—Gehenna—which was a literal, infamous place, not just a metaphor for an eternal fire. More importantly, we’ll ask: what was the core message of the early church? When the apostles preached the gospel, they weren’t leading with a threat of hell. They were declaring a new King and a new Kingdom established here and now. Join the discussion as we suggest that the path to life isn’t found in a ​‘sinner’s prayer,’ but in a committed life of co-suffering love and mercy for ​“the least of these.”

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/the-sheep-and-the-goats

The Sheep and the Goats

<description>Have you ever found yourself, if you’re truly honest, dismissing someone? Maybe because of their reputation, what they’ve done, or the label the world has given them. It’s easy to categorize people as ​“outsiders” or ​“misfits.” We see in the gospels that the Pharisees did this all the time, but Jesus… he sat and ate with them, ​“treating them as old friends.”

In this talk, we are diving into the parable of the lost coin from Luke 15. It’s about a woman searching for a coin of ​“almost insignificant value.” And yet, to her, it was worth lighting a lamp, sweeping the whole house, and searching every dark corner to find. This isn’t just a story about being lost and found. It’s a powerful challenge for us. Who have we stopped searching for? Who have we allowed to ​“remain in darkness” because we’ve decided they aren’t worth the effort? This is a beautiful and simple reminder that everyone, no matter their story, is of supreme importance to God — and they are valued, simply because they are valuable.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/the-lost-coin</description>

Have you ever found yourself, if you’re truly hon…

Have you ever found yourself, if you’re truly honest, dismissing someone? Maybe because of their reputation, what they’ve done, or the label the world has given them. It’s easy to categorize people as ​“outsiders” or ​“misfits.” We see in the gospels that the Pharisees did this all the time, but Jesus… he sat and ate with them, ​“treating them as old friends.”

In this talk, we are diving into the parable of the lost coin from Luke 15. It’s about a woman searching for a coin of ​“almost insignificant value.” And yet, to her, it was worth lighting a lamp, sweeping the whole house, and searching every dark corner to find. This isn’t just a story about being lost and found. It’s a powerful challenge for us. Who have we stopped searching for? Who have we allowed to ​“remain in darkness” because we’ve decided they aren’t worth the effort? This is a beautiful and simple reminder that everyone, no matter their story, is of supreme importance to God — and they are valued, simply because they are valuable.

Episode link: https://grace-community.church/lesson/the-lost-coin

The Lost Coin

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