Recent Newcomers Class - Chapman Chapel

The Rich Young Ruler

Pastor Eric preached this past Sunday from Mark 10:17-31, a familiar story with an important question. "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

The man who asked the question was rich, young, and powerful...the complete package. Yet he was still looking for something else. Something even the little children had a few verses prior, when Jesus said “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."

It turns out the children lacked nothing while he lacked everything.

His heart (not his money) was on trial.

So when Jesus instructed him to sell all his possessions, He wasn't saying we can sell our way into heaven. He was making the man an offer. "Your choice...me or your money." Your kingdom on earth or my kingdom in heaven. The rich young ruler chose his money.

"And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”" (Mark 10:23 ESV)

Who can be saved?

If this man missed the kingdom (and he had everything going for himself), we should all be asking "What hope does anyone have of being saved?" Morality, wealth, and status are no substitute for Jesus. What can we do? What can a rich person do?

And that leads us to some of the most encouraging words broken, sinful people like us could ever read...

“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 ESV)

Listen to the sermon here.

Video Campaign

We've outgrown our existing Sunday projection equipment and need your help. Please consider giving towards the purchase of a new system that will meet our needs and enable us to reach more of our city. It's hard to sing when you can't see the lyrics from the back (or middle).

• New Rear Projection Screen
• Refurbished iMac Computer
• ProPresenter Media Projection Software

Thanks to everyone who has given. We are getting close to reaching our budget. Every gift makes a difference.

Give now by credit card.

Give Sunday by writing "video" on your check or envelope.

Jesus made us family. Sundays make us happy.

• April 5 - Easter Sunday - All-You-Can-Eat Donut Buffet plus a photo booth.
• April 19 - Orange Plaza Car Show - limited parking, unlimited horsepower.
• April 26 - New Members Sunday
• May 3 - Steve Shank, Regional Leader for Sovereign Grace Churches.
• May 10 - Mother's Day
• May 17 - Church Member Meeting - immediately following our Sunday Service
• June 7 - Ron Boomsma, Senior Pastor of Sovereign Grace Pasadena

"Hearts like children, minds like adults."

C.S. Lewis once said this was the kind of people that belonged to Jesus. He was searching for men and women who were child-like, not childish. People who trust him like a child trusts his Father, but labor to come to a mature understanding of the one they trust.

The disciples had it the other way around. They portrayed Jesus as unaccessible, disinterested, and unable to help. They were the insiders. They were the special people.. Children weren't a priority because children weren't important. Children were the least. The nothings.

"They belong to me and I belong to them."

Sovereign Grace must be the kind of place where the least among us are invited in. Where the nothings are treated as somethings. Where the people we think probably don't belong at Sovereign Grace belong indeed. Why? Because this is us. We are the child-like. 

Listen to more of Pastor Eric sermon here.

Mission Video

Pray for this guy. He's got mad skills, a crazy camera, and the task of producing a short mission video for us and our sister churches. Don't be surprised if the camera is out during a few Sunday services. And don't flash any gang signs :)

We want to tell the whole world.

“…you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 ESV)

"We will watch Star Wars."

A few weeks ago we announced plans to purchase new video projection equipment. Pastor Eric said, "It'd probably be helpful going forward if we could actually see the words to the songs. We may be intentionally plain and simple, but let's not make the lyrics invisible." Then we hit rewind.

Now we are ready to finish what we started. Please pray and consider giving to this project. We need $2000 to complete a projection system that will meet our needs for the indefinite future.

• New Rear Projection Screen
• Refurbished iMac Computer
• ProPresenter Media Projection Software

As soon as we reach our fundraising goal, we will stop receiving donations and announce the date of our Star Wars Celebration. Thank you for being so generous. Thank you to all those who keep asking "What do we need?" Your financial sacrifices are bearing good fruit in us and our city.

Click here to give here online now.

Or give during the Sunday offering (write "video" in the memo).

We will watch Star Wars.

A few weeks ago we announced plans to purchase new video projection equipment. Pastor Eric said, "It'd probably be helpful going forward if we could actually see the words to the songs. We may be intentionally plain and simple, but let's not make the lyrics invisible." Then we hit rewind.

Now we are ready to finish what we started. Please pray and consider giving to this project. We need $2000 to complete a projection system that will meet our needs for the indefinite future.

• New Rear Projection Screen
• Refurbished iMac Computer
• ProPresenter Media Projection Software

As soon as we reach our fundraising goal, we will stop receiving donations and announce the date of our Star Wars Celebration. Thank you for being so generous. Thank you to all those who keep asking "What do we need?" Your financial sacrifices are bearing good fruit in us and our city.

Click here to give here online now.

Or give during the Sunday offering (write "video" in the memo).

Lunch is on us.

If you are a recent guest, first-time attender, just passing through, or have been around for a couple weeks but haven't yet been to a guest luncheon, then please be our guest! Join us this Sunday, 03-22-15, immediately following the service, for a luncheon in the Woman's Club Garden.

We'd love to get to know you better.

The format is "come-and-go as you please" and kids are welcome. More info will be available at the service on Sunday. See you then!