First in Grace

In the conversation for this Sunday, January 17, 2016, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin lead us in a discussion, exploring what it is to live a life of practical grace.

Click here to view the exercise sheet used in the conversation.

The passage for this morning's conversation is Romans 12:6-11.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord
(Romans 12:6-11, NIV)

Sacred Reading, 00:00–13:35; Conversation, 13:35-52:11

Sacred Reading Text

He is the image of the invisible God,
  the firstborn of all creation.
He created all things in heaven and on earth,
  visible and invisible.
    Whether they are kings or lords,
      rulers or powers—
      everything has been created through him and for him.
He existed before everything
  and holds everything together.
He is also the head of the church, which is his body.
He is the beginning,
  the first to come back to life
  so that he would have first place in everything.

God was pleased to have all of himself live in Christ. God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.
(Colossians 1:15-20, God's Word Translation)

Living the "God First" Life

In this week's conversation, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin lead us in a discussion, exploring what it is to live the God First life and how to know we're on track with it.

Click here to view the assessment used in the conversation.

The passage for this morning's conversation is Matthew 6:33-36.

"Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. So don’t ever worry about tomorrow."
(Matthew 6:32-34, God's Word Translation)

Sacred Reading, 00:00–12:10; Conversation, 12:10-44:57

Sacred Reading Text

So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people. Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants. Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit by reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts. Always thank God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Place yourselves under each other’s authority out of respect for Christ.
(Ephesians 5:15-21, God's Word Translation)

Going Forward in the Spiritual Life

Happy New year! This is the first episode of our 2016 Conversations here at VLC. In this week's conversation, Pastor Stuart Nice encourages us to go forward in our spiritual lives by seeking God's kingdom as our first priority.

The passage for this morning's conversation is Matthew 6:33-34.

"But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. So don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
(Matthew 6:33-34, God's Word Translation)

Sacred Reading, 00:00–12:10; Conversation, 12:10-44:20

Sacred Reading Text

“No one can serve two masters. He will hate the first master and love the second, or he will be devoted to the first and despise the second. You cannot serve God and wealth.
“So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes?
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or gather the harvest into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?
“Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?
“And why worry about clothes? Notice how the flowers grow in the field. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. That’s the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it’s alive, and tomorrow it’s thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?
“Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat? ’ or ‘What are we going to drink? ’ or ‘What are we going to wear? ’ Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.
“So don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
(Matthew 6:25-34, God's Word Translation)

Themes of Christmas: O Come, Let Us Adore Him

This episode concludes our Advent Conversation here at VLC, The Themes of Christmas. In this week's conversation, Pastor Stuart Nice helps us to explore how it is that we can adore Jesus this Christmas and beyond.

The passage for this morning's conversation is Matthew 2:1-12, NASB.

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “ In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘ And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth A Ruler
Who will shepherd MY people Israel. ’”
7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:1-12, NASB

This week's conversation is Part 4 of The Themes of Christmas.

Conversation, 00:00–30:50; Sacred Reading, 30:50-47:50

Sacred Reading Text

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. ’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? ’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'"
Matthew 25:34-40, NASB

Themes of Christmas: The God of the Impossible

This episode continues our Advent Conversation here at VLC, The Themes of Christmas. In this week's conversation, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin lead us in discovering that "nothing will be impossible with God."

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."
Luke 1:34-38, NASB

This week's conversation is Part 3 of The Themes of Christmas.

Sacred Reading, 00:00–10:55;  Conversation, 10:55–47:36

Sacred Reading Text

I would like to learn just one thing from you:Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Galatians 3:2-6, NIV

Themes of Christmas: Price of Peace

This episode continues our Advent Conversation here at VLC, The Themes of Christmas. In this week's conversation, Pastor Stuart leads us in discovering Jesus as our Prince of Peace.

"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
Luke 2:14, NASB
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
John 14:27, NASB

This week's conversation is Part 2 of The Themes of Christmas.

Conversation, 00:00–14:10;  Sacred Reading, 14:10–29:00; Communion, 29:10-36:17

Sacred Reading Text

"Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. 7 Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7, God's Word Translation

Themes of Christmas: Expectation

This episode launches our Advent Conversation here at VLC, The Themes of Christmas. In this week's conversation, Pastor Stuart and Pastor Kim lead us to explore our expectations as we enter the Christmas season.

... and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.
Romans 4:21, NASB
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ...
Ephesians 3:20, NASB

This week's conversation is Part 1 of The Themes of Christmas.

Sacred Reading, 00:00–10:57  Conversation, 10:57–48:00

Sacred Reading Text
But there will be no more gloom for the land that is in distress. God humbled the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali in earlier times. But in the future he will bring glory to the road by the sea, to the land across the Jordan River, to Galilee, where foreigners live. The people who walk in darkness will see a bright light. The light will shine on those who live in the land of death’s shadow. ... A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and peace will have unlimited growth. He will establish David’s throne and kingdom. He will uphold it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The Lord of Armies is determined to do this!
(Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7, God's Word Translation)

Spirit Born Faith: Grounded in Christ

The current VLC Conversation Series is Best Practices for Spirit Filled & Led Living, which is a study through the Fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control. There is no law against things like this.
(Galatians 5:22-23, CEB)

This week's conversation is Part 7, Spirit Born Faith: Grounded in Christ

Spirit Born Goodness: Generosity in Action

The current VLC Conversation Series is Best Practices for Spirit Filled & Led Living, which is a study through the Fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control. There is no law against things like this.
(Galatians 5:22-23, CEB)

This week's conversation is Part 6, Spirit Born Goodness: Generosity in Action.