The Gospel of the Grace of God
Pastor Duane continued in his series, “Stewards of the Mysteries of God,” on Sunday and this week’s message was titled, “Gospel of the Grace of God.” This is a wonderfully rich series you won’t want to miss a word of! Below is a recap of a small part of what he covered this week.
Is it possible to diminish the power of the cross? It is. Our holiness, goodness and self-righteousness nullify the blood of Christ. We are saved by faith or we are not saved. We are stewards of the grace of God.
The message Bible translates Ephesians 2:7-10 like this:
“Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”
What diminishes the power of the cross? When we try to take control and when we try to operate on our own wisdom instead of His. Therefore, if I am trying to be in control, and I am not letting God be in control, I am diminishing the power of the cross. If I am figuring out for myself how I want my life to go, and not pressing into His Word, His leading, and His truth, I am diminishing the power of the cross.
We encourage you to listen to this message and the entire series by clicking here.
Read MoreMinistry Connect
Want to get connected by serving at Victory Life? Find out how! Join Pastor Duane and Sue for Ministry Connect on March 11th directly following the 11:00 am service in the Youth Sanctuary. You’ll be served a quick lunch while we share with you about our Camp Department, Camp Victory, and then Pastor Duane and Sue will be sharing about the history of the ministry and answering questions. Childcare is not provided, but bring them along!
Read MoreBeing Mature in Discipline
Pastor Duane closed his series, “Lord Teach us to Pray” on Sunday. His message was titled, “Intercession,” but he covered so much ground. Below is just a part of what he said.
It’s an important part of life to fix things when they go wrong, and it can be difficult to do. Things do need to be worked out – they don’t just work themselves out most of the time. We don’t confront each other because some people can be immature and get mad rather than receiving correction. Conversely, offense is the main reason that people don’t mature and grow.
Matthew 18:15-19 says, 15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
The context of this scripture is church discipline. People need loving discipline. It is one of the hardest things that church leaders must do in order to keep peace and unity in the church body and many leaders ignore problems that can eventually destroy their ministry for fear of the course of discipline. The truth is, people need loving discipline, and without it, the body of Christ cannot function properly, and the individual believer suffers in immaturity and does not grow. But we also need to remember that, according to scripture, the first step is to lovingly face one another before it ever gets to that point.
God is not against you. God is for you and if God is for you who can be against you? Even in our moment of painful discipline, He is there, loving us, forgiving us, and cheering us on!
We encourage you to listen to this message, and entire series, by clicking here.
Read MoreChristmas Service Schedule
Please join us for Christmas Services…
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th at 6:00 pm in Sherman.
Christmas morning, December 25th at 9:00 and 11:00 am in Durant.
Durant will be merging our usual three morning services into two services at 9:00 and 11:00 am.
The Children’s Choir will be featured in a special performance on Sunday morning in Durant.
Merry Christmas!
Read MoreSeven Profound Declarations
Pastor Duane’s current series is ‘Lord, Teach us To Pray.’ Below are a few notes from last week’s message breaking down the Lord’s Prayer.
This is how Jesus said we are to pray:
ONE: Our father which art in heaven…
Approach him as father… He is our heavenly father. This is family. The primary purpose of prayer is relationship and fellowship. ‘In heaven’ means above and over all.
TWO: Hallowed be your name.
May your name be honored… Jehovah is the Jewish national name of god; self existent one… he reveals himself in his name.
Some names of God:
Jireh – provider
Nissi – victor
Shalom – peace
Sidkinu – righteousness
Rapha – healer
Name above all names = Jesus. (Philippians 2:9-11)
THREE: Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
The kingdom is within you (Romans 14:17). The Holy Ghost is in you and me. We pray from our spirit into our minds for: Our marriages. Our finances. Our children. Our church.
FOUR: Give us this day our daily bread.
Be mindful on a daily basis of the provisions of God. Israel had to go out every day to collect the provisions of God. On the second day it was wormy. Don’t be a wormy Christian. Daily is the emphasis and key – daily relationship and fellowship. The just shall live by faith. We walk by faith and not by sight.
FIVE: and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Unforgiveness is the number one hindrance to answers to our prayers. One thing: Forgive.
SIX: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
He HAS delivered… (Colossians 1:13)
SEVEN: Thine is the kingdom, power and glory forever
Humility, proper focus and mindset…
Click here to listen to this message or the entire series.
Be blessed!
Read MoreNew Mid-Week Service Time in Durant!
Durant is moving the mid-week service to Wednesdays beginning this week! Don’t miss out. Join us in person or online on Wednesday, November 2nd at 7pm!
Remember – from now on, mid-week service is on Wednesday.
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