Center Grace Church

If you're wondering how spiritual gifts work, stop looking at yourself and start looking to Jesus.
Paul teaches that every Christian has been given spiritual gifts by Christ, not because of personal ability, but because of Christ's grace and power working through His people. The church is not meant to be a collection of isolated individuals but a body in which every member contributes to the growth, unity, and maturity of the whole. Spiritual gifts are not primarily about self-fulfillment or recognition; they are practical ways God empowers believers to serve one another and advance His kingdom. The power behind our gifts comes from Christ, the pattern for our gifts is found in Christ's own ministry, and the purpose of our gifts is the glory of Christ through the building up of His church. Whether we struggle with insecurity or self-sufficiency, the answer is the same: stop looking at yourself and start looking to Jesus, who equips His people and uses even broken lives as part of His beautiful workmanship.

Power, Pattern and Purpose - 5/31/2026 If you're wondering how spiritual gifts work, stop looking at yourself and start looking to Jesus.Sermon starts at 30:30.Text: Ephesians 4:7-16Preacher: Dere...

Earthly kings ascend by crushing others. Jesus ascended by being crushed for others. This sermon from Ephesians 4:1–10 centers on a foundational truth about spiritual gifts: they are rooted first in relationship with Christ, not merely responsibility for Christ. Pastor Derek challenged the modern tendency to build identity around productivity and warned that Christians can unconsciously approach God the same way—thinking their worth comes from usefulness. Paul’s repeated use of “calling” in Ephesians points not merely to a task, but to a Caller: Jesus Himself. Before believers are called to do anything, they are called to belong to Christ. Spiritual gifts are therefore not divine job descriptions, but expressions of grace flowing from a loving relationship with the King. The sermon then moved to Christ’s kingship in verses 7–10, showing how Jesus descended in humility, ascended in victory, and generously distributes gifts to His people like a conquering king sharing spoils after battle. Unlike earthly kings who ascend by crushing others, Jesus ascended by being crushed for others. Therefore, spiritual gifts are graciously received, not earned, and are meant to advance Christ’s kingdom in every sphere of life. Ultimately, the church is called to embody “the fullness of Him who fills all in all” by using those gifts in joyful communion with Christ.

Relationship Not Just Responsibility - 5/24/2026 Earthly kings ascend by crushing others. Jesus ascended by being crushed for others.Sermon starts at 46:08. See summary below.Text: Ephesians 4:1-10Preacher...

Registration for Rainforest Falls is open!
It’s going to be four days of activities, meaningful connection, and discovering the nature of God together.

🗓️ June 24 – June 27
🕘 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Center Grace Church
🎒 For children entering grades K–5
🍎 Snacks provided!

Make sure to get your kids registered before the June 10 deadline!
👉 Register via the link in our bio!

Biblical unity is not sameness—it is harmony.
Text: Ephesians 4: 1-16
Preacher: Derek Baker
This sermon on Epistle to the Ephesians 4:1–16 launches the “All for One, One for All” series by showing that the church is not a collection of isolated individuals, but the living body of Christ called to unity, diversity, and maturity. Pastor Derek emphasized that Christian unity is not something we create, but something God gives through the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to steward it with humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. At the same time, every believer has been uniquely gifted by Christ—not for personal status or self-fulfillment, but for serving and building up the body. The sermon challenges both consumerism (“just attending”) and clericalism (“letting the professionals do ministry”), reclaiming the biblical truth of the priesthood of all believers. Spiritual growth happens corporately as believers engage, serve, and mature together under Christ the Head. Ultimately, the message points back to the gospel: Jesus gave all for us, and now His church is called to live all for one—His glory—and one for all—the good of His body.

Unity, Diversity and Maturity - 5/17/2026 Biblical unity is not sameness—it is harmony.Sermon starts at 27:20. See summary below.Center Grace Sunday WorshipText: Ephesians 4: 1-16Preacher: Derek Bake...

You can either perceive Christ as King, or deceive yourself.
Text: Acts 2: 14-41
Preacher: T.I. Atkins
This sermon on Acts 2 centered on Peter’s Pentecost sermon and the danger of coming to Jesus with preconceptions that prevent true perception. Using the vivid illustration of a dog terrified by hot air balloons, the preacher argued that “we preconceive before we perceive,” and that the crowds at Pentecost misunderstood what they were witnessing because they lacked spiritual understanding. Peter explains that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit fulfills the prophecy of Joel and points directly to Jesus Christ — crucified, risen, exalted, and reigning. The sermon emphasized that the Jewish crowd knew the Scriptures well yet still missed Jesus standing in their midst, proving that knowledge without faith can still leave the heart blind. True belief means more than factual agreement; it requires repentance, surrender, and receiving Christ by faith. Repentance is described as a change in direction, while belief is a change in affection. The sermon culminated in the call to perceive Christ rightly, be pierced to the heart over sin, and gladly receive the grace and Spirit offered through the risen Savior.

Believing is Seeing - 5/10/2026 You can either perceive Christ as King, or deceive yourself.Sermon starts at 33:24. See summary below.Center Grace Worship ServiceText: Acts 2: 14-41Preacher...

God’s ability to sustain you is greater than your ability to fail.
This sermon centers on the biblical truth that while even the righteous will fall, God is faithful to lift, sustain, and ultimately perfect His people. Drawing from Proverbs, Psalms, and Jude, the preacher emphasizes that the focus is not on the fall itself but on the God who restores. Through vivid illustrations—like a child learning to walk, “Wrong Way” Roy Riegels, and personal testimony—the message underscores that failure is common but not final. Spiritual سقوط often comes through pride, stubbornness, or distraction, yet God uses even our stumbles to humble and grow us. The doctrine of perseverance shines through: salvation is not maintained by human strength but by God’s preserving power. The call is to stop relying on oneself, receive God’s grace, get back up quickly, and trust that He who began a good work will bring it to completion—resulting in confidence, humility, and deep joy in the greatness of God.
Preacher: Gene Heacock, Pastor of First Congregational Church of Boxford

Center Grace When We Fall, God Lifts - 5/3/2026

It’s not the strength of your faith, but the object of your faith that saves. This sermon on Gospel of Luke 17:11–19 centers on Jesus healing ten lepers and highlights a sobering truth: while all come to Jesus in need, most quickly drift from Him after receiving His gifts, forgetting the Giver. Like the lepers, we approach Christ out of desperation—whether for healing, provision, or relief—but often fail to return in gratitude, absorbing His blessings while neglecting relationship with Him. The one thankful Samaritan models true faith: not just receiving mercy, but returning in humility, worship, and desire for intimacy with Jesus Himself. The sermon’s three movements are clear—we all come needy, we all drift quickly, but Jesus remains steady—showing that even in our ingratitude, Christ’s grace does not falter. Ultimately, the call is to examine whether we want Jesus merely for what He gives or for who He is, remembering that faith is not about its strength but about its object, and that true transformation comes when we encounter the Giver, not just His gifts.

Center Grace 2 likes. "Encountering the Giver, Not Just the Gifts - 4/26/2026"