God's Calling
Galatians 1:11-24
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.[a]
13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me[b] so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.[c] 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter,[d] and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.
Sermon Notes
“He wanted to show that his calling depended on the secret election of God, and that he was ordained an apostle, not because he had fitted himself for undertaking such an office by his own industry or because God had discerned that he was worthy of having it bestowed on him, but because, before he was born, he had been set apart by the secret purpose of God.”
John Calvin
- Paul was called to Serve Christ, not because he was great, but because of Grace. How can we be humble in the calling that God has for us?
- What does Paul mean when he states that he was called an Apostle by the Grace of God?
- Paul talks about 3 years learning. Why do you think time and preparation is more important than the assignment?
Scriptures to Consider
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Romans 1:8-15
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2 Thessalonians 2:13-16
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Isaiah 49:1-4
This Week
Monday, May 18
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED (Victoria Day Long Weekend)
8:00 am Pastoral Devotions (online)
7:00 pm Monday Night Men Online Study
Tuesday, May 19
10:30 am Daybreak Online Book Club
7:00 pm Youth Online Small Groups
Wednesday, May 20
8:00 am Pastoral Devotions (online)
10:00 am Keenagers (55+) Bible Study
(on Pastor Art’s personal Facebook Page…will be posted to SGAC
7:00 Corporate Prayer (online)
7:30 pm Young Adults Parking Lot Meetings
Thursday, May 21
2:30 pm Sunday School Check In (online)
6:30 pm DLST
8:00 pm Systematic Theology Class (online)
Friday, May 22
8:00 am Pastoral Devotions (online)
6:30 pm DLST
7:30 pm YOUTH – Online Hangout
8:30 pm Filipino Catch up (online)
Saturday, May 23
8:00 am DLST
Sunday, May 24
10:00 am Online Worship Service
7:00 pm Corporate Prayer (online)
JOURNEY UPDATES
PASTORAL DEVOTIONS TO THE CONGREGATION: Join us online Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for a devotional message from one of our Pastors. We will air these messages on our YouTube Channel at 8:00 am. (Don’t worry, if you miss it, you can watch it later.)
CORPORATE PRAYER: Now taking place online Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm. Click here for information on how to join.
JR AND SR. HIGH SMALL GROUPS ONLINE: We are still meeting on Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm from the comfort of your home. For more information and to join in visit our website.
KEENAGERS: We are now meeting online. Join us on Wednesdays at 10:00 am on Pastor Art's personal Facebook page or at 1:00 pm on our Keenagers Facebook Group as we stay connected through the Word of God.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHECK IN ONLINE: Join Pastor Coreen every Thursday at 2:30 pm for songs, a Bible Story and more. Sunday School Check In can be found on the Spruce Grove Alliance Church Children’s Ministry Facebook page.
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY CLASS Join us on our Facebook group. Pastor Steve will post a video each Monday to the group. Watch the video and take notes at home. Join us Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm on GoToMeeting to discuss. This will be a time to share questions, thoughts and ideas.
Please join us on our FB group , SGAC Apologetics Ministry where you can find all the details, including the meeting ID and password for the Thursday evening get-together.
DLST: FREE Bible School Course - May 21 – 23. Don’t miss this! Once a year we offer a free course for those of you who would like to see what our Deeper Life School of Theology is all about. Join us for a counselling course, “Biblical Building Blocks for Marriage and Family.” Space is limited to 15. Register today with Pastor Coreen.
PARKING LOT ACCESS: Please note that the City of Spruce Grove is replacing the water main on Grove Meadow Drive starting May 11 and as a result access to our church parking lot will be blocked off. If you are planning to stop by the church during the week, we wanted you to be aware of this construction. Thanks for your understanding.
The CHURCH OFFICE will be open by appointment only. Please stay home and safe. Email us to set up an appointment or call us at 780-962-4700 to leave a message or speak to someone. We will be getting back to everyone as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience with us.
Please note the Following Options for Giving
ONLINE GIVING
Whether it is a one-time gift or you would like to schedule a recurring donation, you can give online to Spruce Grove Alliance Church. This option allows you to give using a Visa debit card or the traditional Visa or MasterCard credit cards.
PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING
Pick up a pre-authorized debit agreement form from our church office or download one here. You can fill it out and then with a voided cheque - you can either scan it and email it to the office, or drop it off during regular office hours.
INTERAC/DEBIT
During office hours, you can drop by and use the INTERAC/DEBIT machine at the Welcome Centre, then fill out your donation envelope as normal including your name, address, giving number and insert your debit receipt so we can disburse funds as directed in the Box on the counter.
E-TRANSFER
Use E-Transfer to give at SGAC, using giving@sgac.net Please include your offering envelope number and contact information. The money is deposited directly into the church account and does not require a security question. Please also include your envelope # if you have one and your phone number in the note section.
IN PERSON
You can stop by the church office and drop off your donation in a sealed envelope. Mark it Finance / Confidential. Please call ahead as Office Hours are by appointment only.
By MAIL / CHEQUE
Mail your donation to:
Spruce Grove Alliance Church
Attn: Finance
250 Century Road
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 1W6
Thank you for your generosity in giving to SGAC.
Questions: Please contact the church office at 780 962 4700 or by email . You may also visit our website at www.sgac/Give
PRAYER
Please pray for:
- Our InternationalWorkers: Charles & Angela Ibsen, Cori Ibsen, Dan & Melodie Ibsen.
- Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Andrew Bugiera – Pastor of Worship, Arts & Prayer. Andrew is married to Amy and they have 3 children.
- Our Support Staff Team Member: Dave Janssen- Dave is married to Dawn and they have 4 children.
- Our Elders Team Member: Steve Medeiros. Steve is married to Angele and they have 4 children.
Family Matters
- Print out a Bingo card and play along during today’s message. Kids, take a picture and email your Bingo card to Pastor Coreen for a chance to win an NIV Action Study Bible. Bingo Cards are accessible at the SGAC Children's Ministry Facebook Page.
- Are you in need of help during this time of pandemic? Are you able to provide help for anyone shut in? Please contact Pastor Art at art.quist@sgac.net or call him at 780-892-2555. You may also email or call the church office.
- OFFICE HOURS: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church Office is open by appointment only until further notice. Please note the Church Office will be closed Monday, May 18 for the Victoria Day Long Weekend.
- We want to pray for you. Please send your requests to prayer@sgac.net