In This Edition:
Amazing Grace
What’s New On The West Side?
Top Picks: If I Could Hand You 5 Books to Begin…
Amazing Grace
Several years ago, Jim McGuiggan began a sermon with words that still resonate with me. The exact phrasing is erased from my memory, but I love sharing these thoughts that were inspired by his. I imagine you have someone in your life who thinks you are pretty special. Maybe a little girl who worships the ground her mother walks on; or a little boy who thinks you must be the world’s greatest Dad. You might have a husband or wife who thinks you are the “bee’s knees.” But no one has ever loved you like God your father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. You may take a look in the mirror, and you may say “if you really knew me, you wouldn’t love me.” But God–who knows our hearts–knows you better than you know yourself, and he assures you, “I. Love. You.” We are tempted to think that if we don’t quite measure up, if we let him down, if we step in the wrong place or take a wrong turn, God will just give up on loving us. But in words as blazing as the sun, your rescuer says “I want you to know, from the get-go, nothing can separate you from my love for you. Not from without, or from within. No power of hell, no scheme of man—not even the treachery of your own devising—nothing can separate you from my love for you.
Words are not God’s only love language toward us. He confirmed it in blood when He sent his own son to Calvary. And who was it all for? Those who had their act together? Did he come to die for those who measured up? Not a chance. When we were hating God and hating one another, when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, when we were without hope and without God in the world, God SO loved the God-forsaking world that he gave His life for you and me. And if he could love you like that when you had nothing to offer him, what makes you think that now, in your struggling but penitent stumbling, with your less than perfect “yes” to God, he could love you less? He couldn’t love you more. Can’t you hear him crying out to you? Though it will cost the death of God’s own son — “nothing can separate you from My love for you.” …
It’s hard to believe, but even church folk tend to believe the lie that our world is pumping into our ears every day. If you want to be accepted, if you want to be loved, try harder to perform better. Make yourself more beautiful, then they’ll love you.
Make yourself taller, with insoles for your shoes or heels for your feet. Make yourself thinner, maybe even anemic, then you’ll win their hearts. Make yourself look younger, with the hair dyes and the sneakers, and the sports car and the exercise room. If you make yourself look younger, then you will be accepted. Make yourself smarter by reading more books—then people will listen to you, and when they listen to you, then you can feel important.
Younger, thinner, taller, prettier, smarter, tougher, calmer, richer – take your pick. The grace of God in the face of Christ tells us—that’s not needed. My grace is sufficient. I chose you…because I love you.
Your importance is rooted in the love of God. Your identity is found in the grace of God. And your security is found in the arms of God.
Excerpt from a sermon preached at the West Side Church of Christ titled “Amazing Grace.” This lesson also appears on the Life on the West Side podcast (Season 2, Episode 2). Available on all podcast platforms.
What’s New On The West Side?
Sunday Morning & Wednesday Night Classes, & Agape Groups
Casey McDonald has put together an excellent lineup of classes for Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings for all of our adult learners. Agape groups meet throughout the city, and will be studying 2 Peter & Jude. There are theologically-oriented classes on the Holy Spirit and the attributes of God. There are textual-based classes on Ezra & Nehemiah, the Gospel of Mark, the Book of Acts, Paul’s Letter to the Romans, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We have topically-themed gatherings discussing songs of praise and Christians in politics. We offer practical courses such as Financial Peace University and Parenting on Purpose. Most classes are open to all ages and stations in life, but some are geared toward singles, college-age, young families, and many more. In short, this fall there is a class designed with you in mind. Most classes begin at 10:30 am Sunday mornings, and 6:30 pm Wednesday evenings, though others are offered at different times throughout the week. The classes in the auditorium are live streamed on facebook and YouTube.
Sunday Morning Sermon Series
Beginning August 21, we will kick off a new Sunday morning series exploring the goodness of God. A helpful resource during this series is James Bryan Smith’s book The Good and Beautiful God. You can watch the series live streamed on facebook or YouTube, or visit my website later to watch the sermon, get the discussion guide, read a transcript, or listen to it as a podcast.
Sunday Evening Sermon Series
On Sunday nights, I am finishing up a series on the fruit of the Spirit and will soon begin another set of lessons discussing our dependence on the Spirit’s power entitled “This Present Strength.”
Life on the West Side Podcast
Life on the West Side is not only a weekly substack email; it is also a podcast! Everyone I know longs for genuine happiness, lasting peace, real beauty, ultimate purpose, and honest, sincere and overwhelming love. I want you to know that Jesus came so that you can experience rich, abundant life and overwhelming love! Join me as I share my passion for Jesus Christ in weekly teachings, conduct exciting interviews with other ministers, authors and church leaders, and discuss things learned along the way. Each episode will offer a recent sermon or interview with inspiring guests intended to encourage you in your faith formation as disciples of Jesus Christ. In addition, I will link to further resources such as a discussion guide, points to ponder, and recommended resources. You can find Life on the West Side on all major platforms. Hope you enjoy!
Top Picks: If I Could Hand You 5 Books To Begin…
Every story is different. Your upbringing is different from my upbringing. Your church experience differs from mine. What you learned well, or what you had to unlearn, may be foreign to my experience, while the “right” book at the “right” time for me might not compare with the pains and promises of your story.
But if I had to be generic, and assume you and I shared at least some common points in our stories, I would think first of our vision of God. How we see God determines how we see everything else. Then I think about which books I can never find because I’ve given my copy away. Or the sermon illustrations that have resonated the most with church members searching for a better vision of God and healing for their own anxious fears. If I could offer books to anyone at any stage of life that I know could help shape one’s life and thinking in healthy ways, I would offer these 5 books to be by your bedside table, or as a basis for your family devotionals.
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
N. T. Wright, Simply Christian
James Bryan Smith, The Good & Beautiful God
Jim McGuiggan, The God of the Towel
Norman Bales, How Do I Know I’m Saved?
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My name is Nathan Guy, and I serve as the preaching minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas. I am happily married to Katie and am the proud father of little Grace. You can find more resources on my website over at nathanguy.com. Follow me: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
