1 in 300 

GRACE

A series of articles, each answering one big question in 300 words. Can we do it? Read on ...

1: What is grace?

This is a  series called 1 in 300, written by Adam Bradley (1). The idea behind the series is Adam attempting to try and answer a big and meaty question in just 300 words. Yes, you read that right: Adam is only going to use 300 words! (And please note that these introductory words have not been included in the word count ...)

I want to start with a vital but utterly impossible question to fully answer: What is grace?

Grace is one of the most wonderful words in the whole universe! It assures me that I don’t have to try to earn the love of God (Ephesians 2:4-5), but rather, he absolutely loves me, always has and always will (Ephesians 1:4b-5). Grace is the activity of lavish, extravagant and perhaps even wasteful love (Luke 15:11-32). Grace risks all, even the life of the Son of God, in order to restore relationships (Ephesians 1:7). 

Grace reminds me that new life and restored relationship with God has nothing to do with me (Ephesians 2:7-9). It’s God’s work and a gift of sovereign choice (Romans 9). It flows solely from the character of God and has nothing to do with my attempts to try to please God (Ephesians 2).

Grace is outrageous, thankfully unfair (because I deserve none of its wonderful benefits), and utterly satisfying.

Grace is absolutely alien to me. Almost everything of our culture programmes me to believe that I must contribute at least something towards my restoration and ongoing relationship with God. But grace reminds me that I contribute nothing at all.

Grace is so alien that I need to hear this: grace sets me free to fail, flunk and fumble, and my net worth - my value in the eyes of God - does not change one iota. Grace is extravagant, outrageous and is the only thing that will truly silence the oppressive voice that so often tries to persuade us that our value is linked to our own performance. 

Let the grace of God do its work right now by drinking in these wonderful truths!


(1) Adam & Lorna Bradley
Adam works full-time for Life Church, where he leads the eldership team. He and Lorna moved to Peterborough in December 2009. Before joining Life Church they lived in Attleborough (Norfolk) where they planted Christ Community Church. Prior to that they lived in a variety of places from Central London to Sheffield. Life church http://www.life-church.eu

For more resources to encourage Intimacy, connection and trust in Father God please download the Dream Revolution smartphone App by clicking the link. http://http://get.theapp.co/4ee1

 

Adam Bradley, 10/03/2019
Hello
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Planning your Visit

New to Church?


Welcome! Whether you've just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our Church.

 

Some key information about the church...

 

Where & when does the church meet?

The church meets every Sunday at 11:00 am for our Sunday Service. There is plenty of free parking around the CCK building. We are walking distance from Plumstead Train station and local buses. It’s good to get to the meeting 15 minutes early to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee before the service starts.

We meet at the church building in the middle of Plumstead

The address is:

46 Lakedale Road
Plumstead
London
SE18 1PS

You can see a map on our contact us page.

 

What should I expect when I visit the church?

You will receive a very warm welcome particularly from our Welcome Team who will be able to answer your questions and direct you to where you need to go.

Sunday is special because it’s the main opportunity in the week for the whole church family to gather, worship God, enjoy his manifest presence together, minister to one-another, receive encouragement and exhortation from God’s word and be refreshed by God’s Spirit and one-another’s friendship and support.

There will be approximately 45 mins of singing with opportunity for church members to pray, prophesy or read a passage from the bible. After the notices there will be a preach, we take time to understand the bible’s message and how this can teach us about God, about ourselves, about the world that we live in and about what authentic Christian lifestyle looks like in practice. At the end of the preach there is always a chance to respond.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service where there is plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions.

 

What happens to the kids at church?

As a family church we are thrilled to have people of all ages involved in our Sunday morning meetings. Typically, after worshiping together for 30 minutes or so, the children and young people will leave for their own activities.

We have a fantastic programme for the kids at the Church for ages 0–14. Children stay with their parents at the start of the service as we worship (sing songs!) together for the first part of the morning. Someone will announce when the children need to go to their programme.

For more information about what happens in the children's work please visit the relevant age groups for you under church life.

Is there a dress code?

No! Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes.

 

Will I have to join in?

Not at all!
You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you.

 

Useful Links...

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I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them.

Please feel free to contact us.