The GraceWorks Sunday Sermons

A Pastor's Heart

Pastor Mark Miller

Galatians 4:8-20

July 26, 2026

1. ICEBREAKER: Are you a “wear your heart on your sleeve" kind of person? If so, how has that played out for you in the past?
2. What was Paul encouraging the Galatian Churches to avoid? How were they tempted to revert back to their former life?
3. What have you been tempted to “add” to salvation in the past? Have there been works that have crept into your understanding of faith/salvation?
4. What can we do to be prepared for any sort of infiltration of works/legalism into our Gospel?
5. How can we help people who have allowed for legalism to creep back to their lives or their understanding of salvation by faith alone through Jesus Christ alone or have been deceived by smooth talkers?  
6. How was Paul’s heart for the Galatians expressed in this passage? Did it motivate you in any particular way?           

Galatians 3:15-22
July 12, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller

Opener: What are some promises that we rely on from others? 

1. What are some implications of the fact that God made the promise to both Abraham and Christ to save mankind and bless us? 
2. Why is it important that the law does not contradict nor nullify the promise God made to Abraham? 
3. Do passages like this cause you to desire to study the Old Testament more or less? Why? 
4. Verse 18 declares that we have an inheritance because of the promise. What do you think that means? How can we start to live each day with a more eternal perspective? 
5. What further thoughts did you have as we examined the deficiencies of the law in comparison with the promise of the Gospel? (The law can diagnose, but not cure. The law was temporary. The law was mediated by mortals.) 
6. What further thoughts did you have as we discussed the benefits of the law? (Praise God it can only diagnose. Praise God it was temporary. Praise God for our Mediator, Jesus Christ.)
7. What further thoughts do you have on vers 22? How is sin a prison? What do you do to conquer sin in your life? 
8. Why is a works-based salvation dangerous? Why is it hopeless? What examples have you seen of this being taught by other religions? What would you say to someone who seems to be depending on "being a good person" to save them? 

Galatians 2:15-3:14 
July 5, 2026
Sermon by Mark Miller

Opener: In your family or friend group, who is most likely to be arrested during a traffic stop? 

1. One of the repeated words which was very important to Paul is "justified." Anyone remember what that term means? What does it mean to you, personally, that you were justified through faith in Jesus Christ?
2. Paul draws clear lines between being justified by faith vs. justified by works of the law. What kinds of works to modern-day believers often rely on to save them? How would you explain salvation by faith to an unbeliever? 
3. What does it mean that "I have been crucified with Christ"? How can a believer be more proactive about living every day with that attitude "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me?"
4. Why would it "nullify the grace of God" and "Christ would have died for no purpose" if "righteousness were through the law"? In what other ways do believers cheapen what Christ did on the cross? 
5. What part does Holy Spirit play in our salvation? How can a believer learn to be more reliant on Holy Spirit?
6. Why do you think Paul quotes the law and the prophets so often in his argument? What Old Testament book has made a significant impact in your life? 
7. How is the law a "curse"? How has legalism affected your Christian walk previously? 
8. What else did you hope we would discuss today? What stuck out?

THE GOSPEL IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR

Galatians 2:1-14 
June 28, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller and Kevin Pitts

Opener: What are some silly things you've fought over previously? 

1. The first thing Paul establishes is the unity of message with the other apostles. What are some other churches in the area that you believe have unity of message with TGW? What do you appreciate about that church? How do we avoid competition with other Gospel churches?
2. The apostles did not have to add anything to what Paul was preaching, but they did  ask him to remember the poor. What are some ways we can "remember the poor" at TGW? 
3. Paul calls the other apostles "those who seemed influential," but emphasized that God shows no partiality. How is this concept important? What should we do with modern churches that have "apostles", "priests", "popes", etc? How should we approach celebrity pastors, christian musicians, our own pastors, etc. in this regard? 
4. Why do you think Paul characterizes the Judaizers as "spying out their freedom" and trying to "bring them into slavery"? How do we balance the desire to see good fruit/works with the necessity of preaching salvation through faith alone? 
5. Paul's special ministry was to the Gentiles. What special mission field do you see yourself called to? What about TGW?
6. Paul had to publicly rebuke Peter for his hypocrisy. What do you see as an appropriate time for public rebuke vs. private rebuke? What did you think about the call to public apology when necessary? 
7. What groups of Christians do you find it awkward to associate with (like Peter with the Gentiles)? How is God calling you to fight this?
8. What else did you glean from the passage? What convicted you?

MAN-PLEASER OR GOD-PLEASER?

Galatians 1:10-24 
June 21, 2026
Sermon by Kevin Pitts

Opener: What are some worldly definitions of manhood that you see? 

1. A REAL MAN DOESN'T SEEK POPULARITY. What are some ways you are tempted by popularity? What are some specific things you've been tempted to compromise on so that you would be (or remain) "popular"?
2. A REAL MAN SUBMITS HIMSELF TO GOD: What is the hardest thing about submission for you? 
3. A REAL MAN REFUSES TO COMPROMISE ON GOD'S WORD. What are some ways you have learned to refuse compromise yet do so lovingly and graciously?
4. A REAL MAN IS NOT SELF-PROMOTING. What are some ways people tend to promote themselves? In what ways do you know you seek positive attention, yet have felt convicted to stop doing so? 
5. A REAL MAN BOWS TO THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND FIXATES ON THE GRACE OF GOD. How can we do this in our prayer life? In our worship? 
6. A REAL MAN DEVOTES HIS LIFE TO GOD'S MISSION. Who are some people that God has uniquely called YOU to share Jesus with? (Add them to your CG prayer list this week.)
7. A REAL MAN'S MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP IS WITH GOD. In what ways do we sinfully elevate other human relationships above our relationship with God? 
8. A REAL MAN SPENDS TIME WITH JESUS. How do you do this? In what ways do you want to grow?
9. A REAL MAN GIVES GOD GLORY. What are some practical ways we can bring attention to God rather than ourselves? Who is someone that exemplifies this to you and how? 
10. What has God revealed to you about your own man-pleasing ways? How can we pray for you? 

HONOR THE CHAIN OF COMMAND

Galatians 1:1-10 
June 14, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller and Kevin Pitts

Opener: Where do you prefer to land in the typical "chain of command"?

1. Paul was the church planter of the churches in Galatia, thus he had a lot of ownership in their success. What ministry do you feel a lot of ownership in for its success?  
2. Paul is astonished that they are so quickly deserting him who called them in the grace of Christ. Talk about a time when you deserted your faith for a season and how you came back. 
3. Why is grace plus works the opposite of "good news" (gospel)? In what ways do you sometimes slip into feeling that your works are part of your salvation? 
4. These false teachers had infiltrated the Galatian churches. What examples of false teachers have you faced previously? How does a believer (or even a church) identify and battle false teachers? 
5. Remember our fancy new word we learned? SOTERIOLOGY--the study of salvation. What are some crucial parts of the gospel--or how you can be saved--that we should know firmly and share with others? What are some confusions about soteriology that we need to be able to clear up? 
6. How can Paul view himself both as an "apostle" (one sent with authority) in verse 1 and also a "servant" in verse 10? How does this apply to each of us?
7. What else had you hoped we would discuss? What stuck out or confused you?

Book of Judges
June 7, 2026
Various Speakers

Wrap-Up Week Application Questions  
 
OPENER: What is your favorite thing to unwrap? (Be specific.) 
 
Whose testimony this week really spoke to you? And how so?  
 
Have you ever shared on a Wrap-Up Sunday? What was the experience like?  
 
What was your favorite passage in Malachi? Why? (You might want to give people time to review. Also, you may want to tell them what the next question is going to be in advance.)  
 
What was the most challenging passage for you in Malachi? How did God challenge you?  
 
How will you describe Malachi in the future? (Imagine a friend asks what the book is about, what it is like, etc.)  
 
What would you like the pastors to know about this book study that may help them in the future? (We preaching pastors would love if you passed on any feedback.) 

This episode finishes the book of Judges by walking through its darkest chapters (19–21). It recounts the Levite and his concubine, the horrific violence in Gibeah, the ensuing civil war, and the devastating consequences when God's rule is rejected.

The sermon presses hard on the consequences of conformity to the world, the church's responsibility to protect the vulnerable, and the need for righteous, restorative discipline rather than vengeance. It ends with a reminder of hope in Christ and a call to live transformed lives that reflect God’s justice and mercy.

Judges 19-21 
May 31, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller and Kevin Pitts

Opener: The concubine's dad convinces the Levite to stay two extra days in Bethlehem. What is one place that you could easily be convinced to stay two extra days? 

1. Hospitality is a big theme in this text--from the father of the concubine to the old man from Ephraim. How can we effectively practice hospitality today? Read the six key New Testament passages that pertain to hospitality: Romans 12:13a; 1 Peter 4:9; Hebrews 13:2a; 3 John 8; and 1 Timothy 3:2; 5:10c. What observations and applications can you make from these texts? 
2. The poor concubine is treated in a gruesome and ghastly way and then left to die. How can and should the church respond to these types of atrocities? In what way can we minister to the used and abused of our community? 
3. Women were seen as property rather than people. In what ways are women devalued today? How should the church view women? 
4. Israel exploited the vulnerable and considered them to be expendable (19:16–30). Who are the vulnerable in our society? How do you think God would evaluate our treatment of them? How can you speak and work against the cruelty and violence of our culture? 
5. The Levite seeks revenge by calling the whole of Israel to war. What is a believer to do when they feel they must be avenged? How should a believer engage with another believer when he/she has been sinned against? 
6. How does Satan use infighting to distract and destroy churches? What can we do to avoid this? 
7. What specific things have you learned from the book of Judges? What key takeaways would God have you remember for the future? How would you sum up the message of the book of Judges in a few words? 
8. What else had you hoped we would discuss? Are you willing to share a testimony this week for the Judges wrap-up?

Worship the Right God the Right Way

Judges 17:1-18:31 
May 24, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller and Kevin Pitts

Opener: Second service in Lacey, we were able to witness Willow Reep's baptism. Share your baptism story. 

1. Verse 6 is key to understanding why chapters 17-18 are recorded in the Bible. What are some of the evidences that our society struggles with the same thing Israel did back then? Why are humans bad at determining what is "right" as opposed to God? 
2. The young Levite seems to pursue material comfort over serving God. In what ways does seeking material comfort disrupt your spiritual life? What is God asking you to do about it? 
3. Micah seems to think God will have to bless him since he has a Levite priest. How do we use God as a "good luck charm" instead of our Lord and Savior? How are we guilty of trying to manipulate God? 
4. The priest tells the Danites they will fare well without even asking God. We likened it to 2 Timothy 4:3. Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5: How are some churches like this? What solution does Paul provide to Timothy for this issue? What should a believer do if they find themselves in this type of church? 
5. The author lists the "carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the metal image" four times. Why do you think he kept repeating the whole list? 
6. What doctrines are you tempted to be embarrassed by? Why is it such a struggle for man to submit to what God calls sin? 
7. What else did you hope to discuss? What was curious or stuck out? 

Set Apart by God for God

Judges 13:1-16:31  
May 17, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller in DuPont and Kevin Pitts in Lacey

Opener: What are some things you set apart for special purposes? 

1. Interfaith marriage is not God's will for the believer. How do we help the next generation become convinced of this? If you are single, how can you guard your heart against falling for the wrong person?
2. Samson's eyes seem to be a source of much sin. What sins of the eyes do we struggle with today? How do we guard against each? 
3. All grape products were off-limits for the Nazirite; however the main goal was to ensure that the Nazirite could not possibly become drunk. What are your convictions on alcohol? If you have freedom in Christ to consume, how do you ensure you aren't getting drunk? 
4. Sexual purity was not a Canaanite priority in any way--in fact quite the opposite. We live in the same kind of sex-crazed society today. How do we stay "set apart" from the world as believers? What are some keys to winning our children's hearts to value purity? 
5. Anger and rage are serious issues with Samson. How has anger impacted your life? How do you deal with yourself when you become angry? How can we avoid sinning when we experience anger?
6. In what area of your life do you need to bend your knee to God and submit to his lordship? What sin have you become desensitized to? 
7. What else did you hope we would discuss?