Produced and Delivered Web-TV Programming
LaGrave Live
LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-19-2026
More Than Merely Human
About The Service:
Pastor Jonker will preach on 1 Corinthians 3.
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-19-AM-order-of-worship.pdf
About the Church:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis.
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
More Than Merely Human: Living the Resurrection Life
Beyond the Mortal: Reflections on Life After Easter
More Than Merely Human: A guide to spiritual reconstruction based on 1 Corinthians 3
"We are no longer defined by the sum of fear, sorrow, or sin. Our Judge is also the Redeemer, and we are the resurrected people. ”
— LaGrave Sunday Sermon Summary
Core metaphor: dots and stars
Quote from Max Lucado's fable: Wemmicks wooden figures label each other every day – good for Venus and mess up gray dots.
Secular trap: Corinthian "climbing spirit" that turns faith into competition and comparison.
Path to Freedom: Like Lucia, the label can no longer be attached to her body due to her connection to the Creator.
Comparison of the two foundations of life
Secular Mode (Merely Human)Grass and straw / pride / comparison
In ChristGold, silver, gemstones, grace, and security
Action Guide: Build the Eternal Project
# Stop comparison# Build confidence# Live your love
1. Recognize: Realize that social media and the workplace are essentially a "dot and star" game.
2. Rooted: Christ alone is the unshakable foundation.
3. Build: Invest in things that will survive even after the trial of fire with "faith, hope, and love."
Reading time: about 12 minutes | Suitable for: Seeking spiritual growth
Easter Season 2026
2026, at LaGrave Church. The service explores the transition from celebrating Christ's resurrection to understanding its practical implications, specifically how believers can move beyond "merely human" tendencies of competition and comparison to live a life rooted in grace.
Detailed Point Summary
The Call to Resurrection Life
The service opens with a celebration of the Easter season, emphasizing that Jesus’ victory over death allows believers to shrug off fear and live a life that is "really life." This "Resurrection Life" is not just a future hope but a present reality that redefines how individuals view their griefs, sins, and identities. By setting their minds on "things above," the congregation is encouraged to put to death earthly practices like anger and greed, instead clothing themselves in compassion, humility, and love.
The "Merely Human" vs. The New Creation
Merely Human
Competitive Climbing
"Dots and Stars" Validation
Factions & Pride
Worldly Wisdom
In Christ
Radiant Grace
Secure Identity in the Maker
Unity in Love
Faith, Hope, & Love
The Spirit of Corinth and the Climbing Culture
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, the sermon highlights Paul’s frustration with the early church's "worldliness." Ancient Corinth was a strategic, wealthy trade hub—a city of "competitive climbers" and aggressive entrepreneurs who sought to make something of themselves in a new Roman colony. This cultural spirit of climbing the ladder of success had infected the church, leading to factions where members competed over spiritual maturity, knowledge, and gifts like speaking in tongues. Paul critiques this as being "merely human," noting that such behavior is indistinguishable from the surrounding secular culture.
The "Dots and Stars" Analogy
To illustrate the exhaustion of a life built on comparison, the sermon references Max Lucado’s You Are Special. In the story, the "Wemmicks" spend their days sticking gold stars on the impressive and gray dots on the clumsy. This "dots and stars game" mirrors modern social media and workplace dynamics, where validation is external and performance-based. The character Lucia, however, remains unaffected by these labels because she maintains a constant relationship with her Maker. This serves as a metaphor for the Christian life: when one's foundation is the grace of Christ, the "dots and stars" of worldly opinion no longer stick.
The Foundation of Endurance
Paul identifies that while knowledge and status pass away, three things endure:
Faith
Hope
Love
"The greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13
Building on the True Foundation
The sermon concludes by challenging the congregation to build their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ using materials that last: faith, hope, and love. Unlike the "straw" of pride and competition, these virtues survive the "fire" of life's stresses. Living this way often appears "foolish" by worldly economic standards—such as giving generously to the needy or investing in community rather than self-advancement—but it is the hallmark of being "more than merely human".
Key Data & Milestones
New Members/Births: Grace Elizabeth and Henry Roger were born last week.
Milestones: Laura Jean Colbert is celebrating a milestone birthday.
Community Arrivals: Jim and Beverly Ludema are new to the community and being welcomed.
Missions: A mission team recently returned from service in Mexico City.
To-Do / Next Steps
Participate in the congregational meeting during the 10:00 hour to select new elders and deacons.
Attend the 6:00 PM evening worship service featuring a visit from missionaries Dan and Priscilla Cummings regarding their ministry in Angola.
Engage in the daily practice of "clothing oneself with Christ" by choosing compassion and forgiveness over worldly competition.
Support and encourage the mission team as they debrief from their recent trip to Mexico City.
Pray for healing and strength for members recovering from illness or injury, including Ellen, Dan, Bill, and Jack.
Conclusion
The service serves as a profound reminder that the Resurrection is a call to exit the "merely human" cycle of comparison. By finding security in the Maker’s love, believers are freed from the "dots and stars" of culture, enabling them to build a lasting legacy of faith, hope, and love.
LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-19-2026
More Than Merely Human
About The Service:
Pastor Jonker will preach on 1 Corinthians 3.
Order of Worship:
https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-19-AM-order-of-worship.pdf
About the Church:
We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
We'd love to hear from you:
Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
Let us pray for you:
Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis.
Listen on the go:
Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
Follow us!
Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
Website: https://www.lagrave.org
#LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
More Than Merely Human: Living the Resurrection Life
Beyond the Mortal: Reflections on Life After Easter
More Than Merely Human: A guide to spiritual reconstruction based on 1 Corinthians 3
"We are no longer defined by the sum of fear, sorrow, or sin. Our Judge is also the Redeemer, and we are the resurrected people. ”
— LaGrave Sunday Sermon Summary
Core metaphor: dots and stars
Quote from Max Lucado's fable: Wemmicks wooden figures label each other every day – good for Venus and mess up gray dots.
Secular trap: Corinthian "climbing spirit" that turns faith into competition and comparison.
Path to Freedom: Like Lucia, the label can no longer be attached to her body due to her connection to the Creator.
Comparison of the two foundations of life
Secular Mode (Merely Human)Grass and straw / pride / comparison
In ChristGold, silver, gemstones, grace, and security
Action Guide: Build the Eternal Project
# Stop comparison# Build confidence# Live your love
1. Recognize: Realize that social media and the workplace are essentially a "dot and star" game.
2. Rooted: Christ alone is the unshakable foundation.
3. Build: Invest in things that will survive even after the trial of fire with "faith, hope, and love."
Reading time: about 12 minutes | Suitable for: Seeking spiritual growth
Easter Season 2026
2026, at LaGrave Church. The service explores the transition from celebrating Christ's resurrection to understanding its practical implications, specifically how believers can move beyond "merely human" tendencies of competition and comparison to live a life rooted in grace.
Detailed Point Summary
The Call to Resurrection Life
The service opens with a celebration of the Easter season, emphasizing that Jesus’ victory over death allows believers to shrug off fear and live a life that is "really life." This "Resurrection Life" is not just a future hope but a present reality that redefines how individuals view their griefs, sins, and identities. By setting their minds on "things above," the congregation is encouraged to put to death earthly practices like anger and greed, instead clothing themselves in compassion, humility, and love.
The "Merely Human" vs. The New Creation
Merely Human
Competitive Climbing
"Dots and Stars" Validation
Factions & Pride
Worldly Wisdom
In Christ
Radiant Grace
Secure Identity in the Maker
Unity in Love
Faith, Hope, & Love
The Spirit of Corinth and the Climbing Culture
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, the sermon highlights Paul’s frustration with the early church's "worldliness." Ancient Corinth was a strategic, wealthy trade hub—a city of "competitive climbers" and aggressive entrepreneurs who sought to make something of themselves in a new Roman colony. This cultural spirit of climbing the ladder of success had infected the church, leading to factions where members competed over spiritual maturity, knowledge, and gifts like speaking in tongues. Paul critiques this as being "merely human," noting that such behavior is indistinguishable from the surrounding secular culture.
The "Dots and Stars" Analogy
To illustrate the exhaustion of a life built on comparison, the sermon references Max Lucado’s You Are Special. In the story, the "Wemmicks" spend their days sticking gold stars on the impressive and gray dots on the clumsy. This "dots and stars game" mirrors modern social media and workplace dynamics, where validation is external and performance-based. The character Lucia, however, remains unaffected by these labels because she maintains a constant relationship with her Maker. This serves as a metaphor for the Christian life: when one's foundation is the grace of Christ, the "dots and stars" of worldly opinion no longer stick.
The Foundation of Endurance
Paul identifies that while knowledge and status pass away, three things endure:
Faith
Hope
Love
"The greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13
Building on the True Foundation
The sermon concludes by challenging the congregation to build their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ using materials that last: faith, hope, and love. Unlike the "straw" of pride and competition, these virtues survive the "fire" of life's stresses. Living this way often appears "foolish" by worldly economic standards—such as giving generously to the needy or investing in community rather than self-advancement—but it is the hallmark of being "more than merely human".
Key Data & Milestones
New Members/Births: Grace Elizabeth and Henry Roger were born last week.
Milestones: Laura Jean Colbert is celebrating a milestone birthday.
Community Arrivals: Jim and Beverly Ludema are new to the community and being welcomed.
Missions: A mission team recently returned from service in Mexico City.
To-Do / Next Steps
Participate in the congregational meeting during the 10:00 hour to select new elders and deacons.
Attend the 6:00 PM evening worship service featuring a visit from missionaries Dan and Priscilla Cummings regarding their ministry in Angola.
Engage in the daily practice of "clothing oneself with Christ" by choosing compassion and forgiveness over worldly competition.
Support and encourage the mission team as they debrief from their recent trip to Mexico City.
Pray for healing and strength for members recovering from illness or injury, including Ellen, Dan, Bill, and Jack.
Conclusion
The service serves as a profound reminder that the Resurrection is a call to exit the "merely human" cycle of comparison. By finding security in the Maker’s love, believers are freed from the "dots and stars" of culture, enabling them to build a lasting legacy of faith, hope, and love.
The Reality of the Resurrection: A Service of Eastertide
The "What If" of Easter
A logical defense of the Resurrection based on 1 Corinthians 15
2026-04-12 Service
The 6 Logical Consequences
01
Useless Preaching
Empty shells without a nut; just hot air.
02
Futile Faith
Faith is only as good as its object.
03
False Witness
Apostles misrepresenting God's actions.
04
Unsolved Guilt
No atonement; we are still in our sins.
05
No Hope for Dead
Those who "fell asleep" have perished.
06
Most to be Pitied
Living a grand delusion; a crime to share.
Key Quote
"Christianity is not a philosophy... it is first and foremost a claim that something happened."
Speaker
DB
David Bass
Guest Preacher
Keywords
#Eastertide #1Corinthians15 #Resurrection #ApostolicCreed
Summary: The sermon pivots on the word "BUT"—Christ has indeed been raised.
Reading Time: 4 mins
This worship service, held on April 12, 2026, at LaGrave, centers on the theological and practical necessity of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through liturgical music, intercessory prayer, and a rigorous examination of 1 Corinthians 15, guest preacher David Bass explores the "counter-factual" history of what the Christian faith would become if the resurrection were merely a myth.
Liturgical Celebration and the Season of Eastertide
The service opens with a vibrant celebration of "Eastertide," a period the church observes for six Sundays following Easter Sunday. During the children's message, it was explained that the continued use of white banners and festive decorations serves as a reminder that the "Good News" of the resurrection is too significant to celebrate for only a single day. This liturgical season emphasizes the ongoing presence of the risen Christ and the mandate given to his followers to share this message with the world.
The Eastertide Calendar
Why the celebration continues for 50 days
6
Sundays of Celebration
50
Days to Pentecost
52
Lord's Days per Year
"We celebrate Easter for 52 Sundays a year because Christ rose on the Lord's Day."
Community Intercession and Global Mission
The congregation engaged in deep intercessory prayer, focusing on three distinct areas: the global church, the local community, and the internal needs of the parish. Specific prayers were offered for persecuted Christians worldwide and for peace in conflict zones including the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. Locally, the church reaffirmed its commitment to ministries such as Dégagé, Guiding Lights, Mel Trotter, and the Downtown Food Pantry. The service also marked the safe return of the Mexico City mission team, who spent the previous week engaged in ministry and vacation bible school.
The Sermon: "What If?"
Guest preacher David Bass delivered a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, addressing the "logical hammer blows" Paul uses to defend the resurrection. Bass argued that Christianity is not a mere philosophy or moral code, but a claim that a specific historical event occurred. He utilized a "counter-factual" approach—asking "What if Christ has not been raised?"—to illustrate that without the physical resurrection, preaching is empty, faith is futile, the New Testament is a record of false witnesses, and there is no atonement for sin. The sermon concluded with the "flip of the script," asserting that because Christ has indeed been raised, he is the "firstfruits" of a future harvest of all believers.
The Six "Hammer Blows" of 1 Corinthians 15
1. Useless Preaching: The apostolic message becomes "hot air."
2. Futile Faith: Faith is only as good as its object; a dead Christ cannot save.
3. False Witness: The New Testament authors become liars misrepresenting God.
4. Unforgiven Sin: Without the resurrection, the "atonement" has no divine seal.
5. Perished Saints: Those who died in Christ are simply gone forever.
6. Pitiful Delusion: Christians become the most pitiable people on earth.
Key Data
Mission Update: The Mexico City mission team returned home at 1:00 AM on the day of the service.
Pastoral Care: The congregation recorded 44 funerals in the previous year.
Upcoming Event: A detailed report from the Mexico City team is scheduled for May 2.
To-Do / Next Steps
Members are encouraged to check the bulletin for various opportunities and events happening during the 10:00 hour.
Attend the special presentation regarding the Mexico City mission trip on May 2 during the 10:00 hour.
Pray for Ellen Decker and Bill Stroh as they both face surgeries scheduled for Monday.
Keep Jack VanSledwight in prayer for healing from blood clots.
Continue to support and pray for local ministry partners including Dégagé, Guiding Lights, and Mel Trotter.
Conclusion
The service concludes by affirming that the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope. As summarized by the closing story of a child’s perspective, the resurrection is not just a past miracle to be studied, but a present reality that promises future restoration for all who believe.
The "What If" of Easter
A logical defense of the Resurrection based on 1 Corinthians 15
2026-04-12 Service
The 6 Logical Consequences
01
Useless Preaching
Empty shells without a nut; just hot air.
02
Futile Faith
Faith is only as good as its object.
03
False Witness
Apostles misrepresenting God's actions.
04
Unsolved Guilt
No atonement; we are still in our sins.
05
No Hope for Dead
Those who "fell asleep" have perished.
06
Most to be Pitied
Living a grand delusion; a crime to share.
Key Quote
"Christianity is not a philosophy... it is first and foremost a claim that something happened."
Speaker
DB
David Bass
Guest Preacher
Keywords
#Eastertide #1Corinthians15 #Resurrection #ApostolicCreed
Summary: The sermon pivots on the word "BUT"—Christ has indeed been raised.
Reading Time: 4 mins
This worship service, held on April 12, 2026, at LaGrave, centers on the theological and practical necessity of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through liturgical music, intercessory prayer, and a rigorous examination of 1 Corinthians 15, guest preacher David Bass explores the "counter-factual" history of what the Christian faith would become if the resurrection were merely a myth.
Liturgical Celebration and the Season of Eastertide
The service opens with a vibrant celebration of "Eastertide," a period the church observes for six Sundays following Easter Sunday. During the children's message, it was explained that the continued use of white banners and festive decorations serves as a reminder that the "Good News" of the resurrection is too significant to celebrate for only a single day. This liturgical season emphasizes the ongoing presence of the risen Christ and the mandate given to his followers to share this message with the world.
The Eastertide Calendar
Why the celebration continues for 50 days
6
Sundays of Celebration
50
Days to Pentecost
52
Lord's Days per Year
"We celebrate Easter for 52 Sundays a year because Christ rose on the Lord's Day."
Community Intercession and Global Mission
The congregation engaged in deep intercessory prayer, focusing on three distinct areas: the global church, the local community, and the internal needs of the parish. Specific prayers were offered for persecuted Christians worldwide and for peace in conflict zones including the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. Locally, the church reaffirmed its commitment to ministries such as Dégagé, Guiding Lights, Mel Trotter, and the Downtown Food Pantry. The service also marked the safe return of the Mexico City mission team, who spent the previous week engaged in ministry and vacation bible school.
The Sermon: "What If?"
Guest preacher David Bass delivered a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, addressing the "logical hammer blows" Paul uses to defend the resurrection. Bass argued that Christianity is not a mere philosophy or moral code, but a claim that a specific historical event occurred. He utilized a "counter-factual" approach—asking "What if Christ has not been raised?"—to illustrate that without the physical resurrection, preaching is empty, faith is futile, the New Testament is a record of false witnesses, and there is no atonement for sin. The sermon concluded with the "flip of the script," asserting that because Christ has indeed been raised, he is the "firstfruits" of a future harvest of all believers.
The Six "Hammer Blows" of 1 Corinthians 15
1. Useless Preaching: The apostolic message becomes "hot air."
2. Futile Faith: Faith is only as good as its object; a dead Christ cannot save.
3. False Witness: The New Testament authors become liars misrepresenting God.
4. Unforgiven Sin: Without the resurrection, the "atonement" has no divine seal.
5. Perished Saints: Those who died in Christ are simply gone forever.
6. Pitiful Delusion: Christians become the most pitiable people on earth.
Key Data
Mission Update: The Mexico City mission team returned home at 1:00 AM on the day of the service.
Pastoral Care: The congregation recorded 44 funerals in the previous year.
Upcoming Event: A detailed report from the Mexico City team is scheduled for May 2.
To-Do / Next Steps
Members are encouraged to check the bulletin for various opportunities and events happening during the 10:00 hour.
Attend the special presentation regarding the Mexico City mission trip on May 2 during the 10:00 hour.
Pray for Ellen Decker and Bill Stroh as they both face surgeries scheduled for Monday.
Keep Jack VanSledwight in prayer for healing from blood clots.
Continue to support and pray for local ministry partners including Dégagé, Guiding Lights, and Mel Trotter.
Conclusion
The service concludes by affirming that the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope. As summarized by the closing story of a child’s perspective, the resurrection is not just a past miracle to be studied, but a present reality that promises future restoration for all who believe.
