Jesus Comforts (John 14)
It seems that now more than ever we need comfort. Not as an idol to worship but as a balm for our anxiety. One week into “sheltering in place” and it is beginning to lose its sense of adventure. In John 14 the followers of Jesus are about to experience a new reality. Their lives are going to be turned upside down and nothing will be the same again. They needed words of comfort then, just as we do today, and Jesus delivers.WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Mar 29, 2020Jesus Comforts (John 14)
Jesus Comforts (John 14)It seems that now more than ever we need comfort. Not as an idol to worship but as a balm for our anxiety. One week into “sheltering in place” and it is beginning to lose its sense of adventure. In John 14 the followers of Jesus are about to experience a new reality. Their lives are going to be turned upside down and nothing will be the same again. They needed words of comfort then, just as we do today, and Jesus delivers.
- Mar 22, 2020Journey to Resurrection: Jesus Serves (John 13)
Journey to Resurrection: Jesus Serves (John 13)
In a day of uncertainty, and fear, and shifting realities, we come to a passage that shows how Jesus faced the most difficult days of his life on earth. When one would expect him to be inwardly focused, he served. When one would not blame him for being sullen, he modeled truth. When one would expect him to be longing for attention, he commanded them to love. And he tells us that we are to follow his example. How will we follow Jesus? - Mar 15, 2020Jesus Cares (John 11)
Jesus Cares (John 11)
In a very familiar story we find Jesus caring about the plight of some of his dearest friends. But we also learn that his care goes far beyond the physical and the immediate. While he does perform the most amazing miracle of his earthly ministry, the real lesson comes back to the depth of the faith of any who follow Jesus. More than amazing things, Jesus wants each of us to see and grasp the glory of God. - Mar 8, 2020Contentment is the Key (Exodus 20:17)
Contentment is the Key (Exodus 20:17)
“I wish I had….” “I wish I could make…” “I wish someone would give me…” These are all statements that could reflect discontent and could lead to coveting. God wants his people to be people who depend on Him to meet their needs and to be content with His provision. The problem with wanting something so badly that it becomes an obsession is that I end up making that person, that desire, that goal, that object a substitute for God and His sufficiency. Learning contentment is the key. - Mar 1, 2020More than just not lying (Exodus 20:16)
More than just not lying (Exodus 20:16)
All to often we reduce the ninth commandment to a simple statement of “Don’t lie.” Granted that is part of this commandment, but it goes beyond just being honest. As we examine this commandment we will learn its breadth and its depth. It speaks to the very character of who we are to be and it reminds us of the importance of loving our neighbor as ourselves, in each circumstance. - Feb 23, 2020If God Owns It All… (Exodus 20:15)
If God Owns It All… (Exodus 20:15)
In a community being able to trust one another is at a premium. To take something that belongs to another person undercuts that trust and divides the community. What is more, if we truly believe God owns it all, but has entrusted property to another person, then from whom is one really stealing. - Feb 16, 2020The Freedom of Faithfulness (Exodus 20:14)
The Freedom of Faithfulness (Exodus 20:14)
The seventh command is all about faithfulness. At first glance any of us would say it is about faithfulness in marriage. But the ramifications are deeper. One who is faithful in marriage is faithful in other areas of life. Jesus would go so far as to remind us that this command had to do with how we even think about members of the opposite sex. So it also means we are faithful in our hearts. There is great freedom in being faithful. - Feb 9, 2020Respecting Human Life as Image Bearers (Exodus 20:13)
Respecting Human Life as Image Bearers (Exodus 20:13)
Each human being is created in the image of God. Therefore, human life is sacred in God’s eyes. The sixth command is straightforward, literally rendered “No murder.” To take an innocent human life in a premeditated, violent manner is to attack the very image of God. But what about attacking and assassinating the character of that person. As we delve into this command the heart of it is to respect deeply in all ways one another. We are the image bearers. - Feb 2, 2020Honor and Respect (Exodus 20:12)
Honor and Respect (Exodus 20:12)
The first four commandments deal with one’s relationship with God. The final six deal with one’s relationship with others. Just as God is our ultimate authority, our parents are our first human authority. We will discover in this command how our response to primary relationships can have impact for our entire lives. - Jan 26, 2020Freedom in Rest (Exodus 20:8-11)
Freedom in Rest (Exodus 20:8-11)
God did not create us to be on the go 24/7/365. We all need rest. Not just a three week vacation once a year, but a regular rhythm of work and rest. When we operate within a rhythm of work and rest, we are healthier, more productive, and just easier to live with. Consider your own rhythm of work and rest, where does God come into your routine? - Jan 20, 2020What’s in a Name? (Exodus 20:7)
What’s in a Name? (Exodus 20:7)
Sometimes we just skirt by the third commandment and assure ourselves that we are okay because we don’t swear. But the third commandment is more than just a prohibition against uttering profanity. It is a reminder that in all of our words and deeds we are to remember that we represent the person and character of God on a daily basis. - Jan 13, 2020Staying Focused (Exodus 20:4-6)
Staying Focused (Exodus 20:4-6)
The temptation of the Israelites was to worship other gods. In their mind other gods offered more options. We are tempted in the same way, maybe not with stone or metal idols but with so many distractions. Yet when we refuse to let anything or anyone interfere with our relationship with God, there is a stability that is indescribable. There is freedom and security in staying focused on our God. - Jan 5, 2020A Holy God Who Delivers (Exodus 20:1-3)
A Holy God Who Delivers (Exodus 20:1-3)
We begin a new series today as we will examine the 10 Words; also known as the 10 Commandments. We will find that these are not prohibitions as much as they are “guardrails” that provide freedom and security for an enjoyable life. In the first word we find that there is stability, hope, protection, and provision when we remember that there is only one God. - Dec 29, 2019Make a Difference (Matthew 5:13-16)
Make a Difference (Matthew 5:13-16)
We find ourselves on that Sunday between two years. It is a time to look back and reflect and a time to think ahead. How will we individually and collectively represent our God in the this coming year? What image of God do people see in the way we live our lives? We will look at Jesus’ word picture of “a city on a hill” and consider what that word picture could mean for us collectively as well as individually. - Dec 22, 2019Bathsheba: Victimized yet Victorious (2 Sam. 11-12; Matthew 1:6)
Bathsheba: Victimized yet Victorious (2 Sam. 11-12; Matthew 1:6)
For anyone who has ever in any way been a victim of the sin of another this story is for you. Jesus came to give life to all. He was announced to lowly shepherds who were marginalized in the society. He was born to a poor couple who were ostracized from their community and eventually fled as refugees to Egypt to escape danger. He was worshiped by magi from the East. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this week, we need to remember that he is Lord for all of us. The story of Bathsheba and her inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus if nothing else reminds us of God’s grace and healing for all.