Covenant Christian Reformed Church

THE CALL TO COMMUNITY(Discovering God’s Will Together; #12) The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:21-26) A. The Corinthian Church was a place of controlled chaos 1. Paul notes its membership: Jewish merchants, gypsies, Greeks, prostitutes, and pagan idolaters 2. Paul notes their battles with schism, incest, greed, and the Lord’s Supper B. Paul struggles with a basic question: “What is the Church?” C. I wonder what metaphors Paul might use if he were writing today 1. The metaphor of the body has taken on additional depth and meaning: our bodies are incredible; all systems work together as a unit 2. Alcoholics Anonymous involves compassionate listening, warm responses, and hugs; participants are honest and transparent; they are there for each other 3. At the Secretary of State’s Office, we’re forced to step outside our small circle and realize there is a big world out there 4. Like a med-station, the Church should be open long hours, convenient to find, willing to meet the needs of those who drop in because life happens, and provide healing THE FAMILY A. If you begin reading in Genesis, you begin reading the history of families 1. History records the rise and fall of civilizations 2. The news reports the rise and fall of institutions 3. The Bible chronicles the rise and fall of families B. Families work from a different paradigm 1. A family has the same Father - he gives the family its name and identity 2. Our “status” in God’s family: we are born (lit. adopted) into the family a. An undeserving or underachieving child is not kicked out of the family “There is no Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free” (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13) b. Distinctions melt under the Son of God’s grace 3. Families are built on love and acceptance “Families teach us how love exists in a realm beyond liking and disliking, co-existing with indifference, rivalry, and even antipathy.” (John Updike) C. Imagine the Body of Christ as a family gathered around the dinner table 1. This extended family contains some successful individuals, some average ones, and some who have failed to meet any of their potential “Family is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” (Robert Frost) 2. God designed the nuclear family to prepare us to relate to others: a. The family is the one institution we don’t get to choose b. In the family, we’ll find people we like and who are unlikeable “To dwell in love with saints above, Why, that will be glory. To dwell below with saints I know, well, that’s a different story.” (Anonymous) “Community is a place where the person you least want to live with always lives.” (Henry Nouwen) c. Families work best, not when they focus on differences, but celebrate them! d. Families build up their weakest, smallest, and youngest members “Which one of my children do I love the best, I love the sick one until he is well, the one away from home until she’s back.” (John Wesley’s mother) 3. To discern God’s will together, we need to listen together, live together, love together, and listen together - so we can serve and glorify God together CONCLUSION A. Question: “Are we a community of Christ embracing those who come here?” B. Question: “Are we a community of Christ embracing those who live in this neighborhood?” C. Question: “Are we Christ’s community? Is he living among us?” 

A Rule for Life(Discovering God’s Will Together; #11)Acts 2:40-42 “The real issue is not these forces, it’s the ‘meltdown’ of Christian behavior; North American Christians are virtually indistinguishable from the world” (Os Guinness) A. The church is facing a spiritual crisis 1. We need to get serious about our spiritual life! 2. Imagine we’re building or remodeling our spiritual “home” – the only question is “How serious are we about actually moving in...?” B. Deepening our walk with Jesus requires more than intellectual assent 1. We need a conscious, intentional, well thought out action plan 2. We need the discipline to follow it “Athletes, musicians, writers, scientists, and others progress in their fields because they are well-disciplined people. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to think that in matters of faith we should pray, meditate, and engage in other spiritual disciplines only when we feel like it.” (William Paulsell cf. Rules for Prayer) A RULE-DRIVEN LIFE A. How do we arrange our life for what our heart most deeply desires? 1. Answer: we need an intentional rhythm - a set of habits 2. This is known as a “Rule of Life” (from the Greek for “trellis”) “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4) B. Acts 2:41f tells what happened after Pentecost “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41) “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) C. In Acts 3 we see Peter and John going to the temple... 1. They were following Jesus’ rhythm 2. When new believers came to “church” they needed to be trained “Your way of acting should be different than the world’s way. The love of Christ must come before all else!” (St. Benedict) D. These regulations (from regula) were habits that regulated their life “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)A RULE OF LIFE A. Everyone has a “spiritual strategy” – it’s either intentional or unintentional, helpful or harmful “It is very unlikely that we will deepen our relationship with God in a casual or haphazard manner. There will be a need for some intentional commitment and some reorganization in our own lives. But there is nothing that will enrich our life more than a deeper and clearer perception of God’s presence in the routine of daily living.” (William Paulsell) B. Writing your “Rule of Life” 1. It begins in silence, listening to God 2. Then, it involves developing a written pattern 3. Then reflect (ruminate) on it:a. Is it personal? – Does it reflect who you are? b. Is it practical? – Is it attainable?c. Is it balanced? – Is it both comfortable and stretching? d. Is it flexible? – Is it adaptable to changing circumstances?e. Is it simple? - Is it easy/short enough to remember? “My yoke [lit. rule] is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30) 4. Then do it. Keeping the rhythm is most important! C. If you love Jesus with all your heart, it is time to get off the log...

The Only Way Home(A Study of the Gospel of John; Message #58)(Jesus on Discipleship #7)John 14:4-6 A. Jesus is conversing with his disciples the night before his crucifixion A MISUNDERSTANDING (14:4,5) A. Thomas doesn't get it B. Jesus tries to clarify things for Thomas: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” 1. About three years before, Thomas heard Jesus say, “Follow me” 2. When a disciple follows a rabbi, the destination is far less important C. Jesus “way-knowing” is simply “Stick with me!” A METAPHOR (14:6A) A. Jesus is the master of metaphor 1. Listen carefully: “A metaphor is not literally true” a. A metaphor both is and is not what it says b. A metaphor is designed to stimulate our imagination; we can connect the visible to the invisible and open up to transcendence 2. There is more to everything than what we can see or hear or touch B. When we realize Jesus talks in metaphors, we can be more confused or our understanding can expand exponentially THE MESSAGE (4:6A) A. Scripture talks about the Way throughout the Old Testament “Walk in the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land...” (Deuteronomy 5:33) “Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) “Teach me your way, O Lord.” (Psalm 27:11) 1. “I am the Way” suggests giving good counsel, being a personal guide, leading us to the Father (and Home) 2. And...Jesus is life’s path and your ultimate destination B. Scripture speaks about the Truth throughout the Old Testament “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth.” (Psalm 86:11) “Your love is ever before me, I walk continually in your truth.” (Psalm 26:3) “I have chosen the way of truth...” (Psalm 119:30) 1. “I am the Truth” suggests telling the truth, being a truthful person, and claiming to know the Truth 2. And...in a world of pluralism, Jesus is a Truth you can live your life by C. Scripture speaks about the Life throughout the Old Testament “The corrections of discipline are the way to life.” (Proverbs 6:23) “He who heeds discipline shows the way to life...” (Proverbs 10:17) “You have made known to me the path of life...” (Psalm 16:11) 1. “I am the Life” suggests he is alive, enjoying life, and winsome 2. And...Jesus reminds us, you can't have real Life without me D. “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” is a metaphor for a single person: Jesus THE MEANING (14:6B) A. This is the scandal of the Gospel: there’s only one way of salvation; one way to prepare for your home-going; one way to an untroubled heart “Christ is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is he the best of several ways; he is the only way.” (A.W. Tozer) B. We should be thankful there is One Way home to the Father 1. To know the Way is available as a gift of God’s love is amazing grace! “There is no other name (way) under heaven by which we can be saved - quench our eternal thirst” (Acts 4:12) 2. Do you long for home? Come to Jesus... There is no other way

A Rhythm of Rest(Discovering God’s Will Together; #10)Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 “Shabbat is, without question, the part of Judaism I miss the most. Sabbath shaped all our rhythms of calendar and time: the entire week revolved around Shabbat.(Lauren Winner; Mudhouse Sabbath) A. For most people, Sunday is anything but a day of rest B. God has given us the gift of Sabbath and Jesus “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, I will give your rest”(Matthew 11:28) THE PROLEGOMENA OF SABBATH A. The Sabbath is deeply imbedded in Creation “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2) B. At Sinai, God placed Sabbath into Covenant 1. Exodus reads “Remember [zakhor] the Sabbath day and keep it holy [kadosh]”; Deuteronomy reads “Observe [shamor, keep] the Sabbath day and keep it holy” 2. In Exodus (20:11) the basis for remembering Sabbath is Creation. In Deuteronomy 5:15, we observe Sabbath to keep Covenant 3. Rabbis asked why Exodus says remember and Deuteronomy says observe a. Answer: Sunday through Tuesday we remember the past Sabbath; Wednesday through Friday we prepare to observe the coming Sabbath b. Answer: all of life revolves around Sabbath THE PURPOSE OF SABBATH A. Sabbath is a way of ordering our lives around nurturing our soul 1. It is a way of keeping God in the center of our life (i.e., calendar) 2. It is a way of setting apart a time for worship 3. It is a way of balancing our life: work and rest B. Sabbath is a way to honor the limits of our humanness 1. Sabbath reminds us we’re not in control or indispensible When we cease interfering in the world we are acknowledging that it is God’s world.” (Lis Harris, Holy Days) 2. Sabbath reminds us we need rest, refreshment and replenishment 3. Sabbath reminds us to live within our limitsTHE PRINCIPLES OF SABBATH A. Stop! We stop on Sabbath because God is on the throne 1. We stop working. What constitutes work for us is what needs to stop! 2. We stop wanting - buying and selling, feeding our consumerism 3. We stop worrying. Worrying is emotionally and mentally exhausting B. Rest! Once we stop, Sabbath calls us to rest like all our work is done 1. The invitation to rest is to focus on nurturing our soul 2. Whatever renews, refreshes, replenishes our soul, glorifies God and brings joy C. Delight (cf. Isaiah 58:13-14) in God, in who he is and what he has done 1. God invites us to slow down, to be present to Him, to enjoy his creation 2. Don’t make Sabbath a weighty exercise; engage it with delight “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) D. Contemplation! We have the opportunity to practice his presence 1. We have the opportunity to worship and celebrate his holiness 2. We have the opportunity to taste our eternal Sabbath (cf. Rev. 22:4) 3. We give attention to intentionally restoring our soul “Disentangle our mind from worldly cares and troubles... preparing our self for the coming Sunday with prayer...[and] retire to rest betimes so as to be punctual and sprightly at church the next morning.” (Friedrich Stark) OUR PRACTICE OF SABBATH A. Many have missed the (Sabbath) blessing 1. We seldom think about Jesus’ resurrection (or ours) – even on Sunday 2. We’ve lost the concept of rest; corporate worship has become optional 3. Churches increasingly plan “work” on Sunday for convenience “The Sabbath was made for man; not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27) B. Keeping the Sabbath rhythm, focusing on God; nurturing our souls is important “There is something in the (original) Sabbath that is missing from most Christian Sundays: a true cessation from the rhythms of work and world, a time wholly set apart, and, perhaps above all, a sense that the point of Shabbat, the orientation of Sabbath is toward God.” (Lauren Winner) 1. Think of Sabbath as a “snow day” once a week 2. Accept his invitation to stop, rest, delight, and contemplate every week C. We need time to “be still and know that he is God.” God has given us the time.

Going Home(A Study of the Gospel of John; Jesus on Discipleship #6)John 14:1-3 A. How many people live as if the Christian Life is a retirement cruise? 1. If we sail unprepared, it’s in spite of God - not because of him 2. He has gone before us and offers to go with us B. In these verses, Jesus promises to prepare us a place in his Father’s house JESUS PROVIDES A PERSPECTIVE (14:1) A. One of Jesus’ hardest commands is “Let not your hearts be troubled” 1. There seem to be incredibly good reasons for Jesus’ disciples to be troubled 2. It is okay to have and learn from our troubles, but then we need to move on B. The antidote to a troubled “heart” is a trusting communion with the Father and his Son 1. Trust develops over time in community through relationships 2. Jesus invites his disciples to deepen their communion with the Father... C. John continues and notes reasons to foster and fortify our trust 1. Jesus “Dear little children” provided a note of divine affection (13:33) 2. Jesus’ “for now” keeps the door open for a “but later...” (13:36b) 3. “God” has a definite article. John : “Trust THE (Great) God” (14:1) 4. Jesus promises to return (after a physical absence): “I’ll come back” (14:3) “I know that all of these hard realities are understandably very discouraging to you; but please, don’t let you hearts be too troubled; you can't trust your colleagues completely and, you know you can't even trust yourself completely; but please remember the living God in whom you can trust completely; and please remember me too, and my trustworthiness. Don’t give up on us. Don’t be too discouraged.” [Jesus] JESUS PROVIDES A PLACE (14:2) A. 14:2 - “There are many rooms in my Father’s house” 1. A house implies rest, safety, warmth, a place to belong 2. Your “Father’s House” is where your Father is... B. The next sentence is a curious one: “I would tell you this if it were not true” 1. Why did Jesus say that? Jesus sees complacency, contentment, apathy 2. His statement confronts our complacency; gives this teaching urgency C. Your Father is planning on you coming D. This passage parallels the wedding customs of Jesus day... 1. First, there is a coming together of the bride and groom’s families a. Promises are made; commitments are given; the dowry is paid b. Then the groom returns home to prepare a place for his bride c. When the place is prepared, the groom returns for his bride 2. First, they come together to make covenant (a cup of wine is exchanged); the second time he comes to bring his bride home (with feasting) 3. The Bride’s home fades into the background; the Groom’s home comes into view JESUS PROVIDES A PREDECESSOR (14:2) A. The New Testament has a great name for Jesus: “prodromos” “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul...it enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us, has entered on our behalf” (Heb. 6:19-20) “For those God foreknew...that [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many” (Rom. 8:29) “He is the firstborn over all creation...the firstborn from among the dead” (Col. 1:15, 18) B. We can go to heaven with a sense of confidence; Jesus is already there JESUS PROVIDES A PROMISE (14:3) A. Jesus describes his “leaving” as making preparations for “his own” (13:1) 1. He promises to go and prepare a place for us, to be the “transportation” we need (cf. 14:6), and to personally accompany us 2. Jesus promises he is coming back. You can stake your life and eternity on it! B. Fear strikes when one realizes death is near and they are unprepared 1. What matters to the Father is if he knows you... 2. It’s not what you have! It is who you know! Be prepared! 

Listening For God(Discovering God’s Will Together; #9)John 8:42-47 A. Prayer is central, assumptive, and normative in the Christian Life B. In discerning God’s will, prayer is absolutely essential The Principles “The best method of prayer is to have no method at all.” (St. Francis deSales) A. Principle One: The best way to learn to pray is ... to pray B. Principle Two: Prayer is primarily about our relationship with God 1. Prayer is not about getting stuff, problem solving or seeking guidance 2. Prayer is about experiencing more of God’s presence C. Principle Three: We don’t really know much about prayer 1. We are consciously stepping into the presence of the God of the universe! 2. We tend to focus on the mechanics and methods of prayer D. Principle Four: Prayer is hard work; it takes time 1. We wonder whether all the effort will be worth it 2. We join the disciples and ask, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) E. Principle Five: Prayer is a gift from God F. Everything you need to know about prayer...you now know The Presuppositions A. Four parts of prayer: God speaks, we listen; we speak, God listens B. God speaks 1. God brought the universe into existence by His spoken Word 2. In the Garden, Adam and Eve talked with God and God talked with them 3. Moses learned to hear God’s voice and obey his command “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us or we will die.” (Exodus 20:19) 4. God sent prophets to speak for him 5. Then Jesus came speaking “I am the Good shepherd; my sheep know my voice” (John 10:4) 6. In Acts 1:1f; Luke indicates that after his ascension, Jesus continues “to do and to teach” through His Spirit 7. Good news: God hasn’t stopped speaking. Bad news: most people have stopped listening “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47) “The sheep follow him because they know his voice…” (John 10:4) “They too will listen to my voice…” (John 10:16) C. We need to listen 1. Few people hear an outward recordable voice 2. Most often God speaks in a whisper deep in our heart 3. Listening is a crucial element in our relationship with Jesus “Jesus Christ is alive and here to teach his people himself. His voice is not hard to hear; his vocabulary is not difficult to understand. But learning to listen well and to hear correctly is no small task.” (Richard Foster) 4. The Christian faith is hearing the voice of God and doing it 5. What are you listening for? When was the last time you heard God speak? The Practice A. Most often, God speaks in common promptings... 1. Then, we have a small window to respond 2. The goal is to carry a listening “ear” with us through our day “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persona are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees at the blessed sacrament.” (Brother Lawrence) “God does not cease speaking, but the noise of the creatures without, and of our passion within, deafens us, and stops our hearing. We must silence every creature; we must silence ourselves, to hear in the deep hush of the whole soul, the ineffable voice of the spouse. We must bend the ear, because it is a gentle and delicate voice, only heard by those who no longer hear anything else.” (Francois Fenelon) B. Ask God to speak to you. Practice Listening! Keep practicing! C. The voice of God is heard by those who no longer listen for anything else 

Pausing to Pray(Discovering God’s Will Together; #8) (Mark 1:35) “We tend to think of prayer as something we do in order to produce the results we believe are needed or, rather, to get God to produce the results. Go to any Christian bookstore and note the number of books devoted to techniques of prayer. We are interested in knowing what works and developing skills that will ensure that our prayers are effective. As a result our prayers tend to be a shopping list of things to be accomplished, an attempt to manipulate the symptoms of our lives without really entering into a deep, vital, transforming relationship with God.” (Robert Mulholland) A. Most believers have a genuine desire to pray... B. That’s why most of us became a Christian - to spend eternity with God CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER A. Prayer is typically defined as talking to God, contemplative prayer is best defined as being with God “Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever” (Westminster Catechism) B. Why is contemplative prayer important? 1. First, we are expected to pray 2. Second, it’s about the relationship; it’s about just being together THE FOUNDATION A. In the very heart of God is a deep desire to be in fellowship with us... 1. God longs to hear from us; God longs to speak to us; God longs to be with us 2. In the heart of a believer is the deep desire to fellowship with God B. God Speaks “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us or we will die.” (Exodus 20:19) 1. Jesus’ constantly withdrew to spend time with His Father (Mark 1:35) 2. Good news: God hasn’t stopped speaking C. We need to listen 1. Listening takes time; God is never in a hurry “Because I am a Christian” (Dietrich Bonheoffer) 2. Consciously being in God’s presence will transform us into better disciples STAYING FOCUSED A. We are not trained to just “be” with GodB. So what should we do? 1. Don’t be too hard on yourselves “The first thing to remember is not to get impatient with yourself. Do not cramp yourself in despair at the wandering of your thoughts. Just sit down each day and wait patently. If your thoughts keep running away, do not attempt to restrict them. It is no bother to let them run on to their destination; then, however, take up the place or the person to whom they have strayed into your prayers. In this way you will find yourself back at the text, and the minutes of such digressions will not be wasted and will not trouble you.” (Dietrich Bonheoffer) 2. Try to identify the source of the distractions 3. Prepare for your prayer time by first slowing down 4. Use your imagination 5. Keep paper/pencil nearby; Journal C. How does one distinguish God’s voice from other voices? “Certain factors distinguish the voice of God just as any human voice can be distinguished from another.” (Dallas Willard) 1. First, the quality of God’s voice “The quality of God’s voice is more a matter of weight or impact an impression makes on our circumstances. A certain steady and calm force on which communications from God impacts our soul, our innermost being, incline us toward assent and even toward compliance.” (Dallas Willard) “The inner voice of God does not argue or try to convince you. It just speaks and it is self-authenticating.” (E. Stanley Jones) 2. Second, the spirit of God’s voice “God’s voice is a spirit of peacefulness and confidence, or joy, of sweet reasonableness and of Good will. It is, in short, the spirit of Jesus” (Dallas Willard) “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality.” (James 3:17) 3. Third, the content of God’s voice “A word that is truly from God will always conform to and be consistent with the truths about God’s nature and kingdom that are made clear in the Bible.” (Dallas Willard) D. A word of challenge and encouragement: 1. Make time. God desires it. You require it 2. Slow Down. Don’t run into his presence. Don’t hurry out of his presence 3. Slip consciously onto God’s lap every day 4. God loves it too!

The Glory and Misery of Discipleship(A Study of the Gospel of John)John 13:31-38 A. This is the beginning of Jesus’ Closing Discourse - John 14-16 1. Jesus explains the significance and implications of his greatest deeds - i.e., his death and his resurrection “[This] is one of the greatest compositions in literature...because the one who speaks here speaks as no human being has ever spoken” (Raymond Brown) 2. What happens before, during and immediately after “this weekend” will determine human time as no other event since creation B. Jesus gives his disciples a heads up on the glory and misery of following him THE GLORY OF JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION (13:31-32) A. When Judas left, Jesus knew his Father had commenced his final work 1. Jesus says, “Now...” as if his work is already done (“the prophetic perfect”) 2. Jesus gives himself the title, “Son of Man” (cf. Daniel 7:13-14) 3. “Glorified”, from the root “doxa” (doxology), means praise and honor B. John (always) speaks of Jesus’ cross as glorification (cf. 7:39; 11:4, 53; 12:16, 23-24; 28; 13:31-32; 14:13; 17:1, 4-5) 1. In his death and rising we see the depth and height of God’s love for His world 2. Love always costs something! God’s love cost Jesus his life “There is not greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13b) C. Amazing glorification will occur the coming weekend - 1. The glorification of the Father by his Son on the cross 2. The glorification of the Son by his Father in the resurrection 3. The glorification of his disciples by the Father and Son’s love them for them THE MISERY OF THE DISCIPLES (SPIRITUAL) IMMATURITY (13:33) A. This is a “sad” verse following Jesus’ teaching of his glorification 1. Is Jesus saying even disciples don’t “automatically” get into heaven? 2. Is Jesus saying there’s no cheap “God is love and we all get in” universalism? 3. Is Jesus reminding us that any and all access to the Father is by grace alone? B. Thankfully this verse has an affectionate greeting: “Dear little children...” 1. Wasn’t the whole purpose of our discipleship to follow you? 2. Jesus concludes this teaching with “for now”- changing hopeless into hopeful a. Without the cross (19:30), his resurrection (20:22), the gift of his Spirit, and the gift of faith - we are all hopeless (including Jesus’ disciples) b. Even “now”, we are deeply needy human beings who need to “listen up” THE GLORY OF THE DISCIPLES’ LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER (13:34-35) A. The lived-out love of Christians for one another has the single greatest missionary impact on the world 1. This love doesn't come from the disciples; it comes from Christ’s love “Have a heart for one another out of the well of my heart for you” (13:34; Bruner) 2. Jesus’ disciples, by definition, have this “resource” - Jesus’ continual love B. This love is, first, for fellow disciples, for His Church 1. When Christians live affectionately with other Christians, they make a deep impact on each other and on the world 2. We think the world doesn't notice; they do 3. Jesus is inviting (commanding!) His Church to love one another... 4. Church loyalty is almost as important as loyalty to Christ himself C. Our love for each other is an essential part of world mission THE MISERY OF THE DISCIPLE’S VAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE (13:36-38) A. Peter doesn't understand why he has to wait when he is ready “now!” 1. Peter says he’s ready to “lay down his [whole] life” for Jesus 2. This error has had a long and disastrous history for people and the Church 3. Jesus: “You’re going to lay down you’re life for me?” B. Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denials reminds us not to take glory in our position 1. It is not about us. Who lays down whose life for whom in the Christian faith? 2. Our vanity, ego, and self-centeredness can lead us to think we’re fully devoted to Jesus, ready to lay our life down for him and earn our “forever” C. Jesus gives us a great model of great loving... 1. He challenges us to emulate him; he challenges us to be His Church 2. And when we build it..., they will come

Engaging the Scriptures(Discovering God’s Will Together; #7)Psalm 19:7-11 A. John Wesley prayed to be a “homo unius libri” (i.e., “a man of one book.”) “The secret to life is pursing one thing.” (Jack Palance) “Seek wisdom...to believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind...” (cf. James 1:5-8) (Soren Kirkegaard) B. As disciples, we’ve committed to pursuing a relationship with Jesus “...be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2) “...being transformed into his image...” (1 Corinthians 3:18) “It means that we will think, speak, meditate, and do all things with a view to God’s glory.” (John Calvin) “The words that bombard us all day long from billboards and tabloids and talk shows pull us in a thousand directions, but the Word God speaks to us from His Word can renew our minds.” (John Ortberg) THE CHALLENGES A. We tend to study the Scripture like we study a textbook - for information “...let the Word of God dwell richly in us.” (Colossians 3:16) B. We need to care of our soul...or eventually it will wither and die 1. The problem is less methodology and more motivation 2. Transformation is fundamentally a heart issue. Do I really want Jesus? THE COURSE A. Make time to meet God in the Scripture There should be a daily time set apart for the disciplined reading of Scripture; at the optimum point of our day, when we are at our best, set apart physically in surroundings that are conducive to opening our lives to God; and set apart internally from the pressures and tensions of our lives. (John Wesley) We simply need quiet time in the presence of God. Although we want to make all our time, time for God, we will never succeed if we do not reserve a minute, an hour, a morning, a day, a week, a month or whatever period of time for God and him alone. This asks for much discipline and risk taking because we always seem to have something more urgent to do and “just sitting there” and “doing nothing” often disturbs us more than it helps. But there is no way around this. Being useless and silent in the presence of God belongs to the core of all prayer. In the beginning we often hear our own unruly noises more loudly than God’s voice. This is at times hard to tolerate. But slowly, very slowly, we discover that the silent time makes us quiet and deepens our awareness or ourselves and God. Then, very soon, we start missing these moments when we are deprived of them, and before we are fully aware of it an inner momentum has developed that draws us more and more into silence and closer to that still point where God speaks to us.” (Henri Nouwen) B. Begin with a prayerful, humble, obedient spirit1. Ask God to meet you in Scripture “I had no wish to read further; there was no need...it was as though my heart was filled with a light of confidence and all the shadows of my doubt were swept away.” (Augustine) 2. Read with a readiness to surrender everything C. Read a brief passage; read it slowly; read it out loud; read it repeatedly “If you read it quickly, it will benefit you little. You will be like a bee that merely skims the surface of a flower. Instead, in this new way of reading with prayer, you must become as the bee who penetrates the depths of the flower. You plunge deeply within to remove its deepest nectar.” (Mdame Guyon) “Contemplative reading of the holy scriptures and silent time in the presence of God belong closely together. The word of God draws us into silence; silence makes us attentive to God’s word. The word of God penetrates through the thick of human verbosity to the silent center of our heart; silence opens in us that space where the word can be heard. Without reading the word, silence becomes stale, and without silence, the word loses its re-creative power. The word leads to silence and silence to the word. The word is born in silence, and silence is the deepest response to the word.” (Henri Nouwen) 1. Read Scripture as a love letter: Psalm 19:7-11 (The Message) The revelation of God is whole, pulling our lives togetherThe signposts of God are clear, pointing out the right roadThe life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joyThe directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.The decisions of God are accurate, down to the nth degree.God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeraldsYou’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.  Reading One – Listen for a word or phrase the Spirit brings to mind  Reading Two – Reflect on the word; what is God saying to me?  Reading Three –Respond to this Word; Pray it back to God  Reading Four – Relate this word to your life today; Rest 2. This process is known as lectio divina (divine reading) D. Reflect on this word throughout your day E. Integrate your experience into your life 1. Goal is not for us to get into the Word but to get the Word into us 2. If there is no change, no transformation has occurred 3. The more time we spend with Jesus in his Word, the more his love transforms us  

Shhhh....Be Quiet(Discovering God’s Will Together; #6)1 Kings 19:11-14 A. The word noise is derived from the Latin word for nausea B. Most people consider noise an unavoidable part of life C. Noise is also a significant spiritual problem; the antidote is silence THE CALL TO SILENCE A. We are easily caught up in the noise of our world 1. Unrealistic expectations 2. Performance Paranoia 3. Lack of Boundaries 4. Unhealed Wounds 5. Personal Isolation 6. Societal Pressures B. If we’re not extremely careful, we’ll just get carried along! 1. Because our lives are so noisy, we can’t hear God 2. Silence is the response of awe 3. The impact of noise on our spiritual life is often invisible, cumulative, and gradual C. God calls us to be silent because it will enhance our relationship, allow us to hear him speak, and nurture our soul “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) “I have stilled and quieted my soul...” (Psalm 131:2a) “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place...” (Mark 6:31) THE CHALLENGE OF SILENCE A. Being silent is difficult. It is a spiritual discipline 1. The discipline of silence is making space for God in our life a. We know a lot about God b. We periodically talk to God c. But most people have little experience simply being with God2. The goal of spiritual disciplines is being with God THE COURSE OF SILENCE A. The Biblical place of silence and solitude is the desert 1. In the desert – we are stripped of all distractions 2. In the desert we are reminded of our dependence 3. In the desert God teaches life isn’t about doing something great for God a. Ultimately, life is having an intimate relationship with God b. Ultimately, life is not doing what God wants us to do, but being who God wants us to be B. Solitude, an intentional time to be alone with God, enhances silence 1. Silence and solitude is where we meet God, hear him speak 2. Solitude and silence is where we practice our waiting C. Silence is indispensible to spiritual health and growth 1. Do it. Start slowly a. Redeem the little solitudes of your day b. Make your words are fewer, fuller and God-honoring c. Set aside a few moments to pray, reflect on Scripture and enjoy his presence 2. Keep on doing it. Persevere!

Examining OurselvesPsalm 19:12-14(Discovering God’s Will Together; #5) “But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:12-14) “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28) “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) “The awareness of sin used to be our shadow. Christians hated sin, feared it, fled from it, grieve over it. A man who lost his temper his temper might wonder if he should still go to holy communion. Our new language fudges: I’d just like to share that we just need to target holiness as a growth area.” Where sin is concerned, people just mumble now.”(Neal Plantinga) THE CALL A. If we are serious about Jesus, we’ll do anything to look more like Him “Search me, God, and know my heart; Test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) “Examination of the world without is never as personally painful as examination of the world within . . . yet when one is dedicated to the truth, this pain seems relatively unimportant.” (M. Scott Peck) B. “Spiritual examination” is bringing my whole self before God 1. This involves examination (naming our sin), confessing (owning our sin), repenting (grieving the sin), seeking forgiveness (reconciling with the offended) restoring (redeeming the offense), and being transformed (avoiding future sin) “The knowledge of ourselves not only arouses us to seek God, but also, as it were, leads us by the hand to find him.” (John Calvin) 2. Only through self-examination can we hope to grow closer to God THE CERTAINTIES A. The first truth is “God loves you!” B. The second truth is “We are broken people” C. The third truth is “We cannot fix ourselves” D. The fourth truth is examination/confession is a communal discipline E. The fifth truth is God’s grace is sufficient “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) THE CHALLENGE A. We all have a false self and a true self1. The false self is ego centric, guided by what we want others to think 2. The true self is focused on being the person God made and called us to be B. There are some traditional methods of self-examination: 1. Beatitudes (Eastern Orthodox Christians) 2. Lord’s Prayer (Roman Catholics) 3. Ten Commandments (Protestants) 4. Seven deadly sins 5. Twelve Step program 6. Awareness Examen: The examen of conscience (The Psalm 139 prayer) and the examen of consciousness – the search for God in our day [Jacob] “Surely the Lord was in this place and I knew it not.” (Genesis 28:16) C. An Examination (True or False)1. ___I say “yes” when I sometimes mean “no.”2. ___I get depressed when people are unhappy with something I did3. ___I need to have other’s approval in order to feel good about myself.4. ___I act nice on the outside even with people “I can’t stand!” on the inside5. ___I often remain silent in order to “keep the peace.”6. ___I believe that if I make mistakes, I am a failure.7. ___I criticized others in order to feel better about myself.8. ___I try to avoid looking weak or foolish if I don’t have the answer.9. ___I have to be doing something exceptional to feel significant10. ___I have to be needed to feel confident11. ___I tend to be fearful and don’t like to take risks.12. ___I often do what others want so they won’t get mad at me13. ___I use knowledge and competence to cover my feelings of inadequacy14. ___I want my children to behave so others will think I am a good parent15. ___I often compare myself to other people THE CONFESSION A. Our examen must lead us to God B. Our examen must lead us to confide in someone else“...confess your sins to one another and pray for one another...” (James 5:16) C. Our examen must lead us to confess to the one we sinned against D. Our examen must lead us to reconcile with community E. Our examen must lead to appropriate change THE COMMITMENT A. God is calling us to be a community that confesses its frail humanity B. Make time for self-examination and confession C. Find a trusted companion or two who will hold you accountable D. Be Courageous. Be Obedient. God is not through with you yet! E. Never forget. God’s grace is sufficient. By grace we are saved!

It All Goes Back in the Box 16And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)   We are a people in a hurry   We suffer from a disease called “hurry” sickness. We are rushaholics     The Confession   If you have this disease, you are Polyphasic (multitasking)   I invite you to join the slow group     The Calamity   People often spend their life pursuing things that don’t really matter   So Jesus tells the story of a busy man with a lifetime opportunity   Then he dies.   Jesus summaries his life in one word: fool   He was so busy building his own kingdom he had no time for God     Two Corrections   One: Life will settle down; we’ll get time for the things that are important   Two: Someday enough will be enough   The way we become rich is to slow down and focus on Him     The Contest   After playing a game for a while, “it all goes back in the box.”   While we want to leave it out as a memorial to what we’ve accomplished,       it is a reminder that it’s time to go home   We understand, “It all goes back in the box” means “game over; it is time to go        home”   It means “It’s not really yours. It doesn’t belong to you.”   The man in Jesus’ story learned to play the game; he played it well.   But he forgot the game eventually ends   So...what is worth giving your life to?     The Casket    “If life boils down to one significant thing, it is movement. To live is to keep moving. Unfortunately, this means that for the rest of our lives we will be looking for boxes. When you’re moving, your whole world is boxes; that is all you think of; boxes. Where are the boxes? You wander down the street, go in and out of stores, wondering “Are there any boxes here?” You could be at a funeral, everyone around you is mourning and crying and you are looking at the casket: “That’s a nice box.” Does anyone know where that guy got that box?” That is what death is. It is the last move of your life. The hearse is like the van, the pallbearers are your close friends; the only ones you can trust with a move that big. And that casket is that great box you have been looking for your whole life. (Jerry Seinfield)   All this rushing and accumulating is simply a form of denial   There is a simple two-word question we tend to avoid: “Then what?”   Jesus reminds us life passes quickly. And then, it all goes back in the box   If your soul was demanded of you today and God used a single word to summarize your life, what might it be? _______________   As you reflect on this past week, allow his gift to fill your heart   As you look forward to the New Year, remember the person in Jesus story   As you think about this story, remember the only thing that doesn't go back in the box is your soul!  

Because of Bethlehem(Christmas 2019) 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:15-20) In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3) A. Can we put our differences aside because of Bethlehem? B. Christmas and Bethlehem put life into perspective “Why do the nations conspire and people’s plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and rulers gather together against the Lord and against his anointed one...and the one enthroned in heaven laughs...” (Psalm 2:1-2, 4) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.(John 1:1-4, 14) C. God has a plan. He is working it out. He shared his plan with us on Christmas BETHLEHEM A. Christmas - our celebration of an infant born in Bethlehem... 1....is about a light shining and giving hope to people living in darkness “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5) 2. ...is about sinners finding peace and forgiveness from a Savior and friend “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) 3. ...is about receiving a God who is different than anyone imagined - a remarkable gift in an unremarkable package - God in created flesh “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...full of grace and truth.”(John 1:14) 4. ...is about unlovely people being loved beyond their wildest expectations “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19) 5. ...is about people who fear punishment and are scared to death “From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another”(John 1:16) 6. ...is about people who have given up trying to live by God’s rules being reminded God didn't just make us, or think about us, but God is with us “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) 7. ...is a promise that His best is yet to come. When Christ was born, our hope was born; his relentless love for us was exposed “God uses all things to work for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) B. This child born in Bethlehem changes everything - from human history to our eternal destiny - if we follow the example of the shepherds “Good News of great joy that is intended for all people, that Today, in the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior has been born to you, he is the anointed one, the Messiah.”(Luke 2:10-11) 1. The shepherds decided they had to go and see what God had done! 2. Then they interrupted their schedule, took a risk, and went CHALLENGE A. We need to accept Christmas, not only for information, but for transformation 1. I believe in miracles because I’ve embraced the miracle of Christmas “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us--that which we have seen and hear we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; ...with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ...” (1 John 1:1-3) 2. If Bethlehem doesn't make a difference we’ve wasted our time B. Because of Bethlehem...is your life any different? Has your presence in this world made any difference? 1. Do you trust Jesus - the child laying in a manger - with your life and eternity? 2. Because of Bethlehem, today we can experience the Good News of Great Joy

Love Came Down(Advent Series: Because of Bethlehem; Message Four) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.4He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth” (Micah 5:2-4) “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by...” A. We picture Bethlehem as a Hallmark Hamlet; it’s actually dirty and smelly B. Bethlehem (lit, “house of meat” in Arabic or “house of bread” in Hebrew) was where shepherds raised sheep for temple sacrifices 1. Shepherding was top on the rabbi’s list of most despised occupations 2. Shepherds were stereotyped as dishonest, thieving, disreputable people 3. Bethlehem was a village no one would visit unless it was home or the law required it... C. A visit to Bethlehem reminds us how far God will go to meet our deepest need D. Bethlehem becomes a testimony of God’s love for sinners WE CAN REJECT HIM A. We could initiate the list with the innkeeper... B. There was the overbooked and pre-occupied town 1. This is a default “no” rejection. This may be the most dangerous kind 2. How many say “no” to Jesus simply because they don’t have time or space for him in their lives? C. Herod’s rejection was overtly violent and blatantly brutal “Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they were no more.” (Matthew 2:18) D. Every rejection it is a tragic response and results in a catastrophic ending WE CAN RECEIVE HIM A. The angels, Mary, the shepherds and magi recognized the one who lay in the manger was the hope of the world1. Recognizing is not a one-time event, but a continual awareness of what God has done and continues to do in us and in his world 2. We need to recognize God’s love came down at Christmas in the birth of Jesus. God was willing to sacrifice his Son to provide for a fallen world B. The angels, Mary, the shepherds and magi “received” him with reverence 1. The angels sang a song of praise (Luke 2:14); Mary “pondered these things in her heart” (2:19); the shepherds “hurried off to see the child” (2:15); the magi “bowed and worshipped him” (Matthew 2:11) 2. Today, will you receive him with reverence and worship? And tomorrow? C. Luke points out everything is suddenly different for the shepherds... 1. Before they were “just” shepherds; now they are shepherds with a mission; now they have a message; now they are life changers 2. They were eager to reveal to others what they had seen 3. If shepherds can be witnesses for Jesus, anyone can be a witness to Jesus CONCLUSION A. Despite the probability of rejection, God himself came “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son...” (John 3:16) 1. The only reason anyone would leave heaven is because of love 2. In his incarnation, God says “I love you” “You don’t have to clean up first, you don’t have to bring a gift, you don’t even have love me like I love you...but you do need to come...” “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about and when we have seen him to go and spread the word...”(Luke 2:15b, 17b) B. Love came down at Christmas. “The Lord is come! Let earth receive her king” 

The Jubilee of God(Advent Series: Because of Bethlehem; Message Three)The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,3and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of joy instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3) A. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem something incredible happened “The one enthroned in heaven laughed...” (Psalm 2:4) 1. We’d expect God to be angry because he had to send his Son to pay for our sin 2. No one expects God to laugh, but that’s what the incarnation is all about - a sign of God’s grace “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14) B. God’s laughter is contagious: a sign he’s present, in control, and things are well JUBILEE A. Jubilee is picture of what God’s Kingdom is designed to be (cf. Leviticus 25) 1. Sadly, we never read in Scripture that Israel celebrated a “Year of Jubilee” 2. Jubilee became a “dream” associated with the coming of the Messiah 3. Isaiah says: “You will know who Messiah is because he will bring Jubilee” B. Isaiah identifies seven signs of Jubilee; i.e., of Messiah’s coming 1. The dead will come alive (i.e., be raised) (Isaiah 11:1-2) 2. The blind will see (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5) 3. The deaf will hear (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5) 4. The lame will walk (Isaiah 35:6, 61:1) 5. The lepers will be cleansed and healed (Isaiah 61:1) 6. The captives will be freed (Isaiah 61:1)7. The poor will receive Good News (Isaiah 61:1-2) “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me...come take your inheritance, the kingdom [has been] prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:35-36, 34) C. This is the work of Messiah; these are the days of Jubilee JOHN A. John the Baptizer was born to announce Messiah (Isaiah 40) “I am not the Christ (Messiah), but am sent ahead of him. The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. The joy is mine and is now complete.” (John 3:27-30a) B. In Matthew 11:1-6, John is in prison and loosing hope that Jesus is Messiah 1. The question is “Are you really the Messiah? Has Jubilee really come? If it has, why doesn't it look like it or feel like it in my life?!” 2. Jesus responds by mentioning six of the seven signs of Messiah/Jubilee a. He leaves one out. Which one? (“To provide freedom to the captives”) b. John will pay the ultimate price...as will Jesus...as will all Jesus’ disciples c. Following Jesus may start in Bethlehem, but it ultimately ends at Calvary JESUS A. In Luke 4, Jesus returns to his hometown to read Scripture: Isaiah 61 1. When Jesus finishes, he says, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” 2. Jesus just declared “the Year of Jubilee.” Only Messiah can do that! B. We get to bring in the Kingdom; it’s already here but not yet complete 1. We are called to live like Jubilee is already here - it is because Jesus is here 2. Jesus invites us to partner with him to bring life, demand justice, offer forgiveness and healing, and proclaim Good News JOY A. John 14:1 - “Jesus said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.’” B. Luke 2:10-11 - “I bring you Good News of great Joy for all people: a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

It is Not a Silent Night(Advent Series: Because of Bethlehem; Message Two) Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to herthat her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.3A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.5And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.6A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.7The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.8The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”9You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.11He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his armsand carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:1-11) A. Israel was longing for a word of peace-centered encouragement 1. They had been through a major battle and lost “Assyrians came down like the wolf on the fold, and his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; and the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, when the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee” (Lord Byron) 2. There had been no comfort among the Israelites; no peace in their lives 3. A new king promised the Israelites they could “go home” to Jerusalem B. They had been waiting for the “consolation” of Israel 1. The hope was that God would come and set everything right in the world 2. As word spread, hope was renewed - even though the reality was yet to come THE MESSAGE A. This text is God’s instruction to the prophet Isaiah1. It affirms that God’s ultimate purpose is not destruction but redemption 2. Those who speak God’s word to God’s people are to say, “Comfort!” “Your rod and your staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4) “As one whom his mother comforts, so I,” said God, “will comfort you.”(Isaiah 66:13) a. “Comfort” isn’t about “peace and quiet”; it’s not about being comfortable “He will come to build and destroy; he will destroy the heavens and the earth - subverting everything and everyone to judgment...” (Peter 3:10,13) “He will come to separate and to gather. As a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff, Christ will winnow his harvest - burning the chaff with fire and gathering his wheat into barns” (Matthew 3:12) b. “Comfort” (lit. “with strength”) is a word of strength and encouragement; an intimate word; a reminder that whatever grievous punishments they’ve endured, they’re in the past B. No matter how severely the Lord has dealt with you, be comforted: his grace, forgiveness, and restoration will bring you home THE MEANING A. Few people realized the event that took place in Bethlehem B. Now we can clearly see Jesus’ completed work 1. Our world is out of joint 2. The warfare the prophet talks about, is it ever really finished? C. That’s precisely the kind of world Jesus entered, to set everything right 1. He came to be one of us so that he could take up residence in us 2. He represents a peace - comfort - that reminds us, God has not forgotten us! a. Now he stands with us in this messy world as our crucified and risen Lord b. Nothing has changed. Everything has changed. All because of this child. c. There are no silent nights; but if we acknowledge Jesus, we can have a peaceful one 3. “Comfort to you!” because in Jesus your forgiveness is assured, your victory guaranteed, and your peace eternal D. Don't wait: open your heart and receive what God promised. Make sure this is for you!

The Ultimate Quest(Discovering God’s Will Together; #4)(A Look at Our Deepest Desire)Matthew 13:44-46 A BALANCED LIFESTYLE A. People are searching for balance B. This raises some significant concerns 1. It encourages us to think of “spiritual” as a separate entity 2. It offers little help or encouragement to those in crisis 3. It provides little sense of urgency worthy of human devotion “This is the true joy of life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” (George Bernard Shaw) 4. It lacks any sacrifice, self-denial and surrender A FULLY DEVOTED HEART A. The ultimate quest is for a fully devoted heart A fully devoted heart is “to love...the right thing...to the right degree...in the right way...with the right kind of love” (St. Augustine) B. How is a fallen heart transformed into a fully-devoted heart? 1. Answer: Over a lifetime 2. Answer: By rearranging our life around what we want and need 3. Answer: By making it the ultimate quest of our life THE HUMAN JOURNEY A. Our spiritual journey is profoundly shaped by our deepest desires 1. Our desires shape us. We get what we desire 2. What is it you want most of all? What is your pearl? “Life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.” (Thomas Merton) 3. Our desires are God-given and we’ve distorted them... 4. Transformation is about recovering, redeeming and restoring them B. We don’t spend much time focusing on our deepest desires...1. We assume God’s desires for us and our desires for ourselves don’t mesh 2. We believe our desires have been tarnished by sin and are unredeemable 3. We’re consumed by superficial desires and confuse them with deepest desire C. Knowing our deepest desire starts with our surface desires and then we begin to dig... “...where our treasure is, there our hearts will also be.” (Matt. 6:21) 1. Our core needs – love, security, Truth, Life, fulfillment – are all God-given and are designed to lead us to him 2. Nothing of this world can satisfy our deepest desire REDEEMING OUR DESIRES A. Why not simply call it sin? “Every idolatrous desire—i.e., everything that we love and desire more than God—tends ultimately to diminish our humanity and damage our soul” (David Benner) 1. Calling it a distorted desire reminds us that it is God given2. Calling it a distorted desire underscores it’s something we messed up B. What can we do to correct these distortions? 1. Answer: we cannot do anything; grace is a gift 2. Answer: We can pray and ask God to reorder our life... “Examine me and know my heart, probe me and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23) a. In prayer, God reveals us to ourselves b. In prayer, we discover our deepest desire is for God alone c. In prayer, we ask God to give us our hearts desire “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) “If you, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask!” (Matthew 7:9-11) 3. Answer: we can re-order our life so Jesus can do what needs to be done C. Two questions: 1. First, what is your deepest desire? 2. Second, are you willing to rearrange your life for what your heart most desperately wants and most deeply desires?

Being One(Discovering God’s Will Together; #3)John 17:1l, 20b-21 A. The bond of unity in the body of Christ is easily broken 1. Jesus defines community, chooses community, and sustains community 2. We don’t define community; but we often hinder and tarnish it B. With disunity, Satan gains a small victory and God gets angry “Biblical Community” is not relating directly other Christians, it is relating to others though the person of Jesus Christ.” (cf. Life Together, Dietrich Bonheoffer) THE PRAYER A. In John 17 Jesus prays that we will be one like He and His Father are one B. This prayer tells us what’s on Jesus’ heart 1. Jesus prays for the unity of His disciples and for all future disciples a. This is not a prayer for unanimity b. This is a prayer for unity – a unity based on love and mutual submission 2. Jesus knows the building (growth) of His Church depends on unity THE PRIORITY A. The New Testament church was devoted to unity (cf. Acts 2:46f) B. Jesus is very passionate about the unity of His Church 1. Unity is Christ’s vision for his Church and Kingdom 2. Oneness is a mark of God’s character 3. God is jealous for the unity of His Church because His Son died for it “He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility… (Ephesians 2:14) “I appeal to you…in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you may agree with one another in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) “Finally brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.” (2 Corinthians 13:11) “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) C. Are you devoted to oneness in the body of Christ? 1. Unity requires intentionality, hard work and discipline 2. Is there unresolved conflict between you and someone else in the church? 3. Biblical unity requires supernatural intervention to produce a supernatural reality that requires a supernatural explanation THE PRACTICE A. In Luke 24, two disciples walking home to Emmaus; a third person joins 1. They share community. They experience “communion” 2. Community is a place where we find grace, love, hope and encouragement B. Our world desperately needs a Christ-centered Community where... 1. ...we can walk together listening to and learning from Jesus as his Spirit opens the Word 2. ...we can be human - admitting our struggles and failures, disclosing our deepest desires, confessing our doubts 3. ...we are as eager to share it’s sorrows as its joys, its pain’s as its victories, it’s questions as its answers - a community marked by grace, forgiveness, and love 4. ...the stranger is embraced and enveloped 5. ...believers lift each other up in their daily prayers 6. ...Jesus is confessed as Savior and proclaimed as Lord in all things 7. ...we celebrate when “our hearts burn,” “our eyes are opened” and we’ve seen Jesus C. When the body of Christ lives in unity, we experience community, His Church is graced, the Kingdom grows, and God is glorified

The Ministry of Foot Washing (The Gospel of John: Jesus’ Discipleship Course; #3)John 13:12-20 A. In our text, Jesus offers his disciples three words of encouragement: 1. First, Jesus gives his disciples a whole new way of living (13:12-17) 2. Second, Jesus protects his disciples from the discouragement that might overwhelm them when they learn that one of their own would betray Him (13:18-19) 3. Third, Jesus encourages them with the honor that they will be his officially authorized representatives in the world (13:20) A NEW WAY OF LIVING (13:12-17) A. Most people don’t want to wash other people’s feet (i.e., forgive them) 1. But Christ-followers are not most people. Our feet are wet; grace washed 2. All He asks is we share his grace with others like he shared his grace with us “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15) B. Jesus foot washing is the perfect depiction of what God has done for us 1. It is the perfect pattern for how we’re to live the most “blessed” way 2. It is the paradigm of both our relationship to God (theology) and our relationship to others (ethics) C. Jesus is quintessential model. You want to know how to love, look at Jesus A NEW ENCOURAGEMENT FOR LIVING (13:18-19) A. Jesus knows Judas’ deed is part of the Scriptural plan for his Messianic work “Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9) B. Jesus doesn't want his disciples to think His whole Gospel enterprise has failed when they learn what Judas has done 1. Jesus wants build their faith so they understand that “I AM who I AM!” 2. When the disciples see Jesus for who he is they will have everything they need to remain confident and vigil   A NEW CALL TO REPRESENT JESUS (13:20) A. This (third) encouragement is Jesus’ commitment to the “remaining eleven” that they will be His personal ambassadors to the world 1. Jesus says that whoever receives them (his disciples) will be receiving Him 2. One of the greatest needs in the church today is for Jesus’ followers to step up and appropriate the power and authority He has given us...to serve “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19) “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it!” (John 14:13-14) “I will give you the keys to the kingdom; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:18-19) 3. Scripture clearly teaches that believers have far more power and authority then we would believe just by looking at today’s church a. We become a part of this “Apostolic Succession” when we welcome and pass on the apostolic witness by proclaiming Jesus Name b. When we go in his name, we have His power and authority to serve 4. This promise and process give the church her pedigree, her lifelines, her privilege, and her mission B. This is how Christ calls his Church to be - a place where love and sacrifice are hard-wired into the DNA of his disciples who are practicing Gospel 1. Jesus isn't interesting in building a Church; he’s interested in his people being the Church 2. A place where we’re willing to live bare footed - because we know even our feet have been washed by Jesus   November 17, 2019