Crossroads Church of God, Lima OH

Acts 1:6-11 NIV John 16:7 NIV Psalm 139:7 NIV Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV Ascension of Jesus: joy producing worship Jesus of Nazareth is still alive Jesus is alive and active Universally present and available Jesus is our Great High Priest Joyful purpose

Part of the Apostles' Creed: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:5-6 NIV 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 20-26, 58 NIV Holy Saturday The Gospel is heard by all Don't assume God is not working Resurrection changes everything Our labor is not in vain

John 1:1-4, 14 NIV Philippians 2:9-11 NIV   Christ: anointed one His Son: eternal Our Lord: final authority   Implications        Kingdom of God is not in danger        We adjust our lives to Jesus

John 3:16 NIV 1 John 4:8b-13 NIV John 4:34 NIV John 5:30 NIV John 6:38 NIV Genesis 1:1 NIV Genesis 1:26-27 NIV Quote by Brennan Manning “The Furious Longing of God” “The foundation of the furious longing of God is the Father who is the originating Lover, the Son who is the full self-expression of that Love, and the Spirit who is the original and inexhaustible activity of that Love, drawing the created universe into itself.” Quote by Brennan Manning “The Signature of Jesus” “The Abba experience is the source and secret of Christ's being, his message, and manner of life … In order to comprehend his relentless tenderness and passionate love for us, we must always return to his Abba experience. Jesus experienced God as tender and loving, courteous and kind, compassionate and forgiving.”. Brennan Manning once again talks about this relationship in The Signature of Jesus when he writes. ... God, the Father who loved Jesus so well, stands ready and waiting to share that relationship with us. He longs to speak with us as we look to him for guidance during our happiest and darkest moments. Manning further states, “You and I not only are invited but actually called to enter into this warm and liberating experience of God as Abba … We are privileged to share in the intimacy of Jesus with his Father.”   The lyrics to the hymn Love of God really sum up the Love of the Father. The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell. The guilty pair, bowed down with care God gave His Son to win. His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin. Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky. O love of God, how rich and pure how measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure the saints' and angels' song.   He created everything in heaven and earth was made for his glory.  In Psalm 19 it says the heavens declare the glory of God. All creation is doing its part to declare his glory. But our part is different. We, unlike the rest of creation, were created in the image of God. Quote from John Piper: The point of an image is to image. Images are erected to display the original — to point to the original, glorify the original. God made humans in his image so that the world would be filled with reflectors of God — images of God, seven billion statues of God. So that nobody would miss the point of creation. Nobody (unless they were stone blind) could miss the point of humanity, namely, God — knowing, loving, showing God. The angels cry in Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” It's full of millions of human image bearers.   To sum up everything in a brief synopsis: We believe in, trust, rely on, cling to, and give our hearts to God the Father who is the ultimate authority, priority, source and originating lover with the Trinity. God is love. This love that knows no bounds sent his son to die and to be raised again so that we could be invited into the amazing loving relationship of the Trinity that has been interacting in love throughout all eternity.. As Almighty he is limitless in power with complete control over everything. There is nothing that he cannot do. So we have full confidence in his love, power and control. And as the Creator of heaven and earth—of all things visible and invisible—He commands our perpetual wonder as all creation glorifies his name. And so we live our lives as his beloved children and image bearers to rightly reflect his image through how we live, thus giving him the glory that he so rightly deserves. Points: I BELIEVE: To trust, rely on, cling to, and give my heart to GOD THE FATHER: The ultimate authority, priority, source and originating lover within the Trinity. ALMIGHTY: Absolute power, complete control over everything in heaven and earth. CREATOR: He created everything in heaven and earth for his glory.

I believe in God the Father Almighty --- creator of heaven and earth… Genesis 1:1 He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty… Mark 16:19 From there He will come to judge the living and the dead… 2 Timothy 4:1a Creed: a short, carefully worded statement about a core belief Deeply Scriptural Trinitarian Tells a redemptive story Becomes an anchor and guide

Matthew 7:3-5 NIV Matthew 18:15-17 NIV Matthew 5:23-24 NIV Known by love: a reconciling people Pray for the good in others Examine yourself Discern the need to confront Confront directly Initiate reconciliation

Quotes: Everyone needs someone to walk around in their soul. - Randy Reese The myth of a solitary Christian making his/her own way alone to paradise flies in the face of everything the Bible teaches about the Church as the body of Christ. - David Benner The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of you being a growing person in Christ. - Henri Nouwen Scripture: Proverbs 27:17 NIV Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV  James 1:19b NIV Points: Principles for Spiritual Companionship The Lord is one Love the Lord with all your heart Happens in the everyday  Practical Steps A person who listens Ask redemptive questions Persistently pray Demonstrate loving respect We are for one another. We give encouragement as often as possible. We share advice once in a great while. We bring correction only when absolutely necessary. We condemn never.

John 1:14 NIV Philippians 2:6-8 NIV Luke 19:1-10 NIV Colossians 1:15-17 NIV God himself crosses boundary lines Jesus sees people over positions Jesus embraces discomfort Jesus is prepared Trust in the one who holds all things together

2 Corinthians 5:14-16 NIV 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NIV 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV 1 Peter 3:15 NIV Spiritual Conversations Love of God compels us Love of God makes us new God makes His appeal through us The Practice of Invitation Set apart Christ as Lord Pray with eyes open Make the invite

John 13:35 NIV   We often sin alone, but we heal together. – John Ortberg   Acts 2:42-47 NIV   Practice of Christian Fellowship Word and Spirit Corporate and Personal Holiness and Hospitality Communal and Missional   Ways to begin being Known by Love Come early for coffee Pay attention to the Spirit's lead Join a Dinner Round   When God gives a gift, he often wraps it in a person. – Bill Lane

Transmit Hope: proclaiming and demonstrating the reality of Gods' Kingdom Acts 1:8 NRSV Mark 10:42-45 NIV John 13:1-5 NIV  John 13:34-35 NIV Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. - Thomas Merton   Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love… - Mother Theresa Serving to demonstrate the Kingdom    Kingdom serving is indiscriminate     Kingdom serving is in the mundane     Serving makes God visible Becoming people of Kingdom service       Look for a need       Serve quietly       Serve regularly        Keep Jesus' service in mind

You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. – Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) Matthew 6:19-34 NIV Practice of Generosity Giving is a heart issue Recognizes the provision of God An act of resistance ACTS 20:35 NIV Beginning Steps Start where you are Be consistent Grow in sacrificial giving

Psalm 119:11 NIV 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV Psalm 1:1-3 NIV Quote by Brian Zahnd: God is like Jesus.God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God was not like Jesus. We have not always known what God is like but now we do. Role of Scripture in a life of faith Guides us Reveals the heart of God Offers correction   How Scripture can be formative Regular saturation Meditate Surrender to its authority Jesus-centered view   Helpful Resources Dwell App Lectio 365 Sunday AM Course in May (cultural context)

2 Peter 1:3-8 NIV Revelation 4:11 NIV Gathering Supports Spiritual Growth: Grounds us in the family of God Shaped by the story of God Priorities are reshaped   How we Gather Matters… Come expectantly Primarily as participant Cumulative not instantaneous

John 10:10 NIV  Galatians 5:19-21 NIV The story of the human race is not just one of universal disappointment but one of inextinguishable hope. (John Ortberg, The Life You've Always Wanted). Galatians 5:22-23a NIV Matthew 11:28-30 NIV John 14:12 NIV Dangers That Inhibit Growth: Assume it is impossible Spiritual ‘trying' Life as an Apprentice: Presumes transformation is needed Jesus believes in us Time with Jesus Practices to promote growth

1 Corinthians 15:14 NIV John 20:19-23 NIV Jesus is present He speaks peace He shows His wounds He calls us to His mission Empowers us through the Holy Spirit Authorizes us to do His work

Special Guest from Chosen People Ministries: Efraim Goldstein

John 6:14-21 NIV John 18:36 NIV Psalm 139:1-6 NIV Romans 5:8 NIV Escapes from becoming king Divine knowledge Approaches by walking “It is I" Greater Realities         God above all         Desire for influential relationship Invited to...         Surrender        Give attention         Transformation

John 6:1-13 NIV John 20:30-31 NIV John 6:35 NIV Philippians 4:19 NIV John 10:10 NIV Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Psalm 23:1 NIV Passover Feast was near Gave thanks and distributed 12 baskets of bread leftover Greater Realities          God's Provision           God's abundance Invited to...         Open-handed Preparation         Sustainable life in his presence

John 2:1-11 NIV John 1:14 NIV Revealed His Glory         Glory seeks relationship         Glory is the hope for renewal Our involvement         Jesus was invited         Courageous obedience

Quote by David Benner: The Christian spiritual journey is a journey we take with others.  Each of us must take our own journey, and for each of us that journey will be unique. But none of us is intended to make that journey alone. The myth of the solitary Christian making his or her own way alone to paradise flies in the face of everything the Bible teaches about the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). We are parts of one body as we follow Christ on the journey of personal transformation. We cannot make the journey apart from spiritual companions and community. Are we paying attention? 1.) A guiding assumption: God is already up to something good in your life, in your community, and in the world… A simple definition... Mentoring is a companionship in which two or more persons intentionally come together to pay attention to God's activity in their lives. Who noticed you? 2.) We have a tremendous need to be seen and recognized. Jesus' relational way with others 3.) Jesus is “a first-class noticer” of others. (Mark 5: 24-34, Luke 19: 1-19; 24:13-35) Who are you walking with? 4.) There is no shortcut or substitute for life-upon-life when it comes to learning to follow Jesus… Quote by Keri Wyatt Kent: If we are led by the Spirit, we will increasingly imitate God and become people who are filled with “coming-alongside-ness.” That is, we listen to God and people and then come into their story, get involved with them enough that we can point out where God is in their story and allow them to do that for us as well. When we are full of coming-alongside-ness, we will be willing to walk with people through their pain; we will listen before we try to fix. We will be with people. How to become a mentor?: amentoringway.org

Genesis 6:5 NIVPsalm 51:10 NIV1 John 1:9 NIVAn OverviewWhy did the flood happen?Avalanche of sinWhat happened in the flood?Removal of protective barrierWhat are we to make of this?Trust in the Covenant of GodConsider the trajectory of your lifePray with confidence

Genesis 3:8 NIVRomans 4:7 NIVGenesis 4:4b-7 NIVMark 10:43-45 NIVGrace Outruns the Avalanche of SinRelationship with GodAdam/Eve hide from GodRelationship with One AnotherPower replaces servanthoodGlimpses of GraceGod covers shameGod contends for our soulInvitation to respondCome out of hiding (confession)Offer hospitality

Genesis 3:1-10 NIVStrategy of the enemyIsolationOperate in DisguiseTwist God's WordsTrue Agenda: distrust the goodness of GodInvitation to RespondMake Community a HabitMake Praise a Habit

Genesis 2:8-17 NIVHarmony in life hinges on one command…Not unfair or unreasonableGod determines the rulesCommand is for our goodReveals human dignityProhibition is not knowledgeThe command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would then mean that Adam and Eve were not to aspire to that maturity possessed only by God, whereby they might consider themselves to be independent of him and able enjoy a fulfilled life by taking matters into their own hands and making their own decisions for their future welfare. - Daniel Fuller Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,My memory, my understandingAnd my entire will,All I have and call my own.You have given all to me.To you, Lord, I return it.Everything is yours; do with it what you will.Give me only your love and your grace.That is enough for me.Amen.(St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Genesis 1:26-31 NIVImage-Bearer of the Creator       Represent the Creator to the world       Reflect the Creator's nature       Relational beingsSuggestions of Response        Receive the dignity of being an image-bearer        Marvel at the dignity of others        Step into community

Genesis 1 NIVCreator Creates Creation        Out of nothing         By speaking         In a Divine way         Creation is goodWhat are we to do?         Pay attention to beauty         Pray expecting God's ability to create out of nothing

1 John 4:8b-12 NIVRomans 5:8 NIVLove of God … … sees clearly… intervenes… is complete… honors freedom… becomes alive in us 

Luke 2:8-20 NIVGalatians 5:22-23a NIVPsalm 16:11 NIVPsalm 51:12 NIVNehemiah 8:10 NIV1 Chronicles 16:27 NIVPsalm 23:4 NIVEcclesiastes 7:16 NIVZechariah 8:5 NIVJoy is a pervasive sense of well-beingJoy is connected to the Presence of GodWe are to pursue JoyDon't take yourself too seriouslyPlayCreateA trusting relationship with God

John 1:4-5 NIVJohn 8:12 NIVIsaiah 9:2, 6-7 NIVWay of HOPEWonderful CounselorMighty GodEverlasting FatherPrince of Peace

John 1:4-5 NIVHebrews 10:23 NIVHebrews 10:18-24 NIVPhilippians 1:6 NIVThe Way of HopeWe are cleansedGod is faithfulHope is contagious

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVProverbs 11:25 NIVImportance of Generosity     Time      Abilities      ResourcesChoose gratitude before difficult situations

1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVPhilippians 1:3-8 NIVPhilippians 1:12-14 NIVPhilippians 3:13-14, 20-21 NIVIt is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful…Grateful for peopleGrateful for circumstancesCaptivated by the love of God

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVPhilippians 4:11-13 NIVRomans 12:10 NIVColossians 3:2-4 NIVGratitude BlockersEnvyGreedEntitlement"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything.  Every breath we draw is a gift of his love.  Every moment of our existence is a gift of his grace.  Gratitude takes nothing for granted.  It is never unresponsive.  The grateful person knows that God is good not by hearsay, but by personal experience.”  - Thomas MertonDiscipline of ContentmentBegin with praiseBe with othersLive with eternity in mind

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVPsalm 103:1-22 NIVPraise rightly honors GodPraise holds onto hopePraise reminds us of God's work

Zechariah 1:2-3 NIVMatthew 5:16 NIVZechariah 4:6 NIVGalatians 5:6 NIVInvitation to…A trusting relationshipDo good worksBe empowered by the Holy SpiritHow have you loved yourself, others or God that requires you to trust God more?

Genesis 12:2 NIVHaggai 1:13 NIVJohn 20:21 NIVMatthew 10:16 NIV Why: To restore and reconcile a broken and lost creation to the creatorHow: Wise and InnocentWhat: Depends on your context

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NIVJohn 15:16 NIVRomans 8:38-39 NIVHaggai 2:9 NIVChosenBelovedTo live from not for

Patriarchs -> Slavery -> Exodus -> Judges & Kings -> Temple -> Divide -> Exile -> Temple Destroyed ->Re-build the Temple Haggai 1: 2-7 NIVMatthew 6:31-33 NIV 4 Main Motivators      Fame      Wealth      Pleasure      Control 3 Intentional Reminders     Identity     Mission     Calling

Scripture:Matthew 6:9-13 NLTMatthew 7:0-11 NIVMatthew 21:22 NIVJames 5:15 NIVMatthew 7:7-8 NIVPhilippians 4:6 NIV Quotes:Petitionary prayer should always remain the primary mode of prayer because we never can outgrow our dependence on God. Just as we long for our own children to share with us the petty details of their day at school, so God longs to hear from us the smallest matters of our lives. It delights him when we share. - Richard Foster, PrayerLove loves to be told what it knows already. It wants to be asked what it longs to give. - PT Forsyth, Soul of PrayerThen there are times when our prayers are simply self-contradictory, a “grant me patience” quickly kind of prayer. And finally sometimes our prayers if answered would do us in. We simply are not yet prepared for what we have asked. It is God's grace that prevent our prayers from being answered. God withholds his gifts from us for our good. Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack, improving cholesterol levels and sleep, and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress, and research points to an increase in the forgiveness-health connection as you age. “There is an enormous physical burden to being hurt and disappointed,” Chronic anger puts you into a fight-or-flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. Those changes, then, increase the risk of depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health. - HopkinsMedicine.orgPoints:Give us what we need todayForgive us our sins as we forgive othersDeliver us

Psalm 46:10 NIVJohn 10:27-28 NIVPsalm 1:1-2 NIVSilenceTone of Jesus' wordsFamiliarity with ScriptureListen in context of community

Psalm 139:23-24 NIVPsalm 139:14 NIV Quote by Nathan Foster: “Distraction is the curse of our age." Quote by Richard Foster, Prayer: We need a deeper musing upon our knack for disobedience and God's unbounded habit of forgiving.  We all need a richer contemplation upon that life, which shows us the way so we may follow ‘in His steps'.  We all need a fuller meditation upon that death, which sets us free.  We all need a more profound experience of that resurrection, which empowers us to obey Christ in all things.  Need for timeNeed for spaceFocused attention           Recognize the love of God           Sober look at sin           Request resurrection

Matthew 7:9-11 NIV[We] lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us… CS LewisRomans 7:15 NIV Matthew 11:28-30 MSGPrayer is for everyoneDo not be discouragedLet go of trying too hardPray while strugglingPrayer is often uneventful

Jonah 4:4 NIV2 Peter 3:9 NIVExodus 34:6-7a NIVGod is patientGod is one who weepsGod is generous 

Romans 10:11-15 NIV2 Peter 3:9 NIVRomans 1:21, 24a, 25 NIV Call to ‘go' and bring good newsPrevalence of God's movementPerformance aspect of Word of GodSharing is an act of mercyWhat is the warning?What is the message for our city?

The line that divides good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. - Alexandr Solzenietzen  Romans 5:8 NIV1John 3:18 NIVWhen [the world] sees us sacrificially serving the needs of our neighbors whether they believe as we do or not, then it may begin to see that believers are motivated more by love than by the desire to accrue power. – Tim KellerMatthew 28:18-20 NIVBecoming Compassionate PeopleResist pigeonholingGod's mercy is not restrictedWork for the good in the communityCall to ‘go' is for all of us

Romans 12:21 NIV1 Peter 5:8-9a NIVSin is of a stupefying nature. It is the policy of Satan to rock people asleep in carnal security that they may not be sensible of their misery or danger. (Matthew Henry Commentary)God's call confronts our wayPublic ramifications of sinRelentless pursuit of GodNecessity of other believers

Philippians 4:2-9 NIVPhilippians 2:12-13 NIVGrand Affirmation: the Lord is nearLive in harmony (4:2)Know real joy (4:4)Respond with gentleness (4:5)Know real peace (4:6)Paul's How To: Purity of Thought (4:8)

Philippians 3:10-21 NIV Philippians 3:13 NIV He will never glory in any of his achievements or use them as an excuse for relaxation … in the Christian life there is no room for those who want to rest on past accomplishments - William Barclay 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 NIVRequires forgettingUnderstands the ‘race'Keep the prize in mind

Joy: a pervasive sense of well-beingPhilippians 3:1-11 NIVPhilippians 3:8-9 NIVWired for JoyBe aware of joy-robbersHuman resources cannot produce joySurpassing knowledge of Christ

Philippians 2:12-18 NIVPhilippians 2:15-16a Our Role (work out...)God's Role (works in you…)Importance of detailsKingdom impact of Transformed PeoplePatience of a Mentor