GDLC Audio

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to serve them. To serve another person is to put their needs ahead of our own. We see Jesus engage man with leprosy by giving him a double blessing. First he reached out touched him and then healed him. This requires a mindset that prioritizes others and makes a choice to help other with compassion and generosity. It requires us to look beyond just our own needs and cares and to be of tangible BLESSING in the life of another just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.    

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to serve them. To serve another person is to put their needs ahead of our own. We see Jesus engage man with leprosy by giving him a double blessing. First he reached out touched him and then healed him. This requires a mindset that prioritizes others and makes a choice to help other with compassion and generosity. It requires us to look beyond just our own needs and cares and to be of tangible BLESSING in the life of another just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.    

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to make time and space to eat together. Throughout the ministry of Jesus food played a large role in how He would spend time with others. In our culture the heart of hospitality is one that as lessened in its priority but offers a great reward for those who engage it. Very few things communicate a heart that is open like a shared meal around a table, a backyard cookout and the simple, yet profound, gesture of a hand, heart and home open to others.   

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to make time and space to eat together. Throughout the ministry of Jesus food played a large role in how He would spend time with others. In our culture the heart of hospitality is one that as lessened in its priority but offers a great reward for those who engage it. Very few things communicate a heart that is open like a shared meal around a table, a backyard cookout and the simple, yet profound, gesture of a hand, heart and home open to others.   

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, happens as we listen and engage others. You have heard the old saying that God has given us two ears and one mouth so we should use them proportionately. In order to BLESS others, we need to listen to understand what the needs, cares and concerns are of this person and engage what they say with compassion, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. The deepest desire of any person is to be understood by another and this week we look at the reality that one of the greatest blessings we can give to another person is simply a heart that truly cares.     

The next missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, happens as we listen and engage others. You have heard the old saying that God has given us two ears and one mouth so we should use them proportionately. In order to BLESS others, we need to listen to understand what the needs, cares and concerns are of this person and engage what they say with compassion, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. The deepest desire of any person is to be understood by another and this week we look at the reality that one of the greatest blessings we can give to another person is simply a heart that truly cares.     

The first missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to begin in prayer. It begins in prayer because this is the mission of God and so we need His guidance, His wisdom and His power to accomplish what He is calling us to do. We see this in the life of Jesus, and the disciples, as they devoted themselves to prayer and seeking God's will together. We pray that God would open doors, open hearts, open opportunities and align our desires with His through prayer.  

The first missional rhythm, as we seek to BLESS others, is to begin in prayer. It begins in prayer because this is the mission of God and so we need His guidance, His wisdom and His power to accomplish what He is calling us to do. We see this in the life of Jesus, and the disciples, as they devoted themselves to prayer and seeking God's will together. We pray that God would open doors, open hearts, open opportunities and align our desires with His through prayer.  

Thankfully, at some point, Jesus will return for us!  When Jesus returns, the Bible is clear, He will make us new for eternity!  We know we are a new creation in and through Him right now, but we also struggle with the effects of this broken world and look forward to that Day when He returns and makes us new forever!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Future You” in and through our faith in Jesus! 

Thankfully, at some point, Jesus will return for us!  When Jesus returns, the Bible is clear, He will make us new for eternity!  We know we are a new creation in and through Him right now, but we also struggle with the effects of this broken world and look forward to that Day when He returns and makes us new forever!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Future You” in and through our faith in Jesus! 

One of the current hallmarks of our society is centered in answering the question “What's your passion?”  In other words, displaying and living what you are passionate about.  What drives you and moves you in this world?  While Christians might answer those questions in a variety of ways, there is one central “passion” that every Christian has and will talk about, and that's bringing Jesus to people and people to Jesus!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Passion” in and through Jesus!  

One of the current hallmarks of our society is centered in answering the question “What's your passion?”  In other words, displaying and living what you are passionate about.  What drives you and moves you in this world?  While Christians might answer those questions in a variety of ways, there is one central “passion” that every Christian has and will talk about, and that's bringing Jesus to people and people to Jesus!  Today we remember from God's Word that we've been given “The New Passion” in and through Jesus!  

Being a “new creation” in Christ means being different from the rest of the world that does not know Him as their Savior…and…Lord.  For us who have been made new in Him and through Him know that we are de facto different, but what that means then, is that we also act differently in this world.  Our inward “newness” brings an outward expression of that “newness” to those around us.  Today we remember from God's Word that we have been given in and through Jesus “The New Attitude”! 

Being a “new creation” in Christ means being different from the rest of the world that does not know Him as their Savior…and…Lord.  For us who have been made new in Him and through Him know that we are de facto different, but what that means then, is that we also act differently in this world.  Our inward “newness” brings an outward expression of that “newness” to those around us.  Today we remember from God's Word that we have been given in and through Jesus “The New Attitude”! 

One of the dearest and clearest marks of our Christian faith is having peace in and through Jesus, even in a broken, frustrating and fear-filled world!  Jesus has put us at peace with God!  The Bible is clear…broken and busted sinners, are at peace with the Holy, Righteous, Pure and Perfect God through Jesus!  But once given that peace with God, we are then people of peace, living peacefully ourselves and giving that peace to others as well!  Today we remember from God's Word “The New Peace” that Jesus has given to us! 

One of the dearest and clearest marks of our Christian faith is having peace in and through Jesus, even in a broken, frustrating and fear-filled world!  Jesus has put us at peace with God!  The Bible is clear…broken and busted sinners are at peace with the Holy, Righteous, Pure and Perfect God through Jesus!  But once given that peace with God, we are then people of peace, living peacefully ourselves and giving that peace to others as well!  Today we remember from God's Word “The New Peace” that Jesus has given to us! 

This first week we'll explore the foundation of “newness in Christ” and what it means for us who are hamstrung by the “old Adam” within us.  What does it mean that we're “born again” or “a new creation” in and through Christ?  What does it mean for our now…and what does it mean for our future?  Today we remember from God's Word “The New You” given in and through your baptism into Christ!

This first week we'll explore the foundation of “newness in Christ” and what it means for us who are hamstrung by the “old Adam” within us.  What does it mean that we're “born again” or “a new creation” in and through Christ?  What does it mean for our now…and what does it mean for our future?  Today we remember from God's Word “The New You” given in and through your baptism into Christ!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia. These words make all the difference in our lives because the Heart of our God is a Heart full of life. The religious leaders thought they had done away with Him, Satan thought he had won, the disciples thought all hope was lost, Jesus' friends and family are in despair until all of them are shocked, surprised, bewildered to see that the tomb could not keep down the Heart of Life. On this day we gather and celebrate that because Jesus rose from the dead so will all those who submit their hearts and lives to Him. The Heart of Jesus is what being a Christian is all about and we celebrate that His Heart is a Heart of Life and now so are ours. 

The Heart of God is one that bleeds with forgiveness for His people. A New Covenant had been prophesied in Jeremiah that God would fully forgive the sins of His people and establish a new way of being in relationship with them. This night we set aside to celebrate the gift of the Lord's Supper that Jesus gave to us. This holy meal is a celebration of the Heart of our God…a Heart of Forgiveness. 

We begin Holy Week looking at God's own people breaking the last two commandments before our very eyes. In the Gospel of John we see that the chief priests are making plans to kill Lazarus because everyone was believing in Jesus. Their hearts were so envious that they couldn't see the miracle that Jesus performed, by raising Lazarus from the dead, but only saw a threat to their own popularity & authority. Jesus comes in humility the Pharisees respond in pride. Jesus enters to rejoicing while the Pharisees only grumble. An envious heart will never allow us rejoice fully, live humbly and see the miracle that our Savior has brought and so we see it really is a Matter of the Heart. 

We begin Holy Week looking at God's own people breaking the last two commandments before our very eyes. In the Gospel of John we see that the chief priests are making plans to kill Lazarus because everyone was believing in Jesus. Their hearts were so envious that they couldn't see the miracle that Jesus performed, by raising Lazarus from the dead, but only saw a threat to their own popularity & authority. Jesus comes in humility the Pharisees respond in pride. Jesus enters to rejoicing while the Pharisees only grumble. An envious heart will never allow us rejoice fully, live humbly and see the miracle that our Savior has brought and so we see it really is a Matter of the Heart. 

God's heart cares about how we talk about other people in our lives. God commands us not to lie about our neighbor, betray them, slander them or give them a bad reputation. For many this doesn't happen face-to-face but often it happens when we speak behind someone's back as we gossip and slander in private. God's heart is to the love of our neighbor as we seek to defend them, speak well of them and put the best construction on everything and this really is the Heart of the Matter.

God desires us to live in an honest and content way as our hearts are at rest within His own. To steal is to take from others what does not belong to us and reveals a heart that is not at rest. We have received tremendous physical and spiritual gifts from God and have been commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Stealing can happen in many ways and even includes when we withhold things from being used by God that are rightfully His. Our time, talents, finances, possessions; even our very lives, when we refuse to allow God to use them is in effect stealing from Him. Stealing reveals a heart not at rest in God's and that really is the Heart of the Matter. 

God desires us to live in an honest and content way as our hearts are at rest within His own. To steal is to take from others what does not belong to us and reveals a heart that is not at rest. We have received tremendous physical and spiritual gifts from God and have been commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Stealing can happen in many ways and even includes when we withhold things from being used by God that are rightfully His. Our time, talents, finances, possessions; even our very lives, when we refuse to allow God to use them is in effect stealing from Him. Stealing reveals a heart not at rest in God's and that really is the Heart of the Matter. 

The second reason for this command is that God's people are to reflect His heart and character. They are to be a holy people, set-apart for God's purposes, and this includes our sexual purity. God does not want His people to just emulate what they see happening in the world. We live in a hyper-sexualized culture that often reduces a person's body to a mere sex object. We are not only to honor, care for, and respect our own bodies we are also to honor, care for, and respect the bodies of all people. The way we view and treat others directly relates to our relationship with God and that is the Heart of the Matter.  

God's reason for giving this command is because of how important marriage is in the heart of God. God created marriage between one man and one woman and was the building block of His creation and of society. Even after the fall marriage is a sacred union in the way the man and woman complement one another and bring new life into the world through their marriage. With such a premium placed on marriage, it is no wonder that God would seek to protect this union from being defiled which is what adultery is and that is really the Heart of the Matter.  

God's reason for giving this command is because of how important marriage is in the heart of God. God created marriage between one man and one woman and was the building block of His creation and of society. Even after the fall marriage is a sacred union in the way the man and woman complement one another and bring new life into the world through their marriage. With such a premium placed on marriage, it is no wonder that God would seek to protect this union from being defiled which is what adultery is and that is really the Heart of the Matter.  

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus doesn't negate the command from Deuteronomy but pulls the teaching even deeper into a matter of the heart for all people. Jesus, in essence, is saying that God sees our hearts and if we have hatred in our hearts we are just as guilty of murder in the eyes of God. It isn't just about our external practice or religion but it is about our purity of heart before the One who examines the heart and that is really the Heart of the Matter. 

God is all about life and the things that lead to greater amounts of quality and flourishing of life. At its core the commandment says we are not to take matters of death into our own hands but also leads us to desiring greater amounts of quality and flourishing for all people. As we look around the world, we see the devastations that many people face that rob them of the quality and flourishing that our God desires. The way we honor our God is to honor, seek after, sacrifice for and give generously to all things that pertain to life and that really is the Heart of the Matter.  

God is all about life and the things that lead to greater amounts of quality and flourishing of life. At its core the commandment says we are not to take matters of death into our own hands but also leads us to desiring greater amounts of quality and flourishing for all people. As we look around the world, we see the devastations that many people face that rob them of the quality and flourishing that our God desires. The way we honor our God is to honor, seek after, sacrifice for and give generously to all things that pertain to life and that really is the Heart of the Matter.  

To honor your father and mother with your words and actions is to carry a humble attitude of esteem for their position. God values the roles of fathers and mothers so much that He included them in the commandments, so it is worth paying attention to it. We are commanded to honor parents, but this doesn't mean we have to imitate ungodly ones. We honor our parents for the position they were given by God to be our protection and provision on His behalf, and it is good for our hearts to remember the Heart of the Matter this week.