Merging Lives...

Jesus came to show everyone what life was initially designed to be like & how we are able to live the fullest life imaginable. He led the way for us to follow and then, by emulating HOW He lived, we will be able to live life as we were created to live. Jesus calls us to renew our hearts and our minds. What does that even mean and why do we need to do that? God has given us the incredible gift of our imagination. And, with such a great gift is an incredible responsibility because what exists in the reality of our lives begins within our imagination. God has given us a power to create in our minds and, therefore, create in reality. Jesus calls us to transform our hearts and our minds because our transformed hearts and minds will create a transformed reality in us, around us, and through us. If you want to grow beyond a point in your life where you feel stuck, like you've plateau'd...to grow beyond what you even realize you are capable of...Join us as we begin a new series on Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." The Sermon on the Mount...Message #6

Jesus came to show everyone what life was initially designed to be like & how we are able to live the fullest life imaginable. He led the way for us to follow and then, by emulating HOW He lived, we will be able to live life as we were created to live. The life of Christ is a genuine life. It is not a life of worrying about what things look like. It is a life of authenticity. Of owning what is ours to own, both failures & successes, and surrendering them all to Him. We alone cannot make this life all that it is meant to be. Jesus came to show us that life with Him &  in unity with the Father is the only way to live the fullest life imaginable.. If you want to grow beyond a point in your life where you feel stuck, like you've plateau'd...to grow beyond what you even realize you are capable of...Join us as we begin a new series on Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." The Sermon on the Mount...Message #5

What did Jesus mean by this metaphor of salt & light? Christian character as described in the beatitudes and a Christian influence as defined by Jesus' salt & light metaphor are directly related to each other. Jesus is inviting us to have great influence in shaping our families, communities, culture, & world for His great purpose & to His great outcome. In order to live out that great calling, there are a few things we need to take more seriously...and some things we need to accept responsibility for... If you want to grow beyond a point in your life where you feel stuck, like you've plateau'd...to grow beyond what you even realize you are capable of...Join us as we begin a new series on Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." The Sermon on the Mount...Message #4

Do you want a life that is whole, genuine, satisfying, full? When Jesus says, "I have come that you may have life to the full" (John 10:10), He meant it. And...it is possible! At the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares the "beatitudes." This list of characteristics/attitudes are not a legalistic formula or a list of ethical "duties" that we all need to accomplish. The beatitudes are a series of fundamental emotional attitudes toward God and others that will change our lives & change the lives of everyone we come in contact with. These are the emotional attitudes that are both the cause & the effect of the "full life" that Jesus invites us to live with Him. If you want to grow beyond a point in your life where you feel stuck, like you've plateau'd...to grow beyond what you even realize you are capable of...Join us as we begin a new series on Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." The Sermon on the Mount...Message #3

Today we ask the question, Was Jesus Serious? Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is "probably the best known part of Jesus' teaching...Though arguably the least understood and certainly the least obeyed" (John Stott). The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' Manifesto. He lays out His expectations of who His followers are to BE in this world. Jesus gives clear expectations of how we are supposed to be different...set apart for His purpose...Holy. If you want to grow beyond a point in your life where you feel stuck, like you've plateau'd...to grow beyond what you even realize you are capable of...Join us as we begin a new series on Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." The Sermon on the Mount...Message #2  

Have you ever felt "stuck"? As if there is a level of life waiting for you but you just can't get there? If you've ever felt that way, you have some choices to make... You can simply concede that you've reached a point that you cannot exceed. You can run away and start over. Or, you can do something different than you've done before to try and reach a level you've never achieved before. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, challenges His followers to choose what's behind door #3...to do something different in our life with Him to rise to a level of life that He is showing us is possible. If you want to grow beyond a point in your life where you feel stuck, like you've plateau'd...to grow beyond what you even realize you are capable of...Join us as we begin a new series on Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount." The Sermon on the Mount...Message #1  

Jesus often used stories & analogies to drive home a point, moral, or lesson. These stories often included unscrupulous characters that actually display some positive virtue or ethic that the listeners could learn from. These stories/analogies Jesus told are called parables. Listen in as we work through some of Jesus' parables...We will work through 7 parables and learn the lessons Jesus taught working our way from large & important concepts down to the details of our lives. After Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, He shared with them a story about the attitude with which we are to approach prayer to God. In this parable, Jesus teaches us that prayer is not about "niceness." We are praying to the Creator of the universe, so we are to "approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus tells us to approach God with a "not-to-be-deterred" attitude or, as I like to call it, with Shameless Audacity! Pray continuously and pray expecting God to move...pray with faith & trust.

Jesus often used stories & analogies to drive home a point, moral, or lesson. These stories often included unscrupulous characters that actually display some positive virtue or ethic that the listeners could learn from. These stories/analogies Jesus told are called parables. Listen in as we work through some of Jesus' parables...We will work through 7 parables and learn the lessons Jesus taught working our way from large & important concepts down to the details of our lives. Jesus was often confronted about traditions because He & the disciples didn't always follow all the old traditions (Because Jesus came to usher in the New - listen to last week!) In this week's parable, Jesus confronts the old way of "doing religion" that consisted of outward appearances. Jesus wanted to see people transformed & hearts renewed. Transformation & renewal is something that happens from the inside out...it begins with our hearts and is expressed in our actions as the goodness of God pours out of our hearts through our words, actions, intentions, & motivations. There is no such thing as "fake it 'till you make it" because that is all about outward appearances...It's all about surrendering to God and abiding in His presence.

Jesus often used stories & analogies to drive home a point, moral, or lesson. These stories often included unscrupulous characters that actually display some positive virtue or ethic that the listeners could learn from. These stories/analogies Jesus told are called parables. Listen in as we work through some of Jesus' parables...We will work through 7 parables and learn the lessons Jesus taught working our way from large & important concepts down to the details of our lives. Jesus came to ring in something completely new. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26) Jesus came so that we may have that new heart and new nature so we can become a new creation. In this week's parable, Jesus reminds us that we cannot bring our old self, our old nature with us as we are transformed into His image. We must open our hands to let go of the old before we are able to receive the new life Jesus brings.

Jesus often used stories & analogies to drive home a point, moral, or lesson. These stories often included unscrupulous characters that actually display some positive virtue or ethic that the listeners could learn from. These stories/analogies Jesus told are called parables. Listen in as we work through some of Jesus' parables...We will work through 7 parables and learn the lessons Jesus taught working our way from large & important concepts down to the details of our lives. This week, we begin with a HUGE & CRITICAL realization...a critical first step (& an "always" step we need to continually remember!) God's Kingdom is greater than anything and everything else we could even imagine. God's Kingdom is the "Pearl of Great Price" or the "Priceless Treasure". If we truly realized the value of God's Kingdom, we would surrender everything for it because it is worth more than anything & everything.

As we close out 2021 and move into a new year it is important for us to come together and move forward into the mission which God has invited us to join Him. Word of King Solomon's wisdom and achievements traveled throughout the world. As his reputation for wisdom spread it caused people to wonder about and question the authenticity of the rumors. In 1 Kings 10, Solomon receives a guest who traveled far to "test Solomon with hard questions" to see for herself if Solomon really was the man she heard he was. Listen in and find out what this has to do with us and the Spirit & Mission God has for us (Seeds of Faith & the Church as a whole) heading into 2022...

Do you feel that you have gifts to give that are worthy of a King? Do you ever feel inadequate? Unprepared? Unworthy? Undeserving? Do not fear. Do not be discouraged. Because God knows the gifts He has given to us and all He asks is that we give all we've got.  

Advent is the time where we, as God's people, prepare for and anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. At Christmas we celebrate the 1st Advent and we prepare for, anticipate, and celebrate the FACT that there will be a 2nd Advent. Advent begins with hope...the sure and confident expectation in God's faithfulness and presence. When our hope is firmly grounded in God alone, we experience a peace that is beyond our understanding. That peace clears space within our hearts and our lives for JOY! Joy isn't a feeling. Feelings come and go...JOY is a state of being...always present at the foundation of all of our other feelings. When we HOPE in God, He gives us PEACE, and His PEACE allows us to feel JOY even in the midst of hardship and sorrow because God is the source of all our HOPE and life.

Advent is the time where we, as God's people, prepare for and anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. At Christmas we celebrate the 1st Advent and we prepare for, anticipate, and celebrate the FACT that there will be a 2nd Advent. Advent begins with hope...the sure and confident expectation in God's faithfulness and presence. When our hope is firmly grounded in God alone, we experience a peace that is beyond our understanding. This peace comes because we are centered, grounded, and focused on Christ and all He is and all He invites us to be and do in this world. As we follow Him and become transformed into His image, we have the incredible privilege to be the bearers of His peace to a world so desperately in need of the peace that only comes from Him!

Advent is the time where we, as God's people, prepare for and anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. At Christmas we celebrate the 1st Advent and we prepare for, anticipate, and celebrate the FACT that there will be a 2nd Advent. Advent begins with hope...the sure and confident expectation in God's faithfulness and presence. We know that God is who He says He is and does what He says He is going to do. That is our hope. God is our only sure hope because He promises to never leave us or forsake us...no matter what!

This 7th letter to the 7th church of Revelation, the church of Laodicea, is the most stern and the most tender of the 7 letters. Jesus first shares his disappointment with their attitude of compromise. They didn't zealously stand for for Christ & Jesus lets them know that he sees it.  As strongly as Jesus admonishes them, he offers them hope by letting them know how beloved they are. No matter what is in our past, Jesus offers grace, mercy, hope, and love. Jesus loves us too much to leave us where we are. He is always knocking on the door of our heart...waiting for us to hear and respond to him. In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith?

The church in Philadelphia got it. They kept God's Word and did not deny the name and mission of Jesus. They loved God and the loved people. They loved each other well and that loved poured out of the church and overflowed in their community and throughout the whole region. The church in Philadelphia knew Jesus' love and they loved like Jesus so the world would come to know Jesus. In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith?

The Walking Dead...is that a real thing? Maybe not, but "The Walking Death" may be a better descriptor. The corruption of this world (& religion) does not offer life. It only offers death and darkness. Jesus invites us to bring His life, the Full Life, to this world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, what is in us is what pours out of us...So, rather than being people filled with death and darkness that this world has to offer (The Walking Death), how do we become The Walking Full Life? Listen in this week as we deal with some hard truths. In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith?

Corruption is a serious issue in the world today. We, as the church, are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in this world. Corruption within destroys our witness to the world.Corruption in our lives and in the church is like a viral infection...It brings nothing but death. So...how do we "UnCorrupt" ourselves?  Listen in as we learn from this letter Jesus sent to the church in Thyatira helping them to see, identify, and deal with the corruption that was threatening to kill them, the church, and the community. In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith?

Corruption is a serious issue in the world today. We, as the church, are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in this world. Corruption within destroys our witness to the world. Corruption in our lives and in the church is like a viral infection...A virus is an outside corrupting force that does nothing but bring destruction and death for living things. Allowing anything other than the Fruit of the Spirit into our hearts, minds, and lives will, eventually, bring destruction and death to our lives as individuals and the life, vision, and mission of the church. In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith?

Have you compromised? If your answer is "yes" or "no", the next question we need to ask is, How does it show in my life? The church in Pergamum struggled with attempting to "blend" their faithful, Christian life with the worldly life of the culture of Pergamum. Jesus called for the Christian requirement of sharp discrimination between right and wrong living in our lives. Jesus is reminding the church in Pergamum (& us!) to live differently than the culture that surrounds us. So...are we different enough from our culture? Are we LIVING Christ's example? In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith?

Do you have "Spiritual Myopia"? Is eternity out of focus? Are you only able to focus on your life on earth? Do you ever think about how this life might be a process of preparation for the rest of eternity? The churches in Ephesus & Smyrna struggled in areas that could be characterized by their lack of focusing of what is REALLY important. It is important to find a balance of living "in this moment" while living "for eternity." If we live "for this moment" we can get many of our priorities confused and find ourselves in a cycle of frustration, aimlessness, and hopelessness. God gives us His lenses to help fix our "Spiritual Nearsightedness"...it's up to us if we want to accept His help and live the life He created us to live, for eternity. In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith?

In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith? Step #2 - The church in Smyrna..."Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer" (Revelation 2:10). Fear is a real thing. Trials, suffering, pain, and other hardships are real things. Although real, they all are temporary. Jesus reminds His Church that He is eternal & the life He offers to us is eternal...both now AND forevermore. The hardships we will face in this life will pass and we have the opportunity to accept His gift of a new resurrection life that will be only good and perfect things. All we need to do is follow Him...to be faithful to Him...and all Jesus IS & HAS is ours! What are you afraid of? How is that hindering your life now & how is that impacting your following Jesus?

In the book of Revelation (chapters 2 & 3), John shares Jesus' words of encouragement and challenge to 7 churches. In this mini-series, "Whoever Has Ears...", we are learning about what Jesus saw in these 7 churches and how his encouragement and challenge applies to us today. Some suggest that the challenges facing these 7 churches show the chronological development of Church history and the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church over time. One could make an argument that the regression of the faith, devotion, and commitment of the Christian Church is simply a reflection of that same regression of the individual/collective members of the church family. As we learn from these 7 churches, an important (& very difficult) thing for us as believers to do is to ask ourselves how many of these boxes (stages of faith regression) can I check, for myself, in my life of faith? Step #1 - The church in Ephesus..."You have forsaken the love you had at first" (Revelation 2:4). What is our "first love"? 

What would you do if you knew that Jesus was returning next week? When reading Revelation, too often we perseverate on all the details of John's poetic imagery trying to "crack the code" and "figure out" the end times... We lose sight of the importance of Revelation...the hope in the victory and in eternity. John's prophetic word is a reminder of the greatest challenge we have to face - whether we will remain faithful to God or compromise to the society, culture, ideology of our time!

The questions we are talking about this week are...    Why do we "Sabbath"?       How can we do this in our fast-paced world? In the very beginning God showed us the importance of Sabbath. The 4th of the 10 Commandments is an invitation to remember the Sabbath Day and to keep it holy. Jesus often "withdrew to lonely places to pray" (Luke 5:16) & to be with the Father. The example has been set for us. So...Why is this important & how do we do it? Listen in as we learn the what, why, & how of taking a day of personal rest in God's presence.

Do you need to understand everything in the Bible...      to believe in God? to follow Jesus? to be Christ-like? Remembering that the Bible is the story of God and humanity, what does God's Word say about knowledge & understanding...about God and about us?  Too often, humanity gets our belief and our "understanding" mixed around. We come to this question perfectly backwards! The answer to this question is, in theory, simple. It is the application that is both difficult and rewarding beyond our imagination! Join us this week as we learn about "understanding."

Have you ever wondered why bad things happen? Have you ever asked the question, "If God really is good, how does He let bad things happen?" We live in a world where bad things...terrible things...happen all the time!  Why and how does that happen??? Join us this week as we "dive into the deep end" of a very difficult set of questions, comments, concerns, and snide remarks about the church, faith, and a wonderful, loving God.

Prayer guides us into the heart & mind of God... There are 2 aspects of prayer; the words we use & our heart that we bring to our prayers. This week we talk the attitude we bring to prayer and have while praying. Our attitude reflects our heart & motivation. Join us this week as we learn about how to pray & our heart & motivation in praying!

Our new series this summer, we are responding to YOUR "Questions, Comments, Concerns, & Snide Remarks"  This series is designed and driven by you and your thoughts... Our first question is about prayer. What is prayer? How do we pray? What is the point of prayer? Join us this week as we begin talking about one of the greatest opportunities any human being can ever have...spending time in conversation with the Creator of the universe!

Paul closes out his letter to the church in Corinth with the reminder of why we are called to "Fly in Formation"...why we are to come together in unity. It is because eternity is greater than anything we can ask, hope, or imagine. There is something greater waiting for us all! As the church we need to come together to help those who do not know or understand that there is something far greater than this life has to offer! If we, as the church, cannot or do not unite...If we, as followers of Christ, do not live differently (with eternity in mind)...many will remain lost and suffer "the second death" after their first death. We cannot let that happen!

In beginning to close his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reminds us all what worship is all about...  Worship is all about God and honoring Him.   All we do in worship is for the sake of ALL (not just my own needs/desires)    We all have a role to play and a gift to bring to worship.     God gives gifts to prepare all members to contribute to the growth of the whole body of the church. We are stronger TOGETHER than we can ever be apart!

Prior to this message we had a great celebration of baptism within our church family. Baptism is a sign and a seal of God's promises...so in today's message we are reminded that our identity is in Christ alone. All people are God's people and He chooses us, dearly loves us, and wants for us to live with Him both now and forevermore. What we DO flows out of WHO WE ARE (& WHOSE we are)! Our "being" and "doing" cannot be separated. So let's live as who we are...chosen, holy, & dearly loved by the Creator of all things - the One who IS love!

Paul ends his writing about the spiritual gifts with, "And yet I will show you the most excellent way" (12:31). This "most excellent way" is the gift of love. Without love, all other gifts (& anything else), are worthless. Love is the centerpiece of all we are as Christians. Love is the beginning, middle, and end of all we are meant to be. So, then, what is love?

Modern society is becoming increasingly individualistic. The more we "advance" as a society, the less and less communal we become...the less we rely on each other. In this chapter of his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes some of the most encouraging & strengthening words for the life & work of the church. We are all given gifts by the Holy Spirit that we are to nurture & devote to Him for His purpose of building up the church and serving each other and our community. We are not meant to live this life alone. We are stronger together than we are on our own!

In this second half of 1 Corinthians 11, Paul is specifically talking about the Lord's Supper. However, what Paul is writing about also has a bigger perspective that applies outside of the Lord's Supper as well...a way of life & being. In participating in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we are to remember Jesus' life & teaching, His resurrection & the hope it brings, His purpose in this world, & everything about Him - Love, forgiveness, purpose, hope, presence, power... If this is true, we are also to apply all that we remember of Him in our daily life and how we interact with each other. We are reminded to focus on others, not ourselves. To come together despite our differences in opinions & perspectives. To place Jesus, & His mission & purpose, above everything else & then come together to serve others. We are to set aside ME, & choose WE. Choose TOGETHER. Choose UNITY!  

Happy Mother's Day!! On this Mother's Day, it is important for us to realize the power & beauty God has placed in mothers, women, girls. Women, you are of infinite worth. You are powerful beyond measure. And, with great power comes great responsibility. In this passage, Paul is talking to the church about our interdependence. We need each other, men & women, in order to be the best we can be. 

"The most spiritual thing you will ever do is choose." (Erwin Raphael McManus) Praying, reading the Bible, serving, loving, forgiving, offering grace and mercy...all choices we are free to make. There is nothing more real than Christian freedom, but that freedom is to be used to help/build up others! We have the choice to follow God and love and serve others, or to serve ourselves. Those of us who follow Christ are called to be the best example of humanity...living what it means to be humane. "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved" (1 Corinthians 10:33).

Paul's word to the church this week is the reminder that we are to love people. We cannot let cultural or religious differences become a barrier preventing us from living and sharing the gospel. The church is called to identify with all kinds of people. That simply means to be empathetic and compassionate towards others (rather than judgmental and condemning). We need to reach across barriers of age, gender, race, culture, and reputation to LOVE people. Listen & respond to their hopes, fears, and misunderstandings. God calls us to come alongside each other for the sake of the gospel!

Listen in as our guest speaker, Adam Sieff, shares a message about grace and peace, entitled "Grace on Top of Grace."

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58) The tomb is empty. Jesus conquered sin & death. Jesus rose again & is preparing the way for us to rise again into new life...for all eternity. The resurrection is real. We have hope. This world is not all that there is! There is a greater glory beyond our ability to comprehend that awaits us! That is the victory of the empty tomb! 

What is your distraction? What gets you off-task or misdirected? Paul continues to teach us how to MODEL God's way of living so we can SHOW the world the hope, love, grace, mercy, redemption, and Truth he offers. In verse 35 Paul writes, "I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." We are made for more than this world has to offer. God invites us to live BEYOND pain & brokenness and BEYOND the fleeting status & riches this world has to offer.

Paul dives headlong into sin and the repercussions of sin (very specifically, "sexual immorality"). Unfortunately the church is sometimes blind about the seriousness of all sin and its consequences in our lives and how that affects the Gospel message that we are called to live out as Christ's ambassadors to the world. Paul was concerned about the church...both the individual people in the church family AND the whole family of the church. He was also concerned about the witness, the example, that the church was called to live out. With great freedom and salvation comes great responsibility. We are not victims of society. We are called to follow Christ and lead society into the goodness that Christ has for the whole world. It is time for the Church to lead, with love, into the future God is building!

We live in a society filled with double-standards...Double-standards are EVERYWHERE. Often we find that, as a people, we are very lenient with ourselves (or those like us/those we like), but very judgmental of others (or those we disagree with). Double-standards seem to be the rule. If we "zoom out" and begin to look where our current understanding of double-standards has led us as a whole society, what do we find? Good? In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul actually encourages the church to live a double-standard. WHAT?!?! Listen in as we continue our journey through 1st Corinthians in our series, "Flying in Formation."

What does it mean to be a "loyal supporter"? A "true follower"? An Apostle? In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul both challenges and encourages the church in their "follower-ship"... By "navigating the gray" in a godly way, we are able to stand boldly, but lovingly, for God's Truth in all walks of life, in speech & behavior, and accept whatever the consequences. Let's learn together how to walk humbly with God, before people, & for the sake of others.

Red State vs. Blue State...Liberal vs. Conservative...Us vs. Them. We see in society the results of setting up false dichotomies. In an "us versus them" society, anyone who doesn't agree with you, think like you, look like you, etc. is your enemy. Life isn't meant to be lived that way because we are ALWAYS going to be "against" are large portion of society and there will be division, anger, and hate. Good things (like love, joy, peace, patience, etc) aren't easy. Living "life to the full" is all about how we "Navigate the Gray" area...the area in between the extremes. The gray area is where most of society actually exists and God calls His people to "Navigate the Gray" area with Him.

We live in a society that is so divided and divisive...Is this how it is supposed to be? This can't be what life and society are supposed to be about, can it? Unity, wholeness, oneness are written into the character of God. Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again so that we "may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may be live that you have sent me" (Jesus words - John 17:21). Jesus sent us help. We need to realize and pay attention to the One sent to help up unify, not divide people. As God's people, we have an important responsibility to listen and participate in the Spirit's unifying work. We have been invited to participate in healing and unifying...Let's pay attention, listen, and choose to participate!

There is too much division in this world. We all have a role to play to heal the division and bring unity. How can we seek unity with "those people" who don't see things the way we see them? Does fighting/arguing fix anything? What do people see when we fight? What is God's definition of unity? What does that look like? Sometimes we just need to Love 1st. Love in the Middle. Love Last. (Like my friend Tim).

What is our best response to division/contention? Within our family, church, society? There is something about society (not just today, but even "back then") that enjoys division, animosity, and confrontation. We like to focus on our differences. Really it's easier to see our differences than it is to find and focus on what brings us together... what truly matters. In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul is laying the foundation for how we are to deal with division within the church...and an example for how "the Church" is to deal with division within society.

How are we [the Church] invited to live life differently?    In a world that is so focused on our differences and dealing with those differences divisively, how are we to exist? Do we need to "yell louder" so people will hear us?    Fight harder than those we feel are fighting against us?       Are we supposed to use the same tactics? Or is there something different? No matter the era in time, people are still people...so Paul's letter to the church in Corinth about how to deal with disunity directly applies to us today. Join us as we begin a new series on 1st Corinthians!

Life is lived forward but only understood backwards... To begin to understand how we've gotten to where we are in this moment in time, we need to look back and reflect upon the path we've traveled to get here. SoF MixTape Sunday is the day we do that. Where have we been? What have we learned? These are questions we ask ourselves so that we can get a clearer picture of where God is leading us into the future. God is up to something huge...He is building an incredible future and He's inviting us to build it with Him. Look back with us so we can look forward and move forward...Together!