Seaside Church

1. We are saved by Jesus    2. Jesus, the only door in3. Jesus, the only door out4. We will find pasture (rest)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares who he is through:1. His conversations2. His miracles and wonders3. What he said about himself, his Father, and our human condition4. His love displayed on the cross John 8:12 Contains a summary of the Gospel - the good news of God's victory through Jesus the Christ. The Claim: I AM the light of the world. The Invitation: Whoever follows me…The Promise: …will not walk in darkness, but will have the lightof life.” 1. Escaping the darkness2. Soaking in his gift of life3. Reflecting the light of his love on others

Jesus is the bread of life who satisfies us, saves us, and sustains us.

How should we respond to the chaos in our lives/world?1. Love for all people2. Humility3. Prayer

What is deploying to culture? Inviting others to meet Jesus, in the way of Jesus & with the help of JesusWhat is our mission? Inviting others to meet Jesus.How do we carry out our mission? By walking in the way of Jesus.What do we have to accomplish this mission? The help of Jesus.

John 15 Progression:-Abide in me [15:4]-Abide in my love (by obeying my commands) [15:9-10]-Love one another [15:12]True love is seen in:1. Laying down our lives for one another, as Jesus laid down his life for us. (John 15:12)2. Befriending one another, as Jesus befriended us. (John 15:15-16)3. Serving one another, as Jesus served us. (John 13:1-17)

We must begin by drawing near to Christ.Why draw [near] to Christ?-With Jesus, our joy is complete [John 3:22-30]-As God, Jesus is the only one who can lead us to the life God intended for us [John 3:31-36]“The Christian life is not about getting God into your story, but about getting your life into God's story.” -Edward Klink

Scene 1 (John 1:19-28): Get ready, Jesus is coming… -“Make straight the way of the Lord” -John the Baptist-Water baptismScene 2 (John 1:29-34): Jesus is here…-“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World!”-Jesus confirmed by the Spirit-Holy Spirit Baptism

-Word, Witness, World- repetition-The Word became flesh...-And dwelt among us… (past, present, future)We are invited to:1. See God's glory in Jesus2. Experience the fullness of God's grace and truth in Jesus3. Know God through Jesus.

1. The Word. (John 1:1-5)-Worship the Word2. The Witness. (John 1:6-8)-Witness to the Light3. The World. (John 1:1-5)-Welcome the True Light

How do we suffer well together? By patiently anticipating the coming of the Lord. Jesus' imminent return fuels us to:-Work diligently (like the farmer) [5:7]-Speak with integrity (consider the prophets) [5:10]-Hold fast (remember Job) [5:11-12]

James addresses our tendency to be controlled by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in two specific areas of life: our plans and our possessions.OUR PLANSJames offers a correction to pride-filled boasting:
 1. With humility, acknowledge and embrace our frailty
 2. Acknowledge and embrace a daily dependence on GodOUR POSSESSIONSTwo things happen when we perpetually fixate on what we want: 1. We arrogantly believe that we deserve what we want.
 2. We become blind to the needs of others.
In light of this: 1. Pray for eyes to see and respond to the injustice all around you. 2. Give generously and creatively to those around you.
 3. Receive God's grace - his gift of undeserved kindness and forgiveness that we don't deserve.

What is the source of conflict between Christians?-The war within (internal): Taking pleasure in what I want vs. what God wants.-Desires (lust): Strong craving for that which we don't have.-Friendship with the world: Adultery against GodWhat is the solution to conflict between Christians?1. Turn to God-Submit to God-Resist the devil (and he will flee)-Draw near to God (and he will draw near)-Cleanse hands/ purify hearts-Grieve our selfishness and jealousy-Approach God with humility (and he will lift you up) 2. Stop Criticizing Others-Trust God as Judge-Start loving others

James' burning question: Who's really got life figured out?Two Ways of Living:According to the world (3:14-16)-Source: Earthly, unspiritual, demonic, false -What it looks like: Bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, boasting, deceitfulness-The result: Disorder, every vile practiceAccording to wisdom (3:17-18)-Source: From above, from God (Father, Son, Spirit), true-What it looks like: Humbleness, purity, peacemaking, gentleness, submissiveness, mercifulness, fruitfulness, impartiality, genuineness-The result: Peace, a harvest of righteousnessLife-giving living in Christian community (the Church)Life-giving living in the world

On behalf of the elders, Pastor Jon shares an update regarding the challenging financial situation we are in.

ZOMBIE FAITH (dead, useless, foolish faith)-James: The Uselessness of Faith Without Works (James 2:14-26)-Paul: The Futility of Works Without Faith (Ephesians 2:1-10)LIFE-GIVING FAITH-Life-giving faith for anyone! [from Abraham ---> Rahab] -Life-giving faith (2:14-26) meets life-giving religion (1:27)  -Faith that gives life to the least, last, and lost. -Faith that gives life to our own lives.

Showing partiality contradicts faith in Jesus.-It contradicts the fact that God is a good judge & we are not (2:4-7)-It contradicts the royal law of love (2:8)Loving (all) our neighbors is consistent with faith in Jesus.-What is “agape" love? “seeking the well-being of others regardless of their response.”-Who are my neighbors? Anyone we come across, especially those in need. (Luke 10:30-37)-In loving our enemies: “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (2:13) 

The proverb at the heart of life-giving religion (1:19)-Slow to anger (20)-Slow to speak (26)-Quick to listen (21-25, 27)  -Listen to what? The word of life (Jesus) -What does quick to listen look like?  -Ongoing repentance -Active listening -Doing what Jesus says to do

Three Themes Throughout James:1. TRIALS & TEMPTATIONS-See them as opportunities for growth (1:2-4)-Keep the goal in mind (1:12)-Don't blame God (1:13-15)-Trust in God's goodness (1:16-18)2. WISDOM & SPEECH-Ask and trust God to give us the wisdom we need (1:5-8)3. POVERTY & WEALTH-Remember the withering nature of financial wealth. [1:10-11]-Celebrate the lasting nature of spiritual riches (available to all!) in Christ. [1:12]

Saul's tragic response to God's grace serves as a dual warning for us1. Saul is the type of leader we want but don't need2. Following God in the way we want isn't Godly

Our King Jesus...1. Meets us in our distress2. Remains faithful when we are not3. Uses weakness for God's mighty work4. Does what God says, always5. Rescues and restores us completely6. Shares generously in the Spoils

God thwarts our belief that we are in control of the outcomes of life by:- allowing desperate situations- refusing to act as our assistant- intervening miraculouslyThings we can do about the desperate situations in front of us: - Understand they are normal- Cry out to God for help- Prepare ourselves with hopeful truth- Seek help from your communityThings we can do about our desire to control outcomes:- Be honest about our motivations- Acknowledge our limitations & God's omnipotence- Trust in the goodness of GodHow to think about miraculous interventions:- Ask for and believe in God to perform miracles- Acknowledge God's power over all things- Look for God to work in ways we didn't expect

Note: Our video feed went out in the gathering, but we were able to capture sound and slides.

What does it look like to trust God's plan when evil seems to be winning? Trust in God's deliverance [1 Cor. 15:24-26]1. Grieve what God grieves [Ps. 139:19-24]2. Love what God loves [Matt. 5:43-48]3. Do what God says [1 Peter 3:8-12]