Our vision is Gospel Saturation: that every person in our region would have a regular encounter with the good news of Jesus Christ in both word and deed.
Through a study of the book of Acts, we're asking the Spirit to conform us to the patterns and practices of the early church — a people who love the lost like Jesus, give of themselves in rhythms of blessing and hospitality, and who seek to engage in curious, spiritual, and gospel conversations. We want the Spirit to do an Acts 3-4 kind of work this week, fulfilling Jesus's promise in Acts 1.8: You will receive power, and you will be my witnesses. What is our role? This week, we learn about how the kingdom of God will not be overcome, and neither will we!
Through a study of the book of Acts, we're asking the Spirit to conform us to the patterns and practices of the early church — a people who love the lost like Jesus, give of themselves in rhythms of blessing and hospitality, and who seek to engage in curious, spiritual, and gospel conversations. We want the Spirit to do an Acts 3-4 kind of work this week, fulfilling Jesus's promise in Acts 1.8: You will receive power, and you will be my witnesses. What is our role? This week, our role is to repent and join in as the Spirit goes on the move out of the temple and begins to flow out of anyone who will join. The Spirit makes its way down the steps of the temple and into the homes of the followers of Jesus, demonstrating love and healing.
Through a study of the book of Acts, we're asking the Spirit conform us to the patterns and practices of the early church — a people who love the lost like Jesus, give of themselves in rhythms of blessing and hospitality, and who seek to engage in curious, spiritual, and gospel conversations. We want the Spirit to do an Acts 1-2 kind of work, fulfilling Jesus's promise in Acts 1.8: You will receive power, and you will be my witnesses. What is our role? To believe the Great Commission is for each of us and all of us together, to receive the Spirit in personal and corporate prayer and dependence, and to actively prepare for whatever opportunities the Spirit creates to bear witness to Jesus.
Through a study of the book of Acts, we're asking the Spirit to conform us to the patterns and practices of the early church — a people who love the lost like Jesus, give of themselves in rhythms of blessing and hospitality, and who seek to engage in curious, spiritual, and gospel conversations. We want the Spirit to do an Acts 1-2 kind of work, fulfilling Jesus's promise in Acts 1:8: You will receive power, and you will be my witnesses. What is our role? To believe the Great Commission is for each of us and all of us together, to receive the Spirit in personal and corporate prayer and dependence, and to actively prepare for whatever opportunities the Spirit creates to bear witness to Jesus.
This Spring, we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story, he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. This week, we come to the Consummation of All Things, the great End of the Story: The Restoration of All Things: A New Place, a New People, and the Ever-New Presence of God!
This Spring we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. This week, we remember the eucatastrophe, the great turn of events that has shaken the world for 2000 years: The RESURRECTION of Jesus.
This Spring we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. This week we approach the upside-down climax of the story: the CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST. How does God restore his blessing to the world? How does he accomplish salvation? How does he restore his Kingdom? Only through the suffering sacrifice of Jesus.
This Spring we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. This week we come to JESUS, the hero we have been waiting for. He is the exact representation of God, the king we have been waiting for, the true messiah, and the glory we have lost. Jesus leads us to the kingdom of shalom we lost, rescuing us from the empire back to shalom goodness. And Jesus restores to us the presence of God we were created for, rescuing us from sin and isolation back to the presence of God. In Jesus, all that was lost in the fall is redeemed.
This Spring, we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story, he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story and invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission until he returns to make all things new. This week, we're pausing in our series to acknowledge the work that God is doing and to recount stores of his restoration and renewal among the body.
This Spring, we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story, he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story and invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission until he returns to make all things new. This week, we come to the PROPHETS, learning that God is zealously committed to his mission to restore the world, and while he's eager to forgive sin, he will not forever endure the spurring of his glory and the destruction of his world. God's love is fierce and while that means judgment for sin, it also means God's redemptive purposes will always win!
This Spring we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. Through the period of the Judges and the Kings, God's people keep failing and God continues to be faithful to His promises, in spite of His people's unfaithfulness. A persistent question arises over and over: where is the good King who will establish God's KINGDOM on the earth?
This Spring we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. We pause in the EXODUS story to see the pattern of The Story of God play itself out in the lives of the Israelites. We also learn that these same movements (creation, shattering, searching, shalom) will play themselves out in all of our lives.
This Spring we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. In the PROMISE we learn of God's Missionary Heart, his commitment to restore his blessing to the world, and the kind of people he's looking to include in his purposes!
This Spring we are tracing the movements of the Biblical Story, seeking to be formed by God and His Word. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. In the creation of HUMANITY, we learn that a relational God makes a people with whom He can share his glory, include in His work, and enjoy in communion!
Over the next 3 months, we'll be tracing the movements of the Biblical Story. From the creative glories of Genesis 1-2 to the final restoration of all things in Revelation 21-22, the Bible tells the story of the faithfulness of God as he works to rescue a world in rebellion to his sovereign love. At each stage of the Story he is fashioning a people for himself, a people who can receive his love, carry his presence, and be his means of restoring the world to its former glory. All of this culminates in Jesus, of course, who is the True Hero of the Story, and who invites sinners and sufferers to join his world-restoring mission, until he returns to make all things new. In CREATION we learn that YHWH alone is the Sovereign Lord over all!
Enjoying our relationship with the Holy Spirit is one of the great privileges in a Christian's life, and we're taking the month of January to pursue a fresh sense of the Spirit's nearness, comfort, and power. This series was created by three churches: Soma Spokane, All of Life, and Doxa, 3 distinct churches with a shared theological and missional vision. Throughout the series, you'll hear from the lead elders of each church, offering a fresh and unified perspective on enjoying the work of the Spirit. Our hope is that our collective dependence on the Holy Spirit grows as we raise our expectations, envision what is possible with Him, and more fully anticipate His movement in the year ahead. This week we wrap up our series by looking at the normative operations of the Spirit through Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3.14-21.
Enjoying our relationship with the Holy Spirit is one of the great privileges in a Christian's life, and we're taking the month of January to pursue a fresh sense of the Spirit's nearness, comfort, and power. This series was created by three churches: Soma Spokane, All of Life, and Doxa, 3 distinct churches with a shared theological and missional vision. Throughout the series, you'll hear from the lead elders of each church, offering a fresh and unified perspective on enjoying the work of the Spirit. Our hope is that our collective dependence on the Holy Spirit grows as we raise our expectations, envision what is possible with Him, and more fully anticipate His movement in the year ahead. This week we look at John 20 where Jesus gives the gift of the Holy Spirit and commissions the disciples to be a new Spirit-filled people, sent into the world!
Enjoying our relationship with the Holy Spirit is one of the great privileges in a Christian's life, and we're taking the month of January to pursue a fresh sense of the Spirit's nearness, comfort, and power. This series was created by three churches: Soma Spokane, All of Life, and Doxa, 3 distinct churches with a shared theological and missional vision. Throughout the series, you'll hear from the lead elders of each church, offering a fresh and unified perspective on enjoying the work of the Spirit. Our hope is that our collective dependence on the Holy Spirit grows as we raise our expectations, envision what is possible with Him, and more fully anticipate His movement in the year ahead. This week we look at John 7 where Jesus invites ALL who are thirsty to come to him. He has come to bring the Holy Spirit so that springs of living water will overflow in you as you quench your thirst in Him.
Enjoying our relationship with the Holy Spirit is one of the great privileges in a Christian's life, and we're taking the month of January to pursue a fresh sense of the Spirit's nearness, comfort, and power. This series was created by three churches: Soma Spokane, All of Life, and Doxa, 3 distinct churches with a shared theological and missional vision. Throughout the series, you'll hear from the lead elders of each church, offering a fresh and unified perspective on enjoying the work of the Spirit. Our hope is that our collective dependence on the Holy Spirit grows as we raise our expectations, envision what is possible with Him, and more fully anticipate His movement in the year ahead. This week, when Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well outside of town, she's just trying to get her water and mind her own business. But when he speaks to her, Jesus offers something that is so much more valuable: the Living Water of the Spirit of God.
Enjoying our relationship with the Holy Spirit is one of the great privileges in a Christian's life, and we're taking the month of January to pursue a fresh sense of the Spirit's nearness, comfort, and power. This series was created by three churches: Soma Spokane, All of Life, and Doxa, 3 distinct churches with a shared theological and missional vision. Throughout the series, you'll hear from the lead elders of each church, offering a fresh and unified perspective on enjoying the work of the Spirit. Our hope is that our collective dependence on the Holy Spirit grows as we raise our expectations, envision what is possible with Him, and more fully anticipate His movement in the year ahead. This week we look at John 3, and ask what it looks like to begin and continue our life with Jesus by the work of the Spirit.
Add sermon summary.We end our 90 Day Commitment to Pray, Fast, and Give, and our 3-month study in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi by returning to the main theme: Gospel Partnership. Paul's joy in the Philippians is directly connected to their faithfulness to both receiving the gospel and giving themselves to the advance of the gospel. He ends with an encouragement to stay at it, for the long haul. We'll see that becoming a long-term disciple-making and church planting presence requires a deep contentment in Jesus, a shared commitment to his mission, and a trusting conviction in his provision. We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
The Bible's big, life-changing truths meet us in the everyday messiness of life. Paul shows us what it means to live as citizens of heaven — people shaped by Jesus' reign and values— while dealing with the ordinary struggles of relationships and community. We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
Paul is going to finish his chapter 3 thought to his beloved friends and family. Please, brothers and sisters, don't be distracted by the rubbish of the world. But rather, press in to all that Christ has accomplished for you. Let go of all else. It is all trash, “skubala”, in comparison to the greatness of who Christ is and what He has for you. Let go and grab a hold of Him. We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
"Rejoice in the Lord" is a command we need to obey, and about which Paul is deadly serious. We lose our joy when we shift our confidence from Christ to our own efforts, forgetting or neglecting all that is ours in Jesus, and that's a deadly shift. A joyful church counts everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus -- But how do we do that today? We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
God has placed his affection on a bunch of nobodies and has declared them to be His cherished possession. The New Testament's picture of the church is a place of mutual honor, where God's people honor and encourage each other regularly. But what do we honor in one another, and how do we become a community of honor? We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
Becoming a long-term disciple-making and church planting presence in our region and beyond is no small task, and it requires engagement from every member of the body. In today's text, Paul is urging a deep and ongoing formation in the life of the disciples at Philippi, calling them to work out their salvation in real-world holiness of life. We're looking at the what, why, where, and how of Sanctification, the process of being formed into the character and way of Jesus. We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
Becoming a long-term disciple-making and church-planting presence will require us to maintain unity. It is no secret that most churches that have been around for long have experienced disunity and division, often resulting in church splits. Even Paul's favorite church -- the Philippians! -- had a growing rift, and in 2:1-11 Paul is trying to get ahead of it. He reminds the church of all they've shared together in Jesus, and calls them fight for unity through the the pursuit of humility. Ultimately, humility is the fruit of seeing and savoring the self-emptying, self-sacrificing, saving love of Jesus! We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
Paul has just shown he is “All in” and is now calling the Philippians to life through being all in themselves. His directions for how to be all in are: Together, strive to stand firm in the Spirit, and together, strive to embody a faithful life to the gospel. The world will either reject or embrace Jesus followers, but resistance to this way of life is a gift that gives us more of Jesus Himself. We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
Our study in Philippians will explore 10 Marks of Long-Term Mission, learning how we can continue to enjoy and share the grace of God for years to come. Paul begins his letter with great joy, gratitude, and affection -- he's remembering how the Philippian church began, and he's celebrating God's work among them and through them. God started a good work among us, God is sustaining that work, and God will bring that work to completion, and this is the grounds for our assurance. As we partner to make disciples, multiply communities, and plant churches in our region and beyond, we, too, need to Start Strong. We need a Sturdy Assurance, a Heartfelt Alliance, and Abounding Affections. We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially. Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
Philippians is about gospel partnership, how a local church community can enjoy the grace of God and commit together to take that grace to their neighborhoods and the nations. Partnership -- the Greek word "koinonia" -- means so much more than friendly conversation around a cup of coffee on Sunday morning! It means a risky commitment to Jesus and his Kingdom, and a gritty commitment to one another and our disciple-making mission. As we study Philippians for the next 90 days, we're challenging the whole church to a focused season of Prayer, Fasting, and Generosity in light of our desire to become a long-term disciple-making presence in our region and beyond. We are praying Philippians 4:19 every day at 4:19 pm (follow along in #prayer), fasting for 24 hours each week (as you are able), and giving sacrificially (to increase recurring giving by 25%). Are you in? #gospelcenteredtillwedie
As Soma turns 20, we're looking back at the ways God has faithfully written our story and leaning forward to all he still wants to do in and through us. God has richly, abundantly, and freely given to us, over and against what we have earned or deserved, and has chosen in his kindness to cause this work to be fruitful -- and we are grateful! Over the month of September we're looking at a key text — Ephesians 4.1-16 — and asking God to do it again, doing what only he can do as we get low, dependent, and go ALL IN for Jesus and his mission. This week we explore our Shared Maturity, considering the call on each of us and our whole church to grow up in to the fullness of Jesus.
As Soma turns 20, we're looking back at the ways God has faithfully written our story and leaning forward to all he still wants to do in and through us. God has richly, abundantly, and freely given to us, over and against what we have earned or deserved, and has chosen in his kindness to cause this work to be fruitful -- and we are grateful! Over the month of September, we're looking at a key text — Ephesians 4.1-16 — and asking God to do it again, doing what only he can do as we get low, dependent, and go ALL IN for Jesus and his mission. This week we explore our Shared Ministry, considering the role of the whole body in growing the church in quality and quantity.
As Soma turns 20, we're looking back at the ways God has faithfully written our story and leaning forward to all he still wants to do in and through us. God has richly, abundantly, and freely given to us, over and against what we have earned or deserved, and has chosen in his kindness to cause this work to be fruitful -- and we are grateful! Over the month of September we're looking at a key text — Ephesians 4.1-16 — and asking God to do it again, doing what only he can do as we get low, dependent, and go ALL IN for Jesus and his mission. This week we explore our Shared Calling, asking how we walk worthy of the unique glory of being the church in the nitty-gritty of real community.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus is encouraging his disciples to stay alert and to be faithful in his absence, as none knows the day or time of his return. It is a parable about stewardship, about faithfully taking responsibility for what Jesus has entrusted to us, in anticipation of a joyful reunion when he returns.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus continues the vineyard metaphor to describe the privileged position that God's people have had among the nations and the evil fruits these wicked tenants have produced. Jesus plainly says the kingdom of God will be taken from them and given to a people producing its fruits - pointing to a new people and a new kingdom which he is inaugurating!
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a king who throws a wedding feast for his son, but his invitation to the guests is rejected. Not satisfied, the king sends out servants to invite everyone so that the wedding hall is filled. Surprisingly, a man without the proper wedding clothes is kicked out of the party.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus tells his followers a story about a landowner who goes out and hires vineyard workers at different times, paying them all the same denarius for different amounts of work. God's grace evokes something in the 6 AM workers, which reveals what they think about life with God. Jesus ends by reminding us that "the last shall be first and the first shall be last." We all stand on the same grace, and we should view one another through that lens.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus is conversing with Peter about how much a follower should forgive another. In doing so, he tells a parable, a ridiculous parable at that of how much a certain fellow is forgiven by a good master and yet still is mean and unforgiving to a fellow servant. The master then tortures and throws this slave out because the kingdom of heaven requires its participants to be forgiving of others. The parable seems to point at there needing to be more than just an awareness of how much we have been forgiven in order for us to live out the Kingdom of Heaven.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus tells his followers a story of a shepherd leaving 99 sheep to seek and find one lost sheep. He invites his followers into humility and vulnerability of the lifestyle of the sheep. He wants complete dependence, without the air of pride and entitlement.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a net, gathering fish of every kind from the sea. At the end of the age, the angels will separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace.
The Jews were waiting for a physical Kingdom of God to be established in Jerusalem, but that's not what the Kingdom of God is going to look like in this age. Instead, Jesus says, it's like a mustard seed quietly planted, or leaven worked into bread. It's a Kingdom that cannot be seen and that cannot be stopped. A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it's meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what its meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus' need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this first parable, Jesus gives his disciples the explanation of the parable, drawing attention to Himself as the Sower, the seed as the word of the kingdom, and the differing soils as the variety of ways to hear.
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' manifesto for the life of the Kingdom - what becomes of human communities when they come under the empowering reign of King Jesus. As we end our series on Allegiance, we'll look at the main themes of Jesus' sermon, summarizing what allegiance to him and his way looks like for us. If Jesus is the True King of the World, and our allegiance is to him, then our character, values, priorities, and practices ought to align more and more with all he lays out in this sermon!
Jesus says that John the Baptizer is the final prophet in the line of Elijah, a man of deep Kingdom allegiance and profound moral courage in a day of spiritual decay, and of whom Jesus says “there has arisen no one greater.” Which makes Jesus' next words all the more shocking: “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” The least in the Kingdom of God — the simplest and humblest of people who knows the Kingly reign of Jesus — has come into a realm of which John could only catch a hazy glimpse!
This week we conclude our series on the life of Elijah, and want to encourage you to have a conversation about how your community will grow and replicate. Since all healthy and living things replicate, a growing community is inevitable, and at some point you'll need to multiply or send out a few people to start a new community. Even if your community isn't at that point, it is important for everyone to know that is part of the goal, and to know that it is always costly to create space for others to be wrapped in, built up, and sent out. In addition, consider how you are investing in the kids and/or youth in your community, and what ways you might all disciple them together.
With one short sentence from Jezebel, Elijah runs for his life. He's gone from the mountain top of spiritual revival on Mt Carmel to the depth of despair, ready to quit. God meets him in the wilderness and provides a snack and a nap, and he's enabled to carry on. As he arrives at Horeb, he's still spiritually uncertain and feeling abandoned by God — but God meets him and gives him fresh direction. Elijah is renewed by time away and time in God's presence. The gospel assures us of God's unfailing love and grace, which sustains us through every trial and empowers us to overcome fear with faith in Him. When we face fear and discouragement we can find comfort and strength in Jesus, who promises to never leave us nor forsake us.
Elijah prays for the rain to come and... nothing happens. But Elijah persists in prayer until a breakthrough comes. Like Daniel in Babylon, or the widow before the unjust judge, there is a persistence and tenacity in his prayer life. We likewise are called to be consistent and tenacious in our prayers, trusting in God's goodness, and recognizing prayer as an act of war. James says Elijah is a man just like us, and we too can approach the Lord in faith, trusting Him for great things.
In this famous story of Elijah's bold challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, we learn the importance of confronting idolatry and false gods in our lives and society with unwavering faith in the one true God. In particular, we're looking this week at political idolatry, and the ways in which political partisanship has gained our allegiance, deformed our faith, and tarnished our witness. In Elijah's prayer, we see God's true goal: to have the allegiance and affections of our hearts.
In a surprising twist of events, the widow to whom Elijah was sent finds her son near to death, and blames Elijah! Elijah moves in faith and prayer and puts his life on the line to give life to the widow's son. How can we go to the places where death is currently reigning, and stretch out like Elijah to bring life and wholeness? How does the gospel empower us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God?
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