Welcome
In the movie industry sequels are common practice - think, Harry Potter Parts 1-7, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings Parts 1-3, and many more. Sequels keep fans coming back for the rest of the story. Then someone came up with the idea of a prequel. That’s a movie that fills in the background of what happened before Part 1. Having just completed a five part sermon series called The Jesus Adventure, the season of Advent gives us the opportunity to look at the prequel. It’s called The Advent-ure Begins. Over the next six weeks we will zoom out and look at the entire span of human history and discover the backstory behind Jesus’ call to follow him: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). As We Gather - Christmas is on the horizon. You can almost see it from here. Why oh why are we talking about the end of the world?! Stephen Covey coined the phrase: “Begin with the End in Mind” in his best selling book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The season of Advent does exactly that—it begins with THE END in mind. To be highly effective followers of Jesus requires that we know and understand Jesus’ teaching about the end of the world. It can be summed up in two simple phrases: “No one knows the day and hour” (Matthew 24:36) and “therefore be ready” (Matthew 24:44).
Gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit is the same word Jesus uses in the Beatitudes when he says, “Blessed are the meek.” Far from being weak, meekness or gentleness, is the strength to suffer insult and injury in this life and not retaliate in anger, not become vengeful and bitter. Such strength is only possible to one who knows who they are, where they are going, and what their purpose is. Who are we? Dearly loved and forgiven sons and daughters of God. Where are we going? We are following Jesus as he seeks to make things right in this world through faith in him. Until he comes again when we will enter the perfectly restored New Heaven and New Earth. What is our purpose? We are sent to be lights shining in the darkness of this present age, beckoning and guiding all to come follow Jesus.
Goodness and faithfulness are very closely linked to one another. Goodness is consistency. Faithfulness is dependability. Both are characteristics of a life of honesty and integrity. God alone is the source of all truth and our struggle to live with integrity, to be consistent and dependable in all circumstances, is born out of our inability to fear, love, and trust in Him above all things. On the Jesus Adventure we learn again and again to be honest with ourselves and remember that God’s love for us in Christ is the one consistent, dependable truth that heals our lives and makes us whole again.
Goodness and faithfulness are very closely linked to one another. Goodness is consistency. Faithfulness is dependability. Both are characteristics of a life of honesty and integrity. God alone is the source of all truth and our struggle to live with integrity, to be consistent and dependable in all circumstances, is born out of our inability to fear, love, and trust in Him above all things. On the Jesus Adventure we learn again and again to be honest with ourselves and remember that God’s love for us in Christ is the one consistent, dependable truth that heals our lives and makes us whole again.
On the Jesus Adventure we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus in every facet of our lives. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22). Right in the middle is kindness. Kindness is practical generosity, not just the feelings of love, but putting your time and talent and money where your heart is. Kindness in the Bible is an attitude that sees every human being as unrepeatable miracle of God and invests in his or her wellbeing. Kindness is meeting a person’s real needs through your deeds.
On the Jesus Adventure we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus in every facet of our lives. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22). Right in the middle is kindness. Kindness is practical generosity, not just the feelings of love, but putting your time and talent and money where your heart is. Kindness in the Bible is an attitude that sees every human being as unrepeatable miracle of God and invests in his or her wellbeing. Kindness is meeting a person’s real needs through your deeds.
On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Thesis to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. That set off what has come to be known as the Reformation of the Christian Church. Today we celebrate that momentous event by continuing our study of the fruit of the Spirit with a look at patience. Patience is the ability to remain poised, even when life is not going the way you want and expect it to go. It is not simple stoicism, which is only a human determination to turn off one’s emotions and not allow anything to bother you. The one who is patient feels frustration and anger but has learned that God’s ways are not our ways, neither are his thoughts, our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).
On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Thesis to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. That set off what has come to be known as the Reformation of the Christian Church. Today we celebrate that momentous event by continuing our study of the fruit of the Spirit with a look at patience. Patience is the ability to remain poised, even when life is not going the way you want and expect it to go. It is not simple stoicism, which is only a human determination to turn off one’s emotions and not allow anything to bother you. The one who is patient feels frustration and anger but has learned that God’s ways are not our ways, neither are his thoughts, our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).
“The peace of God that passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting.” These are the words often spoken at the end of a sermon as a blessing on the message that has been delivered. Peace with God is the mighty work of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that is proclaimed in our preaching. The peace of God is the frame of heart and mind that let’s us approach the Jesus Adventure with humble, bold confidence. The peace of God comes as you believe more and more that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 ESV).
“The peace of God that passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting.” These are the words often spoken at the end of a sermon as a blessing on the message that has been delivered. Peace with God is the mighty work of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection that is proclaimed in our preaching. The peace of God is the frame of heart and mind that let’s us approach the Jesus Adventure with humble, bold confidence. The peace of God comes as you believe more and more that “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 ESV).
“The fruit of the Spirit” is singular, not plural. This is not a potluck where some have love, others have joy, and still others peace. The attributes listed in Galatians 5 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) are all different dimensions and aspects of THE fruit of the Spirit. This Way of Life series is like holding a diamond up to light and looking at one brilliant facet after another, each reflecting the light of the gemstone. Joy is often confused with happiness. But happiness depends on circumstances. Joy is the ability to have hope, confidence, and courage, regardless of the circumstances. The joy we have comes from our identity and ultimate security in Jesus Christ.
The Way of Life will conclude the series we’ve been calling, The Jesus Adventure. It began in January looking at Jesus’ proclamation: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” The kingdom of God is the world put right. Jesus’ real presence in the world brings the kingdom of God into our experience when we repent (turn away from our personal kingdom building) and follow him into the kingdom he has prepared (by believing the gospel, which is his life, death and resurrection that works our forgiveness and eternal life). Therefore, we are called to repent and believe. We are equipped by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus. We are sent out into the world as living testimonies that the kingdom is present and accessible to all by faith in Jesus. And we are restored again and again as we fail to follow consistently. To embed the pattern of Called → Equipped → Sent → and Restored we have explored The Way of Worship, The Way of Wisdom, The Way of Service, and The Way of Fellowship. Now it’s time to put all the pieces together and see what it looks like in The Way of Life. In this series we will explore the fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul in his letter to the Galatians, Chapter 5, Verse 22-23: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
The Way of Life will conclude the series we’ve been calling, The Jesus Adventure. It began in January looking at Jesus’ proclamation: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” The kingdom of God is the world put right. Jesus’ real presence in the world brings the kingdom of God into our experience when we repent (turn away from our personal kingdom building) and follow him into the kingdom he has prepared (by believing the gospel, which is his life, death and resurrection that works our forgiveness and eternal life). Therefore, we are called to repent and believe. We are equipped by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus. We are sent out into the world as living testimonies that the kingdom is present and accessible to all by faith in Jesus. And we are restored again and again as we fail to follow consistently. To embed the pattern of Called → Equipped → Sent → and Restored we have explored The Way of Worship, The Way of Wisdom, The Way of Service, and The Way of Fellowship. Now it’s time to put all the pieces together and see what it looks like in The Way of Life. In this series we will explore the fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul in his letter to the Galatians, Chapter 5, Verse 22-23: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
As we conclude The Way of Fellowship today, a remarkable new perspective on people opens up before us. In Christ we become so confident, so secure, in our personal identity. We become humble and yet bold, in our relationships to one another, that we can be genuinely open to others, even to strangers. Fellow believers whom we have never met are, in fact, our brothers and sisters in Christ. With those who have not yet come to know Jesus we share the common experience of being sinners in need of grace. The Way of Fellowship welcomes strangers.
As we conclude The Way of Fellowship today, a remarkable new perspective on people opens up before us. In Christ we become so confident, so secure, in our personal identity. We become humble and yet bold, in our relationships to one another, that we can be genuinely open to others, even to strangers. Fellow believers whom we have never met are, in fact, our brothers and sisters in Christ. With those who have not yet come to know Jesus we share the common experience of being sinners in need of grace. The Way of Fellowship welcomes strangers.
The Way of Fellowship is created and sustained only by the presence of Jesus in our lives. Perhaps the most challenging part of this new relationship is the responsibility we now have. Not only to encourage one another, but also to hold one another accountable as followers of Jesus. Only the power of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection at work in us is strong enough to enable humble interaction. That interaction leaves us to be “transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Romans 12:2). Only the Holy Spirit can “create in us a new heart and renew a right spirit within us” (Psalm 51:10). In Christ alone we are daily being made into new creations, “spurring one another on to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
The Way of Fellowship is created and sustained only by the presence of Jesus in our lives. Perhaps the most challenging part of this new relationship is the responsibility we now have. Not only to encourage one another, but also to hold one another accountable as followers of Jesus. Only the power of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection at work in us is strong enough to enable humble interaction. That interaction leaves us to be “transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Romans 12:2). Only the Holy Spirit can “create in us a new heart and renew a right spirit within us” (Psalm 51:10). In Christ alone we are daily being made into new creations, “spurring one another on to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
Fellowship is an eternal relationship that not even the grave can undo. We are bound together in Christ, not just for a season, or in one specific place, but for eternity. In the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper we say, “Therefore with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven we laud and magnify your glorious name evermore praising you and say, “Holy, holy, holy…”. To understand this reality changes the way we think about treating one another. “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal” (CS Lewis, The Weight of Glory).
Fellowship is an eternal relationship that not even the grave can undo. We are bound together in Christ, not just for a season, or in one specific place, but for eternity. In the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper we say, “Therefore with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven we laud and magnify your glorious name evermore praising you and say, “Holy, holy, holy…”. To understand this reality changes the way we think about treating one another. “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal” (CS Lewis, The Weight of Glory).
The Way of Fellowship is inclusive of all people regardless of their origin, social status, financial status, personality, or temperament. God’s work of creating human beings has endless variety. And Jesus command is straightforward: “Love one another as I have loved you.” It’s not an option or a suggestion. Love is a choice, a conscious, deliberate act of the will. In a world that often views love as an expression of the feelings we may, or may not have, toward another person, Jesus calls us to something higher, to love each other even when we don’t feel like it. As the first followers of Jesus lived out this command, the world around them often exclaimed, “see how they love one another!”
The Way of Fellowship is inclusive of all people regardless of their origin, social status, financial status, personality, or temperament. God’s work of creating human beings has endless variety. And Jesus command is straightforward: “Love one another as I have loved you.” It’s not an option or a suggestion. Love is a choice, a conscious, deliberate act of the will. In a world that often views love as an expression of the feelings we may, or may not have, toward another person, Jesus calls us to something higher, to love each other even when we don’t feel like it. As the first followers of Jesus lived out this command, the world around them often exclaimed, “see how they love one another!”
Something new began after Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the followers of Jesus. While once divided by nationality, gender, financial and social status, followers of Jesus were called to relate to each other in radically new ways. Barriers once deemed impenetrable were broken down and believers were called into all-inclusive relationships. In Jesus there is now one new humanity, based solely on the one thing we have in common— “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
Rev. Tige Culbertson The Jesus Adventure is a call to each of us as individuals and all of us as a congregation. It's a call to consider what it means to follow Jesus in the midst of a rapidly and radically changing world. Jesus announced, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The kingdom of God is the world put right again. Jesus claims that his life, death and resurrection makes the kingdom of God present in our midst by faith, even as we wait for it to be made complete when he comes again in glory. We are Called to “repent”, that is, to turn around from our personal kingdom building, and “believe the gospel”, which is the good news of the kingdom through Jesus. We are Equipped, as Jesus breaths the Holy Spirit into us, to live by faith. We are Sent into the world, to live our lives by faith and invite others to come and see what Jesus has done. We are Restored again and again, as we often stumble as we follow Jesus. God shows us how to embed this kingdom vision in our hearts and minds through establishing the pattern: Called → Equipped → Sent → Restored Through Worship, Wisdom, and Service, God reinforces this pattern. In our final series in the Jesus Adventure we will explore The Way of Fellowship. This Week: At the close of Jesus’ earthly life, his followers were scattered and disoriented as they watched their friend and teacher be arrested, tried, condemned, and executed. “All the disciples deserted him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). Less than two months later (50 days to be exact) we find them together! Devoting themselves “to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers” (Acts 2:42). Something miraculous had occurred that created a remarkable new community of individuals from different countries and cultures that were now bound together in a powerful new way that would change the world. This is the Way of Fellowship that we will explore together in the weeks ahead.
The Jesus Adventure is a call to each of us as individuals and all of us as a congregation. It's a call to consider what it means to follow Jesus in the midst of a rapidly and radically changing world. Jesus announced, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The kingdom of God is the world put right again. Jesus claims that his life, death and resurrection makes the kingdom of God present in our midst by faith, even as we wait for it to be made complete when he comes again in glory. We are Called to “repent”, that is, to turn around from our personal kingdom building, and “believe the gospel”, which is the good news of the kingdom through Jesus. We are Equipped, as Jesus breaths the Holy Spirit into us, to live by faith. We are Sent into the world, to live our lives by faith and invite others to come and see what Jesus has done. We are Restored again and again, as we often stumble as we follow Jesus. God shows us how to embed this kingdom vision in our hearts and minds through establishing the pattern: Called → Equipped → Sent → Restored Through Worship, Wisdom, and Service, God reinforces this pattern. In our final series in the Jesus Adventure we will explore The Way of Fellowship. This Week: At the close of Jesus’ earthly life, his followers were scattered and disoriented as they watched their friend and teacher be arrested, tried, condemned, and executed. “All the disciples deserted him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). Less than two months later (50 days to be exact) we find them together! Devoting themselves “to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers” (Acts 2:42). Something miraculous had occurred that created a remarkable new community of individuals from different countries and cultures that were now bound together in a powerful new way that would change the world. This is the Way of Fellowship that we will explore together in the weeks ahead.
We are created to love and to serve one another in our work, our families, our country, and our congregation. Today we conclude The Way of Service by learning we were also created to Rest! Biblical rest is taking time to appreciate and enjoy all that God has done for us, in us, and through us. We can rest in our work knowing that God is in the midst of it using even the most mundane tasks for his good and glorious plan for this world. We can rest in our families knowing the power of forgiveness and reconciliation in Christ. We can rest in our citizenship because God’s in charge, even when he seems to be absent. And we can rest in our life together at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church as we support, encourage, and challenge one another to live the Jesus Adventure.
As followers of Jesus we hold dual citizenship. We live in a particular country (in our case the USA) but we are also part of God’s eternal kingdom. Here in time that citizenship takes the form of being a member of the Church and ultimately a local congregation. Although many in our time have grown weary of the institutional church and imagine they can follow Jesus privately, The Way of Service bids us view our roles in the congregation as a critical part of the Jesus Adventure.
The Way of Service, following Jesus, includes living in a particular place, at a particular time, with particular laws and forms of government. What is more complicated, confusing and messed up than politics? Cynicism—only seeing and expecting the worst, or surrender—it’s so bad "I give up", are the tempting alternatives. As followers of Jesus we have a unique perspective that can save our sanity and enable us to be good citizens.
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