Vineyard Church of the Peninsula

Jesus ascended to the Father. The Holy Spirit came. The first Gospel message preached, ushered 3 000 souls into the newborn Church of Jesus Christ. The eleven remaining disciples became impromptu midwives to this flood of baby Christians. The overwhelming reality of continuous, rapid growth forced them to wait on, and learn to follow, the Spirit's directives. Fortunately, there had already been a prayer investment made on their behalf of which they were largely unaware. John 17:6-19 John 17:6-8 – for the disciples - _______________________ John 17:9-12 – for the disciples – ______________________ John 17:13-19 – for the disciples – _____________________

God loves the unexpected, the element of surprise. He provided Abram with a ram for the sacrifice. He opened the Red Sea for a safe and dry escape from Egypt. He caused a city's walls to crumble. He promoted a shepherd boy from the village of Bethlehem to King of Israel. His Kingdom broke through into the world with the ‘fanfare' of a newborn's cries. He raised His crucified Son to life again in the quiet pre-dawn, before roosters crowed. He announced the arrival of His Spirit with a roaring similar to that of a tornado and a pillar like fire appearing as individual flames on the heads of the disciples. And then the famous linguistic multiplication! Acts 2:14-16,36-41 – A surprise for ____________________ Acts 3:1-16 – A surprise for __________________________ Acts 4:1-12 – A surprise for __________________________ Acts 4:23-31 – A surprise for _________________________

The final forty days of the disciples' journey to Jesus' cross were a potent mix of commitment and dread. The three days following his crucifixion plunged them into the most crushing, bleak, Sabbath ever. His Resurrection Day appearances staggered their imaginations. The ongoing post-Resurrection visits were a combination of exhilaration and perplexing questions. Those forty, precious, days resuscitated within them a rebirthing hope and a tentative, but expanding, joy. Then, Jesus' departure stunned them, both devastating them and challenging them. Acts 1:1-13a Acts 1:1-3 – closure ___________________________ Acts 1:4,5 – closure ___________________________ Acts 1:6-8 - launch _________and closure _________ Acts 1:9-13a –________closure and launch ________

Jesus' public ministry constantly raised eyebrows. For common folk, including his disciples, it was their surprise and delight at what they were seeing and hearing. For the religious elite, it was their disapproval, then fear, then hatred, then murderous intent. Jesus' heartbeat was the Kingdom's culture of Shalom. The heartbeat of men was an ugly list according to Jesus – evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, slander (Matt. 15:19, NLT). Undaunted in this milieu, Jesus continued manifesting the unblemished culture of his Father. One specific value he repeatedly expressed was the elevating of women, seeing them, including them, honoring them. John 2:1-12, John 19:25-27 – His mother – ______________________  Luke 8:1-3, John 20:11-18 – Mary Magdalene – __________________ John 4:1-42 – The Samaritan Woman – _________________________ John 8:1-11 – Woman caught in adultery – _______________________ Luke 7:11-15 – Widow of Nain – _______________________________

As If his resurrection weren't the ultimate gift, Jesus kept gifting his best friends with more; more of his presence, his love, his over-the-top proofs, his repeated teachings, his promises, his reassurances, etc. His three-year ministry with them was no bait-and-switch scheme, awaiting the right moment to abandon them, or waiting for them to trust him, then vanish. All that he communicated to his disciples before the cross continued unaltered afterward. Jesus knew well that his followers had had the stuffing knocked out of them by the events of Holy Week and he wanted each of them, including Peter, to know him post-resurrection just as they had known him before. John 21:1-25, (John 1:35-42, Luke 22:54-62) NLT John 1:35-42 – Peter hears Jesus' _________________________ Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 – Peter sees Jesus' __________________ John 21:1-25 – Peter receives Jesus' ______________________

Despite his heaven-bestowed power, Jesus willingly submitted himself to the ultimate humiliation and inhumane suffering of the cross. This display of unfathomable love left his disciples at a loss to comprehend. On the day of his resurrection, he encountered ongoing unbelief from those to whom he had most clearly revealed his true nature. But rather than responding in anger, Jesus continued to shower the gift of his love on his precious, all-too-human, allies; including, seven days later, on Thomas. John 11:1-16, John 14:1-7, John 20:19-29   John 11:1-16 – Thomas' ________________________   John 14:1-7 – Thomas' _________________________   John 20:19-29 – Thomas' _______________________

What Jesus chose to do on the day he rose from the dead tells us a lot about the Kingdom-sized work he was leaving in the hands of his disciples. Having personally experienced the flesh's weakness and battled mightily to overcome it, he knew his disciples would be up against major warfare. So, it was critical that they be strengthened and armed against the onslaughts to come. He chose to be present with them in intimate settings to push back the fears so ready to overwhelm them. Face to face, names spoken, fears met, questions answered, minds opened up to the Scriptures. All on Day One. Luke 24:1-49   Luke 24:1-12 – Jesus gives a gift ______________________   Luke 24: 13-35 – Jesus gives a gift _____________________   Luke 24: 36-49 – Jesus gives a gift _____________________

Jesus, post-Resurrection, chose to delay his return to the Father to reassure his disciples of his unchanged, and unchangeable, love for them as he had promised before the upheaval of the last several days. He was, like a parent doting on the needs of a little child, aware of the overwhelm they were experiencing. He knew they were fragile. He knew their faith needed bolstering. He knew they needed more time. He knew they needed Kingdom reminders. He knew they needed presence. He knew they each needed to know they were still really seen by him. He knew those needs were urgently felt. Jesus spent 40 days with them; with meeting those needs his sole purpose. John 20:1-18   John 20: 1,2 – Mary Magdalene – _________________ (Luke 7:47, 8:2)   John 20: 3-10 – Peter and John –__________________   John 20: 11-18 – Mary Magdalene – ________________

Jesus' birth was the initial breaking through of the Presence of God's Kingdom into the world of men. Curiously, only unnamed shepherds were given the announcement. Then, for thirty years, this same Jesus, the Son of God, lived in near total obscurity, with just his family and fellow villagers aware of his existence.  More curious still, Jesus' resurrection, definitive proof of the glorious, world-changing victory of the Kingdom of Light over the Kingdom of darkness, likewise occurred in obscurity, no announcement, no witnesses, no heavenly choirs. Such is the mysterious nature of our now opened, now present, upside-down Kingdom. Isaiah 53:1-12, John 1:1-5, 10,11, Luke 4:14-30, John 14:1-14, Luke 23:46 Isa. 53:1-12 – the Messiah, ___________________ Jn. 1:1-5, 10,11, Lk. 4:14-30 – the Messiah, ______  Jn. 14:1-14, Lk. 23:26-49 – the Messiah, ________

-three points of view- Jesus was nearing the end of his brief public ministry. He had walked and taught in all the towns and villages throughout Judea, inspiring awe and devotion in huge crowds as he went. His message was simple and his tone was astonishingly authoritative. As he came to Jerusalem for his last Passover, he was determined to obey his Father's instructions without wavering. His arrival was viewed through three vastly different lenses; that of the crowd, that of the religious establishment, and that of Jesus himself. The disciples' point of view –________________ The establishment's point of view –___________ Jesus' point of view – _____________________

The Prophet Isaiah (9:2) spoke a hope-filled word about a people walking in darkness, seeing a great light (the brightness of God's glory). That brightness has been veiled from mankind, by sin, since the Fall. Ex. 33:20 says ‘no man can see God and live' (in our mortal, sinful state we can't withstand the direct, unfiltered glory of God). When the time was right, God sent His Son, clothed in flesh, to live as a man, to ‘inaugurate eschatology,' or initiate the Last Days, the End Times, the Church Age, the ever-approaching Dawn. Jesus' life and teachings and healings pointed to the already present ‘now' Kingdom and a future ‘not yet' Kingdom of total peace (Shalom) that would reign over the world. He entrusted the continuance of the initiated process with his disciples. Acts 1:1-11, 2:1-13, 2:14-41 - NIV • Acts 1:1-11 – Point of Hope #1 – ________________________________________ • Acts 2: 1-13 –Point of Hope #2 – ________________________________________ Acts: 2:14-41 - Point of Hope #3 – _________________________________

At Creation, God said: “Let Us conceive a new creation – humanity – made in Our image, fashioned according to Our likeness. So God did just that. He created humanity in His image, male and female.” Genesis 1:26,27, VOICE. And from that point on, there is revealed the great and enduring love story of God with us, His image bearers. The tragedy of the fall did not lessen God's passionate connection with us. In response, He spoke to the serpent: “I will make your brood enemies of the woman and all her children; the woman's child will stomp your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15, VOICE. This holds the promise of a time, a Dawning, a New Day, when the enemy will be forever defeated, banned, thereby restoring Shalom to the earth according to Plan ‘A.' Hebrews 11:1-40 Hebrews 11:1-3 – Toward the Dawn – ________________________ Hebrews 11:4-31 Toward the Dawn - _________________________ Hebrews 11:32-40 – Toward the Dawn – ______________________

From the youngest in a family of eight boys, in a small village, to the greatest king ever to sit on the throne of Israel, David's life was anything but ordinary. Anointed to be king as a young teenager, his 17-year path toward that goal was replete with the wildest obstacles, from his brothers' jealousy and mockery, to confronting a giant, to evading the king's jealous madness, to becoming Israel's public enemy #1. David learned trust in God back when he was a young shepherd and it served him well when he led a dubious band of warriors to help him elude King Saul. A part of David's legacy we savor today is the Book of Psalms, that collection of intimate, raw glimpses into the heart of one real, lusty, flawed, worshiper of God. Psalm 27:1-14, Psalm 33:13-22, Psalm 62:1-8, TPT Psalm 27:1-14 – Waiting for dawn – ____________________ Psalm 33:13-22 – Waiting for dawn – ___________________ Psalm 62:1-8 – Waiting for dawn –______________________

Ever since the ascension of Jesus and his promised return in glory, the church has looked and longed and waited, grown tired of waiting, cried out for answers, invented scenarios of Jesus' return (complete with dates) renewed spiritual vigor through fasting and prayer, grown weary again, thrilled at moments of the Spirit's moving and revitalizing power, only to settle a while longer, surrounded by the world's sinister darkness. But always awaiting the ever-approaching dawn. Thessalonians 5:1-11 1 Thess. 5:1-3 – the certainty ____________________ 1 Thess. 5: 4-7 – the plight ________________________ 1 Thess. 5: 8-11 – the joy __________________________

One reason the crowds flocking to Jesus grew in size and frequency and intensity, was that his teachings held such surprising and encouraging changes. It was good news and so unlike what they might hear at synagogue. The average Jew felt truly seen by Jesus, and in that, valued by him. But there were challenges that were directed at them, too. God's Kingdom was characterized by righteousness, purity, holiness. Jesus showed explained what was required of all its citizens, the more Kingdom-precise attitudes and behaviors that were appropriate. The crowds had never before heard such talk, certainly not from their priests and elders. Matthew 5:27-48 Matt. 5:27-32 – All-New Kingdom status _____________________ Matt. 5:33-42 – All-New Kingdom status _____________________ Matt. 5:43-48 – All-New Kingdom status _____________________

The continual surprises of the Kingdom of God were (and are) mostly generated from a worldly mindset that anticipates God acting congruently with the way the world works. In that way of thinking, each time His sovereignty, His majesty, His omnipotence, is revealed, it appears to be utterly foreign, missing the mark, or sometimes flat out wrong. The prophets of the Old Testament recorded plenty to prepare the world to comprehend God's actions, but a dullness of hearing and of understanding has prevented (is preventing) the perceiving of its revelation power. 1 Corinthians 1:17-31, Isaiah 29:11-14, 55: 8,9, Jeremiah 9:23-26 1 Cor. 1:17-19 – Paul (the ex-Pharisee) affirms __________________________ Isa. 29:11-14 1 Cor. 1:20-25 – Paul (the ex-Pharisee) affirms _________________________ Isa. 55:8,9 1 Cor. 1:26-31 – Paul (the ex-Pharisee) affirms _________________________ Jer. 9:23-26

The overall look and feel of God's Kingdom became clearer through Jesus' teachings. However, there were times when circumstances arose where, acting completely within society's norms, the disciples unknowingly ran afoul of an aspect of the Kingdom's character. The response, on Jesus' part, was quick and to the point. By the time of Jesus' crucifixion, those men had amassed quite a storehouse of knowledge regarding God's Kingdom. Matthew 20:20-28 Matt. 20:20,21 – The Kingdom-inappropriate ___________________________ Matt. 20:22,23 – The Kingdom-appropriate _____________________________ Matt. 20:24-28 – The Kingdom-values __________________________________

Built into our old nature is a powerful resistance to change, unless, of course, it's a change we are choosing for ourselves. Routine is a comfortable, reassuring predictability for many, but for some it can be a soul-withering, mind-numbing grind. Jesus introduced the Kingdom of God, shaking everyone and everything to their foundations. To those wanting, at all costs, to preserve the status quo, Jesus' message was unacceptably radical even heretical. To those champing at the bit to see change, it was an insufficiently radical one. For all, the learning curve was steep indeed. Matthew 19:1,2, 13-15, TPT Matt. 19:1,2 – In God's Kingdom, _____________________ Matt. 19:13 – In God's Kingdom, ______________________ Matt. 19:14,15 – In God's Kingdom, ___________________

There's a life-changing miracle every believer in Jesus has experienced – being chosen by him! Imagine! The One Who created everything, rules over everything, is Ageless and eternal, majestic beyond all human description, adored and worshiped 24/7 by the throngs around the throne, is the One Who chose, and continues to choose, us! This is ‘Cinderella' on Steroids, a rags-to-riches makeover more heartwarming than a Hallmark movie. And it's become our story! Gen. 1:31, VOICE, Luke 2:8-14, Luke 15:11-32, Rev. 21:1-27 Genesis 1:31 – The Creator – __________________________ Luke 2:8-14 – The Celebrator –_________________________ Luke 15:11-32 – The Parent – __________________________ Rev. 21:10-27 – The Architect – ______________________

The Book of Psalms is often referred to as the Bible's hymnbook. It's not just honey-sweet, flowery poetry, but includes raw, vengeful storming, tearful pleading, and rage-against-injustice meltdowns. There's also the highest, joy-filled exalting of Yahweh and His awe-inspiring attributes. It's all acceptable to God's ears and it's included at the Spirit's insistence, for us, to flesh out our spiritual understanding, to better grasp how we appear in God's eyes, to more clearly perceive that our place of centering is a robust, muscular, enduring joy. Psalm 8:1-9, Psalm 36:5-9, Psalm 104:1-5 Psalm 8:1-9 -Joy is where _________________________ Psalm 36:5-9 – Joy is where ________________________ Psalm 104:1-5 – Joy is where _______________________

The most dizzying series of miracles and displays of Covenant love had just propelled the Israelites into an all-new season, an all-new territory. For the past four centuries, nothing close to these acts had happened. Indeed, those barren years had caused their hope to all but completely fade away. But the terrifying, albeit ultimately safe, passage through the sea on dry ground, followed by the total annihilation of the Egyptian army in that same sea, had an enlivening effect on the slumbering-est of hearts, stirring them up for an eruption of newfound joy. Exodus 15:1-18 Exodus 15: 1-5 – Yahweh ______________________________________________ Exodus 15: 6-10 – Yahweh _____________________________________________ Exodus 15: 11-16 – Yahweh ____________________________________________ Exodus 15: 16-18 – Yahweh ____________________________________________

Four centuries is a very long time to be a nation of people within another nation. The Israelites had, over the many years in since Joseph's death, become slaves in Egypt. What had begun as gracious accommodation during a time of famine, shifted to a less-favored, intrusive status, and, finally, had sunk to a despised, peculiar group of foreigners forced into subservience and manual labor. Hope of deliverance dwindled along with their hope in God's faithfulness. And then God sent Moses with news. Exodus 13:17-14:31 Exodus 13:17-14:4 – Starting over – ____________________________ Exodus 14:5-14 - Starting over – ______________________________ Exodus 14:15-31 – Starting over –_______________________________

Of the four Gospel writers, Mark and John include no details of Jesus' birth or early years. For that, we turn to Matthew and Luke. Each of those first-days' events helps complete, for us, the unfolding Kingdom drama of God's plan ‘A.' We ‘get in on' the fulfillment of prophecy and can better see the ‘after manger' context of the life of the Christmas babe, his parents' obedience to the Law, and Joseph's heeding of the messages from angelic visitations. Luke 2:21, Luke 2:22-38, Matthew 2:1-12, Matthew 2:13-23 Luke 2:21 – fully God, ________________________________________________ Luke 2:22-38 – prophetic_____________________________________________ Matthew 2:1-12 – the prophetic ______________________________________ Matthew 2:13-23 -prophetic _________________________________________

Self-giving Love Every grandiose scenario imagined for the arrival of Messiah was eclipsed by the Father. The poverty and obscurity, the no-name couple, Galileans of all disqualifying things, the lack of royal preparations and announcement, none of these things corresponded with Jewish thinking. His would not be a love seeking national sovereignty but spiritual liberation. His would not be a love that strutted about boasting, ‘Here I am!' His would not be a love commanding armies. Rather, his would be a love of seeing eternal souls set free from sin and death. His would be a self-giving love, and that love would promote self-giving love. John 3:1-21, John 15:9-13, John 13:12-17, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 John 3:1-21 – Love's __________________________________________________ John 15:9-13 – Love's _________________________________________________ John 13:12-17, 1 Cor. 13:1-13 – Love's __________________________________

Resilient Joy ‘Just a cradle in the shadow of a cross,' sings one Gospel song. ‘A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,' prophesies Isaiah. A king born to die. Jesus. And yet it has been long been a topic of discussion among Bible scholars whether Jesus was the most resiliently joyful man who ever walked the earth. Free from sin from birth and thus completely unhindered, 100% confident in who, and Whose, he was, knowing beyond doubt that he was the beloved only son of his Father, walking in the collective authority of both Heaven and earth, it seems likely that, as to resilient joyfulness, he was without peer. Luke 22:7-20, 2 Corinthians 4:6-18, Philippians 3:1-11 Luke 22:7-20 – the joy of ______________________________________________ 2 Corinthians 4:6-18 – the joy of _______________________________________ Philippians 3:1-11 – the joy of _________________________________________ Because [Jesus] never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:2,3 MSG.

Courageous Peacemaking Establishing peace, for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, would always involve struggle and opposition and rejection. Through all this, he was undeterred because he knew that peace was the goal worth achieving at any cost. His public ministry was filled with clear indications of the lengths he was prepared to go to demonstrate his commitment to his part in his Father's mission. Psalm 29:1-11 – Peacemaking _________________________________________ Isaiah 9:6,7 – Peacemaking ___________________________________________ Matthew 5:9 – Peacemaking _________________________________________ Matt. 10:34, John 15:18-16:4 – Peacemaking ___________________________ Ephesians 2:11-22 -Peacemaking ______________________________________

Hopeful Waiting As we enter this season, we look around at our world and at ourselves and acknowledge that there is deep darkness, that much is not as it should be. Wars and treachery and man's inhumanity to man are rampant realities. As believers in Jesus, we find it a struggle to maintain Kingdom-oriented lives, and yet, and yet! We have this audacious promise: His breath filled all things with a living, breathing light – a light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched. John 1:5, VOICE Genesis 12:1,2- 21:1,2 – The long, hopeful wait _________________________ I Sam. 16:11-13, 2 Sam. 5:1-5 – The long, hopeful wait ___________________ Isa. 9:6,7, Luke 2:1-7 - The long, hopeful wait ___________________________ John 14:1-3, Acts 1:11 – The long, hopeful wait _________________________

The reaping of the Kingdom harvest will not be achieved without pushback from the kingdom of darkness. It will be completed but will rile up opposing forces willing to fight to the death to prevent light from becoming the ruling force. Darkness has had the upper hand for centuries through lies and through seductive appeal to the fallen nature of mankind. It will not grant freedom easily to those under its control. Knowing this, Jesus is determined to be completely up front with his disciples as he prepares them for the arduous mission ahead. Matthew 10:17-34 Mt. 10:17-20 – Getting arrested –_______________________________________ Mt. 10:21-23 – Meeting with hatred – __________________________________ Mt. 10:24-34 – Defining a new reality – _________________________________

In the fullness of time: 1. God sent His Son (Gal. 4:4), 2. Jesus announced, ‘It is time for the Kingdom of God to be experienced in its fullness' (Mk.1:15), 3. Christ died for us (Rom. 5:6), 4. all things in heaven and on earth are to be brought together under the headship of Christ (Eph. 1:10). This is God's agenda, being carried out even now, today, by Divine fiat. Matthew 9:35 – 10:16 TPT 1. Matt. 9:35 – 37 – The mission goal – __________________________________ 2. Matt. 9:38 – 10:10 – The mission strategy – _____________________________ 3. Matt. 10:11 – 16 – The mission re-assurance - ___________________________

Chris Mabey uses his rendition of a simple doodle, originally drawn by Pastor Don, to give a visual explanation on Kingdom of God breaking in to bring God's love to the world. (for the visual presentation, please click on the video link below). [video width="2236" height="1410" mp4="https://vineyardchurchpeninsula.com/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2025/11/VCP-2025-11-09-Chris-Mabey-trim.mp4"][/video]

It was the most beautiful activation. In the fullness of God's timing, His Kingdom inaugurated eschatology by overlaying perfection onto the world's corrupted system. It was the ‘day' of God's choosing, and the only notice given of its arrival was the faint cry of a newborn. Radiating glory would soon clash mightily with the darkness of sin. An invitation would be extended to those in darkness to come into the light, to the Light Himself. Loving, Holy God had now come into intimate, face-to-face relationship with His beloved creation. John 1:1-18, TPT 1. John 1:1-5 – the Light bursts __________________________ 2. John 1:6-9 – the Light shines __________________________ 3. John 1:10-14 – the Light displays ______________________ 4. John 1:15-18 – the Light unveils _______________________

God knows so much more than we do Dr Bryon Anderson, retired Physics Professor, Kent State Univiersity, simplifies complex physics ideas, such as dark matter and other topics, that all point to the one simple fact, that God knows so much more than we do. Isaiah 55:8-9 My thoughts are higher than your thoughts 1 Corinthians 1:25 The foolishness of God is higher than man's wisdom 1900 Scientists thought they figured out what the world was made of. Aristotle's physics - everything is made of earth, air, water, fire The natural state of objects is to be at rest Late 1600 Newton (Christian) - natural state of things is not to be at rest - friction Objects in motion continue in motion, objects at rest continue at rest Modern science developed in 1800s - electricity and magnetism Maxwell's laws of electricity and magnetism People began to realize things are made of something smaller - everything is made up of molecules Around 1900, people felt the world was all figured out, everything could be explained 1905 - Journal of Physic - Einstein. Premier physicist of the time. Worked in a patent office, did physics No direct evidence of molecules, but experiment of finely ground gold dust bouncing around helped develop hypothesis Photoelectric effect - stumped - worked with ultraviolet light, but not infrared light Einstein assumed that the light came in little bundles - photons Started Quantum mechanics, even though he didn't like it Law of Special Relativity nothing travels faster than the speed of light, e=mc2 Mass added up doesn't add up. Some is missing? It oughta be flying apart. Dark matter is mass you can't see that is in holding everything together, 3 times greater than luminous matter. People still don't know what all this matter is. It has to be there or else the galaxies would be flying apart. Late 1980s-90s People started saying that expansion rate of the universe was speeding up, but that didn't make sense. Dark matter is now called dark energy. Total amount of dark energy is 3 times greater than luminous matter. 95% of the universe - we don't know what it is. In the 1900, we thought we had it all figured out. Quantam mechanics and how mysterious it is. Richard Feinman received a nobel prize on quantum mechanics. Double slit problem Destructive Interference Light is a wave/particle duality. We give names to things we don't understand, which makes us feel like we know what we're talking about. Electrons have a wave nature also back to Isaiah 55:8-9 It all makes sense to God, because he put the earth together.

The vastness of Creator God and His Plan ‘A' is far greater than our brains can process. The Apostle Paul confesses that ‘now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture.' Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror …' All that I know is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely. (1 Cor. 13:9,12). Jesus, as well, told the disciples ‘There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now.' (Jn. 16:12). So, with those words of encouragement, we read the Prophet Isaiah for inspiration, for hope, all the while knowing the full mystery is too much. Isaiah 43:1-7 1. Isa. 43:1 – Yahweh, Kinsman-Redeemer, _________________ 2. Isa. 43:2-4 –Yahweh, Savior, _________________ 3. Isa. 43: 5-7 – Yahweh, Author of the Cosmos, _________________ The one perfectly divine thing, the one glimpse of God's paradise given on earth, is to fight a losing battle – and not lose it. G. K. Chesterton

Through the pen of Isaiah, we feel the intensity of the loving heartbeat of God the Father. While He is a God of love, indeed is Love, His purity cannot tolerate the presence of sin and rebellion. The perfection of God's justice demands the banishing of all wrongdoing, the punishment of its wayward behaviors. In all this, God is expressing His enduring love for His children, His chosen ones. His love never falters. Isaiah 40:1,2, 25-31 1. Isaiah 40:1,2 – a prophetic word, ______________________________________ 2. Isaiah 40:25-27 – cosmic proofs ________________________________________ 3. Isaiah 40:28-31 – perfect provision _____________________________________ ‘Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change.' James 1:17, TPT.

Adam and Eve Account of God's relentless love in the book of Hosea. 1. Hosea 1:2 God instructs Hosea to marry a prostitute 2. Hosea 1:3-9 Hosea Marries Gomer and has children 3. Hosea 1:10-2:1 God reveals His promise 4. Hosea 2:2-13 God's adulterous bride exposed 5. Hosea 2:14-22 God's relentless pursuit 6. Hosea 3:1-3 Starting over 7. Hosea 6:1-3 The coming promise

Wanting Jesus 1. New Year's Resolution – Gratitude 2. Longing 3. Daughter/Son of a King 4. Deep longing for Jesus, for the Garden 5. Psalm 42:1-4 6. Emotional struggle 7. Worship is a sword 8. Fun exercise 😋 9. Psalm 42:5-11, Instruct ourselves to worship God. Psalm 95:6-7 (from yesterday's Lectio 365) 10. Thoughts for discussion

Former Pharisee, Paul, had undergone a total revamping of his faith: the history of his people, the Law of Moses, the current Sabbath Laws, the Rabbinic interpretation of the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, things pure, things impure, along with the value of the rite of circumcision. He ministered among groups of Gentiles, those ‘others,' planting churches and encouraging their hearts. During an imprisonment in Rome, he wrote an exquisite account of the glorious, exalted, saving work of Jesus, that ancient Plan ‘A,' which brought God's love story with mankind to its fullness. Ephesians 2:1-22 1. vv. 1- 5 – Jews and Gentiles, different, yes, ______________ 2. vv. 6-15 – Former outsiders _________________________________ 3. vv. 16-22 – All welcomed ____________________________ Salvation, as it is articulated in Christ, is the message that God spoke from the beginning, and it was confirmed again and again by those who heard him. The delightful resolve of God in every sign, miracle, and diffusion of Holy Spirit bears joint-testimony of the magnificence of this salvation. Hebrews 2:3b,4 MIRROR Consider this amazing love the Father has lavished upon us; this is our defining moment: we began in the agape of God – the engineer of the universe is our Father. 1 John 3:1a, MIRROR

For the Israelites, the journey from being slaves in Egypt to possessors of their own land in Canaan was long and fraught with detours and temptations. So, too, our journey from the slavery of sin to the grace-gifted, complete freedom of the Children of God. Our ancient origins are lovingly, and securely, set in the heart of God, who is both Alpha and Omega. A first covenant formed a peculiar people, a people set apart, by law, from all the others. This covenant was but the shadow of the dispelling of darkness to come in Jesus. He was the initiator of a new, a second, covenant satisfying the requirements of the Law and supplying the Grace necessary for the church to live as disciples of Jesus. Exodus 33:1-6, 12-23, 34:5-11 Exodus 33:1-6 – Relationship's _________________________________ Exodus 33:12-23 (John 1:14) - Relationship's ___________________ Exodus 34:5-11 – Relationship __________________________________

1 Samuel 7:12 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him. While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 1 Samuel 7:7–11 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 Remembering Builds Our Faith Psalm 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. The Jordan River Joshua 4:6–7 To serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” God of our mothers and fathers Come now and move among us What You did before come and do once more We want to be a part of Your story God of our mothers and fathers Show Your glory to Your sons and daughters What You were back then come and be again We want to see Your power in our presence In our time, in our day Come and move in this place Come and move, God, move, God, move, God In this place Songwriters: Adam Russell / Casey Corum / Andy Squyres © Mercy Vineyard Publishing Remembering Brings Gratitude Philippians 4:6–7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Remembering Helps Us Move Forward Philippians 3:13–14 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Take Time to Remember God's Faithfulness

God is holy, pure, exacting, perfect love. He cannot tolerate the presence of anything less. (He declared no one could see His face and live. Ex. 33:20). The calamitous introduction of sin through Adam's rebellion condemned all humanity to a sinful nature, banning it from original Garden of Eden intimacy, and simultaneously preventing God from enjoying this highest of pleasures. To heal the breach, God's Plan ‘A' required a pure, ‘unblemished by sin' sacrifice with the shedding of blood. None was found (Ps. 53:1-3) so Jesus was commissioned to be that propitiation (action to regain favor). “[God] made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him.” (2 Cor. 5:21, TPT). Love's perfection is now satisfied. The way back home is now available. 1 John 4:7-21, 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 1. 1 John 4:7-14 – Love's ______________________ 2. 1 John 4:15-21 – Love's ____________________ 3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 – Love's _____________

Around 25 years after Paul's Damascus roadside meetup with Jesus, he continued in his passionate pursuit of the Lover of his soul. His life was wholly dedicated to announcing the beauty and abundance of God's love to all who would come to Him. That passion found him writing many letters of encouragement to groups of young believers who were struggling to maintain their testimony, their commitment to their faith in the face of strong temptation and persecution. Paul's 2000-year-old message is still a timely word for us in our 21st Century discipleship. Ephesians 2:1-10 (1:17-19) Eph. 2:1-3 – Our _____________________lives without Jesus Eph. 2:4-10 – Our ____________________lives with Jesus Eph. 1:17-19 – Our ___________________lives growing into our inheritance Keep standing on God's Word. Keep declaring. See through eyes of faith instead of the lens of facts, discouragements, and doubt. Stop focusing on the enemy's plans and rejoice in the Lord's plans. Let the glory of God illuminate your vision and ignite your heart with a fiery determination. Gretchen Rodriguez, The Vision: 365 life-giving words from the Prophet Isaiah.

Adam sealed our fate, getting us ousted from Eden's God-light, and getting us dumped off as exiles in the darkness and pain and toil of a cold, unwelcoming world. Our souls, designed and shaped for glory and God's near presence, have struggled with this estrangement ever since. The in-breaking of the Kingdom of God into our existence has relit our yearning for heaven, for intimate relationship with God, for pleasant, leisurely garden walks in God-light. But while we long for restoration to our original glory, our hearts want to tell us we are nothing but castaways and sinners, no longer worthy to return ‘home.' Isaiah 8:17 – 9:4, 2 Peter 1:12-21, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NLT) Isaiah 8:17-9:4 – Yes darkness, _______________________ 2 Peter 1:12-21 – Yes darkness, _______________________ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11- Yes darkness, _________________

As disciples of Jesus, today, in the 21st Century, we are embarrassingly well provided for. While we hear Jesus' words; “Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5, NLT. “We celebrate Elohim who supercharges us powerfully from within. Our biggest request or most amazing dream cannot match the extravagant proportion of their thoughts towards us.” Eph. 3:20, MIRROR. Jesus again: “And whatever you desire in my name, that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13, MIRROR. We recall John the Baptist (our Exemplar): “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30, NLT. Luke 11:1-13, John 14:1-14 1. Luke 11:1-4 – _____________________to pray 2. Luke 11: 5-13 – ___________________access 3. John 14:1-14 –_____________________asking

God's Plan ‘A' calls us to be disciples, or apprentices, of Jesus, ambassadors of reconciliation, telling of, and living out loud, the love we've received to people the world over. This is a huge task, now 2000 years in the doing. God knows our fragile, mortal frame, that we are made from dust, and that we require times of rest. God, too, after six days of creating, chose to rest and bless His work, declaring the day holy, a respite from working. He then generously gifted to us this holy day, this Sabbath, so that we could be fully present to Him and savor this oasis, His refreshment. Isaiah 28:7-13, Matthew 11:25-30 (Gen. 3:8), Acts 3:14-20 1. Isaiah 28:7-13 –Refreshment ________________________ 2. Matthew 11:25-30 – Refreshment _____________________ 3. Acts 3:14-20 – Refreshment _________________________

Dr. Bryon Anderson gives a talk about prayer.

-our hope-

-our confidence- Some of Jesus' last words to the disciples were: ‘you will receive power.' And so, on the day of Pentecost, Peter, ready-fire-aim Peter, mouth-engaged-before-brain Peter, stood before several thousand people and delivered the most powerful and clear Gospel message anyone had ever heard. A short while later, Peter and John, on their way to the temple, doled out total, instant healing to a crippled beggar in the power name: Jesus. They were arrested, threatened (not intimidated), and released. Their preaching continued as fervently as before. John 15:18-16:4 John 15:18-21 – Jesus' disciples VS. __________________________________ John 15:22-25 – Jesus exposed the world's _____________________________ John 15:26–6:4 – Jesus foretold the Spirit and _______________________ Isaiah 43:13 – God is ______________________________________________ Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it? NIV Indeed, from day one, I am He. No one can wrest another from My hand. I make things happen; who can turn them around? VOICE From the very beginning, I am the only God! No one can be snatched from my hand. When I choose to act, who can reverse it? TPT From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done. NLT Yes, I am God. I've always been God and I will always be God. No one can take anything from me. I make; who can unmake it? MSG

-our Exemplar- Jesus' cousin, John, called the Baptizer, was an eleventh-hour miracle for the elderly priest Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth. His unusual name, the prophetic words spoken about him, the lifestyle chosen for him all marked him for a high and holy mission. Like his cousin, John remained out of the public eye for thirty years before being called by God to begin the work of preparing the way for the One God had chosen and calling people to repentance of their sins and to baptism. Additionally, John would be single focused in his ministry and would serve as an exemplar for every successive generation of believers in Jesus. John 1:6-8,15,19-34, 3:22-36 1. John 1:6-8, 15, 19-23 – Our Exemplar __________________________________ 2. John 1: 24-34 – Our Exemplar _________________________________________ 3. John 3:22-36 – Our Exemplar __________________________________________

-our provision- From Old Testament Judaism governed by the Law of Moses, to the breaking in of the Kingdom in the person of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, to Jesus' departure, making way for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the prophetic conclusion of Plan ‘A'. A sweeping saga to be sure, and one replete in details for carrying the mission forward as living witnesses of God's plan. The discipleship assignment for each generation for the last 21 centuries has been to search the Scriptures to see what they have to say about provision, to pray without ceasing, and to remain in community so that iron could sharpen iron. So now to us. John 14:5-31 – Mirror Translation 1. vv. 15-18 - immediate, inseparable, ________________________________ 2. vv. 19-21 – absence and inseparable ______________________________ 3. vv. 22-25 – passionate, loving _____________________________ (Jer. 31:3) 4. vv.26-31 – undisturbable, peace-filled _______________________________

The Father sent his Son on a mission of Divine Love. The Son victoriously and world-changingly completed his leg of the mission and returned home to his Father. With great rejoicing, the Father next sent His Spirit to birth the Church and to continue the mission until the very end of this age. Heaven is in perpetual celebration mode with the Father as His Kingdom grows, against all odds, populating heaven's many mansions. John 14:1-14, John 1:17-19, Luke 14:20-24 1. John 1:17-19 – The ideal father ________________________________________ 2. John 14:1-14 – The ideal father, _______________________________________ 3. Luke 14:20-24 – The ideal father, ______________________________________

The Holy Spirit's arrival was announced by a citywide Sight & Sound Extravaganza. That's how people were drawn to witness, firsthand, the promised gift of the Father. Sure enough, the people's attention was piqued and everyone from every part of the city wanted to check out what was going on. They came running in droves. Their astonishment had barely begun when suddenly they heard a group of Galileans (read: hillbillies) speaking fluently in every foreign language represented in the crowd. And these men were not just talking but extolling the praises of God! The Spirit, now in residence in the disciples, was on autopilot, sovereignly filling and overflowing the mouths of the disciples with heaven's glories. Acts 2:1-41 1. Acts 2:1-4 – Astonishment ____________________________________________ 2. Acts 2:5-13 – Astonishment ___________________________________________ 3. Acts 2:14-36 – Astonishment __________________________________________ 4. Acts 2:37-41 – Astonishment __________________________________________