Vineyard North Charlotte Church Podcast

We are shaped by the things in our life we allow the most access and voice. Prayer can be a revolutionary practice of actively hearing and responding to the loving, transforming truth of God’s presence in our lives.

In Paul's day, there were ways of prayer through which the "fusion of earth and heaven might be realized even by individuals, and could create conditions either for the worshipper to be caught up into heaven or for a fresh revelation of heaven to appear to someone on earth, or indeed both." NT Wright. We'll take a look at Ezekiel's amazing vision as we learn the Jesus Prayer: Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me.

Prayer is communication and connection, and we’re always learning and growing in this relational activity with God, the Father who loves us. One key is learning how to quiet down, let go of the things that weigh us down and receive what God has for us.

Recently there has been much in the news concerning depression and suicide. Did you know that Paul of Tarsus went into a very deep depression during his ministry? I find it very helpful to know that Paul was human, loved Jesus and yet had some pretty big challenges that led to a deep depression. How did he come out of it? What did he do?

Followers of Jesus live in the tension of the already and the not yet of the Kingdom of God, looking forward to the time when Jesus returns to finish everything he started once and for all. It’s an exciting, but also challenging time. Are you ready?

Receiving the gospel of Jesus requires repentance, and the new way we live reveals the fruit of repentance, multiplying the Kingdom around us. Listen to the end for an interview with Marion Stallings.

Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a treasure worth giving everything we have for. What is your response to the message of the kingdom being revealed to you?

We're talking about loud parties with all the wrong people. But that's what he did. Jesus partied with all the wrong people and even told parables about it. Today, we celebrate the reckless love of God.

It's an expedition... and it's dangerous! You've lost it all and you're on the banks of the River of Doubt. Any of us, at any time, might be summoned to give up everything quite literally and respond to a new emergency situation. If we're not ready for that, Jesus says we are "like the tower-builder or warmonger" who has not thought through what they are really about. More on that subject from a parable that has stumped many a follower.

What we do reveals what we really believe, and despite whatever we’ve done in the past Jesus invites us to repent and believe in him to experience his Kingdom. Bible Project Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KQLOuIKaRA

Jesus came planting the good seeds of the Kingdom of Heaven into the world, but where did all these weeds come from and what should we do about it?

Often when talking with those in authority what you get is a political response to the message of Jesus. This Sunday as we look at the Parable of the Tenants, we'll see that the breakthrough of the Kingdom has ramifications that those in authority might not like.

Vindication comes through faith in Jesus alone. So we throw ourselves on the mercy of God. There is always more Jesus, but there's not always more of everything else. So go after him.

The resurrection changes everything... and forces us to rethink all we know, looking with fresh eyes to Jesus the king and his way of living the kingdom life here and now.

Jesus is seeking you out. He's including everyone, the outsiders, the poor, the unlovable, and he's extending an invitation to his banquet to come be part of his family.

Jesus invites to be part of his upside-down Kingdom and entrusts us to play a role in extending it to others. But are wise managers with what we’ve been given, investing in things that will last?