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The Holy Spirit is not silent — He speaks, convicts, and guides. This spirit invites us to cultivate listening hearts, discerning the Spirit's voice through Scripture, prayer, and community. Explore the Spirit's ongoing role in shaping our daily direction and decisions. Acts 13:1–4Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.Romans 8:14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.John 16:12–15; 17:20-23“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Date: SUN 11:30 AM 23rd February 2025Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlinBible Reference: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: 2 Kings 4:42-44 42A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.” 43But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.'” 44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord. Psalm: 145:10-19 10 All your works praise you, O Lord, *        and your faithful servants bless you. 11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *        and speak of your power; 12 That the peoples may know of your power *        and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *        your dominion endures throughout all ages. 14 The Lord is faithful in all his words *        and merciful in all his deeds. 15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *        he lifts up those who are bowed down. 16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *        and you give them their food in due season. 17 You open wide your hand *        and satisfy the needs of every living creature. 18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *        and loving in all his works. 19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *        to all who call upon him faithfully. Epistle: Ephesians 3:14-21 14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Gospel: John 6:1-21 1After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” 15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

First ReadingACTS 8:1-81And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Sama'ria, except the apostles.2Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. 3But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 4Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to a city of Sama'ria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. 7For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8So there was much joy in that city.

Introducing Not Funny Politics!Greetings Everyone!Welcome to Not Funny Politics…because we all need somewhere to laugh through the tears at the world of pain around us. It is 2024 and we are heading to the most crucial election of our lifetime…again…but for real, we'll see. Join us in the return of the Internet's best political discussion podcast bar none. Joining me, Dr. Jon, in the discussion cage match are my co-hosts and debate interlocuters Casey and Eric. Say hello gentlemen!Let us begin by checking in our “We're fucked counter” that currently stands at: 4Now, let us get into the topics. As determined by a random roll of the dice, it will be Me who goes first, followed by Casey and finally, Eric.Topic 1: Protect Democracy Report on 2024 Authoritarian Playbook. https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/the-authoritarian-playbook-how-reporters-can-contextualize-and-cover-authoritarian-threats-as-distinct-from-politics-as-usual-1.pdfTopic 2: ! Nikki Haley going forward in GOP Primary.Topic 3: Biden on shutting down the Southern boarder concerning asylum seekers. Immigration issue. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/27/biden-border-deal-senateSubscribe to us in our new feed: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/65b7034588fe2100175494beLike and comment.Follow us, like us, comment, share and MORE!!!Email us at: NotFunnyGuys.OffTheReels@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: @not_funny_guys_presents Follow us on Twitter: @NotFunnyGuysPodFollow us on BlueSky: @The Not Funny Guys Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drs. Jonathan Powers and Ryan Danker joined me to discuss the Top Ten Stories in the Wesleyan World in 2023.Youtube - https://youtu.be/7LYI6-c0gRoAudio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcastApple -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4Now through January 2nd, 2024, get my Contender Course and Heaven Course for half the price! Just enter the code HALF at checkout. Find out more here - courses.andymilleriii.comAnd don't forget about my new book Contender, which is available on Amazon! Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching. Today's episode is brought to you by these two sponsors: Keith Waters and his team at WPO Development do an amazing job helping non-profits and churches through mission planning studies, strategic plans, feasibility studies, and capital campaigns. We are honored to have Keith and WPO on the More to the Story team. You can find out more about them at www.wpodevelopment.com or touch base directly with Keith at Keith.Waters@wpodevelopment.com.ANDWesley Biblical Seminary - Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.eduThanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

Day of Pentecost The Collect: Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. or this O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. First Lesson: Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30 1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' or 24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again. 26Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” 30And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp. Psalm: Psalm 104:25-35,37 25 O Lord, how manifold are your works! *        in wisdom you have made them all;        the earth is full of your creatures. 26 Yonder is the great and wide sea    with its living things too many to number, *        creatures both small and great. 27 There move the ships,    and there is that Leviathan, *        which you have made for the sport of it. 28 All of them look to you *        to give them their food in due season. 29 You give it to them; they gather it; *        you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. 30 You hide your face, and they are terrified; *        you take away their breath,        and they die and return to their dust. 31 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *        and so you renew the face of the earth. 32 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; *        may the Lord rejoice in all his works. 33 He looks at the earth and it trembles; *        he touches the mountains and they smoke. 34 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *        I will praise my God while I have my being. 35 May these words of mine please him; *        I will rejoice in the Lord. 37 Bless the Lord, O my soul. *        Hallelujah! Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21 3No one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. 4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. or 1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' Gospel: John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” or 37On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Luke 1:1-4Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning. So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.

GospelJOHN 6:1-151After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiber'i-as. 2And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. 3Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" 6This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?" 10Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost." 13So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. 14When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!" 15Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Second Sunday in Lent The Collect: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-4a 1Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Psalm: Psalm 121 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *        from where is my help to come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, *        the maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved *        and he who watches over you will not fall asleep. 4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *        shall neither slumber nor sleep; 5 The Lord himself watches over you; *        the Lord is your shade at your right hand, 6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *        nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *        it is he who shall keep you safe. 8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *        from this time forth for evermore. Epistle: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 1What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. 13For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.14If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Gospel: John 3:1-17 1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.' 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: A God-Honoring Approach to PlanningDevotional: 3 of 4Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16)As we've seen throughout this series, planning is a good, God-honoring thing to do. But today's passage reminds us that planning without recognizing our ultimate lack of control over our plans is arrogant and “evil.”I've had to repent of this sin recently. A friend of mine was asking me what I've been working on and I said, “I'm working on a new book that will come out in October of next year.” This is a textbook example of the evil planning James is talking about, and my temptation is to do it all the time.What's the alternative? James tells us in verse 15: “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'” If it is the Lord's will, I'll publish that book next October.Why is it so important that we articulate our lack of control over our plans? Beyond the fact that it's simple obedience to God's Word, let me share three reasons.First, it keeps us open to how the Lord might alter our plans. If I view a plan as “my plan” that I'm ultimately in control of, I'm going to hold that plan very tightly. But if I recognize that God alone is in control of my plan, I will hold it much more loosely and will be much more attuned to how the Lord might be calling me to change course.Second, articulating our lack of control over our plans increases our reliance on the Lord for results. It's a practical way to “remember the Lord your God” and that “it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,” or bring your plans to fruition (see Deuteronomy 8:17-18).Finally, it gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our faith to others. I don't know about you, but I haven't heard a lot of people uttering “Lord willing” at the office. Not only does this phrase signify that you're a Christian, but at a deeper level, it communicates that you're humbling yourself and your plans before God. I know it sounds trite, and I know it can sound awkward, but I'd challenge you to attach those two words—”Lord willing”—to the plans you articulate today.Lord willing, we'll finish that project by the end of the quarter.Lord willing, I'll be at that conference in December.Lord willing, we should be able to hit that revenue number by the end of the year.Verbalize your ultimate lack of control over your plans today, and watch to see what the Lord does with your obedience and humility!

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Jeremiah 1:4-10 4Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” 7But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” 9Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. 10See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Psalm: Psalm 71:1-6 1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed. 2 In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; you are my crag and my stronghold. 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor. 5 For you are my hope, O Lord God, my confidence since I was young. 6 I have been sustained by you ever since I was born; from my mother's womb you have been my strength; my praise shall be always of you. Epistle: Hebrews 12:18-29 18You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, 19and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20(For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.”21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! 26At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” 27This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe;29for indeed our God is a consuming fire. Gospel: Luke 13:10-17 10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” 15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

First ReadingJEREMIAH 1:1, 4-101The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilki'ah, of the priests who were in An'athoth in the land of Benjamin, 4Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, 5"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." 6Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." 7But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, `I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you you shall go, and whatever I command you you shall speak. 8Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD." 9Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 10See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."GospelMATTHEW 13:1-91That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. 7Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9He who has ears, let him hear."

I CANNOT COME DOWN, Nehemiah Part 2The Sign Of A Great Work Of God Is Enemies.All Great People Have Enemies.  The Difference Is WHO Those Enemies Are!  Defining Your Enemies: An Enemy Is Any Distraction From God's Great Work In And Through Your Life.   Your Enemy's First Goal Is Always To Turn Your Attention Away From God's Great Work!  “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” - Nehemiah 6:3  My Great Work For God Is _____________.   I Cannot Come Down!    Nehemiah 2:17-20 Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me, and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right, or memorial in Jerusalem.”Nehemiah 6:1-4Now it came about when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, 2that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. 3So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4And they sent messages to me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same way.“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” - Nehemiah 6:3  My Great Work For God Is __________________________.   I Cannot Come Down!    

WHO CARES?  Nehemiah Series."The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, 2that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3A see nd they said to me, “The said remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”  4Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."-SIT DOWN TO WEEP"Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days..." Nehemiah 1:4-What Breaks Your Heart?-Your Personal Destiny Is Inextricably Tied To God's Work Through The Church In Your City.-KNEEL DOWN TO PRAY"...and I was fasting and praying before the God of Heaven."  Nehemiah 1:4b-Pray That Factors Beyond Your Control Will Turn in Your Favor.    Pray For Overwhelming Confidence!  -“Hope In The Future Gives You Power in the Present.” - John Maxwell -STAND UP TO ACTNehemiah 2:2-5"So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3And I said to the king, “Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?” 4Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it.” -“Be The Change You Want To See In The World.” - Mother Teresa         -OUR CITY + YOU = __________ FOR GOD'S GLORY!  

The Word of God Entrance Rite ENTRANCE HYMN: #569 God The Omnipotent! OPENING ACCLAMATION The people standing, the Celebrant says Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. COLLECT FOR PURITY Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. OPENING ANTHEM OR SONG OF PRAISE (S 278) The following is sung, all standing Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Celebrant People Celebrant The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lessons FIRST READING: Jeremiah 1:4-10 The people sit. A Reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah. 4Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, 5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” 7But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.” 9Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. 10See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. Silence may follow. PSALM: Psalm 71:1-6 The choir will chant the psalm 1In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; * let me never be ashamed. 2In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; * incline your ear to me and save me. 3Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; * you are my crag and my stronghold. 4Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, * from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor. 5For you are my hope, O Lord GOD, * my confidence since I was young. 6I have been sustained by you ever since I was born; from my mother's womb you have been my strength; * my praise shall be always of you. SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 The people sit. A Reading from Paul's First letter to the Church in Corinth. 1If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes

Pastor Alex Walker Luke 5:1-7 KJV 1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

Living By Faith In a Faithless World Part Two: Not Knowing Where I'm Going Heb. 11:8 By Louie Marsh, 11-21-2021   Intro – Cartoons   …If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.  Isaiah 7:9 (NIV)   “17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:17, ESV)   Living by faith is accepting as FACT the truth that we cannot touch, feel or see, and then ACTING on it! 1) God is calling me to FOLLOW & SERVE Him.   “4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” (1 Corinthians 12:4–6, ESV)   2) Like Abraham I don't know for sure WHERE I'll end up.   By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (MSG)   3) The question is: Will I or won't I OBEY GOD.   “26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” (Matthew 7:26, ESV)   Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Acts 10:13-15 (NIV)   A guy named Frank finds himself in dire straits. His business has gone bust and he's in serious financial trouble. He's so desperate that he decides to ask God for help. He begins to pray: "God, please help me. I've lost my business and if I don't get some money, I'm going to lose my house as well. Please let me win the lottery." Lottery night comes, and somebody else wins it. Frank again prays: "God, please let me win the lotto! I've lost my business, my house and I'm going to lose my car as well." Lotto night comes, and Frank still has no luck.   Once again, he prays: "My God, why have you forsaken me? I've lost my business, my house, and my car. My wife and children are starving. I don't often ask you for help, and I have always been a good servant to you. PLEASE just let me win the lottery this one time so I can get my life back in order." Suddenly there is a blinding flash of light as the heavens open and Frank is confronted by the voice of God Himself:   "Frank, meet me halfway on this: Go buy a ticket."   ONCE I'M WILLING TO OBEY I FIND THAT…   Chapter 11 has some great examples of how Faith empowers us – here they are…   1) Faith empowers me to get RIGHT WITH GOD through Jesus!   “4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4, ESV)   2) Faith empowers me to PLEASE GOD by consistently following Jesus.   “5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5, ESV)   3) Faith empowers me to stand against the crowd – BE DIFFERENT!   “7By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7, ESV)   4) Faith empowers me to TAKE RISKS for God!   “8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)  

October 10, 2021 Not Today SatanWeek 2 | Spiritual Traps…you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:3-4Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. Genesis 3:11. Expect Lies.A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[d] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-13What you are going through is morespiritual than you think.For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4…so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 NLTThe level of attack exposes your level of ability.The greatest spiritual attacks are right before your greatest spiritual breakthroughs.2. Expose the Lie.Indicators of a spiritual attack:Extreme frustrationLack of PeaceUrge to quitIntense temptationDrawn to old lifestylesExtreme confusionHe said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?” Genesis 3:23. Expel the Lie.How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Psalm 119:9-11 MSG

John 6:114 (ESV) Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 6After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7Philip answered him, Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little. 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, said to him, 9There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many? 10Jesus said, Have the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost. 13So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!

Jon Monsanto, and Less Lents from Young Relics got To join Their bandmate and FrontMan Jonathan Lee Cain, with His Bandmate and Founder of his other band Starlight and MoonFlowers. This was an Off the cuff session At The Montreal Rose.

THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - CHRISTMAS IXLESSON: ROMANS 6:1-4Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:23-27The Apostle Paul observes an excellent flow of thought in this context. He says, “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian.” Why so? “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” How does it come to pass that we become God's children? “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”Christ is God's child. Therefore, he who clothes himself in God's child, is also God's child, for he steps forth as God's adopted child, which certainly makes him God's child. If he is God's child, he is not under the subjection of the Law, in the position of an abject slave, but free. When we put on Christ in baptism His righteousness becomes our righteousness, and thus all the claims that the Law can make on us are fulfilled, and we are now God's free children in Christ.SL.XII.265,51AE 76,15PRAYER: In your mercy and peace, O Lord, you have freed us from the curse of the Law and made us your free children in Christ. For this we praise and thank you, and ask your grace so that we may always serve you in the freedom wherewith you have made us free. Amen.

Video on our youtube channel Centro Cristiano Dios de Pactos Spanish onlyINTRODUCTION:The life of every human being is and will be subject to many challenges:Studies, life projects, employment, marriage, acquisition of goods, etc.This of course will always place each individual in a dilemma of what to do or howto do something.All human beings take a risk every day when we make decisions such as: Wherewill I live, when will I buy a house, etc.Our life as believers has something additional and this is that we no longer thinkas individual beings but we believe that God can help us and guide our steps andour life.John 6:1-14 “1After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is theSea of Tiberias.2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which Heperformed on those who were diseased.3And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.4Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him,He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient forthem, that every one of them may have a little.”8One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,9“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what arethey among so many?”10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass inthe place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.11And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed themto the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish,as much as they wanted. 212 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragmentsthat remain, so that nothing is lost.”13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with thefragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who hadeaten.14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is trulythe Prophet who is to come into the world.”Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TU4ST3G79LFDE&source=url)

Matthew 5:1-4Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Poverty of Spirit means: 1.     a sense of powerlessness in ourselves2.     a sense of spiritual bankruptcy and helplessness before God.3.     a sense of personal unworthiness before God. Poverty of Spirit is the prerequisite attitude of maturing in our spirituality, becoming more like Christ. Spiritual poverty leads us to spiritual mourning. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted Mourning is our reality. “Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.” (Proverbs 14:13 NIV)     “I walked a mile with Pleasure, she chatted all the wayBut left me none the wiser for all she had to sayI walked a mile with Sorrow and not a word said sheBut oh, the things I learned when sorrow walked with me.” Why do we mourn? 1.   We mourn for our sinful condition. 2.  We mourn for our loss3.  We mourn for the condition of others.  How can we be comforted as we mourn?   1. Remember God’s presence2. RELEASE our burdens to God 3. Rely on God’s Resources!

Can you believe it? After 13 years, there’s finally new music from Tool. So in this lesson you’ll learn a music theory hack from TOOL “Fear Inoculum”, and how to use it to write your own odd time signature riffs and polymeters! Subtitles/CC available. WELCOMEHello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory. We help you make great music that stands out, so you can move and grow your audience! If that sounds useful to you, then subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit that bell to get notified every Friday, when we publish our new video. Also, if you’re new to our channel, be sure to download our free book “12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales & Chords” below. Alright, it’s time to open your DAW to hack music theory. But first… tea! THEORYIn Tool’s epic ten-minute title track “Fear Inoculum”, there’s a standout section that starts at 5:49. Its foundation is a super tasty 11|8 drum groove (which we’ll hack next time, so stay tuned). The bass line in this section is also in 11|8 and locks in with the drums, creating a tight and energetic rhythm section. Above that, Adam Jones plays some classic Tool-style guitar, centred around the open A string. But the coolest thing about his riff, is that it’s not in 11|8, it alternates between 12|8 and 5|4. This makes the riff feel like it’s speeding up and slowing down, because 12|8 has a pulse of dotted 1/4 notes, while 5|4 has a faster pulse of 1/4 notes. And all this is happening in that polymeter of the guitar playing 12|8 and 5|4 against the rhythm section playing 11/8, which creates crazy syncopation! PRACTICALAlright, now you’re gonna learn how to use this theory to make your own version. And for the example in this lesson, we’ll be using our version that we made earlier. So, start by setting up four bars that alternate between 12|8 and 5|4, with your grid set to 1|8 notes, and your tempo set to 150 BPM. Tool uses A Phrygian for this section, so we’ll use it too. STEP 1. THE 12|8The magic of this riff is as much in the rhythm as it is in the pitches, so you’ll write the rhythm first, then add the pitches afterwards. We’ll start with the bar of 12|8, which consists of four dotted 1/4 notes. And if you’re new to dotted notes, a dotted 1/4 note equals three 1/8 notes. Now that you’ve got the rhythm for your 12|8, it’s time to assign pitches. Adam used the Phrygian mode here, cos it has a dark vibe. And if you’re new to modes, A Phrygian is: A B♭ C D E F G. So choose any of those notes, but be sure to start on the open A string, and include the ♭2. MOREBy the way, if you wanna learn everything you need to know about modes in three simple hacks, then check out our Songwriting & Producing PDF (click & scroll down). It also contains hacks on how to write guitar riffs, bass lines, chord progressions, melodies, counterpoint and more, and it comes with MIDI examples too! STEP 2. THE 5|4Now, here’s the bit where your riff is gonna sound like it’s speeding up, cos the pulse changes to 1/4 notes in this bar. So, for your rhythm, you can play a combination of 1/4 notes and 1/8 notes. And the more 1/8 notes you play, the more energy you’ll inject. Then after you’ve written your rhythm, it’s time to assign pitches, and once again, you can play any notes from A Phrygian, but be sure to include A and B♭. And here’s a couple bonus hacks. To get that classic Tool sound, you can create some harmonic dissonance by lengthening the low A in your 12|8 bars, so the other notes are played over the top of it. When you hit that high B♭ over that low A, it’s so Tool! But if you want even more Tool, then bend into that high B♭ from the high A. NEXTRight, so now you’ve got a Tool-inspired riff. Congratulations! But, if you wanna make a proper epic like “Fear Inoculum”, then you’ll need many more minutes of music! So, if you wanna learn how to write other sections (like a bridge) for an existing section, how to transition between sections (especially when they’re in different keys), and how to structure and arrange your song, then join our online apprenticeship course. Kate & Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony)Music Teachers & Producers in Vancouver BC, Canada   Take Your Music to the Next Level LEVEL 1 – FREE BOOK"12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales & Chords" will give you a super solid music theory foundation in 30 minutes! LEVEL 2 – SONGWRITING & PRODUCING PDF (click & scroll)This is our best-selling PDF, which includes MIDI file examples. Learn the essential hacks for songwriting and producing, like our Melody Checklist (the ultimate list of do's and don'ts for writing great melodies). You'll also learn how to write chord progressions, bass lines, riffs, counterpoint harmonies, and more! LEVEL 3 – LESSON PACKSAfter learning our essential hacks, it's time to put them to practical use and start writing some new songs. Lesson packs include step-by-step PDF guides to making music for different instruments and in different genres (electronic, metal, soundtrack, etc.), as well as multitrack MIDI files of the examples. LEVEL 4 – ONLINE APPRENTICESHIPGo from a blank screen to a finished song, in this online video course. Learn how to write new sections for an existing section, how to transition between sections in different keys, how to structure and arrange, and much more! This course has been called "life-changing" many times, so join 700+ music makers now (from all genres), who are learning Ray's secret hack: Song Whispering. ABOUTHack Music Theory is a pioneering DAW method for making great music that stands out, so you can move and grow your audience! Taught by multi-award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony, and his protégé wife Kate Harmony, from their studio in Vancouver BC, Canada. Ray is the author of critically-acclaimed book series "Hack Music Theory", and has made music with Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad), Ihsahn (Emperor), Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MCs), Madchild (Swollen Members), and many more! Kate has the highest grade distinction in Popular Music Theory from the London College of Music, and is the only person on the planet who's been trained by Ray to teach his method. On that note, the "Hack Music Theory" YouTube channel teaches relevant and instantly-usable music theory for producers, DAW users, and all other music makers (songwriters, singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, etc.) in all genres, from EDM to R&B, pop to hip-hop, reggae to rock, electronic to metal (and yes, we djefinitely djent!). COPYRIGHT© 2019 Revolution HarmonyRevolution Harmony is Ray Harmony & Kate HarmonyAll content (script & music) in video by Revolution HarmonyThumbnail photo by Mick Hutson     Wooohooo!!! You’re a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head on over to your inbox now for your free download. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.   “The most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen!” DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. 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Can you believe it? After 13 years, there's finally new music from Tool. So in this lesson you'll learn a music theory hack from TOOL “Fear Inoculum”, and how to use it to write your own odd time signature riffs and polymeters! Subtitles/CC available. WELCOMEHello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory. We help you make great music that stands out, so you can move and grow your audience! If that sounds useful to you, then subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit that bell to get notified every Friday, when we publish our new video. Also, if you're new to our channel, be sure to download our free book “12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales & Chords” below. Alright, it's time to open your DAW to hack music theory. But first… tea! THEORYIn Tool's epic ten-minute title track “Fear Inoculum”, there's a standout section that starts at 5:49. Its foundation is a super tasty 11|8 drum groove (which we'll hack next time, so stay tuned). The bass line in this section is also in 11|8 and locks in with the drums, creating a tight and energetic rhythm section. Above that, Adam Jones plays some classic Tool-style guitar, centred around the open A string. But the coolest thing about his riff, is that it's not in 11|8, it alternates between 12|8 and 5|4. This makes the riff feel like it's speeding up and slowing down, because 12|8 has a pulse of dotted 1/4 notes, while 5|4 has a faster pulse of 1/4 notes. And all this is happening in that polymeter of the guitar playing 12|8 and 5|4 against the rhythm section playing 11/8, which creates crazy syncopation! PRACTICALAlright, now you're gonna learn how to use this theory to make your own version. And for the example in this lesson, we'll be using our version that we made earlier. So, start by setting up four bars that alternate between 12|8 and 5|4, with your grid set to 1|8 notes, and your tempo set to 150 BPM. Tool uses A Phrygian for this section, so we'll use it too. STEP 1. THE 12|8The magic of this riff is as much in the rhythm as it is in the pitches, so you'll write the rhythm first, then add the pitches afterwards. We'll start with the bar of 12|8, which consists of four dotted 1/4 notes. And if you're new to dotted notes, a dotted 1/4 note equals three 1/8 notes. Now that you've got the rhythm for your 12|8, it's time to assign pitches. Adam used the Phrygian mode here, cos it has a dark vibe. And if you're new to modes, A Phrygian is: A B♭ C D E F G. So choose any of those notes, but be sure to start on the open A string, and include the ♭2. MOREBy the way, if you wanna learn everything you need to know about modes in three simple hacks, then check out our Songwriting & Producing PDF (click & scroll down). It also contains hacks on how to write guitar riffs, bass lines, chord progressions, melodies, counterpoint and more, and it comes with MIDI examples too! STEP 2. THE 5|4Now, here's the bit where your riff is gonna sound like it's speeding up, cos the pulse changes to 1/4 notes in this bar. So, for your rhythm, you can play a combination of 1/4 notes and 1/8 notes. And the more 1/8 notes you play, the more energy you'll inject. Then after you've written your rhythm, it's time to assign pitches, and once again, you can play any notes from A Phrygian, but be sure to include A and B♭. And here's a couple bonus hacks. To get that classic Tool sound, you can create some harmonic dissonance by lengthening the low A in your 12|8 bars, so the other notes are played over the top of it. When you hit that high B♭ over that low A, it's so Tool! But if you want even more Tool, then bend into that high B♭ from the high A. NEXTRight, so now you've got a Tool-inspired riff. Congratulations! But, if you wanna make a proper epic like “Fear Inoculum”, then you'll need many more minutes of music! So, if you wanna learn how to write other sections (like a bridge) for an existing section, how to transition between sections (especially when they're in different keys), and how to structure and arrange your song, then join our online apprenticeship course. Kate & Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony)Music Teachers & Producers in Vancouver BC, Canada   Take Your Music to the Next Level LEVEL 1 – FREE BOOK"12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales & Chords" will give you a super solid music theory foundation in 30 minutes! LEVEL 2 – SONGWRITING & PRODUCING PDF (click & scroll)This is our best-selling PDF, which includes MIDI file examples. Learn the essential hacks for songwriting and producing, like our Melody Checklist (the ultimate list of do's and don'ts for writing great melodies). You'll also learn how to write chord progressions, bass lines, riffs, counterpoint harmonies, and more! LEVEL 3 – LESSON PACKSAfter learning our essential hacks, it's time to put them to practical use and start writing some new songs. Lesson packs include step-by-step PDF guides to making music for different instruments and in different genres (electronic, metal, soundtrack, etc.), as well as multitrack MIDI files of the examples. LEVEL 4 – ONLINE APPRENTICESHIPGo from a blank screen to a finished song, in this online video course. Learn how to write new sections for an existing section, how to transition between sections in different keys, how to structure and arrange, and much more! This course has been called "life-changing" many times, so join 700+ music makers now (from all genres), who are learning Ray's secret hack: Song Whispering. ABOUTHack Music Theory is a pioneering DAW method for making great music that stands out, so you can move and grow your audience! Taught by multi-award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony, and his protégé wife Kate Harmony, from their studio in Vancouver BC, Canada. Ray is the author of critically-acclaimed book series "Hack Music Theory", and has made music with Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad), Ihsahn (Emperor), Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MCs), Madchild (Swollen Members), and many more! Kate has the highest grade distinction in Popular Music Theory from the London College of Music, and is the only person on the planet who's been trained by Ray to teach his method. On that note, the "Hack Music Theory" YouTube channel teaches relevant and instantly-usable music theory for producers, DAW users, and all other music makers (songwriters, singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, etc.) in all genres, from EDM to R&B, pop to hip-hop, reggae to rock, electronic to metal (and yes, we djefinitely djent!). COPYRIGHT© 2019 Revolution HarmonyRevolution Harmony is Ray Harmony & Kate HarmonyAll content (script & music) in video by Revolution HarmonyThumbnail photo by Mick Hutson     Wooohooo!!! You're a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head on over to your inbox now for your free download. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.   “The most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I've ever seen!” DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. 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Can you believe it? After 13 years, there’s finally new music from Tool. So in this lesson you’ll learn a music theory hack from TOOL “Fear Inoculum”, and how to use it to write your own odd time signature riffs and polymeters! Subtitles/CC available. WELCOMEHello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory. We help you make great music that stands out, so you can move and grow your audience! If that sounds useful to you, then subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit that bell to get notified every Friday, when we publish our new video. Also, if you’re new to our channel, be sure to download our free book “12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales & Chords” below. Alright, it’s time to open your DAW to hack music theory. But first… tea! THEORYIn Tool’s epic ten-minute title track “Fear Inoculum”, there’s a standout section that starts at 5:49. Its foundation is a super tasty 11|8 drum groove (which we’ll hack next time, so stay tuned). The bass line in this section is also in 11|8 and locks in with the drums, creating a tight and energetic rhythm section. Above that, Adam Jones plays some classic Tool-style guitar, centred around the open A string. But the coolest thing about his riff, is that it’s not in 11|8, it alternates between 12|8 and 5|4. This makes the riff feel like it’s speeding up and slowing down, because 12|8 has a pulse of dotted 1/4 notes, while 5|4 has a faster pulse of 1/4 notes. And all this is happening in that polymeter of the guitar playing 12|8 and 5|4 against the rhythm section playing 11/8, which creates crazy syncopation! PRACTICALAlright, now you’re gonna learn how to use this theory to make your own version. And for the example in this lesson, we’ll be using our version that we made earlier. So, start by setting up four bars that alternate between 12|8 and 5|4, with your grid set to 1|8 notes, and your tempo set to 150 BPM. Tool uses A Phrygian for this section, so we’ll use it too. STEP 1. THE 12|8The magic of this riff is as much in the rhythm as it is in the pitches, so you’ll write the rhythm first, then add the pitches afterwards. We’ll start with the bar of 12|8, which consists of four dotted 1/4 notes. And if you’re new to dotted notes, a dotted 1/4 note equals three 1/8 notes. Now that you’ve got the rhythm for your 12|8, it’s time to assign pitches. Adam used the Phrygian mode here, cos it has a dark vibe. And if you’re new to modes, A Phrygian is: A B♭ C D E F G. So choose any of those notes, but be sure to start on the open A string, and include the ♭2. MOREBy the way, if you wanna learn everything you need to know about modes in three simple hacks, then check out our Songwriting & Producing PDF (click & scroll down). It also contains hacks on how to write guitar riffs, bass lines, chord progressions, melodies, counterpoint and more, and it comes with MIDI examples too! STEP 2. THE 5|4Now, here’s the bit where your riff is gonna sound like it’s speeding up, cos the pulse changes to 1/4 notes in this bar. So, for your rhythm, you can play a combination of 1/4 notes and 1/8 notes. And the more 1/8 notes you play, the more energy you’ll inject. Then after you’ve written your rhythm, it’s time to assign pitches, and once again, you can play any notes from A Phrygian, but be sure to include A and B♭. And here’s a couple bonus hacks. To get that classic Tool sound, you can create some harmonic dissonance by lengthening the low A in your 12|8 bars, so the other notes are played over the top of it. When you hit that high B♭ over that low A, it’s so Tool! But if you want even more Tool, then bend into that high B♭ from the high A. NEXTRight, so now you’ve got a Tool-inspired riff. Congratulations! But, if you wanna make a proper epic like “Fear Inoculum”, then you’ll need many more minutes of music! So, if you wanna learn how to write other sections (like a bridge) for an existing section, how to transition between sections (especially when they’re in different keys), and how to structure and arrange your song, then join our online apprenticeship course. Kate & Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony)Music Teachers & Producers in Vancouver BC, Canada   Take Your Music to the Next Level LEVEL 1 – FREE BOOK"12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales & Chords" will give you a super solid music theory foundation in 30 minutes! LEVEL 2 – SONGWRITING & PRODUCING PDF (click & scroll)This is our best-selling PDF, which includes MIDI file examples. Learn the essential hacks for songwriting and producing, like our Melody Checklist (the ultimate list of do's and don'ts for writing great melodies). You'll also learn how to write chord progressions, bass lines, riffs, counterpoint harmonies, and more! LEVEL 3 – LESSON PACKSAfter learning our essential hacks, it's time to put them to practical use and start writing some new songs. Lesson packs include step-by-step PDF guides to making music for different instruments and in different genres (electronic, metal, soundtrack, etc.), as well as multitrack MIDI files of the examples. LEVEL 4 – ONLINE APPRENTICESHIPGo from a blank screen to a finished song, in this online video course. Learn how to write new sections for an existing section, how to transition between sections in different keys, how to structure and arrange, and much more! This course has been called "life-changing" many times, so join 700+ music makers now (from all genres), who are learning Ray's secret hack: Song Whispering. ABOUTHack Music Theory is a pioneering DAW method for making great music that stands out, so you can move and grow your audience! Taught by multi-award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony, and his protégé wife Kate Harmony, from their studio in Vancouver BC, Canada. Ray is the author of critically-acclaimed book series "Hack Music Theory", and has made music with Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad), Ihsahn (Emperor), Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MCs), Madchild (Swollen Members), and many more! Kate has the highest grade distinction in Popular Music Theory from the London College of Music, and is the only person on the planet who's been trained by Ray to teach his method. On that note, the "Hack Music Theory" YouTube channel teaches relevant and instantly-usable music theory for producers, DAW users, and all other music makers (songwriters, singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, etc.) in all genres, from EDM to R&B, pop to hip-hop, reggae to rock, electronic to metal (and yes, we djefinitely djent!). COPYRIGHT© 2019 Revolution HarmonyRevolution Harmony is Ray Harmony & Kate HarmonyAll content (script & music) in video by Revolution HarmonyThumbnail photo by Mick Hutson     Wooohooo!!! You’re a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head on over to your inbox now for your free download. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.   “The most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen!” DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK /* Layout */ .ck_form { /* divider image */ background: #EAE9EA url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top; font-family: 'Montserrat'; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #000000; font-size: 16px; border-top: none; border-top-color: #666666; border-bottom: none; border-bottom-color: #3d3d3d; -webkit-box-shadow: none; -moz-box-shadow: none; box-shadow: none; clear: both; margin: 0px 0px; } .ck_form, .ck_form * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; } #ck_subscribe_form { clear: both; } /* Element Queries — uses JS */ .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { width: 50%; float: left; padding: 5%; } .ck_form.ck_horizontal { } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: none; } .ck_form.ck_vertical { background: #fff; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; overflow: hidden; } /* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */ @media all and (max-width: 499px) { .ck_form { background: #fff; } .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; } } /* Content */ .ck_form_content h3 { margin: 0px 0px 0px; font-size: 0px; padding: 0px; } .ck_form_content p { font-size: 14px; } .ck_image { float: left; margin-right: 5px; } /* Form fields */ .ck_errorArea { display: none; } #ck_success_msg { padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; } .ck_label { font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; } .ck_form input[type="text"] { font-size: 16px; text-align: center; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 8px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 30px; /* border radius */ background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */ height: auto; } .ck_form input[type="email"] { font-size: 16px; text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 8px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 30px; /* border radius */ background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */ height: auto; } .ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus { outline: none; border-color: #aaa; } .ck_checkbox { padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px; display: block; clear: both; } .ck_checkbox input.optIn { margin-left: -20px; margin-top: 0; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt { margin-left: 4px; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p { display: inline; } .ck_form .ck_subscribe_button { width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 8px; font-size: 18px; background: #d74128; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 30px; /* border radius */ cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; } .ck_form .ck_guarantee { color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0px; display: block; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by { display: block; color: #aaa; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover { display: block; color: #444; } .ck_converted_content { display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; } /* v6 */ .ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg { padding: 0px 10px; } @media all and (max-width: 403px) { .ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link { top: 30px; } } @media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) { .ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link { top: 57px; } }

This is War!!What Are You Made Of?Mathew Cotner06.30.2019Your Identity and Integrity is in Christ JesusActs 9:1-2“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.â€Acts 9:3-4Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?†Acts 9:5And he said, “Who are you, Lord?†And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.â€Philippians 3:4-5Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;Philippians 3:6-8aAs to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.Philippians 3:8b-9For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faithPhilippians 3:10-11that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.Romans 12:1-2I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.1 Peter 5:8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.Ephesians 6:12For we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Ephesians 6:13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.Ephesians 6:14-17Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,Your Identity and Integrity is in Christ JesusEphesians 6:14-17...the belt of truth, ...the breastplate of righteousness,...the readiness given by the gospe

"It's easy to stay where you are. It takes courages to take the steps and go to the places you are being called. The invitation is to enter the labyrinth, to follow Abram and go, to trust that the path will lead you where you need to be."What is the next step forward that God is inviting you to take? //Genesis 12:1-4Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”So Abram went...//This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Samples include the official trailer of Labyrinth. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, The Whole World Loves Me by Mindon, and Opus 04 by Dexter Britain.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all three seasons of Be Still and Go.

"It's easy to stay where you are. It takes courages to take the steps and go to the places you are being called. The invitation is to enter the labyrinth, to follow Abram and go, to trust that the path will lead you where you need to be."What is the next step forward that God is inviting you to take? //Genesis 12:1-4Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”So Abram went...//This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Samples include the official trailer of Labyrinth. Background tracks include Button Mushrooms by Podington Bear, The Whole World Loves Me by Mindon, and Opus 04 by Dexter Britain.Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all three seasons of Be Still and Go.

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Reading for this Week:First Reading2 Kings 4:42-4442A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to [Elisha,] the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.” 43But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’ ” 44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.PsalmPsalm 145:10-1810All your works shall praise | you, O Lord,  and your faithful | ones shall bless you. 11They shall tell of the glory | of your kingdom  and speak | of your power, 12that all people may know | of your power  and the glorious splendor | of your kingdom. 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures through- | out all ages.  You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in | all your works. R 14The Lord upholds all | those who fall  and lifts up those who | are bowed down. 15The eyes of all wait upon | you, O Lord,  and you give them their food | in due season. 16You open | wide your hand  and satisfy the desire of every | living thing. 17You are righteous in | all your ways  and loving in | all your works. 18You are near to all who | call upon you,  to all who call up- | on you faithfully. RSecond ReadingEphesians 3:14-2114For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.GospelJohn 6:1-211Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”  15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.  16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

This is the 13th class on the book of Hebrews. This Bible class was taught at the Pilot Point Church in Pilot Point Texas. The following is the outline of the class. God's Blueprint of Jesus Hebrews class 13 chapter 7 Melchizedek - God's Photoshop of Jesus Our High Priest Hebrews 6:20 -7:20 17In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Jewish Old Covenant Priesthood Definition – a priest is one authorized form the sacred rights of a religion, especially as a mediator between man and God. He always represented man to God. There were priests before Mount Sinai Jewish Old Covenant Priesthood Definition – a priest is one authorized form the sacred rights of a religion, especially as a mediator between man and God. He always represented man to God. There were priests before Mount Sinai. At Mount Sinai God designated Aaron and his descendants to serve as priests All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests. Not anyone other than Aaron and his descendants could be priests-They received a tithe Qualifications Of priestly service Must be a male 2. Must be a descendent of Aaron with a documented lineage 3. Must be between 30 and 50 years old Qualifications Priesthood Must be unblemished not lame or blonde His marriage must be – not to a harlot, not to a divorced woman, Not to a window other than a priests window The high priest must marry a virgin of his own people. Must have no uncleanness leprosy etc. Must have an un-trimmed beard Must have special God ordained clothing The high priest– Direct the work of the priests and Levites– Inquire of the Lord– Maintain the golden candlestick with fire – offering sacrifices on the day of atonement The position of high priest continued to the time of Jesus was eliminated in 70 A.D. New Testament Priesthood All Christians are priests, and, with spiritual sacrifices (Rom. 12:1ff; Phil. 2:17; 4:18; Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5), we offer up service to God through our High Priest, Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1; 4:14ff), references to children of God as “priests” in the New Testament (1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). False Ideas Associated with Priesthood “were clothed with the powers of Jesus Christ,” and that Catholic priests, as “successors” of the apostles, are similarly endowed with their power (James Cardinal Gibbons, The Faith of Our Fathers, Baltimore: John Murphy, 1917, p. 387ff). The idea is closely associated with the delusion that in performing the “Mass,” the priests are sacrificing the body of Christ — a notion completely at variance with the Scriptures. The New Testament teaches that Jesus was sacrificed once, and that was entirely sufficient (cf. Heb. 9:25-28). 2. The Mormon theory of priesthood is equally erroneous. Mormonism promotes two priesthoods, without which, supposedly, there can be no salvation. These are the Melchizedek and the Aaronic priesthoods (Doctrine & Covenants 107:1-3,5). The Mormon priesthood dogma has no authority higher than that of Joseph Smith, Jr., who claims to have “restored” the ancient order of priests on May 15, 1829 First of all, the Melchizedek priesthood was to belong to Christ, and to none other, until the end of time. The writer of Hebrews says concerning Jesus that: “. . . he, because he abides forever, has his priesthood unchangeable” (7:24). Second, the Aaronic priesthood cannot be operative today because it was an integral part of the law of Moses, which law was abolished by Christ (Eph. 2:15), one could not restore the Aaronic priesthood without “of necessity” resurrecting the entire Mosaic law (Heb. 7:12). The order of Melchizedek Hebrews 6:20 -7:20 Hebrews 7 7 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.” Genesis14:17 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18AndMelchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. Hebrews 7 7 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Psalm 76King James Version (KJV) 76 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. 2In Salem also is his tabernacle and his dwelling place in Zion. Hebrews 7 7For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Hebrews 7 4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises. 7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. Matthew 22 41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42Saying, what think ye of Christ? Whose son is he? They say unto him, the son of David. 43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Subscribe to the podcast: {Apple Podcasts}{Stitcher}{Google Play}{IHeartRadio}

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January 19 Jeff Williams Bursting Your Bubble, Part 2 Good morning! Let's do our homework first. Let's get that over with. I know you've been studying hard all week 1Peter 3:15. You're excited. I can just see it in your face. You're excited to show me what you've learned. Let's go ahead and put that on the board and say it. A couple of words are missing. Say it out loud. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 Peter 3:15 So every week we're going to have a few more words go away, and then in the last week we're just going to put up the reference and that's it. You're going to have to just know it and say it. If we have any first time visitors that week they're going to be so impressed with you. They're going to go, "Wow, what a church! Just put up the reference and they know the verse." I've shared with you in the past about my background and my home, growing up in Rockford, the son of a first generation Swedish immigrant. As would often happen when you were an immigrant, you would come over to America you'd get the lowest paying job. So he got a factory job making very little. When I was almost five, my dad passed away. That left my mom who had to drop out of school during the depression to help the family. She didn't have a job that paid very well. I grew up pretty far below the poverty line. Our family never owned a home; most of the time never drove a car. We had to rely on other agencies for food and clothing oft times. I grew up in a four-family flat and lived there basically my whole life until I went to school. It wasn't anything to look at, still isn't. It's still there and it was old when I was a little boy. There's a woman there, my neighbor upstairs, who lived there before I was born and still lives there today. She's lived in that apartment for fifty-five years. She's now eighty-seven years old and her husband just passed away. I've known them all my life. I visited her this week and just went to talk with her, talking to her and crying with her and praying with her. I left the apartment and went downstairs. I have not looked in our apartment (which is downstairs and across the way) in sixteen years. I bent down and I looked inside that window where so many years of my life were lived and was just hit with a flood of memories. I saw my bedroom. I envisioned myself as a little boy playing games in there. My mom and my sister., just a flood of memories coming back. As I looked around that space, which would look like nothing to you and no place certainly you'd want to be. By the way the apartment was empty. It's waiting for renters. I'm not being a peeping Tom. Nobody's in there. I'm looking in there and you know what came out of my mouth? It was one word: home. It's what I said. I didn't plan on saying that. I didn't know I was going to say that. I just looked inside for a while and just went, “Home.” I wasn't trying to make a sermon illustration. It was just how I felt. What's home to you? What does that mean to you? To me, home is the place where you feel like you belong, the place where you feel loved. It's the place that you wish you were, or you'd like to return to if you're not there. It's a place that you're fond of and there are memories there. It's home. It's where you feel comfortable. It's where you felt unconditional love. I thought, also, about a gentleman. I read about a Japanese war hero who just passed away this week. Did you read about Hiroo Onoda? He's a Japanese soldier who was dropped down in the western Philippines in 1944 and his mission was to spy on the Americans. So he would. His mission was: don't surrender and don't die. You're not like a kamikaze who's going to give his life up. Your job is to stay alive, gather intelligence, and help us win this war. Well, when the war was won and Japan surrendered, he didn't believe it. He thought it was all propaganda from the West. It was a big conspiracy theory. So he stayed in the jungle and fought. For 30 years Hiroo lived in the jungle and fought a war that nobody was fighting anymore. For thirty years he scavenged for food trying to survive, trying to avoid the enemy. He tried to be a faithful soldier. He even took some lives of some people who he thought were from the enemy. They would drop down leaflets into the jungle and when Hiroo would read them he would say they were a lie, it was propaganda, it was a conspiracy. He thought they were just tricks to tell him the war had ended when it really had not. So he would continue to hide. It wasn't until his commander in chief put on his military garb, flew to the Philippines, walked into the jungle until he found him and said, “Hiroo, the war is over. Surrender your sword with honor and come home.” And he did. When his commander-in-chief came in there and told him the war was over that's the only time he believed it. So he surrendered his sword and bowed in respect and came home to a hero's welcome. For 30 years he fought the war. You know that really sums up the Gospel. The Gospel is this: the war is over, surrender, and come home. That's the Gospel. God is not mad at you. We know people who will run from God their whole lives. They avoid church like the plague, and you will hear them say, if you invite them to church, “I don't want to go because the roof's going to fall in. If God ever gets a hold of me he's going to teach me a thing or two because I know I've done some bad things. If God ever gets my tail I'm in big trouble.” So they try to avoid God. They are fighting a war that's not there. God is not their enemy. God is not there to put his wrath on them. His wrath went upon his Son. What God is offering is grace and forgiveness and restoration. They don't know that. They don't understand that so they continue to run and hide. But the mission of the Gospel is to share that good news that you're not God's enemy and you need to surrender and you need to come home. Home needs to be a different place for you. Home needs to be not here on this earth but where God is and where the people of God are. So those are our orders. That's a tall order. Let's look and see how Jesus approached that. Let's take a look and see him interacting with the woman at the well in John chapter four. You want to talk about bursting bubbles that we saw on that video? Jesus is going to burst a lot of bubbles here in this passage, alright? A lot of comfort zone breaking here. I'm going to begin reading with verse four, and in a little while I'm going to engage you in the reading as well. You're going to have to come out of your comfort zone a little bit this morning. It says, 4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. So it's noon. The day is getting hot. Jesus is thirsty. He sits down by the well. Now here is where I'd like you to join in. I'm going to be the narrator. Anything that's not dialog, I will read. Men, you get to be Jesus. You'll say the words of Jesus. Ladies, you will say the words of the woman at the well. Anything in parenthesis I will read, okay? You will read dialog; I will do the narration. Are you ready? Are you coming out of your comfort zone? Alright, let's go. 7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17“I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Okay, we're going to stop there for a second. We're going to read on through verse thirty eventually, but we'll stop right there. Here's what's going on in the story. Here are the barriers that are being broken down: racial, cultural, religious, and gender. First of all, Jesus is a Jew and she is a Samaritan. A Samaritan was a person who was half Jew half Gentile, so there were racial prejudices between the two. The Jews really looked down on the Samaritans as second class. They were a reminder of what you were not supposed to do. You were not supposed to intermarry, intermix, with the other tribes and countries. That was a violation, so they are a reminder. They [the Jews] had a hatred, a visceral hatred, for the Samaritans. If somebody hates you, usually your response is you don't like them so much either. So there was hostility and tension between the two races. There was religious hostility. Judaism wanted to be really pure, but the Samaritans had a melting pot of religions, a synchronistic melting pot, an amalgamation of different faiths that they had adopted. So they [Jews] looked at them as religiously impure. For Jesus to start a dialog with somebody of this other race and religion was taboo. What's more, to do that as a male, you didn't talk to a woman who was by herself. You just didn't do that, especially if you were a rabbi. You would avoid that woman. You wouldn't even make eye contact, and she wasn't even allowed to speak to you. But Jesus starts a dialog, very out of the box. Jesus is certainly putting her outside her comfort zone, I guarantee you that. She knows what he's doing is very outside the box, and she's going to tell him that. She's not comfortable with this dialog. Then Jesus starts to get personal, doesn't he? He starts divulging things about her past that there's no way he could know. You've had five wives... wait a second now, that's a different story. [laughter] You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now is not your husband. Now those are impressive numbers. To be on husband-to-be number six. Those are Zsa Zsa Gabor numbers. [laughter] Only old people laugh at that joke. So if you laugh, not naming names, Jody. But anyway, that's a lot of spouses! Especially back in the day, if you had that many spouses, man! I mean, she's probably coming to the water to drink alone because she's an outcast. You normally would come in the morning; you'd come as a group and get all your water for the day's chores. She comes at a strange hour. She comes by herself. That's probably not a coincidence. As soon as Jesus starts to probe into personal matters, what does she do? Does she engage in that subject? “Well, you're right. I have had five husbands. Here's what happened…” No, what does she do? She changes the subject. She starts talking about the mountain. “You know this mountain, we worship over here. Where do you guys worship?” Just total avoidance of the question. That's not uncommon. People are used to talking about the weather, or have you seen this movie?, or have you gone out to eat at that new restaurant? But if you start talking about substantive matters, don't be surprised when the person changes the subject. Don't be surprised if they avoid that because they think you're getting a little too personal. Jesus is so skilled that he softly addresses her concern or question and then brings it right back around. Let's continue reading. Let's start with verse 23... 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” 27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28Then, leaving her water jar, ...and that is significant. It seems like a detail, like, John, why did you tell us that? Who in the world cares that she left her water jar. How in the world is that important to the story? That's huge! That's the reason she was there, right? The reason she was there was to draw water. Now what has happened is that represents a shift in her thinking. She was consumed with self, with the here and now, with the stuff of earth, and all of a sudden that doesn't even matter. She is now consumed with the things of heaven, with new life, with the news of the Savior. So, the water jar? The task that she had to do? That doesn't matter anymore. Something more important is here. Leaving the water jar, that's significant. the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Revival is going to take place in this town through her. We might find, as a church, that it's the person you bring to the Lord who's going to do more good for the Kingdom than you do, and that's okay. So what's interesting in this story, to me, is when she says, “He told me everything I've ever done,” and she's excited about it. Don't you find that a little odd? “He told me everything I've ever done. Come and hear. Come and meet him.” If I said to you this morning, you came into church, and I said, “Now I can't tell you how we did this, but we've managed to capture, on video, everything you've ever done, and we're going to show it to the church this morning.” You'd be like - zoom! You're gone, right? You might even leave town, I don't know. But that's not fun for you. That's not something you're like, “Oh good, let me get some popcorn. I want to see that!” Because everybody in this room has done things that we don't want to share with the public. Hey, I'm embarrassed by that or I'm ashamed of that or that wasn't too good, right? But she said, “Everything I've ever done. He knows all about who I am and he knows about my past,” and yet, when she shares it, she's joyful about it, excited about it. Read between the lines. What was the message that Jesus was sharing with her? We get some of the dialog, but we don't get all of it. What was he sharing? You know what he's sharing? “The war's over. Surrender. Come home. God's not mad at you. I mean, I know you walk around in shame and in guilt and I know people ostracize you. I know they reject you. I know they judge you, but you know what? God's not mad at you. God loves you. God is going to give. I'm the Messiah and I'm here today.” She's no head of state. She's no rich powerful person. There's nothing she could do for him, but Jesus had an appointment with her that day. What does that say about our worth and our value? “The war's over. You've been running and hiding. You've been trying to find intimacy in all these relationships and it hasn't worked. You go from man to man to man to man to man and you can't find what you're looking for so you keep looking, and you'll never find it. You know why? Because it's only found in God. So surrender. Your way's not working. Come home. Come into the Father's Kingdom. Find a Father who loves you. Find the love you've been looking for your whole life. Come home to God.” That's the message of the Gospel. That's what Jesus was sharing with her. That's why she's so excited to tell her friends. If he had been judgmental towards her and condescending, would she go home and say to everybody enthusiastically and excitedly, “Come and meet a man who knows everything I ever did and treated me like dirt! Come and meet him, come and hear him!”? The place for the lecture would be right here where he says, “Right you are! The man you are living with is not your husband. You've had five husbands and the man you're living with now is not your husband.” Insert religious lecture right there. That's where you put it. But it's not there. You know the biggest problem with Christianity? Christians. The biggest obstacle for people coming to Christ is not Christ. It's not what he said. It's not what he did. Most people have no clue what he really said and did. It's Christians. We think somebody has sin in their life it's our business to lecture them and preach at them and let them know why we are so much more superior than they are. That kind of an attitude, that kind of approach just drives a wedge, and people do not respond to that. But all the dirt is there. The dirty laundry is all out in the open and yet Jesus still loves her. You know what your job is if somebody tells you about their past, their difficulties, their lifestyle? You know what your job is? It's to listen. It's not to preach. As they come to the Lord, the Holy Spirit and his Word will begin to work in their life and cleanse them. It's not your job, okay? I was playing basketball at the Club recently and one of my buddies was having a hard time. He was getting fouled a lot, and he was calling foul and the game was really intense. I hadn't gone on my dunking spree yet, where I take over the game and start doing monster slam dunks. I hadn't done that. Actually, I've never done that, but anyway. It was back and forth really intense and there was, “Aw, I didn't foul you! Come on, I didn't touch you!” He stops and he gives a speech right there on the basketball court. He says to the guy, “Can you get in my skin? Could you come inside of my body and feel what I feel? Do you feel the sensation in my right arm right now from where you fouled me? Can you feel what my right arm feels right now?” He pauses for effect. “If you can't get in my skin and you can't tell me what I feel then don't think you can call fouls for me.” Claps. Speech, great speech. But I agreed with him actually, because I've felt that way. When somebody fouled you and you call a foul and they say, “Well, I didn't foul you.” How do you know you didn't foul me? You don't know. You're not me. You can't get in my skin, exactly. When you encounter these seekers or these people who are non-believers and they live a lifestyle that you don't approve of and you know the Bible doesn't approve of, your job is not to judge them because you can't get in their skin. You don't know how they live. You don't know what their past, their background was, and you don't know how you would have lived had you grown up in their surroundings and had their parents or lack thereof. You might have been worse than they are. You have no idea. Your job is to listen to, support, and guide them. This whole idea of Christians acting in superiority, in a condescending manner, is so diametrically opposed to what Scripture says. It says you are to do so in gentleness and respect. One person has said that evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. You've got nothing to boast about, okay? Jesus comes and he just says, “Look, I know you've had a difficult past, but God loves you. You don't need to hide from him. You don't need to run from him. You don't need to go from relationship to relationship. Surrender and come home.” It's the Gospel. I think another powerful point in this story is that God will use you in the here and the now and the everyday circumstances and events of this life. It's great that we have a team in the Dominican Republic, but you don't have to get on a plane and fly to a different country to be used by God. Your mission field is right as you leave this parking lot. God can use you in your workplace, in your neighborhood, in your school, your home. You see? If you'd be willing to pray a dangerous prayer and say, “God, use me. God, I'm willing to come out of my comfort zone. Please open doors of opportunity for me to share my faith.” If you'll pray that risky prayer, that out of the “bursting your bubble” prayer God will put you in those situations. One of our members forwarded me a story about a young preacher in 1960 in Texas. It was going to be his first church, one of his first sermons. It was Easter time, so he really worked hard to get the theological masterpiece together. You know, lots a big words and impressive sermon to let them know they hired the right guy. The night before, he was taking somebody home from the congregation. He dropped them off and he got lost because he didn't know the roads. Now remember, 1960. There's no GPS, okay? Places aren't open late at night like they are now. Gas stations weren't open 24 hours like they are now. No GPS, no cell phones, right? You can't call his wife, can't call anybody else. He's just driving around hoping he can figure it out. He doesn't figure it out. He runs out of gas. So now, he's got to get out of his car and just start walking. He starts walking down this dusty dirt road out in the country in Texas. There's nothing around there. He finally sees, in the distance, a glow. He describes it as a glow. He walks towards it, and it gets brighter and brighter. As he gets closer, he hears music coming out, loud music. He finally realizes, as he gets closer, that it's a Texas roadhouse. I don't mean the chain where you get steak. [laughter] What time is it? We could end right now. Cinnamon butter, boy, that's...woo! Before you get me distracted, I'll get back to my story. That's good stuff! It's hot. Oh man! It's Texas roadhouse, but it's the kind of roadhouse where they're in there drinking hard alcohol. There are gangs in there and people are drunk and doing the things you do at a Texas roadhouse. They've got a bad reputation, roadhouses do. So, here's this preacher, he doesn't fit the mode. He comes walking into this bar and everybody looks at him like, who are you and what do you want? One of the guys says, “Hey, there's fresh meat. Maybe we can get some money off of this guy. Hey new guy, come over here and play some pool. You play pool?” “Oh, me? I haven't played since high school, but okay. Maybe God has me here for a reason, so okay.” The preacher starts playing a game of pool. He breaks, and he knocks a ball in. They're playing eight ball, so he gets to knock another one. The preacher said it was like God was guiding his pool cue. He ran the table. He knocked in all of his balls, and then he knocked in the eight ball. They're like, “Oh, you're a shark, huh?” They're laughing. “You came in here to take all our money, huh? You're a shark.” He says, “Nah, I'm no shark.” “Well, who are you? What are you doing here? We've never seen you before.” “Well, I'll tell you who I am. I'm a preacher here in Texas. I'm brand new. I'm at the church over here. I got lost and I ran out of gas. I saw this light in the road and I thought maybe there'd be somebody here who could give me a ride. I've got to get back home. I've got to finish preparing for Easter.” One of the guys listening says, “What's Easter?” The guy next to him goes, “Everybody knows what Easter is.” He says, “Well, I don't. I've never been to church before,” and he says, “What's Easter preacher?” Now the preacher's got an instant congregation. He's got all these guys leaning on their pool cues half drunk or stoned. He's looking at them, and he's got his congregation. He's like, “I don't think I can use my sermon for tomorrow morning with this crowd.” So he changes it a little. “Well, there was this dude named Jesus and he had a gang of twelve. He roamed the countryside doing good things, helping people. But the authorities didn't like him and they wanted to get him, so they convinced one of his gang to rat him out. He ratted him out for money. They took Jesus, and they beat him, and they put him on a cross, and they killed him. But God brought him back to life. God said that anybody who believed in his Son could have everlasting life. And that's the story of Easter. I'm giving you a real quick rundown here. He said a little bit more than that. That's Easter. “Huh, never heard that before. Well, thank you Shark. Let's get you home.” So he hopped on the back of a motorcycle. They drove off and took him back, said goodbye. He didn't know if he'd ever see the guys again. He shows up for church Sunday morning. The service was about to start and you hear the sound of rumbling motorcycles outside. Seven big burly guys in leather jackets come walking into the church. Usher's like, “Can I help you?” The leader goes, “We're just here to hear the shark tell the story of Easter again.” Sat down and listened. Hey, God will do that. God will break your bubble. He'll put you in those “out of the comfort zone” situations. Next thing you know he's got a congregation full of bikers from the Texas roadhouse. Do you want to take that risk? Do you want to be used by God or do you want to stay in your bubble? Well, I kind of like my world the way it is. I don't want anything to burst it. I've got to stop and we'll continue on next week. Let's pray. Father, thank you for this important story of the woman at the well and for giving us a model of how we can interact, even in everyday conversations, about everyday things like drawing water and how you're able to turn that conversation into a spiritual conversation. How you're able to take a person who wanted to avoid talking about what was uncomfortable and gently bring that back around. How you listened to her and how you did not judge her, but you offered her forgiveness. The message that the war was over, to surrender, that your way hasn't worked, and come home. To find unconditional love through your Gospel. That is what you've called us to say. That's what you've called us to demonstrate. Help us to do that, I pray. In Jesus name, amen.

Romans 4:1-12 ESV  1What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,   and whose sins are covered; 8blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." 9Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.