Podcasts about jesus when jesus

Listen as Pastor Tyler continues in our series "Who Is This Jesus?" and teaches how the gospel makes us happier, makes us deeper, and makes us better. To stay connected to what's happening at Mission Church, follow us on any of the following platforms: Instagram instagram.com/missionchurchca Podcast missionchurchca.com/watch Newsletter missionchurchca.com/updates Mission Church is a new church in the East Bay Area of California. Get more info at missionchurchca.com

Listen as Pastor Tyler continues in our "Who Is This Jesus?" series and teaches how Jesus corrects us because He loves us and wants to deal with our shame, selfishness, and view of money. To stay connected to what's happening at Mission Church, follow us on any of the following platforms: Instagram instagram.com/missionchurchca Podcast missionchurchca.com/watch Newsletter missionchurchca.com/updates Mission Church is a new church in the East Bay Area of California. Get more info at missionchurchca.com

Fix your eyes on the power of Jesus- --When Jesus came down from the mount of Transfiguration, he was met by a father of a young man who was desparate for help. He had asked Jesus' disciples to cast out the demon in his son, but they did not have the strength to do it. --The father doesn't just ask for help, but also for compassion. Our Jesus is not a stoic philosopher who just tells us to -get it over.- And He is also powerful. He has the power to not only cast out the demon, but also to forbid him to ever come back. --We need to be careful to not take the idea of demon possession as just an ancient superstition. There is a spiritual realm and a spiritual battle that our physical eyes cannot see, and much of what we call mental illness today is a visible manifestation of the devil at work, trying to destroy people's lives. --This passage gives hope to praying parents who may not be understanding what is going on in their children's minds. Jesus reminded the disciples that the strength to deal with these demonic forces did not come from themselves. It was derived from prayer and fasting, as part of their relationship with the Lord. The power is not in us, but we have a compassionate Father that we can come to-

Listen as Pastor Tyler continues in our "Who Is This Jesus?" series and teaches on the healing we can find when opening up to Jesus. To stay connected to what's happening at Mission Church, follow us on any of the following platforms: Instagram instagram.com/missionchurchca Podcast missionchurchca.com/watch Newsletter missionchurchca.com/updates Mission Church is a new church in the East Bay Area of California. Get more info at missionchurchca.com

Listen as Pastor Tyler continues in our "Who Is This Jesus?" series and teaches what can happen when we make room for Jesus in our everyday life. To stay connected to what's happening at Mission Church, follow us on any of the following platforms: Instagram instagram.com/missionchurchca Podcast missionchurchca.com/watch Newsletter missionchurchca.com/updates Mission Church is a new church in the East Bay Area of California. Get more info at missionchurchca.com

Listen today as Pastor Tyler continues in our "Who Is This Jesus?" series and teaches on what happens when Jesus shows up to church. To stay connected to what's happening at Mission Church, follow us on any of the following platforms: Instagram instagram.com/missionchurchca Podcast missionchurchca.com/watch Newsletter missionchurchca.com/updates Mission Church is a new church in the East Bay Area of California. Get more info at missionchurchca.com

Did you know God designed us to rest? Watch now as Pastor Tyler teaches what it means to sabbath and how God intended for us to rest. To stay connected to what's happening at Mission Church, follow us on any of the following platforms: Instagram instagram.com/missionchurchca Podcast missionchurchca.com/watch Newsletter missionchurchca.com/updates Mission Church is a new church in the East Bay Area of California. Get more info at missionchurchca.com

'Coming to Jesus' looks at real issues, real stories, and the real Jesus. You can listen and get involved further with each story that we look at by heading over to Acorn's YouTube channel where we will reflect on the interaction with Jesus and pray. Acorn on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AcornChristianFoundation Part of an Acorn Healing Hub? Use this resource with your Hub for discussion and ministry.

· When you meet Jesus, everything can change. · Four Deep Needs: I need to understand. I need to be understood. I need to belong. I need to have hope. · Luke 19:1-10 - Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” · Deep need – I need to understand my life · Revelations 3:20: 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. · Reality – Jesus understands more about our lives than we do. · Psalm 71:1 – In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. · Second deep need – to be understood. · Romans 8:26-27 – 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. · Heavenly Father, you understand me better than I know myself. I will trust you, not me. · Third deep need: I need to belong. · Lord, I want to belong with you. · Fourth deep need: I need to have hope. · Romans 15:13: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE Starter: When have you felt you were not welcome or didn't belong? What was that like? Dig Deeper: 1. Read Luke 19:1-10 2. Put yourself in Zaccheus' shoes. What is his typical day like? How do people respond to him when they see him on the street? 3. In your opinion, what does Zaccheus hope will happen when he sees Jesus? 4. How do you think Zaccheus feels when Jesus notices him? When he tells him to come down, what does Zaccheus think Jesus is going to say? For Zaccheus, what does it mean for Jesus to invite himself to dinner? 5. In your opinion, why is there such a turnaround in Zaccheus' attitude toward money? 6. In v. 10, what is the implication of Jesus saying, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost” for his church?

· When you meet Jesus, everything can change. · Luke 18:18-23 - 18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'” 21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. · Are you trying to be in control? · Will you respect the authority of Jesus? · John 14:21 - 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. · Will I take my next step? · Luke 18:24-20 - 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” · Are you missing your purpose? · Your three purposes: Share your story, share your gifts, share your resources. · Are you trusting wealth? · Are you trusting God to do what you cannot do · I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, not turning back. LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE Starter: Do you know someone who trusts in money more than they trust in God? What do you think is the reason for their trust? Dig Deeper: 1. Read Luke 18:18-23 a. What do you think is the ruler's motivation for his question to Jesus? b. Do you think the ruler has really obeyed all the commandments Jesus lists, or is he out of touch? Why did you arrive at your answer? c. What might be other examples of what keeps people from taking their next step toward Jesus? 2. Read Luke 18:24-30 a. In your opinion, why might it be hard for rich people to trust their wealth instead God? b. Please share a time when you have seen God do the impossible. c. In your opinion, what can the church do to deliver on Jesus' promise of receiving more relationally if you follow him?

You must trust that Jesus will care for you while serving and on mission.

· When you meet Jesus, everything can change. · Meeting Jesus and following Jesus are not the same. · Luke 5:1-3 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. · When you meet Jesus, he asks to use what you have. · You have what God has given you. · God has given you a story to share. · God has given you gifts to share. · God has given you resources to share · 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. · When you meet Jesus, he asks you to obey before you understand. · What are you missing because you haven't obeyed God? · 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. · When you see God do what only God can do, you realize who you really are. · Will you let yourself be amazed by what God is doing? · When you meet Jesus, he invites you to follow. · To follow Jesus, you must leave something behind. · Is Jesus asking to use what you have? · Is Jesus asking you to obey before you understand? · Is Jesus asking you to follow him and leave something behind? · When you meet Jesus, everything can change. LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE Starter: In your opinion, what is the difference between meeting Jesus and following Jesus? Dig Deeper: 1. Read Luke 5:1-3 a. Notice the crowd hears the teaching of Jesus, but only Peter lets Jesus use what he has. What does this teach us? b. God has given us a story to share, places to serve, and resources to give. Which of these is the most difficult to do? Why? Which is easiest? Why? 2. Read Luke 5:4-7 a. Give Peter credit, he obeys even though he questions. Tell about a time when you obeyed even though you did not understand. What was the result? b. In your opinion, what was going through Peter's mind when he was hauling in the miraculous catch? 3. Read Luke 5:8-11 a. Do you find yourself frightened when God is work close to you? Why do you think this is? b. In your opinion, what is the hardest thing for people to leave behind in order to follow Jesus?

When you meet Jesus, everything can change.

Pastor David shares Wednesday in Dickinson. Review: Last week, we saw that God gave us the Power of Attorney to use the Name of Jesus. It is by the Name of Jesus that we have access to all of Heaven's resources: they are all at our disposal through the Name of Jesus! Matthew 28:18-19 (NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. A Name is only as good as the power and authority that back it My name will not get you very far if you want military clearance. But if you had the name of a top military officer and his approval, with documentation that you have his approval, you could go wherever he said you could go! See, a name is only as good as the authority backing that name. The More Excellent Name: How it came Three ways a great name may be attained: Some people are born to a great name (They inherit it) Some people make their name great because of their achievements (by conquest) Other have a great name given to them (by bestowal) Jesus' Great Name came through all three avenues: He inherited His great Name, His Name is great because of His achievements, and His Name is great because it was given to Him By Inheritance Hebrews 1:1-6 (NKJV) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, [2] has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; [3] who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. [5] For to which of the angels did He ever say: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"? And again: "I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON"? [6] But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM." Jesus inherited a more excellent Name than the angels When did Jesus inherit that more excellent Name? It was not when He was in Heaven! He had everything in heaven. Verses 4 and 5 tell us that it was when Jesus was begotten. Hebrews 1:4-5 (AMPC) [Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did [God] ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son? So we can see that it was the moment that Jesus was begotten and established in an official Sonship relationship that He inherited that great Name. But WHEN WAS JESUS BEGOTTEN? It was not when He took on flesh as a baby in Bethlehem. Jesus was not born when He took on flesh, because He preexisted with the Father. He simply took upon Himself a body. Hebrews 10:5 (NKJV) Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU DID NOT DESIRE, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME. In John 1:1-3,14 we see that He preexisted with the Father: John 1:1-3 (NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:14 (NKJV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. The day Jesus was begotten: Acts 13:33 (NKJV) God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.' The day that Jesus was begotten and established in an official Sonship relationship was the DAY OF THE RESURRECTION! The day that Jesus tasted death and hell for us! Hebrews 2:9 (NKJV) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Jesus experienced physical and spiritual death for us! His death on the cross was more than His body dying, but He Who knew no sin and had never sinned BECAME sin for us, and His spirit died as well and He went into hell for three days until God SNATCHED Him from the grave and raised Him to life and sat Him down at His right hand. Matthew 27:45-46 (NKJV) Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. [46] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" (ALSO IN MARK 15:34) The death Jesus experienced was for us! He swapped places with us 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. When we receive Jesus we become a new creation and receive a new nature - one with the life and peace of God. We take upon ourselves the nature of God – which is life and peace, where the devil's nature is hatred and lies. We don't know specifically what happened in hell, but we do know that Jesus took care of spiritual death for us! Acts 2:25-31 (NKJV) For David says concerning Him: 'I FORESAW THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE MY FACE, FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, THAT I MAY NOT BE SHAKEN. [26] THEREFORE MY HEART REJOICED, AND MY TONGUE WAS GLAD; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL REST IN HOPE. [27] FOR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HADES, NOR WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION. [28] YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE.' [29] "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, [31] he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. Conclusion: “You will not be able to understand the authority in the Name of Jesus until you understand that Jesus tasted spiritual death and satisfied the claims of justice on behalf of each on of us when He died as our substitute.” - Bro. Hagin, “The Name of Jesus” When Jesus was in hell, God said, “It is enough,” and then He raised Jesus up from hell and the grave. He took His spirit and soul out of hell and raised His

In this episode, we are confronted with some strange words of Jesus and we are encouraged to look at them in light of the rest of scripture!

'Coming to Jesus' looks at real issues, real stories, and the real Jesus. You can listen and get involved further with each story that we look at by heading over to Acorn's YouTube channel where we will reflect on the interaction with Jesus and pray.Acorn on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AcornChristianFoundationPart of an Acorn Healing Hub? Use this resource with your Hub for discussion and ministry. Support the show (https://www.give.net/AcornCF)

Text: Habakkuk 3:17-19 Series: Certain Truths for Uncertain Times Child psychologists tell us that every child is born into this world with two innate fears: the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling. As the years go by, most people grow out of those two fears, though not entirely, and even then, life layers on all manner of other fears that we may or may not be able to outgrow. The question, “What, then, are you afraid of?” is a too easy question to ask. It may make us a little uncomfortable to have to answer such a question, but I don’t know that having to do so would keep any of us up at night. No, the question that really is difficult to think about but one most definitely worth pondering is this question: “What do you fear would test your faith in God the most?” “What would cause you to question God’s providence and protection?” “What in this world would lead you to doubt God’s ability to see you through it?” The reason those questions are so hard for us to think about is because each of them pushes us to our limits, and we don’t like to think about our limits. We prefer for life to go smoothly and in a carefree manner, even though that’s rarely the reality for any of us. Consequently, the place where our faith could be most tested, though we would never welcome going there, is in fact the very place where faith is best forged and God is most intimately experienced. We see that truth most vividly in this passage before us from the prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk, whose name means “one who embraces,” was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah, and joined Jeremiah in proclaiming God’s message for a people who, in the face of the kinds of threats that would test one’s faith in God the most, were on the verge of failing such a test, which put them in danger of having God’s protection removed from them for a season. None of this, of course, made any sense to Habakkuk. He was the first person in the Bible to take up the question of theodicy, which simply put means, “How could a gracious and merciful God allow bad things to happen to His chosen people?” “Where is the justice in anything like that?” And for the first two chapters in his prophecy, Habakkuk stays with that question, even though he doesn’t receive a satisfactory answer, until it becomes apparent to him that “the just must live by faith” (2:4). And when Habakkuk makes that choice, which essentially calms his fears and settles his anxieties, he then spends the rest of his prophecy inviting God’s people to join with him in worshipping a God who is greater than our adversity and waiting on the sure salvation that only such a God can bring about. And this passage before us this morning depicts the attitude of such a believer who in fact “embraces” (“Habakkuk’s”) God’s gracious and merciful presence in a way that turns our burdens and blessing and our sighing to singing. Notice, if you will, the cadence of the text and the manner in which it strikes one note of conviction after another leading to a grand crescendo of praise to a God who will lift His people above their adversity and despair to a higher plane of life: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the LORD (literally, “I will jump for joy), I will be joyful in God my Savior (literally, “I will spin around in the God of my salvation”). For the Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to on the heights. What Habakkuk is inviting us to see is that God alone has the power to lift us above our direst circumstances. Though we may find ourselves in a place where all hope seems lost and we have nothing to live for, if we can somehow catch a glimpse of how God is with us in the adversity, we can live above the dark shadows of our fears and we can bask in the sunlight of saving faith. It’s like the story of the man who was so very discouraged because of the many problems in his life. His health was deteriorating. His finances were a mess. His family was out of sorts. As he was walking down the street one day, he came across his pastor, who knew a good bit about the man’s situation and took the opportunity to ask how things were going. “Oh, not too bad,” the man answered the pastor. "At least not under the circumstances.” And then the pastor, in what I think must have been a flash of divine inspiration, characteristic of a prophet like Habakkuk himself, looked at the man squarely in the eyes and said, as compassionately but as directly as he could say it, “Well, Tom, then you need to get above the circumstances. Because above the circumstances is where God ultimately is.” As a pastor, I know that to be true. We most definitely need to get above our circumstances. But as a fellow pilgrim, I know how hard it is to do so. In fact, in our own power it is impossible. But that is why God came down from above our circumstances in the person of Jesus to take our pain and suffering upon Himself and to redeem it and to rid it of its power over us so that by trusting in Jesus we might allow God’s mercy and grace to form us and shape us so that, even as Habakkuk envisioned, God might “make our feet like the feet of a deer, enabling us to tread with Him on the heights," above our dire circumstances, so that even now we might jump for joy and spin around in the God of our salvation. Can you do that this morning? Can you trust in God to lift you above your difficult circumstances? Can you make the same choice that Habakkuk made so that even though you don’t fully understand what’s going on around you and what doesn’t seem to be working out for you, yet, yet, “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” Somewhere I came across the story of the African impala, a medium-sized antelope whose primary habitat is in eastern and southern Africa. As I understand, the impala can jump to a height over ten feet and when doing so can cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. And yet these magnificent creatures can be contained in an enclosure in any zoo with just a three-foot wall. That’s because an impala will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will land. Some of us are like that, which is why we are so easily constrained by our fears. We want to see where will land and what our future will hold. But that’s not how faith works. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see and to believe what we cannot comprehend. Faith is the choice to commit our circumstances to God, convinced that when we make such a leap, it’s not just that God will give us some safe place to land but that He will lift us to a higher place, where our feet will not slip and our futures will be made secure. Isn’t that what God did with Jesus? When Jesus placed his faith in God in Gethsemane’s Garden and made the choice to do God’s will instead of his own, didn’t God turn that tragedy into good and open wide the doors of salvation to everyone by raising Jesus from the dead? At Calvary God showed that He can take the very worst situation and work for the best. At Calvary God showed that He can bring good out of what we think is tragic and horrible. I don’t get it and I’ll never understand it. And neither will you, not in your own power. But that’s where faith comes in. That’s where the just will trust and God will show up to save the day and our joy will go sky high, even to where Jesus abides at the right hand of God the Father, high, high above our dire circumstances. So, there’s no need for any maturing believer to be fearful over the loud noises that are swirling around today, because God is in control and He is in the process of turning all the wailing into praise. And neither is there any reason to worry about falling from whatever lofty perch to which His saving grace in Christ Jesus might lift us, because His sovereign power is our strength and He will give us what we need to dwell on that higher ground. The just will always live by faith. They will live by faith now and they will surely live by faith forevermore. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Pastor Mike brings us back to the beach and beyond as he helps us explore how to follow Jesus when Jesus does the unexpected.  It Began on a Beach is a summer series explores where your faith began.  Here’s a hint, it didn’t begin with you! And that’s the exciting part about your faith! The post It Began on a Beach: Following Jesus when Jesus does the unexpected appeared first on Lawson Heights Alliance Church.

Pastor Aaron Householder continues Southview’s Following Jesus series. This week, in his very first post-resurrection appearance, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, a sinner redeemed. It’s not until he calls her by name that she recognizes him.Sermon notes are available on YouVersion Events.Our PDF bulletin with announcements is on Dropbox.Video of the worship service is on Vimeo.

"Have You Ever Doubted?" John 20:24-31 Intro: In my experience, there are at least two types of doubters. One type just likes to doubt things to be argumentative without an open and teachable mind. The other type of doubter is a person who has legitimate concerns and questions, but is open to discussion and proof. Thomas, the doubter, is the second type of doubter. Unfortunately, some bad teaching and preaching in some churches don't give any room to people who have legitimate concerns or doubts. When we have an explicit or implicit agenda that promotes this type of church culture, we don't give people a chance to learn, grow, and embrace their own genuine faith. It is not unusual for Christ followers to go through periods of doubt. I believe that could be a healthy process if we handle the person with the love  and wisdom of God. In this passage, John gives us some great insights into this issue of legitimate doubt. When we experience doubt: 1. Don't Try to Handle Doubt Alone 1. Common mistakes: 1. Withdraw for the fellowship 2. Relying on our own wisdom and understanding 3. Ignoring loving, godly people 2. Keep an Open Mind and Heart to Jesus 1. Illus: "Doubt is the hammer that breaks the window clouded with human fancies and lets in the pure light." George MacDonald 2. Ask honest questions and make honest statements 3. Jesus will break through with His truth and light 1. Grace: Jesus gives Thomas the opportunity for a personal touch. 1. Have we ever experienced those moments when Jesus gives us a personal touch? Those moments are incredibly precious. 3. When You Work Through Your Doubt, Be Obedient 1. Worship 1. The Deity and Lordship of Christ 1. With a humble heart 2. With an obedient heart, mind, and will 3. Stop Doubting 2. Go forward by faith Closing: So, how are we doing today? First, do we give liberty to people who have legitimate doubt? Do we give liberty to ourselves when we have legitimate doubts? Are we honest about our doubts to God and ourselves? Are we willing to approach our doubt with an open mind and heart to Jesus? When Jesus, through the Word and Holy Spirit, breaks through the doubt, are we willing to worship Him and go forward in obedience by faith?

Impacted by Jesus from the gospel of Mark.

Mark 1:16-20; 10:21-22; 28-31; 8:34-37; 3:31-35; 8:14-18; 10:32-40; 14:48-52Order:Mark 1:16-20“In the 20th century (generally speaking), protestant Christians set out to make America Christian and ended up making Christianity American.” Stanley Hauerwas1. You have to Drop Everything to follow Jesus“When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die.”Dietrich Bonheoffer - Cost of Discipleship10:21-22; 28-31“To be invited by Jesus to be a disciple is to be invited out of mediocrity. You’re invited into the Kingdom of God. You go from fish to men, you go from a couple of dollars to a Kingdom. Jesus’ invitation is always for something greater for our hearts.”Jon Tyson2. Think about the cost of NOT following Jesus.Mark 8:34-373. Following Jesus happens in CommunityMark 3:31-354. To become like your Rabbi Jesus, it takes time.Mark 8:14-18Mark 10:32-40Mark 14:48-525. Apprentices make Apprentices“Make disciples, not converts!”Dallas Willard3 Myths of DiscipleshipMyth #1 = A disciple is a really mature ChristianMyth #2 = Discipleship is MentorshipMyth #3 = "Disciple" is a verb.Jesus brought about a reformation by telling a subversive, alternative story. He told a story that is more than science, more than history, more than philosophy, more than anthropology, and more than morality. A story that not only happened once, but is happening still. And you and I are invited into that!

Mark 1:16-20; 10:21-22; 28-31; 8:34-37; 3:31-35; 8:14-18; 10:32-40; 14:48-52Order:Mark 1:16-20“In the 20th century (generally speaking), protestant Christians set out to make America Christian and ended up making Christianity American.” Stanley Hauerwas1. You have to Drop Everything to follow Jesus“When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die.”Dietrich Bonheoffer - Cost of Discipleship10:21-22; 28-31“To be invited by Jesus to be a disciple is to be invited out of mediocrity. You're invited into the Kingdom of God. You go from fish to men, you go from a couple of dollars to a Kingdom. Jesus' invitation is always for something greater for our hearts.”Jon Tyson2. Think about the cost of NOT following Jesus.Mark 8:34-373. Following Jesus happens in CommunityMark 3:31-354. To become like your Rabbi Jesus, it takes time.Mark 8:14-18Mark 10:32-40Mark 14:48-525. Apprentices make Apprentices“Make disciples, not converts!”Dallas Willard3 Myths of DiscipleshipMyth #1 = A disciple is a really mature ChristianMyth #2 = Discipleship is MentorshipMyth #3 = "Disciple" is a verb.Jesus brought about a reformation by telling a subversive, alternative story. He told a story that is more than science, more than history, more than philosophy, more than anthropology, and more than morality. A story that not only happened once, but is happening still. And you and I are invited into that!

Preaching for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Gina Messina offers a reflection on what it means to be "all in" as a disciple of Jesus: "When Jesus says..that we need to be 'all in,' what does this mean? First, I think we need to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that being 'all in' is rare - it is challenging and a great risk that many of us are not willing to take. That said, what we can do is wake up every morning and acknowledge our position in the world, our abilities to contribute to positive social change, and do our best to make that happen. We are not always going to be successful; but it is our intention that matters." Gina Messina is a feminist scholar, Catholic theologian, and activist. Her research and writing gives particular attention to the intersection of gender, religion, and politics. Messina is currently Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio where she formerly served as Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/09082019 to learn more about Gina, to view her video or read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

I’ve never been super athletic, I mean, I was the art geek after all. Don’t get me wrong, I really like sports, I’m just not naturally gifted at any particular sport like other people I’ve known. I remember one time when I was going to a private Christian school in 7th grade and they were desperate for players on the basketball team so I was volunteered to play.I cannot play basketball…you should know that at the outset.I’ll be honest, it felt pretty cool to wear the team uniform as my mom dropped me off at the rival school’s gymnasium. For the briefest of moments I forgot that I knew nothing about playing basketball apart from shooting a game of horse with kids in the neighborhood. My school team was so beggared for players, they recruited a kid whom they had never seen play and who had never once practiced with them.During the warm-up our team formed two lines on either side of the free throw lane to do simple lay-ups. One line would start, the player charging at the basket and deftly launching off the floor to lay the ball gently to the backboard and into the net. The next line would take the ball from the opposite side. Done properly it is a smooth and almost graceful approach to taking a shot.When my turn came, I noticed that the rival school’s cheerleaders had gathered behind the backboard of our goal. My 7th grade brain imagined them all noticing how adroitly I would handle the ball. I imagined them all turning their heads my way in slow motion and admiring my basketballish skills. This made my hands start to sweat.The ball was tossed to me and I awkwardly tried to dribble on my way to the goal. As I reached the point of no return, where I needed to lift off my left foot and raise the ball with my right hand, the ball came squirting out of my sweat-soaked palms and flew full force right at the heads of the flock of cheerleaders.There were screams and one girl was bent over while others were patting her back.They were all looking at me, but admiration is not how I’d describe their expressions.That’s kind of how I imagine Jesus’ disciples feeling in the text we’ll be reading this Sunday, Mark 9:14-29.It’s clear from this text that as Christ’s followers, we don’t always represent him well. Sometimes things go badly and we fall flat – but that’s okay. As we’ll see in our passage, there are lessons to be learned in failure.As you read the story, put yourself into each of the character’s sandals. What do you imagine the religious experts are thinking? What do you think the crowd of people were thinking about the disciples ineffectual ministry? What conclusions might they be drawing about Jesus?When Jesus gets the scoop on what’s happening, the father of the afflicted boy asks Jesus to help if he is able. Jesus teases a rebuke back at him. What do you think Jesus is wanting to correct in that exchange? What might it mean that “anything is possible if a person believes”? What does “believe” mean to you?When we look at the end result, Jesus was not hampered nor deterred in any way by the failure of his disciples. What can we learn from that as it touches our own walk with Christ?How do you imagine prayer being an effective aspect of spiritual battles? What do you understand prayer to be?This will be some interesting stuff to analyze this Sunday – hope to see you there!Click here to view of a pdf version of the PowerPoint slides from this teaching.

Faith Talks:When Jesus entered Jerusalem, what did the people do that was an appropriate response to the arrival of Jesus?When Jesus entered Jerusalem, what did the people misunderstand or reject about Jesus?What are the obstacles that you face to receive the authority of Jesus at the worship center of your life?What is the great tragedy or consequence of not receiving Jesus at the worship center of your life?

Point number 1 in your notes this morning: When Jesus brings people to Jesus He first addresses our sin   After Jesus explains to this woman that He offers living water, he starts to make inroads. He starts to show her the good news of the gospel message. And part of that message is the message of God‘s grace. But Jesus knows that there is no need for grace if we don’t recognize our own sin as sin.   Jesus brings this woman’s sin to the forefront of the conversation and he puts it all out in the open on the table so she can see it and He can see it.     When Jesus brings people to Jesus Point number 2 in your notes this morning: When Jesus brings others to Jesus, He addresses our worship.   Explanation: There was a debate that was going on between the Samaritans and the Jews about where worship was supposed to take place. Being that these cultures were so deeply angered and mad at each other, the Samaritans had built a temple that they worshiped in. And so you have this argument between the Samaritans and the Jews and one says that you worship in Jerusalem, and the other in Samaria. Jesus says there’s coming a time when you’re not going to worship in the Temple, but you’re going to worship God in spirit and in truth. There is, however, an assumptive point that Jesus is making to the woman that it is as you come to Jesus, YOU ARE GOING TO WORSHIP. That’s not a question.   It’s not a question of where we worship but it’s a question of who we worship.   3. When Jesus brings others to Jesus HE confirms that HE is Lord.  Jesus has no authority in our life if He is not the Messiah. He has no authority in our life if He is not Lord. But just as he did for the woman at the well if you’re coming to Jesus he WILL confirm without a doubt that He is God.   This woman at the well, even though she is coming from a different religious background, she knows there is a God. And she’s waiting for him to come. She might not know all the details and theological perspectives, she might not have all the Bible verses memorized, but she knows that when the Messiah comes he’s going to answer so many questions for us.   She was waiting with anticipation. She was ready for the Messiah.  I personally believe that every single soul is waiting to recognize its savior.   4. When Jesus brings others to Jesus, he helps them grow closer to Him, and further from this world. Explanation:   The disciples would have had every right to ask Jesus why He was talking to a woman of the night in the middle of the day, alone. But they knew that Jesus works different from the way we would work. The realized that if Jesus is talking to a sinner, He is making himself known. When Jesus makes himself known, He is begging to grow a young follower into a mature follower. An that means that we are about to experience a life of change.  

Jim Gaffigan has a stand-up routine from years ago where he declares: “I’m a vegetarian…it’s just that I eat beef and pork and chicken…but not fish because that’s disgusting”. It’s humorous because it cuts across the very definition of vegetarianism. The character he presents clearly doesn’t understand what it means to be a vegetarian.It strikes me sometimes that a lot of Christians are like that when it comes to the Gospel – the Good News. A lot of times if I ask the question: “What is the Gospel?”, I get a variation on the idea that Jesus died to save us from our sins so that we can go to heaven and not hell when we die. It’s not that I disagree with any of that – but I’m not sure that really captures the heart of what the Good News really is because the focus is placed on what happens after this life.This Sunday we’ll be reading Mark 1:14-20 as we continue going through that account of Jesus.In v14, we abruptly find out that John the Baptist has been arrested and Jesus has started publicly announcing God’s Good News. We’ve noted before that the word euangelion, εὐαγγέλια, was not unique to Christianity. It was a word used to announce good news from Caesar, or announce his birthday, or declare a victory in battle.What does Jesus say that sets the Good News that He preaches apart from the good news of Caesar? Who is the center and focus of this Good News?In v 15, Jesus explains what the Good News is and what our response should be. Notice the words he’s saying: The time has COME, The Kingdom of God is NEAR, REPENT and BELIEVE. Follow the links on those words and consider what they mean.Using the definition of the Greek words, write what Jesus is saying in your own words.Read Daniel 2, especially v 44 – What do you think the people of Galilee were hearing when they heard the Good News proclaimed by Jesus?When Jesus calls his first disciples in v16-20, they respond immediately.What does their response tell us about what hearing the Good News demands of us?What would it look like in our own lives to follow this example of Peter, Andrew, James and John? How would you describe the priorities their response symbolizes?There have been lingering questions about why these guys would have responded so quickly and decisively. I had a whole section in my teaching that I had to remove because it would have made it run too long…but I copied it and I’ll paste it here, in case you’re interested. It helps round out the oppressive economic picture of that time and place, which helps us see why these guys may have responded like they did. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this. Anyway, here it is:“Now, people have gotten cynical about this section, wondering about the abruptness of it – ‘what would make these guys respond so quickly to a rabbi like this?’ But, there ARE historical factors here… we need to understand the situation these guys were in.We tend to think of these fishermen from the standpoint of a free-market, capitalist society, like WE live in. We imagine a nice little family business where they catch fish for themselves and sell the surplus to the local market. We view them as middle-class, blue collar Joes. But we’re wrong. There was no free-market capitalism in the world run by the Roman Empire. Rome ruled the known world – and sure, they brought roads and aqueducts and peace to the region…but they also brought the demands of the Roman elite from Caesar at the top to his agents and governors like Herod Antipas, the ruler over the Galilee region, and all the layers of bureaucracy in between. The sea of Galilee was no longer localized as a source dietary staples for the people who lived there – the sea of Galilee belonged to Caesar – nobody was going to fish there unless he approved it. Fishing leases were required, and taxes and tolls for ports were exorbitant.Everyone was taking a cut of both the fish AND any potential profit to be made from them.So local fishermen found themselves in an economic free-fall – they were at the bottom of this elaborate financial hierarchy. They had a trade that had been handed down through generations but now were tantamount to slave-labor …they had no hope of escape from this economic oppression.Along comes a Rabbi who declares the time has come for God’s kingdom to break in on things. And they’re thinking…well, what would they be thinking, what might they have imagined?‘This is IT, finally we’ll be free from our oppression and there will be justice.’ They were right, but not the way the expected.”

A hungry Jesus arrived at a blooming fig tree hoping to find something to eat. He found nothing because the fig tree was not fruitful. Unproductive. As Christians, are we being fruitful and productive? Are we using the resources Jesus gives us to be productive and give back to Jesus? When Jesus inspects us as He did the fig tree, will He find us productive and fruitful?

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2013-12-29-0830 Pastor Lee Claypoole is the speaker this morning December 29th,  2013 in the 8:30 service.Scripture: John 3:1-8: Romans 3:22-24Topic: SpiritualNotes:- Nicodemus was a very smart man. He was curious who Jesus was.- Nicodemus talked of earthly things when Jesus talked about spiritual things.- Nicodemus recognized his need for Jesus- When Jesus spoke of Nicodemus He said Nicodemus the man who came to see me at night.- What is on the inside of you will eventually come out.- Nicodemus stood up for Jesus.- If it had not been for Jesus, we would not be saved.

2013-12-29-1030 Pastor Lee Claypoole is the speaker this morning December 29th,  2013 in the 10:30 service.Scripture: John 3:1-8: Romans 3:22-24Topic: SpiritualNotes:- Nicodemus was a very smart man. He was curious who Jesus was.- Nicodemus talked of earthly things when Jesus talked about spiritual things.- Nicodemus recognized his need for Jesus- When Jesus spoke of Nicodemus He said Nicodemus the man who came to see me at night.- What is on the inside of you will eventually come out.- Nicodemus stood up for Jesus.- If it had not been for Jesus, we would not be saved.

Jesus is not always easy to understand. His parents learned that early on. What do we do when we are puzzled by Jesus’ ways? We respond like His mother: “His mother treasured all these things in her heart” (verse 51). In this message, we learn some methods we can use to better understand Jesus’ sometimes puzzling works and ways.

Jesus is not always easy to understand. His parents learned that early on. What do we do when we are puzzled by Jesus’ ways? We respond like His mother: “His mother treasured all these things in her heart” (verse 51). In this message, we learn some methods we can use to better understand Jesus’ sometimes puzzling works and ways.

What does it cost to follow Jesus? When Jesus called his first followers they immediately left everything they ever knew to follow Him. Does Jesus make similar demands of us today? What does it look like to follow Jesus?