As followers of Christ in this world we should find our delight in His Word, and our faith should be emboldened. We cannot determine our circumstances, but whatever we face we are imprisoned to hope. The only thing we have to do to drift is nothing!
Many things fight to control our lives such as custom, culture, country; but let it be truth that rules our lives. Truth is not confined solely to profound words written on fine parchment by ancient scribes, but it is bound up in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. You might go to church, be familiar with scripture and stories, but have you have a personal , life changing encounter with the Truth of God?
Our actions and thought pattens reveal where our hearts are. We must be anchored in truth that is bigger than you. If we delight in the word of God, it will consume all that we are.
The only thing that you have to do to drift, is nothing. In life we must be anchored to something bigger than ourselves, and sturdy in its foundation. What are you anchored to?
More than anything else, God uses people to heal people. We have the opportunity and responsibility to be that voice of love, healing, and encouragement in peoples lives. There is never a time when encouragement isn't needed. Our Redemptive Family (6) Colossians 1.3-14 There is never a time when encouragement isn’t needed. Take in Colossians 1.3-14. What do you learn about encouragement from Paul? Encouragement speaks life; gives hope; shares truth and assures that one is known and loved. Get cr...
A generous faith family gives regardless of their circumstances. They give from their hearts because God gave first. We should be eager to give, especially when we see Christ glorified, and His Kingdom advancing all around us. Our Redemptive Family (5) 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 1.How has God shown generosity to our family? 2. Why did Paul point to the Macedonian church as an example for other to follow? 3. Why is it so important that we give back to God through the local church? 4. Finances and money ...
Without confession, there is no culture of forgiveness; Without forgiveness, there is no confession. We know that there is nothing that can be known, revealed, exposed or confessed that has not already been covered by the life, sacrifice and victory of Jesus. As the body of Christ, we should be freely guiding others into the grace in kindness of Jesus. Our Redemptive Family (4) Ephesians 4.32; Romans 14.1; Romans 15.7 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God a...
Our Faith family must pursue honesty before God and one another to live out all that God has intended. A redemptive community must recognize their desperate need for God, and has a deep level of honesty & vulnerability. We will find power, comfort, and grace in honesty before God and one another. Our Redemptive Family (3) Honesty and Transparency James 5:13-16 1. Take a look at the research from BARNA https://www.barna.com/.../relationships-build-resilient.../ What surprises you? What challe...
We were never intended to walk this rough journey alone. We all need nurturing people to come around us, and walk with us. Our gatherings are with the intent to stir Gospel confidence, mutuality in submission to one another, and a commitment to one another. A Redemptive Family is Nurturing Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering… This passage captures why our faith family needs to be nurtured; what needs to be nurtured within us and how this nurturing takes place. Therefore...
If the church is God's people, then we should be where the world looks to for peace, love, comfort, wholeness, and healing. We should mirror the very character of Jesus to those who are part of the body, but also to those all around us. The true image of the church should create wonder for what has been done in the past, provide hope, possibility, and purpose in the present, and cast our imagination toward God's intended future. Our Redemptive Family [1] Scripture: Ephesians 2.7; Ephesians 4.1-3...
We will always see the goodness and kindness of Jesus in the midst of sinners and sufferers. We should not only call Him good when we are feeling the good; we should call Him good even in the unknown. We will be experiencing the grace and goodness of God for all of eternity, and we will never see the end of His love toward us. Who He Is… Jesus Forevermore! (Easter 2021 with our Mandarin Family) Scripture: Ephesians 2.4-7 Jesus, who is rich in mercy and lavish in love, he seats us in the heavens ...
We are more than sinful, we were completely dead in our sin and transgressions. Jesus, not only gives us life, He gives us new mercy every single day. We are all covered in sin, guilt, and shame, but His mercy is so much more. He is rich in mercy, and He lavishes His love on us. That is who this Jesus is. WHO HE IS…. JESUS! (4) Easter at Mandarin Scripture: Ephesians 2.4; Ephesians 2.1-6; John 21.1-19 Jesus turns graves into gardens. He is rich in mercy and lavishes us in His love. Take a moment...
Why do we so often run or hide because of our sin and shame? We should come out of the hiding to experience the Heart of Christ towards us. The joy of Christ is being made complete as His people come to Him to be made whole. He rejoices in seeing His people forgiven, made whole, new, and complete.
Jesus showed us that following God is more important than the rules the the religious people enforced. Looking at His life here on earth, it was defined by compassion, love, grace and mercy. The compassion of Christ defines His heart, and should shape our lives. True compassion doesn't stand still, but moves towards action. Who He Is [Week 2] Matthew 9:35-39 If Jesus is known for compassion… what are we known for? What is the church known for? How are we as Christ followers showing compassion? H...
Who He Is….The Heart of Jesus (1) Easter 2021 Matthew 11.28-30 The heart is the central animating feature of all that we are and all that we do. Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB) * The one thing that we are to do, as His people is found in the first three words of the scri...
The church is known for many things right now, but over all things, the church should be known for love. We should reflect the perfect love of God, as Jesus brought us into the 'Us-ness' of the Trinity. According to scripture, we are one church, one body of Christ, one movement, one 'Us'. This is what Jesus was praying for in John 17. The Prayer of Jesus (5) John 17.20-23 May they all be ONE…. - Jesus in John 17 * US greater than ME! Jesus is praying for US! Spend some time reading and talking a...
Are we too busy living FOR Jesus, when we really need to live FROM Him? Our lives, as followers of Jesus, should be lived out of the overflow of His presence, and His truth. Perhaps the greatest thing that He will ever show us is Himself. We are transformed by His word, and now we live as His representatives in this world. The Prayer of Jesus (4) John 17.13-19 Those who hear God’s voice best are people who know His word most. - Louie Giglio * May we experience and enter in to Jesus' joyous delig...
We are on the winning side of eternity, yet have done nothing to contribute to that victory. It is entirely based upon Gods work of salvation. His prayer is not that we try harder, or do better, but that we fully trust in what He accomplished for us, and how He is continually working in us even now. If we are deeply convinced of this gospel of Jesus, it will unite us under His name. The Prayer of Jesus (3) John 17.9-12 Jesus is praying for you. *Consider this quote: ‘preach the gospel to yoursel...
DNOW MAKE IT MATTER Acts 7 Take a moment to read through Acts 7. What are some things that surprise you? What is something you take away from this scripture? How are you actively apart of His story right now? If you are not engaging in God’s story right now, what needs to change? What is holding you back from living on mission? Has there ever been a moment where you didn’t listen to a prompting of the Holy Spirit? What might be God leading you towards right now? Stephen had no clue how his step ...
The prayer of Jesus is His heart connecting our heart with the Father's heart. Nothing at all can separate us from the love of God, as Jesus is constantly and passionately moving toward us, working in us, and interceding for us. Jesus' rescue and salvation reaches all the way into the darkest crevices of our souls. John 17.6-8 Father, I have manifested who you really are and I have revealed you to the men and women that you gave me. They are yours…. - Jesus, in John 17.6 * The work of Jesus on y...
When we read John 17, we see a glimpse into the heart of Jesus. His heart is full of passion and focus. His heart is aimed on giving glory to the Father, but also on the love He has for his followers. Even then, we were in His heart, His mind, and His prayer. Focus for this Week: John 17.1-5 ‘The Son of God… loved me and gave Himself for me.’ His heart for me could not sit still. * Wonder… In this prayer, the heart of Jesus is one of glory, beauty, eternity and promise. His posture is that of aw...
In Jesus, we are not who we once more. All things are made new in Jesus. It is all through Him, and by Him, and ultimately for Him. This is who we are, and this is what we pass on from generation to generation to generation. DNA (4) Scripture: * Ephesians 1.1-2 * Ephesians 1.3-14 Hello, my name is Paul…. * God is making all things new. He is changing our ‘name’ (Ephesians 1.1), which is the totality of our character into His own. How is Jesus making Himself at home in you? In what ways is God ch...
As a church, and as individuals, we were placed here in this world and season for a purpose. We might never see all the results of our lives fully devoted to Christ, but we are called to live on mission and to befriend faithfulness. As a people after the heart of God, we should find our delight in the Lord, and we will find ourselves faithful to His purposes. Scripture: Psalm 37:3-5 If you are leading in the middle of this, there is a reason that you are leading in the middle of this. 1- How is ...
Who we are as individuals, and as a church, is not determined by external forces; it is by the indwelling Holy Spirit within us. He is our internal supply, and we should abide in Jesus. When we start to let go of our desire to be in control of our lives, we will begin to see Gods wonders in and through us. Scripture: Psalm 145.4-7; John 15.4-6 Pastor Mark talked about two lakes in the Keystone/ Melrose area. One thriving and filled with life and the other, receding and drying up. The difference ...
As we enter the new year, we evaluate our mission: to demonstrate God's love to a broken world. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This will lead us to multiply and reproduce that kind of love in our faith family, but also our community. Scripture - Psalm 145: Matthew 22.37-39; Matthew 28.18-20 1- The most important idea ever given is that we ‘love God with our heart and soul; our mind and strength.’ (Matthew 22) * If it is true that you love what you know, h...
We can all tend to forget, or move past things quickly and so easily. So as we celebrate the birth of Jesus through the Christmas season, we also should be reminding ourselves of the death and resurrection of Christ. Communion is not something we do only in remembrance as we look back. Communion is something that helps to unify us, focus us, and is a constant reminder of the Gospel we so desperately need. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 1) Pause and reflect on this past year. What is something...
Isaiah 9:6 is one of the most used passages of scripture especially during the advent season. As we look at the time and context this was written, we will see a hope filled prophecy in the midst of a societal upheaval and captivity. But the one who is coming, brings a new, unimaginable Kingdom. And when we discover more of this King, we discover more of who we are: sons and daughters of God. There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace and my happiness depend: To discover myself...
