Tulip Street Christian Church: Recent Episodes
Daniel Lee
This is the sermon podcast for Tulip Street Christian Church in Mitchell, Indiana. We exist to help you and others know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference.
Series: Kingdom Economics
This week Warren Crawford presents a message about generosity and service as a means of transforming lives with the Gospel. Warren represents Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project which has helped feed hungry children and families across the globe for the last 40 years. Hear this amazing story of what can happen when followers of Christ decide - someone should do something, and that someone is us.
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BHRP.org
Series: Kingdom Economics
Have you ever wondered why you're doing what you're doing? Have you ever doubted the difference you are making or the impact of your service? The book of Revelation makes the case that what we do in this life matters for the next. We can make an eternal difference by serving others as we follow Christ. The resurrection changes everything - including our approach to "wallets, works, and worship."
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Series: Kingdom Economics
In this week's sermon, Lucas Johnson brings a message about Spiritual Gifts - utilizing our gifts and talents to the glory of God and the good of others. And while our Spiritual Gifts are a good blessing, the greatest gift of all is LOVE.
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Series: Kingdom Economics
Darrin Chastain brings a message about generosity - is it radical or is it just the outcome of a transformed life?
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Series: "Kingdom Economics"
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Kindness is contagious. Research studies have shown that one act of kindness can impact up to 125 people. When we receive or witness acts of kindness, that makes us more likely to show kindness to others. This is one of the key ways the early church spread across the Roman Empire. Not only did they have the transforming message of the resurrection, they also had the witness of supernatural kindness and love.
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Series: Kingdom Economics
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Power and money may not corrupt, but they do certainly reveal our corruption. Whatever is on the inside will be amplified by wealth and power. And when our corruption encounters God's holiness, only one can win out. Today we look at a couple cautionary tales in the book of Acts concerning the condition of our hearts before God, especially in relation to our wealth.
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Series: Kingdom Economics
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Sometimes we thing that because we can't give big extravagant offerings, then our gifts don't mean as much. But Scripture shows us how God can use the smallest gifts to make a huge impact. Today we learn about "The Little Way" - doing little things with great love.
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Series: Kingdom Economics
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This week Darrin Chastain brought a message about holding loosely to our money and possessions. We need to ask ourselves if we own our stuff or if our stuff owns us. By holding it loosely and giving it away, we can be set free to use our resources as God intends. If not, they can become an idol wreaking havoc on our lives.
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Series: Kingdom Economics
CLICK HERE FOR SERMON NOTES
Our relationship with money is killing us. The statistics about poverty, debt, gambling, etc. are alarming. Not to mention all the sins in the Bible connected to our approach to money and possessions. Our wealth and our desire for more can drive a wedge between us and God and between us and our neighbors. We may find ourselves trapped in a Money P.I.T. - but Jesus offers a way out.
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Series: Kingdom Economics
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The Bible contains over 2300 verses mentioning money, wealth, and giving. Jesus speaks about money and wealth more than most other topics. Today we lay the foundation for a theological understanding of money and generosity with the help of the story of George Mueller.
tulipstreet.com/give
Series: Becoming Whole
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God has called each of us to live on mission for him. Most of us won't become globe-trotting missionaries or evangelists who preach to packed-out stadiums. But all of us can plant seeds of the gospel as we make our way through life.
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Series: Becoming Whole
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Each of us is only here for a short time. Our lives will one day be summed up by two dates and a dash between them. What are we doing to make the most of our DASH before our time on earth comes to an end? Let's learn how to live your legacy.
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Series: Becoming Whole
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When it comes to work we need to avoid the extremes of both laziness and workaholism. So what guidance does Scripture give us for a healthy understanding of work? Well...it's complicated. Sometimes hard work leads to success. Other times it doesn't. Lucas Johnson helps us navigate the complexities of work while keeping our focus on Christ.
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Series: Becoming Whole
Today, Daniel and Lucas both share their own stories of experiencing hurt and finding forgiveness - forgiveness from God, forgiveness for themselves, and forgiveness from/for others. We all have hurts, pains, and wounds from others. Forgiveness is truly the only path forward that leads to wholeness.
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Series: Becoming Whole
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Setting healthy boundaries in your life is one of the most challenging steps with some of the biggest payoffs. Healthy boundaries around your heart, your character, your resources, and your relationships can help you become the person God created you to be.
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Series: Becoming Whole
The command for Sabbath rest is the bridge between the commands to love God and to love our neighbors. This rest is divine in nature and finds its roots in the Creation story (Genesis 1-2). Rest is a gift from God for us to enjoy, yet it often goes neglected in our lives. But we can follow the example of Jesus and live in this divine rest by slowing down - Pause, Pray, Play, and Presence.
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Series: Becoming Whole
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As a Christian, you will go through seasons of doubt or wrestling with your beliefs. Sometimes we need to deconstruct or re-evaluate our faith. We should develop a faith that can flex, grow, stretch, and bounce back. But what does that look like? If you are going through a time of faith crisis, we want to help you along the journey.
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Series: Becoming Whole
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There are three big questions each person must answer at various times throughout his/her life: Who am I? Why am I here? Where do I fit? These are questions of identity, purpose, and belonging. Today, with the help of Scripture, the Skit Guys, and Henri Nouwen, we will attempt to help you discover your true identity in Christ as a child of God.
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Series: Influencers
Text: Acts 16
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Timothy was a young travel companion, coworker, and apprentice of Paul. More than that, Paul considered Timothy his "son in the faith." Timothy was a young man of character, integrity, courage, humility, and passion. He had the trust and respect of Christian communities throughout the Roman Empire. No matter our age, we can all learn from Timothy's example of devotion to Christ and the spread of the Gospel.
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Series: Influencers
Text: Acts 4, 9, 11, 15
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Darrin Chastain brings us a message about Barnabas and his ministry of Encouragement. His generosity, acceptance, and encouragement changed the lives of those around him and even changed the course of history. Simple acts of generosity and encouragement can make a massive impact in the lives of those around you.
Series: Influencers
Text: Acts 18
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Today is Mother's Day, so we are taking a look at a very important woman known by some as The Mother of Teachers: Priscilla. She had a special relationship with her husband, Aquila, and was one of Paul's most trusted and capable co-workers. Her instruction and hospitality continue to make an impact on believers all these centuries later.
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Series; Influencers
Text: Acts 6-8
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Stephen is commemorated as the first Christian martyr, following Christ even unto death. But before his execution at the hands of an angry mob, he was a servant tending to the needs of widows in the church. An ordinary, winsome, outgoing man, full of the Spirit - and he changed history. The impact of Stephen's life, ministry, and death cannot be overstated. Let's hear what the first martyr has to tell us today.
tulipstreet.com/nextsteps
Series: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain
Text: Philippians 4
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Joy is (or should be) one of the defining characteristics of a Christ-follower. But the world we live in confuses happiness and joy so often they become interchangeable. So what's the difference? How can we live lives full of joy? How can we remain joyful even in the midst of terrible circumstances?
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Series: To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain
Text: Philippians 2
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At the center of Paul's letter to the Philippians stands the great Christ Hymn, full of rich theology and deep insights into the character of God as revealed in Christ. It is the summary of the Gospel message. So what? It's one thing to say you believe it, it's another thing altogether to live the Truth of the Gospel out loud. That's what we're called to do - embody the Gospel of Christ in our lives, day in and day out.
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Series: To Live Is Christ, to Die Is Gain
Text: Philippians 1
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Today we begin a month-long study through the book of Philippians. Paul wants one thing for the Christians in Philippi - and for us as well: To live a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ. What does it mean to live a worthy life? What makes life worth living? Why can life be so hard when we are trying to do all the right things? Let's try to find answers to these questions and more as we dive into Philippians chapter 1.
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Series: The Life of David
Text: 1 Chronicles 28-29
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At the end of David's life, he had to make a change. He was no longer the victorious warrior & giant slayer he had once been. But his time in the battle was over not because he was no longer useful - it's because he was too valuable. So David spent the remainder of his reign setting up the next generation (i.e. his son Solomon) for success.
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Series: The Life of David
Text: 2 Samuel 7
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David's ascent to the throne was anything but smooth. But when he entered his King-era, things went great! ...for a while. Like all of us, life gets messy. Temptation strikes when we are unprepared. Relationships dissolve, families have conflict, all that glitters is not gold. Let's learn some life lessons from Israel's shepherd.
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Series: The Life of David
Text: 1 Samuel 17
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When David fought Goliath, it marked a major life transition for him. He was no longer just a shepherd boy, he was entering his warrior stage - not a child, but not quite an adult. As such, he needed a code to live by, guiding principles that would serve him not just in this singular showdown, but over the next several years of his chaotic young adulthood.
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Series: The Life of David
Text: 1 Samuel 16
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As we begin our series through the Life of David, we begin with some lessons in leadership. There is a sharp contrast set up between King Saul and future-King David. It was a matter of the heart. Character matters. And the skills David developed in the sheep field would serve him for the rest of his life.
Series: Am I Ok?
Text: Ezekiel 24
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Many of us, unfortunately, will experience some form of intense trauma in our lifetimes, whether from an accident, natural disaster, abuse, assault, etc. And about 9-10% of the US population will develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When the trauma is experienced over a long period of time, we can develop Complex-PTSD which has some different presenting symptoms. It's important to understand the difference. But what happens when religion is the source of our trauma? There is something called Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS), which is the result of abuse or trauma within the context of a religious environment.
As challenging as these topics and experiences are, I want you to know there is HOPE. We have hope in Christ for a better tomorrow and a perfect eternity to come.
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Series: Am I Ok?
Text: Romans 7, 1 Corinthians 12
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We have learned a lot about ADHD over the past few decade, yet it's rarely something we talk about in our churches. Sometimes it can be hard for people with ADHD to feel like they have a place in the church, or they feel shame because they don't live up to certain standards. But the Scriptures remind us that no part of the body is unimportant. Everyone belongs and has a gift to offer.
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Series: Am I Ok?
Text: Psalm 55
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Anxiety disorders are the number one diagnosed mental illness among adults in the US. Anxiety has been on the rise among teens and young adults since the 1950s. So what is it? What can we do about it? Is anxiety a sin?
There is hope. There is healing. Let's learn the truth together.
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Series: Am I Ok?
Text: Lamentations 3:14-24
Notes: http://bible.com/events/49383212
Mental illness is far more prevalent than we may realize. But those who suffer from mental health issues are often overlooked or avoided. We aren't comfortable talking about these things in our churches. But we're trying to change that. This week, we look at mental health in relation to depressive disorders. We will see how David fit the diagnostic criteria for major depression. And we will find hope and healing together with Christ.
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Series: Dinner with Jesus
Text: Luke 24:13-35
Click Here for Sermon Notes
A stranger meets two disheartened disciples walking back home from Jerusalem after the Passover weekend. But when they realized who this stranger was, everything changed. They found HOPE and ASSURANCE at the table with Jesus.
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Series: Dinner with Jesus
Text: Luke 19:1-10
At Jesus't table you will find salvation and belonging. This was true for a man named Zacchaeus. His encounter with Christ changed everything.
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Series: Dinner with Jesus
Text: Luke 7:36-50
This week we take a look at a very awkward dinner at the house of Simon the Pharisee. The dinner was interrupted by a "sinful" woman who anointed Jesus' feet and worshipped him. In this tale of two sinners, we compare this woman with Simon the Pharisee. We see that at Jesus' table there is forgiveness and fresh starts.
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Text: Hebrews 4
Today, Lucas Johnson wrapped up 2024 with a message about true REST in God. May you find rest and peace this New Year!
Series: Foretold
Text: Isaiah 11 & 65
Isaiah gives us a glimpse of what the New Day of the Lord will be like, a time where evil is crushed, where hardships and heartache are a thing of the past, where there is no more sadness, death, or parting. Later, a man named Simeon would recognize the dawning of the New Day in the infant named Jesus.
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Series: Foretold
Text: Isaiah 61:1-7
Isaiah's influence on Jesus and on his mother Mary is evident in today's passage. We look at how Isaiah used his prophetic imagination to help us see the world as God sees it. Where there is justice, compassion, and freedom, there is true and lasting peace.
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*We had some recording issues, so the audio quality is not as it usually is. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Series: Foretold
Text: Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 53
Today we learn about this mysterious character in Isaiah called "The Servant." This is who Israel was supposed to be. This is who the Ethiopian Treasurer was reading about in Acts 8. This is who we are trying to identify this week. Who is Isaiah talking about? The answer may surprise you.
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Series: FORETOLD
Text: ISAIAH 7 & 9
Today we began our Christmas series "Foretold" by looking at the passages in Isaiah telling about God's rescue plan for his people. That great rescue plan begins not with a new warrior, not with a new general, not with a great military leader, but with a baby. This baby signals God's presence with his people, no matter what.
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On this Sunday before Thanksgiving, we had a chance to hear three amazing stories of protection, healing, and redemption from members of our congregation - Shannon Baxter, Aubrianna Colwell, and Craig Stewart. May you be blessed in listening to their stories, and may you bless others by sharing your own. And always be thankful in all circumstances.
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Series: Built Different
Text: Matthew 7:28-29
This week we wrap up the year-long journey through the Sermon on the Mount. We read the entire sermon in one sitting and then think about what it means to live in the Kingdom of Heaven with Jesus Christ as our one true King.
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Series: Built Different
Text: Matthew 7:24-27
This week Darrin Chastain brings a message about what it truly means to follow Christ. It's not enough to just say we believe. We have to act in faith and let that belief guide us in following the Way of Christ. Only then will we be ready to bear the storms that come our way.
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This week Lucas Johnson brings a message from the book of Ecclesiastes about our search for meaning. We look to so many aspects of life to find our purpose or make meaning. But as Ecclesiastes affirms, real life is not found in the pursuit of wisdom, wealth, or work. It's only found in a life devoted to God.
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Series: Built Different
Text: Matthew 7:13-23
The church must not be afraid to have honest conversations about abusive, toxic, manipulative, or corrupt leadership. It's a sad reality that Jesus warned us about from the start. There will be people who try to take advantage of God's people. We must be aware of the dangers, and we must also do some self-reflection.
tulipstreet.com/nextsteps
Series: Built Different
Text: Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus offers a choice. We can follow him on the narrow path, or go with the crowd on the broad, easy road. Life is full of choices, some big, some little. But following Jesus is an every day choice for his disciples. Keep your eyes on him, and know that you will never walk this path alone.
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Series: Built Different
Text: Matthew 7:12
Jesus summarizes the entire Bible in one simple command - whatever you want others to do with you, do also to them. This is more than just good advice, it's the true heart of Scripture. Jesus is clear that how we treat others is how we treat God and vice versa.
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Series: Built Different
Text: Matthew 7:7-11
We often are hesitant or even fearful to ask for what we need or want in life, whether it's from one another or from God. But relationships are built in the ASK. Today we look at three reasons we may not ask for help, and then we will work to build confidence by challenging those beliefs.
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Series: Built Different
Text: Matthew 7:1-6
When people met Jesus, they left changed. They knew they were loved, accepted, and welcomed. So what happened? Why do people frequently view Christians as hypocritical and judgmental? I think the problem is undiagnosed Plank-Eye Syndrome.
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Series: Unburdened
Text: Matthew 6:25-34
No matter how hard we try, we cannot control the future. We may do a lot of things to try and prepare for the future, but in the end it might all be for nothing. That's why Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We don't have to live in fear of the future, because we know the One who holds it in his hands.
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This week we highlighted a very special ministry at TSCC which has become much bigger than TSCC. Our Deaf Community Ministry, called Building Bridges, welcomed William McClaine to share more about what God is doing among the deaf and hearing impaired community throughout Southern Indiana.
This week we welcomed special guest Norma Hall to bring the message during our Women's Sunday. Mrs. Hall delivers a gripping first-person perspective from the POV of the Samaritan Woman in John 4.
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Text: Matthew 6:25-34
Series: Unburdened
We are all susceptible to the Illusion on Control. It's common for us to want to feel in control over our lives, but we must realize there are many situations that are just beyond our control. But they are not out of God's control. Find out from Jesus what we can gain by giving up control.
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Text: Matthew 6:25-34
Series: Unburdened
Jesus has some thoughts to share with his disciples about worry and anxiety. He wants us to live lightly and freely, without all the cares and concerns that weigh us down. The wisdom of Jesus is in line with the research of modern psychology. Discover what steps you can take to become unburdened by worry.
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Series: Living Unburdened
Text: Matthew 6:24
Jesus states his case plain and clear: You must choose. You cannot serve God and Mammon. Jesus speaks of Mammon as a rival god, vying for our attention and devotion. We are all too often seduced into loving and worshiping wealth, possessions, and anything else which we trust in more than God. The primary way of combating the allure of Mammon is the spiritual discipline of Simplicity.
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Series: Unburdened
Text: Matthew 6:22-23
The world tries to convince us that we don't ever have enough. The first lie in the Garden was "God is holding out on you." Jesus uses the metaphor of our eyes to talk about our desires. Our eyes can get us into trouble because our desires can be so easily manipulated. Maybe it's time for an eye exam.
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Series: Unburdened
Text: Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus wants his followers to live a life unburdened by the things of this world. Our money, possessions, treasures - our STUFF - can get in the way of following Christ fully and freely. Having things is not wrong, but hold them loosely.
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Text: Matthew 6:13
Series: HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
This final request in the Lord's Prayer is challenging to translate because the word often rendered "temptation" can also mean "test" or "trial." I believe Jesus teaches us through his life, his teachings, and this prayer that trials and tests are sometimes necessary. But temptation is always optional. And God is faithful.
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Text: Matthew 6:12, 14-15
Series: HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
CS Lewis wisely stated, "Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has to practice it." Some of Jesus' most challenging teachings revolve around forgiveness, but it's so important that he includes forgiveness in the prayer he gives us. But it's not just our needing forgiveness from God, it's about forgiving others in turn. And sometimes the hardest person to forgive is... yourself.
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Seventy Times Seven, by Alex Mar
Text: Matthew 6:11
Series: HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
CLICK HERE for Sermon Notes
Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us today our daily bread." Today we peel back all the flaky layers, moving past the crispy surface level into a deeper understanding at the warm fluffy center of this request. It's all about acknowledging God as our provider, confessing our bent toward worry and greed, and showing love for others.
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TEXT: Matthew 6:10
SERIES: HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
What does it mean to pray "Your Kingdom Come?" Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven. Is it still good news today? This line in the Lord's prayer is all about allegiances, priorities, and lifestyle. We don't just pray it. We live it.
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Text: Matthew 6:9
Series: HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. He gives us the words to say, words which lead to a transformed identity within community. Today we look at God as Our Father, what it means to be "in the heavens," and how we can live a life dedicated to honoring God's name among the nations.
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Text: Matthew 6:16-18
Series: HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
Most of us Western Protestant Christians don't emphasize fasting as much as Jesus did. Sure, he said his disciples shouldn't fast while he was with them, but there would come a time when they would fast. Just like with giving and praying, Jesus says, "When you fast..." It was an expectation. But now it's become an expectation that we have ignored for too long. Let's look at Jesus' guide to fasting and get to the heart of the practice in Scripture.
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Text: Matthew 6:5-8
Series: HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
This week we look at Jesus' guide to prayer and we take a Big Picture look at the heart of prayer.
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TEXT: Matthew 6:2-4
SERIES: HIDDEN - Discipleship Behind the Scenes
Jesus gives us a guide to giving. But it's not all about the Do's and Don'ts. It's about planting ourselves firmly within the story of God's creative work in the world. When we give we are partnering with God to bring about the Kingdom and re-create the world in God's original vision of abundance and provision for all.
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HIDDEN: Discipleship Behind the Scenes
Text: Matthew 6:1
Jesus talks about receiving a reward from the Father. What is that reward? What are we working for? What do we hope to get from following Jesus? We continue to examine our motivations and desires this week in our walk through the Sermon on the Mount.
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Text: Matthew 6:1
This week we begin a new series within the Sermon on the Mount called "Hidden: Discipleship Behind the Scenes." Jesus begins this section with a challenge not to let our religious activities be merely performative, to be seen by others and to gain their approval. But rather, we should be performing to an Audience of One - God the Father.
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TEXT: Matthew 5:43-48
The ultimate expression of love is to love one's enemies. Easy to say, very hard to do. We turn not only to the example of Jesus himself, but also to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Corrie Ten Boom.
*Due to a brief power outage, we had some audio recording issues. You will notice a difference in the sound in the last remaining ten minutes or so.
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Text: Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus calls his followers to no longer play the victim nor to lash out in violence and payback. He shows us another way, a better way, of reclaiming our dignity and agency by controlling how we respond to injustices.
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SERIES: (RE)THINKING
TEXT: Matthew 5:27-32
Lust, adultery, sexual desire, temptation - Jesus emphasizes the importance of getting it right. Lust, if left unrestrained, can wreak havoc on a person's life. Thankfully, Jesus points us towards a new way of interacting with members of the opposite sex.
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Series: (RE)THINKING
Jesus presents a number of "Case Studies" in what it means to live into a greater righteousness. He challenges us to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to live out the commands of God and find the wisdom and heart of God behind the commandments. He begins with murder and anger.
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In the Sermon in the Mount, Jesus gives his disciples a clear correction on how to read, interpret, and apply the Scriptures - It's all about Christ! How we read Scripture, what we focus on, and how we treat others - it all matters.
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This morning we are joined by three members of the TSCC family who bravely share their story of struggle and redemption. Nobody has a perfect life - far from it. But God reaches down into the mess of our lives to make something beautiful.
There were some technical difficulties, so the beginning was cut off a bit.
Jesus tells his followers "Y'all are the salt of the land... Y'all are the light of the world." But what does that mean? How can we understand our role as salt and light today?
tulipstreet.com/nextsteps
WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE
Happy Easter! This week we look at the final Beatitude, and we see how the good life belongs to those who lay everything on the line for the sake of Christ. We know we can face anything because of the glory awaiting us on the other side.
Welcome to Your Life!
This week we remember Palm Sunday, and we see how peacemaking can lead to persecution.
Welcome To Your Life!
This week Josh Elliott, our youth pastor, brings a message about the Merciful and the Pure in Heart.
We apologize for the quality of the recording. We had some technical issues with the live stream. The recording will jump a bit toward the beginning, and the end cuts off abruptly.
The Meek and those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness and resisting culture in two different ways, one through contentment, the other through discontentment. And in the Kingdom, both groups find everything they truly desire.
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April Hasket, executive director of Hope Resource Center in Bedford, brings us an update on their services and ministry in Lawrence County.
https://hoperesourcectr.org/
Before recording Jesus' most famous sermon, Matthew records these words of Jesus: "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near." He preached this throughout the countryside towns and villages of Galilee and the surrounding regions. The people most drawn to his message were the poor, the sick, the lost, the outcasts, those who are all but forgotten by the kingdoms and empires of this world.
There is a new kind of kingdom coming, and it's for you! Welcome to the Kingdom. Welcome to Your Life.
tulipstreet.com/nextsteps
RESOURCES and REFERENCES
BibleProject Sermon on the Mount Video Series
http://tinyurl.com/mwu5mfk9
BibleProject Sermon on the Mount Podcast
https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/the-bible-project-podcast/
Amy-Jill Levine, Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven
http://tinyurl.com/2wdsxjje
Derwin Gray, The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches about Finding True Happiness
http://tinyurl.com/bdff2rnd
Scot McKnight, Kingdom Conspiracy: Returning to the Radical Mission of the Local Church
http://tinyurl.com/27ms9p9t
Scot McKnight & Tremper Longman, III, The Story of God Bible Commentary: The Sermon on the Mount
http://tinyurl.com/355whkax
Skye Jethani, What If Jesus Was Serious?: A Visual Guide to the Teachings of Jesus We Love to Ignore
http://tinyurl.com/bdes3h8s
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
http://tinyurl.com/2638w7w7
Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God
http://tinyurl.com/ms7zccy3
This week we heard a missions update from Asian Children's Mission, a group that supports children's homes, sustainable farming practices, disaster relief, and more in the war-torn country of Myanmar.
asianchilrensmission.org
In our final sermon of the "Ordinary Liturgy" series we take a look at why singing and music is such a big part of our worship.
tulipstreet.com/nextsteps
This week we think about what prayer is and we learn from Jesus how to pray.
If you need our prayers, please go to tulipstreet.com/nextsteps to fill out a prayer request!
Also check out prayercourse.org for additional prayer teachings and resources.
This week we look at the act of giving. Jesus had a lot to say about money / possessions, and so does the Bible as a whole. The best thing we can do with our money is give it away, not hoard it all for ourselves.
tulipstreet.com/give
SOME RESOURCES:
https://www.worldvision.org/christian-faith-news-stories/what-the-bible-says-about-generosity
https://bibleproject.com/articles/generosity-what-missing/
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/generous-gospel-new-testament-themes-part-4/
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/stewardship-tithing-and-giving
https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/church-giving-statistics-tithing
This week, Will Crooks visits us from Campus Outreach at Indiana University, one of the many great missions we support. He brings an update on the campus ministry at IU and an encouraging message about Seeing, Knowing, and Being the Light.
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campusoutreach.org
Communion / the Lord's Supper / The Eucharist is one of the Christian sacraments commemorated across the globe and throughout the centuries. The bread and the cup remind us of God's abundance, God's salvation, and the future feast God has prepared for all people.
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This week we begin a 5 part series called Ordinary Liturgy. We will look at why we do what we do as a church. This week begins with baptism.
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References and Resources:
Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer,
by Rowan Williams
http://tinyurl.com/mrmwzhku
The Meaning of Baptism in the Bible: Understanding Baptism as a Biblical Design Pattern
by Shara Drimalla & BibleProject Team
https://bibleproject.com/articles/baptism-in-the-bible/
Baptism: The Demonstration of Devotion, by Max Lucado
https://maxlucado.com/baptism-the-demonstration-of-devotion/
Joe Martin challenges us on the last day of 2023 to actively pursue Christ and his mission in 2024.
On the final Sunday of Advent we look at the stories of Simeon and Anna as Mary and Joseph present baby Jesus in the Temple to dedicate him to God according to the Law. Simeon and Anna were waiting faithfully on the Lord, recognized him when he showed up, and told everyone about him. May we learn from their example this holiday season.
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What happens with God shows up? Luke 2 gives us two very different contrasting scenes - the Holy Family alone in a stable with Mary having just given birth to her firstborn son AND the shepherds in the field who witnessed the glory of the Lord shining around them and the entirety of Heavens Armies shouting their praise to God.
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This week we will focus on Mary, her life, her faith, and her song.
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Featured Song:
https://youtu.be/V93lwaoLK-0?si=lPpEXXAkQZRY3NpR
This is the first message in our Christmas series, Christmas Carols Volume 1. Each week of Advent we will look at and listen to one of the songs featured in Luke chapters 1 & 2.
Today we look at Zechariah's song and story, how God was doing something new in the world and is getting his people ready through Zechariah's son, John.
YouTube Playlist for the Featured Songs
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REFERENCES & RESOURCES
5 Covenants of the Old Testament
-Clayton Kraby
https://reasonabletheology.org/5covenants/
Luke 1:67-79 – The Songs of Christmas: Zacharias’ Song
-Jeremy Meyers
https://redeeminggod.com/sermons/luke/luke_1_67-79/
Zechariah's Song | Luke 1:57-80
-Isobel Lin
https://www.equip.org.au/equip-news/2020/12/19/zechariahs-song-luke-157-80#:~:text=The%20song%20is%20full%20of,and%20his%20trust%20is%20renewed.
Advent: Zacharias’ Prophetic Song (Luke 1:67-79)
-Michael A. Milton
https://www.preaching.com/articles/advent-zacharias-prophetic-song-luke-167-79/
The story of Jonah ends on a cliffhanger. We don't know what happens next, but that's the point. It's a call for you, the reader, to finish the story. Go has one final lesson in store for Jonah - and us.
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This week we see Jonah's response to the success of his mission, and we finally get an answer to why Jonah ran away in the first place. It's all about God's grace. How far does it go? Is God's grace and forgiveness exclusive to the people of Israel or does it extend to everyone - even our enemies?
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Did Jonah learn his lesson? What will happen to the people of Nineveh? We find out today in our series through the book of Jonah.
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THE ANTIHERO, a study in Jonah
This week we take a look at Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish. It's a great prayer - in the wrong context. The issue isn't what he says, but what he doesn't say.
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The Prodigal God: Jonah and the Mystery of God's Mercy, by Tim Keller
https://tinyurl.com/2s3najs4
Bible Project | JONAH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c
Bible Project App
https://bibleproject.com/app/
Bible Project Classroom | JONAH
https://classroom-beta.bibleproject.com/jonah
Jonah, the prophet of God, is more lost than ever. Ironically, the pagan sailors are saved physically and spiritually as they end up worshiping and serving the LORD.
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The Prodigal God: Jonah and the Mystery of God's Mercy, by Tim Keller
https://tinyurl.com/2s3najs4
Bible Project | JONAH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c
Bible Project App
https://bibleproject.com/app/
Bible Project Classroom | JONAH
https://classroom-beta.bibleproject.com/jonah
How do we make sense of God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace AND God's judgment and wrath? There are no easy answers, but in this week's sermon, Daniel offers some observations about sin and its consequences.
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Who Are You Anyway?: Exploring Exodus 34:6-7, by Russell Bloodworth, Jr.
https://tinyurl.com/4xd77kts
David Bowden | LOVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evtiFsUJvUQ
Bible Project | JUSTICE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A14THPoc4-4
The LORD is a forgiving God. He is the only one with the ability to truly forgive and forget. As far as the East is from the West, so far has he removed our sins from us. Ultimately through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus our sins have been paid for once and for all time. But it doesn't stop there. We are to show forgiveness to others because of the forgiveness we have been given in Christ. Easier said than done.
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Who Are You Anyway?: Exploring Exodus 34:6-7, by Russell Bloodworth, Jr.
https://tinyurl.com/4xd77kts
Bible Project | Iniquity
https://youtu.be/w1zkwkI9oAw?si=AkiuRcCg73enKZ4i
Bible Project | Transgression
https://youtu.be/cq-r9FFN5ew?si=MckWKh020JI1fta3
Bible Project | Sin
https://youtu.be/aNOZ7ocLD74?si=zi8cFcq3qtcnEnCe
Tim Mackie | Who Can Forgive Sins?
https://youtu.be/JMDMuw0KBto?si=WuUkKuY--8Qbi9Hy
The power of forgiveness (Mary Johnson & Oshea Israel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2BITY-3Mp4
Botham Jean’s brother, Brandt, forgives and hugs Amber Guyger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeESVLQK4hw
The LORD is "abounding in truth." We spend some time this week not only talking about how God is trustworthy, faithful, reliable, and consistent - but how we can emulate those qualities to be people of emet in a world of "truthiness."
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Who Are You Anyway?: Exploring Exodus 34:6-7, by Russell Bloodworth, Jr.
https://tinyurl.com/4xd77kts
Bible Project | Faithful
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/faithful/
Can We Trust God in Difficult Times?
Trusting God in Exile
Shara Drimalla
https://bibleproject.com/articles/can-we-trust-god-in-difficult-times/
Hebrew for Christians
John J. Parsons
https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Word_of_the_Week/Archived/Emet/emet.html
Jewish Word | Emet
Jewish paths to truth
BY AMY E. SCHWARTZ
https://momentmag.com/jewish-word-emet/
This week we "turn the diamond" as we attempt to understand God's "faithful love" or KHESED.
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RESOURCES AND REFERENCES
Who Are You Anyway?: Exploring Exodus 34:6-7, by Russell Bloodworth, Jr.
https://tinyurl.com/4xd77kts
The Meaning of Hesed: Hebrew Word for Love
BY AVITAL SNOW
https://firmisrael.org/learn/the-meaning-of-hesed-hebrew-for-love/
The Loyal Love of God
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/loyal-love-god/
A Close Look at the Meaning of God's Love
Exploring the Hebrew word khesed
https://bibleproject.com/articles/how-do-we-describe-gods-love/
Bible Project | God Loves You, But What Does That Mean? (According to the Bible)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfbyFLgs_NM
The Four Elements of Love, Scot McKnight
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2015/05/01/the-four-elements-of-love/
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: Team Hoyt's Inspirational Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvtpGCqU2Tg
What does it mean that God is "slow to anger?" Isn't God an angry God? Many of us grew up hearing about an angry God waiting to strike us down. But today we spend some time deconstructing that view of God AND seeing how we can learn healthier ways of dealing with our own anger.
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REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:
Who Are You Anyway?: Exploring Exodus 34:6-7, by Russell Bloodworth, Jr.
https://tinyurl.com/4xd77kts
Bible Project | Learn How God's Anger and Love Work Together (Character of God Series)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeQ1nq_YJD0
Bible Project | Is the God of the Bible an Angry God?: Exploring Divine Anger
https://tinyurl.com/3zdkh2uz
THE GODS AREN’T ANGRY | Rob Bell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39m0oty9BPU
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1053&context=etas
Understanding and Processing Anger
Looking beneath the "blanket" of anger can lead to deeper understanding.
Monica Vermani C. Psych.
https://tinyurl.com/mw8nvdk4
6 Tips for Dealing With Your Anger
These helpful principles can transform the way you deal with anger.
Lisa Firestone Ph.D.
https://tinyurl.com/y284tx2z
11 Good Reasons to Get Angry
Moshe Ratson MBA, MFT
https://tinyurl.com/2e8ny9de
Why Anger Is Nothing More Than Repressed Anxiety
Anger is best perceived paradoxically as an “offensive defense” against anxiety.
Leon F Seltzer PhD
https://tinyurl.com/mrr3a37k
How to Manage Your Anger
Tips on taming your tantrums.
Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D.
https://tinyurl.com/ytpc678v
Managing Anger: Tips, Techniques, and Tools
3 skills that can help people learn to better control their anger.
Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.
https://tinyurl.com/537rc2p9
This week our youth pastor, Josh Elliot, shares a message about God's grace towards us and how we can adopt that same graciousness towards others. He shares a powerful story about his father's health issues, recalling how his father showed great grace towards all the nurses and doctors during a very difficult time.
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Lesson 2 in our series about God's character as revealed in Exodus 34:6-7. The LORD is a Compassionate God. In this sermon we look at what compassion is and isn't, how God shows compassion, how we are called to be compassionate, and how to build compassion in our lives.
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RESOURCES:
Who Are You Anyway?: Exploring Exodus 34:6-7, by Russell Bloodworth, Jr.
https://tinyurl.com/4xd77kts
Bible Project | Compassion (Character of God Series)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJEtyAiAQik&t=221s
Compassion Is More Than Niceness: The new science on human goodness.
Michele DeMarco Ph.D., Rev
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/soul-console/202307/compassion-is-more-than-niceness
What Are the Benefits of Compassion?: Compassion can lead to powerful changes personally and in our relationships.
Diana Hill, Ph.D.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/from-striving-to-thriving/202304/what-are-the-benefits-of-compassion
Beyond Empathy: The Power of Compassion: Why it's good for us and how we can do more of it.
Beth Kurland Ph.D.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-well-being-toolkit/201909/beyond-empathy-the-power-compassion
What Compassion Is: The real meaning of compassion
Alex Lickerman M.D.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-in-world/200911/what-compassion-is
How to Build a More Compassionate Mind: Compassion toward the people we don’t love or even like has the most impact.
Diana Hill, Ph.D.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/striving-thriving/202110/how-build-more-compassionate-mind
New series "The LORD, the LORD" exploring the nature and character of God as revealed in Exodus 34:6-7.
We had issues with the sound, so the start of the sermon is a little rough.
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SOURCES and RESOURCES
Who Are You Anyway?: Exploring Exodus 34:6-7, by Russell Bloodworth, Jr.
https://tinyurl.com/4xd77kts
‘I Am Who I Am’? The Real Meaning of God’s Name in Exodus
By Dr. Michael LeFebvre
https://hebraicthought.org/meaning-of-gods-name-i-am-exodus/
The Character of God (Bible Project)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxwzq1PJImM&list=PLH0Szn1yYNefOC-fdPanitIai5o1im6jA&index=2
YHWH (LORD) - Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrGM26pmM0
Yahweh is our God - I Am Who I Am - Tim Mackie (The Bible Project)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcY9fCtTv-4
The Most Quoted Verse in the Bible (Bible Project Podcast)
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/most-quoted-verse-bible/
Excerpt From "Why YAH/YHWH" By Rabbi Arthur Waskow
https://www.haggadot.com/clip/excerpt-why-yahyhwh-rabbi-arthur-waskow
Breathing the Name of God, by Rabbi Paul Kipnes
https://www.paulkipnes.com/breathing-name-of-god/
In part 1 we took a look at what church is supposed to be - a Christ-centered community. This week we take it to the next step and consider what the church is supposed to do. This comes from the second half of our vision statement: ...helping everyone experience a life worth living as we know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference.
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Where did Tulip Street Christian Church come from? What was the Restoration Movement? What does it really mean to be the church? This week we look at these questions and more as we rediscover our identity as a Christian Church.
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As we close our Psalms of Summer series, we look at Psalm 23. It's all about life with God.
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What brings you joy? How can we grow in joy? It all comes down to what matters most in life. If you need more joy in life, it begins with growing closer to God, the ultimate source of all good things and the one whose presence is all we need.
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Can we be honest with God about our negative emotions? How can worship be part of the healing process when we are in seasons of depression, anxiety, or spiritual wilderness? What role does our own self-talk play in our relationship with God? We take a look at these questions and more this week as we think through Psalms 42-43.
In this week's message, we focus on Psalm 34. It's a beautiful song of praise that emphasizes God's goodness and his salvation for those who seek him.
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Confession is easy to talk about, harder to put into practice. This week we look at the framework for confession in Psalm 51 which David wrote after being called out for his sin again Bathsheba and Uriah.
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Continuing our series "Psalms of Summer," this week we take a look at Psalm 139. We discover some core truths about ourselves and our relationship to God. And we will see how true worship requires vulnerability, honesty, and openness about ourselves.
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This week we take a look at Psalm 46, which invites us to meditate on God's Protection, Promise, and Peace.
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This week we take an in depth look at Psalm 8. The author marvels at both the wonders of Creation and the fact that the Creator of it all cares so much for us. We will see Five Impossible Things which this Psalm calls us to believe.
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Josh Elliott, our youth pastor, kicks off our summer sermon series, "Psalms of Summer." For this opening week we'll focus on Psalm 1, an introductory
Psalm to the whole book. We'll see what Psalm 1 can tell us about life, worship, and Jesus.
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Psalm 1, by Poor Bishop Hooper // https://youtu.be/FVy6M1gWNmo
As we conclude the series "Made for Each Other," we take a look at the command to carry one another's burdens. In this sermon we take an honest look at the prevalence of domestic violence and abuse in our county. We also see how we as a church can help be part of the solution.
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For sermon notes and source links: https://my.bible.com/events/49084042
This week we take a look at the four major warning signs that a relationship is in trouble, called The Four Horsemen by Dr. Gottman and The Gottman Institute. They are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling. We'll learn what they are, how to spot them, and the antidotes - all rooted in biblical principles.
Read more about them here.
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This week we look at the differences between men and women, but we also see how men and women are more alike than we might think. At the end of the day we all want the same thing - to be loved, known, respected, valued, and honored. The challenge for us is to live as New Creation people in a Genesis 3 world.
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This week we take a look at the concept of Found Family, or Family of Choice. We see how biological families and nuclear families might not be the highest calling in the human experience, at least according to Jesus and Paul. And we'll see how there is a much needed place for singles in our churches, not just families.
*Daniel does misspeak at one point, saying Barabbas instead of Barnabas. Oops...
Lesson 02 in the series Made For Each Other. We take a look at the "Household Codes" as recorded in Ephesians 5-6. We'll see what it means to submit to one another, and realize how Paul reframes every relationship around Christ. Ultimately, Christ is the head of the household and the one who shows us what it's like to be the best spouse/parent/child we can be.
This is the first lesson in our sermon series "Made for Each Other." With this introduction, we'll see how we can focus on the right things in our relationships so that we can truly learn to love one another. Let's focus on Grace over Grudges, Empowerment over Entrapment, and Intimacy over Ignorage.
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This post-Easter chapter (John 21) brings us to the conclusion of our series through the Gospel of John, "Close Encounters with Christ." We see how life goes on, and what things were like for the disciples in the aftermath of the greatest moment in human history. And we also overhear one of the most important conversations in history when Jesus forgives and restores Peter after his denial.
For our Easter Sermon we walk through John chapter 20, continuing our series "Close Encounters with Christ." We see Mary Magdalene, the Disciples, and Thomas witness and experience the risen Christ. Jesus' resurrection changes everything, but it depends on who you're looking for.
For the Sunday before Easter, Daniel leads us on a journey recapping the book of John, transporting us into the story of Jesus' crucifixion and burial.
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Darrin Chastain, one of the Tulip Street Elders, fills in and walks us through Jesus' arrest, Peter's denials, and the trial/questioning in John 18.
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Series: Close Encounters with Christ
Lesson 15
Title: One Last Prayer
Main Text: John 17
The Allens have been a beloved family in the Mitchell community for many years. In September 2021, Kim Allen tested positive for COVID-19 and within a week was fighting for her life. After being told she had a mere 5% chance of survival, she and Jon joined us this week (a year and half later) to share their amazing testimony of God's work in bringing healing and strength to a near hopeless situation.
Series: Close Encounters with Christ
Lesson 14
Title: Before I Go
Main Text: John 14 — 16
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Series: Close Encounters with Christ
Lesson 13
Title: Love on Display
Main Text: John 13
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Series: Close Encounters with Christ
Lesson 12
Title: Beginning of the End
Main Text: John 12
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Series: I Am a Church Member
Lesson 06
Title: “I will treasure church membership as a gift”
Main Texts: Acts 2:37-47
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Series: I Am a Church Member
Lesson 05
Title: “I will lead my family to be healthy church members”
Main Texts: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Series: I Am a Church Member
Lesson 04
Title: “I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires”
Main Texts: Philippians 2
For this week's service we started out with a ministry update from April Haskett at Hope Resource Center in Bedford, IN. They are doing great work in the fight for life, helping out mothers, fathers, babies, and so much more.
Then Allen Burris (Sherwood Oaks Christian Church) guest-preaches for us about the need to pray for and encourage our church leaders.
Series: I Am a Church Member
Lesson 02
Title: “I will be a unifying church member”
Main Texts: Ephesians 4:1-7
Series: I Am a Church Member
Lesson 01
Title: “I will be a functioning church member”
Main Texts: 1 Corinthians 12-14
Series: I Am a Church Member
Lesson 00
Title: Time to (RE)Member (Introduction)
Main Text: Hebrew 10:19-25
Darrin Chastain invites members of the church to share memories and stories of Christmases growing up and the intangible gifts they received through the years. Then Daniel leads us in communion as we wrap up our Christmas series "Christmas Presence: God Is With Us."
SERIES: Christmas Presence
LESSON 04
TITLE: God Is With Us in Our New Family
MAIN TEXT: 1 Kings 19:19-21
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Our service to God was never meant to be a solo mission. Elijah was feeling lonely and depressed, so God guided him to another man named Elisha. He would become Elijah’s protege, his apprentice, his student - but in a sense they were becoming friends and brothers. When Elisha was chosen, he burned his plows and slaughtered his oxen for a big barbecue celebration. Elisha showed his commitment to the mission and his commitment to Elijah as his new teacher, friend, and father figure.
Jesus was born into an earthly family, but in his ministry he redefined what family means. This new heavenly family is connected not through the bonds of blood, but through the waters of rebirth. “Whoever does the will of my father is my brother and sister and mother.” We get to be “born again/from above” as children of God. As such we become one new, big, extended family.
This gift of the new family was promised from long ago. God knew it was not good for man to be alone. Eventually he would call out Abram and his wife to be the parents of a whole new nation, one through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. The greatest blessing is not some present under the tree, but those who gather around it with us. And in the new kingdom, we have a whole new family.
SERIES: Christmas Presence
LESSON 03
TITLE: God Is With Us in Our Loneliness
MAIN TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-18
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Every mountain top experience must end. And so it does for Elijah. He hears about the Queen’s death threat against him, so he runs and hides. All the while God continues to take care of him. In the midst of his seclusion, he begins to doubt himself, his mission, his fellow Israelites, and even God. God called him out of the cave and sent a gushing wind, a terrifying earthquake, and a raging fire. God was “not in” those incredible displays of power. Rather, God’s presence could be heard/felt in the soft whisper (still, small voice; sometimes translated as silence). Then God gives him reassurance that there are many thousand of his countrymen who have not bent the knee to Baal.
We’re never as alone as we think we are.
Christ came to save the world. But it was sometimes a lonely existence. There were times he felt abandoned and betrayed. But he also sought out those who were considered “outcast” by society. He touched the leper, he had a conversation with the woman at the well, he invited himself over to the house of Zaccheus. Jesus told us of a God who, as a loving shepherd, leaves the ninety-nine to go after the ONE. Jesus even reminded his disciples that he would be with them always, even to the end of the age.
Jesus also practiced solitude. He took time alone to spend with God. There is a difference between loneliness and solitude. I think we have a loneliness epidemic because we don’t know how to live comfortably in solitude. We experience FOMO instead of JOMO. We may want to chase after the next big thing. We may want to be included in the big events that everyone is going to or doing. But we must remember, God is fully present in the soft whisper of solitude.
SERIES: Christmas Presence
LESSON 02
TITLE: God Is With Us on the Mountain Top
MAIN TEXT: 1 Kings 18
Elijah, the prophet of God, challenged the prophets of Baal to a showdown on top of Mount Carmel. God showed definitive proof of his power and made fools of Baal’s prophets.
God likes mountains. God shows up in big ways on top of mountains - from Mount Moriah in Genesis 22, to Mount Sinai in Exodus, to Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18. God wants us to see his glory, to experience his presence in awe and wonder. The seclusion and elevation of a mountain top is among the best places to witness God’s majesty.
God is with us in the good times and the bad, from the valleys to the mountain tops. When we find ourselves in a “mountain top” season of life, let’s not forget the one who meets us there to reveal his glory and power. We may cry out to God when we’re in the valley of disappointments, but let’s not ignore him when we reach the summit of success.
SERIES: Christmas Presence
LESSON 01
TITLE: God Is With Us in the Valley
MAIN TEXT: 1 Kings 16:29 - 17:24
God sent Elijah to confront Ahab and his wife Jezebel about their wicked ways, especially their idolatry which was leading the people of Israel astray. As a sign of God’s judgment, God withholds the rain for 3.5 years. All the while, God is taking care of Elijah in the valley near a source of water. God provides for Elijah’s needs in various ways. God never abandons Elijah or leaves him to get by on his own.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me…”
When God came through Christ, the world was in turmoil. Israel was again suffering under the rule of not one, but two oppressive tyrants: King Herod “the Great” and Caesar Augustus. When things seemed at their darkest, God brought the light. When Israel was in a “valley of death,” God gave them his presence in Christ.
The valley doesn’t last forever. The darkness is only temporary. And while God never promises us that we won’t have to go through those dark places and circumstances, he does promise that his presence will be with us no matter what.
This was our Thanksgiving Service. We focused on the A.C.T.S. Prayer model - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Also featured is Will Crooks from Campus Outreach at Indiana University giving a ministry update.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 11
TITLE: Dead Man Walking
MAIN TEXT: John 11
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 10
TITLE: Wake Up, Sheeple!
MAIN TEXT: John 10
BIG IDEA: Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Gate to the Sheepfold. You can’t understand this chapter and what Jesus is saying here without knowing Ezekiel 34. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send “David” to shepherd his people. God is Israel’s shepherd, but so is “David.” God calls on his human counterpart/representative to shepherd the flock in mutuality. The leaders of Israel had abandoned their duties to the flock, leaving them starving, defenseless, and scattered. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to bring them abundant life - feeding them, restoring them, bringing them back into the fold, tending to their needs. In presenting himself as the Model Shepherd, he is also issuing the indictment against Israel’s leaders that they, too, have been shirking their duties and turning their backs on the flock.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 09
TITLE: Believing Is Seeing
MAIN TEXT: John 9
BIG IDEA: Jesus heals a man born blind. His disciples asked “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Throughout the chapter, the disciples and the Jewish leaders indicate an understanding that disability is the result of sin. There is also a debate about whether Jesus himself is a sinner, since he seems to have broken the Sabbath laws, or at least their interpretation and application of the laws. Jesus would later say that the leaders are blind, and it’s worse because they claim to be able to see.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 08
TITLE: Grace and Truth
MAIN TEXT: John 8
BIG IDEA: The chapter begins with the Judeans wanting to stone a woman caught in adultery and ends with them wanting to stone Jesus. The actions and teachings of Jesus reveal radical grace and truth which can still make us uncomfortable today.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 07
TITLE: That Was ‘In-Tents’
MAIN TEXT: John 7
BIG IDEA: The people in Jerusalem are questioning who Jesus is, where he came from, and what to do with him. They are divided, and the tension is rising. As Jesus often does, he embodies the Festival of Booths within himself. He “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14), and he offers water that will become a raging river within us (alluding to Ezekiel 47).
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 06
TITLE: Hungry for Something New
MAIN TEXT: John 6
BIG IDEA: The sign of Jesus’ feeding the 5,000 and the miraculous walking on water point us to a new Passover, a new Exodus, where one greater than Moses is giving his people something greater than Mana. The true Living Bread is Jesus. He is the passover lamb. He is the bread from heaven. He is the way through the waters of chaos. He is the source of living water.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 05
TITLE: The Desperate and the Disabled
MAIN TEXT: John 4:43—5:16
BIG IDEA: In these two “signs” Jesus heals the son of a desperate father and causes a detached paralytic to walk again. The father, a nobleman who possibly worked for Herod, showed his faith by trusting Jesus’ word and going back home. The disabled man was anything but grateful.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 04
TITLE: Do You Know Who You’re Talking To?
MAIN TEXT: John 4:1-42
BIG IDEA: Jesus breaks down the social, political, and religious barriers to have a conversation with a woman in need. He sees her for who she truly is, knows her deepest desires, and lets her in on the secret of his true identity. He teaches her about living water, worship, and the future of God’s kingdom.
Series: Close Encounters with Christ
Lesson 03
Title: "On Losing Control"
Text: John 3
The author intentionally holds Nicodemus and John in contrast. There are two approaches to religion - hold onto control at all costs, or let go of control. The Gospel, the Good News, is that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor. All we need to do is trust in the One he sent. God’s love is a given. God came to us when we didn’t deserve it and gave his own life so we could have eternal life with him. God cannot be controlled no matter how hard we try. A God we can control and understand is an idol.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 02
TITLE: OfWine and Whips
MAIN TEXT: John 2
BIG IDEA: Where is God? God shows up in unexpected places in unexpected ways. Where there is fear and shame, Jesus brings celebration, joy, abundance, and blessing. But where there are those who would take advantage of others and turn religion into profit, Jesus brings judgment and allows everyone to regain access to God’s house.
SERIES: Close Encounters with Christ
LESSON 01
TITLE: “WORTH THE HYPE?”
MAIN TEXT: John 1
BIG IDEA: The pre-existent Word of God (Christ) became flesh. These stories are not made up. They have been recorded and preserved for all future generations, so that we might believe. John is inviting us, the readers, on a journey of discovery. Does Jesus really live up to the the hype? Is following him worth it even if it means losing everything? Come and see.