Worthington Christian Church: Recent Episodes
Worthington Christian Church
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Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
—John 4:28-29
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Jesus invites us to leave behind what cannot satisfy.
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Jesus fills us with His life.
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Jesus sends us to overflow into the lives of others.
What's your story? Why do you follow Jesus?
How you tell your story is far less important than having the courage to share your story with those you are blessed to do life with.
One Simple Question to your friend: "What do you believe to be true about Jesus?"
Jesus’ instruction to Mary Magdalene at the Resurrection was simple: Go and tell what you have seen!
Mary of Magdala was:
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The first to see the empty tomb
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The first to see the resurrected Jesus
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The first to tell anyone that Jesus defeated death
All I desire is the courage to share why I follow Jesus with the people I’m blessed to do life with
“One thing I know. I was blind, but now I see.”
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John 9:25
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When God Opens Our Eyes, It Changes Our Lives
• Opens eyes to ________________________________
• Opens eyes to ________________________________
• Opens eyes to ________________________________
• Opens eyes to ________________________________
- When God Opens Our Eyes, the Ultimate Benefit Is for Others
• Jesus was light of the world while on earth
• Disciples are now light of the world (Matthew 5)
• Good works demonstrate what God is doing in our lives
• Light shines through us to others
We all have a story! We honor God and others when we choose to share our story.
In John 1:35, we find John the Baptist teaching and baptizing in the Jordan River…
The Setting:
» A Cave Dweller
» Common People
» Religious Elite
Jesus calls his first four followers in this exact setting!
The very first thing the followers of Jesus did was find the person closest to them and say, “We found the Messiah!”
When Jesus called his first disciples, he said, Follow Me!
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TRUST JESUS.
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HONOR JESUS.
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SHARE JESUS.
God is not asking you to save anyone. You don’t possess the power or the persuasion to do that!
All God is asking us to do is partner with Jesus as He reveals Himself to those who seek Him.
Why do you follow Jesus? That’s a huge part of your story.
The main idea: The fruit Jesus produces in us was never meant to stop with us.
John 15 isn’t an effort-versus-no-effort conversation. It’s about working and putting in the effort for the right thing. Remaining requires effort. Fruit requires Jesus.
We remain connected to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we bear fruit.
What fruit are you spreading, and who is it reaching?
Here’s what we’ve answered over the last six weeks:
» Where does fulfillment come from? Jesus.
» How do we remain connected? By partnering with the Holy Spirit.
» What kind of fruit does the True Vine produce? Fruit that lasts.
» Who is the fruit for? Others.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
— John 15:13
» Love flows in and through us. (v.12)
» Love gives itself away. (v. 13)
» Love changes our relationship with Jesus. (v. 15)
What are we willing to lay down in ourselves to love others the way that Jesus has loved us?
This week’s challenge: Lay down what keeps you from loving like Jesus.
Followers of Jesus should be known as the most loving people in the world because we’ve experienced the greatest love the world has ever known.
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
— John 15:10
Main Idea: The life we want is found in Jesus.
Big Question: Do you have complete joy?
The phrase, “If you keep my commands,” is not the price of admission to God’s love, but the natural overflow of living inside it. Obedience does not produce the relationship. It is what the relationship produces.
A Cycle to Break:
Distraction → Disobedience → Dissatisfaction
God’s response to the cycle: Pursuit.
The commands of God have never been about earning his favor. They have been the pathway into the relationship he has been pursuing with us all along.
Obedience is an outcome of love and the pathway to joy.
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical conclusion is that I was made for another world.”
— C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity" (p. 106)
Formula for when we are disconnected from the Vine:
Isolated Striving + Unending Responsibilities = Burnout
Formula for when we are connected to the Vine:
Connection with Jesus + Unending Responsibilities = Fruit
A branch connected to the vine produces every time. A branch that thinks it’s the vine withers and dries up every time. We are the branches. We are not the vine.
If you’re feeling exhausted or discouraged, here’s the main point Jesus wants us to take away: We can’t do it alone, and we don’t have to.
Branches don’t live alone. They are connected to the vine and with other branches.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”
— John 15:4
BIG QUESTION: How do I remain connected to Jesus?
ANSWER: By keeping Jesus the most important thing in my life.
The Vine, the Gardner, and the Branches (v. 1)
God the Father is the Gardener, Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches. As the Gardener cares deeply for the plant, God cares deeply for us.
There are two types of cuts; neither feels good, but only one is good. (v. 2)
God prunes us to make us more like Jesus. What needs pruning in your life? Often, where we resist accountability the hardest is likely where we need it the most.
Remain (v. 4)
The Greek word for remain is menō, which means to abide, to reside, to make your home.
Jesus wants us to make him our home, not just a place we visit every now and then. It’s relational—we remain in Jesus, and He says He will remain in us.
Jesus declared, "I am the true vine," the night before His crucifixion. This statement connects to God's revelation of Himself as "I AM" (YAHWEH) to Moses in Exodus 3:14.
The Seven “I am” Statements from Jesus
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"I am the bread of life." — John 6:35
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"I am the light of the world." — John 8:12
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"I am the gate." — John 10:9
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"I am the good shepherd." — John 10:11, 14
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"I am the resurrection and the life." — John 11:25
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"I am the way, the truth, and the life." — John 14:6
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"I am the true vine." — John 15:1
The most important question we can ask ourselves: Am I connected to the vine?
How Nehemiah pointed to Jesus:
» He left a place of comfort and privilege to enter the brokenness of his people.
» He wept over the brokenness.
» He overcame opposition.
» He is known as the rebuilder.
» He finished the work.
Nehemiah’s wall eventually fell, but what Jesus did on the cross holds forever.
How can our rubble become a testimony to the Lord? By being grateful for God’s presence in all circumstances.
Here are some questions to reflect on the story God is writing:
» Where is God at work in my life?
» How am I expressing gratitude toward God?
» What are my life’s actions telling the people around me about God?
» What is still being rebuilt?
As we close Nehemiah, we realize that without Jesus, we’ll continue to fall, but with Jesus, we stand again.
Nehemiah pointed to Jesus because only Jesus can rebuild what’s truly broken.
But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
—Nehemiah 9:17
» Nehemiah 9 reminds us of God's faithfulness throughout our lives.
» Anything worth doing in the Kingdom of God will be met with challenge and opposition.
» Following Jesus comes down to one word: Trust.
» Do I trust Jesus? Do I trust that God has a plan?
My friend, God has not deserted you! His grace surrounds you, no matter what!
“All the people came together as one…”
—Nehemiah 8:1
The wall was built in 52 days because the people came together as one. After the wall was built, they hungered for spiritual renewal.
Here are a few nudges that the Israelites give us:
»Let’s get off the fringe. Living on the fringe is proximity without unity. What’s your next step toward Jesus and His church?
»Let’s get into our Bible. It breathes life into us. It’s a place where God speaks, and people who stand again are people who keep coming back to hear His voice. Not sure where to start? Try Luke and Acts.
Grief is not the end of our story, but a place where God meets us with His grace.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Often grief hits us in different seasons:
» Winter – A season of endings and closure, a hard season.
» Spring – A season of possibility and potential.
» Summer – A season of growth.
» Fall – The apex of seasons.
A way to progress through the seasons of grief is to carry a posture of gratitude.
Pray About Everything + Petition/Present Your Requests to God + Give Thanks for Everything = Peace.
When Nehemiah shared a greater vision, the Israelites shifted their focus from their rubble to God. We, too, have a greater vision: heaven.
When we fix our eyes on the eternal, it doesn’t remove our pain, but it gives us hope beyond it.
– Jenna Zigler, The Valley Between, p. 93
“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14
Remembering God’s faithfulness leads to rebuking the enemy’s schemes.
How do we keep rebuilding when the work gets hard, and the voices get loud?
•We remember how God has previously provided. (Nehemiah 4:14a)
•We’re so close to God’s Truth that we can spot a lie a mile away. (Nehemiah 4:16-18; Ephesians 6:17b)
•We keep rebuilding what matters most – bruises and all. (Nehemiah 4:14b, 17)
Sanballat asked, “Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble? God always knew the answer was yes.
In Ezekiel 37, God brought Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones and asked him, “…can these bones live?” As Ezekiel was prophesying, “…there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.”
» The power of teamwork
» Some were opposed to rebuilding
» Our collective brokenness looks hopeless
» We are not alone
» You have a place in God’s kingdom
Nehemiah asked great things of a great God and attempted great things in reliance on his great God.
Here’s what Nehemiah is teaching us: God rebuilds what we’re willing to move toward.
Last week, we asked: What’s your rubble?
This week, we ask: What’s your next step?
» We don’t need the whole plan. We just need to move.
» We don’t need to wait for courage. We build it by practicing.
KEY DEFINITIONS
Exile is living in the displacement of what was lost and what is not yet, held by a God who has not forgotten where we belong.
Liminal space is the disorienting experience between what was and what's next; where the old normal is gone, but the new one hasn't arrived.
Exile is where we are. Liminal space is what it feels like to be there.
SETTING UP NEHEMIAH
» In 586 BC, Babylon besieged and decimated the city of Jerusalem, taking many Jews captive. Later, Persia overtook the Babylonians.
» Esther helped preserve. Ezra helped reform. Nehemiah helped rebuild.
» Nehemiah's name means "The Lord Comforts."
The Broken Wall: (Nehemiah 1:1-3) A wall in rubble slowly convinces people that broken is normal.
The Response: (Nehemiah 1:4) Rebuilding begins when we allow ourselves to feel the weight of what is broken.
The Application: What we don't name, we can't surrender. What we don't surrender, God can't rebuild.
The Conclusion: (Nehemiah 1:11) Even in the rubble, we have access to the Most High King.
Rock Exercise: Write down what feels broken and what you want the Lord to rebuild.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
— Acts 4:12
»The man at the temple believed he needed something.
»Peter and John gave him more than he expected.
»The people were amazed by what they saw.
»Maybe what you think you need is not what God will offer.
»God’s gift will more than satisfy anything you think you need.
“Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
John 1:29
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
Isaiah 53:5-7
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
1 Peter 1:18-19
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24 NIV
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
— Luke 9:51
» Jesus doesn't accept neutrality — We cannot stay neutral about who Jesus is; neutrality is actually a rejection.
» Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem — Knowing what awaited Him, Jesus didn't hesitate because He had us in mind.
» Jesus is always at the center of our chaos — He's not too far ahead or behind; He's right where we need Him.
» Jesus wept for those who missed Him — Not because of the crowds, but because people were close to Him yet didn't truly know Him.
Revival begins with humility, prayer, and repentance.
Understanding Revival
» Humility — "God, I can't do this myself!"
» Prayer — "God, I need your help!"
» Repentance — "God, I want your way!"
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.”
— Matthew 5:14
How do we serve our community?
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We meet real needs.
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We prioritize our connection with God.
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We stay focused on the Mission.
After picking up the towel and serving His disciples, Jesus said: I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:14 NIV)
What does it look like to serve in the home?
»Servant leaders sacrifice
»Servant leaders don’t keep score.
»Servant leaders stay when it’s hard.
»Servant leaders set the example. (Titus 2:3-4 MSG)
Jesus, the ultimate servant leader – Philippians 2:3-8
To "Love Where We Live," starts in our home and then extends to our community.
What do we notice about the “expert” in the law/lawyer?
1. He’s an “expert”
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He stands up to test Jesus
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He asks the wrong question
How does the Good Samaritan Respond in Jesus’ Story?
He saw the person before he saw the need! (The need is temporary, but the person is eternal.)
He chose to help meet the need. (He didn’t "fix the person," he helped the person.)
He chose to go the extra mile.
Modern Equivalent for two Denarii: $135,000 average household income divided by 240 work days = $562.50 X 2 = $1,125
Wrong Question: “Who is my neighbor?”
Right Question: “To Whom can I be a neighbor to?”
“Go and do likewise.”
Loving where we live starts with love in the home. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Here are some ways to love our family:
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Wives: Love with encouragement. “Encouragement in the mouth of a woman is strength in the heart of a man.”
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Husbands: Love first and love the loudest.
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Kids: Love with honor.
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Grandparents: Love with presence, not pressure.
Two practical ways to bring love into the home:
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Eat around the table.
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Hold hands and pray.
Freedom endures by grace as we stay near Christ–who sustains us, teaches us His unhurried pace, and invites us into His work.
Unformed Rhythms of Grace
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Walk with Jesus
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Work with Jesus
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Watch how Jesus does it
A strategy to exchange little “t” truths for Big “T” Truths is making Nevertheless Statements
“Nevertheless” is a strategic word that pulls your heart from its pit of despair or fear and guides your heart to its safe place — the Big “T” Truth. (pg. 231)
When fighting for an unhindered heart lets…
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Pause
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Think
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Pray
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Say “Nevertheless”
Heart Shapers » Sore Spots » Faulty Heart Logic » Private Conclusions
»When what seems true isn't fully true.
»When what used to work doesn't work.
»When Jesus has the final word.
What Is Heart Logic?
Heart Logic is the most foundational meanings we make about the world, others, ourselves, and God.
Heart Shapers » Sore Spots » Heart Logic
The Four Heart Logic Questions:
» Is God Good? Is He really good all the time?
» Am I good even though I’m flawed? Am I truly valued and worthy of love?
» Are other people good? Is there goodness among the brokenness in humanity?
» Is life good? Is life good even in the most difficult times?
When Heart Logic Meets Hard Reality (Mark 4:35-41)
» The disciples experienced a real storm, rising fear, and troubling conclusion: “Do you not care?”
» Their fear wasn’t just about the waves–it revealed what their hearts believed about Jesus.
» Jesus was not merely delivering them from the storm; He was inviting them into a truer understanding of Himself.
Our lives are shaped by what our hearts believe. (Proverbs 4:23)
In God’s story of our lives, the answer to each of the Heart Logic questions is a resounding “yes!”
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
— Proverbs 4:23
Here are some of our primary heart shapers: family of origin, everyday life experiences, defining moments and sin.
A question we all should ask: What are the primary shapers of my heart?
Negative Heart Shapers » Sore Spots » Hindered Behavior
A great example of this is found in Numbers 13:26-32; 14:20-24.
• Sore Spots affect the story of our heart. Sore Spots usually surface in these ways: Shame, Fear, Inadequacy, A Sense of Rejection, Feeling Unvalued, Pride
• Sore Spots alter our story. The spies investigated the same land, had the same enemies, served the same God, yet had different hearts.
• Sore Spots can be a source of impact. Peter’s restoration and transformation provide a great example. (John 21 and Acts 2)
…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…
— Hebrews 12:1
We all have things that hinder us from living life to the full.
Our journey over the next six weeks is to unhinder our heart to unhinder our story. The great part is that God invites us to partner with Him. We have a role to play in our healing journey, and it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
A few things about the story of our heart:
- The story of our heart writes the story of our life.
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Proverbs 27:19)
- The story of our heart can be hindered.
Let us throw off everything that hinders. (Hebrews 12:1)
- The story of our heart can be edited.
As they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:14)
Let’s let the phrase WE > ME guide our church family.
What does this group of mighty warriors teach us about how to be a church that understands WE > ME?
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Let’s move in the direction the Lord is leading.
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Let’s move as a group.
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Let’s move with spiritual grit.
When we look at the story of David and his mighty warriors, we could say that they experienced revival and resilience. That’s what we are praying for in 2026.
As a church, we seek revival and resilience.
Everyone is seeking something to give them meaning and hope in this life.
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We all seek Happiness
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We all seek Love
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We all seek Peace
All the answers to deep searches of meaning can be found in Jesus.
The Birth of Jesus:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Why does Matthew start Jesus’ birth account with a long list of names?
Matthew wants us to know that in a world full of sin, let’s start with God’s grace because grace is at the core of Jesus’ arrival.
Here’s what we learn about Jesus’ messy family tree:
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Our past mistakes don’t disqualify us from being in God’s story.
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God doesn’t flinch at our mess – He steps right into it.
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Obedience is messy; disobedience is messier.
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Only God can clean our mess.
"…he will save his people from their sins."
Overwhelm happens when life feels bigger than we can handle.
Gabriel’s announcement about Jesus included:
» Jesus is the ultimate leader into the true Promised Land.
» Jesus is the Son of the Most High God.
» Jesus is the fulfillment of David’s eternal throne.
» Jesus is the one who reigns over God’s people.
When something chaotic happens, we need a plan in place — a "Mind Insurance Policy."
How should I respond when I’m feeling overwhelmed?
» Acknowledge and name what’s happening.
» Switch from 'you' to 'I.'
» Move forward with what I know.
A key truth to remember and say when I’m feeling overwhelmed this Christmas season: I’m not alone.
Important words that Luke uses in Luke 1:
v2:by those who from the first were eyewitnesses...
v3:have carefully investigated everything from the beginning...
v3:an orderly account for you...
v4:so that we may know the certainty of the things we’ve been taught
v6:“Righteous” means to be in right relationship with God through faith
v13:“Do not be afraid” is used 365 times in the Bible. One time for each day of a calendar year!
How do I move from uncertainty towards certainty in my journey with Jesus?
»We Ask
»We Decide
»We Embrace Grace
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1
RESOURCE: Wesley Huff, Apologist & Public Speaker
https://www.wesleyhuff.com
How do we trust God when we can’t see what’s next?
We hold on to his promises.
» the Promise of Eternity
» the Promises of Right Now
A QUESTION TO REFLECT ON: How might God be using a season of uncertainty to help me grow?
Our purpose is to accept our calling to ministry.
Our purpose is to accept our calling as Christ’s ambassadors.
Our purpose is to accept our calling as God’s co-workers.
How do I know God’s purpose for my life? God’s purpose for my life is to accept His love and to share His love.
A few things about purpose…
» Purpose isn’t discovered; it’s received. (Micah 6:8)
» Purpose isn’t mysterious; it’s missional.
» Purpose isn’t exclusive; it’s for everyone in Christ.
A question to reflect on: Where is God trying to use me, what does He need me to do, and who is He needing me to reach?
In the power of the Holy Spirit…
» We live free from what has held us back.
» We love others as Jesus would love them.
» We battle for spiritual growth.
» We walk daily with Jesus.
A QUESTION FOR REFLECTION: Am I close enough to Jesus to get dusty?
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. – 1 John 5:13
We are saved when we realize we are sinners in need of a Savior, believe that Jesus is that Savior, and respond to God’s gift of grace.
Our response to God’s grace:
Faith -> Repentance -> Confession -> Baptism
Other Scripture referenced: Romans 6:3-4; 10:9-10; Acts 18:24-26; 19:1-6; 1 Peter 3:20-21
Patience is the key that unlocks perseverance.
Patience keeps us faithful when life feels slow. (James 5:7-8)
Patience protects our relationships when we feel stressed. (James 5:9)
Patience focuses on God’s character, not our circumstances. (James 5:10-11)
“I know you can do all things...” Job 42:2a
Patience keeps us spiritually connected when we feel tempted to check out. (James 5:13-16)
Patience keeps us in the game long enough to see the win. (James 5:17-18)
James’ plan for living a better life:
Adjust our priorities—don’t be consumed by mere activity. (James 4:13)
Barrenness of the 3 C’s
»Calendar
»Career
»Cash
Accept life’s brevity—don’t miss out on today’s opportunities.
(James 4:14; Psalm 39:4-5; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 16:33)
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12 NLT)
Align with the Lord’s Sovereignty—don’t try to drive your own life.
(James 4:15; Proverbs 3:5-6)
Aspire for something greater—don’t focus on titles over testimonies.
(James 4:13, 16)
Act with urgency—don’t delay in doing what’s right.
(James 4:17)
What’s the play you need to make today?
A good adventure means anything can happen! It’s unpredictable!
What causes fights and quarrels among us?
CLARIFYING WORDS IN JAMES 4:
Desires — hedonistic
Kill — direct assault on the image of God
You — used seventeen times in the first three verses of James 4.
Friendship with the World — fondness or companionship with the way of the world
Enmity — hatred toward God
“God’s Spirit” (Romans 8:9-11)
C.S. Lewis “Mere Christianity” (page 121-122)
PRIDE is ultimately what causes fights and quarrels among us.
HUMILITY because of God’s grace over us is the answer to our problem.
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. — Psalm 141:3
Our words are a window into our hearts. (Luke 6:45)
When it comes to words, as Christians, we are called to set the example. 1 Timothy 4:12
Here are a few reminders about our words:
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Our words have eternal implications. (Proverbs 18:21; Romans 10:9-10)
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Our words need ongoing formation. (James 3:2)
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Our words have power. (Proverbs 15:4)
Are my words calling and pulling the best out of people, or are they limiting and suppressing people?
Some of the most encouraging words we can share: “I believe in you” or “I see in you” (ICNU)
Who is someone you need to share these words with?
Other Scripture Referenced: Matthew 12:36-37, Colossians 3:8, Matthew 26:74
MESSAGE THEME: A faith that is alive is a faith that acts.
…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
—James 2:17
The Greek word ‘ergon’ means act, work, or good deed. (Titus 1:16, Matthew 5:16)
Ephesians 2:8-10
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We are saved by grace
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Through faith
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For good works.
Here are some self-reflective questions to motivate us to put faith into action:
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When was the last time I acted in a way that only made sense because of my faith in Jesus?
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Am I living more out of convenience or conviction?
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What does the pattern of my life say about the health of my faith?
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Does my faith ever require me to sacrifice time, energy, or resources?
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Would those close to me see examples of my faith in the way I forgive, love, talk, and serve?
“Faith alone saves, but a faith that saves is never alone.”
—Martin Luther
God’s purpose for every life is to be in:
»Forever relationship with Him.
»Healthy relationships with Others.
How did you come to know about Jesus?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16
What is the Gospel “Good News?”
»God Created
»We Sin
»God Loves
»God Gives
»Whoever Believes
»Receives Life
“For God does not show favoritism.”
— Romans 2:11
God wants us to break the huddle and get in the game.
A formula to live by: quick to listen + slow to speak = slow to become angry
Proverbs 17:28
We don’t just learn for the sake of knowledge, but we learn so that we can live out our faith.
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Commit to the Play Caller – Accept God’s Word and follow His way.
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Connect with the Community – Listen well and meet people where they are.
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Carry the Ball – Live like Jesus everywhere we go.
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Counter the Opponent – Resist Satan’s false narrative.
James’ overarching message in this passage is to LISTEN and DO.
How do we know the resurrection to be true?
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Eyewitness testimony
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Consistent accounts
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Martyrdom
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A global movement
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Life change
The resurrection changes lives. Has it changed yours?
Timothy Keller, “If the resurrection is true, then everything’s going to be alright.”
How do we view trials as pure joy?
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Reframe our perspective.
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Identify the temptation.
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Cling to our hope.
Series Theme: We are the light of the world because of the Light that lives in us.
Message Theme: The light God began to shine in us 50 years ago is still burning, and we commit to carrying it forward, shining brighter together.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary as a church, we thank everyone who has contributed to this body of believers since our founding on September 7, 1975. You have made a tremendous impact in the Kingdom of God and have helped this church be a source of encouraging light! We know that in each season of the last 50 years, God has remained faithful, and so have His people. We pray for that ongoing faithfulness and dream about what God has in store for the next 50 years!
What will it take for us to continue being a City on a Hill?
We will need to…
» Accept what’s asked of us.
» Remove what’s hindering us.
» Shine what’s in us. (Ephesians 5:8)
Question to think about: Where will you shine your light?
SERIES THEME: We are the light of the world because of the Light that lives in us.
MESSAGE THEME: The Church was never meant to hide from darkness – it was meant to bring Light to it.
What does our surrounding community need from this church?
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Prioritize real faith connections.
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Notice and touch each need.
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Speak truth to real issues.
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Wrestle with tough faith questions.
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Understand that eternity breeds urgency.
What can help me overcome obstacles to sharing my faith?
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Engage with the Bible (Psalm 119:105)
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Rely on prayer.
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Monitor your speech.
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Share your story.
QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT: Where will you shine your light?
SERIES THEME: We are the light of the world because of the Light that lives in us.
“In the beginning” …Somebody + Nothing = Everything
We believe in the Latin phrase ‘Creatio ex nihilo,’ which means ‘creation out of nothing.’
Life = Light
Light = Victory
MESSAGE THEME: Before we can shine Jesus’ light into the world, it first needs to shine in our hearts.
What steps do we take next?
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Acknowledge the battle. (2 Corinthians 4:1-5)
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Assess whose team you’re on.
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Act. Make a decision.
QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT: Is the light of Jesus shining in my heart?
The Parable of the Tenants angered the teachers of the law and religious leaders because they didn't want to believe or weren't ready to believe. It's too late for them to move toward belief, but not for us.
Now, it's our move. We need to:
Move from Disbelief to Belief
Move from Solitude to Community
Move from Uninvolved to Involved
What is the purpose behind the Parable of the Ten Minas?
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Following Jesus will not go the way we think it will go.
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Jesus blesses us so we can bless others.
This parable also shares two promises:
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We're blessed to be a blessing.
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Jesus will come back, and we will give an account of how we spent our time, how we used our talent, and how we invested our treasure.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector teaches us three things. We must move from...
Pride to Humility.
Separation to Unity.
Hate to Love.
In the Parable of the Great Banquet, we learn the following truths about the Kingdom of God:
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Everyone is invited.
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Everyone is invited, but not everyone will accept.
How will you respond to the invitation?
We declare that we will empty the jar of generosity.
Jesus doesn't see labels, status, or income. He sees a grateful and repentant heart.
Grace fuels our generosity.
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Generosity takes a plan.
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Generosity sets the pace of vision.
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Generosity sees past the cultural norms.
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Generosity is blessed.
We must ask ourselves -- "What type of church do we want to be?"
We declare that we will choose joy in fellowship.
Grace + Gratitude = Transformation
Joy is found in God's grace and celebrated in fellowship with others.
We declare that we will continue to invest in the next generation.
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Let’s share the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.
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Let’s care about what happens in and with the next generation.
“When decisions are made, children come first.” -- Elgar Brown
We declare that we will worship no matter the circumstance.
We have the freedom to choose how we respond to the things that we would not choose.
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Our praise comes from our heavenly perspective.
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Our praise becomes our testimony.
Things that aren't properly cared for die.
We declare that we will take spiritual growth seriously.
"Spiritual growth" is our desire to know our Savior. Our goal is to be a church made up of disciples who are actively making more disciples.
We declare that we will make the Great Commission personal.
In Mark 2, we learn about the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by four of his friends. When they couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd, they lowered him down to be healed by digging through the roof.
If we're declaring that the Great Commission is personal, we should:
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Not be in the crowd.
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Carry a corner.
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Wreck the roof.
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Watch Jesus work.
Now ask yourself: who is close to me, but far from God?
We declare that we will prioritize relationships.
Problems in the church (and in our lives) arise when people focus on minor differences instead of major commonalities. We can’t live like Jesus if we're obsessed with living for ourselves.
We can’t trust that God holds all things together if we’re still hiding parts of our lives from Him. God sees potential where we often see problems. Here's a reminder of how God has turned problems into potential:
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God parts the seas so there is dry ground. (Exodus 14)
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God makes the sun stand still. (Joshua 10:13)
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God removes prison doors. (Acts 16:26)
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God speaks light into darkness. (Genesis 1:3)
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God brings water out of a rock. (Exodus 17:6)
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God feeds thousands with a little boy’s lunch. (John 6:11–13)
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God shuts the mouths of lions. (Daniel 6:22)
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God walks in the fire with the faithful. (Daniel 3:25)
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God opens the womb of the barren. (Genesis 21:1–2; 1 Samuel 1)
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God rains down manna from heaven. (Exodus 16:4)
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God calms the storm with a word. (Mark 4:39)
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God raises the dead to life. (John 11:43–44; Luke 7:14–15)
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God opens blind eyes and deaf ears. (Mark 7:37; John 9)
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God casts out demons with authority. (Mark 1:25–27)
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God breaks chains and sets captives free. (Isaiah 61:1; Acts 12:7)
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God brings down walls without a single weapon. (Joshua 6:20)
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God turns a shepherd into a king. (1 Samuel 16)
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God makes dry bones live again. (Ezekiel 37:5–6)
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God forgives sins and heals hearts. (Luke 5:20–25)
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God sends His Son to hold all things together. (Colossians 1:17)
To truly trust that God holds all things together, we need to remove the obstacles to our growth.
And surrendering that Jesus holds everything together is the key to winning the battle.
The best thing we can do with our greatest weakness is...
Admit it - Honesty
Submit it - Humility
Commit it - Intentionality
Jesus is not asking us to hold it all together.
Jesus is asking us to trust that he can.
Matthew 6:26-34 teaches us two things:
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We matter to God.
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We need to seek God's Kingdom first.
God equips us with everything we need to navigate life's chaos, challenges, and uncertainties.
When we believe that we can do it on our own, we grow proud. However, we must be cautious: a proud heart forgets the Lord. A proud heart thinks, "I can hold it all together on my own."
When we try to hold everything together, we risk forgetting the Lord.
We need to address the small leaks in our lives so they don’t lead to big problems.
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How well am I showing up for others?
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How well am I connecting with God?
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How well am I finding rest?
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How well am I giving of my time and resources to make Kingdom Impact?
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How well am I pursuing God over earthly success?
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How well am I treating my neighbors with love and hospitality?
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How well am I praising God in all circumstances?
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How well am I sharing Jesus with others?
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How well am I cheering others on in their spiritual journey?
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How well am I trusting that God holds all things together?
We need to trust Jesus to take care of what we cannot.
Jesus has the power to rebuild what is broken.
In Mark 2:14, we read that "Levi got up and followed him [Jesus]."
This didn't just happen. There was first a teaching, then an invitation, and then a response. This tells us that Jesus is for us and is inviting us.
How are you responding to Jesus' invitation?
The Parable of the Prodigal Son should really be titled, "The Parable of the Forgiving Father." The father obviously represents God, and the Prodigal Son represents the new Christian, but who does the older brother represent?
If you're a long-time Christian, he probably represents you. Do you respond to God's love for you with love for others?
Your greatest pain can be your greatest story. Your victory over your greatest struggle might be the very thing that "one who is close to you but far from God' needs to hear about — that God can bring us from hopeless to hopeful.
Jesus sees whatever hurt you are carrying.
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Jesus isn't afraid of our condition.
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Jesus' power to heal is greater than the power of our hurt.
The people Jesus healed took the first step.
No one is too far from God's grace.
We have a responsibility to reach people with God's message.
God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Pride promotes self, while grace demotes self.
Pride = I know best.
Grace = God knows best.
God is the God of second chances. If we aren't reaching people with God's word, we are on a boat headed for Tarshish.
When we repent, God relents.
God's word is always speaking to us, but there will always be something that will allow us to run from God.
The truth is that we have all run from God at some point in our lives. So, the big question to ask yourself is: Where am I running from God?
A priest is a man who served at the Tabernacle or Temple, following God's instruction. He served as a mediator between the people and God.
Jesus is the Great High Priest, offering himself as a sacrifice once and for all.
The Tabernacle did two things:
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It illustrated a personal God.
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It illustrated a loving God.
Jesus fulfills the dwelling of God in the Tabernacle.
When we are exhausted, we must fight the temptation to think:
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I'm all alone.
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God is not with me.
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Everyone is against me.
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There is no hope.
When we are exhausted, we must remember:
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I'm part of a community.
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God has and will continue to provide.
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There are people for me.
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There is hope.
Jesus is the Rock flowing with Living Water.
We often get tripped up by life's worries and struggles, which can become a barrier to accessing the deeper level of God’s presence within us. The Israelites experienced this in the desert, but God provided and gave them what they needed each day.
The manna provided daily bread. Jesus provides eternal fulfillment.
Jesus is the Bread from Heaven.
How does someone get to heaven?
There are two ways, and two ways only.
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Be perfect.
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Trust Jesus by receiving the gift of salvation.
By accepting that gift and trusting Jesus (who is the Passover Lamb for humanity) we can be redeemed.
Moses teaches us what it's like to be in a relationship with YAHWEH God.
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We need to get rid of what is holding us back.
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We need to be faithful in the place where God speaks to us.
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We need to remember the God who sends us.
Jesus fulfills the I AM. When God sends us into any situation with any person, He is with us.
God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. The Christmas story is full of promises!
How should we respond to a "God promise?" Simeon responded by being faithful because God always keeps his promises.
We need to do two things in order to find something:
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We have to know what we're searching for
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We have to search for it
All of us long for peace, and it can be found in Jesus.
Does this equation look familiar to you?
Isolation + a Challenging Circumstance + Christmas = a Disaster of Emotions
Let's modify that equation a bit:
Community + a Challenging Circumstance + Christmas = a Different Perspective
We are not alone. God is near, and so are His people.
Connect with both.
Jesus is a game-changer on all fronts!
Often, unexpected plans (including pain) have a purpose, and it's not just for you -- it is for others as well.
The way of Jesus is humility.
The way of Jesus is not one of seeking your own honor, it’s of honoring others.
Jesus taught us a lot about Gratitude.
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Gratitude is more about perspective than it is about proximity.
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Gratitude negates betrayal.
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When we are ungrateful, we will do things regretful.
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Gratitude can be expressed by words and actions.
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We are grateful for an invitation to sit at Jesus' table.
The Ten Principles of Hurt & Forgiveness from Joseph's Life:
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Hurt people, hurt people.
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It's okay to have an emotional response to emotional hurt.
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We decide in private how to respond in public.
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Nothing good comes from fighting fire with fire.
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Forgiveness often requires proximity.
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Forgiveness can be one-sided.
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If we avenge people for wrongdoings, we undermine the work of transformative grace.
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Our pain often becomes our purpose.
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Forgiveness takes time.
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Forgiveness rewrites our story.
Kindness takes action.
Kindness breaks cultural assumptions.
Kindness is often reciprocated.
How we pray is woven into how we live.
We should be devoted to the power of prayer.
We should reach people by word and deed.
We need each other to remain faithful to Jesus.
The Church needs the spiritual grit to remain faithful until the end, paired with spiritual grace to point people to Jesus.
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As a church, we strive to live like Jesus relationally.
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As a church, we strive to worship Jesus authentically.
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We worship authentically when we are at peace with each other.
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We worship authentically out of a grateful heart.
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We worship authentically when we preach the message of Jesus.
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As a church, we strive to take Jesus with us daily.
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The Cross gives us a new perspective.
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The Cross commands a new lifestyle.
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The Cross is an unrestricted invitation.
There are three types of people who are listening to this message today:
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Those who would say, "The Cross changed my life."
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Those who would say, "The Cross is changing my life."
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Those who would say, "I have yet to respond to the Cross."
What group do you fall into?
We can have confidence in the truth of Jesus.
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The truth of Jesus is available to all people.
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The truth of Jesus has been and will be challenged.
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The truth of Jesus changes lives.
Jesus is the image of the invisible God. (He is the firstborn over all creation.)
Jesus is the head of the church. (The church is the body.)
Jesus is the reconciler of humanity. (He is the peace maker.)
In Paul's message to the church, he wanted us to remember:
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Who you are.
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What God has done for you.
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Where God is taking you.
Jesus is enough and we are enough through Jesus.
Rhythms form faith.
Rhythms have incredible power and affect who we become. When we go to God in Spiritual Rhythms, we lean on His power to help us grow.
The best way to sum up Acts 2 is like this:
Alignment—Unity—Growth
Those three things happen when we:
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Keep the main thing, the main thing.
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Keep spiritual rhythms.
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Keep being unified.
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Keep meeting consistently.
What type of church was the early church?
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They were a reaching church.
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They were a doctrine-based church.
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They were a worshipping church.
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They were a community-driven church.
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They were a generous church.
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They were a unified church.
The mission of our church, to reach people who are far from God, hinges on our unity.
The disciples didn't live in fear of the culture but fear of people missing out on Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we need to keep the main thing the main thing.
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Jesus is for all people.
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The grace of God is greater than our sin.
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Repentance and baptism are a part of our response to God's grace.
The heart of God is about people.
We're going to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and do the things Jesus did.
Jesus came to Earth to REACH us, and he is still REACHING.
What is REACH?
It comes from the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and our vision, "Follow Jesus Together."
Do we have any evidence of the tomb being empty?
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Eyewitness testimony.
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Consistent accounts.
“Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.” (Flavius Josephus and William Whiston, The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987), 480. )
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Life change.
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Martyrdom.
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A global movement.
When you look at the cross, what do you see?
Some look at the cross and deny all that it represents. But for the follower of Jesus, the cross is a sign of:
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Sacrifice
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Love
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Forgiveness
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Victory
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Hope
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Jesus knows his place. (He is the Son of God.)
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Jesus knows his purpose. (To bear the weight of our sin.)
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Jesus makes his plea, an urgent request to "keep watch."
As followers of Jesus, we must stay alert and understand that to join with Jesus is spiritual warfare.
We often consider the Last Supper to be the most crucial meal Jesus had with his disciples, and it was. It was where the final opinions of Jesus were framed.
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The Religious Leaders: Scheming to have Jesus killed.
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The Disciples: Deciding who Jesus is. (Peter goes one way and Judas the other)
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Mary: Giving all she had to honor Jesus.
As Christians, we have hope in the following things:
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The hope of new bodies.
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The hope of a new heaven and earth.
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The hope of a reunion.
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The hope of judgment day.
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The hope of seeing Jesus.
Someday, Jesus will return, and when he does our prayer should be that we hear him say, "I'm so glad you were ready!"
In the Parable of the Vineyard Owner, there are a few things things to keep in mind:
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The landowner is God
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The vineyard is Israel/Kingdom of God
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The tenants are the religious leaders
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The servants are the prophets
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The son is Jesus
We can't miss the gift that is right before us!
What does Jesus see when he looks at you? Whatever he sees, he loves you.
What does Jesus see in our world or community? Lots of hurt, injustice, intolerance, anger and people looking for hope in everything imaginable. (John 3:16)
What does Jesus see in this church, his followers, his disciples? People who have the solution for a hurting community.
Follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus.
A few questions for reflection:
Who am I leading?
Who am I leading them to?
Who is leading me?
We are all good at building shelters of worship right next to Jesus, but he is the Son of God. It's about time we listened to him.
Our vision at Worthington is to "Follow Jesus Together." Families with children aren’t alone in pointing their child to Jesus. All of us need to teach the next generation about Jesus and how to follow Him. We do that by loving God, knowing His Word, and living His Word.
Love God
Know His Word
Live His Word
We will face challenging times, but if we remain in him, he will remain in us (John 16:33).
Jesus never stops pursuing us.
When Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches," he was directly referring to us as a community. We are not meant to do life alone. God calls us to lean on trusted friends when our way isn’t working.
How do you react when things aren't going well at home or at work?
Fatigue + Frustration = Disaster
When Jesus is in the boat, everything is possible.
Even when our way isn't working, Jesus wants us.
Three women went to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body out of respect and mourning. Having been followers of Jesus for years and recently witnessing his execution, we can assume they felt:
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Alone
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Overwhelmed
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Traumatized
And then, upon seeing the empty tomb, we know they felt alarmed.
We have all experienced feelings like this, and this reality can hinder our heart... but Easter Changes Everything!
This Easter, ask yourself: How does Jesus defeating death change my life?
What do you believe to be true about Jesus?
As we anticipate Easter and reflect on Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, perhaps it's time to make a decision about what we believe to be true about Jesus. If you'd like to speak to someone about that, contact the church at info@worthingtoncc.org.
We can reach people who are yet to know Jesus by sharing our story. How do we do that?
By sharing...
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My life before I knew Jesus.
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How I met Jesus.
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My life now as I journey with Jesus.
Insecure people are not humble people.
Secure people are humble people.
Humble people serve people.
When we serve, people will see God.
We can bless others by listening to them.
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We one-up their story.
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We try to fix their problem.
Jesus was a good listener.
Stop, Ask, and Listen
Reaching our neighbor is all about blessing our neighbor, and our blessing begins by praying for them!
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Join us as we serve together to pack meals for impoverished children in Haiti and Honduras for Hunger Bowl.
Three things happened when Jesus walked into Jericho:
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Zacchaeus became curious about Jesus.
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Jesus didn't stay in a holy huddle.
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Zacchaeus changed his ways.
Love gives. As Jesus followers, we must realize that the habit of giving begins in the heart. And we must be mindful to always give our first-fruits by making a determined commitment to give a certain amount and serve in a particular way.
Worship is our expression of gratitude towards God despite our circumstances.
When we worship during difficult times – people notice.
When we worship when there is nothing left – God notices.
When we worship in the unknown – God provides.
Prayer is meant to be conversational.
Prayer is meant to be personal.
Prayer is meant to be transformational.
The first habit we must work on is our reflectiveness.
"My effectiveness is directly related to my reflectiveness."
Recommended Reading:
"Switch on Your Brain," by Dr. Caroline Leaf
"Live in Grace, Walk in Love," by Bob Goff
"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day," by Peter Scazzero
"The Inner Voice of Love," by Henri J. M. Nouwen
Join Jay and Austin as they look back at 2023 and discuss our future in 2024 to expand the REACH of our community.
A relationship with God cures the two greatest fears of humanity: loneliness and death.
Immanuel means, "God with us," and Jesus' resurrection has conquered death. Our loneliness has a cure and our curse has a reverse!
The angel's announcement to Joseph was, "they will call him Immanuel (which means 'God with us')." The angel's message to Joseph was for all of us -- God's purpose is to restore us to Him.
We can break down the announcement to Mary into these four key events:
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God sends an Angel.
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God sends Gabriel to Nazareth.
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God sends Gabriel to a Virgin.
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The child born of a virgin will be a descendant of King David.
Don’t be afraid, ____________; your prayer has been heard.
God listens, and God acts.
1.Keep praying.
2.Keep trusting.
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Giving is a matter of my heart.
-
Tithing is being empowered to give 10% back to God.
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Jesus + anything else leads to discontentment.
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The best attitude to have is an attitude of gratitude.
Our giving is a direct indicator of our gratitude. We are motivated to give back because of God's grace upon us. Those who give are grateful.
Jesus was a giver.
Is Jesus enough?
Jesus + anything else = discontentment
-
The source of contentment is Jesus.
-
The practice of contentment is generosity.
We must:
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Think eternally.
-
Pray continually.
Giving is always a matter of the heart.
Tithing is really a matter of entitlement.
How can I honor Jesus with what he has entrusted to me?
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Start Giving.
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Strive towards 10%.
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Make sure you can feel it.
-
If you don’t know where to start, depending on your income start with $100 a month or more.
The love and example of Jesus leads me to radically give.
Cain brought an "I have to" offering.
Abel brought an "I want to" offering.
You see, the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. When it comes to giving, it's always a matter of the heart.
How do I remain in relationship with Jesus?
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Entrust your heart to Jesus
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Depend upon Jesus
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Engage in partnership with Jesus
When Elijah is at his wit's end, God leads him to do three things:
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Sleep.
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Eat.
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Scripture.
The biggest problem with a hurried and stress-filled life is that is doesn't leave room for us to hear the gentle voice of God.
"Simplicity" means "keeping the main thing, the main thing!"
Sabbath will help you find rest for your soul. But how do I practice it?
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Prepare
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Plan
-
Chill Out
Recommended Reading:
Sabbath Keeping, by Lynne M. Baab
“Hurry is the great enemy of our spiritual day.” – Dallas Willard
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Place
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Plan
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Pen
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Prayer
God loves me for who I am, not what I do.
God’s plan for me is greater than other people’s expectations of me.
“Without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life…We do not take the spiritual life seriously if we do not set aside some time to be with God and listen to him.” – Henri Nouwen
Book Recommendation: "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," by John Mark Comer
The four practices of Jesus that he clearly displayed:
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Silence and Solitude
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Sabbath
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Simplicity
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Slow
Book recommendation: "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer
1.A legacy is something we receive
2.A legacy is something we leave.
What we leave behind is what we build over time.
What legacy are you building?
What will you leave to the next generation?
We want to be in heaven with our family, but how can we be faithful parents who point our children to Jesus?
We need to bring our family to church.
We need to be an example.
We need to have fun.
We need to take the picture/write the card.
We need to pray for and with our kids.
Non-married is an inclusive term covering three distinct realities: those yet to be married, those divorced, and those widowed.
All three categories have one thing in common: the desire for contentment.
What is the secret to contentment? Paul tells us in Philippians 4:10-13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
God desires us to be in healthy relationships, with Him and others. For many of us, "living the dream" has much to do with our relationship with Jesus and our relationship with our spouse.
What is our purpose as followers of Jesus when it comes to the next generation?
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To point them to Jesus.
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To tell them the stories of what God has done for us.
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To make sure they know that He is where they can find life to the full.
The most crucial question in the Bible, and our very lives, is the same question that Jesus asked his followers in Mark 8:29, "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered that question, but have you? Do you believe in Jesus? Do you trust him?
NOTE: If you would like to speak with a minister about your faith or have questions about Jesus or baptism, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at info@worthingtoncc.org or 614-885-8389.
As we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, we come to discover that he is far more concerned with the condition of our heart than anything else.
What is the condition of your heart? Everything we do flows from it!
In Mark 6:46 we read, "...he went up on a mountainside to pray." Jesus sent his followers ahead of him so he could have some alone time to pray.
How often do you get alone time with God to pray? Your effectiveness as a Christian is directly related to your reflectiveness, and the more time we spend reflecting on God, the less time we think about ourselves (and our temptations).
The way of Jesus is not self-promoting, it's Christ-promoting.
Reaching our One is a commitment to one another.
Reaching our One is a continuation of Jesus' ministry.
Reaching our One is a confidence in God's provision.
Reaching our One is a calling of every believer.
At the feet of Jesus is a place for hopeless causes because at the feet of Jesus is a cause for hope.
Often our deepest pain becomes our highest platform.
Can Jesus turn my storm into a story?
If Jesus served people in humility, how much more should we? If the Creator of the Universe came down here and washed feet, isn’t that how we should also act?
Some people have servant's hearts. Some, not so much. If you want to take a step toward being a humble Christ-like servant, it begins with a change of heart.
All of us feel pressure (parents especially), but Jesus knows our struggles. Often it is during the times that we struggle that we will humble ourselves and ask for help.
Jay's book recommendation: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Jesus did not play by the safe, man-made rules of his time. From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus was a rebel. Jesus didn't play by the safe, man-made rules of his time, and he calls us to do the same when he asks us to follow him.
All of us are waiting for the right person to be in charge and to make things right, and a lot of us feel that what is ruling this world isn't right at all.
When Jesus says, "Repent and believe the good news," he is extending an invitation.
God's Kingdom is the greatest invitation of all. Are you ready to accept?
The words "repent" and "baptized" are often seen together, and for good reason. To "repent" means to "change one's mind or direction." Baptism is from the Greek word "Baptizo" which literally means to dip, immerse or sink.
To "repent and be baptized" is to change our life and confess our faith because we believe who Jesus claimed to be -- the Son of God.
Have you decided to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who gave his life for you? Are you ready to go all in and be baptized, following the very example of Jesus himself? If you want to discuss that further, or you’re ready to be baptized, contact us today! (614-885-8389 or info@worthingtoncc.org)
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Replace – The importance of identifying lies and replacing them with truth.
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Rewire – The importance of learning how to build truth trenches instead of ruminating ruts.
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Reframe – The importance of reframing our experiences and discovering the purpose behind the pain.
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Rejoice – The importance of choosing joy over anger, discouragement, or defeat.
Interview with Carrie Hover, MACC, LPCC to discuss the mental health issues common in our community specifically among women and families.
How do we reframe our thoughts?
1. Thank God for what didn't happen.
2. Pre-frame the situation.
3. Look for God in every circumstance.
Remember: We can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we frame it.
Interview with Joel Wharton, MA to discuss the mental health issues common in our community specifically among men and kids/teenagers.
(Carrie Hover will join us on Sunday, May 14 to discuss mental health issues common to many women in our community.)
Some of the lies we allow ourselves to believe are:
- I’m not worthy.
(The truth: Eph. 2:8, “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it’s a gift of God—not by works so no one can boast.”)
- I’m all alone.
(The truth: Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”)
- I’m not safe.
(The truth: Phil. 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus.”)
- The future is only to be feared.
(The truth: Phil. 1:6, “being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 13:5 says, “Never will I leave you never will I forsake you.”)
Step One to Winning the War in Your Mind: Replace lies with the truth!
When their limited resources were handed over and entrusted to Jesus, then (and only then) did the miracle take place.
If we think of our approach to a relationship with Jesus like a door, we often have two scenarios before us:
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We may assume that the door is locked and to find Jesus, we must figure out how to unlock it. Jesus tells us, "Knock, and the door will be opened to you."
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We worry that when Jesus opens the door and takes a look at our lives, we won't be good enough and the door will be closed. Jesus tells us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Are you willing to walk through that door and accept the amazing love of Jesus?
As we continue to reach our community with the grace and truth of Jesus, there will be times we are going to have to go the extra mile. That can be difficult when someone just doesn't "get it" or when they simply see things differently than you, but that is what Jesus calls us to do.
Mark 2:5 starts with, "When Jesus saw their faith..." We can also read that as, "When Jesus saw their commitment..." These men were willing to do anything to bring their friend to Jesus because they knew he could change their friend's life.
As we commit to reaching our community with the grace and truth of Jesus, let's remember the example Jesus sets for us -- Jesus changed the world one person at a time.
Jesus was often accused of "eating with sinners," but there's a reason he did so. When we break bread together we also break down barriers. Jesus demonstrated that sharing a meal together changes things. It can help us reach our neighbor with the grace and truth of Jesus.
The conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well shows us how we can reach people with grace and truth. The woman responded to that conversation by choosing to believe in Jesus as savior.
Who is Jesus leading you to have a conversation with?
We reach with love because love rewrites our story, and the love of Jesus changes our story forever.
As we strive to follow Jesus, we must remember the importance of our words. We grow where we are loved and we avoid where we are not.
We must constantly ask ourselves, "do my words draw people closer to Jesus?" or "do my words push people away from Jesus?"
We don't remember Matthew for his profession (tax collector) -- we remember him for who he followed (Jesus). At the end of our life, people will remember us by our relationships, not our resume.
Jesus is asking us to partner with him in the life of his Church.
How can we become even more intentional to reach our community with the grace and truth of Jesus?
• REACH HERE: Maximize current facility to more effectively meet the needs of the community surrounding us and your family
• REACH THERE: Reach our growing community north of us
• REACH EVERYWHERE: Improve our technology to continue to reach everyone, everywhere
To learn more about the REACH Initiative, please visit our website at worthingtoncc.org/REACH
We reach people by proximity. Jesus saw people by their hearts and then he went to be with them.
Even in a crowd of people, Jesus made it a point to focus on one person at a time -- even when they thought they could go unnoticed, Jesus saw them.
We need to do the same. We need to reach people with the grace and truth of Jesus one at a time.
Community Life Minister, Austin Seevers, and Lead Minister, Jay Scott, will conclude our year-long sermon series, Core52, with a discussion about Heaven.
Wherever you are celebrating the incredible gift of Jesus this Christmas day, our prayer is that we can all believe that because of Jesus, the best is yet to be!
On behalf of our entire church family at Worthington Christian Church, we wish you a Merry Christmas and will see you on New Year's Day!
True grit is remaining faithful -- it is spiritual toughness. But how do we get it?
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It comes through the power of the Spirit.
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It comes through reading the Word of God.
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It comes through consistent prayer.
The New Testament withstands the test of historical accuracy. Did you know there are more manuscripts of the N.T. than any of Plato, Caesar, and Homer's works combined? It’s true!
Plato has 7 manuscripts, Caesar (Gallic Wars) has 10, and Homer (Iliad) has 643. The New Testament has 23,986 with the earliest fragment found less than 100 years after Jesus' resurrection. It’s accurate!
The main reason so many people struggle with the Word of God isn't due to the perception that it is historically inaccurate or unreliable, it is because it will challenge our entire worldview and how we live our life. It is only when we embrace the word of God as truth and allow ourselves to grow in grace that we come to see and believe who God really is.
The word "treasure" means to "preserve." Mary preserved the details of Jesus' birth in her heart. The reason Luke records the most detailed description of Jesus' birth is likely because of Mary. She preserved these things for us, so that we may believe.
All of us have struggled with worry and/or anxiety. In fact, worry, anxiety, nervousness, dread and fear are on the rise in our culture. What can we do to combat worry? The book of Philippians provides us with two important truths to keep at the forefront or our minds when worry arises:
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We have a God who is willing to listen and able to help. Pray -- God will listen and He will answer in a way that is consistent with His will and compassionate toward us.
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We have better things to think about. Paul avoided worry by focusing his thoughts on Jesus, Heaven and others. We can do the same.
How can we embrace the humility of Jesus in our daily lives?
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Embrace the ways and teachings of Jesus as far greater than our own opinion.
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Embrace the next generation as more important than our own generation.
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Embrace Jesus' nudge to serve others as opportunities, not annoyances.
A lot of things happened at the Last Supper, but two things are often overlooked.
After Judas left, Jesus prayed for the Church to be united. He did this because when we are united, we can make a greater impact in the Kingdom of God, together.
The 11 remaining disciples were all very different, but all were invited to the table. What happened at the table united them.
May we be reminded that all people are welcome at the table with Jesus.
Your eternal life, your salvation, does not depend upon you. It depends upon God.
Put simply -- your salvation is about accepting God's free gift of grace through faith in Jesus.
- God wants us to come to know and follow Jesus.
- God wants us to be a witness with, and for, Jesus.
- To remember that Jesus guides our every step as we follow him.
Grace leads to change.
Jesus breaks the mold of conformity. 1. Engage the Bible 2. Engage in Community
What do you have a hard time believing?
For many, it's difficult to believe that we can be free from sin -- that we can know grace and be forgiven -- but the Bible tells us that by believing in and following Jesus, we can know that freedom.
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." ― A.W. Tozer
We need to ask ourselves some pretty big questions as to continue to engage in our faith:
- What do I think about God?
- What does God think about me?
- What do I think about you?
What does it mean to confess?
What does it mean to repent?
The two words are often seen together in the Bible, but they are actually quite different. "Confess" means to acknowledge that you have done something wrong with regret or remorse. While "repent" is probably best described as a U-turn -- a life change.
We are called to do both and baptism is certainly part of that process. In Acts 2:36-39, Peter tells us to "repent [turn to God] and be baptized [go all in]."
Have you gone all in?
Peter has a pattern of engaging and disengaging. When Peter is close to Jesus, he has no problem engaging with the mission of the church. When Peter is distant from Jesus, he will disengage.
All of us are much the same. Ask yourself: are you engaged or disengaged with Jesus and the mission of the church?
The Spirit of God unites with the mission of God. The same Spirit that fueled the mission of Jesus also fuels the mission of the church.
The Spirit of God unites with the mission of God to help people know the love of God.
Can we rest assured that our relationship with Jesus is forever?
Let's listen to what Jesus has to say in John 10:27-28, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."
And John 15:4, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you."
Communion isn't something we do alone. It's a sacred moment we experience in community with other Jesus followers.
Each Sunday, as we engage communion together, we:
- Give thanks.
- Remember Jesus’ body (bread) which gives us life both now and forever.
- Remember Jesus’ blood (juice) which binds us to him in a forever relationship.
Humanity has a long history of dealing with race and gender barriers. We tend to want to put people into a box and leave them there. When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, he made it clear that the barriers to race & gender don't matter to him. He also made it clear that he only fits in one box -- the Messiah/Savior box.
The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
How might we experience Real Rest?
- Breathe
- Invite Jesus into our Rest.
- Protect it as HOLY/God-Given
- Enjoy it!
When it comes down to it, Faith = Trust.
We have a choice to trust Jesus, to trust in his love for us, and to trust that he always knows best.
Faith is trust. Do you trust Jesus?
When it comes down to it, the Gospel is good news!
- The Gospels show us to live like Jesus.
- The Gospels present a gift which gives us full life.
- We have a choice to accept the message of the Gospels.
Jesus commissions us with ALL authority to reach ALL people to obey ALL his teachings and he will be with us at ALL times.
In Core52, Mark Moore phrases it this way: “The Great Commission is simple: walk with people as you walk with Jesus. Before long, they’ll meet each other.”
On this Father's Day... dad, we need to ask ourselves two questions: 1. Are we pointing our kids toward Heaven? 2. Are we helping to protect our kids from Hell?
How do we point our kids toward Heaven and protect them from Hell? • Let's teach our kids what it looks like to walk with Jesus. • Let's stop what we are doing and see our kids -- really SEE them. • Let's be very careful with alcohol. • Let's love their mom (because mom is really important to them). • Let's have fun with our kids (regardless of age)!
The single most importation question we can ask ourselves is one that Jesus asked of his own disciples:
"Who do you say I am?"
Do we believe in Jesus? Do we trust him?
When we pray we need to remember who we are talking to.
When we pray, we need to be willing to submit to, and be at peace with, God’s will.
When we pray, we need to believe that God is able.
The theme of the Beatitudes is the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, when reading the Beatitudes it is important for us to understand that Jesus is describing the profile of a citizen of Heaven. Being "blessed" means being saved.
The phrase, "Son of Man," shows up in the New Testament 85 times and every time, it's about Jesus. It was a very humble way of saying that he was fully human, but also fully God. By referring to himself as the "Son of Man," Jesus was making it clear that he was approachable -- that he wants a relationship with us.
Today we reflect on the resurrection of Jesus and the promises he made to all believers.
"In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
With Jesus there is always resurrection and new life!
On this Good Friday we pause and we reflect on what Jesus went through on our behalf, by the breaking of his body and the shedding of his blood so that we can ultimately be forgiven.
Do you believe that Jesus, as the Son of God, died on the cross so that our sins (your sins) could be forgiven? Do you also believe that three days later, he defeated death and rose from the grave?
When we read Isaiah 53:5-7 we see the crucifixion described in detail. Then in Acts 8:26-39, we see how we should respond to it.
Do you believe?
Thriving is all about well-being. A rich and satisfying life is what we all want to enjoy, we don’t merely want to survive to the finish line, we want to thrive.
The Christian life is never a solo affair. Our enemy wants to isolate us. God wants to connect us. The finest legacy anyone can leave is a heritage of relationships.
Be faithful... in spite of the past. Be faithful... in spite of the present. Be faithful... in light of the future.
The twenty-third Psalm is the second most popular verse in the Bible. (Second only to John 3:16.)
In Psalm 23, the Lord is likened to a Shepherd. For modern readers, it is difficult to understand the significance of this until we breakdown what a Shepherd did. (Lead, Refresh, Guide and Protect.)
Once we do that, we will have a better understanding of what God does for us.
There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus. The top seven that all of us recognize are:
- He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
- He would be preceded by a messenger—John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1)
- He would enter Jerusalem while riding a donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
- He would be betrayed by a friend, which would result in his back being wounded (Zechariah 13:6)
- He would be sold for thirty pieces of silver, which would be given to a potter (Zechariah 11:12-13)
- He would stand silent before his oppressors (Isaiah 53:7)
- He would die by crucifixion (Psalm 22:16)
The probability of just those seven coming true is 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (one hundred quadrillion). The fulfillment of prophecy is just one of the many proofs that Jesus is who he claimed to be!
Our pain can 1. Break us. 2. Harden us. 3. Change us.
Our experiences can change who we are -- it can make us stronger, more understanding, more gracious and less judgmental.
But happiness... Happiness is fully seeing God.
One of the greatest truths in life is that people will let you down. In big ways or small ways, all of us will either be let down or let someone else down. That is one of the reasons why we need to be more gracious with people.
King David was a "man after God's own heart," but he still let people down. God promised that David's house and his kingdom would endure forever, but David was not THE man.
Jesus was. And Jesus will never let us down.
So how should we live each day knowing that Jesus will never let us down?
- Limit the voices we allow to speak into us.
- Trust that Jesus is there, even when we don’t feel him.
- Demonstrate our trust in Jesus by giving our hearts to him.
What kind of kingdom is the Kingdom of God?
When the Bible talks about "kingdoms" it's really talking about leaders who are worthy of your trust. The Kingdom of God is concerned most about the integrity of the heart.
In the book of Exodus, we read that God called Moses to lead His people out of slavery. Moses was "set apart" by God to lead His people (who were also "set apart") out of Egypt.
As they were leaving Egypt, Pharaoh sent his army after them, which lead to one of the most well-known miracles in the Bible (the parting of the Red Sea). But the verse we need to highlight is this: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still" (Exodus 14:14).
Moses reminded the Israelites that God is faithful and that He would fight for them. For us modern readers, we are constantly pointed to Jesus as we read the Bible and reminded of his faithfulness. He is the G.O.A.T.!
So... what "battle" do you need Jesus to fight for you? Do you have confidence in him? Do you trust in him?
All of us have had a moment in our lives where we've felt not quite good enough. For whatever reason, we just didn't feel we measured up -- either because we lacked talent, skill, experience or just simply confidence.
As we read the Bible, it's made pretty clear that we aren't "good enough" to earn salvation, but Jesus is. And that's the difference.
Our right relationship with God isn't about us, it's about Jesus.
Core52 Question: How can I become a part of what God is doing in this world?
We need to enter into a relationship with God to be part of what He is doing in this world. That only happens through fidelity to the covenant that God himself provides.
Covenant is the only way to have a real relationship with God. If your faith were evaluated in the same way you measured your marriage, would you be single, separated, divorced or married?
Our special guest preacher for today is Mark Moore, Teaching Pastor at Christ's Church of the Valley.
Question from Core52: What is my problem?
At the moment of creation, everything that God created was good. There was perfection in creation, but what has happened to this perfect world?
As we examine Genesis 3, we start to see a similarity between the way Adam and Eve were tempted, and the way Jesus was tempted. Sin entered the world through one man [Adam] and salvation comes through another man [Jesus]. Through this, we come to understand this one fundamental truth:
Even in our darkest moment, God redeems.
What does it mean that we were created in the image of God?
There are many reasons why were created in the likeness of God -- some we know and some we don't know -- but two of the most important reasons are:
- To be in community. Community with God and community with each other.
- To love deeply. God is love and God created us because He is love.
Why is it important to understand the creation account? Because in creation, we see the fullness of God.
God the Father is the architect. God the Spirit is the designer. God the Son [Jesus] is the builder.
Jesus wants us in a relationship with him, not a religion. And a relationship is a journey that changes us.
As we head into the new year, let us pursue the certainty of what we come to believe to be true about Jesus -- he is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
In Isaiah 9:6 we see four names given for Jesus -- Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
Two additional names that you probably know include Immanuel, which means "God with us" and Joshua (where the name 'Jesus' is actually taken from) which means "God saves."
What is the significance of all these different names for the Savior? It is God showing us His desire to be in a forever relationship with us. The reason "hope has a name" is because Jesus is with us. Jesus knows us and pursues us.
The question is, are we pursing Jesus?
We have everlasting hope because we have an everlasting Father.
How can we better lean into that everlasting hope?
- Engage the Bible. Where does our hope come from? It comes from the promises of God.
- Broaden your perspective. So many people live for what they can see right in front of them, but those feelings are ever changing, not "everlasting."
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
The name, "Wonderful Counselor," means "one who helps." Jesus HELPS us.
When the Wonderful Counselor counsels us (through God's word, prayer, a fellow follower of Jesus, our personal experiences or our heart of hearts), it will not be done in a way that is foreign to us or especially difficult to understand. It may take time to come to grips with the counsel, but we can trust that Jesus ("God with us") has our best interest at heart.
What makes Jesus mad?
• When we keep people from coming to know God • When hypocrisy gets in the way of people coming to know God • When rules get in the way of people coming to know God • When tradition gets in the way of people coming to know God • When judgement gets in the way of God’s grace • When prejudice gets in the way of people coming to know God • When my comfort gets in the way of people coming to know God
All of these have one very obvious thing in common -- Jesus gets mad when stumbling blocks are put in the way of people coming to know God.
But what makes Jesus glad? When imperfect people choose to trust Jesus.
During our series you may have noticed that there is one very consistent trigger for what makes Jesus mad: people who claim to have a relationship with God who are keeping others from knowing God.
As we will see today, another trigger would be racism and prejudice -- or, to put it another way, the failure to recognize the image of God in one another.
Racism and prejudice have no place in God’s kingdom. Therefore, it has no place in this church or in your personal life if you call yourself a follower of Jesus.
To follow Jesus we must love all…that’s what we’ve been called to do.
When judgement gets in the way of God's grace.
None of us are righteous enough to be judge and all of us are in desperate need of God's grace.
People are more important to Jesus than any tradition. When Jesus saw that the tradition of the Sabbath was more important to the Pharisees than people, he got mad. Jesus is willing to do anything for us to know how much God loves us.
Q: What made Jesus mad? A: Denied access to the Father. This is something many of the teachers of the law and Pharisees were guilty of.
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules" (Matthew 15:8-9).
Hypocrisy made Jesus mad because it kept people from him -- which also kept people out of Heaven.
How can fight hypocrisy in our own lives?
- Err on the side of grace.
- Live relationally with Jesus.
Don't focus on what makes us mad, but rather what made Jesus mad!
Jesus always knows exactly what he's going to do, when he's going to do it, and how he's going to do it.
Why is Jesus mad?
• The religious leaders have turned God's House into a lucrative meat market. • The religious people who were supposedly representing God were actually keeping people from knowing God.
There is nothing we can do to earn more of God's love.
Does what made Jesus mad...make us mad? Are we walking with Jesus and helping other people do the same?
Jesus wants us to run our race with perseverance [endurance], but it is easy to grow weary and lose heart. During our times of trial, we must always remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and to throw off everything that hinders or entagles us [sin].
We must also remember the Jesus endured opposition for our sake -- so don't give up!
Sometimes in life we try to lift far too much weight and while we might not notice the damaging effects it’s having on us now, we will sooner or later. What we need to do instead is learn how to throw off the excess weight of life -- the uncertainty, the loneliness, the anxiety, the grief...
How do we do this?
- Look at Jesus
- Follow Jesus
- Rest with Jesus
In a time when "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil," Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. He walked faithfully with God. Though he was surrounded by people who disobeyed God and did not fully understand His plan for the future, Noah remained faithful and kept working.
Noah didn't give up.
- Don’t give up walking with Jesus when you are surrounded by people who have.
- Don’t give up when the future is unclear.
- Don’t give up when the work gets exhausting.
Have you ever wanted to just give up and stop trying? Have you ever woken up and felt like you were surrounded by all of your problems?
One of the reasons that many people "give up" is because they believe that they are alone. This is far from true. Not only are we surrounded by people who love us, but Jesus tells us in Matthew 28 that he is "with you always" and in Hebrews 13 he promises that he will "never leave you" and "never forsake you."
Some things that help us to not give up are:
- Realize we are far from alone. (We are surrounded!)
- Run with perseverance. (Don't tap out!)
- Fix our eyes on Jesus. (Trust that Jesus has a plan for us!)
--Jesus is strategic about "Rest" being a part of worship. --The Crucifixion of Jesus is the most SIGNIFICANT event in human history, while the Resurrection is the most AMAZING event in human history! --How has following Jesus been difficult for you in your world? --The empty tomb promises us that we'll always have HOPE! --He has RISEN from the dead and is going ahead of us!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please go ahead of me in this ________.
Most of us are familiar with The Last Supper. We know it was the prelude to Jesus' arrest, trial and crucifixion. It was the evening when Jesus said that someone would betray him and Peter said he would never deny the Lord. It was also the evening when Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it... this was the first communion.
"Take and eat; this is my body. Drink... this is my blood of the covenant."
It is important for us to understand that communion is a "we" thing, not just a "me" thing. You receive communion as an individual (bread & wine), but we partake of it together in community.
Things to consider while taking communion: • At this moment, what am I most thankful for? • As I take the bread, representing the body of Jesus, I remember Jesus has given all of us life and life to the full. (John 10:10) • Is there sin that I am afraid to confess to Jesus? What might that be? (It’s okay to confess, He already knows and longs to forgive and restore us.) • As I take the juice, representing the blood of Jesus that forgives us of all sin, I remember that it is by grace that I have been saved! (Ephesians 2:8)
Today we celebrate our students by having them lead us in worship today. Our special guest speaker for the morning is Jack Bryan. Jack has been a member of WCC since the second grade and will be attending Johnson University in Knoxville, TN this fall where he plans to study youth and preaching ministry. He will be preaching on Luke 10:38-42.
- What is the ONE thing we need?
- What gives you that satisfaction?
We tend to prioritize what we think we need, versus what Jesus says we need. A relationship with Jesus, at the end of the day, is the only thing we need.
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus talks about a "final day" -- a day when he will draw all people to him -- otherwise known as Judgement Day.
On that day, Jesus will separate people like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Wondering how to not be a goat?
Follow Jesus and live like it.
To help you do that you need to (1) allow for interruptions and (2) think eternally.
All of us have experienced unexpected events or situations that we aren't ready for. For Christians, meeting Jesus face-to-face should not be an "unexpected event" that we aren't ready for.
But what does it mean to "be ready" for when Jesus returns? How do we accomplish that?
- His coming will be visible.
- His coming will be glorious.
- His coming will be a gathering.
A Pharisee asked Jesus, "What is the greatest commandment?"
The answer Jesus gave still guides us to this day.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
The scene when Jesus cleared the temple courts by overthrowing tables and chasing off the money changers is pretty well known, but why did he do it?
Hint: It wasn't just because of the money.
While it is true that the money changers were exploitive and that was offensive, what Jesus really wanted to reveal to everyone was what money could never buy -- a life-changing relationship with God.
In Matthew 19:16, a man asks Jesus, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
The most obvious problem with this question is the assumption that we can earn eternal life. When Jesus answers the young man, he goes away sad. For the rest of us, Jesus' answer clearly illustrates that God doesn't want religion -- He wants relationship.
After Jesus explained to the disciples about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Peter asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Some things to consider to put Peter’s question into context:
• It's possible that Peter was having some issues with someone on the team. • Peter believes he is being generous.
Jesus answers Peter's question with a parable that illustrates the importance of mercy and forgiveness.
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” Romans 3:21
The disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
They expected affirmation that they were because they were disciples, but Jesus answered them in a way they did not expect.
"Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:4-5)
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Jesus is the Messiah, the One and Only Son of God, above all!
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Physical community and relationships are very important to Jesus!
The environment has a lot to say about the importance of what you are about to speak.
- Who do people say the Son of Man is?
- Who do YOU say the Son of Man is?
No one can shake the foundation that Jesus is truly the Messiah. We have a God who loves us and a God who is for us!
In our walk with Jesus, we need to:
- Be transparent. Don't try to mask your journey with Jesus.
- Be authentic. Don't just allow people in on your journey with Jesus, be real about it.
- Be consistent. It's difficult to be transparent and authentic if we aren't consistent.
It is out of the overflow of the heart that we live life with Jesus. He isn't interested in unconnected actions, but he is interested in the connectedness of our heart.
God always has a plan and His plan is always the best plan.
God's plan for us is always about relationship.
- Our relationship with Jesus.
- Our relationship with others.
The Book of Ruth has reminded us of three things so far:
- Who God is.
- We don't go alone.
- In our time of need, God offers us protection.
Today we will be reminded to not be afraid because God wants to redeem us. (Just as Boaz wants to marry Ruth.)
Ruth shows us God's devotion and Boaz shows us God's redemption.
Often when we are in a season of unique challenges, God will surprise us with unique blessings.
We have seen that while Ruth and Naomi navigate their unique challenges, God was clearly working on providing them with unique blessings and an extra layer of protection through Boaz.
God is constantly at work in our lives, even when we don't see Him or recognize His work in action.
How can we experience God's Grace in terms of uncertainty?
It's easy to become fixated on our challenges, rather than delighted in God's blessings.
ILLUSTRATED ‘RUTH’ VIDEO CREDIT:
In our May 2, 2021 sermon, we used an illustrated video to compliment the study for the day. That video is owned and authored by BibleProject (bibleproject.com). We encourage you to visit the BibleProject website (bibleproject.com) for yourself to check out their wide collection of videos to expand your knowledge on all of the books of the Bible. It's definitely a wonderful resource for any student of God's word.
Which story do you believe?
A. Jesus' disciples snuck past Roman guards, rolled back the stone (by themselves) in the middle of the night and stole his body... all while the guards were asleep (thus creating the greatest lie ever told) B. Jesus was killed and sealed in a tomb for three days, then defeated death, rose and appeared to multiple people (thus proving he was who he claimed to be)
Doubt is a normal part of human nature, but it is always grounded in a lack of faith. Even the disciples, who witnessed Jesus with their own eyes, struggled with doubt. However, at some point, we have to make a decision about Jesus. If you believe that Jesus is who he claimed to be, why hesitate in going all in and trusting him with your life?
When Thomas encountered Jesus for the first time after the crucifixion, his entire world changed. Doubt was immediately replaced by joy as he realized who Jesus truly was -- "My Lord and my God!"
Most of us can relate to Thomas when it comes to how we view Jesus. We start out questioning who (and what) he is, only to find ourselves at a place where we can no longer rationalize him away. If that sounds like you, how do you respond to the risen Jesus?
The gift Jesus gave Mary Magdalene was to free her from seven tormenting demons, restoring her completely. From that point on, she believed who he claimed to be and followed him. She was at the crucifixion the day he died and the first to see the empty tomb. She was also the first to see and speak with the resurrected Jesus.
Jesus offers all of us a similar gift -- the gift to free us from sin through forgiveness and grace. Are you ready to accept that gift?
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" (Exodus 14:13-14).
The older brother's heart says, "I'm for me." The father's heart says, "I'm for the kingdom."
Jesus' heart is for lost people. He wants us to go after our One and celebrate with them when they are "found."
The father in the parable of 'The Prodigal Son' is an example to all of us of God's grace toward us as individuals and how we should extend God's grace to others.
Ask yourself, "Am I someone who extends God's grace?"
How do we apply Jesus' teaching of the “Lost Sheep?”
We must be intentional about nurturing relationships with our friends & family who are yet to know Jesus. After all, the 99 sheep are safe in their pen (they're "saved"), but we need to go after the ONE lost sheep (Luke 15:7).
All of us struggle on occasion, but it is good to remember what Jesus tells us in Luke 12:23-24, "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"
"Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning..." (Luke 12:35)
Jesus tells us to "be ready" for the master to return -- not just in case something bad happens, but also something good. The way we manage our time, talent and treasure will have an eternal impact on us and those under our influence and when we are being generous is when we are most like our master, Jesus.
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15
Unfortunately, most of us live as though life really does consist of an abundance of possessions. While it is okay to be rich, it is important to understand that Jesus anticipates that we will also be rich towards God.
The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches followers of Jesus that what's mine isn't actually mine. It's yours [God's], and I'm willing to share it.
God has entrusted us with His blessings so that we may be a blessing to others.
The one who had the right to condemn chose to forgive.
Do you know Jesus? If you've already decided to follow Jesus, please know that Worthington Christian Church exists to Follow Jesus Together.
Whatever age we are, whatever generation we are a part of, the challenge is for us to intentionally seek out a relationship with someone who is older than we are and with someone who is younger than we are.
- Encourage faith in God.
- Share stories of what God has done and what God is doing.
- Set an example of obedience to God.
Community engagement is living life WITH Jesus.
When we live life with Jesus, we will rub shoulders with people who are yet to know Him, because that is how Jesus lived.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: "Core 52" by Mark Moore
Prayer is not communication with God, it's communion with God.
For further study, check out these resources: -- "The Intercessory Prayer of Jesus" by Warren W. Wiersbe -- "Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home" by Richard J. Foster -- "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?" By Philip Yancey
We all look at the world and the current events through a particular lens. What is natural in today’s society is to look at the Bible through the lens of current cultural trends. The reason "Biblical Authority" is a Core Value of our church is because we do the exact opposite.
- The Bible is the eternal Word of God.
- The Bible has generational impact.
It matters where we come from. Where Jesus came from was important to his story just as it is important in our story.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, took a detour to Egypt and raised in the tiny town of Nazareth. He was born in a manger, raised as a craftsman, led as a Rabbi, crucified like a criminal, resurrected as a victor and ascended as King of Kings and Lord of Lords -- he is Jesus of Nazareth!
Thank you for joining us this evening!
We have been looking forward to celebrating the greatest gift ever given to us — the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus — with you and your family & friends.
Remember: God loved, so God gave! (John 3:16)
Have a blessed Christmas!
Why did God choose Joseph?
Joseph listened. Joseph was humble. Joseph was obedient. Joseph was faithful.
Mary did not let fear keep her from being faithful.
Mary stood faithful, even to the very end!
God used His creation to guide the Magi to worship Jesus. How is God using his creation to help you worship Jesus?
The world was a mess when Jesus was born. It was a mess when Jesus died. It was a mess when Jesus resurrected. And, it will be a mess when Jesus comes back.
Always remember: even when it seems like God is not in control, God is still in control.
God will do anything possible for me to be forgiven – even DIE in my place!
We either allow Jesus to forgive our sin, or we will be separated from him for all eternity.
» God is still good and still in control.
»In times of crisis, we have moments when we lose our “center.” In those moments we may need someone, a “non-anxious presence,” to help us take a step back to regain perspective.
»We are all good people, but we all have a propensity to walk away from God.
»We either accept the greatest gift ever given or we deny the gift. We have a choice. What is your choice?
Scripture: 2 Samuel 19 Speaker: Jay Scott Website: worthingtoncc.org Online Campus: live.worthingtoncc.org
Comparison > Insecurity > Jealousy > Corrupt Heart
» What goes around often comes around. » God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
- If it can happen to David, it can happen to anyone.
- What is done in secret will be brought to light.
- There is no sin too big for the grace of God.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11/12 Speaker: Austin Seevers Website: worthingtoncc.org Online Campus: live.worthingtoncc.org
• Two wrongs don't make a right. • What goes around often comes around. • Leave room for God's grace and God's discipline.
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
We will never be like Jesus if it's more important for us to be like each other.
Who is it that you need to stop comparing yourself to?
Speaker: Austin Seevers Website: worthingtoncc.org Online Campus: live.worthingtoncc.org
God opposes the proud, but give grace to the humble.
Remember who you are and what you stand for!
What did King Saul do that was so displeasing to God?
Typically, things that don't start well, don't end well. (God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.) God looks at the heart, while man looks at appearance.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 15 & 16 Speaker: Jay Scott Website: https://worthingtoncc.org Online Campus: https://live.worthingtoncc.org
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Pride draws lines, but humility builds bridges!
Today's service is a little different. Today we wanted to celebrate our Youth Ministry and introduce you to a few of our students and discuss the importance of intergenerational relationships.
Information + Reflection + Articulation = RESPONSE
Perhaps a time of suffering is a small price to pay for a greater faith in what Jesus can do!
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)
Mercy is the greatest gift you can receive but it can be the most costly to give.
Today we celebrate Vacation Bible School!
Our vision as a church is to 'Follow Jesus Together' and part of that is teaching our littlest one's about God and His great love for them. Vacation Bible School has always been a huge part of that effort as we have always opened our doors to the community and welcomed every child to attend all week for free.
This year, COVID-19 forced us to dramatically change our plans as we couldn't safely host VBS for 1,200+ kids and 500+ volunteers. So... we redesigned the program and encouraged families to do a three-day Backyard VBS!
Today we celebrate the success of our volunteer families who adapted to the change of format for VBS and hosted Vacation Bible School in their backyards for their children, relatives and/or neighbors. Thank you!
If we're not helping the next generation to come to know Jesus, then we are hindering the next generation from coming to know Jesus.
Where is your treasure?
Be careful! As Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Today we regather in the Worship Center for the first time since March 8. If you don't feel comfortable about joining us for in-person worship today, no worries! We will be livestreaming all three services!
Senior Minister, Jay Scott, will lead us through Matthew 5:33-37 this morning. Jesus has a lot to say about keeping our word and the importance of oaths. All of us are guilty of saying one thing and doing another. It's a problem with all of humanity. Jesus tells us to "simply let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no.'"
As John agrees to baptize Jesus, there are two words that we want to look at: baptism and righteousness.
Baptism (or Baptizo): to dip or sink Righteousness: Right relationship with God
Baptism is about relationship, not religion.
Where does Jesus need to become GREATER in your life? Where do you need to become LESS?
God was in a covenant relationship with both Abraham and David. The genealogy of Jesus reflects that, but following Jesus is a choice. It is a NEW covenant relationship based on faith.
Our family of origin often has a lot to do with how we view God and treat others. From the genealogy of Jesus, we learn:
- Jesus' family origin is far from perfect.
- God placed you in your family of origin for a reason and Jesus can bring peace to that.
- Even in the darkest moments or deepest pains, our family or origin can be brought into God's marvelous light.