Waterstone Community Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Waterstone Community Church
Sermon podcast from Waterstone Community Church in Littleton, Colorado. We are a growing movement or transformed people reshaping the culture to reflect God's heart.
We first aired this episode in October 2020 and it is surprisingly still very applicable to our current political environment. We live in a country where our Gospel-identity is challenged by our political system. With heightened cultural stress about an election we find ourselves being weighed down by fear or misplacing our hope in a political candidate. How do we navigate this tension and remain true to our identity in Christ? Paul Joslin, Teaching Pastor at Waterstone Church, and Dr. Mark Young, President of Denver Seminary, take on this important conversation.
Being “born again” in Christ is a spiritual rebirth that reshapes a believer’s entire identity. It emphasizes the call to live holy and set-apart lives, not by personal effort alone but through the empowering grace of God. This transformation involves leaving behind old ways of thinking and acting, and embracing a new life that reflects the character and love of Christ. It’s a reminder that holiness is not about perfection, but about growing in grace and aligning one's life with God’s will, allowing His Spirit to work through us in everyday actions and decisions.
References:
- In Case You Are Attacked By An Anaconda Peace Corps Manual
- The Precious Blood, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers
- Before thy cross I kneel and see
the heinousness of my sin,
my iniquity that caused thee to be
‘made a curse’,
the evil that excites the severity
of divine wrath.
Show me the enormity of my guilt by
the crown of thorns,
the pierced hands and feet,
the bruised body,
the dying cries.
Thy blood is the blood of incarnate God,
its worth infinite, its value beyond all thought.
Infinite must be the evil and guilt
that demands such a price.
Sin is my malady, my monster, my foe, my viper,
born in my birth,
alive in my life,
strong in my character,
dominating my faculties,
following me as a shadow,
intermingling with my every thought,
my chain that holds me captive in the
empire of my soul.
Sinner that I am, why should the sun give me light,
the air supply breath,
the earth bear my tread,
its fruits nourish me,
its creatures subserve my ends?
Yet thy compassions yearn over me,
thy heart hastens to my rescue,
thy love endured my curse,
thy mercy bore my deserved stripes.
Let me walk humbly in the lowest depths
of humiliation,
bathed in thy blood,
tender of conscience,
triumphing gloriously as an heir of salvation.
- Before thy cross I kneel and see
TRANSCRIPT
Followers of Jesus are called to live as exiles in a culture that often pressures them to conform, this urges Christians to remain steadfast in their identity in Christ. Despite the challenges, believers are called to live in a way that reflects their faith through good deeds, especially in the presence of non-believers. These actions serve as a powerful testimony, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ, even in a world that may not share the same values. Holding onto one's true identity in Christ enables believers to navigate cultural pressures with integrity and purpose.
References:
- Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministers provide free, confidential, one-on-one Christian care during difficult times, tragedy or crisis. This can include anything, such as grief, job loss, divorce, health issues, etc. They are skillfully trained to listen, care and provide resources before, during or after many of life’s challenges.
- 1 Peter: How do we live as God’s people in a culture that is becoming more difficult and more hostile, more pressurized towards followers of Christ?
TRANSCRIPT
Ephesians 2:1-10 reminds us that God’s grace is a gift, and we’re called to reflect his love through how we live. Our mission as a church is to become like Jesus and live for others, which encourages us to turn our faith into action by caring for those around us. Jeanie Wilking shared her story and in it showed us that our personal calling can change over time, and that even the small, everyday things we do can be sacred when offered to God.
References
- "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure." Eric Liddell
- Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen
- Open Door Fellowship
- The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
- Lectio 365 app
TRANSCRIPT
Baptism is presented as a vital practice that unites the church, even across different traditions and methods. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 illustrates the inclusive nature of baptism, showing that it welcomes all, regardless of someone's background. The church should be a place where people can freely express their doubts and struggles without fear of judgment. In addition it should recognize that the gospel is meant to be good news for everyone, and invites all into God's family.
References:
- “Baptism reminds us that there is no ladder to holiness to climb, no self-improvement plan to follow. It is just death and resurrection, over and over again, day after day, as God reaches down into our deepest graves and with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, wrests us from our pride, our apathy, our fear, our prejudice, our anger, our hurt, and our despair.” Rachel Held Evans
TRANSCRIPT
Church community is important, along with the unique, Holy Spirit-empowered gifts each member brings for collective healing and strength. The church’s resilience in the face of internal hurt illustrates its dual nature of causing and healing pain. Ultimately, the church is a vessel of hope and healing, celebrating its diversity and encouraging individuals to discover and use their gifts for the greater good.
References:
- Church Leaders Need Renewal Today Like Never Before, Mark Brouwer, medium.com
- Pastors Are People Too, by Jimmy Dodd
TRANSCRIPT
We're exploring the complexities and challenges of the church. Trying to engage honest conversations about church hurt and spiritual abuse, acknowledging both the inevitable pain and the unacceptable trauma inflicted by religious institutions. Through these discussions, we're seeking to create a space for hope and healing, emphasizing that while the church is flawed, it remains a place where Jesus resides and where restoration can be found.
References:
- "Spiritual abuse is a distortion and exploitation of spiritual authority to manipulate, control, use, or harm others, mostly through shame and fear. Spiritual abuse include intolerance for questions and doubts, using the Bible to arouse fear and rigid “us vs. them” binaries, and leaders who demand unwavering loyalty, often threatening anyone who doesn’t comply with being cut off from the community or God." Rachael Clinton Chen
- “This is the church. Here she is. Lovely, irregular, sometimes sick and sometimes well. This is the body-like-no-other that God has shaped and placed in the world. Jesus lives here; this is his soul’s address. There is a lot to be thankful for, all things considered. She has taken a beating, the church. Every day she meets the gates of hell and she prevails. Every day she serves, stumbles, injures, and repairs. That she has healed is an underrated miracle. That she gives birth is beyond reckoning. Maybe it’s time to make peace with her. Maybe it’s time to embrace her, flawed as she is.” Rachel Held Evans
TRANSCRIPT
Being gentle goes against the grain of all the outrage we see around us. The Bible and the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians show us how important this is. Take the story of the woman anointing Jesus—her gentleness was all about strength under control, not weakness. We definitely need God's help to be like that. When our communities embrace gentleness, it can totally change how we interact and help spread love, joy, and peace in a world full of anger.
TRANSCRIPT
Fasting & PrayerThroughout this series we encourage you to participate as we collectively fast and pray on Wednesdays. This practice could look different depending on your season of life, but we encourage you to fast breakfast and/or lunch and spend some time in prayer in the morning or during your normal lunch break. This will be a renewing opportunity for all of us as a church. If you would like to be reminded via text, we can send you a weekly prompt.
TEXT SIGN-UP
Staying faithful in a culture of compromise requires allegiance to Jesus, trust in God's character, and perseverance through challenges, with Jesus’ steadfast faithfulness as our ultimate example. The Parable of the Servants in Matthew 25 illustrates the importance of trusting in God's character despite difficulties and doubts. Similarly, like an ultrarunner, we can endure pain if we are driven by a strong sense of purpose and keep our focus on Jesus.TRANSCRIPTFasting & PrayerThroughout this series we encourage you to participate as we collectively fast and pray on Wednesdays. This practice could look different depending on your season of life, but we encourage you to fast breakfast and/or lunch and spend some time in prayer in the morning or during your normal lunch break. This will be a renewing opportunity for all of us as a church. If you would like to be reminded via text, we can send you a weekly prompt.
TEXT SIGN-UP
The book of Leviticus is about demonstrating God's holiness and life to the world. Today we focus on Leviticus 18, where we find the importance of embodying God's values in sexual practices to reflect His goodness. Additional context is also shared from the book of Genesis and the work of theologian Rebecca McLaughlin.
References:
- Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill
- "4 Things Christians Must Reclaim" video, The Gospel Coalition, 2019, Rebecca McLoughlin
TRANSCRIPT
In this sermon on Leviticus, we unpack "embodied holiness" and its relevance today. Holiness isn't just about following rules but showing respect and dedication to God. Today we live post-resurrection, so our understanding of God's presence is different than ancient Israel. We have the opportunity to see Jesus as the epitome of holiness, and his ability to enable transformation through surrender.
References:
- "Jesus is My Friend" by Sonseed
- Bible Project
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
TRANSCRIPT
Easter Sunday reminds us of the early Christians' radical love and how Christianity spread like wildfire—clear evidence of how Jesus' resurrection transformed their lives. Who exactly was Jesus, and what was his mission? For generations, his life, death, and resurrection have compelled people to grapple with accepting him as divine or rejecting him altogether. So, what's the significance of his resurrection, and how does it shape our lives today and tomorrow?
References:
- The Rise of Christianity, by Rodney Stark
- "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
TRANSCRIPT
Palm Sunday is the day we commemorate the time that Jesus entered into Jerusalem on the back of donkey. The disciples spread their cloaks on the donkey for Jesus to sit on, and the multitudes came out to welcome him, laying before Jesus their cloaks and the branches of palm trees. The palm branches and cloaks symbolized Jesus' victory and triumph. The people hailed and praised Him as the “King who comes in the name of the Lord”.
After welcoming Jesus triumphantly into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people expected him to overthrow Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom. However, when Jesus didn't fulfill these expectations and instead challenged religious authorities, disillusionment set in, leading to their eventual rejection of him and his crucifixion on Good Friday.
Just as the people of Jerusalem anticipated a certain outcome from Jesus and grew disillusioned when it didn't materialize, sometimes we experience similar disappointment, doubt, or even anger towards God when our prayers seem unanswered or when life doesn't unfold as we hoped. Therefore, faith often involves surrendering our own expectations and trusting in God's greater purpose, even when it's not immediately clear or aligns with our desires.
References:
- Food Pantry at Waterstone
- “Disappointment is unmet expectations, and the more significant the expectations, the more significant the disappointment.” Brene Brown
- “Maybe you picture God as a heavenly bellhop whose job is to satisfy your deepest desires. Or perhaps God is a holy matchmaker who will secure you a spouse. Maybe God is a cosmic bodyguard who protects you from harm. Or the world’s best nanny, making sure your children turn out right. Or a divine doctor, healing your every physical and mental ailment. Or a wonder-working accountant, solving all your financial problems.” Jonathan Merritt, Palm Sunday and the Gift of Disillusionment, Christianity Today
TRANSCRIPT
Loving our enemies challenges us to mirror God's love by promoting love for all. As followers of Jesus we should confront societal norms and illustrate the counterintuitive nature of God's kingdom. Ultimately, let's encourage our community to embrace the challenging, transformative power of love in a world yearning for grace.
References:
- Pray For You by Jaron Lowenstein
- God is Love by Chris Renzema
TRANSCRIPT
Despite Jesus initially showing indifference and making a hurtful remark, the Canaanite woman's steadfast faith and determination ultimately bring about her daughter's healing. From this story we learn that we are called to examine our own biases and preconceptions, and to extend God's grace to everyone we encounter. The gospel's powerful message of inclusivity, challenges us to embrace and welcome others with the same love and acceptance shown by Jesus.
References:
-
Map of Tyre & Sidon
-
Structure of Matthew 14-15
- Jesus Feeds the 5,000
- Jesus Walks on Water
- Jesus Offends the Pharisees
- Jesus Offends the Canaanite Woman
- Jesus Feeds the 4,000
TRANSCRIPT
Jesus warned us against greed when we taught on generosity and the over accumulation of possessions. He challenges us to prioritize being rich toward God and to live selflessly, not allowing money to hinder our spiritual growth. Instead, he prompts us to embrace the tension, constantly questioning, "Could I be more generous?"
Jesus warned us against greed when we taught on generosity and the over accumulation of possessions. He challenges us to prioritize being rich toward God and to live selflessly, not allowing money to hinder our spiritual growth. Instead, he prompts us to embrace the tension, constantly questioning, "Could I be more generous?"
Following Jesus is an open invitation for all. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to follow Jesus, although it comes with a price and is a daily decision to become more like him.
If you have decided to follow Jesus, the question is, do you look more like Jesus today than you did yesterday? Do you look like a person who is more filled with love than you were five years ago? Does your presence resemble the joy of Jesus when you interact with other people? Put maybe a different way, when people encounter you, whether that is your spouse or your friends, or the barista, do they experience the presence of Jesus? Does his presence radiate from your being, his love and joy and kindness and generosity? Is that what people encounter when they come in contact with you?
Do you feel a gap between these questions and your reality? What would it look like for you to step into faith and not feel the gap, but to experience more deeply the life Jesus has on offer, the life that we are all longing for, but we are somehow missing out on? What would it look like to say today to say, “Jesus, I am yours”?
References:
- "My secret is that I want to be relevant and popular. I want my desires fulfilled and my pain minimized. I want a manageable relationship with an institution rather than messy relationships with real people. I want to be transformed into the image of Christ by showing up at entertaining events rather than through the hard work of discipline. I want to wear my face on my sleeve and not look at the darkness in my heart, and above all, I want a controllable God. I want a divine commodity to do my will on Earth as well as in heaven.” Skye Jethani, The Divine Commodity
- “I want to be generous, and I want to be rich. I want to follow Jesus and to live like a Hollywood celebrity. I want character, but I don’t want the suffering and perseverance that it takes to produce that character. I want humility, but I definitely don’t want any form of humiliation. I want patience, but I don’t want to actually wait. I want to be a person who is full of kindness, but I don’t want anyone in my life who annoys me or agitates me. I want to hear God’s voice and to experience his presence in my life, but I don’t want to actually get up early in the morning and take the time to focus on prayer. I want the life of Jesus, but I don’t want to take up the cross of Jesus." John Mark Comer
Following Jesus is an open invitation for all. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to follow Jesus, although it comes with a price and is a daily decision to become more like him.
If you have decided to follow Jesus, the question is, do you look more like Jesus today than you did yesterday? Do you look like a person who is more filled with love than you were five years ago? Does your presence resemble the joy of Jesus when you interact with other people? Put maybe a different way, when people encounter you, whether that is your spouse or your friends, or the barista, do they experience the presence of Jesus? Does his presence radiate from your being, his love and joy and kindness and generosity? Is that what people encounter when they come in contact with you?
Do you feel a gap between these questions and your reality? What would it look like for you to step into faith and not feel the gap, but to experience more deeply the life Jesus has on offer, the life that we are all longing for, but we are somehow missing out on? What would it look like to say today to say, “Jesus, I am yours”?
References:
- "My secret is that I want to be relevant and popular. I want my desires fulfilled and my pain minimized. I want a manageable relationship with an institution rather than messy relationships with real people. I want to be transformed into the image of Christ by showing up at entertaining events rather than through the hard work of discipline. I want to wear my face on my sleeve and not look at the darkness in my heart, and above all, I want a controllable God. I want a divine commodity to do my will on Earth as well as in heaven.” Skye Jethani, The Divine Commodity
- “I want to be generous, and I want to be rich. I want to follow Jesus and to live like a Hollywood celebrity. I want character, but I don’t want the suffering and perseverance that it takes to produce that character. I want humility, but I definitely don’t want any form of humiliation. I want patience, but I don’t want to actually wait. I want to be a person who is full of kindness, but I don’t want anyone in my life who annoys me or agitates me. I want to hear God’s voice and to experience his presence in my life, but I don’t want to actually get up early in the morning and take the time to focus on prayer. I want the life of Jesus, but I don’t want to take up the cross of Jesus." John Mark Comer
In our lives, we'll face monumental and profound losses, it feel as though we have endured falling towers, but because Jesus bore the weight of the eternal tower, none of the trials will ultimately define us or mark the end of our journey. In addition, these experiences are not a result of our faithfulness or unfaithfulness. The reason hard, tragic and evil things happen is because we live in a broken, fallen world. Jesus calls us to repent, and to realign ourselves with him. In doing this we remember that this world is not our home. Death is not the end, it's a transition point into new life.
References:
- September Twelfth, 2001 – Boston poet X.J. Kennedy
- Christopher Plummer, Sound of Music
- "To feel at home in a place, you have to have some prospect of staying there. Your life is a grain of sand on the eternal beach." Wendell Berry
- "You have nothing in and of yourself. You and I are made of clay and spit. Any holiness of ours is polluted beyond our petty comprehension. I have nothing to offer Him but a bent neck, a neck He has helped me bend. I have nothing to offer Him but filth, and He has taken it and exchanged it for blood, like wine, and his own body, broken like bread. Do you resent this world? Do you hate Him for cancer, for car wrecks and for the sudden shocking sleep of the young? Do you hate Him for those waves that break too high, for those hours when far more than six-thousand die? Do you resent your story, your height, your baldness, your itchy feet, your unstable lower intestine, the forest-fire sunsets, and your own mortality? Buy cream for your wrinkles. Whiten your teeth. Have doctors staple back your scalp until you die and decompose, and only the staples remember you. Go to Him or go to hell. Those are the only two choices, because hell will be wherever He is not." N.D. Wilson, Notes from Tilt-a-Whirl, 178
In our lives, we'll face monumental and profound losses, it feel as though we have endured falling towers, but because Jesus bore the weight of the eternal tower, none of the trials will ultimately define us or mark the end of our journey. In addition, these experiences are not a result of our faithfulness or unfaithfulness. The reason hard, tragic and evil things happen is because we live in a broken, fallen world. Jesus calls us to repent, and to realign ourselves with him. In doing this we remember that this world is not our home. Death is not the end, it's a transition point into new life.
References:
- September Twelfth, 2001 – Boston poet X.J. Kennedy
- Christopher Plummer, Sound of Music
- "To feel at home in a place, you have to have some prospect of staying there. Your life is a grain of sand on the eternal beach." Wendell Berry
- "You have nothing in and of yourself. You and I are made of clay and spit. Any holiness of ours is polluted beyond our petty comprehension. I have nothing to offer Him but a bent neck, a neck He has helped me bend. I have nothing to offer Him but filth, and He has taken it and exchanged it for blood, like wine, and his own body, broken like bread. Do you resent this world? Do you hate Him for cancer, for car wrecks and for the sudden shocking sleep of the young? Do you hate Him for those waves that break too high, for those hours when far more than six-thousand die? Do you resent your story, your height, your baldness, your itchy feet, your unstable lower intestine, the forest-fire sunsets, and your own mortality? Buy cream for your wrinkles. Whiten your teeth. Have doctors staple back your scalp until you die and decompose, and only the staples remember you. Go to Him or go to hell. Those are the only two choices, because hell will be wherever He is not." N.D. Wilson, Notes from Tilt-a-Whirl, 178
Jesus calls us to embrace compassion instead of harsh judgment, urging us to extend empathy and understanding to others. This call doesn't require us to dismiss our principles or beliefs; rather, it encourages us to uphold them with grace and humility. In doing so, we can demonstrate the profound balance of compassion and conviction that Jesus exemplified in his teachings and actions.
References:
- "Alistair Begg Meets the Politically Correct", by Russell Moore, Christianity Today
- "To Judge, or Not To Judge", sermon by Tim Mackie
Jesus calls us to embrace compassion instead of harsh judgment, urging us to extend empathy and understanding to others. This call doesn't require us to dismiss our principles or beliefs; rather, it encourages us to uphold them with grace and humility. In doing so, we can demonstrate the profound balance of compassion and conviction that Jesus exemplified in his teachings and actions.
References:
- "Alistair Begg Meets the Politically Correct", by Russell Moore, Christianity Today
- "To Judge, or Not To Judge", sermon by Tim Mackie
In Luke 14:26, Jesus uses strong language, saying, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple." This statement is often interpreted metaphorically, emphasizing the radical commitment required to follow Jesus. It underscores the idea that discipleship involves prioritizing one's devotion to God over all other relationships and personal attachments.
In Luke 14:26, Jesus uses strong language, saying, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple." This statement is often interpreted metaphorically, emphasizing the radical commitment required to follow Jesus. It underscores the idea that discipleship involves prioritizing one's devotion to God over all other relationships and personal attachments.
*Note: Due to technical difficulties, the first 3 minutes of this sermon was not recorded.
Anxiety at its core, most often refers to an incessant worry or apprehension about what is coming. It’s a fear that surrounds uncertain possibilities or outcomes and affects the way we think and behave. So, what do we do when we are overwhelmed by anxiety? As followers of Jesus how should we respond so that we can experience healing within ourselves, or alongside others?
References:
- "Stop It" Skit, Bob Newhart, Mad TV
- Waterstone Care Resources
- Passover Illustration by D.A. Carson
- “It’s not the intensity of our faith but the object of our faith that saves.” D.A. Carson, TGC President
Our anger often stems from distorted attachments and misplaced love for things that cannot truly fulfill us. When we prioritize these things above all else, any perceived threat or obstacle becomes a trigger for anger. We react fiercely when they are challenged, threatened, or fail to meet our expectations. This anger is characterized by its intensity, irrationality, and destructive potential. It harms ourselves and others, damaging relationships and hindering personal growth. The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of controlling anger and the benefits of approaching situations with patience and understanding. Anger can be a powerful tool for good and it's crucial to channel it constructively and use it for positive purposes.
References:
- The Deadly Sins/Anger; The Fascination Begins in the Mouth, by Mary Gordon, New York Times, 1993
- "If you have a god who never gets angry, you can’t have a god of love, because if you never get angry about anything, you don’t love anything." Rebecca Pippert
- "The essence of sin is disordered love." St. Augustine
- Sinning Like A Christian by William Willimon
Our anger often stems from distorted attachments and misplaced love for things that cannot truly fulfill us. When we prioritize these things above all else, any perceived threat or obstacle becomes a trigger for anger. We react fiercely when they are challenged, threatened, or fail to meet our expectations. This anger is characterized by its intensity, irrationality, and destructive potential. It harms ourselves and others, damaging relationships and hindering personal growth. The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of controlling anger and the benefits of approaching situations with patience and understanding. Anger can be a powerful tool for good and it's crucial to channel it constructively and use it for positive purposes.
References:
- The Deadly Sins/Anger; The Fascination Begins in the Mouth, by Mary Gordon, New York Times, 1993
- "If you have a god who never gets angry, you can’t have a god of love, because if you never get angry about anything, you don’t love anything." Rebecca Pippert
- "The essence of sin is disordered love." St. Augustine
- Sinning Like A Christian by William Willimon
It takes all of us. It’s not just up to parents. How can we step into the generation gap with the truth of the gospel, until the truth of the gospel becomes undeniable to the next generation?
References:
- Greatest Gen (before 1925), Silents (born 1925–1945), Boomers (1946–1964), Generation X (1965–1979), Millennials (1980–1994), Generation Z (1995–2012)
- Generational Gap Ad - Australian Lamb
- Why parents aren't to blame for the rise in teen depression, by Jean M. Twenge
- “Every Generation has trauma—not every generation has Tik-Tok.”
We've all experienced the impact of hurtful words directed at us, and often, the most harmful can be the negative self-talk we engage in. However, there comes a moment when someone enters our lives with the ability to reverse judgments and mend profound wounds in our hearts. Through Christ, God perceives us as righteous, holy, and beautiful. While the world may highlight our flaws, and we acknowledge them, God's love envelops our shortcomings, and His perspective on us is the only one that truly matters.
References:
- The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan
- Air Traffic Controller's Slip of the Tongue..., NBC News article
- The Secret Life of Pronouns, by James Pennebaker
We've all experienced the impact of hurtful words directed at us, and often, the most harmful can be the negative self-talk we engage in. However, there comes a moment when someone enters our lives with the ability to reverse judgments and mend profound wounds in our hearts. Through Christ, God perceives us as righteous, holy, and beautiful. While the world may highlight our flaws, and we acknowledge them, God's love envelops our shortcomings, and His perspective on us is the only one that truly matters.
References:
- The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan
- Air Traffic Controller's Slip of the Tongue..., NBC News article
- The Secret Life of Pronouns, by James Pennebaker
The most powerful "yes" often requires an equally powerful "no." So, let us walk this path together, embrace the paradox, and discover the transformative power of saying NO and saying YES to Jesus.
References:
- George Buttrick, Harvard chaplain said students would come into his office, “I don’t believe in God.” He would disarm: “Tell me what kind of God you don’t believe in. I probably don’t believe in that God either.”
- Bible App
- Lectio 365 App
- 4 Things Christians Must Reclaim, by Rebecca McLaughlin, The Gospel Coalition
- James K.A. Smith, “Of Predators and Planks,” Comment Magazine, vol. 35, no. 4, winter 2017, 6-7
- J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel, (1874), 174
- “The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, to bridge some chasm that yawns between us and reality, is part of our inconsolable secret. And surely from this point of view the promise of glory become highly relevant to our deepest desire. For glory means good rapport with God, acceptance by God and welcome into the heart of things. The door on which we have been knocking all of our lives will open at last… then our lifelong nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on the inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside, is no mere neurotic fancy but the truest index of our real situation… At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door… but all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get in.” - C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Essays, 36-37
The most powerful "yes" often requires an equally powerful "no." So, let us walk this path together, embrace the paradox, and discover the transformative power of saying NO and saying YES to Jesus.
References:
- George Buttrick, Harvard chaplain said students would come into his office, “I don’t believe in God.” He would disarm: “Tell me what kind of God you don’t believe in. I probably don’t believe in that God either.”
- Bible App
- Lectio 365 App
- 4 Things Christians Must Reclaim, by Rebecca McLaughlin, The Gospel Coalition
- James K.A. Smith, “Of Predators and Planks,” Comment Magazine, vol. 35, no. 4, winter 2017, 6-7
- J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel, (1874), 174
- “The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, to bridge some chasm that yawns between us and reality, is part of our inconsolable secret. And surely from this point of view the promise of glory become highly relevant to our deepest desire. For glory means good rapport with God, acceptance by God and welcome into the heart of things. The door on which we have been knocking all of our lives will open at last… then our lifelong nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on the inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside, is no mere neurotic fancy but the truest index of our real situation… At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door… but all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get in.” - C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Essays, 36-37
Christmas is the day that we are reminded that God is with us. It’s the day we remember that God is in the birth of a baby not born in the halls of power or into a life of luxury, but in an old barn to an unwed teen. The good news of Christmas is that God dwelt among us in the most unexpected way - and the world has never been the same.
Christmas is the day that we are reminded that God is with us. It’s the day we remember that God is in the birth of a baby not born in the halls of power or into a life of luxury, but in an old barn to an unwed teen. The good news of Christmas is that God dwelt among us in the most unexpected way - and the world has never been the same.
As believers we remain people of hope by proclaiming the promise of a new heaven and new earth, where God's presence dwells intimately among his people. We celebrate that in heaven there will be no more sorrow, tears, and death, and ultimately creation will be restored to its intended perfection. The New Jerusalem is presented as a beacon of hope, a city of eternal joy and communion with God, inviting us to anticipate a future free from the struggles of the present world.
References:
- “In your life, there is bound to come some trouble that there will be no words for.” Rich Mullins
- The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark
- "it was this hope that fueled the early church that made them unstoppable." Dominion by Tom Holland
- "Hell is other people.” Paul Sartre, French philosopher
- “Well enough about me. How about you? What do you think of me?” Bette Midler in the movie Beaches
- “How much larger our lives would be if our selves could become smaller in it.” G.K. Chesterton
Jesus gave up the comforts of heaven for the mud and muck of our world. He gave up the realm of holiness to walk amongst sinners. He emptied himself of the glory that has kept us from him so that he might touch us to bring healing and wholeness.
What if we had the same mindset as Christ this Christmas? What if, this Christmas, we, as a community tried to lay down some of our expectations? What if we humbled ourselves and gave up some of our rights? What if we, like Jesus, emptied ourselves of expectation so that we could demonstrate Christ’s humility and compassion to those around us? What if we counted the interest of others above our own?
Jesus, who is God, reveals to us the glory of God through the humanity and humility of God. And it is because of this, that Christ is exalted above every other name.
Jesus gave up the comforts of heaven for the mud and muck of our world. He gave up the realm of holiness to walk amongst sinners. He emptied himself of the glory that has kept us from him so that he might touch us to bring healing and wholeness.
What if we had the same mindset as Christ this Christmas? What if, this Christmas, we, as a community tried to lay down some of our expectations? What if we humbled ourselves and gave up some of our rights? What if we, like Jesus, emptied ourselves of expectation so that we could demonstrate Christ’s humility and compassion to those around us? What if we counted the interest of others above our own?
Jesus, who is God, reveals to us the glory of God through the humanity and humility of God. And it is because of this, that Christ is exalted above every other name.
At the heart of the Advent season is the proclamation that God did not remain where he was, high above the misery of his creation, but came down into the midst of it. He was born in the darkness and lived with those who were in the darkness. He understands the pain and sorrow of this world. That a light has come into the world means that Jesus is with us in our moments of darkness.
Whenever we gather together to sing carols, decorate homes, and stir up wonder in one another—it need not be tone deaf. We don’t have to turn a blind eye to the problems we’ve seen in the world. Actually, because of Jesus we can look in the face of darkness and proclaim, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5.) The darkness never stood a chance and never will. The Light has won.
References:
- “Advent is the season that, when properly understood, does not flinch from the darkness that stalks us all in this world. Advent begins in the dark and moves toward the light—but the season should not move too quickly or too glibly, lest we fail to acknowledge the depth of the darkness. Advent bids us take a fearless inventory of the darkness: the darkness without and the darkness within.” Fleming Rutledge
- “For whatever reason God chose to make man as he is—limited and suffering and subject to sorrows and death—He had the honesty and the courage to take His own medicine. Whatever game He is playing with His creation, He has kept His own rules and played fair. He can exact nothing from man that He has not exacted from Himself. He has Himself gone through the whole of human experience, from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair and death. When He was a man, He played the man. He was born in poverty and died in disgrace and thought it well worthwhile.” Dorothy Sayers
- "Light is the aggressor." Larry Renoe
- True Detective: Rust reminds Marty of how things are, “You’re looking at it wrong, the sky thing. Once there was only dark. You ask me, the light’s winning.”
At the heart of the Advent season is the proclamation that God did not remain where he was, high above the misery of his creation, but came down into the midst of it. He was born in the darkness and lived with those who were in the darkness. He understands the pain and sorrow of this world. That a light has come into the world means that Jesus is with us in our moments of darkness.
Whenever we gather together to sing carols, decorate homes, and stir up wonder in one another—it need not be tone deaf. We don’t have to turn a blind eye to the problems we’ve seen in the world. Actually, because of Jesus we can look in the face of darkness and proclaim, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5.) The darkness never stood a chance and never will. The Light has won.
References:
- “Advent is the season that, when properly understood, does not flinch from the darkness that stalks us all in this world. Advent begins in the dark and moves toward the light—but the season should not move too quickly or too glibly, lest we fail to acknowledge the depth of the darkness. Advent bids us take a fearless inventory of the darkness: the darkness without and the darkness within.” Fleming Rutledge
- “For whatever reason God chose to make man as he is—limited and suffering and subject to sorrows and death—He had the honesty and the courage to take His own medicine. Whatever game He is playing with His creation, He has kept His own rules and played fair. He can exact nothing from man that He has not exacted from Himself. He has Himself gone through the whole of human experience, from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair and death. When He was a man, He played the man. He was born in poverty and died in disgrace and thought it well worthwhile.” Dorothy Sayers
- "Light is the aggressor." Larry Renoe
- True Detective: Rust reminds Marty of how things are, “You’re looking at it wrong, the sky thing. Once there was only dark. You ask me, the light’s winning.”
Something within us is longing for something beyond us. The purpose of Advent, is to help us get in touch with that longing—an opportunity to reflect and wait on the One who is the face of God. Glory became one of us so that we might become like him.
Reflection:
- Where are you still hiding from God?
- Where are you waiting to see God’s face?
- Where are you longing in this Advent season?
- Where is God coming into your life to reveal to you his glory?
References:
- "Advent begins in the dark." Fleming Rutledge
- Dirty Glory by Pete Greig - The indescribably, untouchable glory of God played in the dirt as an toddler, got dirt in the creases of his hands, rubbed dirt into the eyes of a blind man so that he might see, scribbled in the dirt so an adulterous woman might know she is not condemned but forgiven, and rubbed the dirt from between his disciples toes on the night before he was betrayed.
- Your God is Too Glorious by Chad Bird
Something within us is longing for something beyond us. The purpose of Advent, is to help us get in touch with that longing—an opportunity to reflect and wait on the One who is the face of God. Glory became one of us so that we might become like him.
Reflection:
- Where are you still hiding from God?
- Where are you waiting to see God’s face?
- Where are you longing in this Advent season?
- Where is God coming into your life to reveal to you his glory?
References:
- "Advent begins in the dark." Fleming Rutledge
- Dirty Glory by Pete Greig - The indescribably, untouchable glory of God played in the dirt as an toddler, got dirt in the creases of his hands, rubbed dirt into the eyes of a blind man so that he might see, scribbled in the dirt so an adulterous woman might know she is not condemned but forgiven, and rubbed the dirt from between his disciples toes on the night before he was betrayed.
- Your God is Too Glorious by Chad Bird
In his final message as a Waterstone staff pastor, Nick Lillo articulated three hopes that he has for Waterstone and its future:
- Hope #1– That Waterstone will always Keep Jesus as King
- Hope #2: That Waterstone will always be a prevailing church
- Hope #3 - That Waterstone will prevail because we are willing to deny ourselves and practice sacrificial love
May we be a church that pursues others, loves sacrificially, and follows the way of Jesus. King Jesus will build his church and it will prevail through love.
References:
- Images of Caesarea Philippi
- Seville Cathedral - According to local oral tradition, the members of the cathedral chapter said: "Let us build a church so beautiful and so grand that those who see it will take us for mad.”
The invitation of the Messiah in Jesus is that we can experience change and transformation and freedom from those places in our lives, and it happens through simply surrendering ourselves to Him, but this freedom that Jesus offers, it is not just all He has come to do.
Jesus did not come simply to liberate us from spiritual oppression or from the death and sin that we find ourselves stuck in. He has a grander mission than that. He actually came to overturn the things in this world that are wrong, to set people free within this world, not just liberation someday, but liberation now.
How do we engage in this liberation? We simply need to follow Jesus where He goes, because when you look at Jesus’ life and ministry, He always ends up going to the places where there are these people called the least, the people that most others would overlook, the people who are on the margins of society, the people who have nothing to offer the rest of the world, the people who are most desperately in need of jubilee.
The intentional effort of proximity and connection can be powerful and transformative. When we journey with those we think need us it can become a reciprocal exchange, where they bring the spirit of Jubilee to us, initiating profound changes in our lives. Following Jesus into these spaces unveils glimpses of the freedom He offers, sparking inner transformation in the process.
Sources:
- Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton
The invitation of the Messiah in Jesus is that we can experience change and transformation and freedom from those places in our lives, and it happens through simply surrendering ourselves to Him, but this freedom that Jesus offers, it is not just all He has come to do.
Jesus did not come simply to liberate us from spiritual oppression or from the death and sin that we find ourselves stuck in. He has a grander mission than that. He actually came to overturn the things in this world that are wrong, to set people free within this world, not just liberation someday, but liberation now.
How do we engage in this liberation? We simply need to follow Jesus where He goes, because when you look at Jesus’ life and ministry, He always ends up going to the places where there are these people called the least, the people that most others would overlook, the people who are on the margins of society, the people who have nothing to offer the rest of the world, the people who are most desperately in need of jubilee.
The intentional effort of proximity and connection can be powerful and transformative. When we journey with those we think need us it can become a reciprocal exchange, where they bring the spirit of Jubilee to us, initiating profound changes in our lives. Following Jesus into these spaces unveils glimpses of the freedom He offers, sparking inner transformation in the process.
Sources:
- Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton
God assures us of salvation and redemption, expressing an unwavering love that endures despite life's challenges; though we may face difficulties, God remains steadfast in keeping His covenant to love and redeem His people.
God assures us of salvation and redemption, expressing an unwavering love that endures despite life's challenges; though we may face difficulties, God remains steadfast in keeping His covenant to love and redeem His people.
Isaiah 53 draws us into a vivid prophetic portrayal of a suffering servant whose sacrificial journey brings spiritual healing and redemption to humanity.
Where are you? What are you going through? If you are asking why God is taking so long to fix things or you’re hanging on by a thread, remember there is a God named Jesus, who saw the suffering of the world and didn’t abandon us, but stepped in so that by his wounds, our wounds will be healed.
References:
- "Life is much, much more trying than we publicly acknowledge." Alan Noble
- “We come to understand that here, in this life, all symphonies remain unfinished.” Karl Rahner
Isaiah 53 draws us into a vivid prophetic portrayal of a suffering servant whose sacrificial journey brings spiritual healing and redemption to humanity.
Where are you? What are you going through? If you are asking why God is taking so long to fix things or you’re hanging on by a thread, remember there is a God named Jesus, who saw the suffering of the world and didn’t abandon us, but stepped in so that by his wounds, our wounds will be healed.
References:
- "Life is much, much more trying than we publicly acknowledge." Alan Noble
- “We come to understand that here, in this life, all symphonies remain unfinished.” Karl Rahner
Isaiah 40 offers comfort and hope to the Israelites, assuring them of God's presence and power in times of adversity.
References:
- “Either this world, my mother, is a monster, or I myself am a freak. Consider the former: the world is a monster… You say, there is no right and wrong in nature; right and wrong is a human concept. Precisely: we are moral creatures, then, in an amoral world… This view requires that a monstrous world running on chance and death, careening blindly from nowhere to nowhere, somehow produced wonderful us. I crawled out of a sea of amino acids, and now I must whirl around and shake my fist at that sea and cry Shame! [for cruelty]…OR consider the alternative… that it is human feeling that is freakishly amiss… Other creatures manage to have effective matings and even stable societies without great emotions, and they have a bonus in that they need not ever mourn. (But some higher animals have emotions that we think are similar to ours: dogs, elephants, otters, and the sea mammals mourn their dead. Why do that to an otter? What creator could be so cruel, not to kill otters, but to let them care?)… All right then. It is our emotions that are amiss. We are freaks, the world is fine, and let us all go have lobotomies to restore us to a natural state. We can leave the library then go back to the creek, lobotomized, and live on its banks as untroubled as any muskrat or reed. You first.” Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
- “Thou art coming to a king; large petitions with thee bring. For his grace and power are such; none can ever ask too much.” John Newton
- "There’s a certain slant of light on winter afternoons, That oppresses like the weight of cathedral tunes. Heavenly hurt it gives us, we can find no scar, But internal difference where the meanings are." Emily Dickinson, There's a Certain Slant of Light
Isaiah 40 offers comfort and hope to the Israelites, assuring them of God's presence and power in times of adversity.
References:
- “Either this world, my mother, is a monster, or I myself am a freak. Consider the former: the world is a monster… You say, there is no right and wrong in nature; right and wrong is a human concept. Precisely: we are moral creatures, then, in an amoral world… This view requires that a monstrous world running on chance and death, careening blindly from nowhere to nowhere, somehow produced wonderful us. I crawled out of a sea of amino acids, and now I must whirl around and shake my fist at that sea and cry Shame! [for cruelty]…OR consider the alternative… that it is human feeling that is freakishly amiss… Other creatures manage to have effective matings and even stable societies without great emotions, and they have a bonus in that they need not ever mourn. (But some higher animals have emotions that we think are similar to ours: dogs, elephants, otters, and the sea mammals mourn their dead. Why do that to an otter? What creator could be so cruel, not to kill otters, but to let them care?)… All right then. It is our emotions that are amiss. We are freaks, the world is fine, and let us all go have lobotomies to restore us to a natural state. We can leave the library then go back to the creek, lobotomized, and live on its banks as untroubled as any muskrat or reed. You first.” Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
- “Thou art coming to a king; large petitions with thee bring. For his grace and power are such; none can ever ask too much.” John Newton
- "There’s a certain slant of light on winter afternoons, That oppresses like the weight of cathedral tunes. Heavenly hurt it gives us, we can find no scar, But internal difference where the meanings are." Emily Dickinson, There's a Certain Slant of Light
The all-consuming human pursuit of the self has destroyed bonds of life. So, Isaiah contrasts their choice: trusting in nations results in a desert; trusting in God results in a garden. Isaiah 35 is a poem that describes a future kingdom brought by a future messianic King who will put all things right. Christians believe that King is Jesus, who makes deserts bloom.
References:
- "Until recent times, human beings usually had a permanent community of relatives. They had dozens of homes to go to. So, when a married couple had a fight, one or the other could go to a house three doors down and stay with a close relative until he or she was feeling tender again. Or if the kids got fed up with their parents that they couldn't stand it, they could march over to their uncle's for a while. Now this is rarely possible. Each family is locked into its little box...When we ponder what's happening in America, the answer is perfectly simple. We're lonesome. We don't have enough friends or relatives anymore." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., quoted by Michael Gurian, The Wonder of Boys, 67
The all-consuming human pursuit of the self has destroyed bonds of life. So, Isaiah contrasts their choice: trusting in nations results in a desert; trusting in God results in a garden. Isaiah 35 is a poem that describes a future kingdom brought by a future messianic King who will put all things right. Christians believe that King is Jesus, who makes deserts bloom.
References:
- "Until recent times, human beings usually had a permanent community of relatives. They had dozens of homes to go to. So, when a married couple had a fight, one or the other could go to a house three doors down and stay with a close relative until he or she was feeling tender again. Or if the kids got fed up with their parents that they couldn't stand it, they could march over to their uncle's for a while. Now this is rarely possible. Each family is locked into its little box...When we ponder what's happening in America, the answer is perfectly simple. We're lonesome. We don't have enough friends or relatives anymore." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., quoted by Michael Gurian, The Wonder of Boys, 67
Isaiah wrote his book of oracles and prophecy to help the people of God see that God is king in the chaos and the calm. The question for us is, "Do we believe this?" Do we believe that God is king in the midst of the chaos and the calm of our own lives?
References:
- You Are Not Your Own, by Alan Noble
- The City of Man vs. The City of God
Isaiah wrote his book of oracles and prophecy to help the people of God see that God is king in the chaos and the calm. The question for us is, "Do we believe this?" Do we believe that God is king in the midst of the chaos and the calm of our own lives?
References:
- You Are Not Your Own, by Alan Noble
- The City of Man vs. The City of God
In Isaiah chapters 7 & 8, Isaiah describes the coming king as a small shoot of new growth emerging from the old stump of David's family, the holy seed. This king will be empowered by God's Spirit to rule over a new Jerusalem and bring forth justice for the poor. All nations will look to this messianic king for guidance, and his kingdom will transform all creation, bringing peace.
Notes:
- All We Know of Heaven, by Remy Rougeau
- Christmas by any other name is Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz!
- Conclusion: The world does not need more Christians blowing each other up on social media. The world doesn’t need more Christians trying to cozy up to political power. The world doesn’t need more Christians who would rather be right than reconciled. The world doesn’t need more Christians who are better known for what they are against than what they are for. Know what the world needs? The world needs Christians who proclaim and demonstrate a God who brings light to darkness, who brings joy to despair, who brings freedom to the oppressed, and who brings love over hatred.
In Isaiah chapters 7 & 8, Isaiah describes the coming king as a small shoot of new growth emerging from the old stump of David's family, the holy seed. This king will be empowered by God's Spirit to rule over a new Jerusalem and bring forth justice for the poor. All nations will look to this messianic king for guidance, and his kingdom will transform all creation, bringing peace.
Notes:
- All We Know of Heaven, by Remy Rougeau
- Christmas by any other name is Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz!
- Conclusion: The world does not need more Christians blowing each other up on social media. The world doesn’t need more Christians trying to cozy up to political power. The world doesn’t need more Christians who would rather be right than reconciled. The world doesn’t need more Christians who are better known for what they are against than what they are for. Know what the world needs? The world needs Christians who proclaim and demonstrate a God who brings light to darkness, who brings joy to despair, who brings freedom to the oppressed, and who brings love over hatred.
When we talk about encountering God, we sometimes live under the assumption that God is so holy that we need to change to be allowed into his presence. However, the story in Isaiah 6 reveals to us is that God is at work making a way for us to be able to experience and encounter him—that there is actually nothing we can do to earn our way into God’s presence. It's in his grace and in his mercy that God moves towards us so that we can encounter and experience him.
Do we want to encounter God? Will this encounter shift our perspective, transform us and open our hearts to what is he doing in the world?
- Where do we need to encounter God’s presence?
- Where do we need to pray for transformation?
- Where do we need God to open our hearts to what he is doing in the world?
When we talk about encountering God, we sometimes live under the assumption that God is so holy that we need to change to be allowed into his presence. However, the story in Isaiah 6 reveals to us is that God is at work making a way for us to be able to experience and encounter him—that there is actually nothing we can do to earn our way into God’s presence. It's in his grace and in his mercy that God moves towards us so that we can encounter and experience him.
Do we want to encounter God? Will this encounter shift our perspective, transform us and open our hearts to what is he doing in the world?
- Where do we need to encounter God’s presence?
- Where do we need to pray for transformation?
- Where do we need God to open our hearts to what he is doing in the world?
Jesus Christ plunged himself into our lives. He took all the threads of his glory in order to thread himself into our lives to save us from falling through. That’s the beauty that will get you out of yourself. When you see what he did for you - he died for you - you love him just because he is beautiful. Grace leads to justice. Moves heart to hands.
References:
- "Of all the books in the Old Testament, Isaiah is perhaps the richest. Its literary grandeur is unequaled. Its scope is unparalleled. The breadth of its view of God is unmatched. In so many ways it is a book of superlatives. Thus it is no wonder that Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament, and along with Psalms and Deuteronomy, one of the most frequently cited of all Old Testament books. Study of it is an opportunity for unending inspiration and challenge [as we] see a God whose holiness is made irresistible by his love." John Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah
- Nora Ellen Groce, Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language
Jesus Christ plunged himself into our lives. He took all the threads of his glory in order to thread himself into our lives to save us from falling through. That’s the beauty that will get you out of yourself. When you see what he did for you - he died for you - you love him just because he is beautiful. Grace leads to justice. Moves heart to hands.
References:
- "Of all the books in the Old Testament, Isaiah is perhaps the richest. Its literary grandeur is unequaled. Its scope is unparalleled. The breadth of its view of God is unmatched. In so many ways it is a book of superlatives. Thus it is no wonder that Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament, and along with Psalms and Deuteronomy, one of the most frequently cited of all Old Testament books. Study of it is an opportunity for unending inspiration and challenge [as we] see a God whose holiness is made irresistible by his love." John Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah
- Nora Ellen Groce, Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language
God yearns for the lost to be found so He calls his people to action. “Hearts that pray for the lost are hearts that go to the lost.”
References:
- “What if the abstract [heart of God] became concrete? What if the heart of God wasn’t just something coming down on us from heaven, but something that showed up among us here on earth?” Dane Ortlund, Gentle & Lowly, p.169
- “The world is starving for a yearning love, a love that remembers instead of forsakes. A love that isn’t tied to our loveliness. A love that gets underneath our messiness. A love that is bigger than the enveloping darkness we might be walking through even today. A love of which even the very best human romance is the faintest of whispers.” Dane Ortlund, Gentle & Lowly, p.168
- Over the past three years of 2020, 2021, and 2022, our Covi pandemic years, WorldVenture colleagues have reported …17,148 pre-conversion relationships, 2,167 believers’ baptisms, 268 new communities of believers started, and 15,153 leaders being trained. Among 111 Unreached People Groups around the world.
God yearns for the lost to be found so He calls his people to action. “Hearts that pray for the lost are hearts that go to the lost.”
References:
- “What if the abstract [heart of God] became concrete? What if the heart of God wasn’t just something coming down on us from heaven, but something that showed up among us here on earth?” Dane Ortlund, Gentle & Lowly, p.169
- “The world is starving for a yearning love, a love that remembers instead of forsakes. A love that isn’t tied to our loveliness. A love that gets underneath our messiness. A love that is bigger than the enveloping darkness we might be walking through even today. A love of which even the very best human romance is the faintest of whispers.” Dane Ortlund, Gentle & Lowly, p.168
- Over the past three years of 2020, 2021, and 2022, our Covi pandemic years, WorldVenture colleagues have reported …17,148 pre-conversion relationships, 2,167 believers’ baptisms, 268 new communities of believers started, and 15,153 leaders being trained. Among 111 Unreached People Groups around the world.
The Bible is filled with brokenhearted people; Jesus is one of them. Those who lament are those who are comforted. Tears are the deepest human connection and when Jesus weeps, he legitimizes human grief and empathizes with us. How often do you let yourself feel? Is it part of your spiritual diet?
The Bible is filled with brokenhearted people; Jesus is one of them. Those who lament are those who are comforted. Tears are the deepest human connection and when Jesus weeps, he legitimizes human grief and empathizes with us. How often do you let yourself feel? Is it part of your spiritual diet?
If all our sins are forgiven (past, present, future), finished, then what exactly is Jesus doing right now? Jesus is praying for us--interceding on our behalf. His heart is connecting our heart to the Father’s heart.
If all our sins are forgiven (past, present, future), finished, then what exactly is Jesus doing right now? Jesus is praying for us--interceding on our behalf. His heart is connecting our heart to the Father’s heart.
Sources:
- Hidden Christmas, by Tim Keller
- From Strength to Strength, Arthur C. Brooks
- The Four Loves, by C.S. Lewis
Sources:
- Hidden Christmas, by Tim Keller
- From Strength to Strength, Arthur C. Brooks
- The Four Loves, by C.S. Lewis
The early church launches from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world. Even in the midst of persecution, God continues to shape His church and refine it from inside and out.
Sources:
- "I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead." - Leslie Newbigin, British Theologian
References:
- Thanksgiving Meals Outreach
- Fall Festival
- Kids Ministry
- Colorado Housing Asylum Network (CHAN)
- Stephen Ministry
The early church launches from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world. Even in the midst of persecution, God continues to shape His church and refine it from inside and out.
Sources:
- "I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead." - Leslie Newbigin, British Theologian
References:
- Thanksgiving Meals Outreach
- Fall Festival
- Kids Ministry
- Colorado Housing Asylum Network (CHAN)
- Stephen Ministry
Acts chapter 5 begins the stories of persecution of the church. Luke tells us that the Saducees and Pharisees—the religious and political leaders of their day were jealous of the successful ministry the Apostles were having and sought to persecute them.
Like the disciples, we ought to see how the cultural challenges that lie ahead are not obstacles that hinder us, but avenues for our faith to shine brighter. Suffering is something that can produce endurance and strengthen our hope in God.
Notes:
- “Since the states authority has been delegated by God, we are to submit right up to the point where disobedience to the state would involve disobedience to God. At that point it is our Christian duty to disobey the state in order to obey God.” John Stott
- “The idea that the current moment means we should jettison biblical traits like kindness, gentleness, unity, lack of quarrelsomeness, etc. Is foreign to a New Testament written predominantly by men about to killed for their faith to people about to be killed for their faith.” Daniel Darling
- “Historically, Christians have most influenced society not as culture warriors but as a praying, worshiping, giving, neighbor-loving minority. If given the opportunity would we return to that, or are partisanism and power now preferred as lord and savior.” Scott Sauls
Acts chapter 5 begins the stories of persecution of the church. Luke tells us that the Saducees and Pharisees—the religious and political leaders of their day were jealous of the successful ministry the Apostles were having and sought to persecute them.
Like the disciples, we ought to see how the cultural challenges that lie ahead are not obstacles that hinder us, but avenues for our faith to shine brighter. Suffering is something that can produce endurance and strengthen our hope in God.
Notes:
- “Since the states authority has been delegated by God, we are to submit right up to the point where disobedience to the state would involve disobedience to God. At that point it is our Christian duty to disobey the state in order to obey God.” John Stott
- “The idea that the current moment means we should jettison biblical traits like kindness, gentleness, unity, lack of quarrelsomeness, etc. Is foreign to a New Testament written predominantly by men about to killed for their faith to people about to be killed for their faith.” Daniel Darling
- “Historically, Christians have most influenced society not as culture warriors but as a praying, worshiping, giving, neighbor-loving minority. If given the opportunity would we return to that, or are partisanism and power now preferred as lord and savior.” Scott Sauls
The Church is bold in proclaiming the Jesus Story, even in the face of opposition because we are motivated by Jesus’ sovereignty and by his Spirit. The Church cannot keep quiet about Jesus, because if we believe what we believe it is life changing.
Notes:
- “If civilization is to be saved,” and then he says, “Every civilization is like a billow of smoke in the wind. If we are to be saved, it will not be by Romans. It will be by saints.” Thomas Cahill, How the Irish Saved Civilization
- “We should resist, on the one hand, the cheap-and-chattering atheism that denies all divine action in the world, and on the other the tidy-minded theologians who allow God to act in the world but only if he does so in democratic egalitarian fashion, the same across the board.” https://www.ntwrightonline.org/what-would-it-look-like-if-god-was-in-charge/
- “As you have made a pretty considerable progress in the mysteries of electricity, I would now humbly recommend to your diligent unprejudiced pursuit and study the mysteries of the new birth… One at whose bar we are shortly to appear, hath solemnly declared, that without it, ‘we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” – George Whitefield quoted in Thomas S Kidd, George Whitefield: America’s Spiritual Founding Father, 210
- “Lord, give me firmness without hardness; steadfastness without dogmatism; love without weakness.” – Jim Elliot, Through Gates of Splendor
- “There is nothing chillier than a Christian who is not trying to save others.” – John of Chrysostom, 390 AD quoted in J.N.D. Kelly, Golden Mouth, 85
The Church is bold in proclaiming the Jesus Story, even in the face of opposition because we are motivated by Jesus’ sovereignty and by his Spirit. The Church cannot keep quiet about Jesus, because if we believe what we believe it is life changing.
Notes:
- “If civilization is to be saved,” and then he says, “Every civilization is like a billow of smoke in the wind. If we are to be saved, it will not be by Romans. It will be by saints.” Thomas Cahill, How the Irish Saved Civilization
- “We should resist, on the one hand, the cheap-and-chattering atheism that denies all divine action in the world, and on the other the tidy-minded theologians who allow God to act in the world but only if he does so in democratic egalitarian fashion, the same across the board.” https://www.ntwrightonline.org/what-would-it-look-like-if-god-was-in-charge/
- “As you have made a pretty considerable progress in the mysteries of electricity, I would now humbly recommend to your diligent unprejudiced pursuit and study the mysteries of the new birth… One at whose bar we are shortly to appear, hath solemnly declared, that without it, ‘we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” – George Whitefield quoted in Thomas S Kidd, George Whitefield: America’s Spiritual Founding Father, 210
- “Lord, give me firmness without hardness; steadfastness without dogmatism; love without weakness.” – Jim Elliot, Through Gates of Splendor
- “There is nothing chillier than a Christian who is not trying to save others.” – John of Chrysostom, 390 AD quoted in J.N.D. Kelly, Golden Mouth, 85
If we're honest, I think all of us have experienced doubt in our faith. We don't necessarily talk about it, especially in church, but we can relate to those going through a season of uncertainty in their faith. Here at Waterstone we believe that we can walk through questions surrounding faith together, and that God is near to us even when we question his presence.
Sources:
- Charles Spurgeon
- When Everything's on Fire, by Brian Zahnd
- Philip Yancey
- Tim Keller
If we're honest, I think all of us have experienced doubt in our faith. We don't necessarily talk about it, especially in church, but we can relate to those going through a season of uncertainty in their faith. Here at Waterstone we believe that we can walk through questions surrounding faith together, and that God is near to us even when we question his presence.
Sources:
- Charles Spurgeon
- When Everything's on Fire, by Brian Zahnd
- Philip Yancey
- Tim Keller
If we're honest, I think all of us have experienced doubt in our faith. We don't necessarily talk about it, especially in church, but we can relate to those going through a season of uncertainty in their faith. Here at Waterstone we believe that we can walk through questions surrounding faith together, and that God is near to us even when we question his presence.
Sources:
- Charles Spurgeon
- When Everything's on Fire, by Brian Zahnd
- Philip Yancey
- Tim Keller
If we're honest, I think all of us have experienced doubt in our faith. We don't necessarily talk about it, especially in church, but we can relate to those going through a season of uncertainty in their faith. Here at Waterstone we believe that we can walk through questions surrounding faith together, and that God is near to us even when we question his presence.
Sources:
- Charles Spurgeon
- When Everything's on Fire, by Brian Zahnd
- Philip Yancey
- Tim Keller
Within church community every person has their own story. No matter our life stage: single, married, divorced, widowed, etc. we are called to be brothers and sisters and to intentionally connect with one another. The easiest way to do that is to seek out those who are in a different life stage, or generation, and be curious. Ask questions. Reach out. Be welcoming. Be the church.
Sources:
- "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God." Tim Keller
Whether you are in the middle of raising your own children, your children are grown, or you are an influence in children's lives, all of us who are in the family of God are called to raise and reach the next generation.
Sources:
- Generations - Nate Bargatze: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=405536081053230
- “The ambassador doesn’t have any authority in and of himself. He has authority only because he represents a king who has authority. Here’s God’s amazing plan. He makes his invisible authority visible by sending visible authority figures as his representatives. This means that every time you exercise authority in the lives of your children, it must be a beautiful picture of the authority of God. In the lives of your children, you are the look of God’s face, you are the touch of his hand, and you are the tone of his voice. You must never exercise authority in an angry, impatient way. You must never exercise authority in an abusive way. You must never exercise authority in a selfish way. Why? Because you have been put into your position as parent to display before your children how beautiful, wise, patient, guiding, protective, rescuing, and forgiving God’s authority is.” Paul David Tripp
Whether you are in the middle of raising your own children, your children are grown, or you are an influence in children's lives, all of us who are in the family of God are called to raise and reach the next generation.
Sources:
- Generations - Nate Bargatze: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=405536081053230
- “The ambassador doesn’t have any authority in and of himself. He has authority only because he represents a king who has authority. Here’s God’s amazing plan. He makes his invisible authority visible by sending visible authority figures as his representatives. This means that every time you exercise authority in the lives of your children, it must be a beautiful picture of the authority of God. In the lives of your children, you are the look of God’s face, you are the touch of his hand, and you are the tone of his voice. You must never exercise authority in an angry, impatient way. You must never exercise authority in an abusive way. You must never exercise authority in a selfish way. Why? Because you have been put into your position as parent to display before your children how beautiful, wise, patient, guiding, protective, rescuing, and forgiving God’s authority is.” Paul David Tripp
God the Father adopts you as a son and daughter. He puts love in your heart and this love enables us to move toward others all around us with love.
Sources:
- Promise Keepers - James Ryle, Pastor of Vine Life Christian Fellowship
- The Invention of Solitude, by Paul Auster
- The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001 film
- Camp Diva, Angela Patton, Ted Talk
- Hannah Coulter, Wendall Berry
- All Joy and No Fun, by Jennifer Senior
God the Father adopts you as a son and daughter. He puts love in your heart and this love enables us to move toward others all around us with love.
Sources:
- Promise Keepers - James Ryle, Pastor of Vine Life Christian Fellowship
- The Invention of Solitude, by Paul Auster
- The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001 film
- Camp Diva, Angela Patton, Ted Talk
- Hannah Coulter, Wendall Berry
- All Joy and No Fun, by Jennifer Senior
When evil times come, people get cynical and angry. They blame others. They lose hope. But Christians are the opposite. We are to be humble. Admit our part in what is wrong. We are to have hope. The gospel humbles us out of our pride but in such a way that we have more confidence in God than ever before. Have humility. Have hope. Remember someday the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.
Sources:
- "I thought when I got to where I wanted to be, everything would be different. I'd be somewhere else. I thought it'd be all white fluffy clouds. And then I got there. And I'm still here." Then interviewer asks why he pursued music and fame. Yorke replies, "It's filling the hole, that's all anyone does." Thom Torke, Radiohead, Rolling Stones
- “Winning made me feel like I was somebody. It made me feel pretty. It was like being hooked on a drug. I needed the wins, the applause, in order to have an identity.” Chris Evert, G.Housekeeping, 10/90, 87
- Lewis Smedes, Love Within Limits, 34-35
- Counterfeit Gods, by Tim Keller
- “So let the reader who expects this book to be a political exposé slam its covers shut right now. If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being… Confronted by the pit into which we are about to toss those who have done us harm, we halt, stricken dumb: it is after all only because of the way things worked out that they were the executioners and we weren't.” Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Gulag Archipelago
When evil times come, people get cynical and angry. They blame others. They lose hope. But Christians are the opposite. We are to be humble. Admit our part in what is wrong. We are to have hope. The gospel humbles us out of our pride but in such a way that we have more confidence in God than ever before. Have humility. Have hope. Remember someday the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.
Sources:
- "I thought when I got to where I wanted to be, everything would be different. I'd be somewhere else. I thought it'd be all white fluffy clouds. And then I got there. And I'm still here." Then interviewer asks why he pursued music and fame. Yorke replies, "It's filling the hole, that's all anyone does." Thom Torke, Radiohead, Rolling Stones
- “Winning made me feel like I was somebody. It made me feel pretty. It was like being hooked on a drug. I needed the wins, the applause, in order to have an identity.” Chris Evert, G.Housekeeping, 10/90, 87
- Lewis Smedes, Love Within Limits, 34-35
- Counterfeit Gods, by Tim Keller
- “So let the reader who expects this book to be a political exposé slam its covers shut right now. If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being… Confronted by the pit into which we are about to toss those who have done us harm, we halt, stricken dumb: it is after all only because of the way things worked out that they were the executioners and we weren't.” Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Gulag Archipelago