All of Life Sermon Audio: Recent Episodes
All of Life Church
Speaker: Pastor Jared LydaWhat happens when we attempt to fulfill the Great Commission in our own strength? What happens when we fully rely on the Holy Spirit? The mission of Jesus is not about strategy, resources, or effort—it’s about humble dependence on God’s power. In today’s message, we revisit the church’s mission to make disciples, reflect on the importance of Spirit-led ministry, and recommit to life-on-life discipleship through our gospel communities.Key Themes:Revisiting Our Mission: Jesus has given us clear marching orders—making disciples is the heart of our calling. (Matthew 28:16-20)Relying on the Spirit’s Power: Ministry is not about human effort but about trusting the Spirit to work in and through us. (Galatians 3:1-3)Rooting Ourselves in Scripture: The early church devoted themselves to teaching, prayer, and community, setting the model for us today. (Acts 2:42-47)Building Gospel Communities: True discipleship happens in relationships, not isolation. Life-on-life community is essential for spiritual growth.Reflection:Are you striving in your own strength, or are you walking in step with the Spirit? The early church didn’t grow through human strategy but through Spirit-filled dependence. As we move forward, let’s ask: Am I making disciples in the Spirit’s power or relying on my own abilities?Key Texts:Matthew 28:16-20Acts 1:8Acts 2:42-47Galatians 3:1-3John 20:22Support Our Mission:Your generosity helps us build a church centered on discipleship, prayer, and Spirit-led community.https://alloflife.churchcenter.com/giving Visit Our Website:www.alloflife.church#MakingDisciples #SpiritLed #FaithInAction #GospelCommunity
Speaker: Pastor Jared LydaIn today’s sermon, we explore John 4:1-42, where Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace Spirit-led worship. What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth? How does the Holy Spirit transform our lives and empower us to bless others? Discover how the Holy Spirit moves us into new territories, transforms our worship, and equips us for mission.Key Themes:Those who worship in Spirit and truth are led into new territories (John 4:1-6).Those who worship in Spirit and truth are transformed by Jesus’ presence (John 4:7-26).Those who worship in Spirit and truth intentionally bless others (John 4:27-42).Reflection: Where might the Holy Spirit be leading you to step out in faith? What areas of your life are ready for transformation?Support Our Mission: Your generosity allows us to continue sharing Spirit-filled teaching and spreading the hope of the Gospel.https://alloflife.churchcenter.com/givingVisit Our Website: www.alloflife.church #HolySpirit #John4 #JesusSaves
Speaker: Pastor Steve Hart
What happens when we open our lives to the promise of the Holy Spirit? Jesus offers us peace, purpose, and power through His resurrection and the Spirit. Today, we explore John 20:19–23, where Jesus breathes on His disciples and invites them into a new Spirit-led mission.
🌀 Key Themes:
Peace through Christ’s Sacrifice (vs. 19–20):
Jesus brings Shalom: wholeness and flourishing.
Restoration of relationship between humanity and God.
The resurrection was the beginning of new creation.
Purpose through Christ’s Commission (vs. 21):
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Jesus entrusts His mission to His disciples, making them active participants in God’s plan.
The Gospel advances through self-sacrificial love and service.
Power through the Holy Spirit (vs. 22–23):
Jesus breathes the Spirit upon His disciples.
The Spirit empowers and equips them for the mission.
Fulfillment of promises throughout the Gospel of John: conviction, guidance, and transformation.
💬 Reflection:
Ask: What is the New Testament norm for life in the Spirit? Then ask, “Is this–what I’m living–it? Or, is there more for me to know, believe, and experience?”
Is the Spirit revealing your need to respond to Jesus’ invitation to receive His peace, purpose, and power? The same Spirit (Pneuma) that raised Jesus from the dead is offered to you today.
📖 Key Texts:
Primary: John 20:19–23
Supporting: Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 36:25–27; Acts 2:1–4; John 14:16–17, 16:13.
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Your generosity helps us share the hope and power of the Gospel through Spirit-filled teaching. https://alloflife.churchcenter.com/giving
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https://www.alloflife.church/
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Speaker: Pastor Joel Parris
What happens when we acknowledge our spiritual thirst? Jesus offers us an invitation to drink from the Fountain of Life and receive the Holy Spirit, who satisfies our souls and overflows in abundance. In today’s message, we explore John 7:37-39, where Jesus proclaims the invitation of Living Water for all who are thirsty.
🌀 Key Themes:
The Spirit quenches our thirst and fills us with life (John 7:37-38).
Jesus' bold invitation: Come to Him and drink for ultimate satisfaction. (vs. 37)
Renewal and overflowing life come from the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. (vs. 38)
💬 Reflection: Are you thirsty for more of God’s presence? Recognize your need and respond to Jesus’ invitation. He longs to fill your life with His Spirit, guiding, refreshing, and transforming you into a source of blessing for others.
📖 Key Texts: John 7:37-39; Isaiah 58:11; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Joel 2:28; Psalm 22
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📌 Visit Our Website:www.alloflife.church
LivingWater #HolySpirit #Pneuma #John7 #ChristianTeaching #FindMeaning #KnowGod #IsThereHope
Speaker: Pastor Jared Lyda
What happens when the Holy Spirit moves? Like the wind, His work is often unpredictable yet undeniably powerful. In today’s message, we’re in John 3:1-17, where Jesus calls Nicodemus—and us—to open ourselves to total transformation through the Spirit.
🌀 Key Themes:
The Holy Spirit moves unlikely people, drawing them to Jesus (v1-2)
The Holy Spirit expands the vision and experiences of truth-seekers (v3-7)
The Holy Spirit’s work, like the wind, leaves unmistakable undeniable effects in our lives (v8)
Renewal comes exclusively through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (v9-17)
💬 Reflection:Are you ready to surrender to the Spirit’s leading? Invite Him to transform your life, cleanse your heart, and guide you into deeper faith and worship.
📖 Key Texts: John 3:1-17; Ezekiel 36:25-27
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We exist to saturate the inland northwest and the nations with the good news of Jesus. Your generosity helps us continue sharing messages of reliable bible teaching and Christ-centered faith
https://alloflife.churchcenter.com/giving
📌 Visit Our Website:https://www.alloflife.church/
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Our hearts need to know that we matter. That someone loves us, cares about us, and is eager to serve us and help meet our needs. In a non-Christian life, one of the ways we pursue this is through greatness and importance. The more people that know our name and the more weight our voice carries, the more we matter… Right?In a religious but not gospel-centered life, one of the ways we pursue this is through obedience to Jesus’ words in Matthew 20:17-28. We make sure we matter to God and others by setting aside our own identity and needs in order to serve.Jesus offers something so much more holistic and beautiful to anyone who will listen - a gospel-centered life that unashamedly meets the hearts need to matter with enjoying the love and presence of Jesus. We abide in the Good News that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom (in love!) for many. By abiding in this Good News, we abide in the love of the Father, and overflow with humble love and service in the world.
After claiming the title of “The Christ”, Jesus gives his disciples a heads up. If you’re going to come after me, it’ll mean denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following me (walking through life MY way). It might seem like Jesus is a curmudgeon who wants us to give up everything good and nice, in order to suffer. Yes and no. Yes - we’ve all grown up in a Snake influenced world, and we need to give up everything tainted by it, in order to receive true life in God’s kingdom. That’s hard.No - Jesus isn’t bland or grumpy. He has come to give himself in love, to restore the world into something much more enjoyable and beautiful than we could ever imagine. Sometimes the best doctors tell you “it has to come out” so you can live a full life.
On May 1, 2023 the US Surgeon General released an Advisory on “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation”. This advisory paper is subtitled “The Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community”. 2,000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth came, teaching that the greatest need of humanity is restored relationship with God, and the gift of social belonging in the Family of God. He gave his life as the Son of God to restore us as Sons and Daughters of God. God designed the local church to be the single most powerful human experience of genuine love and social belonging, by embodying the Family of God.
As a church family, one of our annual rhythms is to use the new year as a soft reset. A short season of pause, reflection, and recommitment to Jesus as King (and Shepherd) of our lives. Psalm 23 is a cherished pieces of Christian music/poetry because it so clearly connects us to God as guide, protector, and provider. The main character of this Psalm is not the sheep - it is the Shepherd. This important fact serves to recenter Jesus as the main character of "our" lives in 2023.
Are you following Jesus (or interested in doing so), but feel stuck? Wondering why your "born again" life feels unchanged and untransformed? The letter of Titus was written by the Apostle Paul, to the aforementioned young church leader. This letter was written to build up the church in practical applications of the Gospel of Jesus - to train all believers to live full, meaningful, joyful lives of godliness and holiness - helping them (and us) get "unstuck". The Gospel of Jesus gives us presence, power, and promise to live new, transformed lives.
It can be very helpful to know your history. Your family history helps explain why you are how you are. Your medical history helps explain what you may face and what to do about your health. Our "Spiritual" story begins before we even come into existence.
All of our personal stories, begin with the Great Big Story of God, revealed in Jesus Christ. Our All of Life story is a continuation of the Big Story of God working in and through His people. Our Great Small story is born, because of God's work in His people - so today we remember where we came from, and how God intertwines our story into His.
As All of Life Church moves into our new building, it's a new chapter, out of the same book. Importantly, our story is a small part in the middle of a much bigger and better story - God's Story. Next week, we look at some of the details of our story, but this week, we enjoy and remember The Great Big Story we are a part of.
The Gospel of Jesus is unique in the whole world - because it is, purely, Good News. The Old Testament prophet Hosea is dense, intense, and a bit confusing - which is why it ends with a call to read wisely, and listen discerningly. As we do so, we see that Hosea foreshadows Jesus’ role in the rescue of his people. He is the faithful husband, who fully knows the depth of his people’s unfaithfulness, and out of love rescues them and brings them home.
Does God have emotions? Does viewing him this way "anthropomorphize" him to make him in "our image"? Or is it honoring the way he presents himself in scripture? The more we understand and trust God and his “emotional world”, the more we will engage in loving personal relationship.
In Hosea God shares his internal world, so that we can understand and trust him. We see that God's heart is full of love and loyalty, and this motivates him to choose to have compassion on his people.
Hosea 1-3 acts as an executive summary of the whole book of Hosea. It gives the primary plot points, and uses Hosea's real life to express God's relationship with his people. God views his relationship with his people as a marriage. And he chooses to "marry" them, knowing ahead of time that they will be unfaithful.
In "Movement II", Hosea's wife Gomer is unfaithful. God uses this to express how he views Israel's behaviors and beliefs as relational unfaithfulness.
When God begins speaking through Hosea, God's very first instruction is that Hosea goes and marries a woman, knowing that she will be unfaithful to him. And this is to illustrate how God's people have been unfaithful.
And, it also illustrates how God views his relationship with his people - as a marriage. God is married to his people, and will be faithful to them.
The Reality is there are two senior kingdoms governing the world, and you I are citizens of one or the other, but not both. Our way of life and words signal which kingdom we belong to.
Choosing rest is an act of trust. Jesus Values our rest and Jesus values our mercy, and when it seems the two are in competition, trust Jesus and choose mercy.
Doubt is most compelling when we find ourselves enduring tough circumstances. In this message, we’ll begin to see there’s a difference between doubt and unbelief. Jesus is gentle with our doubts, and He doesn’t tip-toe around our unbelief.
Jesus continues His mission-instructions for the Twelve, which include sober warnings about the cost and the rewards for allegiance to Him.
In this passage we see Jesus display his heart and the surprising invitation He extends to His disciples to join Him in His work.
What if God means to use our pain to push us to the most direct route to faith in Jesus? In this message, we will learn from six people whose intense pain strengthened their faith.
Summer in North Idaho is a treasure, and we are all gearing up for it! As a Church family, we want to savor the delights of summer, while maintaining spiritual health and heart-level contact with Jesus, abiding in Him all summer long. Here are some helpful ways of approaching "Abiding", that will build our faith and community this summer season.
Heaven. There are few concepts in our post-christian culture that are so thoroughly misunderstood. Is heaven a religious ideal used by governments and the “ruling class” to suppress the people? Is is the crutch of fantasy created by the poor and down trodden? Or, is it a logical and sturdy reality fully in line with the robust worldview of Jesus of Nazareth? The Revelation of Jesus invites us to trust that the “story ends” with God conquering evil and healing creation and humanity - resulting in a beautiful and realistic wold where we are freed from tears, death, mourning, and pain.
Are you a good person? “Well, I’m not on the evening news for committing some heinous crime, and I mostly try to be good, so… yes?” That’s a fair response - though Jesus and the New Testament writers may have something else to say. Don’t worry, their goal isn’t to judge you or get you to comply with a new set of behavioral rules. They hope you see the futility of defending our “goodness” to a perfect and holy God (the epitome of good). Instead they offer the “Good News” that God already knows the details of our “not-goodness” and freely gives grace and new life through faith in Jesus (not yourself).
Christians celebrate a risen Jesus. In layman’s terms: A not dead Jesus! Jesus’ resurrection verified his identity and power as God’s Son. In his death and resurrection, he paid our penalty, triumphed over death and Satan, and secures our future resurrection. Today he continues to empower his people through the Holy Spirit, and daily intercedes for you and I, his beloved saints.
The Story So Far: God created a Kingdom, and He is the King, but He made human beings to represent Him in that Kingdom. Adam and Eve rejected this call, which lead to sin and death. But God promised to defeat the Serpent through the seed of the woman, who is also the seed of Abraham. through Abrahams's family, and specifically, Judah's royal seed, David, the covenant blessings would come to the world. Because all the people were guilty and deserved death, the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law revealed more clearly their need for a substitute - the suffering servant. Through the Servant and the work of the Spirit, God would establish a new Covenant and give lasting life to His people in the New Heavens and New Earth. Jesus is the one through whom all of these promises find fulfillment.
You and I exist. "Obviously". But importantly, you and I exist as physical selves. We are spiritually and physically intertwined beings, and the Bible clearly teaches that God designed us this way, and intends to keep it that way. His plan of redemption doesn't end with the 'throwing out' of our physical self, in favor of a floating phantasm.
Jesus himself is the most concrete evidence of this. Upon his resurrection, he demonstrated his physical reality by eating, and being tactilely verified by his friends.
Ezekiel's prophecy is one of the Old Testament's first indications that God intends bodily resurrection - as well as renewal through putting his Spirit into human beings.
God's revelation of the Suffering Servant via Isaiah's prophecy was like an atomic bomb in Old Testament Theological Revelation. Up until this point, the Mosaic law had allowed for atonement via a "spotless" substitute - an animal sacrifice. That system of substitution was a means of grace from God, and it pointed to God's true plan of redemption - to substitute the Woman's Seed, The Royal King, The Suffering Servant for his people.
The Story So Far: God created a Kingdom, and He is the King, but He made human beings to represent Him in that Kingdom. Adam and Eve rejected this call, which lead to sin and death. But God promised to defeat the Serpent through the seed of the woman, who is also the seed of Abraham. through Abrahams's family, and specifically, Judah's royal seed, David, the covenant blessings would come to the world. Because all the people were guilty and deserved death, the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law revealed more clearly their need for a substitute.
The Story So Far: God Created a Kingdom, and He is the King, but He made human beings to represent Him in that Kingdom. Adam and Eve rejected this call, which lead to sin and death. But God promised to defeat the Serpent through the seed of the woman, who is also the seed of Abraham. Through Abraham's family, and specifically Judah's royal seed the covenant blessings would come to the world. Because all people were guilty and deserved death, the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law revealed more clearly their need for a substitute.
There are several important moments in Genesis where Jesus is foreshadowed as the King of Kings. We come to learn in God's promise to Abraham and Jacobs's blessing of Judah, that the Messiah (Jesus) will descend from a long line of royal kings to be a King Himself.
Here's the story so far: God Created a Kingdom and He is the King, but He made human beings to represent Him in that Kingdom. Adam and Eve rejected this call, which lead to sin and death. But God promised to defeat sin the serpent through the seed of the woman, who is also the seed of Abraham. Through Abraham's family, and specifically Judah's royal seed, the covenant blessings would come to the world.
Genesis chapter 3 ends with God's image bearers embracing doubt and mistrust - and it results in the worlds first sin . As a result the people are separated from God and cursed.
Who are you? How do you know who you are? How have you become who you are?
Our 'self-knowledge' is intricately dependent on our knowledge of God - because He chose to make us in His image. "So God created them in His own image." Genesis 1.27
God has created living beings (you and I) to represent Him, in His creation - and this is His very good idea!
At All of Life Church, we typically preach through whole books of the Bible, verse by verse, and thought by thought. This is a style of preaching known as "expository preaching" because it 'exposes' the whole truth of any given book (rather than focusing on a selected thought).
But a challenge we face is this: many of us know that all of the writings of the library of scripture are connected, and tell a unified story of the world... but we remain a bit unsure of how it all connects in the particulars.
"The Whole Story" is our church's next step toward comprehension of the whole story of the Bible: what the parts are, how they fit, and how they all unite to tell a compelling story of the world.
Abiding is more than a practice or an action - though as an action, it reveals a lot about what we believe about God. Like a thorough detective, we examine our outer lives, to find the core beliefs that are not yet “in” Christ. As we trust him in this process and rehearse his Gospel, we root ourselves in God’s truth and presence, and through Him, begin to bear much fruit.
To pray is to admit dependence. This is in alignment with Jesus’ teaching in John 15:5, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” He’s not saying, “I won’t let you do anything” or “I’ll stop you from doing everything.” - He is the source of life and of all things good. We become participants in his good work, when we depend in prayer.
Keeping heart-level contact with Jesus is what makes all the difference for His disciples. He calls us to bear fruit for His kingdom and the way to bear fruit is to Abide with the Root, Jesus, who is the “True Vine” (Jn 15v1). In this sermon we will come to better understand the heart of Jesus for His people, His expectations for us, and specific ways we are guaranteed to encounter Him in our daily life and routines.
John chapter 15 is the go-to passage on what it means to Abide in Jesus Christ. This week we tackle questions from verses 2-4 like: What is the fruit Jesus refers to in John 15:2? What is the relationship between the Vine and Branches? What is the difference between cutting and pruning? Ultimately, Jesus indicates the quality of our abiding is revealed in how we treat one another.
What first comes to mind when you hear the title “Counselor”? Many of us think of a therapist: Someone who helps us work through our issues and finds internal peace and change. That IS true of Jesus. He breathes new life into our souls, renews our minds, and heals our hearts. But, that’s not what Isaiah is trying to communicate. He is describing the kind of King that will secure a hopeful future for the people of Judah. A King that is better than any national leader that has ever existed. This Wonderful Counselor King will rule with the wisdom of God - and, he will make that wisdom available to us.
In our final sermon on Present/Future, we focus in on the body. The congregation. The every day follower of Jesus.
What role has He given them in His church, and within His mission?
"Partnership" carries meaning of common mission, shared investment, and mutual respect and alignment.
Only two distinct "offices" of leadership are described in the New Testament: Elders and Deacons.
Elders lead ministry. Deacons facilitate ministry The Congregation does the ministry.
According to the Bible, who is responsible to lead, care for, protect, and teach Jesus' Church?
Have you thought about that much?
God continues his pattern of commissioning human beings (real life people!) to partner with him on his mission. Jesus gives his Church "Elders" to serve the Church by leading.
“Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” - CS Lewis
The Hebrew Scriptures verify Lewis in the book of Judges.
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 21:25
Living according to what is “right in our own eyes” was a historical problem, but it continues on as a modern one. Human beings living in this way are THE cause of pain in the world - and this problem and pain are so extensive, it required God himself intervening in the person of Jesus to alleviate and redeem it.
Will we continue on this path toward self-destruction? Or will we embrace the Way of Jesus of Nazareth, and become people of consequence?
We all have spheres of influence. Circles of connection within which we have an effect on other human beings. What effect do you have on the people around you?
Through Christ we are anointed as saints - and participants with God on his mission. That's a bit hard to believe, but it's true.
Once we start believing that, we'll naturally be fueled by the Gospel to see the people around us, get to know them, do our best to love them, and begin to proclaim the Gospel to them.
The United States is ranked the #1 most "individualistic" culture in the world. This creates substantial (yet unseen) effects on our expectation and understanding of "US" as the family of God.
By "Practicing", we are willing to attempt something new - and risk failure. The result of practicing is we (and the people around us) are formed into whole-hearted followers of Jesus.
The "One Another's" are instructional for the community of believers, but are primarily the Good News message of what Jesus continually does for us.
The community in which we figure this all out in is God's chosen tool for our transformation - and gives us taste of God's final plan. A community of people saturated with his goodness and presence, living in life-giving relationships.
Through God’s mercy, He has justified us, sanctifies us, and will glorify us. These promises are guarded by his power. His love, presence, and promises transform us, and create enduring joy and generosity. Abiding is how we experientially taste and enjoy the presence and promises of God.
As a church community, we dialogue about how the Sermon on the Mount has come home to us.
"Sacred" or "Secular" - we all build our lives on central ideas and tenets. Sometimes we choose these with great thoughtfulness and intentionality. Other times, these operate in the subconscious, unintentional and unseen.
Jesus of Nazareth offers this wisdom: Life will be full of storms. Rain, flood, and wind will beat on the structures of our lives - and those structures built on "sand" will be devestated. Those built on "the rock" will experience the same storms, but will endure as structures with foundations of strength.
What is "the Rock"?
Jesus himself. His words and teaching reveal who he is, and how we can live in his kingdom. His life, death, and resurrection not only guarantee our future, they secure and stabilize our present.
We all admire 'straight shooters'. Those people who are able to speak the true and hard things - without beating around the bush or using muddy language. Jesus of Nazareth is the straightest of shooters - and we benefit from his clear warning in these sentences.
He tells us to beware those will ill-intent, deception, and hypocrisy. He gives us relevant tools for identifying these "false prophets" and "wolves".
He warns us that it's possible to say, "Lord, Lord..." and yet never know him.
His cautionary words provide a safeguard against those who would do harm, and yet also point inward at our own hearts - protecting us from our own hypocrisy and self-idolization.
Followers of Jesus choose to follow Jesus every day - and this is the cost of entry to the kingdom of God. Jesus is the gate, and he is ready to open it to those who will choose him and walk his path.
DA Carson - "Men will not gain the kingdom by worshipping nature, nor by pious sentiment, nor by drifting into salvation without decision and commitment, still less by hedonism and self-expression.
They will enter life by coming under the kingdom's norms, and be saved by God's grace through faith in Christ, or they will head for destruction."
Ask, Seek, Knock. Ask for what? What am I supposed to be seeking in the first place? How do I knock?
Among these questions comes the natural and legitimate question, “if God is a good father that gives good things, why doesn’t it feel that way?”
Jesus of Nazareth continues the sermon on the mount, and presents the famous teaching that creates these questions. Matthew records Jesus’ words, and provides the greater context of Jesus’ life that provides meaningful explanation for us.
“Judge not” - if we put a period there, it feels like Jesus is putting a general kibosh on judgement of all kinds. This misunderstanding explains why our culture quickly goes to “you can’t judge me!”
Neither Jesus nor Matthew put a period there, so neither should we. Jesus uses 3 phrases, and together they create an image of thoughtful, mature engagement with the world, and our own heart. Jesus helps us to see that we need discernment, we need mercy, and we need healing.
Anxiousness is not something that removes us from the presence of God. He doesn’t require that we perfect our internal world before connecting with him, instead He invites us to connect with Him, even in the midst of our anxiety and little faith.
It’s through intimate trust with Him that our concerns for provision are resolved. By observing God’s world, and His loving and providing hand in it, that our emotional realities are redefined.
“Lay up treasures in heaven… The eye is the lamp of the body… You cannot serve God and money.”
Jesus uses three phrasings to help us understand our relationship to possessions, and how it affects our body and souls. All three develop our understanding that Jesus cares deeply for us, and wants to free us from the things that will enslave us if not for his proper Kingship of our lives.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus of Nazareth gives instruction on the type of prayer that shapes us to more readily follow him whole-heartedly. He teaches us a new posture before God - “when you pray, pray in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you”.
This new teaching on prayer doesn’t take away the reward or spiritual vibrancy of prayer. It doesn’t make it bland, disinteresting, or less valuable. Who we are in secret, is who we really are.
Jesus is instructing us to anchor our relationship with God in the secret places - the places where we are most ourselves, free from faking, hiding, and pretending.
“your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this..."
No matter who you are, Jesus’s teaching on loving your enemies is jarring. It feels foreign - our natural impulse is to “love your neighbors (those who love us), and hate your enemy (those who hate us)”.
But, Jesus of Nazareth has lived in a radically patient and merciful way toward those who hate him, namely, you and I. His instruction - both in his life and his teaching - is consistent with the way of the Father.
In Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus gives more than a foreign command, he gives application. The “next step” to aligning our hearts and lives with God. “Pray for those who persecute you”.
Jesus’ instruction on violence and disparate social power structures is challenging. His teaching isn’t challenging because his words are hard to understand, but because his teaching is clear - and our hearts want nothing to do with it. Jesus is inviting us to remember the True Story of God - and to let it radically redefine our response to the world. He teaches us a new way, a Gospel Way, to bring peace to otherwise violent or volatile situations. The Story of God warms our hearts to this hard teaching, because it reminds us that we were loved and ransomed, even while we ourselves were violently rebelling against God - and yet God, through Christ brought peace to a world of undeserving sinners like you and I.
2,000 years ago Jesus gave instruction on oaths and swearing. Has his teaching lost relevance and potency for our modern context? Turns out, Jesus’ teaching is specifically crafted to address the people in front of him - but his true message is especially relevant in a global post-christian culture that is built on assumed lapses in God's sovereignty.
We are in a series of difficult passages of Jesus' teaching. Not necessarily difficult to untangle, but difficult passages for us to submit to (and hear without defense). His teaching addresses areas of our lives where there is a significant amount of wounding and shame.
As a Loving King, Jesus speaks gently and courageously here. He speaks to the painful destruction of marriage commitments. His goal is not to condemn you or I, but to give and protect the life-long love of husband and wife.
Lust. It's a scary word, because it reminds us that sin can be hidden internally, unnoticed on the surface of our lives. Jesus’ big point in the Sermon on the Mount was that having “right” external behaviors isn’t what He’s after. He's after internal freedom - giving us new life, through himself.
“Sin is not merely a matter of actions and deeds; it is something within the heart that leads to the action... We deal drastically with our sin. We don’t pamper it. Flirt with it. Nibble on it around the edges. We are to hate it, crush it, dig it out.” - DA Carson
Gratefully, Jesus brings us "Gospel-Repentance", which does not mean self-punishment and beating yourself up. To repent is to embrace the grace of God. Then take action.
Anger. It's something we all experience, and something we all question. - Is it possible to have "good" anger? - What does God want me to do with MY anger? Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5 shows his ideal principles (the big picture stuff), and some culturally specific practicals (how it really plays out). In short: God is righteously angry (and that's really good), and you're (probably) unrighteously angry. Through Christ our anger doesn't disqualify us - instead God redeems it.
In the grand scheme of God's plan and Israel's history, we are newcomers to the Hebrew tradition and its Scriptures. As "foreigners" of this culture and heritage, we can have a complicated relationship with the "Old" Testament (The Law & Prophets). The life of Christ shows us that Jesus did not have the same complicated relationship that we experience. He loved his Bible. It was his foundation for teaching and living.
Jesus' gathered and scattered people are non-ignorable. We are to have a distinct, preserving, flavor giving, and illuminating influence on the world around us. Jesus wants his church to be seen, not kept secret.
Peacemakers are those who actively prioritize relationships and the well-being of others over their own gratification or personal vindication. Peacemakers are reconcilers.
Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are those who are persecuted because they are determined to imitate Jesus in all of life.
As we set our pre-existing definitions aside, we ask, “What is purity?”. “Does God's purity make Him lovely? Good? Desirable?”
We observe that Jesus cares about purity, all the way to the core of who we are, and this degree of purity is required to be in the presence of God who is Holy. We interpret that Jesus is not condemning those who are impure, but offering his own purity and life as gift. We apply this by choosing to leave behind our self-justification (self purification), and rest in his purity gifted to us.
Mercy is the sister of justice. When wrong is done, there are natural and legal consequences. Where justice hands out the fair (and good!) consequence - mercy sees the person, in the misery of that consequence- and intercedes. It is motivated by compassion to forgive the debt and remove the consequence.
Mercy in God's Kingdom has a particular order. The parable of The Unforgiving Servant in Chapter 18 shows us that the merciful character of the King is what drives the story.
Meekness is a word that feels foreign to our modern English vocabulary. Yet, Jesus calls those who exhibit this quality, 'blessed' and promises them the earth. What did Jesus intend to communicate with that word? In short, Jesus people don't throw their weight around. Instead, they rely on God to give them their due.
God mourns for the world, and we as His people being made into the image of His son - join Him. He brings true comfort and care to those who trust Him enough to mourn.
Jesus calls his followers to extreme and beautiful righteousness. But first, he rescues them and makes them part of his kingdom. This feels like a performance paradox - but is resolved when we become poor in spirit.
Jesus begins his public teaching, by describing what the people of His kingdom are like, and how they live. As readers and followers of Christ, the way that we approach the Sermon on the Mount (& the Beatitudes), and the way that we see ourselves in it - is critical.
As we abide in Christ - His way, and His will - become our way and will. Discipleship to Jesus, at its core, is about becoming more like Jesus. The result of this is living a life of prayer, of joy, of obedience, and love.
Jesus is the True Vine who aligns His people's hearts and wills to His. He empowers their fruitfulness and joy. According to Jesus, abiding in Him is The Way to satisfy the deepest longings of your soul.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Charles Wesley) captures the double nature of Advent. We remember Christ's first coming, and pray for his return. Christians are marked with a distinct longing for the presence of Jesus in our lives now, and a more complete way at his return.
The song "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" was originally created - in hymn form - by Charles Wesley. It's been modified and altered into the Christmas song we recognize today. As Charles Wesley and countless people have sung this, we proclaim Christ the King has come (and will come again) and that our right response is rejoicing! In understanding the history and lyrical significance of this Christmas hymn, we have the opportunity to find true worship and true joy through integrated, whole-hearted engagement with the King.
In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus calls 4 men to follow him and be transformed into missional partners. Accepting Jesus' call to follow him, means daily open-hearted relationship that transforms and frees us.
God is the Creator-King who loves His people - and his plan is to reign, through His people, over His place. This is Jesus' message in nine words; "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
John the Baptizer prepared the Judean's to receive the King of a new Kingdom. His message was of repentance and expectant faith. John's message reminds us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance - and to receive the King and His reign in our own lives.
This narrative of king Herod vs. King Jesus is the continuation of a much longer contest. The story of God is replete with men and empires opposed to God's control and rule. We see in both the story of Israel, and the story of Jesus - that though people will try to destroy Jesus and God's plans, God always guides, protects, and prevails.
Jesus carrying the title "King of the Jews" is nothing to be glossed over in our familiarity. The Kingdom of God displayed in the Gospel of Matthew is beautiful - and it requires a True King.
Jesus has left heaven for a purpose: to rescue His people, and be in community with us. Always.
Matthew's inclusion of Jesus Christ's genealogy invigorates us as we re-discover that the Messiah's story is rooted in history & God's story of hope for all nations.
We routinely organize in three ways as a church family - Sunday gatherings, Gospel Community Groups, and DNA discipleship small groups.
As people begin to orient individual hearts, and communal patterns around the risen Christ and adoptive Father, they become a family defined by their new adopted identity - and the values of their Father’s kingdom.
We are missionaries sent by the Spirit. We follow His lead as He empowers us to show and share the Good News of Jesus.
We are servants, purchased by the Son. As servants, we're motivated to serve King Jesus and serve others as a picture of the coming Kingdom.
The Holy Spirit will create a church culture that inspires gospel transformation when we rehearse the Gospel for ourselves and with each other. We share our stories and confess honestly in the light of the Gospel.
We also commit to the long-haul process of being Formed by the Gospel. This transformation is an ongoing process that takes time.
The Gospel is an anchor of hope not just for followers of Jesus, but for the whole world.
The Good News of Jesus begins somewhat unexpectedly, with bad news: Humanity’s unrighteousness runs far deeper than we often realize or admit.
But the Good News of Jesus is good news in that it assures followers of Jesus that—because of His righteous intervention on our behalf—the cure for our unrighteousness is far better than we hoped.
As the Apostle Paul concludes his letter to the church in Philippi we discover four qualities of distinctly Christian Joy.
“To rejoice in the Lord always” is to learn to see and interpret each event in your life as an invitation to worship.
Paul urges two church leaders - in the middle of a serious, ongoing conflict - to "agree in the Lord". American culture is dividing at an alarming rate. How can followers of Jesus honor Christ and stay together, even in the midst of disagreement?
We can love and care for those around us by adapting our daily rhythms to be in line with theirs. This gives us more opportunity for building and maintaining connection.
Have you ever felt that God's personality seems different in the Old and New Testaments? God's jealous loyalty is consistently beautiful in through the entirety of scripture.
"How come I'm engaging in all sorts of phone and video calls, and yet feel disconnected and emotionally tired?"
How do we understand spiritual health in a time of unease? Spiritual health is not equivalent to spiritual ease. One simple definition of spiritual health includes awareness, understanding, and how we process what we are experiencing.
Before we go any further in this series, we hit pause and read John 15. Here's why - In John 15, Jesus points our attention to our root and our source. If we skip over the root of hope, life, light, power, and change - and jump straight to the output (or fruit) of our lives and our actions - we will wither over time. In John 15 Jesus reminds us that he is the root and the vine, and we are the branches.
Out of God's self-giving nature, he created us, bears with us, redeems us, uses service to sanctify us, and will ultimately restore us.
When we nourish ourselves on God’s Word through intentional study, it brings growth, wisdom, and favor with God and men.
The disciplined taking in of God’s Word through hearing, reading, and praying it - gives texture and flavor to the whole scope of our life.
“Fasting is the self-denial of normal necessities in order to intentionally attend to God in prayer.” — Adele Calhoun.
In this message, we look at four distinct ways fasting can humble us, drawing us deeper in our prayer and devotion to God.
Do you consider fasting to be an essential Christian discipline? The record of Jesus' way of life and the body of his teaching, indicates that he does.
The Father meets our many needs. As we come to understand how much we receive from His hand we mature away from self-reliance and are transformed into a glad and generously forgiving community.
As we pray for God’s Name to be revered, Kingdom to come, and will to be done, our own names, kingdoms, and wills are calibrated to align with His.
How do we pray? Jesus illustrates how not to pray before modeling His own way of praying for His disciples.
There's much that occurred in 2019 that is worth celebrating. And, there's much more we are excitedly anticipating in 2020.
Christ has set us free from slavery to sin, freeing us into our inheritance as His children.
The Holy Spirit testifies to those Justified by Christ that we’re not orphans or slaves, but adopted children and heirs.
Our Christian life begins by faith in Christ, continues by faith, and will conclude in faith.
As we receive God’s gracious favor, we honor Christ and experience change. The key to the entire christian life is exercised faith in The Son of God
No one will be justified by God through obedient behavior, but only through faith in Jesus.
For the sake of God's glory which is displayed through our unity we double down on the Gospel of Grace.
The Gospel is the power of God, pouring out grace that humbles and transforms any heart, all for the glory of Christ
NOTE: The audio quality on this recording is poor. We’ll get it fixed for the next podcast.
To abandon the Gospel of Christ for a counterfeit is to deny grace and desert God Himself.