CTK Anacortes: Recent Episodes
CTK Anacortes
Today, we consider three important warnings Jesus gives near the end of the Sermon on the Mount—about the narrow gate, false prophets, and the final judgment.
Today, we explore what it looks like to trust in God’s goodness and apply it in our daily lives.
Today Jesus teaches us about how judging and forcing good things on people runs counter to the good kingdom life.
Today, Jesus offers three invitations to His disciples—each one a step deeper into true spiritual freedom.
Today Jesus teaches his disciples who are at home in God's Kingdom the spiritual art of hiddenness.
Today we celebrate the risen Jesus and his invitation to resurrection life here and now!
Today, we pause our journey through the Sermon on the Mount to explore our calling as apprentices of Jesus to embrace the practice of lament.
In our fifth week in the sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches his disciples about key elements of human sexuality within a Kingdom/Covenant identity.
In week four of our exploration of Jesus' sermon on the mount, He teaches his followers about how we are to confront anger and practice reconciliation - a practice that leads to freedom.
In today's excerpt of Jesus' sermon on the mount, he teaches his followers the nature of our true, Kingdom identity.
Jesus' opening announcement in his sermon on the mount reveals a new kingdom map/rule that reveals his character and the character of those for whom the Kingdom of God is presently available.
Today we explore an integral concept in the life of Jesus and his disciples which serves as the entry point in our exploration of the sermon on the mount.
Today we will explore how our Christian identity is oriented by love, grounded in grace, and lived out in relationships of love, grace, and service, bearing one another’s burdens and reflecting the very heart of God.
Today we explore our ninth practice associated with the way of Jesus. To witness is a regular rhythm of giving God away.
Today we resume our Rhythms Of Grace series as we explore the practice of service through Jesus' example.
On the Sunday before Epiphany we observe what the Magi did and see it as an invitation at the start of a new year to intentionally move toward Jesus.
On this final week of Advent we are invited to receive the transformative gift of God's love.
In this third week of Advent, we seek to take hold of true joy that is found in Christ alone.
On this second week of Advent we explore the depth of the biblical definition of peace.
Today we explore the practice of community by looking at the triune nature of God, the life of Jesus, and the life of the first century church.
Today, we’ll explore the practice of generosity through its theology, an invitation to live generously, and a practical step for Jesus’ followers.
Today we explore the biblical practice of fasting and what it means for the followers of Jesus.
Today we wrap up our exploration of the practice of sabbath by highlighting a key verse fifteen in Deuteronomy chapter five.
Today we conclude our exploration of the practice of silence and solitude by looking to Jesus' experience with temptation in the eremos.
Today we explore the practice of prayer through the example of how Jesus taught it and practiced it.
Today we're introducing the concept of spiritual practices through nine rhythms in the life of Jesus.
Today we pause before our next series and listen to Jesus' prayer which holds an important reminder for his apprentices.
Today we wrap up our Practicing The Way series. As we remember where we've been, pay attention to how Christ has been speaking to you and forming you.
Today we explore the work of Jesus in tandem with our rule of life which serves to unlock the new creation within all of us.
Today we explore three revelations from scripture that help to define the what and why of 'Rule of Life.'
This morning we will be looking at two pictures that add up to a vision for the church/the apprentices of Jesus who seek to do what Jesus did.
Today we hear from our San Fransisco youth mission team who served the city’s homeless population last week.
Today we explore the truth that through His Spirit, Jesus has empowered us to do the things He did.
Today we are looking at what kind of mourning Jesus is referring to and what is the "greater" comfort.
Before we take one more step as an apprentice of Jesus, I believe there is something specific that God wants to heal in us.
Today, the disciple who resembles Jesus the most offers two habits for the apprentice of Jesus who strives to be like Him.
Today we linger in the truth of resurrection life and hear testimony from Mike LeLand of New Generation Ministries.
Today the followers of Christ that make up the church are reminded who we are, and what we are becoming in Christ.
Today, the apprentices of Jesus have an opportunity to think long and hard about what has our attention.
Today we explore what Jesus meant by those who "understand with their hearts" and find that it is a characteristic and a practice of the apprentice of Jesus.
Today, Paul the Apostle extends an invitation into the practice of contemplation as a way to behold God's glory that we might be transformed.
This morning, King David shares with us a habit that we can practice to align ourselves with the formation work of Christ.
Today we explore the truth that God's work of Spiritual Formation is a never ending process. To understand this, it's important to see Jesus as our ______.
The deep joy on offer this Advent is a permanent joy that demands a permanent walk with Jesus.
Today, God's story through Mary helps us to answer the question, How does the follower of Christ cultivate an inner experience of Deep Joy?
Today we pause and look back on the last two months to remember the ways in which God has been revealing who He is and who we are as His Covenant Community.
Today we will expose one of the primary enemies of sacred community and also explore the remedy to defeat it.
What does it look like to allow Jesus to redefine your home to be a space for contemplation and community?
The biblical prophecy we explored last week invites the church to recover our true identity. This true identity will cause us to dramatically alter the way in which we live.
The fulfilled biblical prophecy that we’re going to explore affects everything and invites us to dramatically alter the way in which we live.
Today we're being offered a new Spirit and a new vision to move us toward the churches’ sacred calling of togetherness.
This morning, as a picture of the trinity comes into focus, be ready to receive a beautiful two-part gift.
As we look back on our Holy Symmetry series, be reminded of who God is, how he moved and what he spoke to you in the past seventeen weeks and look ahead with anticipation to what he might reveal in our new series.
This morning, the scene at Peter's house offers us an opportunity to identify where Jesus is and where we are as we head into Fall.
Join us for a time of worship, reflection, and communion as we dive into some scripture.
Resources
“Divine Conspiracy” - Dallas Willard
“have a little faith” - Mitch Albom
The Bible Project - Tim Mackie
“Sacred Rhythms” - Ruth Haley Barton
“Garden City” - John Mark Comer
“Life Together” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The gift of the Spirit (the Paraclete) is a gift that imparts purpose. It's like a coin with two sides. One side imparts purpose of identity and the other imparts purpose of _________.
Today, you are invited to know the power, freedom and comfort of the invisible Paraclete.
Today's scripture reveals how people come to faith in Christ. It also reveals exactly what we need to move from knowledge of Christ to truly knowing Him.
Today we get to hear a firsthand account of the deepening work that Jesus has done and is doing.
Today we explore the overwhelming fact that opened the Samaritan woman’s eyes and moved her out of darkness and into light.
Today, we continue to explore what it means to know Jesus and the work He's doing to deepen our wells.
Today we move deeper into the balance of knowledge of God and knowing God as we witness Isaac move from a knowledge of God's blessing to a firsthand experience with God's blessing.
This morning we explore the vitally important balance of knowledge of God and knowing God.
Before we begin a new series next week, we pause today and explore the truth that God, by nature, is relational and if we want to experience Him we must be in relationship.
Our spacious place series culminates in a truth, in an image, in one literal spacious place that turns our world upside down and inside out and has power enough to save and transform anyone who genuinely believes.
On this Palm Sunday, we get to experience a “universe” altering event. It is a purge initiated by Jesus himself to achieve for us spacious lives so that He, Jesus Christ our King, can firmly establish his throne and reign supreme at the center of our lives.
The creative spark to light the fires of creativity and originality in the church is a genuine encounter with the majesty and power of God found in the unrestrained gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today we remain in "a spacious place" where we will encounter an invitation to a lifestyle of gratitude and rejoicing.
Samuel's encounter with God at night reveals a depth of mystery associated with the 'spacious place' to which Christ is inviting us.
In this second week of Lent we move into that 'spacious place' to confront how we're spending on things that don't satisfy, so that we might turn from our idols and become a people ripe to receive God's blessings.
This morning, we are invited to fully enter the season of Lent - a spacious place where God wants us to know Him and grow in Him.
This morning we will discover what a true encounter with the living Jesus Christ should often feel like, which gives us an idea as to what type of person is most useful to God.
Moses' conversation with God reveals a difficult truth about us and more importantly, it reveals something wonderful about God.
Paul's willingness is defined by a deep sense of purpose which informs his resolve to "remain." Paul's example helps us to see the calling on our lives and exercise a similar resolve.
A newfound willingness looks like full and complete devotion to Jesus therefore it must cost the believer everything.
Our seventh and final question from Jesus demands a response and invites us to confess what we believe to be true about the Son of Man.
Jesus' fifth question calls us to assess our need and stirs in us a desire to take hold of what Jesus has to offer
Jesus stops along the way to the cross and offers a question to call us to recognition and to faith.
Today we explore our second question from Jesus that reveals our desperate need for vision. Do we have vision? How do we get vision?
Today we begin a seven week journey to Christ's birth guided by seven questions from Jesus that prepare our hearts for his arrival. Jesus' question today is a bit unsettling but reveals an important lesson.
Today we come to know that a proper acknowledgement of death positions us to be blessed by an encounter with the resurrection (aka, the rest of the story!)
Through strategic use of poetry and metaphor in a heartfelt prayer, David reveals the mark he’s leaving on this world. To where/to whom is David going to direct the world’s attention?
Today we explore three biblical truths about suffering. The first truth is, suffering happens (John 16:33). The second is, suffering cannot overpower an all powerful God (Romans 8:31-39), and the third truth, Suffering is seminary (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
This morning, watch as we confront our need for fathers and more importantly watch as a beautiful portrait of our Heavenly Father comes into focus. A Father who has the ability to forgive and restore through his deeds and through his words.
This morning we explore six verbs. Six bold requests by David of God that reveal God’s power to forgive and fully restore.
David’s sin shows us that the way to God’s forgiveness comes through staying in the story, by recognizing our own sin, and by holding onto our identity in Christ.
After we sit at Jesus' feet, what might He have us do? Watch what David does this morning to help answer this question.
Today, we will focus on 3 key statements in David's prayer that reveal a shift in his thinking, revealing humility, gratitude, and a desire to see God glorified. How did David get here? How can we experience a similar shift?
In our 'Spiritual Greenhouse' message several weeks ago, we were challenged to see the story of David as a story of growth, which allows us to see our story as one of growth. Only God can grow us by His Spirit and we can participate. Today we explore 6 ways we can participate in God's growth of our lives.
The wisdom from David's story today reveals that before we do for God, we first must consult God and seek to understand what He is up to so that we can be in step with Him so that we can draw attention to Him and His works.
Today we witness a seasonal shift in David's life and in it we are given a clear picture of how obedience and freedom go hand in hand and we’re also given a practical definition of worship.
The tragedy in today’s scripture teaches us two sobering lessons. The first; There’s a difference between good intentions and actual obedience, and second; It’s dangerous to try and take charge of God.
David’s act of bringing the Ark to Jerusalem invites the church to assess our true focal point.
This morning, David's story is a powerful anticipation of the messiah's ultimate victory.
Today we are challenged to see our story as a story of God growing us. How can we participate in God's growing process in our lives?
Today we will witness a pivotal transition from David's rise to his reign. What will God reveal to us as we experience this transition from the perspective of the Israelites who fully accepted David's reign over them?
God allows knuckleheads a seat at the table. That shows us who God is. It shows us who we are and it shows us that our faith story isn’t just about us. It is a beacon of God’s grace to draw the lost into the family of God.
Watch how the story of Lazarus clears a path through the thick brush of tragedy and leads us to the healing presence of our Good Shepherd.
This morning, we stay in the story by sitting with David's hymn of praise, by engaging with a couple stories of people around us and by experiencing the dedication of children by their faithful parents to our Heavenly Father
Today, a deep living, deep loving, God centered David shows us how to grieve so that we too can live and love deeply in a Christ centered way...so that we can draw closer to Christ and be present with the grieving people around us.
This story reveals evidence of Christ’s presence revealed in moments of supernatural strength, life saving grace and extravagant generosity. We are invited to see these moments playing out in our life and also be conduits of these moments in the lives of others.
How did David find his strength? How do we find strength in big, heavy and or scary moments? Through prayer & council.
As we walk along in life this morning, the resurrected Jesus meets us on the road to walk along with us and reveal The Truth. This is what He does. This is who He is. What is your response?
Even in a less than ideal situation with a key figure who isn’t living his best life, God is still at work. Today’s story is a picture of God’s grace.
David's Psalm reveals 'Teachable' as a key attribute of those who are dedicated to God. To be dedicated to Christ means to be open to His instruction.
Abigail served as the hero who saved David by reminding him who he is. This morning we look to the cross for that same reminder.
David's experience in the wilderness reveals evidence of God's presence in our broken world and in our broken lives.
David's heartfelt Psalm reveals these 4 attributes of deep faith; Trust in God. An Understanding of urgency. An openness to Correction and Belief that God is passionately engaged with his children.
This morning we follow David to his place of refuge. Where he ends up reveals the place of refuge for all believers.
Saul's hostility toward David gives us perspective on the hostility we experience in our story and cultivates intimacy with Christ.
Today we continue to process the concept of our work and God's work becoming seamless. We remember King Saul's disconnected kingwork and David's connected kingwork as we hear stories from real people who are striving to experience Jesus Christ in their everyday life and work.
Today, David's story reveals God's perspective on work and leaves us with a challenge to participate in the holy work God has for us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
Today we enter into David's story. His humble beginnings reveal what God looks at when he sees you and how God uses the ordinary story to achieve the extraordinary.
This morning we explore the concept of scripture as God’s story and what happens when it overlaps with our story. In the weeks to come we are going to explore King David’s story and how it anticipates Jesus’ story.
Today we explore the other 3 names Isaiah gives to the coming Christ child, names that reveal who he is and what we need.
The names offered by Isaiah describing the child who is born reveal who He is and also what we need. Today we explore the name Wonderful Counselor.
Today we explore what it means to have a 'grateful heart'
A guide to help practice gratitude:
Name 3 things about the past day for which you can give thanks.
Name three people you are thankful for. (What is it about them that you appreciate?)
Name three beautiful things or places you have seen recently. (What did you notice about them?)
Name three things you are thankful for about yourself and how you are made.
Look at your list … if God is the giver of all good gifts, what do these gifts tell you about the Giver?
Once you reflect on these things, take a moment and write a Psalm of thanks/praise. Thank God for the people he’s put in your life, the places he’s put you in and the ways he’s fearfully and wonderfully made you. Allow that Psalm to be an expression of gratitude for how great He is!
And remember, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"To Know Jesus is to know the God of creative, life giving, 'others centered' love. This, John says, is the ‘one true God." -The Bible Project
Today John helps us to better understand the nature of God in the statement "God is love." This nature informs who we are and helps us to move from detached to attached.
Today, James reminds us of the promotion that Jesus gives those who place their trust in him. This promotion calls us to a deeper prayer life and draws us out of the seats and onto the field as ministers of the gospel.
Today James charges the rich with 4 serious crimes. We see his finger pointed and we direct it toward ourselves and ask the question; does our theology inform our philosophy on wealth or is it the other way around?
There is only one judge and only one planner of the future and we must not assume His role. In light of this truth, James says to the believer, know our place and do the right thing.
Today James is exposing a sick spirit of false wisdom and he's redirecting us to a better spirit of true wisdom. This true wisdom is what the church needs. It's what the world needs!
Today, James steers the church away from favoritism and guides us toward loving our neighbors.
The light of Christ has dawned and in order for us to experience it, we must have courageous faith.
Jesus is alive!
Christ lives and his followers shall look for him in the every day and in the overlooked.
The depth and conviction in the 'Triumphal Entry' account can be found in the emotion of Christ as described by Luke.
The 'Passion' of Jesus Christ is the sinew of the entire Christian belief structure. Today we prepare to engage with it as we move toward Easter so we can fully experience the power of Christ's resurrection.
Today we will discover 4 transformative characteristics of a new wilderness. Christ is inviting us to partake in them...
The command for the Israelites to refrain from storing up manna is God's means of testing his children and teaching them to live in the constant dependence of faith.
So often, the hand of God passes right under our noses unnoticed. God is shaping us to be a people who see his providence working all things together to reveal himself, to lead and guide us and provide for us in the wilderness.
Ash Wednesday begins Lent, a season of repentance and renewal of our faith. On Ash Wednesday we remember with prayer, and with the tangible symbol of ashes, our mortal nature, our place in the cycle of life, and our dependence on God. Many people prepare for Lent's humbling nature and call to simplicity the day before Ash Wednesday, on what is called Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, by using the sugar and fat from their cupboards in their last feast or large celebration before Easter. The Lenten season of reflection and simplicity spans 40 days, not including Sundays. This commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert at the beginning of his public ministry, as recorded by the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Though this season is solemn and reflective, it is also a time of preparing our spirits for all that is to come; a "spring cleaning" for the soul. As is said in Godly Play, Lent is a time spent “getting ready to come close to the mystery of Easter.”
God has a command for His people in the wilderness of Providence. This command reveals God's desire for His people to be aware of his presence and obedient to his commands.
When we encounter God's providence we realize that he sees all of our needs, from the hunger of our bellies to the cry of our hearts.
Today we will Remember and Celebrate all that God has done. Share with us where you have seen God at work in your life. If you can’t join us in person type out your testimonies in the comments on the Facebook Live Stream, Ben will be reading them as they come in.
In this scripture we witness a brief season of anguish in Joseph's life. Seasons of anguish can provide opportunity for us to grow in faith and obedience, they can also reveal the character of God in transformative ways.
When is the last time you responded to an invitation with a resounding “I’m in!“? Jesus invites you to a deeper level of commitment this Advent season. He’s inviting you to sing a new song of surrender and praise so that your soul can magnify your Maker!
The King is coming. He is Jesus the good, the great, the just, the ever blessed. Will you allow Him reign over you?
We will continue to look at The Beatitudes and how they relate to living outside of ourselves.
This week we'll look at The Beatitudes and how they relate to living outside of ourselves.
Jesus identifying himself as the messiah forced the locals in Nazareth outside of themselves. They were skeptical because he was one of them. They were offended because he revealed that God's salvation is offered to everyone.
Too often, satisfaction prevents the believer's spiritual growth and deep engagement with prayer and corporate worship. Jesus' example and Peter's description of who we are wakes us up and reminds us of our calling, which pulls us away from consumerism and into a royal priesthood!
This morning we will see Jesus Christ as a servant, serving the salvation purpose of God the Father. Understanding Jesus' servant leadership will be the foundation that we build upon in our 'Outside of Ourselves' series of messages.
June 28 - 1 John 1:5-7 You are a witness
July 5 - 1 John 1:5-7 God is light
July 12 - 1 John 1:5-10 Without sin?
July 19 - 1 John 2:1-6 When we know him
July 26 - 1 John 2:7-11 A new command and a prescription
Aug 2 - 1 John 2:15-17 Love God not the world (part 1)
Aug 9 - 1 John 2:15-17 Love God not the world (part 2)
Aug 16 - 1 John 2:18-25 Thesis of Theses
Aug 23 - 1 John 3:1-3 Beloved [Luke and Jolene Larson]
Aug 30 - Hebrews 10:22-25 4 Exhortations (part 1)
Sept 6 - Hebrews 10:22-25 4 Exhortations (part 2)
Sept 13 - Matthew 18:15-19 Two or three
Sept 20 - phesians 4:1-3 Therefore
Sept 27 - Ephesians 4:1-3 Meekness not weakness
Oct 4 - Ephesians 4:1-3 The Spirit of Unity
Three things to help with discouragement: Pray to God Seek Godly counsel Cast your cares upon Christ
Her leaders judge for a bribe her priests teach for a price and her prophets tell fortunes of money. Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say, ‘is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.’
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 2When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
When we place our faith in Jesus and his cross, we experience 4 distinct effects; We die. We live. We see. We are made new.
To experience true repentance that leads to salvation, we must first experience a collision with God’s love. When we collide with God’s grace, his love, his goodness and his holiness, we become aware of our lack of all those attributes. We become aware of our need for him. That awareness causes us to repent/confess so that God can fully enter in and do his salvation work.
Jesus defines for his disciples what love within the context of friendship looks like. He reminds his disciples/all who obey of their rank in the kingdom. This rank is "friend of God." Along with this definition and reminder we will encounter Jesus deploying us to put this love and friendship into practice.
When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (II Samuel)
Then he put a question to them: “How is it that they say that the Messiah is David’s son? In the Book of Psalms, David clearly says, God said to my Master, “Sit here at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” David here designates the Messiah as ‘my Master’—so how can the Messiah also be his ‘son’?” (Luke 20:41-45 MSG)
● He sits at God’s right hand (verse 1) ● He will triumph over all His enemies and rule over them (verses 1–2) ● He will lead a glorious procession of troops (verse 3) ● He will be “a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (verse 4) ● He will have divine power to crush kings, judge nations, and slay the wicked (verses 5–6) He will find refreshment and be exalted (verse 7)
“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ‘What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ ‘The son of David,’ they replied. He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him “Lord”? For he says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’” If then David calls him “Lord,” how can he be his son?’” (Matthew)
“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Luke 20:46,47)
“Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.” (Luke 20:46,47 MSG)
Every life, if it’s to be fruitful, must begin with Jesus at its foundation. Rejection of Jesus will break you from His purposes in this life, and through death, separate you from Him for eternity.
Jesus is the Cornerstone The first stone laid Guide for the remaining Perfectly placed Provides stable footing All future alignment is based on it
"Jesus lifts our eyes from the temporal and offers us a glimpse into the eternal. This glimpse is like a splash of cold water onto the collective face of a weary, sleepy flock, reminding us that this life is an age, an age that will end and give way to eternity. This glimpse is perspective, comfort and energy to keep going".
"Jesus cuts to the heart of what matters. He reveals his priorities and calls us all to see, with clarity, schemes and distractions so that His will, his work can come into focus"