Open Door Fellowship Church : Recent Episodes
Open Door Fellowship
Tune into our Daily Pause devotional. Special guest speaker joining us today is Lisa Poppen!
Luke 5:1-32. Jesus begins to gather his disciples, and to validate his ministry by demonstrations of power that amaze the people.
"Jesus steps onto the scene of his public ministry, revealing his identity and his mission, both with authority and power."
Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph...
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And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant
— As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old —
Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us; To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant.
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
“...I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”
Collosians 3:13
“... Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. (The Message)
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them.
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Do you need a reset? Have the people of God forgotten their original design?
John 14:12
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”
2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
“For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
According to the Scripture—the words God caused to be written down that we now call the Bible—God makes plans, He makes promises, and he fulfills the promises he makes. The Bible makes that claim over and over. There aren’t many passages of scripture that tell more about God making promises than in Genesis 12-25, the story of the life of Abraham. And it causes us to ask: did God make good on His promises? But, even beyond that... Is He the same God today? Does He still promise and fulfill? How do we know? And, even more importantly, maybe, we want to know: if this God is real, if He is the Same God, does he care about ME? Does he have plans for ME? Will he reveal his will to ME and carry ME through? And how can I KNOW?
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Of all the Old Testament prophets, Elijah is probably the most well-known. He is clearly a man of vision and energy, calling fire down from God in heaven at Mount Carmel. Yet he also suffered severe, even suicidal, depression. But God met him at every crucial point of his life with exactly what he needed at that moment.
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
Hannah was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.“ In due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”
Sometimes we read the first few verses of John 15 and they seem almost ominous to us! What’s all this about branches being “taken away” and “thrown away,” “drying up,” and being “burned”? Is Jesus threatening us with loss of our very salvation? Or is there a different way to hear and understand His heartfelt desire that we should “bear fruit”, and that our “fruit would remain”? Our spiritual lifeblood comes only from Him. So does our fruit – which He earnestly desires for us and for which we are destined! Let’s dig into this great passage for the encouragement He intends us to have from it!
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus tells the Pharisees and Sadducees that He is “the door,” the entry and the only thoroughfare into eternal life in heaven. Of course, some of the Jews are offended, and it’s not really a whole lot different today. Jesus is still a stumbling block and an offense to some, but to find out that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life? That’s good news, not bad.
A time to hear updates for ODF, vision for the future and prayer & worship as a family.
Emmanuel - God with us. The True Light. The Word, putting on flesh and blood, and moving into the neighborhood. In John’s Gospel, “Word”, “Breath”, & “Light” resonate through the story of the incarnation. When Jesus announces, “I AM the
LIGHT of the World”, He’s calling out His role in both the revela- tion of sin, and in the forever-pardon that His incarnation brings.
In 2019, we Christ-followers carry His light to the nations - and to the folks right next door. Let’s dig into the truth of that teaching this morning.
Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just by Tim Keller God's work of graciously justifying a person inevitably results in the believer's desire to be just and to do justice. Justice follows justification. God's grace makes us just. As we walk with Jesus and let His love transform us, we will have a growing desire to see justice done, both in this life and the next. And that desire will increasingly evidence itself in our actions and life-decisions.
What are we looking for from Jesus? By equating Himself with bread, Jesus is saying he is essential for life. Second, the life Jesus is referring to is not physical life, but eternal life. Jesus is trying to get the people of first century Palestine to think beyond the physical realm and into the spiritual realm. He is contrasting what He brings as their Messiah with the bread He miraculously created when he fed them the day before. The physical bread he provided was gone. It had been eaten and they now needed more. But Jesus is telling them that he is spiritual bread that never perishes and that brings eternal life. In saying what he does, Jesus is making a claim to deity. This statement is the first of the “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel.
Today’s message will focus on the connection between Yahweh’s revelation of Himself to Moses in the burning bush, including His declaration concerning His nature and Name, and the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Why did the Jews want to stone Jesus in John 8:59? How did they understand what He was claiming there? Join us as we “jump into the deep end” of the truth about who Jesus is and what He did on our behalf!
Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just by Tim Keller God's work of graciously justifying a person inevitably results in the believer's desire to be just and to do justice. Justice follows justification. God's grace makes us just. As we walk with Jesus and let His love transform us, we will have a growing desire to see justice done, both in this life and the next. And that desire will increasingly evidence itself in our actions and life-decisions.
“When you know whose you are you know who you are, and when you know who you are you know what you are about!“
When we read or hear the phrase "breaking of bread," what do we think of? Just an ordinary meal? The Lord's Table? What is the significance of "bread" itself in that expression?
The early disciples, especially the church in Jerusalem, seemed to have liked the phrase a great deal. Is there something in the idea of breaking bread together that carries a deeper, more important, more intimate meaning? And speaking of eating, what underlying idea seems to make it vital that nearly every gathering of any length for the church involves sharing food together?
Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just by Tim Keller God's work of graciously justifying a person inevitably results in the believer's desire to be just and to do justice. Justice follows justification. God's grace makes us just. As we walk with Jesus and let His love transform us, we will have a growing desire to see justice done, both in this life and the next. And that desire will increasingly evidence itself in our actions and life-decisions.
The word “prayer” may immediately paint a picture in your mind of many past experiences both good and bad. For some, prayer is a word that is filled with victory and triumph. For others it is a confusing word only found in religious circles that one doesn’t know what to do with. They may just feel convicted and obligated to enter into this concept. In Acts 2, we see a beautiful Spirit-filled response to the gospel. We see a multitude of people in one accord, passionately devoted to this thing called prayer. Could it be that the constructs and stereotypes that fill our mind about this subject may be either too small or completely misleading to begin with?
Christianity is essentially relational. Jesus said it came down to two things: Love God & love your neighbor as yourself. But we are dented people. Every one of us. Damaged goods. We do not have it in us to love in purity. The Church is the vehicle God designed in which such people learn to love in the way that Jesus loved.
In describing the Jerusalem Church in its earliest days, Acts 2:42 says, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This week we are going to explore what the Apostles taught about what the church is. Why does the New Testament describe the church as a building, and a body, and a bride? What does each of those analogies tell us about the Ekklesia, the Church? Join us as we mine the Scriptural truths of who and what the church is and what she does!
This week, we look at God’s order and design for His church. While you may be thinking, “yawn...ho hum...church structure and design...” we will see God’s intention for us to draw together in ways that are exciting and fun! He is a God of order and peace. He fits us together for His good purposes and joy!
What is the “Church?” How does God see it? Is there a purpose to this thing we call The Church that is worth investing our time, our resources, our hearts and our lives into? Is The Church relevant in the modern world?
This series is entitled “Ekklesia,” — a Greek word, used early on by Christians to denote The Church. The literal translation is “to call out of.” Every time we use the word “Church” we are acknowledging that we have been called out of this world, into something GOD, himself, is doing.
In this series, we will explore what Scripture has to say about God’s purpose and design for the church—what it means that The Church is “The Body of Christ.”
Who calls you? God does. Who keeps you? God Does.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Nearing the end of this glorious letter, Paul presents a stunning means of walking supernaturally through everyday life, with all its setbacks, rejections, confusions, and circumstances which seem to make little sense.
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;” Nothing less will do for them; or us.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
1 Thess. 5:1-6 is the last page of the earth story for Believers and Nonbelievers: hope for tomorrow for those in the light - and also for those in the darkness.
We are so accustomed to hearing about love- God's love, our love for each other, love in general-that we can easily dismiss it with, "Oh, yes. I know all about love already!" It can become commonplace, even boring, to us. The truth is, however, that it is not only the motivating factor in God's redemption of us, it is also the motivating factor of our entire lives, both in the body of Christ and outside it.
In 1 Thess. 3, Paul exhorts the believers to an experience of "overflowing and abounding in love". Sounds amazing, doesn't it? Most of us don't live in that place, however, or haven't in a long time.
So where does that kind of experience come from? And what happens once we have it? This week we'll examine the practicalities of experiencing that overwhelming sense of God's love, and what happens when we can drink of that love daily.
What does it look like to pass on the message of the Gospel? Each one of us is invited to participate in God's Kingdom coming here and now - entrusted with the message of the hope, beauty and power of Jesus Christ. In this passage, Paul models for us how to pass it on with integrity and power.
Two words to remember from Thessalonians 1:9-2:4 are affirmation and authenticity. In 2:1-4 the Apostle assures them of the authenticity of the ones who have taught them about Jesus, even under trials.
Two words to remember from vv 1:9-2:4 are affirmation and authenticity. In 1:9-10 Paul affirms their strong commitment to live out what he taught them, even under trials.
Paul indicates the importance of remembering each other in prayer, of recalling who we truly are in Christ, and of reminding ourselves how the glorious gospel of Christ came into our lives. Together we will explore the importance of "remembering" in the Biblical sense and how it will impact our thinking and living day-to-day.
In case you've never noticed, let me tell you that prayer is hard work! Paul certainly understood that. Therefore, he also understood what he was asking for, when he urged people to pray for him and his work. So, what is our motivation for doing this "hard work"? Doesn't God already know what we need? Why bother to pray? After all, God's will is what really matters, isn't it? Paul involves the Father, the Son, and the Spirit in his urging the Romans to pray for him. Today's passage is a challenging look at prayer - its motivation, its purpose and its rewards.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We who are strong out to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Love Triumphs Over Law
Despite our inborn tendency toward legalism, none of us really wants to live under the Law that God gave to Moses. (I mean, who wants to go without eating lobster?) Paul shows us "a more excellent way" in Romans 13:8-10 – the way of love. But just exactly is the relationship of love to the Law? Doesn't the Law demand more? Or does it? Paul makes a compelling case for the superiority of love, and for what that looks like when we put it into practice.
Who Needs Politics? Who Needs Government? Romans 13:1-7
Given the present state of government and politics in general, most of us might be inclined to answer the questions above with "No one!" That, however, is not God's perspective. Why did God establish governmental authority on the earth? What is its job? What is my job in response to it? Would we all be better off without government at all? Let's look at the Scriptures to help us with answers to these and related questions.
What is in our job description as believers, and what is not? Romans 12:17-21 has some specific areas for us to understand.
Love is humble. Extracting the beauty of the verse 16 in Romans 12 - what is meant by associating with the lowly? How can I be wise but not in my own estimation? Caleb Lynch digs into the root meanings and reveals the unexpected and God-hearted beauty of this passage.
Last week in Romans 12:12 we focused on what genuine love for one another looks like in regards to hope, suffering and prayer. In verses 13-15, love gets practical and challenging with regards to how we spend our money and resources, how we respond to those persecuting us, and how we empathize with one another in grief and celebration.
The Father's adoption of us as His sons and daughters means that we belong to Him. But that is not the only relationship of belonging that defines our new life in Christ. Paul makes a striking statement in Romans 12:5 that we are "individually members one of another. What this means is that we not only belong to God, but we also belong to EACH OTHER. And just as our response to the initiating love of God is to love in return, our response to His work in one another is also love. What does this love look like? In verses 12-15 of Romans 12, it looks like people who rejoice, endure and pray with one another. It looks like sharing freely the material blessings that God has given us with others. It looks like blessing those opposing us, and maybe hardest of all, entering into the deepest joys and pains of one another.
It is stunning and challenging to see how Paul calls our new hearts to a fervent and costly love for each other. He wants us to sprint from evil and glue ourselves to good!
Romans 12:1-2 invites individual believers who have read this great treatise on the mercies of God to respond in the purest form of worship that maximizes our experience of our so great salvation. The Apostle of grace begs them to choose the best life possible—a life totally entrusted to God. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
When we give our lives to God in this way it shouldn’t surprise us that He immediately asks us to follow His Son’s example by giving our lives away to others (3-21), beginning with the community of the redeemed (Romans 12:3-8).
But a life given to God is not a human attainment. It is, finally, a gift of grace. Giving our life to God is the way of rest for the weary and overwhelmed, the path walked with the easy yoke and light burden of not conforming to the lies this world tells us about ourselves and God, but trusting in what God says about us as His cherished children.
This is especially true when it comes to trusting God to “grace us” with all the faith we will need to discern and use our giftedness in the local church. Each believer has been gifted to serve the messy but glorious body of Christ.
Can a single decision change a Christian’s life? I think it can! In fact, I believe there is one decision that the Book of Romans urges every Christian to make. A resolution so significant and with such potential to enrich our experience of eternal life that Paul devotes eleven chapters preparing us to consider this decision! Romans 12:1-2 invites individual believers who have read this great treatise on the mercies of God to respond in the purest form of worship that maximizes our experience of our so great salvation. The Apostle of grace begs them to choose the best life possible—a life totally entrusted to God. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). But a life given to God is not a human attainment. It is, finally, a gift of grace. Giving our life to God is the way of rest for the weary and overwhelmed, the path walked with the easy yoke and light burden of not conforming to the lies this world tells us about ourselves and God, but trusting in what God says about us as His cherished children. When we give our lives to God in this way it shouldn’t surprise us that He immediately asks us to follow His Son’s example by giving our lives away to others…beginning with the community of the redeemed (Romans 12:3-8).
Bill Thrall teaches on Romans 12:1-3 (ESV & The Message)
Paul is carefully teaching us in Romans chapters 1 through 11 who God tells us we are because of Jesus. In chapter 12 Paul begins us on the journey of learning to live out of who God says we are.
As we look forward to the upcoming series on Romans 12-16, it is worth our while to look back at the general overview of what Romans, chapters 1-11, are all about.
Gathering with Him... seeking God’s presence and communion with Him.
SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:1-2 other Scriptures of turning our eyes toward Jesus
CALLING ON JESUS How do we hear from God?
SCRIPTURE: John 16:13 & other stories of turning our eyes toward Jesus
Welcome to a new year, Open Door! We are diving in! What would motivate us to call on Jesus? What are the blessings of calling on Jesus?
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12:1-2 & other stories of turning our eyes toward Jesus
"My friend Jesus was not merely a great man and a brilliant teacher. Don’t talk about His birth as you would any other famous personality. Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He was a real person, but He was God. I touched Him, ate with Him, talked with Him. In his account of the birth of Jesus, it’s clear that John never got over the wonder of God coming to earth as a man or the purpose of it all: Think of it, the Son of God came to earth asking men and women to trust Him! You would expect God to come to earth making demands. Not Jesus. He came to earth offering life to all who would trust Him."
To John the Christmas story was the beginning of the greatest life ever lived, the greatest Person ever born, and the most trustworthy Friend a man or woman could have. To John, Jesus is a Person to trust.
A call to praise the exalted Lord who stoops to help His people. A part of the Hallel (Hebrew: praise) collection (113-118) of songs sung at the great festivals of Israel—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles—Christians have rightly seen the parallels between these stanzas and Paul’s description of Christ who left glory to suffer on the Cross. The wonder of Christ’s humility, demonstrated on the First Christmas, offers the only lasting hope to our broken world. Praising Him for His willingness to come down soothes our souls during tough times…even, or especially, Christmas!
*No video of this message.
Christmas Sorrows’: What do we do with our sorrow? In Psalm 77 the comforting honesty of a sorrowful Asaph, gives us permission to feel and express our sorrow before it morphs into the harsh and corrosive emotions of resentment, bitterness, and wrath.
John Tannous guest speaks for Open Door to the World weekend at ODF. A weekend of celebrating what God is doing through ODF around the world. The Tannous family has long been serving in China at a medical clinic. John joins us to share about the ministry of reconciliation.
Ecclesiastes 12
And now Solomon brings us home, literally! He reminds us that our youth is the time to develop the depth of our relationships with God. For there will come a time for most of us when we will be living off the vitality of the faith we have risked in our youth. What a fitting way to wrap up this series! Solomon finishes by bragging on himself a little. But in actuality it is his last call for us to trust the wisdom of God in others. It is a powerful and appropriate transitional passage for our next season at Open Door. Enjoy.
Solomon is not the young man he was thirty years ago when he wrote “Song of Solomon.” Here, in chapter 11 of Ecclesiastes, he's reflecting on what he wishes someone had told him back then, what he wishes he had trusted back then. It's a call to be generous and fully engage with each day while the “light is pleasant.” And it is an admonition to early on chose to “remove” the dysfunctions which can rob beauty, strength and purpose from your the rest of your days.
Sometimes Solomon can sound like he’s ranting. Often he is. Ranting against what did not work for him “under the sun.” But if I get close and listen, there is life-saving, face-saving, day-saving wisdom. Sweet wisdom. The fruits of it in this passage are words like “composure”, “advantage” and “success” to navigate life well. But they are never gained by technique or good intention. So I must listen well to wisdom. When I started preparing this passage I had no idea what it was about. But staying awhile, there are answers here I desperately need. Thank you Solomon. Thank you God.
Looking back at last Sunday's message regarding the inevitability of death, is there no way that we can "win" over death? Does the certainty of physical death place us beyond hope? And what of the calamity that often strikes even the people of God? Where is the hope? Where is the victory, if there is any? Taking Solomon at face value, but also seeing the New Covenant perspective, we can conquer death, because Christ did!
Being a part of the human experience, death remains a critical facet of Solomon's quest for purpose as outlined in Ecclesiastes; it is in the unpacking of his words on the subject that we are drawn to purpose. Walking next to him in his descent into darkness, we learn from the seeming trivial nature of life, death, and the rewards therein. From the jaws of death comes new perspective on life.
*No video this week
Caleb Lynch speaks on Ecclesiastes 8 in the Life Worth Living series. How does it gel that God is fully good and fully powerful and yet there is evil in the world?
Bruce McNicol & John Lynch introduce us to author Dr. Carson Pue from Bristish Columbia, Actor Justin Torrence from "The Heart of Man" film, Della Fanfon who's taking God's grace to her home country of Camaroon and beyond, as well as two friends from The Arsenal Church in San Antonio, TX: Reward Sibanda & Pastor Chad Belew. Hear the incredible ways Trueface is connecting brothers & sisters around the globe and their stories of Jesus' redemptive work.
As we all look around, we see rampant unfairness in the world. Evil people flourish, while the righteous die young. Furthermore, we all know that, no matter how hard we try, we are imperfect, often sinful — even foolish. We find ourselves defeated time after time by the same habits and sins. Is there no answer? Is there no hope? Of course, we know from the New Testament that there is forgiveness, righteousness, and hope. There is, however, only one Source of these: God. So, will you trust yourself? Or will you trust God? That is the ultimate question.
Many of us have had it backwards. We rush to amusement as though it will fill our souls, and we fear facing grief as though it will destroy us. We honor the beginning of things more than the proven out end to things and people. We see no value in hard seasons and try to create our own carelessly easy seasons. And God gently waits and watches until we are ready to receive the beautiful honest life He has for us. It is never too late to receive it. Solomon again teaches us life-giving truth from his failures.
Ecclesiastes 6: To rest in God's character changes the quality of your life. The ability to say, “This is in front of me. This is now. God loves me and knows how to move me to the “next.” He knows how to protect me in the “here.” So, while I have preferences and visions and dreams of what I’d like to do, I don’t want to miss the “now.” For the now will always be where God lives with me. He does not live with me in the past or the future. Though He knows the future, He does not live there. So, it is better to learn to enjoy where I am, even in a painful season. God lives here with me.”
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 & Psalm 23. God is enough! And joy is an endless gift for those who trust Him.
As humans striving for value, keeping up appearances is always our first resort, and this tendency is promoted by the inability of our peers to see our souls. What would it change if our souls were fully known? How does our value alter the way we choose to project our persona?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Never is Solomon more retrospectively wise than in his discovery that he could have been protected from a lot of pain and failure if he had only cultivated authentic, trusted friendships. He also realizes that a community of trust would have caused families and life around him to have flourished. We have no idea what beauty we miss for our community and families when we try to hide from meaningful friendships. They are a lot of work, and a source of their own pain. But nothing protects, frees and gives meaning more than Christ in us being lived out together.
We have all been to the place this place that Solomon finds himself in--a feeling of purposelessness in our experience. His question, and ours, remains: where do we find substance, fulfillment, and enjoyment? It is in the midst of this sense that God often meets us, and in His design reveals the most full way to live.
In Proverbs Solomon said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." But what, if anything, does that have to do with having a happy and successful life? Is there really a link between fearing God and enjoying life?
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11 (secondary verses : Job 1 : 6-12 , Ephesians 1:11-12)
God has the final say. He is all powerful and all things are appropriate under His perfect authority.
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26. We can try spend our lives trying to to manipulate circumstances to get what we think we deserve. Or we can receive the life He wants to surprise us with as a gift from His hand.
What if Solomon's "foolishness" in some of his pursuits in Ecclesiastes was not so much foolishness as forgetfulness? Can we learn anything from his failure to remember who he was?
Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 Pleasure: It diminishes and eludes in direct proportion to how much it is pursued. To be able to enjoy any pleasure is by-product of an entirely different sort of pursuit.
New series: "Life Worth Living - Ecclesiastes series"
Like Solomon, we can lose hope in the mess and seeming futility of life: our perspective seeing only the underside of the tapestry. Yet there are glimpses of the top-side. Glorious beauty in what God is weaving together for His glory and it can't help but inspire awe, worship and trust in His purposes through our lives.
What we see ahead of us shaped from Ephesians 2:8-10 and the vision statement "Trust- who I am IN CHRIST and how CHRIST Lives and Loves THROUGH ME"
Risking shipping out from safe harbor to influence others in 19 North and beyond with the love of Christ, we discover it's what we were designed for.
Hebrews 12 begins with a triple compound inferential participle (Therefore) that only occurs here and in 1 Thessalonians 4:8. The writer is drawing the entire epistle to its conclusion dramatically as he shifts to exhortations to the reader based upon all that has come before. Endurance is the issue, and now we learn what we should be thinking of during the trials of life as we follow Jesus. If we want our lives to look like the heroes of chapter 11 who endured in their faith, we have to keep our eyes focused on Jesus (1-3), put the trials of life in the context of God’s loving mentoring (4-11), and thereby gain the strength we will need as God heals all that is broken within us.
Hebrews 6. When Jesus talks about faith, He means first of all to trust unreservedly that you are loved, so that you can be released from the prison of shame to pursue your destiny in Him. You begin to hope against hope that this is true. And then some religious hall monitor turns you to Hebrews 6 and warns you that your view is flawed, that there are a lot of performance standards to either earn or keep God’s love, and that you should live scared spitless of messing up. This Sunday I want to show you what I believe Hebrews 6 is really saying. I view Hebrews as one of the most touching and gracious portions of Scripture. Rather than a warning against those who think they’re Christians but they’re not, these paragraphs are telling those of us who embrace grace how to love those in our lives who have walked away from God and us.
A small house church somewhere in the Roman Empire was struggling under the burden of severe persecution. The temptation to abandon following Christ for these Jewish converts to Christianity was real. “This is simply too hard,” some of these dear brothers and sisters were concluding. “It’s not worth it to follow Christ as His devoted disciple and live in the redeemed community under these circumstances. I need to go back to my former life. Oh, I still believe in Jesus, but I’m weary and losing heart.”
And then they read the words of this precious letter sent by a spiritual shepherd they knew and trusted. Rather than shaming them to do better and be better for Jesus, the writer of Hebrews reminds them of the majesty of Jesus and the extreme privilege of following Him in community, even when life hurts. “What matters most when life is hard is getting to know Jesus and His people more, not less! It has become clearer to me during this persecution,” writes their beloved mentor, “that my personal relationship with Jesus and His people is the center of my experience of eternal life.”
An overview of Hebrews, concentrating on the Prologue (1:1-4) and the Purpose (12:1-3).
Pastors, teaching team & church body talking in the living room about how the So What? series impacted us individually.
Matthew 11:25-30 (NASB) Do you ever feel that you just can't keep on doing what you're doing? That you're so exhausted that you just have to stop? Jesus Himself offers a solution to this – and it is a rather surprising answer, because it involves work!
Ephesians 1:18-23
As we examine this beautiful passage that has guided this series, we conclude that it's not a given that "the eyes of your heart" would be enlightened "so that you would know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."
To experience this is to have direction, hope and meaning to every day of your life. To be a Christian who does not apprehend these truths is to experience little more than the vague hope of heaven. That's a pretty big "So What."
What difference does worship make in my everyday life? Is it just something that I'm supposed to do on Sunday mornings? How do I live out of God's design for my life to have intimate fellowship with him in worship? Mike Quinn shares in Romans 12:1.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 73 What difference does Jesus make in my everyday when I begin to lose hope that this faith life pays off... (no video recorded for week 12).
TODAY SPEAKER: JOHN LYNCH SCRIPTURE: 2nd Corinthians 1:1-7 & John 11
“How can I fully trust God when horribly bad things have happened to me, and He didn’t stop it when He could have?”
Why is trust so beautiful to God, and so important to my everyday life? John uses "Mercy Me" song "Even if" in his message .... discover the YouTube link to the song below.
Jason Ellis, Stewart Black, Sam Hill, Mike Quinn and Amy Quinn take the stage in the So What living room session. Does love look like pious effort? What is speaking truth in love versus the cultural norm of tolerance?
What difference does Jesus make in my everyday workspace/marketplace? TRUEFACE & GUESTS: Bob Bernatz (Newport Beach, California - Principal Consultant, The Table Group, Patrick Lencioni) & Doug and Nadine Houston (Tulsa, Okalahoma - Chair of Houston Interests). They share about how grace looks when applied to the corporate environment.
So... when depression happens, and it does happen, #SoWhat then? When you're sinking? Or seeing a loved one go dark?
God's grace is going out to the nations and it's changing... everything! John Lynch shares how the truths of God's grace are shifting lives through real life stories from people he meets in his travels with Trueface.
John Lynch leads a devotional in Ephesians 1, and Jason Ellis leads a living room session regarding questions that have been sent in during this series.
Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Titus 3:1 - & series anchoring verse - Ephesians 1:17b-23 (The Message)
We do not want merely to “survive” our current political climate. We want to thrive and, more importantly, to portray Christ to those around us. Is that really possible in American politics today? Let’s see what God has to say about this!
How do I parent or navigate my relationships through the grid of God’s grace rather than powering up, buckling down, or withdrawing? What does earning their trust have to do with how I love them? - Psalm 34:8 (NASB) & Anchoring verse for series, Ephesians 1:17b-23 (The Message)
Living in the midst of fear, uncertainty, hardship... how do we sit in the "Saturday" of unknowns or testing? Jason Ellis shares in Hebrews 12:1-3 and Brady Steenhoek shares his current "Saturday".
How does my identity in Christ and His grace allow me to respond differently to the ones I love when they seem irrational or unkind?
Hear Ari Borg, Mark Stewart and DeAnna Wahlheim share from the heart about how God's grace is shifting their experience of freedom, His love, and their identity in Him.
ROMANS 8:28-39 (NASB) The Two Greatest Emotions Today, we close the 16-week Grace Series with one of the classic passages in the whole Bible. We move from the Holy Spirit in the first 27 verses of this chapter to the One the Spirit always ends up pointing us to, “Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Table Talk Questions: - When you read, “God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God,” what thoughts or emotions surface in you? - What hopes or doubts might you have about this claim: “Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”?
Trusting the Holy Spirit in us Part II Paul continues in Romans 8:14-27 to teach us and encourage us with the incredible personal ministry of the Holy Spirit who is in us.
Table Talk Questions: 1. How do the words "we cry Abba Father" affect you?
- What difference would it make if you believed the Holy Spirit intercedes (prays) for you?
In this lesson Paul will be exhorting us to discover and act upon this critical life lesson: “Trusting the work of the Holy Spirit in you.”
Table Talk Questions: What do you believe is the Holy Spirit’s primary role in your life? What is your understanding of the relationship of you, the Holy Spirit and the flesh?
This passage gives God’s astonishing answer to my sin: ‘no condemnation’ and our new found ability to ‘walk in the Spirit.’ We are finally home.
Table Talk Questions: - (As a believer in Jesus) What value in facing your sin does it make that you will never be condemned by God, no matter what you do?”
- How would you help someone learn to experience greater awareness of walking in the Spirit?
Paul displays the dilemma of reconciling my new heart with the sin still within me. I want to honor and love and represent God wonderfully in everything I do and am. But I discover that sometimes I can fail almost in the same way and regularity I did before I knew Him. It is maddening. This week God is using Paul to reveal the worst of what is still true so we can fully embrace the best of what is now true of us.
Table Talk Questions: 1) Are you cautious to let even those close to you know what is really true in your thoughts and motives, for fear it would prove that you just aren’t getting the Christian life like others do?
2) Give an example of how you have experienced verse 19-“For the good that I want I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want."
Romans 7:13 (NIV) This passage presents the present day misuse, misunderstanding and mistaken application of the Law. It affects every single relationship in our lives. How we speak to each other, how we appeal to change in each other, how we allow ourselves to talk to ourselves. This passage shows us how the Law has deceived us, beaten us up and left us desperately trying to grow up with a method never meant to do that. We must understand the role of Law in our lives, or we will keep those around us wondering why they are so uncomfortable and unsafe around us.
Table Talk Questions: Can you recall times when you have used a form of the Law to try to get your spouse, child or a friend to change? How do those around you respond when you come at them with any form of the Law to draw to their attention their sin or neglect or failure? How can you trusting the power of the Spirit protect and free your children when they fail or break your trust?
Romans 7:1-6 (NIV) This passage mightily describes two ways of facing sin and failure: the principle of Law or the power of the Spirit! I could not be more excited if I were given a Shetland pony and a basket of Twix bars!
Table Talk Questions: - Describe your reaction when someone hurts you, embarrasses you or angers you. - How can you trusting the power of the Spirit protect and free your children when they fail or break your trust?
Romans 6:15-23 During these opening eight weeks, we’ve layered the bedrock principles of the gospel of grace into our understanding. This week we transition. We begin learning how to put these amazing truths into practice.
Table Talk Questions: 1. How can “slaves of righteousness” still be caught in addictive life patterns? Romans 6:18
- How can “slaves of sin” routinely offer loving acts toward others? Romans 6:20
This passage is Paul’s final teaching of profound declarative truths before he encourages us to see these truths as the foundation for how we live our lives.
Table Talk Questions: 1) What difference does it make to you that you are not under law? 2) What difference does it make to you that you are under grace?
Romans 6:5-11 (ESV) Paul is preparing us in these next two passages to be ready to apply these profound truths of who God says we are, as the foundation for the way we live.
Table Talk Questions: 1. If we trusted that God is right, we are dead to sin. What difference would it make in the way we live?
- If we trusted that God is right and that our old man (self) is crucified, so then...............what thoughts come to your mind?
Why you shouldn’t listen to the #1 lie the enemies of the gospel tell Christ’s people, and why trusting the gospel of grace will lead you to a far better future than they tell you.
Table Talk Questions: 1. What would be possible in your life if you trusted the power of the gospel and were able to lean into it with a sense of confidence, hope, and abundance?
- How has the lie that you can’t trust grace wounded you or someone you love? How might your grasp of grace help you turn these wounds into a redemptive story?
Count the number of times Paul uses the word "one" in these 11 verses and you will discover a clue into the major teaching of this passage. Roman 5.12 is "one of the most important verses in the whole Bible from the standpoint of theology. It deals with the problem of life and the problem of the world as it is today."
Table Talk Questions: 1. How would you help someone know that the righteousness in these paragraphs is imparted, not simply imputed?
- How do you imagine letting "grace reign in righteousness" in your life?
Romans 5:6-11: In this passage Paul continues to reveal the amazing process that enables us to experience God’s grace. This week we get to see behind the curtain at how we were once sinners but now have been justified by the blood of Christ and are wonderfully reconciled to God by Christ’s death for us.
1) What does it mean to you to be reconciled to God? 2) How does this passage help you understand what was once true about you and what is now true about you?
In this astonishing passage, Paul explains what God does with the pain, sorrow, suffering and affliction we face by living in this world. He gives us a way home to true hope through a means we might never have expected.
Table Talk Questions: 1) Are you able to look back at your life and see how your character has matured by God teaching you patience in the midst of gut-wrenching things you would never have chosen?
2) Express a time when you know that you have experienced the love of God “poured out in you.”
In this stunning chapter 4 of Romans, Paul shows us the life of Abraham to remind us that even greatly admired heroes of the faith are only ever justified before God by faith, and never anything they accomplish. Paul then shows how this same faith that justifies us allows us to trust God in our hardest times, in things that look impossible for Him to accomplish.
Table Talk Questions: 1) If God does want us, as believers, to see ourselves as already righteous, not striving to be righteous, how does this impact how we can see each other?
2) What truth, given in verses 17 explains how Abraham strengthened himself to believe God in a nearly unbelievable situation?
This first week we get to unpack 6 simple yet immensely complex theological terms. God has handpicked these exact terms to explain and describe the most wonderful works of God that took place at the cross and resurrection. Each of them can overwhelm us into worship and awe as we stare at what He has done on our behalf. All so that we can know His love and see ourselves in magnificently freeing grace.
Table Talk Questions: 1) What does it now mean to you that you have been redeemed?
2) What does it now mean to you that He has become propitiation for you?
To encounter Jesus I must understand that His words, “it is finished,” are in some ways the words, “it has begun.” The saving work of the cross does not just get me into heaven, it frees me into new life TODAY.
Table Talk Questions: 1. Why did Jesus rise from the grave? Why not just pay the debt of sin and then go home to heaven?
- What does the Holy Spirit living in us prove about the finished work of the Cross?
If we are going to encounter Jesus, We must encounter Jesus on the cross. The complete mission and purpose of Jesus was the cross. And only at the cross do we fully get to grasp all that this life in Christ has in store. Without the Cross there is no new life, no hope, no indwelling spirit, and no freedom.
Table Talk Questions:
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What is harder to believe: that Jesus forgives all your sins or that He erases all your sins? Why? By the way, both are true!
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Why did Jesus have to die on the Cross? Why not just forgive us of all our junk?
Unanswered prayer God calls us to persevere in prayer as we wait on His answer. Our journey with unanswered prayer can reveal what is going on in our hearts and minds. What do we believe? Where is our hope? Is God listening? Does prayer make a difference? Let's look at what Jesus teaches through this parable of the persistent widow.
Table talk-- What comes up in you when you are waiting for an answer to prayer from God and no answer comes? What questions arise for you? How do you respond? Share with someone about a prayer request that you are currently waiting on God to answer. What is God teaching you as you wait?
Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV)
It is only in my understanding of the comprehensive obedience of Jesus--in the midst of complete agony and despair--that I can fully embrace the nature of faithfulness in the pressures of my life. Only Christ's steadfastness leads me into a life of obedience to my the will of my Father.
Table Talk: 1. What pressures in my life push against my faithfulness to what God has for me? 2. How is God moving me to trust more in His Spirit to empower obedience in the midst of such pressures?
Mark 6:30-44 Jesus is asking us to participate in His miraculous works.
Table Talk Questions:
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When following Jesus, how often do you find yourself trusting in your own cleverness or strength? Why?
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“There is just too much going on in my life...” How does this statement resonate with you? What does it look like to trust Jesus’ call to participate in His kingdom come?
Matthew 11:28-30 I find myself daily in this passage. A person in the crowd, looking in, hearing the invitation from Jesus and wondering what it would be like to actually have my first response be to bring Him the heaviness of my life and accept His rest. What does His rest look like? How do I live in the unforced rhythms of grace?
Table talk:
- Do you find it hard to rest? What hinders it?
- What does living in the unforced rhythms of grace look like in your life?
The best and most natural way to share Christ with those around us – whoever they may be – is to link truth about Him to our everyday conversation and to let them see Him in us – because He really is there.
TABLE TALK QUESTIONS 1. Why does the topic of sharing Christ usually bring up fear, shame, and guilt? 2. What might help us remove these negative feelings from it? 3. Is there someone – or a few people – with whom I would like to share Christ? What has kept me from doing so thus far? Would beginning to pray for him / her / them help? What topics that I already talk to him / her / them about might be used to communicate spiritual truths?
Maturing in faith is a work of God in us, not something we can achieve in our own cleverness. In this story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water, God gives us a glimpse of how intentional He is in arranging and using our circumstances to grow our faith so that we can experience His peace and His presence."
Table Talk Questions: 1. Where does fear reveal itself in your life? Can you make the connection between your fear and your lack of faith in who God is or how He cares for you?
- Is there an area of your life where you had doubts about God--who He is or what He does--that have moved to faith? Can you trace the journey that made the change in your heart and mind? Share it with others.
Matthew 18:1-10 “Unless you become like children...” “The Kingdom is for kids. Jesus gives tremendous value to children. At any age, we need to grow up in being God’s children.”
Table Talk Questions: How can you practically value children? What are ways you can grow in your childlike dependence on God? Share an example of how the Father has provided for or protected you in the past?
Matthew 21:1-9 (NKJV) The Triumphal Entry
“As we encounter the meekness of Jesus in His character, we are transformed! Exploring His Lordship combined with His trust of the Father... what might this look like in our day-to-day relationship with Him?”
Table Talk Questions:
Where do you find yourself in the story? What stops you from walking through your “undesirable circumstances”? What will it look like in your own life to open your hands towards trusting the Lord with them?
John 5:1-9 The healing of the man at the Pool of Bethesda
Jesus asks the man at the pool of Bethesda if he wants to get well - the insinuation is that he may not - Why not? Experiencing the healing power of Jesus requires humility and trust to step, in faith, into the unknown with our full weight on Him and little or no reliance on ourselves or our ability. 1. What might you be saying 'no' to Jesus in regards to some healing or change in your life - Why?
- What things have you perhaps misplaced your hope in to heal or 'fix' you?
“I am only able to release from false identities when I fully trust in Christ’s forgiveness of me. When I embrace His grace in every facet of my life, I am brought out of moral striving and into a freedom to experience love.
Table Talk Questions:
What false fulfillments or misplaced identities persist in my life? How does applying God’s comprehensive, all-consuming grace allow me to trust, and subsequently experience, love with Him and others more fully?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:36-50
Jesus, gracious and loving as He always is, accepts an invitation to dinner with a Pharisee, and we watch Him receive love and adoration from a forgiven woman who washes His feet with her tears. With perception and insight, He gives instruction to those who are listening.
TABLE TALK QUESTIONS:
Who did you relate to most in the story: the Pharisee, the forgiven woman, or those watching from the shadows?
Is there something God might be saying to you as you picture yourself in the scene? Share a time in your life where you have felt overcome with gratitude and it has caused you to show extravagant love and devotion to Jesus.
Mark 9:14-29
Crisis reveals us. It reveals our hearts, our weaknesses, it reveals where we have faith and where we do not. In the encounter between Jesus and the father of the demon-possessed boy who took his son to Jesus for healing, he says to Jesus, “I do believe. Help me in my unbelief.” This is often the cry of our hearts when life feels overwhelming. Jesus faithfully responds with giving us Himself.
TABLE TALK QUESTIONS: In the story of your life, when have you felt overwhelmed and lost faith in who God says that He is? How did God meet you in that experience?
What is it that shakes your faith? Financial stress? Relational breakdown? Career struggles? Fear of what others will think of you? What difference would it make in your life if you had full confidence in God regarding those issues?
Jesus is inviting us to trust in who He is more than what He does or doesn't do.
Table Talk Questions: Think of a time when the Lord did not do what you thought He should have. What was that like for you? How did you feel about the Lord? What type of conversations did you have with Him? What is the difference between trusting in who the Lord is and what the Lord does or doesn't do? Why is this significant? Where are you right now in your journey of trusting the person of God more than the actions of God?
Wedding at Cana- (Water to Wine) - Does God listen to me?
Prayer: God give me courage to believe that when I call on your name that You listen and that my prayers move you toward my needs.
Table talk questions: 1) Do you believe that you are an adopted child of God and you have been given the rights to call on the name of your Father? 2) Do you believe that your prayers are actually a beautiful fragrance to Him and that they draw Him toward You? 3) Are your prayers a response of faith or are they an appeal for personal gain?
Mark 4:35-41 Encountering Jesus in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. We ignore Him in the storm until we have exhausted our own abilities. Then we accuse Him of not having cared about us.
Proverbs 3:5-8, Isaiah 65:1 & Revelation 3:20 What bridges the Wonderful Hard Works of Love and the upcoming series “encountering Jesus”? TRUST. Though trust is foundational to our relationship with God, it’s amazing how often we find that we struggle to open our hearts to Him. The beauty is that God gently walks with us in the struggle, revealing Himself and inviting us to risk so that we can experience more and more of Him.
Luke 14:25-34 & John 15:16-17 THE COST OF LOVE “The moment you picked Jesus you surrendered yourself to His ministry of LOVE, and the guarantee is that it will COST you greatly. Is it worth it?” Prayer: God give me courage to believe that the Cost of surrendering my life to you for the sake of love is what I was created for and that nothing else will satisfy as deeply.
TABLE TALK QUESTIONS: - What fears prevent you from being used in the ministry of Love? - Do you truly believe that God has entrusted you to be a carrier of His greatest Remedy... LOVE?
1 Peter 1:22-23, Matt. 18:15-17 & Colossians 3:12-14
“Loving those who love us well in return is easy. Loving those who hurt us by not owning what they have done is not so easy. In fact, to love others deeply from the heart when they remain unrepentant (for their sin against us) is only possible through Christ in us. It’s the wonderful hard work of love. Jesus in me can love in such a way but what does that look like?”
TABLE TALK QUESTIONS:
- How does forgiveness bring healing to relationship?
- In John 13:34 Jesus says, “Love one another as I have loved you.” In very practical terms, what would it look like if we loved others like Jesus loves us?
Adam McArthur speaks on Protection. Scripture: Galatians 6:2 & John 21:15-17. Unless I let myself be loved, nobody around me gets to do the one thing they have been asked to do: bear my burdens. But when I let you love me, I am open to letting you protect me. For before I can be a protector, I need to be protected.
Truefaced weekend with special guests Clint Garman (owner of Garmans Pub) and Jeremy Affeldt (pro baseball pitcher) speaking about Permission.
Revelation 3:20, Eph. 5:21-31 & 6:1-4, Prov. 18:24 Table Talk Questions: Who do you trust with you? Who trusts you with them?
www.truefaced.com "Truefaced builds and restores trust in leaders and those who follow them. We do this by teaching leaders how to trust God and other with themselves."
Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-2. When Jesus went to the Cross, through His death and resurrection, He created not only salvation but a place, a home in this universe, where we would be known and not alone. The church is called the “household of God” for an astonishing reason. You and I get to give expression of this home, to each other, every time we open the doors of our homes and of our lives. What greater honor than this, to play host to the home God has created for mankind?
Our experience of God's grace is the experience of His generosity. As new creations, empowered by His grace, we will find ourselves most when we give generously of ourselves, particularly our money.
TABLE TALK 1. If you were to give $5,000, what would give you great joy to see happen through that gift. Be specific.
- What fears arise as you think about generosity? It may help to remember David's sharing about his fear of "scarcity".
"The attributes of love towards others are hard; nearly impossible. Because the ones we are asked to love are hard; nearly impossible. We spent much of our lives trying and failing; eventually convinced we couldn't do it. We bluffed and pretended appearances of love. We no longer have to pretend. We can now give out love that is fully who we are." John Lynch.
“The most life-giving sense of joy, significance, fulfillment, love, and maturing will be experienced when I allow God to pour His Love through me for others.”
TABLE TALK QUESTIONS 1. What does it look like for you to give cheerfully? How do you enjoy loving others? 2. If you could do anything to be Christ’s Love for others, what would that be?
“I choose to give up my self-entitled, hidden fantasies so I can be fully present for those I’ve been given to love, in my real world.” 2 Corinthians 4:2
Table Talk Questions: Can you think of a time when you were younger, when hurt or disappointment caused you to self-protect: convinced no one around you could protect you or understand the issues you were going through? If God is all powerful and loves you endlessly, could you risk believing He is able to make your real life, amidst hard and confusing realities, the very best place on earth?
“Giving ourselves to works of love uniquely fashioned for us.”
Table Talk Questions: How would you know if one of these “good work” opportunities specifically designed for you is from God or not? Do you ever fear if you allowed yourself to respond to these good works that you would get burned out and not have your own needs met?
In Acts 28, Paul knows what's at stake, and with driving conviction offers this LIFE that is in and through the Gospel. We get to see how far reaching and profound it is when even one person understands the healing , freeing, EXPERIENTIAL gospel of God's GRACE. The end of the AMONG series. The final week of the AMONG series @ Open Door Fellowship Church. 2016
Acts 27- another story of trust, another glimpse into the Apostle Paul's character, another ship, another island, prisoners, the first known pirates perhaps....Anyone ever been in a storm? Literally and figuratively? What's gotten you through it? How are you now? Let's go!
John Lynch teaches on Acts 25-26 in the Among series at Open Door Fellowship Church.
"Might become as I am"
Paul had this remarkable longing that everyone would know Jesus as he had been privileged to. It marked everything he did. Many of us, at one time may have had a similar hunger, but over time issues, hurt and new life commitments may have unwittingly covered that longing. Today, we get to examine our own new hearts and perhaps discover a renewing picture of Jesus that we are wonderfully compelled to share.
John Lynch continues in the AMONG series, Acts 23 & 24 "Traveling at the speed of God." Open Door Fellowship Church, all rights reserved.
“Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.”
None of us can discover our full worth, and will continue trying to prove our worth, until we discover the miracle of Christmas. God became a man, so that man could become filled with God. "O Holy Night!”
God is a gifted artist, a master storyteller, and so your life as His beloved masterpiece reveals His story.
Mike Quinn leads a time of people sharing about their experiences of God's grace & His provision. Testimonies from both services are together in the audio file.
Acts 21:15-40 Here's a hill that Paul would die on: that God is in the House – not a temple made of stone, but in a faith community of flesh and blood. If that's true, then all of God's power and presence resides in you and also, you belong to a new family where there is tension, freedom, sacrifice and fun. God is in the house. This house!
Jered Rothwilson guest speaks on passage Acts 21:1-14 in the Among series. Paul knew his purpose for living and journeyed unswervingly to that end. But there’s real relational tension on that journey. And that tension...is intentional.
Acts 20:17-38. What would it look like or feel like if I was able to fully surrender to the spirit of God within me? Do I even want to take that risk? Caleb plays the short film "The Paperman" during this sermon. It can be found on YouTube.
Faithfulness is a gift, given by Christ when we put our hope and faith in Him. With that gift of faithfulness, He gives us opportunity to live out faithfulness in what He purposes for our lives.
Acts 20:1-16: Paul demonstrates the importance of relationship. "Theology is never divorced from relationship. Theology apart from relationship is empty."
Acts 19:13-41. Jesus came and disrupted/interrupted lives. Mary & Joseph, King Herod, even the silent night was interrupted by His presence. How has His life and message interrupted our lives? In the Among series at Open Door Fellowship Church. 2015.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Acts 19:1-12 “What if? What if there really was dynamite level power in each of us? What would change if we knew we were ENOUGH just as we are to live this life in Jesus to the fullest?”
Today’s Scripture: ACTS 18:19-28 Jesus died so that we can be freed from the penalty of sin and cleansed from all unrighteousness. The result: His Spirit can live in us! We can trust that and teach & protect this truth! Prayer: “God, remind me that your Spirit fully indwells me. No amount of preparation, method, or hard work gives me more access to You: You have given me full access. Remind me that it is through your son’s shed blood that I ever have the chance to mature. May my own strength never be enough so that I continue to call out your name!”
Today’s Scripture: ACTS 18:1-17 “God uses my normal humanity for His kingdom! As I welcome others to Him, amidst fear & imperfection, His promise remains true: He is with me. His divine system fulfills His sovereign plan & encourages my heart.”
John Lynch opens the Believe series at Open Door Fellowship Church. Exploring what we honestly believe of Jesus' promises and character as we live out our daily lives. 2014.
Open Door Fellowship studies the book of Acts. As believers, Jesus has us AMONG those who need His hope, light, and love.
Open Door Fellowship studies the book of Acts. As believers, Jesus has us AMONG those who need His hope, light, and love.
Open Door Fellowship studies the book of Acts. As believers, Jesus has us AMONG those who need His hope, light, and love.
Open Door Fellowship studies the book of Acts. As believers, Jesus has us AMONG those who need His hope, light, and love.
Open Door Fellowship studies the book of Acts. As believers, Jesus has us AMONG those who need His hope, light and love.
Stewart Black opens the AMONG series studying the book of Acts at Open Door Fellowship Church in Phoenix, AZ. 2015.
Jeff Young shares his Believe statement "My life is not my own," in the Believe Series week 2 at Open Door Fellowship Church, Phoenix, AZ. 2014