City Church Tulsa

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT A liturgy for a politically divided nation 10.27.24 A liturgy for a politically divided nation Father, in the midst of this political season, we turn our eyes to you. Though hatred and discord seem to surround us, Help us to be instruments of your love and vessels of your grace. We declare our primary allegiance to you and your kingdom. and ask for your wisdom as we navigate these complex decisions. As we face agreement and disagreement with others, May we never cease to honor the image of God in every person.We are grateful for the privilege to vote and practice religious freedom, And yet we align ourselves with the countercultural way of Jesus. We renounce the intoxicating allure of power and its false promises. and choose the way of the cross and sacrificial love. Let your kingdom come and your will be done, On earth, and in our country, as it is in heaven. Matthew 5:1-12 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Why is the church struggling to navigate this cultural moment? 1) Politics and political leaders are discipling our nation how to think and how to treat people 2) Many Christians and churches are peddling a false gospel that attempts to conflate our political affiliation with our kingdom allegiance 3) Many Christians have disengaged from trusted voices of the church and are being easily misled and deceived 4) Many Christians have abandoned the ways of Jesus and the “way of the lamb” for the way of power and dominance 5) Many Christians have lost their missional calling to embody the gospel and have resorted to defending or legislating the kingdom of God Mark 12:13-17 13Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You arenʼt swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15Should we pay or shouldnʼt we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”16They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesarʼs,” they replied. 17Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesarʼs and to God what is Godʼs.” And they were amazed at him. We are to be involved in political matters but they are not our hope or identity because we are called to a great purpose. 1. I will pray for you and honor your position 2. I will support you where I can 3. I will defy you where I must The church is called to be a prophetic witness to the world regarding the ways of Jesus and the kingdom of God. The church must renew our commitment to our mission and calling: We must primarily identity as citizens of the kingdom of heaven We must fiercely hold to the life and teachings of Jesus We must stand above politics in order to be a prophetic voice of truth

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT A liturgy for those longing for more in their marriage 10.20.24 Genesis 2:23-25 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. · God’s Design: Oneness · Effects of Sin: Division · Through the Spirit: Unity Emotional disconnection creates distance. Distance creates space for the Enemy to plant seeds. When a couple shares a deep, emotional connection? · Teammates not just roommates · There is so much more grace you give one another… · Your spiritual and sexual intimacy are intensified When a couple loses their emotional connection? · Distance creates misunderstanding and misalignment · There is little grace for one another… · Your spiritual and sexual intimacy seems transactional at best We must exercise the power of vulnerability and honesty in our marriages to destroy the work of the Enemy and create a place of love and security. “Erotic love can be depicted as two people looking at one another, friendship can be depicted as two people standing side by side looking at the same object and begin stirred and entranced by it together.” – C.S. Lewis It's not if you drop the ball, but when, and if you choose to pick it back up again. QUESTIONS: · Am I willing to do whatever it takes to regain what has been lost? · Am I creating a safe space for my spouse to be open and honest about what is broken? · Is there something I need to own or ask for forgiveness in order for an emotional connection to be reestablished?

LITURGY FOR THE MOMENT A liturgy for those disillusioned with their faith 10.13.24 A Liturgy for those disillusioned with their faith We come with heavy hearts and broken dreams, Wrestling with our faith and struggling with uncertainty. We are weary, tired, and disillusioned, Wrapped in a dark night of the soul. Would you walk with us on our road to Emmaus? Would you meet us, O God, in our brokenness? Though our eyes are dimmed, our hearts still burn. Help us recognize you walking beside us. Disillusionment: a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be. Luke 24:13-21 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Misguided hopes always lead to disillusionment. Luke 24:25-27 25 And he (Jesus) said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Disappointment and disillusionment are the inevitable results of anything we pursue that doesn’t have Christ at the center. Luke 24:28-35 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. Jesus walks with us in our disappointment, disillusionment, and despair. In his grace, Jesus redirects our hearts and misguided hopes back to Him. A resurrected Jesus changes everything. You will end up on the road to Emmaus full of disappointment and disillusionment if… · You overemphasize the rules and underemphasize love · Your faith becomes a religious obligation or duty · You are more concerned with theological accuracy than intimacy with the Father · Your hope is in politics, power, or the systems of this world · Your faith is focused on a cause or justice issue more than fellowship with Christ · You are more focused on what you are against than what you are for · You feed on the things of this world more than the bread of life Romans 8:15-16 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against[c] the throne of the Lord,[d] the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” We battle together: Committed to Community Forged in Proximity Empowered in HIS Victory Deuteronomy 25:17-18 17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.18 When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. Committed to Community 9 Moses said to Joshua,“Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. Forged in Proximity 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. Empowered in His Victory 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. Colossians 2:9-15 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised byChrist, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

THE UNSEEN Knowing your enemy 9-22-24 WORLD: systems and ideologies that are opposed to the ways of God FLESH: our sinful desires DEVIL: the dark emanating force of evil in the cosmos who’s aim is our destruction John 8:39-47 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 10:7-11 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep KNOW HIS: NATURE STRATEGIES "Deceptive ideas, that play to disordered desires, that are normalized in a sinful society…" John Mark Comer ULTIMATE DEFEAT Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

THE UNSEEN Weapons & Strategies of Warfare 9.15.24 We cannot passively resist the Enemy and expect to walk in freedom and victory. Ephesians 2:1-7 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. The world is an organized system that is opposed to God 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. How do we fight the world: · We immerse ourselves in Scripture, the story of God, and the life of Christ · We use discernment that comes through Spirit of God and trusted voices of the church The flesh is an internal struggle waging war within us and against us Galatians 5:16-24 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. How do we fight the flesh: · We learn to run. We are disciplined in our mind and body. · We renew our minds. We implement rhythms and practices where we say “yes” to the Spirit. The Devil is an adversary or enemy who is intent on destroying us 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. · Morally, Satan desires to make sin look normal or even the way to true life · Theologically, Satan desires to pervert and distort what is true and life-giving · Socially, Satan desires to provoke hatred, chaos, and division · Politically, Satan desires to turn our allegiances to political systems and lead us to misplace our hope · Economically, Satan desires to produce injustice and oppression against the poor, weak, and marginalized · Spiritually, he wants to blind the hearts and minds of unbelievers so they do not believe and the hearts and minds of believers to they do not walk in victory How do we fight the Devil: · We are aware of him and actively resist him · We battle and are transformed in prayer · We give ourselves to one another 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Weapons of Warfare: · Worship · Fasting · The armor of God · The name of Jesus · The power of the Holy Spirit · The church/biblical community · The gifts of the Spirit · Personal prayer language

THE UNSEEN Deliverance 9-8-24 What is demon possession and does this really still happen today? "Possession is always positional and sometimes in presence." Jon Thompson Ephesians 2:1-5 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Can a Christian be demon possessed? Upstairs Theology - How God views you Downstairs Theology - How we try to work it out in everyday life. Ephesians 1:3-7 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace... Ephesians 4:25-27 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. How does the medical field, counseling, & mental illness play into this conversation? What should I do if I feel like I may have a demonic influence on my life? 3 movements in deliverance prayer: Allegiance Truth Power In spiritual warfare, our approach should not be... "Speak the word of command in Jesus name and it is done" which usually leads to frustration and disillusionment. Our approach should be, "Speak the word of command in Jesus name UNTIL it is done." Sam Storms

THE UNSEEN Identity & Authority 9.1.24 One of the enemy’s primary tactics in your life is for you to forget or fail to know your true identity in Christ. In the moment we take on a false identity, we immediately forfeit the victory and power that has been given to us. Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 10:17-19 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Where does our authority come from? · It comes from the finished work of Christ · It comes as we align ourselves with His will Acts 19:11-16 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 1. We must walk in our identity 2. We must operate in our authority 3. We must exercise our power

THE UNSEEN Signs & Wonders 8.25.24 Where you may find yourself this morning… 1. Belief 2. Skepticism 3. Denial or Hostile Skepticism Matthew 11:2-6 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Circumstances can often tempt us to doubt or question what we know to be true about God. We live in a world where we will witness both the miraculous and brokenness. Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Life is a mixture of the miraculous, learning to live with pain, and understanding the way God shapes us and forms us through suffering. In order to be a church who experiences signs & wonders: 1. A biblical community who is regularly gathered together in prayer and desperate and hungry for a move of God’s Spirit 2. A community that teaches about signs and wonders and the gifts of the Spirit and is regularly creating space for God to move 3. A community with the audacity to believe and pray bold prayers of faith A community that rejects the values of our culture but instead embodies a countercultural community that believes God is waiting to break into every area of our lives with His power and presence

THE UNSEEN Armor of God 8.18.24 Ephesians 6:13-18 (NLT) 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Your real enemy is UNSEEN, he’s hoping you don’t realize he’s even there. Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Put on every piece. Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, Belt = TRUTH Ephesians 6:14 with the breastplate of righteousness in place, Breastplate = RIGHTEOUSNESS Ephesians 6:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Shoes = GOOD NEWS OF PEACE Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Shield = FAITH Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Helmet = SALVATION Sword = WORD OF GOD Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Righteousness is right side up living Unrighteousness is upside down behavior Am I creating an environment that welcomes the enemy into my life or am I creating an environment that welcomes God’s favor into my life? You can't live free, fully, and abundantly when you have too much weight on you. The way to fight Satan is not to focus on Satan, but to cover your life with the gospel! Daily Practice: Am I covered in the Armor of God?

THE UNSEEN Kingdoms in Conflict 8.11.24 There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. - C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters The two most common responses to spiritual warfare and the spiritual realm: 1. Obsessive preoccupation 2. Complacent indifference Reasons why Christians are tragically ignorant of and dangerously ill-prepared for spiritual warfare: 1. Ignorance of the Bible Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 2. Irrelevance of the Bible 3. Victory of the cross 4. The fear of imbalance Many Christians have become so accustomed to operating with no demonstrations of spiritual power that they are bothered by any demonstration of it. – Timothy Warner 5. Insulated life-styles & a western worldview The reason we don’t often see overt demonic manifestations like someone’s eyes roll in the back of their head or foam at the mouth is because any sort of supernatural occurrence would at the very least get you to believe in the supernatural. A smarter, more subtle strategy of Satan is to move stealthily behind the scenes – distorting truth – bring division – selling lies – making church goers church shoppers, turning kingdom people into political people – keeping the church in a state of apathy. - Dr. Karl Payne 2 Corinthians 11:14 For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. There is a kingdom of God and there is a kingdom of Satan and the two are in conflict. God/the Trinity are pre-existent and all-powerful from beginning and they create out of who they are and what they desire God creates an unseen world with spiritual beings (Job 38, Psalm 82) God creates a physical world with human beings (Genesis 1:26-28) Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19-21 That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. As followers of Jesus, we must be committed to rediscovering a biblical imagination for the spiritual world, our authority in Christ, and the weapons of warfare God has given us to overcome the powers of the Enemy. Imagining the world that Scripture imagines, you will recall, means focusing less on the world that created the Bible and more on the world that the Bible creates. - Luke Timothy Johnson, Miracles Will we have “ears to hear and eyes to see” what God is doing all around us in both the physical and the spiritual realms? Will the church be a place shaped by a secular culture that rejects the mysterious or the miraculous or will we embody a community drenched with the possibilities of the supernatural?

Missional Shift Stephen Kuert Luke 10:1-11, 17-21 ESV After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” "It's not so much that God has a mission for His church in the world, but that God has a church for His mission in the world" - Dr. Christopher Wright The whole purpose of the whole church is to take the whole gospel to the whole world. Shift 1: Sow: From passivity to participation "Now the Greek is much more forcible, it is that he would push them forward, and thrust them out; it is the same word which is used for the expulsion of a devil from a man possessed. It takes great power to drive a devil out, it will need equal power from God to drive a Christian out to his work" - Spurgeon Shift 2: Go: From experience to obedience Shift 3: Show: From presentation to demonstration 2 Cor. 2:4-5 NKJV "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." Shift 4: Know: From apathy to authority Shift 5: Grow: From joy to joy "So where the gospel is preached with divine power, Satan comes down from his throne, in human hearts and minds, as rapidly as the lighting-flash falls from heaven; and when we see his kingdom shaken, then, like Jesus, we rejoice in spirit"- Spurgeon

TALK 1 Grief: Friend or Foe? Tim Watkins Matthew 14:10-12 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. Grief is the primarily emotional process of reacting to loss We live in a grief avoidant society It is impossible to numb just one emotion Matthew 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone TALK 2 Live Ready Carolyn Udall Matthew 24:37-39, 42-44 (NLT) 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters: “The Christians describe the Enemy [God] as one ’without whom Nothing is strong’. And Nothing is very strong: strong enough to steal away a man’s best years not in sweet sins but in a dreary flickering of the mind over it knows not what and knows not why, in the gratification of curiosities so feeble that the man is only half aware of them, in drumming of fingers and kicking of heels, in whistling tunes that he does not like, or in the long, dim labyrinth of reveries that have not even lust or ambition to give them a relish, but which, once chance association has started them, the creature is too weak and fuddled to shake off. You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy [God]. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing.” TALK 3 Awe & Wonder Cody Jensen Colossians 1:15-17 [Christ] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created. Job 12:7-10 But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the [Ruah, spirit,] breath of all mankind. Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 1 John 4:8 (NIV) Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Mark 4:39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Genesis 37:28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. 1. The Test of Brokenness Genesis 39:1-5 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. Genesis 39:6-8 Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8 But he refused. 2. The Test of Character Genesis 39:20-23 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. What if God establishes you and gives you favor in a place you despise or don’t want to be? Genesis 40:23 23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. 3. Test of Faithfulness We are often so focused on the destination, we forget that God is more concerned with our heart and obedience to Him. Genesis 45:4-8 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. 4. Test of Forgiveness

The Secret Place Luke 5:15-16 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. The unseen will always proceed, fuel & sustain the seen. Jeremiah 17 5 This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Psalm 1 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Identity Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. "we remain victims of our society and continue to be entangled in the illusions of the false self. Jesus himself entered into this furnace. There he was tempted with the three compulsions of the world: to be relevant (turn stones to bread), to be spectacular (throw yourself down), to be powerful (i will give you all these kingdoms). There he affirmed God as the only source of his identity. The wilderness thus detoxes us from our addiction of approval." - Henri Nouwen Renewal Our body, mind, & soul are longing for continual rhythms of rest & renewal, but we tend to settle for continual times of escape & numbing. Psalm 51:11-12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 91:1 AMP 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand. "We should commit ourselves unceasingly to this one goal: that everything we do be little acts of communion with God." - Brother Lawrence - The Practice of the Presence of God Realignment Matthew 26:36-39 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” The intimacy & security found in the secret place will lead us into realignment to the will of the Father, even when that means we must drink the cup of suffering. Power

Luke 22: 39-44 (ESV) 39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

What keeps us from being people of extravagant generosity? We are being shaped and formed by cultural values We have a management and stewardship problem We don't start with the heart

THE FIGHT 6.23.24 2 Timothy 4:6-8 6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 1 Timothy 6:11-16 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. It’s time to fight The secret to fighting is abiding You cannot journey alone.

Awakening to Evil 6.16.24 Paul looks to the ultimate future of Christ’s victorious return to give the church in Thessalonica hope for their present struggles. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. Man of Lawlessness: a lawless individual doing the deceptive work of Satan, who not only opposes God but actually seeks to push God aside and exalt himself in God’s place. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Evil is inherently and fundamentally deceptive. The effectiveness of evil has much to do with how it presents itself: not so much as the polar opposite of something good, but as a clever counterfeit of it. - Michael W. Holmes The most destructive evil is subtle, not overt. The most destructive evil gives the appearance of being good. The most destructive evil comes as an angel of light. Is it the spirit of Christ or spirit of Antichrist? · When we celebrate war and the destruction of human life to justify our own desire for power. · When we justify the killing of an unborn child because we believe the rights of a woman or a person's personal privacy supersedes the life of an unborn child. · When our love for country or politics leads us to replace or confuse our kingdom identity with our national identity · When our love for our second amendment rights becomes equal or greater than the second greatest commandment to love our neighbor as yourself · When we use Christian jargon to legitimize unjust and oppressive practices of the poor, marginalized, immigrant, or refugee. · When our business practices or our desire to accumulate wealth leads us to use people or take advantage of others for our own personal profit The spirit of antichrist wants to normalize evil in our lives and in our culture until we are either numb or blinded from the truth.

Awaken: Endurance “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 ESV “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV 1. You can endure knowing God will use your suffering. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 ESV 2. You can endure knowing God will reveal himself to you in your suffering. “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”James 5:7-11 ESV 3. You can endure knowing God will receive you in your suffering. “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” Job 1:20-22 ESV Job endured his suffering by tearing his clothes, sitting in the dust, even asking God many questions—and Scripture is clear that he did not sin. As you endure trials, bring your cries and cares to the Man of Sorrows who knows and understands, since he endured the most horrible suffering in your place. Lament isn’t wrong. Even Jesus wept, and he will receive you in your tears. 4. You can endure knowing God will end your suffering. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”James 1:12 ESV “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV