What might the impact be if people knew the Church as simply "the place where God is"? What curiosity and hunger might it stir up? What might it change about what we expect to see when we gather? The manifest presence of God is available to us whenever we gather and He wants to change things in and among us! His presence brings healing, reordered priorities, and makes us an irresistible community that reflects His glory to a world in need of fellowship with the Father.
Have you ever felt like an ill-equipped representative of Jesus? Jesus said that we would have troubles in life, but to take heart because He had overcome the world and He would send a Helper. That Helper came in the pouring out of God's Holy Spirit, initially at the Pentecost feast in Jerusalem following Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension. That same Spirit is available to followers of Jesus today to empower us to carry on the ministry of Jesus and reveal His love and character to a lost and dying world!
What kind of person would forgive while being insulted? What kind of person would forgive while being literally nailed up on a cross? What kind of person would have compassion for the very people murdering them? God would. The beauty of the cross is that God, while we were stuck in our own brokenness and sinfulness, paid the debt that had separated us from Him and drew us into Himself through His radical forgiveness and generosity. Pastor Ryan begins Volume 4 of our year-long series in the Epic Story of Scripture, titled Glory as we look at Jesus exaltation on the cross and the radical grace that is the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Do you ever feel like you need help for this life? Like you don't know the words to say or how to act when in difficult situations? Like you don't know how to comfort those who are suffering? Like you don't know how to follow Jesus in the unique circumstances of your life? There's good news! Jesus promised us The Helper; His Holy Spirit who comes alongside us and leads us into all truth.
Our place is in God's world is defined by two things: our relationship to Him, and our responsibility as citizens of His kingdom. In Jesus, we have been adopted as beloved children of God. It's from that place that we look to God the Father for direction and we respond in obedience; not as a means to receive love, but in response to it. Likewise, we are ambassadors of King Jesus. He has given us authority over powers of evil in this world. The more we learn to walk in that authority, the more of God's power we will see released against pain, oppression, and darkness in our midst.
Jesus redefines our worldly norms in order to change our perspective and benefit His kingdom. Today, Matt Kladnik, our Head of School for RSM Christian, walks us through Matthew 19:13-15, when Jesus' disciples rebuked the parents of children that were looking to be with Jesus. You see, Jesus invites us to have a child-like faith. He wants to have a relationship with us because we are His priority. We have been so wounded by the world that we've forgotten how to wonder. What would it be like if we allowed the Holy Spirit to re-center and heal that part in us?
Are you a fan of Jesus? That's great! But Jesus didn't call us to be fans. He called us to be followers and he called us to Bring The Kingdom to the world. He called us to proclaim the Good News, demonstrate it, and freely give it away. Pastor Grace Kladnik takes us through what it means to be active participants in the work of declaring the Kingdom of God is at hand to all people, all around the world.
Who are you following and where are they leading you? Do you find your life characterized by peace and joy or anxiety and anger? The Bible tells the story of the King over all of Creation. And the best part? His Kingdom is one of peaceful flourishing for humanity and He is always beckoning us to come and follow; to be Followers of the King and live as bringers of light and life, participating in His Epic Story.
Three of the gospel accounts begin Jesus' ministry with a call to "repent for the Kingdom of God has arrived". Pastor Cami takes us through the dynamic fourth chapter of Luke as Jesus' ministry launches into His earthly ministry having been tested in the wilderness and then proclaiming what the Kingdom is like and demonstrating it's power. He shows a Kingdom that is compassionate and concerned with those that would otherwise be cast aside. He shows a Kingdom that heals the sick, cares for the poor, and restores the oppressed without restraint. But in that simple humility He also shows a Kingdom with unmatched power to conquer the forces of evil, greed, pain, and suffering that plague our world. He shows a Kingdom that will one day make all things new as those who choose Him will enjoy His glorious presence forevermore.
What has the whole Epic Story of Scripture been leading us to? It starts here, with the story of John, an Israelite prophet in the wilderness preparing the people to Receive the King that the Old Testament was pointing to all along. Jesus was coming and while John was baptizing people with water in the Jordan, He would come baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John led us to repentance, that we might Receive the King, Bear Fruit, and Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
God's Royal Story isn't like other stories. There are no castle walls keeping out the rabble. There is only a benevolent King who goes into broken places, brings real change to hearts and circumstances, and calls us into ambassadorship right where we are. We don't have to get fixed up and knighted before we're ready to participate in God's Royal Story. We can always begin to proclaim this story far and wide.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by how broken down the world around us seems to be? We can't fix these things on our own, but with God all things are possible. God is looking for people to partner with Him in bringing restoration to the broken areas of life. So how are you partnering with God today to bring restoration in your family, workplace, or community?
Living in a world filled with sin isn't just a time of condemnation. It's an opportunity to be a blessing and to share hope with a world that is so desperate for a savior. Today, Pastor Ryan opens with our third volume in our year long Epic Story series, titled Restore. Living as exiles, we are given an opportunity to press into God's will for His people, as builders to make the world better, blessings for those who need it, and as intercessors for each other in every walk of life. Living in the hope of God, and the future that He has promised, leads to good, only, always. How badly do you need to live in the hope of God today?
Would you say you have an 'eternal perspective'? When you think about Jesus, does the fact that He is coming back to rule and reign on this earth come to mind. Pastor Ryan closes out Volume 2 of our look at the Epic Story of Scripture with a look at the idea of the Day of the Lord. In the Old Testament, we see God outline the consequences of Israel choosing their own way over divine wisdom and then ultimately the fulfillment of that consequence. What can we learn from this? It is a signpost for us that God will likewise grant us the result of our choices. But Peter encourages us in his second letter that, while it's been a long time, God has a different perspective on time, He wants to see all come to repentance, and The Day Will Come.
What is it that derails our destiny? So often, and for so many, it's pride. Pride makes us self reliant, defensive, and stubborn. It insists that we know what's best for our own lives and that we do what seems right to us. But the way of Jesus is different. It seeks the wisdom of God, always! King Asa is an example of how pride can lead us astray. Asa had an opportunity to repent too. He had a golden moment to turn back to trust. And we have a tool to help us to do just that. When you're being derailed by pride, the antidote is to simply turn back to God in praise. To remind yourself that He alone is God and the creator of all and to lift high the name of Jesus.
You are not defined by your history, but you are affected by it. King Josiah came from a history and lineage of predecessors who had become irreverent toward God. And yet, as a young man, barely more than a teenager, he made a choice to bring his life and kingdom back under the scripture instead of standing over it and looking down upon it. God's word is fresh every day; it's about what he's saying to you through hat He's already said. What is God speaking to you today?
We all have influence. We all have people we're around who hear from us, maybe learn from us, respect us. So how do you wield your influence? Who do you let influence you? This week, Pastor Ryan looks at the life of Jeroboam, a king of Israel who got it wrong. He took advice from the wrong people and led the people down destructive paths. What can we learn from a life like this? Where can you identify with Jeroboam's folly and, importantly, how can you turn from that and use the influence you have to lead people closer to Jesus?
Can you imagine living in a world of perfect peace? Pastor Mike Foell walks us through the promises that God made to King David in 2 Samuel 7. God promised David that He would cut off his enemies from him. Can you imagine being in a place like that? Even though David sinned countless times against God, He was still faithful. Destiny can be derailed by disobedience, but resurrected through repentance. As broken as we are, God still loves us. What promises has God made to you, and how has He continued to show His faithfulness toward you?
Substituting expedience for obedience always yields the "fast food" result. Trying to substitute what we want instead of what God has for us never satisfies our needs. It only ever brings something temporary. The truth of the matter is that there is nothing we can hide from God, and yet He still chooses to love us, care for us, and fulfill His promises towards us. Today, Pastor Cami walks us through how King Saul failed time and time again to listen to God's calling, and how God still loved him and his people through the process.
It's easy to let little things in our life slide for the sake of immediate gratification or convenience. And God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but He does call us to follow Him wholeheartedly. That's the crux of Compromise. It's trying follow other things along with Jesus and it doesn't work. The book of Judges is the story of Israel's compromise and the low build up of decisions that lead the people away from God. But His mercies are new every morning and there is always a way back to Him!