Focus:  Living to please others, considerate of their convictions, in complete harmony together is fitting for followers of Jesus Christ.  WWJD?  What an amazing gift we get to share as we accept others just as He has accepted us!  We praise Him together with one voice, and overflow with God’s mercy, joy, peace, and confident hope.  Today we pray that it continue here, and that we remain the overflowing people He has made us.

Main Text: Romans 15:1-13

Focus:  “I’m sorry if you took offense to that” has become acceptable as an apology in society today.  In apologising this way, one really says, I didn’t do anything wrong, but if you took it the wrong way, well, I’ll apologise for what you did, if it will make you feel better.  God says that this attitude is destructive to unity and has no place in His church. We are called to remain in harmony together, and to try to build each other up..

Main Text: Romans 14:19-23

Focus:  The Jesus Life is a re-consecrated life. The re-consecrated life is an honoring life. All of our life is lived in honor of Jesus. The point isn’t how we live this out, what commitment we make, how we make it. Every re-consecration today will be as unique as the person who is making it. There is freedom in this. The point is that whatever we do, we do it to the honor of Jesus. It is not made for any other reason.

Main Text: Romans 14:1-8

Focus:  The Jesus Life is a re-consecrated life. The re-consecrated life is a practicing life. WE don’t just pretend the Jesus Life. We actually live it. We do more than believe. We participate. We do more than care. We help. Just imagine how our lives, our neighborhoods, our regions would be different IF we, with God’s help would re-consecrate our lives as practicing lives in the way Paul encourages us in Romans 12:9-21!

Main Text: Romans 12:9-21

Focus:  The Jesus Life is a re-consecrated life. The re-consecrated life is a gifting life. Every Jesus-follower has already been given “gifts”, special talents and skills set apart to be exercised not independently of others, but in harmony with others. What is YOUR gifting? And, how can that gifting be set apart and re-committed to the Kingdom purposes of Jesus?

Main Text: Romans 12:3-8

Focus:  God has brought us together, accepted and forgiven us.  Christ is the judge, not us, and not only the judge of others, He is our judge.  Instead of putting things in the way for others to trip over, we are called today to keep the path clear, to remain considerate of others and their convictions, so that our actions never threaten the unity we have in Christ.

Main Text: Romans 14:9-18

Focus:  The Jesus life is a re-consecrated life. The re-consecrated life is a thinking life. It makes sense that you would, therefore, “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” So, how do we LET GOD? And, how does GOD transform the way you think?

Main Text: Romans 12:1-2

Focus:  We have been Refined, Redeemed, Released, and Reinforced as part of our Re-Formation as His people.  And now we see our full REALIGNMENT to Him.  The truth is that we (along with all things) are from Him, by Him, and for Him.  To him be glory forever. Amen.

Main Text: Romans 11:33-36

Focus:  God works for good in all things, even disobedience.  Wrapping up the section of questions about Israel Paul gives us the 30,000 foot view and REALIGNS us again to our amazing God and His plan.  God not only shows mercy to the disobedient, but His mercy multiplies!  God has made sure that He may have mercy on all.  

Main Text: Romans 11:25-32

Focus:  When Jesus was born it was Israel or bust.  All others were outside.  As Paul lived, he saw so many Jews stumbling over Jesus, even fighting against God’s gift of righteousness, cut off from the vine.  But Paul REALIGNS us to God’s truth, stumbling doesn’t mean they are beyond God’s reach.  God has already demonstrated that no one is beyond His reach.  Who do you know that you don’t think God will reach?  Our hope and trust is in Him alone.

Main Text: Romans 11:11-24

Focus:  As Paul’s heart breaks for his fellow Jews, he continues to REALIGN us to God’s faithfulness in His promise.  Even though Israel often rejected God’s prophets, He didn’t go back on His promise.  Even though Israel continued to seek righteousness by their works and sacrifices, He has maintained a remnant, chosen by grace.  He has not, and will never reject His people, the elect.  God will never reject you.

Main Text: Romans 11:1-10

Focus:  It is in hearing about Jesus and what God has done through Him that people believe.  Why didn’t it work for Israel?  Is there a problem with God’s plan to share His Word through people?  No!  God has always held His hands out to even a disobedient and contrary people.  Dear God, thank you for working faith in the hearts of many who have heard, and for sending all of us to share the Good News about Jesus with others.  Show me today how you want me to share the Gospel.

Main Text: Romans 10:5-21

Focus:  As we focus on living, we can begin to imagine that we see rightness in action and understanding.  The natural extension, then, is that rightness with God (righteousness) is dependent on action, and our set-apartness is based on our action and worthiness.  This is the stumbling block, for Israel, and still for so many of us today.  As God REALIGNS us to trust Him, will we submit and hold tightly to Him, or will we hold tightly to a righteousness that we have established?

Main Text: Romans 9:30-10:4

Focus:  As part of our Re-Formation, we need to be Re-Aligned to God’s truth.  Even after being Reinforced beyond reasonable doubt, the Devil will continue to appeal to our human logic and emotion to erode our confidence and to steal our peace and joy.  So, on the heels of the promise that nothing could ever separate us, the Devil asks, “Really? Well, what about the Israelites, God’s chosen people, the children of the promise?  How did it work out for them?” Main Text: Romans 9:1-13

Focus:  We have eternity to look forward to, the Spirit of God as our strength, God working for good in all things, God on our side willing to do anything, and a declaration of “sin-free” from the Judge as we are in Christ.  Christ has already gained total victory for us.  AND it is impossible for anything else to separate us from Him!  Truly, in our Re-Formation, our Reinforcement comes with more than a lifetime guarantee, we have an eternal guarantee! Main Text: Romans 8:35-39

Focus:  Who would dare accuse you in front of the Judge, who gave his own Son to stand in your place?  He already heard the case, Jesus already paid the price, the case is closed.  The judge has declared you free from sin.  Any further accusations would be a challenge to the Judge’s authority and a personal insult to the Judge and His Son. Main Text: Romans 8:33-34

Focus:  Have you ever had a Goliath standing in your way?  Something or someone insurmountable, threatening to take away all of your joy and hope?  Maybe if you were young, you wished you had The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, or Wonder Woman backing you up?  As an adult maybe you wished someone higher in your company was on your side.  You, brothers and sisters of Christ, have God!  What can stand in the way when God will do anything for us? Main Text: Romans 8:31-32

Focus:  What if, even in the midst of difficulty, you knew that God was working for good?  Imagine approaching every situation as an explorer, looking to see how God might be using it for good. Main Text: Romans 8:28-30

Focus:  Creation groans with us in our weakness and we groan waiting eagerly for the redemption of our bodies.  The Spirit also groans alongside of us, but not out of His weakness or in futility.  The Spirit carries our burden with us, and even brings words on our behalf before the Father.  We might not know what to pray for, or how to pray, but the Spirit speaks for us, on our behalf.  What could be stronger that God’s own Spirit speaking to Him, on our behalf?  Main Text: Romans 8:26-27

Focus:  The life we have been freed to live is not all rainbows and unicorns.  We suffer the effects of sin, including frailty, sickness, and pain.  We suffer with Christ in a sinful world that hates the light.  In fact, at times we can gauge how much we have acquiesced to worldly ways by how comfortable we feel here and now.  Though rainbows remind us of God’s promise, even they come in the midst of rain.  But it is here, in suffering, that we are also reminded of how things should be, and we know that when Jesus comes again, they will.  There will be no more suffering. Main Text: Romans 8:18-25

Focus:  It’s so easy to get entangled with sin.  One thing leads to another and pretty soon we might feel like we have no choice.  But, when you were baptized, you were released from your slavery to sin.  The Spirit you have been given is not one that is shackled, like you were to sin, but one that is hand in hand with the Father. Main Text: Romans 8:14-17

Focus:  When was the last time you saw something you wanted and decided, “I owe it to myself.”?  The flesh no longer has any claim on you, you have been released from your obligation to obey its impulses and desires. Say “No!” and live. Main Text: Romans 8:12-13

Focus:  Because Christ justifies sinners, God’s life-giving Spirit dwells in you.  He releases us from the bondage of sin and death.  Those who are preoccupied with satisfying their selfish desires often become angry with God and rebel against Him. God promises release from this deadly cycle and brings life and peace.  Father, by Your Spirit Of Life, direct our hearts to Christ, where true joys are found. Amen. Main Text: Romans 8:9-11

Focus:  Sin dominates.  Sin separates from God and has twisted all people inward on themselves, and even those around them.  Sin can never look to God, or hope and trust in anything other than the self or other people, continuing the cycle.  Born into sin, we are all dominated by death. Jesus releases us from the domination of sin and gives us the Holy Spirit, life, and peace. Main Text: Romans 8:5-8

Focus:  God’s Law declares that all people are guilty of sin and deserve to die.  However, sin was condemned once and for all as Jesus, who had no sin, bore all of our sin on the cross.  Now God declares “Not guilty!” for those in Christ and we are released from condemnation. Main Text: Romans 8:1-4

Focus:  Sustained by the Word, Dependent on Christ, Visible Reflection of Jesus, Missional Heartbeat of God.  These are our lifeMarks, the marks of the life of a disciple.  We are built up and challenged in each area because we have been sent into the world as disciples who make disciples.  As we celebrate and review the Live Events of our Higher Ground Youth, we remember that we have been sent out with them to live Life in the Word, Life in the Cross, Life in Service, and Life on Mission. Main Text: Deut. 6:4-10; Luke 9:23-24; John 13:14-17; Matt. 28:18-20

Focus:  Newsflash: Christians aren’t a bunch of perfect people. We aren’t people who think we are perfect, or even better than other people.  The only difference is that we are forgiven, and the Spirit is at work within us.  Even knowing and desiring what is right we can’t release ourselves from the internal battle. But our hope is not in ourselves, or even in the life the Spirit produces in us.  Jesus is the one who will deliver us. Main Text: Romans 7:7-25

Focus:  The Law does not and cannot bring victory over sin and death.  The Law defines sin and by our sinful nature we are stimulated to break the law, which leads to death.  Since we have died with Jesus, though, we are released from the power of the law.  Unbound, we belong now to Jesus, so that we may bear fruit for God. Main Text: Romans 7:1-6

He is risen. He is risen, indeed!

As we proclaim Jesus as the one through whom gives forgiveness, the one through whom gives freedom, the one who loves, and showed how much God loves us as He came here, victorious as a king, but humble as a servant, even to death on the cross, God is glorified. And as we live our lives, proclaiming His Kingship over every aspect, over every fear and worry, God is glorified.  

Focus:  Slavery is a terrible thing.  We were conceived as indentured servants to sin.  However, in our baptism, we become believers in the redeeming Person of Jesus Christ.  We now have a choice: hear and respond to the call of God and live in righteousness as directed by the Holy Spirit; or, listen and respond to the call of sin which leads to death.  You have been delivered from sin by Jesus.  So why choose death over life?  After all, Jesus said:”I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Main Text: Romans 6:14-23

Focus:  Humanity is mortal.  We are closer to death today than we were yesterday and the appointed time will come whether we like it or not.  However, those of us who have been baptized in Jesus Christ have already died.  We have shared in His death on the Cross where He defeated sin and the devil once and for all time.  This is the “Good Death” because those who have died in baptism have been declared righteous and stand justified from sin.  If we are dead to sin why dwell in it?  Resist it and live the Gospel life. Main Text: Romans 6:1-14

Focus:  Adam and Jesus are two combatants locked in a life and death struggle.  Adam’s disobedience results in sin and death for all. The Law only compounds Adam’s trespass by multiplying humanity’s guilt.  Jesus is the “anti-Adam” and the antidote for the consequence of sin which is eternal separation from God.  Christ always prevails over all the consequences of Adam!  The reign of sin and death is overcome by the reign of grace and life.  In Jesus, grace overflowed above and beyond sin and the victory is assured for those who receive His gifts by faith.  We don’t deserve it but He earned it so live the Gospel life because you are His forever! Main Text: Romans 5:12-21

Focus:  God’s timing is always perfect.  He sent His Son Jesus to redeem sinners at just the right time.  He sends trials into our lives at just the right time to draw us ever closer to Jesus and sustain us in the true faith.  He declared us righteous through Jesus Christ at just the right time.  He is a God who reaches out and takes the initiative to restore the relationship that was broken through no fault of His own.  God is personal, seeking, caring, and forgiving.  How do we know that?  Because Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Main Text: Romans 5:1-11

Focus:  When we finally reach the end of our refining, what remains is only God’s work.  It is only by the faith (Sola Fide) that He works that we are counted as righteous.  It doesn’t even depend on the strength of our faith or the actions that come from our faith.  As forgiven sinners, only the fruit of our faith remains. Dear God, forgive me for doubting and strengthen my faith in You. Main Text Romans 4:13-25

Focus:  There are many underlying assumptions that we use to help us quickly process the world around us.  The carpet is covering solid floor, not a hole.  When I walk outside I will be breathing air.  Carpet isn’t what makes a floor safe to trust.  Circumcision isn’t what was counted as righteousness, and being a child of Abraham was not about genetics, but about faith.  Dear God, show me where my assumptions have led me to trust in a sign of you, rather than in You. Main Text: Romans 4:1-12

Focus:  As we are refined, over and over, we find that we never can produce our own righteousness, nor can we earn or influence the righteousness God freely gives.  Righteousness comes by grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith in Christ Jesus.  It is not at all about us.  There is nothing left for us to boast about unless it is God’s gift to all.  Dear God, melt away my pride, my self-reliance, my ego, and fill me up with your glory. Main Text: Romans 3:21-31

Focus:  No matter who you are, you’re no better off than anyone else. No one is pure, no, not one.  We are all in the same boat.  Everyone needs Jesus’ righteousness, and the rest needs to be melted away.  Dear God, show me my arrogance, where I look past or over other people, and replace it with your humility.”  Main Text: Romans 3:9-20

Focus:  As we are Refined, impurities separate and can be removed from our lives.  We rationalize our behavior all the time.  “It’s unreasonable to expect...”  “The church leaders don’t even do that.”  “My neighbors would think I’m a weirdo.”  “They got to see grace, so the good must outweigh the bad.”   Dear God, help me to stop making excuses, show me where I have ignored your Word, or rationalized my actions.Main Text: Romans 3:1-8

Focus:  We might talk a good game, maybe even put on a good show from time to time, but it’s only gold plating.  We might even convince ourselves, but other people can probably still see through, and more importantly, we can’t measure up.  Dear God, help me to stop the act.  I need a heart change. Main Text: Romans 2:17-29

Focus:  As we are Refined, impurities separate and can be removed from our lives.  It’s easy to point to impurity in other people.  But by that very same measurement we are impure.  24K or 99.9% isn’t good enough to be called pure.  Dear God, help me to stop pointing fingers, and free me from trying to be “good enough.” Main Text: Romans 2:1-16

Focus:  As we are Refined, impurities separate and can be removed from our lives. What has become an idol for you, or for us as a church?  Where is your hope and trust? Wherever our hope and trust is not entirely in God we find ourselves serving the created, instead of the Creator.  Dear God, show me where the idols are in my life, and help me let go as you melt them away. Main Text: Romans 1:18-32

In 2017 we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  Luther saw in Romans that it is faith the righteous live by, not by good works, and thus began his evaluation of the church according to this truth.  As we begin our journey through this “case for faith” we will lean into Romans and see how God will Re-Form us. Text: Romans 1:1-17

A New Year 2017

Focus:  So we have come full circle back to the “present” Christ - Immanuel, God with us! As we have seen in this sermon series, our call to servanthood assures us a challenging and rewarding life in Jesus. It presents us with many opportunities to impact the world for the Gospel. Jesus was born to serve. From His humble beginnings in a stable manger to His humiliating death on a cross, His life was about serving others in the most sacrificial ways. In our baptism we are reborn to serve, transformed from serving self to serving Jesus and others in His name. We are made into new creations to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. May we carry forward in this world the hope of Jesus’ birth through our service to others. Main Text: Matt 1:23; Isa 52:13-53:12

Focus:  Mercy is not only recognizing or even feeling the pain of others, it is acting (serving) to alleviate the pain and help the afflicted to gain a Godly perspective on their suffering. As seen in the  example of Jesus, being merciful is constantly being alert to the suffering of others and having the willingness to act in their  interest. Being aware of another’s suffering presents us with two options: indifference, or drawing near for the purpose of helping. Jesus, the visible image of God, is our perfect model for mercy because everything in his life was a reflection of His Father. It was He who said, "Be merciful, just like your Father in heaven is merciful" (Lk 6:36). Main Text: Lk 6:36

Focus:  Jesus listened, empowered, and gave voice to those whom He ministered by starting where they were with what they had. His is our best example of how to serve our neighbor. Our tendency is to (paternalistically) determine our neighbor’s needs without listening to them first. Rather than creating dignity, this creates dependency, undermining the freedom that Christ came to give. Do we serve from our own need to be paternalistic or, do we serve from a desire to to see the freedom of Kingdom Come for every neighbor? Main Text: Mark 6:33-44 (Jesus Feeds Five Thousand)

When we serve our neighbors in the place we occupy together, our neighborhood, we share community experience. Our neighbor’s problems become our problems; what we want for our children we want for our neighbor’s children; the crime they experience we too experience. In other words, we take ownership in our neighborhood. It is our context for authentic service. Main Text: John 1:14

Focus:  Central to genuinely obeying and following Jesus is loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. If this is the case we naturally ask, “Who is my neighbor?” Who is it that we love and serve? What can we learn about Jesus and His will for us from this question? The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals that genuine, authentic Jesus-followers need to be aware and act upon the opportunities to help those with whom they come in contact. Main Text: Lk 10:25-37 (Parable of the Good Samaritan)

Focus:  If you were to apply for the job of servant in the Kingdom, what qualifications might you need listed on your resume? The good news is that all Jesus-followers are servants in the Kingdom. There are a few  characteristics that identify us as such: The greater among us serves the lesser; we look to the interest of others; and Kingdom servants are trustworthy in their service. The challenge for Kingdom servants is evident - these characteristics are 180 degrees out of sync with our culture. Main Text: Luke 22:27, Jn 13:1-15, Phil 2:4, 1 Cor 4:2, Lk 16.12

Here we tackle the idea of greatness. What does it mean to be great? The answer is totally counter-cultural and not often grasped even by Jesus followers. Our culture promotes competition to determine greatness, but in the Kingdom, competition has no place. Instead, simple and mundane service to others aligns us with the mission of Jesus. Serving in His name glorifies God and ascribes greatness to Him. Main Text: Mt 20:28; Lk 22:22-47

Focus:  Jesus not only came to save souls, but as the creator, sustainer, and reconciler of all things, to restore everything under His Kingdom reign. Jesus said of His mission, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God...because that is why I was sent.” The Kingdom good news is the restoration of all things. As Kingdom citizens and Christ’s ambassadors, this is our mission as well. We join God wherever He is working to restore everything sin has ruined. Jesus taught us that our mission always includes word and deed - preach the Kingdom and minister to the sick and oppressed. This is who we are as Kingdom citizens. Main Text: Lk 4:43, 9:2, 10:9; Col 1:15-20

Focus Jesus outlined his mission on earth in Luke 4:16-21 and lived it out with a strategy of including the excluded; challenging cultural practices by dignifying the under-resourced and underserved at risk to His own reputation; and advocating for the hungry, sick and imprisoned. His work of justice, and now ours as His ambassadors of reconciliation, is to restore and reconcile all things to God. Main Text: Lk 4:16-21; Col 1:19-20; 2 Cor 5:18-21

Focus:  By washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus modeled that the Kingdom norm involves serving others, even those we lead. What a counter-cultural notion for North Americans! But it’s true! Jesus took the humble position of a slave when He became one of us. Thus, Paul encourages us to set aside our selfishness that we may think of others as better than ourselves and put their interest before our own. What does this mean in the day to day of our lives? Main Text: Jn 13:1-17, Phil 2:7b, Phil 2:1-4

Focus:  Jesus did not serve from a distance. On mission to reconcile and restore all He created, Jesus emptied Himself of his heavenly status, sacrificially serving even to death for our sake. How deep the Father’s love for us! How vast beyond all measure! Our response? To empty ourselves for our neighbors’ sake, that they too will know the joy of confessing Jesus as Lord. Practicing “presence” with our neighbor is where it begins. Main Text: Phil 2:7a

Serving is the ministry of “people building into the lives of people who build into the lives of people” (disciples who make disciples). Jesus did this with his disciples and so did Paul with the people he discipled. Serving is not just for vocational church workers* - all Jesus followers are ministers and gifted to build life into others through serving. Our gifts are used within the church to build up the body of Christ for service, and for those not-yet believers who we connect to life in Jesus. We serve not to earn our way to God’s grace, but in response to His grace freely given. Serving, as Christ served, is our response to Christ’s ultimate act of servanthood on the cross for our sake and brings glory to God. Main Text: 2 Tim 2:2; Eph 2:8

Focus:  We need each other.  Relationships are a gift from God.  What a privilege to know one another beyond just a surface “Hello, how are you?” There is a gift beyond the quick, passing interaction on a Sunday Morning.  We blossom in developing deeper relationships that are authentic and safe. We can grow as we depend on one another. Who are YOUR people? Text: Daniel 3:1-18

Focus:  God has made our purpose very clear.  Love God.  Love Others.  This grand purpose gets lived out every day. We actively practice our purpose. As we gather weekly with each other we can check in with one another and see how that is going.  How are you doing at loving God with your whole heart, soul, strength and mind?  What is getting in your way of putting God first in your life.  How are you doing at loving your neighbor as yourself?  When we live life together we help one another focus on what God has asked us to do. Text: Luke 10:27

There is power in praising God for WHO HE IS. Gathering together in lifeGroup gives us an intentional time to remind one another of where we have seen God at work. We take time to focus on WHO God is and in turn receive the gift of praise. Text: Psalm 22:3; Psalm 8:2; Hebrew 12:2

Focus:  Meeting weekly, praying regularly, discussing God’s Word consistently with our friends--gifts given in rhythm! These patterns are life-giving. And, once established, can provide much-needed support when trials arise. Daniel knew just what to do when things got really tough, because he had an established pattern developed in his life.  What daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal,  and yearly patterns do you want to develop in your life? Text: Daniel 6:1-10

Focus:  When we live life together we begin to go the extra mile with each other. We get below the surface and really love one another.  The friends in the Gospel story for today would stop at nothing to get their crippled friend to Jesus.  They were persistent. What length are you willing to go to so your friends will get to see Jesus?  Text: Mark 2:3-5

Focus:  We have been commanded to make disciples who make more disciples.  We need to partner with one another in the spreading of the gospel.  Who is your Paul? (someone more mature than you) Who is your Timothy? (someone you can encourage)  The kingdom grows when we teach others what we have been taught so they can teach others.  With whom are you enjoying the gift of partnership? Text: 2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 18:24-27

Focus:  The Christian life is a marathon, not a sprint.   We need to remind each other to continue on and not give up.  When we get tired and discouraged,  gathering together with other believers can help us persevere. And, what gifts are given when we do! Text: Hebrews 12:1b; Philippians 3:12-14

Focus:  The gift of being with others can help us throw off the sin that hinders (to be delayed, interrupted, have difficulty) and easily entangles (confused, perplexed) us. There is healing  that comes from confessing our sins to each other (James 5:16).  We must be careful to examine our own lives before ever approaching someone else’s. We are all sinners in need of repentance and forgiveness. There is a powerful gift in shared penitence.  Text: Hebrews 12:1a; Matthew 7:2-3

Focus:  It is important to continue meeting together and not give up on the rhythm of gathering together and encouraging one another.  Satan wants us to be isolated and alone, thinking we do not matter and can not make a difference.  We all lead busy lives. Our commitment or lack of commitment of living life together it is not a matter of time, but of priority. Our presence is a gift. Main Text: Hebrews 10:25

Focus:  When we live life together we get the privilege to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Heb 10:24)  We can be creative and encourage one another to go and try. We get to participate.  We get to join Jesus on His mission!  Jesus let the disciples participate in the feeding of the 5,000, he didn’t have to.  Where is he asking you to participate today? Text: Hebrews 10:24; Luke 9:10-17

Focus:  We can remind one another of the Promises of God and His faithfulness.  Our purpose is to help one another not waver in the hope that we have. Have you ever not wanted to go to lifeGroup? And then, when you were driving home you were thankful because you had been reminded of God’s promises. What a gift to be able to hold onto those promises throughout the week. Text: Hebrews 10:23; Matthew 28:20

Focus:  We can approach the throne of grace with confidence through prayer.  We have direct access to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We can pray with BOLDNESS.  How are you doing in lifeGroup not just quick wrapping up with prayer?  Are your prayers just about those who are sick that need healing?  Are you boldly praying for your impact list?  Are you reaching out and asking for prayers from those in your lifeGroup?  Do you pray first and plan later?  Main Text: Hebrews 10:19-22

The engaged life is a life of living life together in community. There are indispensable gifts received when we live life together.  lifeGroup is one way to share life with one another while following Jesus and helping others on their journey of following Jesus.  We seek life transformation as we help one another in the context of a smaller group of people (outside of corporate worship). We need one another in order  to grow in our relationship with God and to actively engage our friends who are far from God.  lifeGroup is more than meeting once a week, we share life with one another.  lifeGroup is a safe and authentic place where we can care for one another as well as find ways to reach out and bless others in our surrounding communities.

Focus:  In any circumstance we can give God thanks for all He has done, and in so doing, glorify God as the Lord of our lives.  In every task, in every interaction, in every way we enjoy God’s creation, we can give Him thanks.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His faithful love endures forever. Main Text: Psalm 136

Worship is anything we do that glorifies God as the Lord of our lives.  God is love.  As we love each other, God’s love is evident in and through us.  Loving each other brings glory to God.  How can you, in each of your actions, show love to someone, and worship God? Main Text: 1 John 4:7-21

Focus:  Worship can be defined as “anything we do that glorifies God as Lord of our lives.”  If so, is anything more worshipful than obeying Him? Main Text: John 12:44-50

Focus:  Prayer is, simply put, speaking to God.  Our Holy God destroyed the barrier between us and Him through Christ’s death as payment for sin once and for all.  Because of this, we can approach God freely, and He wants us to pray.  We can pray individually and when we’re together.  We can pray for ourselves, but even more so for others.  God gives us access to the greatest love and the greatest power, Himself.  How can we help but pray? Main Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Focus:  God has given us His Word, He intends it for us. That means He wants us to hear it, to read it, and for us to learn it and then live according to it.  One of the greatest acts of worship is hearing and reading God’s Word for you, believing it is what God wants to say to you, and then living that out.  We do this in worship gatherings, in lifeGroup, with friends and family, and on our own. Main Text: Psalm 119:33-40

The life of a Christian is not something we do on our own.  While we are the sent ones, we are also the gathered ones. God chose us to be part of His one people, and He calls us to live in peace together.  Even our weekly pattern of worship is gathering together around His gifts, and as members of the body we are built and learn together, we encourage each other, and we lift our voices together.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Main Text: Colossians 3:12-17

Focus:  God paid the price to free you from the life in bondage to sin that you inherited and lived in.  The only sacrifice that could finally pay the price for all, is the one worth far more than anything else could be, the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  You receive His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper every week, but how will you respond every day?Main Text: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Focus:  In baptism you are washed clean, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  You are part of God’s family, and all this has nothing to do with anything you could do, but is only because of God’s mercy.  We can start every day remembering our baptism and putting to death the old Adam.  As a recipient and beneficiary of God’s mercy, how will you respond? Main Text: Titus 3:5-8

You are a new creation! God brought you back to Himself through Jesus, you are forgiven!  And now this message of forgiveness is yours to share with others.  How will you respond? Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Focus:  The Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, proceeds from the Father and the Son.  He is the movement of the Word in the World, and He has been sent to us, in our baptism, as our Helper.  He lives in us and through us, and motivates our living out the reality of the Gospel in all we do, and the sharing of the Gospel with our neighbors.  How do we, as those filled with the Holy Spirit, respond? Main Text: John 15:26-27, 16:7-15

Focus:  Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, Our Lord, came to live with us, was crucified, died and was buried, to pay for all of our sin, once and for all.  Because of Him, we are reconciled to God, the separation that our sin caused is gone, and our relationship is restored.  How do we, as reconciled brothers and sisters of Christ, respond? Main Text: Colossians 1:15-22

Focus:  God, the Father, is the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  So, what does that make us?  How do we, as creatures, respond to the great I Am?  All of the works of His hands declare His glory, how can we?  Main Text: Acts 17:22-28

The engaged life is a life of worshipping the one true God.  In everything we do, we honor God, or someone else.  Our worship begins as a community, as we “join together to focus on Jesus, offer Him praise, and allow Him the space to speak to us.”  We receive the gifts God gives in weekly worship gatherings, and this posture of worshipping God extends through our week as the Holy Spirit impels us to worship God in everything we say and do.

The angels refrain, spoken to the women at the empty tomb, is just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.

The Coming King

The connecting life is an invitational life. And, timing is everything. The kind of invitation we are talking about here, is natural, not forced. It is freely given, not guilt-driven. The Gospel at its very core is an invitation, not a legalistic burden, right? As we approach the most holy week, who is God putting in front of you who needs some Good News? If the time is right, why not invite them to consider it? Main Text: John 4:39-42; Acts 5:41-42

The connecting life is a speaking life. As we live among others. As we over time, put this connecting lifestyle into practice, we will be asked to speak about the hope we have in Jesus. And, make no mistake, the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus is spread by speaking. People will not get this message through some divine osmosis. Someone has spoken the Good News to you. You are privileged to speak it to others. Main Text: 1 Peter 3:15-16; Romans 10:1-15

The connecting life is a patient life. Relationships take time. How long must we hang in there? Is our results-focused, goal-centered existence tainting our approach to our relationships? How long? How can I keep loving? The Psalmist gives us some clues. Main Text: Psalm 37:3-7

The connecting life is an agenda-free life. What might happen in our relationships if we were able to love no matter what? So much of our love is dependent on the behaviors of others. Is behavior modification our goal? Or is there something much more?  Main Text: John 13:1-21, 30; John 21:18-22

The connecting life is an enjoyable life. Can you imagine how much easier our invitations would be to accept if we exhibited a contagious abundance? So much of our witness has been about what we are against. As you watch Jesus in today’s story, where is he? What is he doing? Who is he with? And how does the church of His day respond? Who is God placing in front of you that just wants you to hang out with? Main Text: Mark 2:13-17

The connecting life is a listening life. As creatures created by God, we listen to our Creator. And, in honor of the ones placed in front of us, also created with unsurpassable worth, we listen. No doubt, most of us could stand to learn abit about listening with interest to those around us. We learn to listen in lifeWorship, lifeGroup, lifeServe. Who is God placing in front of you who simply wants you to listen? Main Text: James 1:17-19

The connecting life is a serving life. Serving with the ones whom God is placing in front of us. Mingling their gifts, their passions, their interests, their styles with ours. With, not merely to or for. No paternalism allowed! We are called to co-create flourishing spaces and places with God and with those who live there. It’s more than volunteerism for the church. It’s an invitation to bountiful hope. And it’s what we mean by lifeServe. Main Text: Matthew 20:20-28

The connecting life is a communal life. We live life together. It’s more than a tagline, it’s a promise. More than a cute slogan or pie-in-the-sky ideal, the communal life is a beautiful mess. And it’s what we mean by lifeGroup. Main Text: Acts 2:42-47

The connecting life is a worshipping life. All of life is worship. From beginning to end, from daybreak to nightfall, the Jesus-following life is set apart, distinct, non-conformed life. It is a breathless invitation from the God of heaven. And, it’s what we mean by lifeWorship. Main Text: Romans 11:33-12:2    

The engaged life is a connecting lifestyle.  All of my life is connected to Jesus.  Not parts, but the whole. As a result, all my relationships, and opportunities for interaction with others, are opportunities for life-giving connections. This is simple, not complex. Yet, in our compartmentalized reality, quite difficult. In fact, Jesus tells us that is impossible...on our own. It cannot be done without Jesus! Main Text: John 15:5

Pastor Jeff shares his "2015 Top 10 List" to help us remember what we discovered over the last 52 weeks and to help us answer the question, "What do I want to be different in 2016?" Click here to download the list> bit.ly/1RaBubL

To forget is human; to remember, divine. Pastor Jeff encourages us to take a look back at 2015 to help us remember what we've learned.

Focus:  It is such a blessing to be able to trust someone else with something that is important.  Imagine having full trust in a moving company to deliver on all of their promises, to pack everything up, get it where it needs to go, and set it all back up without losing or breaking anything.  As you Journey with Jesus into your neighborhood, what can you trust God to deliver?  Main Text: Luke 1:39–56

Focus: Sometimes we get so focused on what we’re expecting to see, that we can “miss the forest for the trees.”  As you Journey with Jesus into your neighborhood, what are you expecting to see? Main Text: Luke 7:18-35

Focus: John the Baptist, as the one announcing the coming of the King, was the voice calling out in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord.”  Making the path straight and bringing the high places low didn’t involve heavy machinery even then.  John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, a turning of the heart away from the former, and told people to live that out, to share what they had and to not take advantage of others.  What would the road construction look like in your neighborhood to make it ready for the King? Main Text: Luke 3:1–14

Focus: How long could it be kept secret if huge music star was moving into your neighborhood?  Even if you didn’t hear about it before, certainly their entourage would make it well known as they came down the street.  As we Journey with Jesus into the neighborhood, we find ourselves, as His disciples, part of His entourage.  What could keep you quiet? Main Text: Luke 19:28–40