Focus:  Before Jesus comes again things are going to get crazy, and he says to watch out, but not to worry.  God will use the places you are put to give you opportunities to tell everyone about Him.  He’ll even give you the words to say. Main Text: Mark 13:1–13

Jesus gives us two very different “fly on the wall” looks at people from the perspective of the coming kingdom.  How do you act when no one can see? Main Text: Mark 12:38–44

Focus:  Jesus never said following Him would be the popular or cool thing to do.  He instead says “people will mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”  But then He says, “Be happy about it!  Be very glad!”  What? Text: Matthew 5:1–12

Focus:  The family you are born into has a profound impact on your life.  As sinners we’re all born into slavery.  But we have been set free by the Son, and through baptism we’re born into God’s family.  What legacy have you been born into?  What will your legacy be? Main Text: John 8:31–36

Focus:  There is a pretty big difference between “difficult” and “impossible”.  For people who trust in and find security in blessings, and in their ability to store up God’s blessings, it is difficult to trust in and find security somewhere else.  And it is impossible enter the kingdom of heaven by trusting in anything you or another person can do.  As you look to your future, and consider things like financial stability, savings, and investing, where is your trust?  What will your legacy be? Main Text: Mark 10:23–31

Focus:  What is the one thing you wouldn’t give up?  Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Often are our hearts tied to money, sometimes to our surprise, because other goals or desires in life have money or wealth as an intermediate step.  What will your legacy be? Main Text: Mark 10:17–22

The only reason Moses allowed divorce was as a concession to the hard heart of the people.  Instead of receiving the kingdom like a little child, just as it is, we often try to make it fit what we want.  What will your legacy be? Main Text: Mark 10:2–16

Focus:  Walking with Jesus isn’t being part of an exclusive clique where we keep His things for ourselves.  While we wouldn’t say that we exclude others, how often are we skeptical of or do we look down on others who call themselves Christians but aren’t part of our Lutheran heritage?  Instead looking to defend our blessings from those outside, Jesus points us inward when looking for problems.  Jesus, speak, “be opened” and free us from an us vs. them mindset and those attitudes and desires within us and in our own circles that cause us to sin. Main Text: Mark 9:38–50

Focus:  Big ego and selfish ambition aren’t just discouraged among followers of Jesus, they actually get in the way of our following Him.  They are distractions, causing us to miss the things He is teaching us, and causing us to miss opportunities to share His love with and serve those around us.  Jesus, speak “be opened” and free us from the blockage of our selfish ambition. Main Text: Mark 9:30–37

Focus:  Ask Jesus to Be Opened.  Take the things that close your heart to the cross. Main Text: Mark 9:14–29

Focus: Be Opened! The door to your heart should always be open. Main Text: Mark 7:24–37

Focus:  There is a cosmic battle raging.  With clear eyes, filled with Jesus life and God’s Word to make plain what is actually going on, we can see through the lies and distractions of the world to what is really going on.  With hearts that are full of Him, and with His love for others, we are protected and victorious in the battle.  He has already won, and He powers us to stand firm in Him against the relentless onslaught of the enemy, and to share His love, the message of salvation, and the victory with all those around us.  Jesus will not lose a single person His Father has given him.  We can’t lose!
Main Text: Mark 7:14–23

Focus:  What does it look like when your heart is far from your spouse, or from your parents/children?  This is Jesus’ condemnation, quoting Isaiah, of those in the religious establishment of His day.  They were more concerned with how they looked, where other people thought their hearts were, than they were with where their hearts really were.  In contrast, Paul tells us that the relationship between Jesus and the church, us, is that of a husband and wife.  Main Text: Mark 7:1–13

Focus:  What colors your reality?  Do you take Jesus at His Word, or do you evaluate Him based on your understanding?  Some believed Him and some didn’t, and it’s no different today.  His disciples, even struggling with what Jesus said, responded to His challenge, “Lord, to whom would we go?  You have the words that give eternal life.”  Do you search God’s Word like a treasure map with your eyes looking to find how you can get  “eternal life”?  Or do you treat it as the authority on life, the source of wisdom with the power to change you and clear your eyes?. Main Text: John 6:51–69

This life, the journey we are called to, would be too much for us alone.  But, just as God chose us, He feeds us, clothes us, and shows us.  This new life is the life of Christ.  And He is the strength for the journey. Main Text: John 6:35–51

Focus:  What is greater, the gift, or the giver?  What do we spend time thinking about?  Appreciating?  When we worry about things that are gifts, what does that say about our trust in the giver?  When we spend our time trying to gather up and store gifts, or when we measure others by the gifts they have, where are our hearts?  We have been gifted to share, not to compare.  Comparing misplaces the glory rightly due only to God, the source, and divides the body.  Sharing His gifts, instead,  builds the One Body up in love, and glorifies Him. Main Text: John 6:22–35

Focus:  God doesn’t pick people based on their faith, or their control of fear.  He, instead, establishes our trust by loving, comforting, promising, and by reminding us through signs.  The Father works faith in us by His Spirit, and by that Faith Jesus dwells in our hearts.  We are One Body, faithed to life with Jesus. Main Text: Mark 6:45–56

Focus:  Life without God is life without hope.  It is the life of a sheep without a shepherd to gather, protect, care for, lead toward peace and rest, and toward food.  But God sent Jesus, the righteous branch, the good shepherd.  Not only did Jesus gather up Jews, but Gentiles too. His sacrifice broke down dividing walls of hostility in the flesh, and the dividing wall of hostility between God and man’s sin.  He cared for and cares for us, and gathers us all into One Body, together with each other and with Him. Main Text: Mark 6:30–44

Focus:   John relayed God’s call for people to repent, God’s announcement of His own coming, and God’s work of making the path straight.  Left to ourselves, we would all reject the condemnation, the call to repent, and would try and get out of it.  But, God is the one standing with the plumb line, building a new wall that is straight.  He is the one with the plan.  He is the one who chooses us. He is the one who makes us His.  It has always been His plan to unite all things in Heaven and on Earth together in One Body in and through Christ. Main Text: Mark 6:14-29

Focus:  Does God’s chosen method of delivery sometime seem to make things more difficult than they have to be?  It can be hard to get past personal history with someone to be able to see what God is doing.  Paul tells us that it is when he is at his weakest, that he is actually strongest.  What?  In our weakness we rely more on God, God’s power is most clearly evident, and He alone is glorified.  How might you step out from behind the curtain, to make more of God? Main Text: Mark 6:1–13

Have you ever wanted to trade places with someone?  What if you could take their pain and suffering, and give them some of what you have?  This is real generosity, giving not only out of excess, but giving and sharing even when you will feel the impact.  Do you trust that God has and does give generously to you even when situations seem hopeless?  Main Text: Mark 5:21–43

Focus:  Sometimes as we follow Jesus, we are the ones standing in our own way.  We tend to make inferences about Jesus and His work that are based on assumptions from our own experiences and observations.  These inferences and assumptions can often keep us from being open in the moment.  How you respond in crisis, or to rebuke, often shows what you assume to be true.  And what you expect from and think of God is often clear in what you are open to receive from Him. Main Text: Mark 4:35–41

Focus:  “You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.”  “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.”  In Jesus’ time, one might have said, “Don’t judge the size of the plant by the size of the seed” or “The plant grows whether or not the gardener understands how.” God’s kingdom is no small thing, but it can be easy for us to judge based on what we see, and to get discouraged when we don’t see the results we want, or expect. Main Text: Mark 4:26–34

Blood is thicker than water, the saying goes.  Jesus, however, defines His family as those who do God’s will. There is one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, and no division in God’s family.  We are ushered into the family of God through the waters of baptism into the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  The thickest blood, it turns out, is the blood of Jesus, which covers us with Jesus, who did God’s will.

Main Text: Mark 3:20–35

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The singular God says, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves.”  God also says, “Look, I have given you..”  So which is it, us or I?  How can a man be born again?  How could all the people hear the preaching in their own native tongue at Pentecost?  Does our belief follow our eyes and understanding?  Or does our belief flow from God’s Word?

Main Text: John 3:1-17

Focus:  Why did Jesus want the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until He sent the Spirit?  He seems to give the Spirit a lot more credit than we do today.  From life given to animated dry bones, to tangible wind and flames over the heads of people who suddenly could all understand each other in their own language, these experiences with the Holy Spirit seem more like what Jesus talked about.  The disciples were quick to recognize and to submit to the work of the Holy Spirit.  Do you regularly look for and recognize the work of the unleashed Spirit, and the life He has breathed into you? Main Text: John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15

Focus:  Too often we act like we are not part of this world.  Or that if we have been unleashed, it is from the responsibility toward the world.  We huddle together, like the disciples in the upper room, instead of living our faith outside the surroundings and safety of other Christians.  Jesus’ prayer for His people, as He is leaving the world, is recorded for their benefit and for ours.  God will protect us and keep us from the Evil one, He will teach us His word, which is truth, and we are not separated from the world, but we are sent into it, not to become like the world, but to be like Jesus in the world. Main Text: John 17:11b–19

Focus:  Jesus loved us like the Father showed Him love.  We are to love each other like Jesus showed us love.  Jesus loved the Father by following His commands, so we’re supposed to love Jesus by following His commands.  His command is simply to love each other.  Why doesn’t the world know Christians as people who give up their lives for each other and by how much we love? Main Text: John 15:9–17

Focus:  The Lord works to prune from our lives those things that threaten to hold us back from living as His instruments.  He cuts the leashes that we so willingly accept or even put on ourselves.  The connection that He has remade, the one we were created to have, is connection to Jesus, the true vine, the source of all of our life and good things.  What might Jesus be working to prune in your life today, to free you to blossom? Main Text: John 15:1–8

Focus:  The Good Shepherd willingly gave up His life for His sheep.  With His resurrection He was unleashed on His flock and the world.  Could there possibly be a better Shepherd to follow, than one you know will give up His life to keep you, because He already has?  Main Text: John 10:11–18

Focus:  Moses and the prophets (the Old Testament) point to Jesus as the Messiah, and as such, everything had to come true.  As this message is proclaimed to the whole world, in the authority of the name of Jesus, the announcement to all is, “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.”  And just as the disciples were unleashed as the witnesses, with the promise of the coming Holy Spirit, so we are still witnesses to this, today.  

Main Text: Luke 24:36–49

Focus:  “Peace be with you!” Jesus says three times here.  The second time it’s clearly not because they are still afraid.  Jesus sends the disciples out, as God sent Him, as instruments of peace, between God and man.  He unleashes them and us upon the world with the message of peace and the power of forgiveness.  Peace has been made between God and man, between God and you. Main Text: John 20:19–31

Focus:  Mary didn’t first think back to Jesus words about His resurrection when she saw that His grave had been opened, she assumed the stone must have been rolled away from the outside.  Jesus said that He would rebuild the temple in three days.  What an amazing truth, that defies the very fundamental things we know about life.  The grave couldn’t hold Him, instead, the resurrected Jesus is unleashed! Main Text: John 20:1–18

Jesus comes to Jerusalem fulfilling prophecy, entering humbly on a donkey’s colt, yet as the King of Israel “in the name of the Lord”.  He comes to be lifted up in glory on the Cross in order to cast out “the ruler of this world” and draw all people to Himself.  Church, journeying with Jesus we are called to rejoice greatly as our King comes with salvation. Main Text: John 12:20-43.

In the midst of Jesus telling His followers for the third time that He would be killed and raised, with even more details, they can’t seem to focus on what is at hand, and are still, STILL talking about who would be the greatest.  This time, two of them ask Jesus to do whatever they ask.  Maybe they thought if He said, “OK” He would be bound to give them what they want.  Instead Jesus reminds them AGAIN that being concerned about yourself will get you nowhere in the kingdom, and that among those who would follow Jesus, the ordering begins with the slave of everyone. Main Text: Mark 10:35-45.

Light is dangerous if you’re worried about others seeing you.  If you use the light to navigate, you’re drawn to it, it is life.  Those feeling the weight of their sin and the need for help by the power of God’s Spirit found the Savior, the Light to gravitate toward.  Those too proud, unwilling to give up control, and who denied that there could be only one way scurried for the cover of darkness, either by fleeing or by trying to extinguish the light.  Are you drawn to the gift? Or do the implications scare you away. Main Text: John 3:14-21

Have you ever returned home to find things a bit out of order?  Jesus returns to His Father’s house, the Temple in Jerusalem, and sees that sacrifices have become a financial business.  Those in the Temple didn’t recognize His authority, and certainly didn’t understand how He could rebuild the Temple in three days.  What is God’s Temple today?  Is it in order?   Main Text: John 2:13-22

Following Jesus isn’t a spectator sport.  Really following means being like Jesus.  Just as Jesus willingly submits to the will of His Father, even when it is painful, we also must submit.  Jesus’ call is for our whole life, every part, our understanding, our love, even our trash.  We are called to submit our whole life to Him, to pick up our cross and follow Him, and He wants to set our whole life straight.  Main Text: Mark 8:27-38

Jesus makes things right.  The first steps in Lent, Journeying with Jesus, are only possible because God came to us to return us to Him.  It’s not a relationship realized only later, after we die, but it has already begun. What should change when you’re walking with God? 

Focus: There can be no question, for those who see the very glory of God in Jesus.  With Moses, a veil was needed so that the people could even stand it.  Jesus got rid of that veil, of the separation between God and man.  The only veil that still exists is over the hearts of those who don’t know Jesus.  For those who saw this, Jesus commanded silence, because it wasn’t time yet for his broad revelation, but ever since His revelation, death and resurrection, He has commanded not silence, but witnesses who reflect the same glory He radiates through their words and lives.Main Text: Mark 9:2-9

Focus: Jesus came to preach the Good News, God came to man to restore the relationship established at creation.  Jesus, true God, bears God’s almighty power, and that power continues to be demonstrated chiefly by His mercy and compassion.  His preaching frees people from the shackles of the world, His death and resurrection frees us all from the shackles of sin, in His very life and by His command He made time to free people bound by sickness and possession.  He makes things right, re-creating as He goes.  We, as His hands and feet today, continue His re-creative work that will be made full and perfect when He returns.Main Text: Mark 1:29-39

Focus: When God speaks, reality is created.  The Prophets are God’s mouthpiece, speaking His words, and as such, they carry His authority.  When Jesus taught, it was clear he wasn’t just regurgitating what He heard from other men, He spoke with the authority that God’s mouthpieces have.  As such, all creation is subject to the reality Jesus spoke, even the evil spirits are bound to obey when the Word of God speaks.  

Main Text: Mark 1:21-28

Focus: Everywhere He went, Jesus changed things.  Fishermen - Drop your nets, and come fish for men.Condemners - Are you blameless?  What is He redefining today?  Main Text: Mark 1:14-20

Focus: God wants all people to know Jesus, to come to the knowledge of the Truth.  But we don’t always recognize Him, even though He is always right here with us.  Like with God calling Samuel, Jesus knew and chose Nathaniel before Nathaniel ever knew who Jesus was.  People need to be known, we are by very definition relational beings.  Who do you know who needs to recognize that Jesus has known them forever, and loves them totally? Main Text: John 1:43-51

Focus:  John had one purpose, to prepare the way for God’s Messiah.  John baptized many people, but in only one case did the heavens split open, the Holy Spirit visibly descend like a dove, and God’s voice audibly speak that, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”   The very presence of God on Earth is seen in the baptism of Jesus, and through our baptism into His life, death and resurrection, we are part of the Body of Christ, the Church, God’s dwelling place on Earth. Text:  Mark 1:4-11

Focus: God honored Solomon’s request when of all things he asked for wisdom to govern God’s people from David’s throne.  Wisdom on the throne.  This is God’s gift as seen in Jesus, at the temple in Jerusalem.  Jesus lived and spoke with and from a wisdom and understanding that was baffling to all who encountered Him.  Where does your wisdom and understanding come from? Main Text: Luke 2:41-52

Focus: What do you yearn to see before you die?  What would make you say, “Now I can die happy”?  The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would see God’s Messiah, Israel’s rescuer, before he died.  For a people, and world, that had been waiting for hundreds of years, many generations without seeing the Messiah, hope could have been lost. Text: Luke 2:22-40

Focus: Our faith isn’t based on observational logic, and reproducible experiments.  A virgin who is engaged, Angel messengers, the Holy Spirit, and the birth of the One who would be given David’s throne and reign forever, the God-man Jesus.  In the midst of all of that, even Mary was confused as to how this could be since she was a virgin.  May God work the response in our hearts as we know that He is coming back, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be [to me] according to your word.” Main Text: Luke 1:26-38

Focus: Can you hear the representatives of the Jewish leaders asking, “Who do you think you are?”  What gave him the right to call people out to the wilderness to repent and be baptized?  What gives followers of the revealed Son of God, Jesus, the right to claim what Jesus did, that He is the only way, and that repentance that God works is needed?  Just who do you think you are? Main Text:John 1:6-8, 19-28

Focus: If people in Jesus’ day were looking for the prophet Elijah to return to announce the coming Messiah, would they recognize someone clearly dressed and acting like the prophet Elijah?  If they were looking toward the call to make straight paths, would they recognize the call to repent and have their hearts made right?  If preparing in John’s day meant repentance and being turned back to the Lord, what does it mean today? Main Text: Mark 1:1-8

Jesus is coming back.  Just like with Jesus’ incarnation, the coming of the Messiah, no one knows the time, not even Jesus knew, but God does.  So, if we have anything to look forward to, anything to be sure of, it is Jesus coming back to gather up all of His people.  In fact, Jesus says that we can be more sure about the coming kingdom than we can about the ground our feet stand on and the air we breathe.  There is nothing more certain.  Christmas isn’t just about looking back, it’s about looking forward to the coming kingdom.  Will you be ready, or will you be caught unprepared? Main Text: Mark 13:24-37

As we make our financial investment promise to each other and to the Lord, we do so recognizing what we have learned over these past few weeks.  Lowest in the Kingdom Hierarchy is financial investment.  In its proper perspective the gift of money can be a huge kingdom resource.  How does your investment of financial capital reveal your understanding of its value position in Jesus’ Kingdom? Main Text: Genesis 26:12-31

Focus: Descending our Kingdom hierarchy, somewhere in the middle we consider today the time and energy we have to invest in people and projects.  “It comprises the time we make available to as well as the capacity we have to use that time.”  pg 48 “Oikonomics”  We also consider the creative ideas and solutions we bring to the world.  “Jesus was no slouch when it came to intelligence.”  pg. 48 “Oikonomics” Nor are His followers.  Let’s discover together how we can invest these gifts for the purposes of Jesus.  Main Text: John 15:1-8; Mt. 22:23-33

Focus: Descending our Kingdom hierarchy, somewhere in the middle we consider today the time and energy we have to invest in people and projects.  “It comprises the time we make available to as well as the capacity we have to use that time.”  pg 48 “Oikonomics”  We also consider the creative ideas and solutions we bring to the world.  “Jesus was no slouch when it came to intelligence.”  pg. 48 “Oikonomics” Nor are His followers.  Let’s discover together how we can invest these gifts for the purposes of Jesus.  Main Text: John 15:1-8; Mt. 22:23-33

Focus:"Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends." -Jesus    Have you ever considered that Jesus had an investment strategy?  What’s yours?  How do you think your investment strategy compares to Jesus’? Text: Luke 16:1-13

Focus: Sacrifice?  Really?  “We often hear the call to discipleship only through the lens of sacrifice (looking at what we are losing).  But Jesus rarely spoke this way!  When He talked about discipleship, He always spoke through the lens of investment, looking at what we were gaining.” pg.11-12 “Oikonomics”  Today we are graciously invited to apprentice with Jesus and learn what it really means to “have it all.”
Main Text: Matthew 6:24-33

Focus: Over the past 7 weeks we have been learning the Periodic Table of Leadership in the Kingdom of God as Jesus lived it out.  The basic elements of this table are in every Jesus-follower.  Given to you at the moment of faith, He calls you, yes, invites YOU to live these out as you follow Jesus! Main Text:  Acts 4:1-13

Focus: We underestimate the capacity to influence that God has given us in Jesus. Therefore, instead of focusing on one act of Jesus-centered love, we fixate on the expanse of the mission field in front of us.  And it keeps us stuck; immobilized. WE can’t follow Jesus where He is moving if we don’t move.  We can’t lead others to move where Jesus is moving if we don’t move.  And, We won’t realize the catalytic movement Jesus empowers if we don’t move.  

What if you would learn to embrace the limitations and accept responsibility for your walkable community?  Jesus humbled Himself, embracing the limitation of human flesh, and accepting responsibility for your sin--all in a well-defined place called Palestine in the first century.  (John 1:14) This is how the Savior saves the world!  Followers of Jesus have the distinct advantage of following a leader who is ALWAYS CATALYTIC!  As we follow Him we learn what it means to be change-agents, impactful persons in our place, influencers, to the Glory of God. Main Text: Matthew 10:1-8

Focus: We make our plans.  And, most of the time, we will fight and resist anything that comes up against those plans.  We want what we want when we want it, in the way that we want it.  And because of that, most days, we are not coachable.  Therefore, we cannot react.  We find it difficult to change course.  Tightly gripping control, we are filled with tension and anxiety.  Jesus never did anything on His own.  He always took the situation to the One who was in control.  He always looked to and trusted His Father.  Jesus had an intimate relationship with Him.  Therefore, Jesus was never out of step with His Father.  Because He was so inseparably connected to His Father, we can be assured that whatever Jesus says and does is in harmony with God’s design and intention.    Followers of Jesus have the distinct advantage of following a leader who is ALWAYS RESPONSIVE!  As we follow Him we learn what it means to be obedient, awake, aware, dependent, perceptive, reactive, sensitive. Main Text: John 15:4-5

Focus: We are swayed so easily by the opinions of men.  And, because we are so easily influenced by others’ needs and desires, our dependability suffers.  Jesus is a savior we can always count on.  Because He devoted Himself to His Father’s will to redeem His people, Jesus was not merely interested in making sure our needs were met.  He served His Father and not people.  On account of this, He can always be trusted.  He is not influenced by the fickle needs and desires of human beings.  He can actually be trusted to have our best interests in mind.  Followers of Jesus have the distinct advantage of following a leader who is ALWAYS TRUSTWORTHY!  As we follow Him we learn what it means to be faithful, dependable, steady, credible, honorable, mature. Main Text: John 10:11-15; Ezekiel 34:2-6

Focus: With so many needs, we can become compassion weary.  The volume of sorrow can lead us to put a filter on our hearts.  We feel bad, but do nothing.  We sympathize, yet don’t bring true relief.  Jesus is more than someone we can turn to for sympathy when we need someone to understand.  He is aware of our deepest need before we can even name it.  He cares by taking our suffering upon Himself.  He actually joins us in our pain and shares the experience.  Jesus goes beyond simply feeling bad for us.  Followers of Jesus have the distinct advantage of following a leader who is ALWAYS COMPASSIONATE!  As we follow Him we learn what it means to be humane, kindhearted, forbearing, merciful, tenderhearted, moved to action. Main Text: Matthew 9:35-38

Focus: It is utterly impossible for us to do anything without some element of self-focus.  We rarely do something without any thought of how it will affect us.  As a result, we often resist the leadership of God.  Jesus faithfully followed the will of His Father.  He emptied Himself and became obedient-to death.  He was devoted to others.  And because of this God raised Him to the place of highest honor and glory.  Followers of Jesus have the distinct advantage of following a leader who is ALWAYS SELFLESS!  As we follow Him we learn what it means to be other-centered, secure, humble, generous, consistent. Main Text: Matthew 20:25-28; John 12:24-25

Focus: So much of what we do or choose to not do revolves around our perception of how others will see us.  As a result, we often put on masks.  “The real me might get rejected,” we think.  Jesus knew who He was.  He understood the mission.  He wasn’t concerned with how people would receive him.  This freed Him to be the most genuine leader of all time.  Followers of Jesus have the distinct advantage of following a leader who is ALWAYS GENUINE!  As we follow Him we learn what it means to be authentic, real, vulnerable, true, consistent. Main Text: Matthew 9:9-13

Focus: There are some moments in life when we’re detached.  We’re physically present, but for one reason or another, we’re really somewhere else.  Followers of Jesus have the distinct advantage of following a leader who is ALWAYS ENGAGED!  As we follow Him we learn what it means to be fully present, in the moment, attentive, interested, devoted, focused.Main Text: Matthew 26:36-46

Sometimes words lose their effectiveness because they get used so often.  Sometimes words need to be redefined.  “Leader” is one of those words.  Today we recalibrate a familiar word so that it becomes a familiar designation for everyone.  In the Kingdom of God, is leadership reserved for a select few who have proven themselves?  Or, does every Jesus-follower bear the title and privilege of leadership? Main Text: Colossians 3:13-17

Focus: Praying…Caring…Sharing…   The Lord is still seeking 1more Friend.  Will you choose to be 1more Friend? Main Text: Matthew 28:18-20  Resource: “Be Jesus In Your Neighborhood”  Week 30

Focus: True love will show itself in curiosity.  One of the hallmarks of a Spirit-infused life is the presence of genuine interest in others.  Will you be among those who invest in discovering the truth about your neighbors?  If you do, you may understand the secret wisdom of God.  Main Text: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Resource: “Be Jesus In Your Neighborhood”  Week 29

Focus: Every time we are interrupted, we are given a choice:  Stick to our agenda, or turn our attention to the new opportunity in front of us. Main Text: Isaiah 6:8-9 Resource: “Be Jesus In Your Neighborhood”  Week 28

Is there any benefit to knowing God?  How have those benefits satisfied YOUR deepest longings?  Don’t forget, the benefits of being connected to life in Jesus…they might just satisfy someone else! Main Text: Psalm 103:1-5 Resource:“Be Jesus In Your Neighborhood”  Week 27

Focus: Undone; holes in our souls that we are powerless to fill.  When we place all of our flaws out on the table and join them together with the flaws of our neighbors and friends we discover what we all hold in common. We are all the same.  We all have the same basic need.  Text: Romans 5:1-11 Resource: “Be Jesus In Your Neighborhood”  Week 26

The fact that God is attentive to prayers prayed in faith should build anticipation.  How will God answer?  How will God show up? How will He choose to use me? Text: 1 Peter 3:12a

Resource: “Be Jesus In Your Neighborhood”  Week 25

Focus: God knows everything about you, there are no secrets hidden from Him. The same holds true for your neighbor. He knows every detail of every life. God has zeroed in on us. We are in his plans, his dreams, and his desires. God wants the same personal intimate relationship with your neighbor that he has with you. Do you wake up every morning excited that you’re part of that big picture? Main Text: Psalm 139: 1-3

Focus: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” We hear it all the time.  It may sound a bit different, yet the meaning is still the same as if spoken by Cain today. Jesus commanded his followers to love one another as He loved us. Jesus was a living example of God’s love, as we are to be living examples of Jesus love. You matter to God. Your neighbor matters to God. Does your neighbor matter to you? Main Text: Genesis 4:9-10

God placed your neighbor next to you for a reason. Is that a burden or a joy? Consider what God has done for you, how bright your future is. Now, consider that God desires the same future for your neighbor. “How is that possible?” we say. “You don’t know my neighbor.” Our God can do the impossible. What a joy it should be to be called to partner with Him. Text: Mark 10:24-27

Focus: We live in an excuse-filled ridden world: “I can’t do that because…, I’m not available because…, I’m not fully prepared, not ready yet.” Moses had plenty of excuses too, yet, God admonished him: “Now go; I will help you speak, and teach you what to say.” It’s the same instruction for us today, “Now go”, share Me with your neighbors. Text: Exodus 4:10-12

The idea of mission is great.  The idea of praying for neighbors and friends, and even enemies is great.  But, when the rubber meets the road, will you jump to action?  Or, will you first weigh the time, energy, and financial cost?  Do you see someone who needs help, or do you see your own inconvenience? Read Text: 1 John 3:16-18

This is God’s mission, His love, His work, and we are His instruments, His agents.  Agent, are you ready for the next step+?  Is your ear-piece in? Read Text: John 16:13-15

“What are you praying about?” is a great question to get at what is really important to someone. Prayer reflects the heart, it practices the heart, and often, from that the heart is moved to action.  Are you ready to be part of God’s answer to your prayer? Read Text: John 11:38-44

How do your interactions with those you have difficulty with influence their interaction with you?  How do you reflect Christ with those who make it difficult?  Does your sense of justice fight against the unconditional love Christ shows you and gives you to share?  What if you could let go of all the anger and frustration? Read Text: Matthew 5:43-48

Focus: Why do we struggle with asking for help?  Asking for help doesn’t have to be an admission of weakness, it can be an expression of value, appreciation of another person.  What happens when we change our focus from ourselves onto other people? Read Text: John 4:7-9

How is it possible to be countercultural (not different just to be different, or to make a statement, but to follow the Bible and Jesus in our post-modern, selfie world), and still attract others?  What can we do? Read Text: Colossians 4:2-6

Focus: We’re certainly supposed to take care of our brothers and sisters in Christ, but we’re also commanded to open our doors and extend invitations to people we don’t know as well, to help anyone in need.  This is one of the ways Jesus challenges with the Parable of the Good Samaritan, as we see that “neighbor” isn’t defined by proximity, but describes one who acts to care for someone in need.  Jesus transforms the question of “Who is my neighbor?” into “Who are you a neighbor to?” Read Text: Hebrews 13:1-3

He is Risen! He is risen indeed!

A look at Palm Sunday with fresh eyes.

McDonalds figured out long ago that the smell of their french fries would draw their potential customers in, and could even produce feelings of hunger in people who otherwise had no intention to eat.  The aroma of Christ is polarizing, drawing in the hungry, but reminding others of death.  Christ’s fragrance is a life of sacrifice, a fragrance we bear as His people, by His sacrifice.  And it’s a fragrance perceived by others through His love lived out in our lives and shared with others.  What do you smell like? Read Text: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Focus: There are many kinds of love in this world, but each and every one will let you down eventually. That is, until you know God’s love.  The same is true for your neighbors.  Once you know God’s love, though, you can share His perfect love with them.  His love never fails, never stops seeking all people, and never gives up. Read Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Focus: The sum of all of the Law and Prophets (the Hebrew Scriptures) can be boiled down to just two things:  1) Love God above all.  2) Love your neighbor as yourself. You could even try to combine them into one command to love God so much that you also love what He loves. We’ve spent 10 weeks exploring Prayer, and now we begin to see how drawing close to God’s heart can affect what we love (Care). Read Text: Matthew 22:34-40

Focus: Jesus prayed so that Peter’s faith would not fail.  Peter’s faith did not fail.  Who among your circle of influence is being tested by Satan and needs victory in Jesus?  What would it look like for you to pray for them? Text: Luke 22:31-38, 1 Peter 5:8 & 2 Peter 1:3

There is so much standing against us, so many forces that war against God, and His intentions for us.  We need support from each other in order the STAND.  Strength is built in community.  Strength is built through the prayers of the Saints.  Strength is built as followers of Jesus pray “all kinds” of prayers, “on all occasions”, “always”, and for “all the saints.”  What would that kind of prayer support look like for you? …for your friends, family and neighbors? Text: Ephesians 6: 10-18

Access to Almighty God.  An open invitation to come, to ask, to plead, for ourselves, and for those around us.  Do we really believe that this is really real? “Where do you think God would like some of His power directed through your prayers today?”  pg. 20 ,Be Jesus in Your Neighborhood Text: James 5:16-18

Question #1:  ”Who among those who will believe in Jesus are you praying for?” Question #2:  “Do I care enough about the unsaved to pray earnestly for their salvation?” pg. 18, Be Jesus in Your Neighborhood  Question #3:  What am I willing to do in response to this? Text: 2 Peter 3:9; John 17:20; Romans 10:1-17

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”  Isaiah 9:2  Can you imagine the people you pray for coming to know the truth about themselves and the truth about God as a result of your prayers?  What do you see? Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

To intercede, to plead, advocate, intermediate, intervene, to speak on behalf of…  Who in your life today needs your active and persistent intercession?   How would the story of your neighborhood, your friends, be impacted by your active intercession? Text: Ezekiel 22:23-31; Hebrews 7:15-28

It’s great to have friends in “high places.”  Certain relational connections can gain us access to places we would not otherwise be able to access.  “Knowing someone” has gotten me into sporting events, concerts, in the presence of the President of the United States.  Jesus has given us permission to use His name to gain a hearing with the Lord of Heaven and earth.  What would it look like for you today to really know God’s will and ask what Jesus would ask? Text: John 16:16-24

Focus: God already owns everything we have.  There is nothing we can give God, that He hasn’t already given.  Except…our praise.  Acknowledging and celebrating worth is part of our culture.  Yet, with God, we spend very little time celebrating Him.  Why is that?  What would it look like for you today to celebrate God’s worth? Text: Psalm 34:1-3

“Lord, (YOU) teach us to pray.” There are just some things that don’t belong to us. Prayer does not start with us. The requests, thoughts, cries don’t emanate from our minds or hearts. They begin with God. They flow from His mind and heart. What would it look like for you today to allow God to shape or determine the content of your prayers?

Text: Romans 8:26-27; 1 John 5:14-15; 2 Chronicles 7:1-15 (esp. 14-15)

Focus: Can you imagine having a friendship with someone and never being with them?  Friends stay in touch.  Friends talk and listen.  Friends keep company.  Friends don’t have to discipline themselves to share life.  There’s a natural desire and inclination to keep company with our friends.  What would it look like for you today to approach your relationship with God the way you do with your friend? Text: Psalm 16:11; Exodus 33:8-11a & 12-23; John 15:1-17

The Kingdom of God advances 1 person at a time.  2014 will be a trajectory-changing year for us at the Church.  Every single personal decision to own our mission will be celebrated.  Every single person will be resourced to “connect people to life in Jesus.”  This will be a highly practical season for us. Text: John 3:1-18
Jesus is looking for 1more friend. Will God’s people at the Church choose to be a friend?
Jesus is looking for 1more leader. Will God’s people at the Church choose to be a leader?
Jesus is looking for 1more giver. Will God’s people at the Church choose to be a giver?

Jesus was born of flesh and blood because His friends (those who He is called to redeem) were born of flesh and blood.  There could be no other way.  Jesus had to be fully human in order to die and break the curse of sin.  The end of the Law’s brutal justice that demands “an eye for an eye” began in a manger in Bethlehem.

Home+

because a home centered on Jesus becomes the epicenter of an active life of faith 

Focus: Watch the Holy Family.  Learn the patterns of the Holy Family.  And your home will become an epicenter of the hope, peace and joy you seek this Christmas! Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9 & Luke 2:21-40