Jesus uses parable to give us good news: this world belongs to God and He is working in it, and also bad news is that there is an enemy trying to undermine the kingdom. The message gives encouragement, teaches the importance of patience and not judging the people of the world (we are not good at this, and it is not our job), and sounds a note of urgency & accountability with a cosmic ‘painting’ of the end of the age.

Scripture passage: Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43 and Psalm 91:1-16

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Our songs together:

• Rest On Us - Maverick City Worship

• Christ Be Praised - Jeremy Riddle

• King of My Heart - John Mark Macmillan

• Gratitude - Maverick City Worship

Thanksgiving re-connects us to a trust in God (even in times when our eyes see nothing but challenge ahead), a divine pathway out of being imprisoned by present circumstance. Pastor Mike Linnen will share a biography of a hymn writer named Martin Rinkart who had to lead a church (and in some ways his town) through times of exceptional war, disease and famine.

Scripture passages: Jeremiah 33:10-11, Psalm 100

Jesus’ approach to power and position in the gospel of Matthew is radically different than what we might expect someone with so much authority right from the start. From beginning to end, Jesus acts and teaches differently that what people expect a person with authority ought to do, with a massive emphasis on ‘serving’. How do we apply this ‘new kingdom’ approach to our world of leadership, influence, climbing ladders of authority? Where at times have we as Christians missed these lessons the Lord meant for us to apply and experience, and the world is meant to see as an alternative?