Messages Archive
Hope. Real Hope. Not just fantasy wishing. It certainly seems in short supply, if at all existent. As Follower of Jesus we have been told that we have a Hope that will not disappoint. Great in theory, but how do we make it practical? This Sunday we will take that journey together.
Scripture: Exodus 5:22-6:12, Romans 15:13
Our songs together:
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
Ancient of Days - CityAlight
Grace - The Gettys
Life was messy for Mary after saying that she was the Lord’s servant and humbly accepted the role of being mother to the Messiah. Her dreams and plans took a distant second place to the role God wanted her to be part of. Life can get messy for us as well. Having a real relationship with Jesus does not mean that all the broken parts disappear or that no hard times will come. We live in a broken world and in broken stories. What it does mean is that the Love of the Lord will carry us through all of these moments in ways we could never have expected.
Scripture reading: Luke 1:26-38
Our songs together:
God with us - All Sons and Daughters
Behold (then sings my soul) - Hillsong
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Living Hope - Phil Wickham
What would it mean to have Jesus work with us in our story? Can we take a Sabbath from the way we would normally do things and with His leading work with Him directly in all of our tasks? What would our stories look like? What if Sabbath is learning how to let Jesus be a real conscious part of all that we do?"
Scripture reading: Luke 5:1-11
This is Week 9 of our series on Sabbath
Our songs together:
What a Beautiful Name - Hillsong
Yours (Glory and Praise) - Elevation Worship
The Goodness of Jesus - CityAlight
Grace - The Gettys
Lent
When moments in our story suddenly feel like they are getting torn apart and the brokenness around us has our very soul crying out for help, where is Jesus when all of this is going on? Are my calls for help being heard? Why is this story in the Bible so important to us today? Maybe it is because the story we find ourselves surrounded by is in great need of a miracle. But is the miracle that we need the one we hope for or the one that is more than we could have imagined?
Scripture passage: John 11:1-45
This is Week 4 of our Lent Series
Reflect together:
Take some time to read aloud the story of Lazarus: what words, whats phrases, or what detail jumps out at you? What seems to be afresh this reading?
Paul Racine reminds us the of real living story (with real living people) that took place and was recorded in John’s gospel. How did the honesty of Martha and Mary’s statement to Jesus seem to you? Does this reflect your prayer life?
In the scene surrounding the shortest verse in scripture, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35), we find an extraordinary (and perhaps unexpected) response of Jesus to those He loved (John 11:5). What is the Lord saying to you?
Our songs together:
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
Brokenness Aside - All Songs and Daughters
Goodness of God - Bethel
Your Will Be Done - CityAlight
Advent
For a Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, that brings so much joy and hope it is interesting that in its initial announcements to the main people in the story, the joyful news is preceded with the words “Do Not Be Afraid”. Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and finally the Shepherds all get the same words in their opening dialogues with the Angels. The Promise of Peace is there for us. But what is this Peace that is being offered? For one thing it is not always how we picture it!
Scripture Passage(s): Luke 2:8-14, Philippians 4:7, Romans 15:13
Respond:
Re-read one of the narratives surrounding the birth of Jesus: Zechariah (Luke 1:11-25), Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25), Mary (Luke 1:26-38), and the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-14). Take notice of the scene, their reactions and the exhortation from the angels “do not be afraid”. What do you see? What details stick out?
When we look at the biblical witness, we find stories of men and women that continually experience fear and anxiety within circumstances out of their control. Times of suffering and brokenness is a common thread for God’s people. “There are no exceptions even for Jesus”, notes Paul Racine. What has your experience of fear and anxiety look like in your life? How might you distinguish between trusting in a change of circumstance and trusting in God?
When have you experienced God’s nearness in a particularly trying time. What happened? What scripture comes to mind? Or perhaps a biblical story. Take time sharing and giving praise.
Jesus, prayed the lament of Psalm 22 on the cross. Choose a portion of the Psalm (verses 1-21 petition, verses 22-31 praise and thanksgiving) and put it into your own words.
Read Psalm 22 as a closing prayer together (or pray Psalm 22 in your own words)
Advent
The certainty of hope is not what you are hoping for but it is in whom your hope is placed.
We can know about Jesus, understand His Life, story and purpose. Recognize the Love, Good Works even His atoning work on the Cross for us. But we are expected to not just know it, but to Live It! And there are ways to know if we are succeeding, simple but solid ways.
Gabriel’s words to Mary “For with God all things are possible”. How does that translate into my story with believable faith? How do I live that out? Is it even possible? We will look at some different examples in the Bible about how to walk by faith. We will explore the complexities of what this faith looks like. We will pose the question, to be reflected upon, “Can I enter 2022 with a decision to live by faith in the Heart of the Father, who is also Almighty God and for whom all things are possible?”
