Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/48921004 The Wanderers - The Promised LandThe Wanderers Part 5: "The Promised Land" Welcome to our summer teaching series “The Wanderers”Over the last few weeks we have traced the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land.It’s a story full of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness. It’s also a story of God’s patience with people. An idolatrous, unfaithful, and quick to complain group of people that God desired to enter covenant relationship with.Basic principle of the Mosaic Covenant:Obedience to the commandments of the Lord brings blessing and God’s favorDisobedience brings discipline and God’s judgement.‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:1-3‬‬ After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3:9-17‬‬Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4:19-24‬‬ On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”10th day of the first month ate the Passover meal then was led out from Eqypt (slavery/bondage) and miraculously through the Red Sea on dry ground…40 years later they miraculously cross the Jordan river on dry ground and celebrate the Passover meal as they are led into the land of promise (God’s best).‭‭Joshua‬ ‭5:1-12‬‬ Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So, he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the pl

The Wanderers, the story of God’s people brought out of Egypt followed by 40 years of wandering. One of the most important things we’ve learned as we close this series is that God wants a relationship with His people. He wants a relationship with me, with you! He wants to connect with us. He wants to speak with you. Sometimes He’s subtle. Sometimes He’s obvious. And one of the most important ways God speaks to us…God speaks to you. Is through His promises. The purpose of this last text in our series is for you to understand God, not only as being One who keeps His promises, but God who is diligent in making sure all His promises are fulfilled, even when we work against Him. The things that have resonated with me have been: God’s grace, God’s saving power, God’s redemption, God’s forgiveness and God’s faithfulness.  After the Israelites were in captivity for 430 years the Lord used Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. The LORD delivered Israel from the hands of the Egyptians through the plaques. The crossing of the Red Sea. The final point of deliverance was God’s powerful display of the parting of the Red Sea. We can trust the Lord when there seems to be no way. Bitter water at the Waters of Marah and Elim. After three days without water the people were at a point of desperation. God was inviting the people to trust Him no matter their circumstances. The Israelites arrived at the Desert of Sin and they were hungry. The Israelites were weeks away from their recent crossing of the Red Sea and God’s providence of the water, yet they quickly forgot. 2 Even though their complaining, God came through again. His grace is not dependent on our perfect behavior. The Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai and God spoke the Ten Commandments. God desired a covenant relationship with His people. Through this covenant, they would be His treasured possession of all creation. One loud-and-clear lesson from this series is that we tend to complain. Our natural self has a bent towards grumbling. And although we grumble, God is faithful. We can trust God for every area in our lives. Is there anyone here today that agrees that sometimes your tendency is to grumble when things are not going your way? Maybe something is off in your family, or at work, or in a relationship, or there is something that you want really badly and doesn’t seem as though God is answering your request. You’re frustrated; You find yourself grumbling about it. This series has reminded me of when I relocated here from Tampa after living there for 12 years. I accepted Jesus in Tampa. I was actively serving Christ. I had a good paying career job and a nice apartment. I loved living in Tampa! God moved in mysterious ways to make it absolutely clear to me that He wanted me to move home to Elkton. I moved home 23 years ago. The first job I worked after returning home was on the Skyline Drive as a Room’s Inspector. I learned quickly that if a housekeeper didn’t report to work then I was going to clean rooms for the day. It was a hard job. I remember sitting down on a bed, in one of the rooms that I was cleaning, crying, and asking God “Why did you move me back to the valley?” I had a bad attitude! I wanted to go back to Tampa, to my friends, good paying job and nice apartment. 3 I couldn’t see God’s plan for my life, so I grumbled. I doubted His call to move home. How long would it be before I saw God’s promises come to pass for me? Not until I surrendered to God’s will, that I didn’t understand, did I obtain peace. Immediately upon accepting God’s will, I landed a job at a local bank as a manager. Our last area of focus is God’s people FINALLY entering the promised land. But there was never any doubt. We can trust the LORD today and for all of our tomorrows. Once the Promised Land was promised by God to the Israelites, it was theirs. Today, I am sharing from Joshua Chapters 1-4. In the interest of time, I will not read the full text. Please make time to read these chapters in their entirety. The context of today’s message is that Moses has died. The people are grieving Moses death. The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness because they had refused to obey God. The disobedient generation wandered until they had all died. Moses was a great leader and he was a servant of God. Moses had been mentoring Joshua who was a young man born as a slave while the Israelites were in Egypt. Last week we learned that Moses had sent 12 spies into the Promised Land. There were two different reports. 10 said “the people are giants and we are as grasshoppers”. Joshua and Caleb gave the minority report to cross over to the Promised Land, “it is good”. Joshua knew what was waiting for the people in the Promised Land. Joshua trusted God’s promise. Today the Israelites are on the edge of the Promised Land for the second time. Let us pray for God’s blessings over the reading of His word and this message. Joshua Chapter 1: 1-9 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD,

https://bible.com/events/48917098 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Campus Mental Health & The Christian - A Panel Discussion Mental Health & The Christian - A Panel Discussion This morning we're taking a break from our series, "The Wanderers" to focus on Mental Health & The Christian. Our panel will include Mark Sensabaugh, LPC, Ashlea Link and Pastor Margaret Michael. Mark is a Licensed Counselor for Journey Counseling Ministries in Harrisonburg. Ashlea is a School Social Worker for Rockingham County Schools and Margaret is Outreach Pastor for COTN. For more information on Journey Counseling Ministries, visit: https://www.journeycounselingministries.org And for more information about Mark, visit: https://www.journeycounselingministries.org/staff/ The American Medical Association recently concluded that the pandemic has triggered a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. No single event has ever had that dramatic effect. One scholar writing in the National Library of Medicine recently wrote that, we are now in a ‘’tsunami of psychiatric illness.’’ Another doctor wrote that, despite all of the time at home, mental health concerns and burnout have skyrocketed in the workplace. Nearly six times as many employers report increased mental health issues among employees since the pandemic began—burnout being among the most common. And in the middle of that, those of us who are believers in Christ find we are not immune. So, what do we do about it? This panel is designed to take a practical approach toward addressing these issues.‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬‬For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬‬Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬‬We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:5-6‬‬Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Mark referenced books in his comments this morning. Those are: Joyful Journey: Listening to Immanuel by E. James Wilder, Anna Kang, John Loppnow & Sungshim Loppnow The Other Half of Church: Brain Science and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation by Jim Wilder & Michel Hendricks Journey Into the Divided Heart: Facing the Defense Mechanisms that Hinder True Emotional Healing by Steve Fair

The Wanderers Part 5 "The Spies"Welcome back to our summer teaching series "The Wanderers" We are taking several weeks to unpack the story of God’s Covenant people as they journeyed from an enslaved people in Egypt, to their inheritance in the promised land. Throughout this story the Lord had one primary desire and that was to be with his people. We saw that come clearly into view last week in Chapter 19 as God extended an invitation to Covenant relationship. Even with the invitation of Covenant, there remains the culmination of God’s promise to his people that is yet to be fulfilled in the story- their inheritance of the Promised Land. As we enter our teaching text today in Numbers 13, we pick up the story about a year after the Mt. Sinai experience of Exodus Chapter 19.‭‭Numbers‬ ‭13:25-30‬‬At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land. They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.” Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” At this early report we already get the sense that the old nemesis of the children of Israel is back after them again- Doubt in the face of difficulty. All except Caleb and Joshua are starting to turn back in their hearts because of the challenge they see ahead in the promised land. On the doorstep of their inheritance, we discover a truth that transcends thousands of years of human experience. What we see, can poison what we believe. As we unpack the story of God’s Children on the threshold of their greatest moment, we will see the faith of an entire generation poisoned by unbelief.‭‭Numbers‬ ‭13:31-33‬‬But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”The faith of the 10 men was so poisoned by what they witnessed in the land that they come back and begin to give an exaggerated report, starting rumors among the people.‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14:1-4‬‬That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” On the threshold of their inheritance, what they saw poisoned their faith in the Lord’s ability to provide. The people return to their classic response of grumbling and complaining against Moses, and ultimately the Lord. They thought it better to die there in the wilderness than to take the step of faith into the promised land. In this final statement, they decide they no longer want God’s plan, they no longer want God’s leaders, and they don’t want His land either. This was the pinnacle of their unbelief. As the story continues, the faithful leaders they wanted to abandon, begin to plead with them to trust the Lord- to turn back from their faithless ways, but they would have no part of it. Finally, the Lord appears at the tent of meeting and speaks to Moses declaring his judgement upon the people. There the Lord tells Moses that he will strike down this unbelieving people in response to their rebellion and contempt against him. God would give them what they desired, death in the desert. But Moses pleads on behalf of the people that the Lord would spare them, appealing to the Lord’s gracious and steadfast love.‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14:20-24‬‬The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly,

The Wanderers Part 4: "The Commandments" Welcome to our summer teaching series “The Wanderers” Over the next several weeks we will trace the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. It’s a story full of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness. It’s also a story of God’s patience with people. An idolatrous, unfaithful, and quick to complain group of people that God desired to enter covenant relationship with. Where have you seen the Children of Israel in you? Perhaps in us? These are important to consider because if this is just a history lesson, we’ve been wasting our time. If all the grumbling stories and miracles are just data about the past, we are missing it. If we miss the story, they are telling we will miss the whole point of that long journey- God’s invitation to relationship.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭19:1-3‬‬On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: We are joining the Children of Israel about 2 weeks after the events in Chapter 16 with God’s miraculous provision of food in the wilderness. For about two weeks now the people have been literally eating at God’s faithfulness every day as they eat the Manna from heaven. In the time between chapter 16 with the giving of the manna and their arrival at Mount Sinai in Chapter 19, the people have done some more grumbling against the Lord, they have engaged in battle with the Amalekites where the Lord provided victory. The arrival and subsequent yearlong stay at Sinai mark a distinct turn in the story of God’s people. This is a pivotal moment for God’s people. As these events un-fold, it becomes clear that this is the point the Lord was leading his people too. Despite their grumbling, despite their desire to go back to Egypt, God has been desiring to be with his people. At Sinai, he will extend them an invitation to relationship.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭19:4‬‬‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. up to this point in our narrative the Children of Israel have been the recipients of God’s grace, his one-sided love for them, but the Lord is about to offer them an opportunity of response considering all he has done for them.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭19:5-6‬‬Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. ” The Lord offers his people a way of response in light of all he has done in advance for them. A response of obedience. Let’s pause for just a moment- What’s a covenant? First, a covenant is not a contract. The website Upcounsel.com says “A contract exchanges one good for another, while a covenant is giving oneself to the other." A contract then is a “if-then” type of agreement. A covenant on the other hand is a relational centered agreement. In our context, Marriage is perhaps the most accessible example. Tim Mackie of the Bible project puts it this way “Covenant means entering a formal, relational partnership to accomplish a goal” The Lord is inviting his people into a covenant relationship, where he will give them all of himself and in return, they would give all of themselves to him. The idea of treasured possession is like a crown jewel, a unique and one-of-a-kind work. “A kingdom of Priests” in a very basic sense, a priest is a person who represents God to other people. So, the invitation to covenant for the children of Israel is that they will be a part of God’s plan for redemption of the whole world. “ Holy Nation” They were to be a people representing God to the world, they were also to be a completely different kind of people, set apart from the world on display of God’s amazing love and transformation in his people. What God asked of the people in response, is what we know as the 10 commandments. The 10 commandments were like a “constitution” of sorts for God’s covenant people. The commandments laid out the kind of people they were to be. God’s giving of himself in covenant would display in his people being a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The peoples giving of themselves would display in their love for God and their love for their neighbors. For thousands of years the people of God would struggle to uphold their part of the covenant, to be a people wholly committed to God. No matter how hard they tried, despite their best intentions, the fallen nature of sin distorted their ability to live as God desired

https://my.bible.com/events/48912545 The Wanderers Part 4: "The Commandments" Welcome to our summer teaching series “The Wanderers” Over the last few weeks we have traced the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. It’s a story full of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness. It’s also a story of God’s patience with people. An idolatrous, unfaithful, and quick to complain group of people that God desired to enter covenant relationship with.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:1-4‬‬And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:7-8‬‬“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:12-21‬‬“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. We are called to be a God-centric community. We are called to be an other-centric community.‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:36-40‬‬“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” We are saved by the One who fulfilled the law. Overview of Exodus This video gives a brief overview of the book of Exodus, helping us frame it within the biblical narrative. This link is for Part 1, make sure to watch Part 2!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_aojNJM3E

http://bible.com/events/48910222 The Wanderers Part 3: "God Provides" Welcome to our summer teaching series “The Wanderers” Over the next several weeks we will trace the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. It’s a story full of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness. It’s also a story of God’s patience with people. An idolatrous, unfaithful, and quick to complain group of people that God desired to enter covenant relationship with. Two important themes present throughout the Israelites' journey through the wilderness:1. God loves you2. God tests you‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:1-15‬‬The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ” While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ” That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:31-35‬‬The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’ ” So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be kept for the generations to come.” As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved. The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan. One of the biggest questions from this story: Why? If God loves His people, why does He continue to test them in this way? The Lord provides the answer in verse 4:"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.' " (Exodus 16:4)So what is God testing? Why is He testing them? He is teaching them what it's like to trust that He is their Heavenly Father. He is their ultimate provider. The bottom line: Can you think of anything you need God can’t provide?‭‭John‬ ‭6:35‬‬Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Overview of Exodus This video gives a brief overview of the book of Exodus, helping us frame it within the biblical narrative. This link is for Part 1, make sure to watch Part 2! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_aojNJM3E

The Wanderers The Wanderers Part 3: "God Provides" Welcome to our summer teaching series “The Wanderers” Over the next several weeks we will trace the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. It’s a story full of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness. It’s also a story of God’s patience with people. An idolatrous, unfaithful, and quick to complain group of people that God desired to enter covenant relationship with. Today in Exodus 16, we are joining the Children of Israel once again in the desert, facing another opportunity to trust God as their Lord and provider. Already it seems like the story is building towards something. In fact, it’s not an overstatement to say that the story of The Wanderers is one of the most important accounts in world history. And we get to re-live it. Even if we didn’t know how it ends, we already see themes of God’s leading, of His provision and grace with his people, his miraculous power. We see God revealed as trustworthy and faithful. But we also sense the people haven’t completely gotten this idea in their heads or their hearts yet.Even after witnessing time and time again God’s faithfulness- at the next challenge- they grumble and complain against the Lord.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:1-3‬‬The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Having traveled for a while now, they were using up their food supplies and they could see that starvation was a very real possibility on the horizon. As they became hangry- they lost sight of the opportunity to call out to the Lord in his faithfulness In these difficult moments, they essentially turn their back on God’s plans for them-“This journey stinks, I want to go back.”“ It’s too hard, I don’t like it, and I’m done.” Those very real feelings were rising to the surface in their hearts and their actions. They were so done with it all in this moment that they even accuse the Lord of bringing them out to the desert just to die.“ If we could have just stayed in Egypt at least we would have had food to eat” From our vantage point, we can recognize the absurdity of these comments in light of the whole story- but they couldn’t. What should we take from that today?‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:4-5‬‬Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” The Lord promises to rain down bread from heaven, the food they need will come to them in a miraculous way .Not only were they getting what they never expected, it was coming in a way they never imagined- directly from heaven. Contained within this provision of bread from heaven is a test, a daily opportunity, if you will, to trust God. The people are only to gather what they need for one day, except for the 6th day in anticipation of the sabbath day. They will need to trust God every day to supply their needs.This testing or training was not entirely all about their ability to follow instructions, but it was as much designed to reveal the leaning of their hearts.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:19-20‬‬Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:27-28‬‬Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?Within our own lives today we can face this same challenge- will we obey even when the rules or requests don’t make sense? Each time the Lord asks something of us that doesn’t seem like “That big of a deal”- our heart posture will reveal itself One of submission or one of selfish rebellion. Let’s conclude by zeroing in on what the Lord DIDN’T do in this story.- The people are disobedient- The people regularly complain – it seems like every time we check in on them they are grumbling about something.- They don’t trust the one most trustworthy. And when they complain about being hungry, God doesn’t give them what they deserve. He doesn’t punish them or scold them or turn His back on them. HE FEEDS THEM Now that same God is here today and He’s listening to you. What do you need? Do you imagine God will tur

http://bible.com/events/48907025 The Wanderers Part 2: Healed Waters Welcome to our summer teaching series “The Wanderers” Over the next several weeks we will trace the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. It’s a story full of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness. It’s also a story of God’s patience with people. An idolatrous, unfaithful, and quick to complain group of people that God desired to enter covenant relationship with. The Children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years, and the moment came at the Red Sea when he delivered his people from the bondage of Egypt. God literally parted the waters allowing his people to pass through on dry ground. Today we rejoin the children of Israel in Exodus chapter 15, just a few days after this event, facing yet another challenge. This time the enemy was not in the form of chariots, but in the form of dehydration. They had no water in the desert…‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:22-27‬‬Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.-Modern science says that the human body can go three days without water, no more. So, the people of God in this passage were desperate. They could not have gone on much longer. And they knew it.-Just as the Lord was their only hope when they were facing the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, so now, in different circumstances, God is their only hope yet again. A brief timeline of what happened:1. The people are desperate.2. They grumble and complain (again!).3. God meets their need, even though they are faithless.4. God makes a promise to them about His future protection.5. The promise is contingent on their obedience.6. Finally, God endorses this promise by bringing them to a paradise! As we read the story today, many of us can relate to the pain and frustration the Israelites are experiencing:-Of course, they are frustrated, they haven't had water in three days-Of course, they are complaining, what else are they supposed to do? All of us have been there at some point in our lives. Some of us are there right now: that desert season. There is a powerful metaphor here within the story:-They arrive desperate for water and it’s almost cruel. They do find water. But they can’t drink it. It's unsafe and certainly undesirable.-It’s so easy to make judgments about God in those situations…that He’s distant and uncaring, that He’s forgotten you.-But the truth is, God can make something sweet out of your bitter. Bottom line: Will you trust God when your life tastes bitter? Overview of Exodus This video gives a brief overview of the book of Exodus, helping us frame it within the biblical narrative. This link is for Part 1, make sure to watch Part 2!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_aojNJM3E

The Wanderers Part 2: Healed Waters Welcome to our summer teaching series “The Wanderers” Over the next several weeks we will trace the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. It’s a story full of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Faithfulness. It’s also a story of God’s patience with people. An idolatrous, unfaithful, and quick to complain group of people that God desired to enter covenant relationship with. The Children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years, and the moment came at the Red Sea when he delivered his people from the bondage of Egypt. God literally parted the waters allowing his people to pass through on dry ground. Today we rejoin the children of Israel in Exodus chapter 15, just a few days after this event, facing yet another challenge. This time the enemy was not in the form of chariots, but in the form of dehydration. They had no water in the desert…‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:22-27‬‬Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. Three days from the red sea, from one of the greatest miracles in the history of mankind- you would anticipate them ready to face any battle, right? Confident that God can do ANYTHING for them after what they just saw right? They won’t forget that fast, will they? How could they? I don’t know about you, but it’s about right here in the story I sense the Holy Spirit asking me these same questions…You remember those battles I have fought and won for you, right? You’re not going to forget, are you? How could you after all I have done for you? In a moment of reflection, 3500 years of history are bridged by a common human experience of doubt in the face of difficulty. As we re-enter the story today, rather than finding the people of God triumphantly trusting, we see them returning to the already common motif of doubting and grumbling. How will the Lord find you today? Grumbling or trusting?‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:24‬‬So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink? ”This moment of frustration and disappointment serves to reveal what had already been taking root in their hearts. Their tendency to gripe and complain against Moses and the Lord, rises to the surface again. Somehow, they forget in the middle of these circumstances that it was in fact the Lord who had led them there. But that was lost in those moments. The question of what to drink was not the issue at hand, rather, their attitude of contempt for the circumstances they were facing. They did not have what they expected, and they failed to trust God to provide it. A recipe for sin. The truth is, every complaint we make against our circumstances, is really against the Lord.‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:25‬‬Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. Rather than crying out against the Lord, Moses cried out to the Lord for help. The proper response in those times of trouble. Remember, Moses was thirsty too- he was experiencing the same hardship as everyone else in those moments, yet he didn’t allow bitterness to take root in his heart. Look at the sequence in this verse- Moses Cried out to the Lord- And the Lord showed him…A humble heart receives a gracious response from the Lord‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15:25-26‬‬Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” For the first time in our storyline, the Lord lays out his expectations of obedience upon his people In these moments the test has already happened, and it was revealed that their hearts were not committed. The Lord then

The Wanderers Part 1: The Crossing Today we begin our summer teaching series “The Wanderers”. Over the next several weeks we are going to journey through the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness. Our Series begins today with the crossing of the Red Sea. The Red Sea crossing is the moment when God gave his people a seemingly impossible victory over the enslaving powers of Egypt. It's a defining moment of deliverance and grace for his people In this story, God saves His people from the pursuing Egyptian army by splitting the Red Sea, saving the Israelites, and destroying the pursuing army. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:10-14‬‬ As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Already in our story we find a motif of mistrust and rebellion that we will see time and time again throughout their journey. We will say to ourselves “How can they doubt and complain after all they have seen God do?” And our Father will look us in the eye and smile knowingly ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:15-22‬‬ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. In these moments of terror, the steadfast faith of Moses bears the weight of the un-believing people. In the eyes of the people, they were stuck. A sea before them and death behind them. There was no way. But God was about to display his power to make a way- literally, an unimaginable way for them to be saved, and for him to get the Glory. In this story we begin to understand that as we are backed up against the impossible- God is not limited by our imaginations. He’s not limited our plans, or our ability to see the way forward. He has a plan for redemption. A plan that will bring him glory for generations to come! Our call as His people is to trust and believe in Him. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:23-31‬‬ The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. The Lord went behind his people protecting them, and he went before them making the way for salvation. That’s not just what God did, it reveals who he was

The Wanderers The Wanderers Part 1: The Crossing Today we begin our summer teaching series “The Wanderers”. Over the next several weeks we are going to journey through the story of God’s people as they were brought up out of Egypt and began their journey through the wilderness. Our Series begins today with the crossing of the Red Sea. The Red Sea crossing is the moment when God gave his people a seemingly impossible victory over the enslaving powers of Egypt. It's a defining moment of deliverance and grace for his people In this story, God saves His people from the pursuing Egyptian army by splitting the Red Sea, saving the Israelites, and destroying the pursuing army. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:10-14‬‬ As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Already in our story we find a motif of mistrust and rebellion that we will see time and time again throughout their journey. We will say to ourselves “How can they doubt and complain after all they have seen God do?” And our Father will look us in the eye and smile knowingly ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:15-22‬‬ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. In these moments of terror, the steadfast faith of Moses bears the weight of the un-believing people. In the eyes of the people, they were stuck. A sea before them and death behind them. There was no way. But God was about to display his power to make a way- literally, an unimaginable way for them to be saved, and for him to get the Glory. In this story we begin to understand that as we are backed up against the impossible- God is not limited by our imaginations. He’s not limited our plans, or our ability to see the way forward. He has a plan for redemption. A plan that will bring him glory for generations to come! Our call as His people is to trust and believe in Him. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:23-31‬‬ The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. The Lord went behind his people protecting them, and he went before them making the way for salvation. That’s not just what God did, it reve

http://bible.com/events/48899753 Church of the Nazarene  The Problem with Certainty The more control I feel like I have, the less I have to live by faith. What are you certain of today? The truth is, for most things in our lives, certainty is an illusion. The desire for control is the root of what’s wrong with us. Just as certainty is an illusion, control is too. When I feel in control, I don’t have to live by faith. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭13:17-18‬‬ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭13:20-22‬‬ After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:4-5‬‬ Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” In your uncertainty, trust God's plan. In your uncertainty, trust God's presence. In your uncertainty, trust God's provision. In your uncertainty today, you have a choice. You can’t have control. But, the truth is, you don’t really want control. You can’t have certainty. But you can have the One who is certain. The question is, what are you trusting in today?

http://bible.com/events/48896033 Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg Questions Jesus Asked: "Why Are You So Afraid?" Do you know Him? Do you obey Him? Do you need Him? Do you trust Him? Today we continue in our 4-part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked” Often, we are quite content to ask questions of Jesus. Who are you? Where are you? Do you hear me? How could you let that happen? What do you want me to do? We often ask questions of Jesus, but do we pause to hear the questions he asks of us? Today we hear Jesus ask “Why are you so afraid?" ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:35-40‬‬ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” -In the moment, Jesus' question seems ridiculous: "Why are the disciples afraid?! Because they almost drowned!" -Jesus asks a follow-up question, which helps us understand what He is really after: "Do you still have no faith?” -The disciples had seen Jesus do remarkable things: cast out demons, heal a paralyzed man. And still they do not have faith. -Jesus is challenging their lack of faith in His identity. -Jesus is challenging their lack of faith in His presence. Do you know Him? ("Who do you say that I am?" Do you obey Him? ("Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?") Do you need Him? ("Do you want to get well?") Do you trust Him? ("Why are you so afraid?") Trust that He is who He says He is. -Trust that His promises are true (2 Corinthians 1:20). -Trust that He has already paid the price for your sin (Galatians 3:13-15). -Trust that the pain and brokenness you are experiencing matter to Him (Psalm 147:3). -He cares for you, and He demonstrated His love for you by dying on a cross for your sins (1 Peter 5:7) Trust that He is with you. -Just as we can trust that He keeps His promises, we can also trust that He is with us (Isaiah 41:10). -He gives us the gift of His Spirit, so we can experience His presence today no matter what (John 16:7). Other Verses for Study & Reflection: Isaiah 41:10 2 Timothy 1:7 1 John 4:18 Psalm 34:4 Joshua 1:9

Church of the Nazarene East Rock Questions Jesus Asked: "Why are you so afraid?" Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? Today we conclude our our 4-part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked” Often, we are quite content to ask questions of Jesus. Who are you? Where are you? Do you hear me? How could you let that happen? What do you want me to do? We often ask questions of Jesus, but do we pause to hear the questions he asks of us? Today we hear Jesus ask “Why are you so afraid?" ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:35-41‬‬ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Jesus notably doesn’t ask you “WHAT are you so afraid of?” You see the answer to what we are afraid of is easy. We can likely name those things all day long- but there is no healing in that question. The question Jesus ask’s is “WHY are you so afraid?” Jesus is asking about WHY we are afraid- Why we don’t trust him or why we don’t think he cares. He wants us to consider those things Today friends, Jesus already knows why you’re afraid…do you? After a long day’s teaching, Jesus gave instructions for them to hop in the boat, and head for the other side of the Lake. The geography around the sea of Galilee is very steep and mountainous, the surface of the lake being some 600 feet below sea level, strong sudden winds were a common phenomenon. But this was no ordinary storm. The waves are coming over the sides, the water is filling the boat faster than they can bail- they are going down if something doesn’t change. So, they holler for Jesus who exhausted from the day, is sleeping in the front of the boat… “Jesus! We are gonna die out here, don’t you even care?” Commentator Robert Guelich says: “The fear of the storm overwhelmed their commitment to Jesus and their confidence that he did care for them” In the moment- as the waves overwhelmed the boat, their fear overwhelmed their commitment to Jesus as their loving savior and protector. We see within their question, there is a subtle rebuke that he doesn’t even care. That’s what Jesus is really addressing in his response. They didn’t trust him What Jesus addresses in his question is their lack of faith, their lack of trust in him as their Lord. Their fear of the storm and death lead them to doubt God’s faithfulness, his care, and perhaps even his ability to do something about it. Pastor and author Jeff Stott says, “The Lord’s rebuke is not about their reaction to the storm, but their reaction to Jesus in the storm.” Jesus knew the reason they were so afraid. He knew the reason they were rebuking him as if he didn’t care was because their fear had replaced their faith in him. That’s what fear does… Jesus is calling to us today, trying to get us to see the places where our fear has replaced our faith and trust in him. The places where doubt has crept into our relationship. If you were to be honest today, what questions are you asking the Lord in the middle of your storm? Do you find yourself asking like the disciples if Jesus even cares? Can I trust you with my future? Can you really heal me? Is this the best you can do? We may not verbalize these questions or ever put thought to them, but our fear shows they are there. What would it look like for you today to replace your fear with Faith? That’s the invitation Jesus begin his journey with the disciples saying "let's go over to the other side." Today, let's replace our fear with faith and go with Jesus to the other side. He is faithful. He is Trustworthy. He is Good.

http://bible.com/events/48890499 Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg Questions Jesus Asked: "Do you want to get well?" Do you want to get well? Today we continue in our 4-part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked” Often, we are quite content to ask questions of Jesus. Who are you? Where are you? Do you hear me? How could you let that happen? What do you want me to do? We often ask questions of Jesus, but do we pause to hear the questions he asks of us? Today we hear Jesus ask “Do you want to get well?" ‭‭John‬ ‭5:1-9‬‬ Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, What begins as perhaps an oddly framed question, ends in life changing transformation. We see Jesus joining the man in the middle of his pain, in the middle of his hopelessness, and bringing him new life. When Jesus asks this question- he has a greater healing in view. We know what healing He has in mind for the man by the pool. What is His intent for you, in this room today? Jesus makes his way to the pool of Bethesda, where the text says a great number of people who had physical disabilities were lying. Depending on your translation, you may have noticed that verse 4 is missing in the text. The tail end of verse 3 and all of verse 4 are not found in the earliest manuscripts, meaning they wouldn’t have been Johns original words, but a later author may have inserted them. So, if we included the text it would read: Here a great number of disabled people used to lie- the blind, the lame, the paralyzed -“waiting for the moving of the water, 4 because an angel would go down into the pool from time to time and stir up the water. Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up recovered from whatever ailment he had. The omitted text contains an explanation of sorts, of why people were at this specific pool. I think sometimes when we hear things like this in scripture, of people looking to a bubbling spring for healing, we are quick to assume a place of superiority over the people of the bible. While most of us are not running past the hospital to get over to Lake Shenandoah for healing, we do look to many things for healing or reprieve from the brokenness, pain, and pressure of life, don’t we? We sit beside the pool of perfection, don’t we? How often do we sit broken and longing beside the pool of relationships? The pool of a few beers to take the edge off or to forget our problems. The pool of approval through followers or likes on social media. What pool are you sitting beside today? Within the man’s response we begin to understand that he was fixated on this pool for healing. His response is so true to our experience it’s easy to imagine right? “I can’t do it on my own…I can’t get there… I’ve been so close so many times, but I just can’t seem to make it” “And Nobody will help me… they are all out for themselves… they don’t even see me struggling…they don’t care…” Having been there 38 years he had given his life to this cure. But he had nothing to show for it, and no hope for a future without it. And that loss of hope is at the heart of it right? That’s where Jesus enters his Story. That’s the place Jesus wants to bring life. So, he asks him “Do you want to be healed?” So, what’s your pool today? Can you imagine your life differently? Just like the man in our text today, you may have been searching for healing for so long in other places that you can’t imagine a different future anymore. The thought that you could live with hope- seems impossible The idea of life free from addiction, seems unattainable The reality of forgiveness and a new start- seems like it’s for everyone else. Jesus asks "Do you want to be healed?" Will you take the step of faith and embrace Jesus and the life he offers you today? Will you leave the pool behind?

Church of the Nazarene East Rock Questions Jesus Asked - Do You Want to Get Well? When you’re ready, He is. Today we continue in our 4-part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked” Often, we are quite content to ask questions of Jesus. Who are you? Where are you? Do you hear me? How could you let that happen? What do you want me to do? We often ask questions of Jesus, but do we pause to hear the questions he asks of us? Today we hear Jesus ask “Do You Want to Get Well?" ‭‭John‬ ‭5:1-8‬‬ Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Why did Jesus ask this question? In asking this question, Jesus is really asking a much deeper question: -Jesus is asking if he is ready to give up his own methods and depend only on Jesus? -Is he ready to be free or has his illness become part of his identity? -Is he willing to reach out his hand for help from the only one who can help him? "Some, perhaps, may not have yet reached the place this man had reached. They are not helpless enough yet. They are not ready to give up on human efforts to solve their problems. They are not ready to admit they cannot make it on their own. They are still determined to get into the water when it is troubled. Jesus can do nothing for them." Ray Stedman Week 1 Question: "Who do you say that I am?" Do you know Him? Week 2 Question: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say?" Do you obey Him? Week 3 Question: "Do you want to get well?" Do you need Him? Bottom Line When you’re ready, He is.

http://bible.com/events/48889034 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Questions Jesus Asked: Why Do You Call Me ‘Lord Lord’ and Not Do What I Say? Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Some context for Luke 6: -Jesus is teaching about the ways of the kingdom of God, and some powerful truths about who God is and how we are to live in response. -“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28 -"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:36 -"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:46-49‬‬ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Jesus gives the very specific visual here of two different kinds of people: -The first is deliberate. This person plans and prepares for the future. Thought and care is given to 'the foundation'. -The second person is not bad, but careless. This person doesn't want to spend the time digging a foundation. First, Jesus is speaking to believers. -"Why do you call me Lord?" Lord means master. Lord means 'you are in control, and I am not'. -Jesus is not just providing a generic example, but a specific one to those who would claim Him as Lord. Second, Jesus is speaking about obedience. -Jesus speaks powerfully: when times get tough, when circumstances get challenging, it is not faith in and of itself that matters most, but rather faith in action. The question for last week was really this: Do you know Him? And the question for this week is really this: Do you obey Him? Verses for further study/reflection: Matthew 7:21-27 John 14:15 Luke 11:28 Acts 5:29 John 3:36

Church of the Nazarene East Rock Questions Jesus Asked Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what i say? Today we continue in our 4-part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked” Often, we are quite content to ask questions of Jesus. Who are you? Where are you? Do you hear me? How could you let that happen? What do you want me to do? We often ask questions of Jesus, but do we pause to hear the questions he asks of us? Today we hear Jesus ask “Why Do You Call Me ‘Lord Lord’ and Not Do What I Say?" ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:46-49‬‬ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” The Christian life is essentially composed of two fundamental responses – proclaiming and acting. Part 1 is about our declaration – proclaiming Jesus rightly. Part 2 is about our resulting action – obedience. Both are required in a life of faith. Imagine Jesus sitting down beside you this morning and asking you a question like this: Why do you call me Lord, then lash out in anger at those who have crossed you or those who voted differently than you? Why do you call me Lord here in this place, but you don’t ever call me Lord out there- at work or at school? Why? Why do you call me Lord, but yet you continue to choose sin? Why? Why do you call me Lord of our life, but you yet we always do what you want, and never what I say, or what I desire? Why do you call me Lord, but don’t do what I say? Am I really Lord of your life? How would you answer him? Would that encounter make you nervous today? Does a knot come in your stomach at the thought of it? Perhaps today Jesus is calling you to live differently, to live obediently to his word. Within this story we can see two key perspectives on the necessity of obedience. Jesus shows within this parable that obedience to his teaching is the only sure foundation that we can build our lives on. He also shows that it is obedience to His word that will withstand God’s final judgement. How will you respond to Jesus' question today? Independence- a decision to continue to do things our way OR Dependance on Grace- a decision to obey and follow Christ.

http://bible.com/events/48885553 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Questions Jesus Asked: Who Do You Say That I Am? Knowing Jesus is at the heart of true faith. And true life. Today we begin our new 4 part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked” We just came through the most important season in the church, focusing on the death and resurrection of Jesus – what He DID. For this series we will focus on what He SAID. Together we will explore Jesus’ tendency to ask questions at pivotal times – one question from each of the four Gospels – and seek to understand what He meant by asking them and how the answers can help us live lives of faith today. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:13-20‬‬ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Who do you say that I am? Jesus asks this question because this is THE central question Your life hinges on how you answer this question. It doesn't just impact what you believe, but your present and future. Jesus was real Jesus was fully God and fully man Jesus' mission was to die for the sin of all humanity Jesus made a way for us to be in relationship with God Jesus is alive Bottom Line: Knowing Jesus is at the heart of true faith. And true life. Verses for further study/reflection: John 8:58 John 14:6 Romans 9:5 Romans 10:9 1 Corinthians 15

Questions Jesus Asked: Part 1 Who do you say I am? Today we begin our new 4 part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked” Often, we are quite content to ask questions of Jesus. Who are you? Where are you? Do you hear me? How could you let that happen? What do you want me to do? We often ask questions of Jesus, but do we pause to hear the questions he asks of us? Throughout this series we will explore Jesus’ tendency to ask questions at pivotal times – one question from each of the four Gospels – and seek to understand what He meant by asking them and how the answers can help us live lives of faith today. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:13-20‬‬ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. C.S. Lewis once said “You must make your choice: either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. We begin our series here with this simple question of Jesus identity. A true understanding of who Jesus is lies at the very heart of our relationship with Him and our eternal destiny. What do people in your circles say about Jesus? At school or at work? Maybe Jesus is just a swear word, a name brought into the damning or swearing of everyday conversation. Perhaps a nice person, or good teacher, a moral example even. Maybe they would say Jesus is a hoax, a ancient manipulation tool for the weak at heart. (A growing number of people hold this view today). Jesus is dangerous, a tool of oppression of free thinking and expression. What about you today- Imagine Jesus looking right into your eyes and asking you-“Who do you say I am?” The apostle John said things like In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 1 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. But, who do you say that I am? What would it look like for you today, no matter how you answered that question, what would it look like for you to know him more? To know him intimately, with a sure conviction like Peter? If the question of who Jesus is not only affects our life now, but our eternal life forever, we MUST know him more.

http://bible.com/events/48881966 All Things New: The New Hope In Christ you don’t strive for hope, you rest in it. This series is based on the idea that we desperately need “new” and that new is available to us through Jesus. ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:3-9‬‬ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Living Hope Is Purchased -"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (verses 3-4) -There is a direct and indelible tie between the resurrection of Jesus and the availability of hope. No resurrection, no hope. -This hope is purchased by Jesus and his work on the cross. And it is alive - it cannot die! Living Hope Is Present & Future -"and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (verses 4-5) -Peter is saying there is hope now because of what Christ has done and hope in an inheritance you have that will never fade away. Living Hope Is Powerful -"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (verses 6-9) -This living hope does something in us: we can have joy even in our suffering, it strengthens and grows our faith, we are refined. -Living Hope gives us vision for our future, for the ultimate salvation that will be revealed. The bottom line: In Christ you don’t strive for hope, you rest in it. There are two kinds of people: 1. Those who desperately need new hope. Hope that is alive right now. 2. Those who need to bring hope to others. They never want someone to experience life without hope. Which one are you today? Verses for further study/reflection: Romans 5:1-5 Zechariah 9:11-12 Isaiah 43:16-19 This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Colossians 3:1-4 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 John 3:3 John 3:5 Romans 10:9 2 Corinthians 5:17 Lamentations 3:23

All Things New: New Hope The resurrection doesn’t just give birth to new life but to hope as well. This Easter series “All Things New” is based on the idea that we not only like new, but we also desperately need “new” and that new that we need is available to us through literal new life in Christ – the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus touches the deep longing within our hearts for things to be different than what we see around us. The longing for hope. The need for joy and peace. As we conclude our series, we will see that the resurrection of Jesus doesn’t just give birth to new life but to new hope as well. A living hope that is strong and sure – that will never disappoint us. That’s the new we need. That’s the new life we find in Christ. ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:3-5‬‬ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. We see that Hope is a real thing, given to us by Jesus through our new birth. The Hope of Jesus isn’t an abstract concept that simply produces positive feelings within us. It is living because it is eternal and placed in Christ and his unchanging character. That the difference in living and dead hope. Hope placed in circumstantial things, things of this world, even good things, are dead because they aren’t eternal, they aren’t secure in Christ. iii.Our hope as Christians is placed in the person of Jesus and his word about the future. It's alive, because HE is alive. ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:6-9‬‬ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. It is within the light of eternity, the promise we have of God’s ultimate renewal that we should frame all of our present sufferings. Using the imagery of Gold being refined by fire to remove the impurities, he says that the trials we face, through faith in Christ, can serve a redemptive purpose in refining and strengthening us. How would this New Hope change your perspective on things in your life now? How would new hope change your mission within the world? in Christ, we are a people rich in Hope and we are called to share that hope with others! "We are transformed by God to bring Hope to others through Christ." Verses for further study/reflection: Romans 5:1-5 James 1:2-4 Colossians 3:1-4 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 John 3:3 John 3:5 Romans 10:9 2 Corinthians 5:17 Lamentations 3:23

Church of the Nazarene http://bible.com/events/48876242 All Things New: The New Life The old was hung on a cross and the new was born. This series is based on the idea that we desperately need “new” and that new is available to us through Jesus. ‭‭John‬ ‭20:11-18‬‬ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. Resurrection Sunday is the greatest day in human history, because it is the source of new life for all. -Mary's past was filled with pain and shame (she had been possessed by demons when she met Jesus), but she is at the forefront of Jesus' ministry throughout the Gospels. -Mary's past didn’t disqualify her from being the first eye-witness of the resurrected Jesus. -She comes to the tomb broken-hearted. She wasn't anticipating resurrection. -She does not recognize Jesus, until He calls her name. Jesus didn’t reveal Himself to Mary by telling her who He was, but by telling her who she was to Him. Imagine the resurrected Jesus calling your name. The truth is, your life is a story full of joy and pain, laughter and sadness. And the idea of new life – the work that Jesus did – is designed to change your story right now. ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1‬‬ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Today, He calls your name. He sees you right where you are. He knows your story. Nothing has to separate you, nothing in your past, and nothing in your present. As He calls you, He invites you into new life. Verses for further study/reflection: Hebrews 2:14-18 Isaiah 43:16-19 John 11:25 John 20 2 Timothy 1:10 John 3:3 John 3:5 Romans 10:9 2 Corinthians 5:17 Lamentations 3:23

Church of the Nazarene East Rock All Things New: The New Life The old was hung on a cross and the new was born. This Easter series “All Things New” is based on the idea that we not only like new, but we also desperately need “new” and that new that we need is available to us through literal new life in Christ – the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus touches the deep longing within our hearts for things to be different than what we see around us. The longing for hope. The need for joy and peace. The longing for a story to belong too. Something to give our lives too That’s the new we need. That’s the new life we find in Christ. ‭‭John‬ ‭20:11-18‬‬ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. Resurrection Sunday is the greatest day in human history, because it is the source of new life for all. The resurrection of Jesus means we aren’t bound to the old way, we aren’t limited by the past, and we don’t have to settle for what we see all around us. Death no longer has the victory- sin doesn’t have the power anymore. -Mary's past was filled with pain and shame (she had been possessed by demons when she met Jesus), but she is at the forefront of Jesus' ministry throughout the Gospels. -Mary's past didn’t disqualify her from being the first eye-witness of the resurrected Jesus. -She comes to the tomb broken-hearted. She wasn't anticipating resurrection. -She does not recognize Jesus, until He calls her name. Jesus didn’t reveal Himself to Mary by telling her who He was, but by telling her who she was to Him. Imagine the resurrected Jesus calling your name. What would that feel like? Reconciliation Forgiveness A sense of belonging Freedom from guilt and shame Freedom from your past mistakes. A purpose for your life A sense of peace and worth knowing that you are deeply loved. The truth is, your life is a story full of joy and pain, laughter and sadness. And the idea of new life – the work that Jesus did – is designed to change your story right now. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬‬ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Today, He calls your name. He sees you right where you are. He knows your story. Nothing has to separate you, nothing in your past, and nothing in your present. As He calls you, He invites you into new life. Verses for further study/reflection: Hebrews 2:14-18 Isaiah 43:16-19 John 11:25 John 20 2 Timothy 1:10 John 3:3 John 3:5 Romans 10:9 2 Corinthians 5:17 Lamentations 3:23