GARDEN CHURCH Podcast

Luke’s narrative tells the story of Jesus, the man who is God and His mission in the world. We will discover a new way to live offered by Jesus, a way that challenges other systems and powers, world-views and paradigms, a way that totally reorients our existence around the unfolding story of God and His love for this world. Luke is writing to give us an account about what actually happened he is careful, detailed and intentional as an expert storyteller. He doesn’t just want you to know what happened in the story of Jesus, he wants you to know what it means. Luke begins his Gospel not as the beginning to a new story, but as the continuation to a long story of God and Jesus is revealed in the birth narrative as the fulfillment of Israel and all of the Old Testament promises. What does it look like to live open to what God is doing at any moment? What is God inviting you into? How might you say yes to him and what he has for your life? There’s a rule in improv that applies to general living, it’s the number one rule to a successful improvisation scene- JUST SAY YES. Say yes, go with it, whatever opportunities, whatever is introduced, just go with it. So much of life with God is about saying yes to what he presents to you. Saying yes to Jesus will open up doors for new possibilities, even if those new possibilities are not what was hoped for, or expected. Jesus calls us to become disciples. We are to follow Jesus with our lives fully- to prefer him over anyone or thing in our life.

We all have expectations formed by our own desires, experiences, and culture. When those expectations become the framework by which we see God, our love for Him can turn to frustration and even rejection. In the story of the ten minas, Jesus reframes the false expectations placed on him by those who want Him to do their will, namely overthrow Rome. Instead, he tells a story of a nobleman who leaves to receive the authority for His kingdom and entrusts His money with ten servants. Those that know Him know what to do and experience incredible returns on their hard work and investment. But one servant chooses to use an excuse of bad expectations to not have to work. He shows that he does not know the nobleman and joins the fate of the citizens who hate the nobleman. This story was and is a clear statement that we cannot fit Jesus into our expectations, but can have our expectations shaped by knowing and serving Him. The fruit is incredible return for His kingdom, and the joy that comes with serving Him.

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church

Invite the untouchables to the dinner table. Resurrection of the righteous is the reward.

Bill Dogterom Soul Care Class

Who is your neighbor? Who are you neighborly to? How do you treat your enemies?

When we pray, it is a cry to our Kingdom. Have shameless audacity towards prayer, keep praying In our asking, we become trained to ask only to have us do what our Father is doing. Lead your life through scripture.

We are all 4 different seeds at some point, but more one than the others eventually We often get distracted by worries- we must have Faith Persevere- Push yourself to make the hard decisions Sometimes it's not the extraordinary that isn't hard, it's the ordinary everyday stuff Let your light shine Our job is to sew

Fully embrace Extend yourself Accept sinners Touch the untouchable Have grace What does it look like in your life to love Him?

What does it mean to be a disciple? -To follow Jesus actively moving from one place to another. What are you doing to become a disciple? In what ways could you reframe your life to reflect Jesus more? What are you willing to step into? Being busy is our new laziness

The Garden is a safe place for all types of people to feel safe when they are weak, sick, and hurt to come and be healed.

Jesus is intentional to where He goes and what he does. When Jesus comes, everyone pays, even if a debt that is owed to is now let go. We are invited to Be open to the Messiah that does what I need, not what i want.

Testimonies from: John P., Jaquie C & Wendy C., Sara Britt, Alex & Odwa, Jim H, Peter S

The best way to prepare for what's to come, is to anchor yourself in the word with God. How you respond to a situation, determines if it is a test or a temptation.

Part 4 of the Luke Series. This conversation takes a closer look at the narrative of Jesus directly following his birth story. Luke continues to highlight the important themes of the poor, faithful devotion to God and the divisive nature Jesus' ministry and message.

Christmas is God’s way of saying, “I’m with you, I’m for you, I know how that feels.”

I am Lord's Servant, Let's Do This!

Continuing our study through the gospel of Luke, we discover God blessing and using the most unlikely person because of her willingness to participate in God's plans.

Make A Budget- Anything you buy on sale with a credit card after the first month is no longer on sale. Practice Simplicity Invite God into Every Conversation about money. Spend less than what you make.

Money is a gage- where is your heart? The Heavens' 1) Space around us 2)Universe 3)Where God Dwells Focusing on food (temp needs) than you will also be temp. "It's like carpeting your tent." Be responsible, and give, to people with no strings attached

Challenge yourself to live as close to Jesus Christ as possible. Suffering happens as The Word spreads. Give (time, energy, & resources) to people you know and don't know. It doesn't take money to be wealthy. You can have lots of money and be poor. Money and generosity are two different things.

Money is not the problem, it is a marker. It's what the money represents that is the issue. The best way to push back is to loosen up on that what has a tight hold. We are built to give because it is what works.

Marriage is symbolic. God wants us to receive Him. He has done everything for us. God is key.

If you base success on the other person, you will fail. Sex doesn't make you a woman, but it can make you a baby. Her love is a ceramic seal that when broken, is noticeable. Don't awaken love until you are ready for it. Are you a person who can follow your word?

3 Types of Love: Raya- Love through friendship- foundational Ahava- Most profound love- leads to commitment Dode- reserved for marriage- physical love

He honors her no. So important to know how to resolve conflicts. Conflict usually comes from fear. Revenge says a lot about the person not the person who hurt you.

Lust is being owned by something you can’t conceive being content without. Freedom isn’t being able to have whatever you crave. Freedom is going without whatever you crave and being fine with it.

!)Sex is romantic 2)Sex is life giving 3)Sex is sensual 4)Sex is holy 5)Sex is responsive 6)Sex is "oneness" Learn what makes your partner happy. Sex outside the marriage is counterfeit, the only real sex is inside a marriage.

There are narrow parameters where sexuality is good. Outside those parameters it goes terribly wrong. Resist the pervasive culture that adults have sex. Our primary identity is, first, a disciple of God, not single or married. How sexual you are and how young you were when you became sexual, determines future sexual patterns.

Be Holy Pure and Blameless The Songs of Solomon are over 3,000 years old. There are 3 characters- Beloved- She Lover- he, the man friends- daughters, community

Have you ever felt in over your head? When you say, "Yes," to God your life changes. Many times we are the answer to our own prayers. He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

This is the final sermon in the series, "Becoming Fully Alive." Darren discusses our anxieties and fears which stem from our choice between God and Money or Mammon.

Stand and Step Out for you cause- Jesus. Have passion and feel the burden of and for your cause. We all have a purpose- a Divine Cause. We must GO and DO what God expects

You do not have to earn your salvation. Be healed and go and do the good works of Him. Society has taught us to focus on ourselves- this is our FLESH. We should not value ourself more than others.

We must question our motive, is it coming from Love or Seeking Approval? As a church, we need to be ONE whole not 400 individuals. God provides comfort through Love. He wants us to experience tenderness, likemindedness, and compassion with and for one another.

4 Steps To Forgiveness 1) Pain-where is it? 2) Invite Jesus into the pain 3)Ritual of Release- release all involved 4) Recalibration-realing yourself with Christ our Savior

Family and parenting is difficult, but we are designed to do this. The family relationship is made by design from God to define us. relationship.

What is important in life? Align and calibrate yourself with Him. Circumstances make a difference in our life. "My grace is enough for you."

An idol is the perversion of a good thing. It makes you feel 10 ft tall. It demands sacrifice. We develop a philosophy to justify it. It kills you. What are your idols?

Loving yourself must be rooted through God. 5 Emotions- 2 positive- love & joy 3 protector- Fear-Sadness-Anger

Partner with God to be the best person we can be. God Created us, humans, separately than anything else To love yourself and rest in your Identity is a main goal.

What type of God do you worship? Over 600 laws- in all- we are to love others the way we love God and ourselves. Matthew 11:28-30

Loving yourself is a bridge to not hurting others We need to be loved by God in-order to love others God trusts us, all we have to do is show up We are not defined by what we DO

Your perspective in life, is determined by your relationship with God.

Peter asked two main questions: Do you care God? Where are you God?

Love God, Your Neighbor, & Yourself Who is your neighbor?

Bill poses the question, "Is the resurrection meant for more than our physical bodies?"

The Garden community is urged to recall "what we are here for" and to stay true to God's call for us as disciples.

Newest member of the Garden Staff, Peter DeSoto shares his personal story and encourages the Garden community to move from fear to faith in Jesus.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees on the difference between following religious rules and worshipping God from the heart.