New Song Students OKC

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.MATTHEW 13:44-46GOD’S KINGDOM IS YOUR GREATEST INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY. GOD’S KINGDOM IS GOD’S FAMILY. GOD’S KINGDOM IS A GROWING FAMILY. GOD’S KINGDOM IS A FAMILY WHERE GOD LEADS.WE DON’T JUST EXIST FOR THE PEOPLE HERE. WE EXIST FOR THE PEOPLE NOT HERE YET.WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST INTO THE KINGDOMGOD SAYS SO.Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria.JOHN 4:1-427 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”… 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. JOHN 4:27,34YOU ARE GOD’S PLAN TO REACH PEOPLEINVESTING INTO THE KINGDOM FILLS YOU UP34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes harvest?’ Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. JOHN 4:34WHAT KEEPS US FROM INVESTING?WE DON’T KNOWWORDLINESS15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”LUKE 12:15-21WE MISUNDERSTAND ETERNAL TREASURES19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.MATTHEW 6:19-21WE AREN’T SEEING THE OPPORTUNITYLook, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. JOHN 4:34

IT’S NOT DEVOTION UNTIL I’M ALL IN. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[f] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[g] in you.JOHN 14:15-17 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.MATTHEW 10:39 YOU WERE MADE TO GO ALL IN36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered…LUKE 7:36-50 HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M DEVOTED?HAS IT COST ME SOMETHING?LID: FEAR OF LACK25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? MATTHEW 6:25-26 2. HAVE I GONE PUBLIC?It was bold for a woman with a sinful reputation to come into the house of a Pharisee, but she was willing to do anything to express her love for Jesus. DAVID GUZIKLID: FEAR OF MAN 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.JOHN 12:41-433. AM I COMMITEDCommitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt.Rollo MayLID: FEAR OF DISAPPOINTMENT Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.PROVERBS 3:5-6 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.PSALM 51:16-17

VISION IS THE INTENDED DIRECTION OF OUR LIFE IN WORDS.FILLED UP. POURED OUT.22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”JOHN 6:25-28 (ESV)1. WE THINK WE CAN EARN IT.28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”JOHN 6:28 (ESV)For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,ROMANS 3:23 (ESV)10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. JAMES 2:10-11 (ESV)2. WHEN WE THINK WE CAN EARN IT, WE BEND THE RULES IN ORDER TO GET THE SAME RESULTS.I CAN NEVER DO ENOUGH WORK.28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” JOHN 6:25-28 (ESV)THE ONLY WORK YOU ARE CALLED TO IS BELIEVING.32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[e] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”[f] And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[g]35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”LUKE 23:32-42 (ESV)Jesus answered the second criminal far beyond his expectation. The thief on the cross had some distant time in mind; Jesus told him today. The thief on the cross asked only to be remembered; Jesus said “you will be with Me.” The thief on the cross looked only for a kingdom; Jesus promised him Paradise.DAVID GUZIK

MATTHEW 1:18-23GOD WITH US. PERIOD.OMNIPOTENCE: all-powerfulOMNISCIENCE: all-knowingOMNIPRESENCE: all-present7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!PSALM 139:7-8GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US BUT WE AREN’T ALWAYS WITH HIM. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.PSALM 16:11And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”EXODUS 33:14Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.JAMES 4:850 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.MATTHEW 27:50-51The veil was what separated the holy place from the most holy place in the temple. It was a vivid demonstration of the separation between God and man. Notably, the veil was torn from top to bottom, and it was God who did the tearing.DAVID GUZIKGOD IS WITH US IN OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,[a] of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.LUKE 1:5-13GOD IS WITH US IN OUR LIMITATIONS30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel[f] forever; his Kingdom will never end!”34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.LUKE 1:30-35 GOD IS WITH US IN OUR ORDINARY39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.LUKE 2:39-40Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.PSALM 100:4

JAMES 5:13-18 PRAYER IS…OUR VIEW OF PRAYER DETERMINES HOW WE PRAYMost Christians view prayer as “something I SHOULD do”, rather than “something I GET to do”. It would of course be a rather low-voltage spiritual life in which prayer was chiefly undertaken as a discipline, rather than as a way of co-laboring with God to accomplish good things and advance His kingdom purposes.” Dallas WillardWE MISS OUT ON THE POWER OF PRAYER WHEN WE SEE IT AS A CHORE. 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.MATTHEW 6:5-6Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”MATTHEW 6:1JESUS MODELED CONSISTENT, PERSISTENT, AND INTIMATE PRAYER.After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.MATTHEW 14:23It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.LUKE 6:12 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.MARK 1:35IF JESUS HAD A POWERFUL PRAYER LIFE, SO CAN I.PRAYER IS RELATIONAL9 Pray then like this:“Our Father in heaven,MATTHEW 6:9It was very unusual for the Jews of that day to call God “Father” because it was considered too intimate. It is true that God is the mighty sovereign God of the universe who created, governs, and will judge all things – but He is also to us a Father.David GuzikPRAYER IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE“You are in a spiritual battle. If you are ignorant or ignore that fact, you probably aren’t winning the battle.”For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.EPHESIANS 6:12“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”C.S. LEWIS, Screwtape Letters12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince[c] of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,[d] came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.[e] 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”DANIEL 10:12-14 The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.JAMES 5:16 PRAYER IS WHAT KEEP US GOINGCast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you;he will never permit the righteous to be moved.PSALM 55:22

NUMBERS 11:4-6COUNTERFEIT COMFORTS. In the disciplines of abstinence, we abstain to some degree and for some time from the satisfaction of what we generally regard as normal and legitimate desires. “Normal” desires include our basic drives or motivations, such as those for food, sleep, bodily activity, companionship, curiosity, and sex. But our desires for convenience, comfort, material security, reputation or fame, and variety are also considered under this heading… Keep in mind that the practice of abstention does not imply that there is anything essentially wrong with these desires as such. DALLAS WILLARDAbstinence is not a punishment from God. It’s a gift that helps you discover who/what is first in your life.19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:19 EXODUS 20:2-6YOU BELONG TO GOD.“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”JEREMIAH 1:5“An idol is anything that we put over God and look towards to meet our needs.”IDOLS ARE COUNTFIET COMFORTS. John Calvin says, “THE HUMAN HEART IS AN IDOL FACTORY.”In fasting, we abstain in some significant way from food and possibly from drink as well. This discipline teaches us a lot about ourselves very quickly. It will certainly prove humiliating to us, as it reveals to us how much our peace depends upon the pleasures of eating.DALLAS WILLARDAs Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’[e]”20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.“There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard[f] to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”MARK 10:17-25COUNTERFEIT COMFORTS KEEP ME FROM FOLLOWING JESUS“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.MATTHEW 6:24COUNTERFEIT COMFORTS KEEP ME FROM HEARING JESUSBut seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.Matthew 6:33WHEN WE GIVE UP COUNTERFEIT COMFORTS, WE RECEIVE TRUE COMFORT. ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’Isaiah 44:28

Nothing on earth has greater potential to change lives and carry out His kingdom work in your community, than your local church.There’s nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. No other organization on earth is like the church. Nothing even comes close.BILL HYBELBeing disconnected from the local church, for whatever reason, is a dangerous way to live. Not only do these “ lone rangers” miss out on the blessings of functioning within the context of the body of Christ, but like lone sheep away from the safety of the flock and the watchful care of the shepherd, they are vulnerable to predators of every sort.NANCY LEIGH DEMOSSHusbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…EPHESIANS 5:25JESUS GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR A CONNECTED FAMILYGOD’S PRESENCE 8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them.EXODUS 25:2215-16 Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that you’re with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?”EXODUS 33:15-16GOD’S POWER 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[f] in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”MATTHEW 18:18-20 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.13 They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.PSALM 92:12-13 GOD’S PEOPLE25-26 The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.2 CORINTHIANS 12:12-26 (MSG)26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.2 CORINTHIANS 14:26JUST BEING CONNECT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST ISN’T ENOUGH. Some people think of the church as a pyramid, with the pastor at the top. Others think of the church as a bus driven by the pastor, who takes his passive passengers where they should go. God wants us to see the church as a body, where every part does its share.DAVID GUZIKSedentary: (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactiveTHE BODY WAS DESIGNED TO BE ACTIVEI AM MEANT TO BE AN ACTIVE PART IN FELLOWSHIP

Galatians 2:20The world says we need to conquer/dominate others, but God says to serve others (Matthew 20:28)The world says we need to take from others and receive, but God says to give to others (Luke 6:38)The world says to put yourself first/be selfish, but God says to put others first, be selfless (Philippians 2: 3-4)The world says you need to speak/act first, but God says to listen first (James 1:19)The world says you need to compare yourself to others, but God says to encourage/support others, to cheer them on. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)The world says to seek revenge, but God says to forgive others and pray for them (ephesians 4:32). The spiritual discipline of submission. Submission: the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person.“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” -Matthew 10:38-39Mark 4:1-20 “We walked through this passage recently.”Mark 4:1-20 MSG#1 KNOW YOUR IDENTITY KNOW YOUR IDENTITY IS NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO BUT WHO YOU ARE, BECAUSE WHO YOU ARE WILL DETERMINE WHAT YOU DO AND WHEN YOU KNOW WHOSE YOU ARE, YOU’LL KNOW WHO YOU ARE#2 EMBRACE YOUR IDENTITY Romans 1:16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.#3 FOCUS ON YOUR IDENTITY Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.#4 MEDITATE ON HIS WORDJoshua 1:8 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.#5 AUTHENTIC, GENUINE (REAL) PRAYERPhilippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Spiritual Disciplines: things we do in order to reorient our life, habits, and routines in a way that feeds our spirit more than our flesh.Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.JOHN 14:12MATTHEW 4:1-11IF JESUS OVERCAME TEMPTATION, I CAN OVERCOME TEMPTATIONJOHN 13:3-5IF JESUS SERVED OTHERS, I CAN SERVE OTHERS. LUKE 9:40-43IF JESUS HEALED AND SET OTHERS FREE, I CAN HEAL AND SET OTHERS FREE.MATTHEW 26:38-39IF JESUS FOLLOWED GOD NO MATTER WHAT, I CAN FOLLOW GOD NO MATTER WHAT.52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. LUKE 2:52 “And in this truth lies the secret of the easy yoke: the secret involves living as he lived in the entirety of his life - adopting his OVERALL life-style. Following “in his steps” cannot be equated with behaving as he did when he was “on the spot.’ To live as Christ lived is to live as he did ALL his life.”DALLAS WILLARD27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.1 CORINTHIANS 9:27DISCIPLINES OF ABSTINENCE (starving your flesh)DISCIPLINES OF ENGAGEMENT (feeding your spirit)For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.ROMANS 8:6But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.ROMANS 13:14Whatever I FEED will eventually grown. Whatever I STARVE will eventually die.DISCIPLINES OF ABSTINENCE (starving your flesh)Solitude and Silence Fasting FrugalityPurity SecrecySacrificDISCIPLINES OF ENGAGEMENT (feeding your spirit)Study Worship Celebration Serving Praying FellowshipConfession SubmissionFor the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.ROMANS 6:23GRACE IS NOT OPPOSED TO ACTION. IT’S OPPOSED TO EARNING. 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”MATTHEW 11:28-30THERE’S A WEIGHT WE CARRY (whether it’s from Jesus or not)“To depart from righteousness is to choose a life of crushing burdens, failures, and disappointments, a life caught in the toils of endless problems that are never resolved… The cost of discipleship, though it may take all we have, is small when compared to the lot of those who don’t accept Christ’s invitation to be a part of his company in ‘The Way’ of life.”DALLAS WILLARD2. IT’S NOT, ONE SIZE FITS ALL3. IF THE YOKE IS HARD AND HEAVY; IT’S NOT FROM JESUS If your yoke is hard and your burden is heavy, then we can say that it isn’t His yoke or burden, and you aren’t letting Him bear it with you. Jesus said it plainly: My yoke is easy and My burden is light.GUZIK

IN THE DARKINTEGRITY IS A BIG DEAL TO GOD. Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.BILLY GRAHAMIntegrity: the state of being whole and undividedReputation is who everybody THINKS you are. Integrity is who you REALLY are. 25 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! 26 You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish,[i] and then the outside will become clean, too.27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.MATTHEW 23:25-27INTEGRITY IS REINFORCED IN THE DARK AND INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED IN THE DARK. OUR INTEGRITY IS EASIER TO KEEP THAN TO RECOVERIntegrity is NOT perfection.INTEGRITY IS NOT BEING AFRAID TO CONFRONT WHAT’S IMPERFECT.INTEGRITY KNOWS GOD SEES EVERYTHING“This is a great principle which is applicable to every age. You and I ought to live our lives in the light of the fact that we are to stand in the presence of Christ. Note that I didn’t say in the light of the COMING of Christ but in the light of the PRESENCE of Christ.”J. Vernon McGee2. INTEGRITY KNOWS EVERYTHING WILL EVENTUALLY BE REVEALED. 19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. GENESIS 39:19-21 17 For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.LUKE 8:173. INTEGRITY KNOWS EVERYTHING BUILDS23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,COLOSSIANS 3:23WHEN I LIVE A LIFE OF INTEGRITY, I AM UNDER SUPERNATURAL COVERING.

COUNT THE COST. 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone[i] who sins against me? Seven times?”22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven![j]MATTHEW 18:21-22“If you are trying to keep count, you’re missing the point.”“Forgiveness is the Culture of Heaven” - Mark Driscoll Forgive: to release; cancel a debt FORGIVENESS IS NOT: APPROVALFORGIVENESS IS NOT: AUTOMATIC RECONCILIATIONTRANSANCTIONAL FORGIVENESSUNILATERAL “ONE-WAY” FORGIVENESSJesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.MATTHEW 18:21-22In this, Jesus recognized the blindness of His enemies in His prayer. This did not excuse the guilt of those who put Jesus on the cross; but Jesus set His enemies in the best possible light in His prayer to the Father. We must pray with the same heart, after the same pattern. - GUZIK32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.EPHESIANS 4:32WE’VE BEEN FORGIVENUn-forgiveness is always hypocritical.2. IT FREES USCOUNT THE COST

#1) COMPARISON KILLS CONTENTMENTPhilippians 4:11-12 For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.He stepped out of contentment and into comparison. #2) COMPARISON STEALS PERSPECTIVE#3) COMPARISON DESTROYS OUR COMMISSIONIt steals, kills, and destroys.JONH 10:10 10 The enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.ROMANS 12:4-8For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.Comparison didn’t just hurt him, it hurt other people. When a comparison problem becomes a competition problem it results in a collaboration problem. PSALM 139:13-1413 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.Do you believe He formed you?Do you believe He knit you together?Do you believe you are wonderfully made?Do your words align with this?Does your soul know very well?

Parables are not simply teachings on what the Kingdom of God is LIKE; they are an invitation into Kingdom LIVING.We know that God is Spirit and is neither male nor female. Yet in the Scriptures we are told that the believer is “born of God”. Here John uses female language to describe the relationship between God and believers. Similarly, when Jesus addressed God as “Father,” he used a male metaphor/title to help us understand the nature of God. Scripture uses male and female images to enrich our understanding of God, who is Spirit and thereby beyond male and female.”Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. Bailey“WE DON’T JUST READ PARABLES; JESUS EXPECTS US TO LIVE THEM OUT.”LUKE 19:11-26Whenever Jesus told a parable, He was communicating ETERNAL TRUTHS in a way that made sense to an ANCIENT AUDIENCE. CONTEXT UNLOCKS MEANING.FIRST ASSUMPTION: The Parable Of The Talents and the Parable Of The Pounds are the same.SECOND ASSUMPTION: These two parables are all about being responsible with what we have. Herod the Great made a trip to Rome in 40 B.C. seeking a Roman appointment as king, and his son, Archelaus, made a similar journey in 4 B.C. to argue his case against his half-brother Antipas. Jesus used a political scene familiar to his audience as the background for this parable.Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. BaileyJesus is the Nobleman.REVELATION 17:14REVELATION 19:16JOHN 18:37Worldly culture is the enemy of the NoblemanJOHN 1:10-13MATTHEW 12:30Christians are the servantsO Lord, surely I am Your servant,I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid,You have loosed my bonds.PSALM 116:16The pounds represent the Great CommissionSuch is the real world of this parable. King Herod’s trip to Rome was successful; he received kingly power. His son Archelaus made the same trip and was banished. No one knows how such a perilous journey will end. The nobleman wants to know, “Are you willing to take the risk and openly declare yourselves to be my loyal servants (during my absence) in a world where many oppose me and my rule.” … It will be easy to declare yourself publicly to be my loyal servants when I return. I am more interested in how you conduct yourselves when I am absent and you have to pay a high price to openly identify yourself with me. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. BaileyDO PEOPLE KNOW WHICH KING YOU ARE LOYAL TO?“Christ never contemplated the production of secret Christians, - Christians whose virtues would never be displayed, - pilgrims who would travel to heaven by night, and never be seen by their fellow-pilgrims or anyone else.” SpurgeonJESUS IS INVITING US TO GO PUBLICJESUS MORE CONCERNED WITH YOUR EFFORT THAN YOUR SUCCESS.If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

WTF: Where’s The Faith?Faith is important to God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.HEBREWS 11:6God is ALWAYS clear about what’s important to Him.4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 Faith: trusting in and acting from what God says instead of what we can seeFAITH DOES NOT STOP AT TRUSTING IN GOD. IT MOVES INTO ACTING ON WHAT GOD SAYS.INTELLECTUAL AGREEMENT + TRUST = FAITH. FAITH WILL ALWAYS SEEM A LITTLE CRAZY.IT’S NOT FAITH IF YOU CAN SEE IT1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.HEWBREWS 11:1-2THE FACTS THAT WE WANT ERODE THE FAITH WE NEED.14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.[d]”MATTHEW 17:14-20OUR FAITH CAN OPEN DOORS. OUR LACK OF FAITH CAN CLOSE THEM TOO. 20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.[d]”MATTHEW 17:14-20The faith that we must have has more to do with what kind of faith it is than with how much faith there is. A small amount of faith, as small as a mustard seed (a very small seed), can accomplish great things if that small amount of faith is placed in the great and mighty God. - GUZIK THE PLACEMENT OF OUR FAITH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR AMOUNT OF FAITH.HOW TO GROW FAITH:START WITH GOD; NOT USDETERMINE TO OBEY LEAVE THE RESULTS WITH HIM

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,ROMANS 1:16“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you (the book of Luke), most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”LUKE 1:1-4 (NIV)Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.LUKE 1:1-4 (ESV)27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.JOHN 10:27 (ESV)God is always talking.“I HAD A FEELING”.“And if what you see is all you see, Then you do not see all there is to be seen” - Kirk FranklinNUMBERS 22:21-31“Sometimes the message God is giving us is loud and clear, but we don’t recognize God in the message.”“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.LUKE 1:1-4 (NIV) God wants YOUR VOICE! God wanted LUKE’S VOICE!“The Gospel of Luke is a carefully researched and selective presentation of the person and life of Jesus. The book was written to strengthen the faith of believers and challenge the misconceptions of unbelievers, especially those from a Greek background. Luke’s profession as a medical doctor gives his Gospel a unique focus on Jesus’ humanity and the role of Christ as the suffering servant.”IF YOU DOWNPLAY THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VOICE, YOU DOWNPLAY THE VOICE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE. It takes faith. “Luke was able to write the word because he was acquainted with the Word.”So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.ROMANS 10:17 (NKJV)Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.ROMANS 12:2 (ESV)

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”ACTS 1:4-51 CORINTHIANS 2:10-16 Essential: of the utmost importance: basic, indispensable, necessary.Indispensable: absolutely necessaryTHE HOLY SPIRIT IS ESSENTIAL.When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.ACTS 8:14-17 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.[a] 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.“No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked.And they replied, “The baptism of John.”4 Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”5 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues[b] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.ACTS 19:1-7WE’VE MADE THE HOLY SPIRIT OPTIONAL WHEN JESUS SAYS HE’S ESSENTIAL.“Being a disciple without receiving the Holy Spirit is like discovering you have a sickness, going to the doctor for a diagnosis, and leaving without the prescription.”14 But the person without the Spirit[f] does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him;THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS ME SEEFor who knows a person’s thoughts[d] except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God.1 CORINTHIANS 2:11-12THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A GIFT“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,ROMANS 1:16SIT DOWN. BE HUMBLE.This reveals Paul’s heart. In a sophisticated city like Rome, some might be embarrassed by a gospel centered on a crucified Jewish Savior and embraced by the lowest classes of people – but Paul is not ashamed. - GUZIKSIMPLE IS POWERFUL.1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be[a] the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.[b] He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege[c] and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.ROMANS 1:1-516 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.JOHN 3:16 “The gospel is not advice to people, suggesting that they lift themselves. It is power. It lifts them up. Paul does not say that the gospel brings power, but that it is power, and God’s power at that.” - MORRIS23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.ROMANS 3:23Jesus showed us what it really means to be HUMAN.“I’m not a sinner because I sin, I sin because I’m a sinner.”“If missing the mark is the fruit of sin, then the root sin is PRIDE.”5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”[a]6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 PETER 5:-7The fix to our sin problem is not trying to SIN LESS, its receiving grace from Jesus to be SINLESS.The Fix Is God’s Ferrari Grace“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”1 PETER 5:5The Key To God’s Ferrari Grace Is Humility

What is our Purpose?Purpose Over PopularitySLIDE #4:: 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Shake Them Haters OffNehemiah 4:33 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”Nehemiah 6:33 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”No Pain, No GainPower to PleaseActs 4:1616 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.Acts 5:2929 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!Hebrews 11:2626 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21THE BEST SQUAD IS AN AVAILABLE SQUAD. 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.WORLDLY CULTURE: YOUR ROLE IS TIED TO ABILITYGOD’S NOT LOOKING FOR ABILITY. HE’S LOOKING FOR AVAILABILITY.And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.There is so much to the idea of being ambassadors! An ambassador does not speak to please his audience, but the King who sent him. An ambassador does not speak on his own authority; his own opinions or demands mean little. He simply says what he has been commissioned to say. But an ambassador is more than a messenger; he is also a representative, and the honor and reputation of his country are in his hands. - GUZIK2 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man[a] has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”MARK 2:1-12IT’S OUR JOB TO BRING PEOPLE TO GODWE NEED TO BE PERSISTENTPersistent: continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.ACTS 4:29-31- STAYING FILLED KEEPS YOU AVAILABLE. IT’S GOD’S JOB TO DO THE HEALING

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.DREAM TEAM.YOU DON’T GO AS FAR AS YOUR DREAM. YOU GO AS FAR AS YOUR TEAM.YOU ARE CALLED TO WIN. “I DON’T JUST NEED FRIENDS TO HANG WITH, I NEED A SQUAD TO BUILD WITH.”The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.PROVERBS 12:26THE BOOK OF GALATIANS MAIN GOAL IS THIS: JESUS ALONE IS ENOUGH TO SAVE. 6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.9 In fact, James, Peter,[c] and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.SQUADS THAT WIN:ARE SUBMITTED TO THE SAME DREAM11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.14 When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?GALATIANS 2:6-14SQUADS THAT WIN:PUSH ONE ANOTHER TOWARDS THE DREAMIron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.[d]PROVERBS 27:17Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up.ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10

LUKE 19:1-10 I’LL GO FIRST. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.PROVERBS 13:20 MYTH #1: FRIENDS ARE MEANT TO MEET MY NEEDS.18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.PHILIPPIANS 4:18-19MYTH #2: FRIENDS ARE THE REASON WHY I AM THE WAY I AM.This is a powerless mindset11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”GENESIS 3:11-12It takes away the ability to be used by God to change others19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”MATTHEW 28:19-20He walked in a level of maturity that understood I have the power to choose God’s best and I want you to know that too.FRIENDS ARE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO LOVE12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friendsJOHN 15:12-13

Hall of Fame: A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or animals, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their fame in their field.13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.HEBREWS 11:13-16 “THIS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.”Encounters are catalysts. Catalysts: a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possibleENCOUNTERS INTRODUCE CHANGE. 6 “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. 7 I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. 8 I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’”EXODUS 6:6-8ENCOUNTERS DON’T SUSTAIN CHANGE.Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin,[a] between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt.[b] 2 There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron.3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”EXODUS 16:1-39 So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.EXODUS 6:9FAITH SUSTAINS CHANGE.“WE DON’T LIVE FOR ENCOUNTERS, WE LIVE FROM THEM.”15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.HEBREWS 11:15-16

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.HEBREWS 4:12“TALK TO YOURSELF”Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. (I feel you, Jesus. I become very hungry when I skip breakfast)3 During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,‘He will order his angels to protect you.And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[c]”7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[d]”8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’[e]”11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.MATTHEW 4:1-112 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.3 During that time the devil[a] came…YOU HAVE A REAL ENEMY.THE ENEMY (DEVIL) DON’T PLAY NICE.WE FIGHT WITH THE WORDWE WIN THE BATTLE WHEN WE DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY.KNOW THE WORD.“People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’UNDERSTAND THE WORD.5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,‘He will order his angels to protect you.And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[c]”7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[d]”BELIEVE THE WORD.17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. ROMANS 10:174 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.DUETERONOMY 6:4-9

LUKE 8:4-8 “GUARDING SOILLUKE 8:9-10Assumptions block connection. If you don’t understand the key to the parable, you don’t understand it at all. We can imagine what different people in Jesus’ audience might have thought when He taught this parable with no explanation. The farmer thought, “He’s telling me that I have to be more careful in the way I cast my seed. I guess I have wasted an awful lot.” The politician thought, “He’s telling me that I need to begin a farm education program to help farmers more efficiently cast their seed. This will be a big boost in my reelection campaign.” The newspaper reporter thought, “He’s telling me that there is a big story here about the bird problem and how it affects the farming community. That’s a great idea for a series in the newspaper.” The salesman thought, “He’s encouraging me in my fertilizer sales. Why, I could help that farmer more than he knows if he only used my product.” But none of them could understand the spiritual meaning until Jesus explained the key to them. If you miss the key, you miss the whole parable. If you think the seed represent money, you miss the parable. If you think the seed represents love, you miss the parable. If you think the seed represents hard work, you miss the parable. You can only understand it by understanding the keyWE ROB OURSELVES FROM A CONNECTION WITH GOD WHEN WE ASSUME THE MEANING OF HIS WORD.‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.”“Every moment in God’s word is an opportunity to connect” Do you see God’s word in that way or do you see it as a chore or a mystery that you have to figure out on your own. The motivation of our heart towards God’s word is important because Jesus literally tells us it’s the posture of our heart that opens the door to understanding God’s word. Amen?LUKE 8:11-15 Every single seed has the ability to produce a huge harvest. THE ISSUE IS NOT WITH THE SEED; IT’S WITH THE SOIL. THE FOOTPATHGOD’S WORD + HARD HEART = NO UNDERSTANDING THE ROCK“There was something that they did not have in connection with the spirit of God, who waters the word. When we speak of spiritual dew, we refer to the operation of the Holy Spirit. When we talk of the river of the water of life, we mean those sacred things which come streaming down to us from the throne of God through the working of the Spirit of God.”GOD’S WORD + STRIVING HEART = NO POWERTHE THORNSGOD’S WORD + DISTRACTED HEART = STUNTED GROWTHTHE GOOD GROUNDGOD’S WORD + PURE HEART = GROWTH GOD’S WORD GROWS IN GUARDED HEARTPROVERBS 4:23 Check-Heart StatusIs my heart hard or soft? (Do I really want to understand?) Is my heart dry? (Am I relying on the Holy Spirit’s help or my own?)Is my heart choked out? (Am I distracted?) Is my heart pure? (Am I willing to hear, trust, obey, and be patient?)

“The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?’”GENESIS 3:1Apologetics: reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrineYOU HAVE AN ENEMY. “IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE IS AND WHY YOU CAN RELY ON IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE AN ENEMY.”“IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE IS AND WHY YOU CAN RELY ON IT BECAUSE 1 PETER 3:15”Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”1 PETER 3:15 GOD WANTS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE HE CREATED.PEOPLE IN RELATIONSHIPS SELF-DEFINE.“You can only be in a relationship with somebody who’s willing to tell you who they are.” IT’S A GOD BOOK, NOT A MAN BOOK. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”2 TIMOTHY 3:16“Our mission is to help people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus.” - The Bible ProjectWE ARE NOT THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THE BIBLE; JESUS IS.Historical/Narrative, The Law, Wisdom, Psalms/Poetry, Prophecy, Apocalyptic, Epistle, Gospel.IT’S HISTORICALLY ACCURATE.Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda,[a] with five covered porches.”JOHN 5:1“We learn that Jesus was a wise man who did surprising feats, taught many, won over many followers from among Jews and Greeks, was believed to be the Messiah, was accused by the Jewish leaders, was condemned to be crucified by Pilate, and was considered to be resurrected.”- Josephus (Jewish Historian) “Nero inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class… called Christians. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate.” -Tacitus (Roman Historian)IT’S THE MOST RELIABLE. “The New Testament is humanities most reliable document.”IT’S PROPHETICALLY PERFECTIT’S THE SAFEST PLACE 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”MATTHEW 7:24-27GOD’S WORD IS THE SAFEST PLACE

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:JOHN 10:27 “IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO FOLLOW JESUS WITHOUT HIS WORD.”JOHN 6:53-69BECOMING STUDENTS OF THE WORD.Student: any person who studies, investigates, or examines thoughtfully 60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?“Jesus understood the offence many of His listeners took at His teaching, yet He didn’t change the teaching or feel it was His fault. Jesus didn’t preach just to please His audience. If that was His concern, He would have instantly taken back what was just said, seeing His audience was offended. Jesus didn’t take it back. He challenged and confronted them even more.”6 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”YOU WON’T FOLLOW JESUS AS AN OBSERVER68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[j]”RECOGNIZE I’M THE STUDENT.“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.ISAIAH 55:8-9As for God, his way is perfect:The Lord’s word is flawless;he shields all who take refuge in himPSALM 18:30Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.MATTHEW 24:25SEEK TO UNDERSTANDBut when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.JOHN 14:26When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. JOHN 16:12CHOOSE TO STAY ANCHORED68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[j]”

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness2 TIMOTHY 3:16The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.ISAIAH 40:8For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.HEBREWS 4:12 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.MATTHEW 4:18-22“INVITATION TO GREATNESS”.KALEO: to inviteJesus invites them to step into GREATNESS. KNOW GOD HELP PEOPLE KNOW GODTHE INVITE COMES DURING THE NORMALTHE INVITE LACKS DETAILSTHE INVITE IS ALL YOU NEED. may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.May he produce in you,[e] through the power of Jesus Christ,every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.HEBREWS 13:21

Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.Mark 6:5 he could do no mighty work thereMark 6:4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without here it is honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” #1 Honor FirstProverbs 3:6 In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. #2 Honor UpRomans 13:1 All authority comes from God1 Peter 3:10 If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil.Matthew 25:40 Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.How you honor people, is how you honor Jesus!1 Peter 2:17 Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.#3 Honor AroundHebrews 10:24-25 Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another.James 1:19 slow to speak#4 Honor DownMatthew 10:42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

we seek to put the person of God in everything we do. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. 3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up?”4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!”“Here I am,” he answered.5 “Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”EXODUS 3:2-5“IN HIS PRESENCE”.WE ARE SEEN4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!”For 40 years Moses lived as an obscure shepherd in the desert of Midian. At this point his life was so humble that he didn’t even have a flock of sheep to call his own – the sheep belonged to his father-in-law.You are important to God."But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.ISAIAH 43:1-27 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.LUKE 12:7 WE ARE HUMBLED5 “Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”In this moment, Moses is invited to step into the revelation that the value of His life is not found in a pair of sandals, but in a God who knows His name…WE ARE WASHED4 So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. 5 Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”7 Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.”8 “You will never wash my feet,” Peter said.Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”JOHN 13:4-8 “This was an immoderate modesty, a proud humility.”Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.LUKE 22:24Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”We are grateful Jesus did not say, If you do not have great holiness, you have no part with Me. We are happy He did not say, If you are not a Bible expert, you have no part with Me. Having a part with Jesus begins simply with receiving something from Him, not achieving something our self.WE ARE SENTNow go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”EXODUS 3:10

YOUR DAD IS NOT LIKE DADDY GODMatthew 7:7–11 ESV7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!Romans 8:12–17 NLT12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.YOUR PART OF THE FAM (God’s Family)OUR SINS WHERE NOT ONLY BOUGHT, WE HAVE BEEN ADOPTEDJESUS IS YOUR BIG BROYOU ARE A CO-HEIR WITH CHRIST“In contrast with the control of sin, which enslaves to the point of fear, believers have received the Spirit of sonship. The word translated “sonship” means “placing as a son” and is frequently translated “adoption”. Believers are adopted sons, not slaves ; so they need not be enslaved to sin or in fear. In New Testament times adopted sons enjoyed the same privileges as natural-born sons. In many families children inherit their parents’ estates; each child is an heir and the children together are co-heirs. Since Christians are God’s children, they are His heirs , and they are co-heirs with Christ. They are recipients of all spiritual blessings now, and in the future they will share with the Lord Jesus in all the riches of God’s kingdom. YOU CAN GO INTO DAD’S OFFICEABBA GOD IS APPROACHABLE Romans 8:15 NLT15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”We experience a special relationship with God that people in the Bible before Jesus didn’t experience. Hebrews 4:16 NLT16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A DAD

GENESIS 22:1-14 (CSB) PROVISION IS SEEING A NEED AND MEETING A NEED. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.PHILLIPIANS 4:19GOD PROVIDES… PERIOD.So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.”“This does not mean that Abraham somehow knew this was only a test and God would not really require this of him. Instead, Abraham’s faith was in understanding that should he kill Isaac, God would raise him from the dead, because God had promised Isaac would carry on the line of blessing and the covenant.Abraham knew anything was possible, but it was impossible that God would break His promise. He knew God was not a liar. To this point in Biblical history, we have no record of anyone being raised from the dead, so Abraham had no precedent for this faith, apart from God’s promise. Yet Abraham knew God was able. God could do it.”GOD PROVIDES BECAUSE HE SEES THE NEED And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.PHILLIPIANS 4:19 GOD PROVIDES BECAUSE HE WANTS YOUR HEART12 Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.MATTHEW 6:24I ALLOW GOD TO BE JIREH IN MY LIFE WHEN:I KNOW HIM“Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”3 So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.I TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY 12 Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”I NEED HIM5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.MATTHEW 6:25-34"YOUR FATHER KNOWS YOU NEED HIM, DO YOU?”

22 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” 23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.JUDGES 6:22-24THE PEACE OF GOD IS A PROMISE 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. JOHN 14:27-28“He carefully described the peace as ‘My peace.’ His peace was a heart untroubled and unfearful in spite of all the suffering and conflict ahead of Him.” G. Campbell MorganUSING THE CORRECT STANDARD OF MEASUREMENT IN ANY ASPECT OF LIFE IS IMPORTANT.22 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” 23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace.JUDGES 6:22-24 GIDEON BUILDS GOD AN ALTAR AND CALLS IT “THE LORD IS PEACE” BEFORE HE EVER EXPERIENCED THE VICTORY. Peace: the absence of war (conflict), freedom from disturbances; tranquilityTHE PEACE OF GOD IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF TROUBLE.THE PEACE OF GOD IS GOD22 Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” 23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you.JUDGES 6:22-23 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.2 THESSALONIANS 3:16 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.ISAIAH 26:3 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.PHILIPPIANS 4:6 “STAYING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS A CHOICE JUST AS MUCH AS STAYING IN ANXIETY IS A CHOICE.”

“We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God… If we were able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, ‘What comes to mind when you think about God?’ We might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man.” EXODUS 34:4-7 “Your name was your identity, your destiny, the truth hidden in the marrow of your bones. It was a one-word moniker for the truest thing about you - your inner essence. Your inner Tom-ness or Rut-ness.” JMC“YOU NAME IS YOUR NATURE”Abram to Abraham: “exalted Father” to “father of a multitude or father of many nations”Saul to Paul: “small or humble” EXODUS 3:9-14 (MSG) YAHWEH IS GOD (AUTHORITY)“Here’s how you know if you’ve created God in your own image: he agrees with you on everything. He hates all of the people you hate. He voted for the person you voted for. If you’re republican, so is he. If you’re a democrat, so is he. If you’re passionate about __________, then God is passionate about ___________. If you’re open and elastic about sexuality, so is he. And above all, he’s tame. You never get mad at him or blown away by him or scared of him. Because he’s controllable… And of course, he’s a figment of your imagination.” The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.Even though I walk through the [sunless] [a]valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console mePSALM 23“WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE NAME OF YAHWEH IS THAT HE IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT.” And that’s a lot better than you being god. YAHWEH IS ALWAYS GOD (CONSISTENT) 12 “I’ll be with you,” God said. “And this will be the proof that I am the one who sent you: When you have brought my people out of Egypt, you will worship God right here at this very mountain.”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.JAMES 1:17“WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE NAME OF YAHWEH IS THAT HE WILL DO WHAT HE SAID HE WILL DO.”YAHWEH IS ABLE (POWERFUL)But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” EXODUS 4:10-12 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.EPHESIANS 3:20-21

But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”20 “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” 21 But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.JOHN 2:18-22Message Title: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING."EVERYTHING CHANGED WHEN I EXPERIENCED THE PROOF” 19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.What is the thing that changed everything for the disciples? THE RESURRECTION. The Resurrection of Jesus changes everything.“Apart from the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no savior, no salvation, no forgiveness of sin, and no hope of resurrected eternal life. Apart from the resurrection, Jesus is reduced to yet another good but dead man and therefore is of no considerable help to us in this life or at its end. Plainly stated, without the resurrection of Jesus, the few billion people today who worship Jesus as God are gullible; their hope for a resurrection life after this is the hope of silly fools who trust in a dead man to give them life. Subsequently, the doctrine of Jesus’ resurrection is, without question, profoundly significant and worthy of the most careful consideration and examination.” - DOCTRINE. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-14 THE RESURRECTION IS YOUR RECEIPTHe has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.PSALM 103:12THE RESURRECTION IS YOUR I.D.This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!2 CORINTHIANS 5:17THE RESURRECTION IS YOUR DEGREE And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.ROMANS 8:28

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.LUKE 22:14-23Message Title: WELCOME TO THE TABLE“WHEN I DON’T UNDERSTAND THE COST OF THE MEAL, I MINIMIZE THE POWER OF THE MEAL.” 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.ISAIAH 53:6“SIN IS ALWAYS INJUSTICE AGAINST SOMEONE. AND BECAUSE OF IT, JUSTICE HAS TO BE PAID.”5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.ISAIAH 53:5“COMMUNION IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEAL YOU COULD EVER EAT.”“COMMUNION IS SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH JESUS.” As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”LUKE 24:28-32

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. Luke 15:17-20 A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.SHAME is a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by sinShame is the feeling the follows SINSin we commit Sin committed against us.SHAME IS AN OVERWHELMING FEAR OF ABANDONMENT. SHAME IS AN OVERWHELMING FEAR OF REJECTION. SHAME IS AN OVERWHELMING BELIEF THAT I AM BROKEN. “Shame says, ‘what happened determines who you are’.” In other words, your action determine your identity…SHAME HIDES ME FROM YOUThen the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees in the garden. Genesis 3:8“Shame only allows for surface level relationships”SHAME LIES TO ME ABOUT MEI will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. Luke 15:17-20 Luke 22:54-62 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of [b]Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. - John 21:15-17 John 21:15-17JESUS REDEEMS SINJESUS REVEALS PURPOSEJESUS BORE SHAMEFor our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.2 Corinthians 5:21

EVERYONE IS EMOTIONAL EMOTIONS ARE GOOD… EMOTIONS ARE GOOD… WHEN THEY ARE SUBMITTED. When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”MATTHEW 11:1-6 Doubt: to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE. “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out[d] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”MARK 9:17-24Then Jesus *came with them to a place called [a]Gethsemane, and *told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;MATTHEW 26:36-41THE PRESENCE OF DOUBT IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FAITH.WHAT DO WE DO?CHOOSE TO BELIEVE BEFORE FEELING LIKE BELIEVINGSEEK GOD.And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed,MATTHEW 26:36-41

Everyone is emotional Emotions are goodEmotions are good… when they are submittedEmotions are bad when:We live in themWe live apart from themSo if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. - Matthew 5:21-26Anger is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong.ANGER CAN BE EXPRESSED. Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.5 “Jesus the Nazarene,”[a] they replied.“I am he,”[b] Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! 7 Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” 9 He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”JOHN 18:4-11ANGER CAN BE SUPPRESSED. And whether you choose to express or suppress, anger always leads to something… Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, - Ephesians 4:26ANGER CAN LEAD TO SINANGER CAN LEAD TO JUSTICE So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. - Matthew 5:21-26

Panel style message with Pastor Jackson and our New Song Students leaders; Molly Ratliff, Eman Ratliff, and Annie Stuemky, answering questions submitted on relationships.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”MARK 2:1-5 (NLT) “A RIGHT relationship is a relationship God would want to be apart of. A relationship done God’s way.” Right relationships are not focused on immediate options but on the end goal. Right Relationships are willing to put in time and effortRight Relationships don’t just focus on my needs but others needs. There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.PROVERBS 18:24There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. JOHN 15:13 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] MATTHEW 22:37-39RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS (aka: relationships done God’s way) focus on the end goal, put in time and effort, focus on others needs

xo - a series on relationships It's Up To Me! Every Relationship has a specific cultureCulture is MoldableGood Culture Must Be Forged How Do We Have Healthy Culture? 1. KNOW IT2. GUARD IT3. REPEAT IT

“You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.Exodus 20:3-6YOU BELONG TO GOD. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”Jeremiah 1:5“An idol is anything that we put over God and look towards to meet our needs.”As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’[e]”20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard[f] to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”Mark 10:17-25IDOLS KEEP ME FROM PURSUING JESUS“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.Matthew 6:24IDOLS KEEP ME FROM HEARING JESUS’ TONEBut seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.Matthew 6:33IDOLS ARE RED FLAGS ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’Isaiah 44:28GOING DEEPERJesus asked the rich young ruler to lay down his wealth to follow Him. What is something Jesus might as you to lay down? Idols can be red flags of a deeper issue. What is the deeper issue of the thing that you mentioned? What would it look for God to meet that need in your life instead of that thing?

A FRESH PURSUIT. 🏎 IN-PURSUIT // WK.01Pursue: to follow (someone or something) in order to catch or attack them.“it’s impossible to passively pursue”Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. 2 The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. 3 And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it[a] may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 1 Samuel 4:1-3“THE ENEMY OF PURSUIT IS CHANCE”The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.Psalm 14:2You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.Jeremiah 29:13THE PURSUIT IS ON YOU. instead of a fresh pursuit, they looked to old methods to solve their problems. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!1 Chronicles 16:11“All relationships require a fresh pursuit”GOING DEEPER.In what ways are you actively pursuing a deeper relationship with God right now? Has there ever been a time in your life where you left something up to chance instead of seeking God’s direction? ShareWhat is one thing that you can intentionally do this year to make your pursuit towards God more aggressive?