Isaiah 52:7 - Romans 10:11-21 – Beautiful feet of those who bring the good news

Isaiah 53:1 - John 12:37-41 – Many didn’t believe Jesus, even after seeing miracles

Isaiah 53:6 – Romans 3:23 – All have sinned

Isaiah 53:4 – Matthew 8:14-17 – Jesus Healed many, including Peter’s Mother-in-law.

Isaiah 53:5 – 2 Corinthains 5:21 – The Great Exchange - 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,[a] so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Isaiah 53:7-8 - Acts 8:26-35 – Philip helps the Ethiopian Eunuch reading this passage understand Isaiah is talking about Jesus

Isaiah 53:7 - Luke 23:9 – Jesus didn’t fight back on trial

Isaiah 53:9 (and 4,5,6) - 1 Peter 2:19-25 – Suffer like Jesus

Isaiah 53:9 - Matthew 27:57-60 – Jesus’ buried in Jospeh of Arimathea Tomb

Isaiah 53:12 - Luke 22:35-38 – After the Last Supper Jesus knows they are going to be a target

Sheep Videos

Sheep Stuck in A Ditch - https://youtube.com/shorts/fc5m4h4-ydE?si=kWwRjWkgO8AZRRWh

Shearing A Sheep- https://youtube.com/shorts/Aviy_zxpWco?si=D7hiUAwDrJF8wWuB

Theological Words

• Propitiation - God’s Wrath Was Satisfied - https://www.gotquestions.org/propitiation.html
• Expiation – To Cover Sin - https://www.gotquestions.org/expiation.html
• Atonement – “At One With God”.. To cover sin. - https://www.gotquestions.org/vicarious-atonement.html
• Vicarious – Jesus’ death was in our place, as us - https://www.gotquestions.org/vicarious-atonement.html
• Penal Substitutionary Atonement - God’s perfect justice demanded a perfect sacrifice – Jesus in our place, as our substitute. https://www.gotquestions.org/penal-substitution.html

A Great Resource - Pierced for our transgressions by Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey, and Andrew Sach - https://a.co/d/eyUedV9

Excerpt from Page 104 - God the Father gave his Son to save rebellious, God-hating people, knowing that he would be despised and rejected by those he had made, that he would be a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. He spared sinful people from condemnation, death and punishment, but he did not spare his own beloved Son, with whom he was well pleased.

God the Son gave himself, willingly undertaking the task appointed for him by his Father. He veiled his glory in a human body, experienced every temptation we face without succumbing to any, and lived a perfect human life. Yet he took our sin and guilt upon himself and died a cursed death, suffering in his human nature the infinite torment of the wrath and fury of his Father. After three days he was vindicated in his resurrection before being exalted to his heavenly throne. From there he rules his kingdom, awaiting the day of his glorious appearing when every eye shall see him, every knee bow before him, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God the Holy Spirit, having been sent by the Father and the Son, now works in our hearts through the proclamation of the gospel to convict us of sin, righteousness and judgment, to draw us to Christ in repentance and faith, and so to unite us to Christ that we may share in every blessing he has won for us.

God the Holy Trinity thus turned aside his own righteous wrath against sinful humanity; endured and exhausted the curse of the law that stood against us; cleansed us of our sin and clothed us in Christ's righteousness; ransomed us from our slavery to sin, the world and the devil by paying our debt, cancelling the devil's power of accusation against us, and liberating us to live new lives empowered by the Spirit; triumphed over all evil powers by punishing evil in the person of the Son; and reconciled us with himself by removing the barrier of sin and enmity between us; in order that we may stand blameless and forgiven in his glorious presence, credited with the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, as adopted children of God, gazing upon his face for all eternity.

God vindicated his truthfulness by remaining faithful to his promise that sin will be punished; he manifested his justice by punishing sin and acquitting the righteous; he glorified his name by exalting his Son and placing all things under his feet; and he demonstrated his love by dying for sinners and reconciling to himself those who were once his enemies.

Here are some idols we didn’t get to in our sermon. (Find that sermon HERE).

FAME

Sports and athletes make a lot of money and get a lot of attention. The best players in the world practice the most basic movements and skills every single day. The fundamentals. Yes, bouncing an orange ball on a hardwood floor helps you earn millions of dollars a year. Yes, swinging a wooded stick or catching a ball can also lead to much fame.

This was one of my main sources of identity growing up. It’s how I was known in the community and a little bit in the news. I remember learning how to play Wide Receiver and my coach making me practice running in a straight line (while turning your head to catch a ball). Anyone could run in a straight line! But even all state athletes need to do this most basic skill.

We put so much stock in fame and skill when it comes to sports but when you break it down to the most basic fundamentals… it’s just some people running on a painted field of grass!

HOARDING/COLLECTING

Some people love their collections. And sure, they know the stamps are just paper and ink and a designer put it together. The value is not in the material itself, it’s more in the concept of it all. Some people just keep stuff. Lots of stuff. It’s stuff.

Jewelry is a similar thing. Now the material might be more valuable for whatever reason, but it’s still just a metal crafted by someone’s hand. Formed and shaped into something that looks pleasing to the eye.

CLOTHING/APPEARANCE

Many people put on the right outside appearance to find value and worth. Sometimes it’s the material, or the designer, for others it’s the hot style or the trendy fashion. Other people spend thousands of dollars on procedures to get their body looking just the the way they want.

I remember getting fitted for my tuxedo for my wedding. The tux was great! It looked great. But I rented it. The whole process of getting it to fit right. From the measurements to selecting the way it fits. It makes a big visual impact, but the details that you go through to get it just right are crazy.

That’s the tuxedo, now do that for a wedding dress!

CONCLUSION

When we break down our idols it takes away the mystery. When the mystery is taken away it helps us see the stupidity of it all. I gave my life for that? I spent all my money on that? I thought that was going to help me in my time of need!?

We struggle with relationships… like relationships are some mysterious concept that is hard to understand. But when we look at it like, I haven’t called my friend in 3 months, no wonder we’ve drifted apart, it makes more sense.

Or, we can’t wait for the thing we ordered on amazon yesterday to come in the mail today. It’s the plastic, shiny, big thing in a cardboard box that gets dropped off by the delivery man that is going to make my day better! ….Yeah, right!

Why would you run to a piece of wood that you just used to make a fire to cook your food?

It’s crazy, the fact that you work hard making the idol to be more than it is makes you need to eat or find some energy from it. It’s wearing you out.

Will you question like Isaiah 44:20 says… is this idol that I’m holding in my hand (close to my heart) a lie?

Isaiah 44:20 ….  “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”

Exodus 2:18 NLT - ¹⁸ When the girls returned to Reuel, their father, he asked, “Why are you back so soon today?”

Exodus 3:1 NLT - One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro,^[a] the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai,^[b] the mountain of God.

*The NLT gives the note here that Moses’ father in law goes by two names, Jethro and Reuel.

Judges 4:11 NLT - ¹¹ Now Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Moses’ brother-in-law^[a] Hobab, had moved away from the other members of his tribe and pitched his tent by the oak of Zaanannim near Kedesh.

*The NLT gives the note here that “brother in law” could also mean “father in law.”

It seems like Ruel and Jethro are the same person. Two names for the same person.

This last note in Judges 4:11 is most likely there because of how Hebrew was written.

Transliterated… The Hebrew for "father-in-law": ḥōṯēn.

The Hebrew for "brother-in-law": ḥāṯān.

In the original Hebrews manuscripts, the vowels were not there making both words identical. HTN. When the scribes added vowels at a later date they may have added the wrong markings in a scribal error.

This discrepancy is seen in the KJV/NKJV versions (The byzantine texts) (confuses brother in law and father in law) and many of the other translations like NIV/NLT/ etc. (based on the Alexandrian texts) (calls Hobab the brother in law).

[John 9]

⁹ Then Jesus told him,^[d] “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see^[e] that they are blind.” (John 9:9 NLT)

Which one are you?

Check out the details of the major characters of this story:

1.The details about the man:

1. a man who had been blind from birth (v.1)
2. So the man went and washed and came back seeing! (v.7) (obeyed Jesus!)
3. “c. Yes, I am the same one!” (v. 9) – he was so changed people didn’t recognize him
4. ¹¹ He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” – he shared what happened (v.15 too)
5. 12- “I don’t know,” he replied. – honest about his situation (where is Jesus)
6. 17 The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.” (honest and incomplete opinion of Jesus)
7. ²⁵ “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” – I don’t understand your theology but I can tell you what He did for me.
8. ²⁷ “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” – Mr. sarcastic I’m not playing your games. (and v.30
9. ³⁴ “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” (v.33 – explaining what he knows) And they threw him out of the synagogue. (questioning authority. Speaking honestly)
10. 36 - The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” – all of this happened BEFORE he even truly trusted in Jesus…

³⁸ “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. – belief comes later

Details about the other people in this story

1. Disciples
   2. “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” v. 2. - Asking a religious question based on a false assumption…. Or reading it as if they think they can see, asked Jesus a simple question based on something they read in the Bible

2. Neighbors and Others
   1. His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹ Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”
   2. ¹⁰ They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?”
   3. They labeled the man by his condition (couldn’t see him any differently)… Or reading it as if they think they can see They knew who this man was and how to deal with him.

3. Pharisees
   1. ¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” – judges people based on their visible actions
      1. Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.
   2. “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” – wants to catch all the people that disagree with them and tell them they are wrong.
   3. “God should get the glory for this,^[b] because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.”… as much as jesus claimed to be God they did not have a category for it.
   4. ²⁶ “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” – cared more about what rules someone was breaking than what God was doing.
   5. ²⁸ Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! ²⁹ We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.” – stood on their scriptures.
   6. ³⁴ “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” - know it all. We can’t learn anything! You are the sinner.
   7. And they threw him out of the synagogue. –. Get away from me.
   8. ⁴⁰ Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” – continued hard heart
   9. As if they can see…Able to discern if someone is doing the right or wrong thing. Kept the focus on God for He deserves all glory. Focused on upholding the principles of the Word of God and stands on the authority of Scripture. They protected the religious community from allowing someone who actively promoting sin to be a part of it.

4. Parents of man
   1. ²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 
   2. They were afraid of getting in trouble so they said the politically correct thing to say. …. Or reading it as if they think they can see …They knew how to behave in order to keep their good standing within the religious community.

Given these two scenarios… which one do you want to be?

Conclusion:

Without Jesus, all we are left with is subjective morality. Ailments are a result of sin or bad choices. So, we must figure out what is sin. Can we avoid sin? We need the answers to these questions so that we can make sure our life is better by avoiding the sins that make things bad. We also learn how to manage sin so that its effects don’t impact our lives.

With Jesus – he makes us see!

It’s the final day of the festival of booths.

This festival was a time where many people would build temporary shelters out of branches and lived in them for a week in order to commemorate the Israelites sojourn in the wilderness. It was the most popular of the three required Jewish feasts in Jesus’ day.

But the last day was when the real excitement happened… the Ceremony of the water drawing

The Mishna states, "He that has never seen the joy of the [ceremony of the water drawing] has never in his life seen joy." (Sukkah 51a) As the ceremony took place, Levite's played lyres, trumpets, harps, cymbals, and other instruments, while other Levite's sang. In the Temple area, three golden candlesticks nearly 75 feet high were lit by young boys climbing tall ladders, and the light from these candlesticks could be seen throughout all Jerusalem. Respected men of faith danced and sang in front of these candlesticks while carrying burning torches. As the ceremony progressed through the night, the priest blew the shofar three times. In the manner of the text of Isaiah 12:3, "Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation," the evening was characterized by exuberant joy. It was a wonderful occasion that no one wanted to miss. (from book https://www.amazon.com/Feasts-Israel-Seasons-Messiah/dp/0915540142)

Sometimes Rabbis would perform acrobats and juggle flaming touches as part of the festivities.

The ceremony of the water drawing on the last day was important.

The water came from a spring east of Jerusalem called the Spring of Gihon which may have been used to anoint David’s son Solomon, King of Israel (1 Kings 1:45).

King Hezekiah later redirected the water of this spring into the city of Jerusalem through a long underground conduit known as Hezekiah's Tunnel. (2 Kings 20:20)

Within the walls of Jerusalem, the waters of Gihon ran into a pool named the Pool of Siloam. (involved in the Red Heifer ordinance Numbers 19 and John 9 when Jesus healed the blind man)

During this water ceremony they would read the Scriptures

Ezekiel 47 - In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. ² The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. ….

Zechariah 14 - ⁸ On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean,^[d] flowing continuously in both summer and winter.

⁹ And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.

What it would look like

Early on each of the seven mornings of the feast the high priest would lead a procession from the Pool of Siloam to the temple [7 times on the last day!]. Another priest would first fill a golden pitcher with water from the pool. He would then carry it through the Water Gate, which was located on the south side of the temple, and into the temple courtyard. There he would ceremoniously pour the water into a silver basin on the west side of the bronze altar, from which it would flow through a tube to the base of the altar.

Then they would both pour the water and the wine out before the Lord. The pouring out of water represented God's provision of water in the wilderness in the past and His provision of refreshment and cleansing in the messianic age. The pouring out of wine symbolized God's bestowal of His Spirit in the last days.

Every male present would simultaneously shake his little bundle of willow and myrtle twigs (his lulab) with his right hand and hold a piece of citrus fruit aloft with his left hand. The twigs represented stages of the wilderness journey, marked by different kinds of vegetation, and the citrus fruit symbolized the fruit of the Promised Land.[559] Everyone would also shout three times: "Give thanks to the LORD!" Worshippers in the temple courtyard would then sing the Hallel (Ps. 113—118). This was such a happy occasion that the Mishnah stated: "He that never has seen the joy of the Water-drawing has never in his life seen joy."

This water rite had become a part of the Israelites' traditional celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. Essentially it symbolized the fertility and fruitfulness that the rain brought.

He announced that He was the One who could provide messianic blessing: that He was the Messiah. Jesus' words compared His own Person to the rock in the wilderness that supplied the needs of the Israelites.

and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 NLT

Some information was received from this webpage - https://jewishroots.net/library/holiday-articles/water_libation_ceremony.html

And this video - https://youtu.be/g4_GO511YSo.

And these notes - https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/john.pdf

Here is a list of the things of God Joshua experienced that were passed down from Moses: [a whole lot!]

• Joshua is personally redeemed from slavery in Egypt as a young boy. (Exodus 6:6)
• He walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. (Exodus 14:29)
• Joshua was chosen to be the leader in the battle against the Amalekites… a battle that he won because Aaron and Hur held up Moses arms as God said (Exodus 17:9)
• With Moses when he ascends Mt Sinai and God gives the Law. (Exodus 24:13)
• Heard the shouting in the camp when they returned from the mountain to find the law already broken. Watches Moses destroy the stone tablets. (Exodus 32:17)
• Was fed 40 years in the wilderness with mana from heaven, as well as water from rocks and quail for meat. (Exodus 16:35)
• Joshua served Moses and stayed with Moses after Moses met with God (Exodus 33:11)
• Was a servant of Moses from his youth (Numbers 11:28)
• Joshua and Caleb were the only two spies who urged the people to take the promised land (Numbers 14:6-10)
• After Moses dies Joshua is the new leader. He is described as a leader, a shepherd, a man who is spirit filled, has authority, and is commissioned for the task. (Numbers 27:15-23)
• Joshua’s feet split the Jordan river just like he had experienced as a young boy with Moses leading the way. (Joshua 3:16)
• Promise from God - I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you (Joshua 1:3)
• First battle in promised land sees God miraculously bring the walls of Jericho down. (Joshua 6:20)
• And at the end of his life, Joshua gives land in faith to the people coming after him. He didn’t see it conquered yet but believed it would be. (Joshua 13:7)
• He calls the leaders together and recounts the whole story. (Joshua 24)

Here is a list of the things of God the next generation experienced that were passed down from Joshua:

*crickets*

Here is a prayer for you:

Father, we love you and trust you. Throughout scripture you have promised that you will not abandon us…you will be with us…always. 

Yes, Jesus, you told us that in this world there would be tribulation. Trials. Scary times, but I pray that you would give us hearts to follow you, to trust you.  Help us to take heart and remember that you HAVE overcome the world. 

Remind us again as the Apostle Paul said that NOTHING can separate us from your love. Nothing. Not trials, distress…whatever fears we are facing today,  give us assurance.  Let us know the peace that comes from knowing that YOU are God and NOTHING can separate us from your love. 

We heard about Joshua this morning and your promise to guide and be with him as he led your Chosen people into the land  you had promised them. I’m reminded of other godly men and women, pioneers of the faith listed in Hebrews who blazed the way.  Help us to fix our eyes on you, Jesus. As horrible as the Cross would be, you never lost sight of where you were headed.  You put up with everything:  The Cross.   Shame.  Whatever. In order that as believers, we can enter YOUR Promised Land.   

I pray that we find ourselve flagging in our faith, when we grow fearful, remind us of your faithfulness.  

Jesus you are more powerful – you are GREATER than any of our fears. 

You desire to be with us in the midst of our fears. 

Strengthen us. Allow us to trust you more. 

I pray this for we…YOUR Church…in your Name.  Amen 

- A prayer from Denny Foreman

“Both the Old Testament and the New Testament have undergone changes over the centuries, including the publication of the King James Bible in 1611 and the addition of several books that were discovered later.” – History.com

If people really did pick and choose what books made it into the Bible (maybe for political gain, etc.) then Christianity is certainly questionable. Why would anyone trust a book about God produced by men? Why would anyone trust a book that claims to be true in every way that was written and selected by men?

Knowing how we got the Bible and what it is greatly strengthens your faith and the ability to trust what we have today is the Word of God.

1. Textual Transmission of the Text

The original Old Testament and New Testament texts were hand written, and copies were made by hand until the invention of the printing press in 1450. Because copies were made by hand, minimal textual variants and errors should be expected in the copies. But what makes the Bible so unique is that there are many more ancient manuscripts available today than any other ancient work, and the amount of textual variants is rather small. Prior to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls the earliest known manuscript of the Old Testament text was from 935 AD. The Dead Sea Scrolls confirmed this document as textually accurate and it showed that Old Testament manuscripts have been faithfully copied for over 1,000 years. There are also over 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament in existence and in all of these there are only about 150,000 word variations, none of which impacts a doctrinal point.

2. Translation of the Text

The formal approach to the translation of Scripture is a word for word translation seeking to be as literal as possible, whereas the functional approach to translation is a thought by thought translation which seeks to translate the idioms and ideas that the original audience heard.

There are two major manuscript families that Enlgish translations come from. One is called the Byzantine texts and from that we get the King James Version. The other family is called the Alexandrian family and from that we get all the other translations like NABS, ESv, NIV, NLT, etc. So is one better than the other? Not necessarily. There is a less than 5% difference between the two families of texts, the main difference being the Alexandrian family is smaller (Mark 16:9-20 omitted, and other verses and words are omitted).

3. Present Access to the Word of God

Although we do not have access to the autographs today we can be confident that we have access to God’s Word. Our English Bible that we read is the inspired Word of God in a virtual and derived sense. The autographs are verbally and plenary inspired in an immediate and actual way.

The copies of those autographs are inspired in a verbal, derived and virtual way.

The translations that we have are inspired in a derived and virtual way.

Although we do not have the autographs, the copies are so numerous and similar that we can be confident that they contain the words of God like the autographs did, and our translations come from these manuscripts. Our modern translations are made from a text, that is essentially identical to the autograph, which is the absolute standard, so in this sense (derived, and virtual) they (our modern translations) are inspired.

4. Jesus Saves!

1 Corinthians 15:13-14 NLT

¹³ For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.

If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our Bible study is useless too. If Christ has not been raised from the dead what good is the Bible? Jesus’ resurrection proves who Jesus was and what he came to do. Because of Jesus’ resurrection we preach. Because of Jesus’ resurrection our faith in Jesus results in salvation by grace alone. The Bible certainly gives us special revelation about these things and we know about these things because of what we read in the Bible today, but from the very beginning “the Bible” does not save you. It never saved anyone. The Bible reveals a savior who rose from the dead and that event changed everything.

The true God wants your worship. The true God wants your trust and praise. So why do we spend so much effort and time appeasing other gods? It doesn’t make much sense because over and over again the true God shows himself to be the greatest and most powerful. He constantly does things better than other gods were said to do.

For example, Baal promised many things related to wealth.

Baal promised the rains. And with the rains would come good crops and much wealth. But just to show everyone who was really in control, God did the opposite of what Baal was said to do and sent a drought (1 Kings 17:1).

The people who worshipped Baal went hungry because of the drought.

But the people who worshipped God were cared for.

• God fed Elijah meat and bread delivered to him daily by carrier ravens (1 Kings 17:6).

• God also made oil and flour overflow for Elijah and his friends (vv. 14–16).

Baal even promised resurrection. But when Baal’s people died, it was God’s prophet Elijah that raised him back to life (1 Kings 17:22).

God’s people were provided for throughout the drought, and Baal’s people had a king who was wandering the countryside hoping to find some grass for the few horses and mules who hadn’t died yet (1 Kings 18:4-5).

Baal’s 450 prophets cut themselves, danced, and chanted to try to get the attention of their god. “But there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention” (1 Kings 18:29). Maybe Baal was going to the bathroom and would be available to his people when he was finished taking care of himself? (1 Kings 18:27).

Then it was God’s turn, and He really showed up! Fire consumed the sacrifice in response to Elijah’s prayer even after it was drenched in whatever water was left. The entire altar, not just the sacrifice was consumed.

Luke 12:29-31

²⁹ “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. ³⁰ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. ³¹ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

We don’t have to get God’s attention for him to give us what we want. He already cares so deeply for you and will provide what you need. So, in response, we worship an amazing God who would do that for us!

They demanded Jesus give them a miracle as a sign of His authority. Jesus responded that the only sign He was going to give them was the sign of the prophet Jonah. He said, Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:39-40).

Then he said:

⁴¹ “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.

Jesus is telling us the point of the book of Jonah that many people overlook. The book of Jonah is designed to challenge the believer to consider how much we actually love God and what he does, especially how He feels and acts towards the ones we have a difficult time loving (to put it mildly).

Jesus is telling us that Nineveh repented, but that the Pharisees would not. Nineveh, that horrible terrible no good place, is the model of repentance while the people who claimed to follow God and knew the Scriptures inside and out were standing on the outside. Jesus was pleading with them, telling them that if Nineveh could repent, so could they. If Nineveh could listen to Jonah, they could listen to Him. And yet they continued to have the heart of Jonah and refused.

The pharisees, just like Jonah, could not grasp, for many different reasons, that they were the ones in need of change. They looked down on everyone else. They saw themselves as better, more righteous, more right in their theology and practice. And yet, what Jesus is telling them, is that this could not be further from the truth.

So many Christians today are right where the Pharisees were. So many Christians today are right where Jonah was. God is wanting to get our attention to repent and turn to him, and we think it’s everyone else’s problem to deal with.

Christian, before we reach our city (Jonah 4:11) with the gospel, the gospel must first reach us.

1. Jesus followers are commanded to forgive… all the time.

Luke 17:3-5 NLT

“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. ⁴ Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” ⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

7 times a day! The apostles needed more faith for that, and you probably do too. Forgiveness is not based on the person deserving it, but on what Jesus has done for you.

2. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciliation. Certainly, sometimes forgiveness leads to reconciliation but there needs to still be boundaries. A counselor can help you walk through that. You can’t be walked all over, abused, or in danger.

Forgiveness happens first between you and God.

If someone has wronged you then you can follow the steps outlined in Matthew 18:15-20 to seek reconciliation.

1. go privately (to the person who wronged you) and point out the offense.
   1. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. (that is always the goal – reconciliation)
2. ¹⁶ But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again,
   1. so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. (sometimes it’s helpful to get a couple other trusted people to go with you and help the person understand what they did).
3. ¹⁷ If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church (leadership/organization structure)
   1. . Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. (Relationships are super important to God. If there is conflict between believers in the local church it must be worked through. If there is not a desire by the sinning party to work through the issues, then their relationship with the local church needs to be redefined. (Treating someone like a pagan or corrupt tax collector – How does Jesus do that? He loves them and pursues them even more.)

3. Forgiveness is something between you and God. And when others confess to you, you respond and say – I’ve [already] forgiven you. But sometimes they will never confess to you. In that case, you still forgive them (just don’t tell them you’ve forgiven them if they don’t confess to you, that’s strange). You just pray and hope that they’ll turn from their sin/confess their sin to you one day so that you can express your forgiveness and be reconciled.

 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. – Romans 12:18 NLT

Sometimes living at peace with everyone is not possible. You’ve done all you can do for now and now you continue to pray and trust God and His timing. You’ve forgiven them though. So that if and when they ever turn to you to confess their sin, you can be ready to express your forgiveness to them.

Maybe God will get a hold of them in some way. That’s really his heart. He desires their turning from their sin and reconciliation towards the person they wronged more than even their worship.

Matthew 5:23-24 NLT

²³ “So if you are presenting a sacrifice^[h] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, ²⁴ leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Instructions:

1. Read Numbers 13:25-33 (Listen to Pastor Kevin's Message on 1/22/23). 

2. Write down your:

• Observations (What is the text saying. No one should be able to disagree with you)
• Interpretations (Questions you have based on what was written and what you think the author meant)
• Applications (What you are going to do about what you read)

3. Share your observations, interpretations, and applications in the comments below. 

Instructions:

1. Read Romans 4:1-25 (Listen to Pastor Kevin's Message from 1/8/23). 

2. Write down your:

• Observations (What is the text saying. No one should be able to disagree with you)
• Interpretations (Questions you have based on what was written and what you think the author meant)
• Applications (What you are going to do about what you read)

3. Share your observations, interpretations, and applications in the comments below. 

Could you imagine being Jesus’ parent? I know we all think we have the “perfect” kids, but Mary seriously did. Imagine her disciplining him and him saying back to her, “no, you’d better get in line, because I’m going to be your judge for eternity some day!”

God chose this seemingly random (most say) 14 year old teenage girl from a middle of nowhere town (Nazareth) to be the mother of the Son of God. The scriptures tell us that she was “highly favored” (Luke 1:28).

Just how favored was she? What did she do to deserve God’s favor? Did she earn it?

I think the answer to these questions are important for us to consider because it helps us identify how we think we can be made right with God.

We all want to go to heaven. We all want to be forgiven by God and have a right relationship with God. But how?

Maybe the woman God chose to bring him into the world as a human baby would have special privileges. Certainly, religious traditions have tried to figure this out. Some claim Mary was always a virgin, some say she was perfect, and others even say she ascended into heaven before she died.   

While some of those ideas are outside the scope of this article, the scriptures tell us in Matthew 1:25, speaking of Joseph, that “But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.” The word until is key here. The Scriptures go on to tell us about Jesus’ brothers and sisters and how, just like Mary, they all had their own journey of believing their brother or son was who He claimed to be.

Mary knew that just like any other person she needed a savior (Luke 1:47). Someone to come from outside of our human existence to deal with the problem no human being could solve (sin).

But at the same time, it must have been hard dealing with the aftermath of having a child before she was married and comprehending the news the angel told her about her baby.

How again do you parent the son of God?

Once, she told him to fix the problem of no wine at a wedding. She trusted he’d be able to figure it out.

Later in Jesus’ life she’s concerned for his health and tried to interrupt his ministry. Jesus uses that moment to distance himself from her (Mark 3:31-35). In this moment Jesus is teaching us, and teaching His mother something profound, that even His own mother would need to trust in Jesus to be saved.

In fact, Jesus would also say that ²⁶ “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27-27)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, needed to be a disciple of her son. If she needed to follow Him, then we certainly do too.

Mary was present at the cross when her son died (John 19:25). Mary was also with the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14).

We have very good reason to believe that she believed that her son was the Messiah, the savior of the world. It started with a message from an angel and continued with her being a part of the early movement of believers following Jesus after his death and resurrection.

If the mother who gave birth to her son believed that her boy was the son of God and her savior, then I think you should too. If after watching your boy learn how to walk and talk and go through teenage years you still believe that He is God… there must have been something special happening. There most certainly was…

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Adam named all the animals (Genesis 2:20)

Adam named Eve (Genesis 3:20)

Adam’s naming his wife, Eve, after the first sin and after the judgements pronounced by God seems like a strange thing. Why then? And didn’t Adam just blame Eve for his sin?

In the worst moment in human history up until this point, God not only speaks judgement, but he also speaks salvation.

In the worst moment of Adam’s life, he hears from the Lord and chooses to respond in faith.

Adam understood that Eve was going to give birth to their children and that God also just promised that one of their descendants would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15).

Adam heard from the Lord and named his wife Eve which means “to give life.” Eve would be the mother of every human being born throughout history. Through her family line would come Jesus, through his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, he would defeat the devil and crush his head.

Through Jesus, the second Adam, we all can have life. (Romans 5).

What do you call the things in your life? Do you respond in difficult situations by speaking words of fear and failure? Or do you respond with words of hope and faith?

God made the water of the Red Sea stand up like a wall so that the nation of Israel could walk through on dry ground. What an amazing miracle the Exodus was. God was saving his people and bringing them out of slavery and into the promised land. God did it. It was a blessing. 

But the very thing that was a blessing in one season turned into the source of their complaining in the next. 

²² Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. ²³ When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”). ²⁴ Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded.

 

Exodus 15:22-24 NLT

Have you ever prayed for something only for God to give it to you and then it turns into the source of your complaints? You really wanted that car. Remember, that car. The one you just spent $100 again fixing it for the 27th time. You really wanted that job. Then five years, or five minutes later you can't stand the people you work with. Maybe God has blessed you with an amazing opportunity. But with the amazing opportunity comes great responsibility. 

What was a blessing in one season quickly turns into the source of complaining in the next. 

That is why it is always the right time to worship. 

Press play on your praise. 

Don’t wait for the blessing to worship the Lord. Worship is a daily decision that should happen every day through everything. If you wait to worship you will have already received the miracle and you won’t even see it… you’ll be too busy complaining to worship.

Really, he just missed out on Jesus doing something so incredible (revealing his resurrected self to the other disciples!) that he wanted to see it for himself. Wouldn’t you? Would you just take your friend’s word for it that someone came back from the dead? Especially if you should have seen it personally and for some reason didn’t?

Thomas was honest. He was absent in that moment. But throughout Jesus’ ministry He also asked great questions. He was extremely loyal to Jesus (even to death). He could be called a lot of things, but if “Doubting” is used in a negative sense in Thomas’s case I think we are doing him a disservice.

Loyal Thomas - Thomas told the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). The other disciples didn’t want to return to Lazarus’ hometown because they thought they were going to killed. Thomas said if Jesus wants to go there, I’m going with Him.

Asking Good Questions Thomas – Thomas spoke up and honestly asked Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). Jesus answered Thomas with these powerful words: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Friend Thomas – When no one was quite sure what was happening, Thomas was fishing with Peter and 5 other disciples when Jesus appeared to them at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:2).

Present Thomas - The final mention of Thomas is in Act 1:13, where he is listed among the disciples.

Gospel Thomas - Christian history tells us that Thomas took the gospel to either Parthia (Modern Iran) or India and that he was martyred for his faith.

The Apostle Paul had every reason to “DIS” (to criticize or speak disrespectfully about) his past and his present situation. He could have made decisions that would have greatly disrupted his future… and I think we could too.

He could have Disassociated from his Past

Paul went through a lot in his life, both as a Christian and before He was a Christian. He knew what it was like to feel regret over decisions he made in past. He knew he actively was trying to destroy the very thing that God created him to promote. As a believer, he struggled with doing what he knew was the right thing to do but couldn’t always do it. He also faced such a list of terrible “setbacks, and hang-ups” than certainly could have been discouraging.

Galatians 1:13 – “how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.” 

Galatians 1:23 - ²³ All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!”

Acts 8:3 - But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

Acts 26:9-11 – “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.^[a] 10 Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers^[b] there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. ¹¹ Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus.^[c] I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

Romans 7:15 - ¹⁵ I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 - ²³ Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. ²⁴ Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. ²⁶ I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.^[c] 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

Yet Paul took it all to God and God used these things for Paul’s and His advantage in  many ways.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - ⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

He could have Disengaged from His present

Paul made the most of sitting in a jail cell. He wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon while in jail. He also had stories of singing and sharing the gospel with people in jail with him. He even led a jailer to Christ! He also may have been at a disadvantage with his eyesight. He wrote in large letters and there are some interesting stories of not recognizing the high priest and the generosity of others desiring to give him their eyes. Not seeing well would have made writing hard but he had people write for him. He also wasn’t considered a great speaker (by others and himself). So, he did what he could do and that was write. (which you have to agree was pretty effective!)

Acts 16:24-30 - ²⁴ So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. ²⁵ Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. ²⁶ Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! ²⁷ The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

²⁹ The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Galatians 6:11 - ¹¹ Notice what large letters i use as i write these closing words in my own handwriting.

Galatians 4:15 - ¹⁵ Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible.

Acts 23:2-5 - ² Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. ³ But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite!^[a] What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”

⁴ Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”

⁵ “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’^[b]”

2 Corinthians 10:10 - ¹⁰ For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”

2 Corinthians 11:6 - ⁶ I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.

He could have Disrupted his future.

God would do more through Paul’s life than maybe any other Jesus follower ever. He’d start more churches and write more books of the Bible than anyone else during his time on this earth. What he wrote in the prison cell still continues to transform people, churches, and movements of people around the world today. What if he let his circumstances determine what he did? What if he was a better speaker and relied on his speaking gift more than writing and never wrote his letters down? What if he didn’t build a great team of people around him that kept the mission going even when he couldn’t go anywhere. Instead of making a decision that would disrupt his future negatively he chose to bring what may have seemed like disadvantages to God and God disrupted the world in a great way for the gospel because of his faithfulness and love for Jesus and perseverance in the mission.

Here are some outcomes of Paul not disrupting his future by letting what may have seemed like disadvantages hold him down.

Paul invested in Silas, Priscilla & Aquilla, Titus, Epaphras, Timothy. All of these people invested in reliable people who invested in other behind them.

2 Timothy 2:2 - You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

One of Paul’s students in Ephesus, Epaphras, most likely planted the church in Colossae during his training in Ephesus.

The seven churches found in the book of Revelation were most likely planted by people who trained in Ephesus with Paul.

Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list. God knows everything. But knowing that God knows everything can give us peace and increase our ability to trust Him. He knows you. Everything about you, and even so desires to know you in a personal way. Do you know God in that kind of personal way?

1. He knows the number of stars in the sky (Psalm 147:4-5).

2. He knows how many hairs are on or not on your head (Luke 12:7)

3. He knows when a sparrow dies (Matthew 10:29)

4. He knows the plans he has for you, (Jeremiah 29:11)

5. God know when you sit and when you rise; (Psalm 139:1-4)

6. God knows your thoughts. (Psalm 139:1-4)

7. God knows where you go (Psalm 139:1-4)

8. God knows when you go to sleep. (Psalm 139:1-4)

9. God knows everything you do. (Psalm 139:1-4)

10.  He even knows the next word you are going to say before you ever do. (Psalm 139:1-4)

11. God knows how to create the moon and the sun and how to tell them what to do (Psalm 104:19)

12. He knows all the animals (Psalm 50:11)

13. He knows where you are hiding (Jeremiah 23:24)

14. He knows what is happening in our lives (Exodus 3:7)

15. He knows what His enemies are doing (Isaiah 66:18)

16. God knows every baby in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5)

17. God knows when you cry (Psalm 56:8)

18. God knows your specific traits and abilities (Exodus 4:14)

19. God knows our innermost thoughts (Isaiah 49:15)

20. God knows our evil deeds (Proverbs 15:3)

21. God knows everything that will happen in the future (Isaiah 46:9-10)

22. God knew specific people/events in the future (Isaiah 44:28)

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure (Psalm 147:5).

⁴⁷ But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached… ⁴⁹ When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

 

⁵¹ But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

 

⁵² Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? - Luke 22:47-52 NLT

Like Peter, we are so quick to fight. When someone comes to attack, we are ready. We are ready to block and cancel people out of our lives and out of a life. We are ready to defend what we hold dear and stand up for what we believe in. And like Peter, we are not good at doing this. I'm guessing he took his sword and went for the head but only got the ear. Thankfully, Jesus put it back together for the man. Jesus and the disciples were not going to put up a fight… at least not yet. Jesus had to go to the cross, suffer, and die. But he rose again from the dead and is alive today. He is coming back one day, and when he does he will “fight.” I write fight in quotes because fighting against all powerful God is not much of a battle (at a word it all happens).

Earlier in the gospels, we read about how the disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans (Luke 9:51-54). It wasn’t the right time for that. But they were quick to judgement. 

As Jesus taught, we should not judge others lest we be judged. (Matthew 7:1). It's the popular thing to not judge others. We think, "just do what you want, man." "Keep to yourself." "Stay away from me." Just don’t judge others. But, oh, if you disagree with me, you are canceled. You can’t hold that belief. You can’t hold that opinion… your so judgmental.

We are so judgemental. And we do have to judge. And when we do, we have to do it in love and humility. We have to judge rightly. This is hard to do because our perspectives get in the way.  

Do you know why other people’s problems look like a speck in their eye (Matthew 7:3-5)? Because you are so far away from the situation. It’s small from your perspective. But if you got closer you might get a better perspective and you might actually bump up against them with the 2 by 4 in your own eye. Then you’ll realize, ah oh, I’ve got something I need to deal with too!

We naturally fall into judging others. We point out the “smallest” things. We sometimes do it in the name of truth. Sometimes we do it to make ourselves feel better.  Other times, we do it because we want to avoid the flaws in our own life. We think, if we just keep the focus on other people I don’t have to deal with my issues. These are hard ways to live.  

You Can’t Judge the World for Eternity but we can hold each other accountable.

We need to judge as we want to be judged. We want to have a correct understanding of the situation and in love and humility we want to understand what his happening. Then, we want to help eachother live the lives they wants to live. That means, if you are a Jesus follower, that we want to help you do that better.  It also means that if you aren’t a Christian, then we can’t keep you to the same standard as someone who claims to be a Christian. This is what the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:12. 

So leave the ultimate judgement for Jesus and be wise in your daily judgments. In love and humility judge right and help people get on the right side of the ultimate judge, Jesus, and his ultitmate judgement. 

Why did Jesus do miracles? Did he have to do miracles?

John 5:36 - ⁶ But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. 

Some of the things he did were prophesied of my Old Testament prophets

Isaiah 35:5-6 (New International Version)

5 Then will the eyes of the blind (Matthew 9:27-31) be opened

    and the ears of the deaf (Mark 7:31-37) unstopped.

6 Then will the lame leap (Matthew 9:1-8) like a deer,

    and the mute tongue shout (Matthew 9:32-33) for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness

    and streams in the desert.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor [Jesus stops reading right here as recorded in Luke 4. Pretty incredible].
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

The people that Jesus healed would have all be outcast from the religious system. Unclean. Unworthy. Not perfect. Not accepted. And here was God ushering in the kingdom by granting them wholeness. Granting them a cure for what kept them away. Jesus was telling the world that something new was here.

Jesus did certain miracles to prove God sent him. To prove who He was. Many of the miracles have echoes of events Israel went through (through the sea, etc.). He did miracles to explain the new thing he was doing (healing on the sabbath, water into wine, etc.)

¹² “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. ¹³ You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴ Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! – John 14:12-14

The Miracles of Jesus

1a. Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-25)

1. Jesus changed water into wine (John 2:1-11).

2. Jesus cured the nobleman's son (John 4:46-47).

3. The great haul of fishes (Luke 5:1-11).

4. Jesus cast out an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-28).

5. Jesus cured Peter's mother-in-law of a fever (Mark 1:30-31).

6. Jesus healed a leper (Mark 1:40-45).

7. Jesus healed the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13).

8. Jesus raised the widow's son from the dead (Luke 7:11-18).

9. Jesus stilled the storm (Matthew 8:23-27).

10. Jesus cured two demoniacs (Matthew 8:28-34).

11. Jesus cured the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8).

12. Jesus raised the ruler's daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26).

13. Jesus cured a woman of an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48).

14. Jesus opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31).

15. Jesus loosened the tongue of a man who could not speak (Matthew 9:32-33).

16. Jesus healed an invalid man at the pool called Bethesda (John 5:1-9).

17. Jesus restored a withered hand (Matthew 12:10-13).

18. Jesus cured a demon-possessed man (Matthew 12:22).

19. Jesus fed at least five thousand people (Matthew 14:15-21).

20. Jesus healed a woman of Canaan (Matthew 15:22-28).

21. Jesus cured a deaf and mute man (Mark 7:31-37).

22. Jesus fed at least four thousand people (Matthew 15:32-39).

23. Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man (Mark 8:22-26).

24. Jesus cured a boy who was plagued by a demon (Matthew 17:14-21).

25. Jesus opened the eyes of a man born blind (John 9:1-38)

26. Jesus cured a woman who had been afflicted eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17).

27. Jesus cured a man of dropsy (Luke 14:1-4).

28. Jesus cleansed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19).

29. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46).

30. Jesus opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 20:30-34).

31. Jesus caused the fig tree to wither (Matthew 21:18-22).

32. Jesus restored the ear of the high priest's servant (Luke 22:50-51).

33. Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:5-6).

34. The second great haul of fishes (John 21:1-14).

There are even more than aren’t included on this list!

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them was written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. – John 21:25.

List taken from - https://www.christianity.com/jesus/life-of-jesus/miracles/what-miracles-did-jesus-perform.html

What are you waiting for? Camp before crossing. The promise land awaits.

3 WAYS WAITING CAN HELP YOU SUCCEED:

Here’s a list of three things that might help you wait well and succeed like never before. We are often so fast to get to where we want to go that we miss what we God wants to do right now. Here are three ways to help you wait well:

1.   Develop Confidence

Before you step out and do the new thing it is helpful to step out with confidence. I’m not really talking about “faking it until you make it,” although sometimes confidence that comes from not knowing all the answers is actually helpful, I’m talking about developing confidence from your experiences today so you are actually prepared for what is next.

As the nation of Israel was prepared to enter into the promise Land they came to the Jordan River where they were 40 years before. The first time, it didn’t go so well. Only 2 out of the 12 spies thought they could go into the new land. So, they didn’t go. What happened next was that God used the next 40 years to develop a faith and a trust, a confidence, in God and in his promises. See, entering the promised land was never about Israel’s ability. It was all about God’s promise. God’s people needed to wait so that they could be developed to walk into what God had promised.

God told Joshua the same promise he gave to Moses (apparently He thought the promise was good enough, it’s just he people’s ability to walk into it that needed help). God said, “I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you.” (Joshua 1:3 NLT).

As you camp and wait for what you want next, are you developing the confidence in God’s promises that you need to succeed? What if you approached your next situation knowing that wherever you went God has already given you success there and will bless you? Sure, it might look a little different than we were expecting. But I believe that wherever we go God will be there and we can have confidence knowing that his grace, his forgiveness, his love, his discipline, will be there with us each step of the way.

2.   Remember the Past

So often our visions of success in the future aren’t big enough. What if God really showed up in miraculous ways that you didn’t understand and you couldn’t control? Often our view of God and what He can do in our lives is too small.

That being said, we need people in our lives to speak faith into our situations. We need people outside of our situations to be able to help us see the miracle. Sometimes we are just too close to see it all.

In the case of the Israelite spies, they had faith spoken into them from an unlikely person. This person was Rahab the Prostitute. Rahab tells the spies that everyone in her city knows that the Israelites are going to succeed in their conquest. I wonder if the spies really believed that? But to hear her say that. That injects a lot of faith that we need.

Rahab also went on to tell the spies why she and her city believed this. She told them:

¹⁰ For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.  ¹¹ No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below (Joshua 2:10-11 NLT).

Sometimes we need to look back from where we are and realize how far we’ve come. We so want what’s next and feel unqualified for what is next. But we need a little faith injected into us. Sometimes, the best place for this to come is from someone outside of your situation. And sometimes we need to strengthen ourselves in the faith and do a little remembering ourselves. Make a list of 3 things right now that God has done in your life and remember that God has been with you and He is ready to do it again. Camp in these memories.

3.   Anticipate the Future

All this talk of camping might make you want to stay there. I know a lot of people who love to spend the weekends outdoors and take their campsite to different locations. Some people might event want to travel the country camping from place to place. But eventually, most campers need to return home. They can’t camp forever.

In the story of Israel crossing the Jordan River and entering the promised land we are told they got to the river where they camped before crossing. Then three days later they were ready to move. Three days! Imagine sitting at a stop light with a green light and waiting three days to cross the intersection. Where you want to go is right in front of you but they chose to wait. But at the same time they didn’t get stuck in their waiting. Those three days were full of purposeful preparation.

Then, because they waited well, they were ready to see God do great wonders among them. (Joshua 3:2). They anticipated what God was going to do. Then they actively went after it. They followed God (literally in the Ark of the Covenant) and crossed into the promised land where they had never been before.

After you’ve waited well you must perform. Preparation is no good if its not used in action. There can sometimes be a lot of talk and no action. Here, Israel conquered Jericho and moved into the promised land. They did it. And God was with them, leading them, each step of the way.

So, no matter where you want to go you can wait right where you are well. Learn everything you can and develop your faith and trust in God. Then, when it’s time to move, move. Move with confidence knowing God is with you and get ready to see God do amazing wonders among you.

Is it “new,” “used,” or an “antique?” Just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. In fact, it could have extra value because of its age. What used to be worth only a few cents could be worth thousands of dollars today. What changed? The way people view it changed. The labels they use to describe it changed. It’s in a new category now.

The same is true with people. The way we view and label people effects the words we say about them and around them. One of the easiest things to do is to put someone in a category and view them completely differently. We think that if they are ____, or if they said _____, then I get to respond to them in this way…

Jesus told a story that completely redefined an entire category of people. This story and the implications of it changed the world forever.

You can find this story in the gospel of Luke - Luke 10:25-37.

One of the things that Jesus wants people to do is to love their neighbor. The people that lived in Jesus’ time were aware of this and some genuinely wanted to do it. The problem was, most people had the wrong definition of who their neighbor was. The way Jesus defined this category was genius. Jesus told a story that took a man from a hated category of people and made them “better” than the people who were thought of as good and as neighbor. Neighbor no longer was something that could be defined by categories, neighbor was something that you were – to everyone.

When you are a neighbor to everyone, you treat people differently. When everyone is your neighbor you see them differently. You see yourself differently. No longer are there “those people” and “that kind of person.” No, we are all in this together and that changes everything.

After Jesus ascended into heaven, a man by the name of Paul wrote about the nature of this new thing that Jesus started called the church. Paul wrote in a letter called Romans (and 1 Corinthians) that the people who were a part of the church should look at themselves as a body. Every body part is important to the body. Each has a particular function. Just because a hand doesn’t help you walk doesn’t mean it’s not important. Just because your nose doesn’t help you see doesn’t mean it’s not important. A body works together. It cares about each part. If you see yourself as something you are all a part of it changes the way that you relate to one another.

Who is your neighbor? Are you and the person you are holding something against part of the same “body?” How does the way you view this person change the way you relate to them?

Sometimes the most powerful words that shape your world are the ones you use to describe yourself and others.

There is great power in humility.

·      Humility reflects the very nature of God as displayed in the Trinity. The Son is always giving credit to the Father. The Father is always lifting up the son. And the Holy Spirit is always pointing people to both the Father and the Son.

·      Did you know the Bible calls one man in particular the most humble person on Earth? Do you know who that is?

It’s Moses. Numbers 12:3. Church history tells us that Moses wrote the book of Numbers. Does including a statement that you are humble disqualify you from being humble? This is interesting to learn more about!

Numbers 12:3 - Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.

·      What does it mean to be humble before all people? It seems easier to humble yourself under certain people more than others. Maybe you have great parents or maybe you respect someone’s views. But what does humility look like when someone is just flat out evil and wrong? What does humility look like if you are on the opposite side of the spectrum and disagree to the point that you think the other person is living based on views that are detrimental to society?

·      Humility provides a great opportunity for unity. When we are humble we know who we are and we choose to love and serve others. We see this reflected in the mutual submission of the Trinity.

Here are some practical things we can do to practice humility:

1.     Champion the Other

Honestly celebrate other’s accomplishments, abilities, and existence of others. The next time someone you know has something good happen to them, make sure you congratulate them and let them know you are excited for them. Even if you didn’t get what they did, and you feel like you deserve it.

2.    Watch Out for Pride

We all have insecurities. When we feel insecure about ourselves we try to bring others down to our level. We become jealous of others. We have a lot of self pity. We fear the fact others are getting ahead of us and we hate it when our friends succeed and we don’t.

3.     Say, “I don’t know.”

Pride has all the answers. What are the best political ideas? What does the Bible teach about every doctrine? How do you mow your lawn? What kind of work outs should you be doing? Sometimes the best answer to questions like these is, “I don’t know.” In that moment you are ready to listen.

4.    Ask Questions

Instead of telling everyone what the right thing to do is, ask questions. Remember, everyone makes choices believing that they are right. Find out why they think that way. You might learn something. Curiosity creates conversation which fosters unity and growth.

5.     See God at Work in Others

We worship God when we praise Him for what he has done. How often do we praise God for what He is doing in the lives of others? Let others bask in the light and thank God for His work. Pray for their success and celebrate what they do. Smile when someone knows more about something than you do. Tell others what they do well.

The humility caution:

If the goal is unity and we value humility, then we might miss out on the importance of what we do individually. It’s important to have boundaries and find value in what you bring to the group.

Your work matters:

1.     Even when you aren’t together.

What you do apart from the group gathering or outside the planned time is very important.

2.    Even when certain people aren’t there

Sometimes there seems to be stalemate when the boss or leader isn’t around. Your work matters and the mission can get pushed forward even if certain people aren’t there.

3.     Even if everyone else seems better than you

If you work well as a group, you probably have a few people in the group that do a lot of the work. Don’t think that your contribution and your voice doesn’t matter. Your part in the group matters.

Maybe you are praying for a new job or a better relationship with someone. Maybe you are praying for your health or the well-being of a loved one. Whatever you are praying for think about why you are praying for that. A helpful tool to include in your prayers is the phrase “so that.” For example, I am praying for a new job “so that…” What comes after the blank helps you think about the bigger purpose and helps you hone in on where your heart is.

Jesus included many “so that” phrases in his prayer for his disciples and for us as recorded in John 17. In the original language, Greek, John uses this phrase many times.

ἵνα (hina) - that, in order that, so that

We find this phrase in a very famous verse earlier in the book of John.

John 3:16 NLT

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son,

so that (hina) everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Why did God give his one and only Son? Because God loved the world…but “so that” everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Jesus died so that we could believe and have eternal life.

My “so that” purpose in writing this is not to give you an exhaustive examination of this phrase in every situation in John 17. But I do want you to see the purpose for which Jesus prayed and how we can pray and live with purpose.

v. 1 –

Glorify your Son

so (hina) he can give glory back to you.

**This is always a great “So That” – So that God will be glorified.

v.11 –

now protect them by the power of your name

so that (hina) they will be united just as we are.

v.13 –

I told them many things while I was with them in this world

so (hina) they would be filled with my joy.

**Who doesn’t want Jesus’ joy?!

v.21 –
I pray

That (hina) they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.

And (hina) may they be in us

so that (hina) the world will believe you sent me.

v.22 –

“I have given them the glory you gave me,

So (hina) they may be one as we are one.

v.23 –
I am in them and you are in me.

(hina) May they experience such perfect unity

That (hina) the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

v.24 –

Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am.

Then (hina) they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

v.26 –

I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so.

Then (hina) your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

What is your “so that?”

You don’t go to church, you are the church. You know that. But how can you be the church during an online church service when it’s only you sitting in your PJ’s in your bedroom? You don’t have a group of people you can go say hi to or greet when they enter. You can’t set an example for others by the way you worship. You can’t give your small group of kids a high five and see them smile. 

I believe that you can still make an incredible difference during a church service. It just looks different now. Here are 6 ways you can make an incredible impact on people while engaging with church online. 

1. Share the right link

It’s always important to invite people to church. But now your invitation is literally a click away. Your church is probably streaming the service on multiple channels. Great! But make sure you engage where your church wants you to engage. If everyone is on facebook engaging in the message and you don’t have facebook, now would be a great time to sign up for facebook (then delete it when this season passes if you’d like). Contact the people that you want to invite the night before. Share your church facebook page with them or send them the link to church online. Then, on Sunday morning, share the links with them again 5-10 minutes before the service starts. People need to know exactly where to go. Make it as easy as possible for them. 

2. Write comments in the chat

When you are watching a live video it usually tells you how many other people are watching. Let us know you are here! Since we can’t physically see you, write something in the chat. Literally anything is good. Type hi from where you live. Good morning. An emoji. Pretend like you are having a conversation with someone, because, well, you are! It’s normally not a good thing to have a conversation when the message is going on, but at online church you need to! 

3. Do what the speaker says to do

When someone tells you to do something in person, the response rate is generally pretty good. They can give you “that look” to tell you to do it! But online, the speaker can’t see you. So, it’s so much more important to actually listen to what the speaker is saying. They need to know you are following along and engaging with what is being said. If the message is live, your comments show the speaker that you are following along and what he or she is saying is making sense. Remember, he or she can’t see your head nods and your good eye contact. He or she can’t see you taking notes or sharing a main point with someone sitting next to you. You need to engage in the chat and do what the speaker says. 

4. Engage with people outside of the live stream

Not everyone is going to end up in the right place (remember, share the right link!). Not everyone is going to read this article and know the importance of writing a comment and engaging with the message. People usually just like to sit and listen. So, wake them up! If you know you can text someone, text them! If you need to call them, call them! If God brings someone to mind, get in touch with them DURING THE MESSAGE. If you miss something, you can always go back and watch it later. You can’t interrupt the speaker by having a conversation with someone else, you are helping others engage. Plus, the speaker doesn’t know if someone has fallen asleep! 

5. Come prepared

Since you know the speaker is going to call on you to write comments, come prepared with something to say. Maybe you know the general theme of the message or your church is going through a series of some kind. Think about how what you have been learning applies to your life. Then think about how you can share this in an appropriate way. Come prepared to encourage other people. Let them know that you are glad to see them in the chat. Let them know what you did yesterday. Let them know what stood out to you from the message. Come prepared to encourage the speaker. He or she worked hard preparing this message/experience for you. Let them know it meant something to you!

6. Do what you are good at

Because talking during the message is essential to a good church online experience, you have more influence during the message than ever. Take advantage of this opportunity and enhance the experience. If you can teach, teach. It might not be a good place to disagree with the speaker, but write about how you understand something. If you like to greet people, greet people! People need to feel welcomed and loved, even online. If you like to pray for people, pray for people. Type out your prayers for people listening (personal, or general). If you know someone has kids, say hi to their kids! Remember they probably don’t have an online account, but they are engaging with the family. 

You can make a significant difference this Sunday! 

Let me know of some other ways you feel like you can make a difference during a church online worship service.

This $10 bill was the first deposit into the ConnectUs Church bank account. After sharing the vision of connecting you to God’s next step for your life with Faith Baptist Church in Wilmington, DE, one man, whom I do not know, felt moved to give me this bill. We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of this church and the many who have supported and will continue to support us into the future. The specific amount doesn’t always tell the whole story. Being willing to give what you have in response to God’s prompting is a story that will stick with me for a long time. Thank you for setting an incredible example of generosity. 

We look forward to serving in our community this month as we put into practice the theme of this month’s vision meetings. We plan to be generous with our time, talents, and money for the benefit of others because God has been so generous to us. We look forward to invest a significant amount of money into our community as God provides in the months and years ahead. We may only have $10 in our account today, but we want to start to be generous with the money God has entrusted to us right from the very beginning. 

If you are considering how you can connect people to God’s next step for their life through your generosity, I encourage you to visit connectuschurch.org/give and give today! 

Q. I think I like this. What do I do now? 

A. Join us in multiplying disciples!

Core values make clear the reason the church does what it does. They drive the church to accomplish its mission. We want our values to align with the Bible so that what we do honors God and leads us to accomplish the mission that He has called us to.

The value that we are highlighting today is Multiplying Disciples. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. Jesus said that you can identify a disciple by the way they love one another (John 13:35). 

But what is love? Jesus defined this by telling his disciples, “Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (John 13:34). Up until this point, they had seen Jesus love in some pretty incredible ways but within 24 hours they were going to witness the greatest demonstration of love ever known. Paul wrote that out of all the ways that God demonstrated His love He did so the greatest when He sent his son to die for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). A perfect God/man dying in place of a guilty man? Who does that?! God does that. Then He came back from the dead as He said He would. And that changed the world as we knew it. 

Motivated by this incredible love, Jesus gave those who follow him (his disciples) a Great Commission (that is what it is called…) to make more disciples. He said to them “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). As the disciples who were given that Great Commission obeyed, many more people became disciples. Then those disciples obeyed the Great Commission and many more people became disciples. In 476AD the Roman Empire fell. The same empire that killed Jesus. The same empire that tried to put a stop to the movement. The same empire that killed so many Christians. And today, people still follow Jesus. They still join in the movement. They still are killed for following Jesus, but people still follow anyway. Because Jesus is the way we have eternal life. Jesus is not dead, He resurrected! And that changes everything.

So, we are excited to share this good news (the gospel) with everyone that we meet. And we want to guide new believers to grow in their faith. As we do this, we all grow together as believers. The disciple and the discipler. We will grow as Christians who continue to reach more people. When this happens, followers of Jesus are multiplied and, therefore, churches are multiplied as Christians gather together in local gatherings.

Will you join the movement? 

Multiplying Disciples. Matthew 28:18-20

We are excited to share the gospel and guide new believers; so, we can all grow as Christians and support multiplying churches. 

Q. Does the church have anything for me? It seems it always wants something from me.

A. We definitely want something for you! We plan to put others before ourselves and give our time, talents, and money for others.

Core values make clear the reason the church does what it does. They drive the church to accomplish its mission. We want our values to align with the Bible so that what we do honors God and leads us to accomplish the mission that He has called us to.

The value that we are highlighting today is Being Generous. Don’t you just love generous people? When you go out to eat you know who is picking up the bill. When that family comes to eat at your table you know they are going to leave a generous tip. When a birthday or holiday comes around you know they are going to buy the best and biggest present. Maybe you see generosity play out in someone giving their time to be with you or be there in a time of need. Maybe you see generosity when someone teaches you a new skill or shows up to practically help you out in some way. 

Generosity shows up in many forms. But one thing is certain, and that is it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” These words are well known. We feel it. We experience it. There is just something “blessed” that happens when we give. 

The phrase, “it is more blessed to give than receive” comes from an interesting place in the Bible. The words are found in Acts 20:35. Luke, the author of Acts, writes that this phrase is something Paul said to the elders of Ephesus before he sailed off to Jerusalem. Paul, in his farewell speech to these friends says that this quote is something Jesus said. It’s interesting that the gospels do not record Jesus saying this quote. 

But Jesus is recorded as saying “Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.” (Matthew 5:42 NLT). God also knows that is better to give than to receive because God is the best giver. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). He gave his one and only Son to sacrifice His life (John 3:16). And God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 2:7). 

If it is truly more blessed to give than to receive. What do we have to give? We have our time, our talents, and our money (or some say treasures). Everything comes from God and we should use what we’ve been given for His honor and glory. 

The apostle Paul writes that we should plan to put others before ourselves. He writes, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4 NLT).” We do this by planning to give to others. We just don’t happen to fall into these habits. We want to plan to be generous and put others before ourselves. Do you have a generosity plan? 

Being Generous. Acts 20:35

We plan to put others before ourselves and give our time, talents, and money for others.

A. We believe the Bible is the most helpful and relevant book for today! 

Core values make clear the reason the church does what it does. They drive the church to accomplish its mission. We want our values to align with the Bible so that what we do honors God and leads us to accomplish the mission that He has called us to.

The value that we are highlighting today is Biblical Teaching. It’s great when a group of people get together and get to know one another better. It’s great when those people have fun and do a lot of great things for one another and the world. But we believe that God has something more for us than just that. We believe that because He told us so!

God has revealed Himself in a special way through the Bible, the Word of God. It is alive and powerful. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. One of the main writers of the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, tells one of the first pastors, Timothy, in a letter that “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” (2 Timothy 3:16).

We live in a world that does a lot of teaching. We can pretty much take any course and learn any content that we want for free thanks to the internet. We can also learn about pretty much anything going on in the world through all the different social media platforms. We even learned what you thought about the latest hot topic of conversation since you posted about it on facebook! In a world that is filled with so much information it is easy to find yourself in an echo chamber of the thoughts and opinions that you like to hear. But it is very helpful to come back to the truth. The Bible calls itself a mirror. 

God used real people to write His words. He even used Jesus’ brother, James, to write His words. In the letter James wrote he says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it” (James 1:22-25 NLT). Click here to check out a sermon clip of a pastor in Montana teaching through these verses (start at 18:45). We’ve got to look into the mirror of the word of God. When we do, it reveals things in our lives that we need to change and put into action. Biblical knowledge is helpful, but that knowledge needs to be put into action. We want to help you do that!

So, we value Biblical teaching because God, through His word, speaks to us. He speaks grace and truth to everyone. Everyone has a place in the plan of God, and everyone has a next step. This also includes everyone that may not believe in God or aren’t sure what they believe. So, regardless of what you believe is right, the Bible is relevant for you, because God loves you and wants to reveal Himself to you through His word. Also, Jesus died to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world, as we read about in 1 John 2:2, and that includes you. 

We want to teach these things. We want people to learn these things. And we want to see lives transformed as a result of God working in people’s lives through His word. 

Biblical Teaching. 2 Timothy 3:16

We believe that there is no other book more helpful and relevant for today than the Bible.

A. Yes! – Check out why… 

Core values make clear the reason the church does what it does. They drive the church to accomplish its mission. We want our values to align with the Bible so that what we do honors God and leads us to accomplish the mission that He has called us to.

The value that we are highlighting today is Having Fun. After your kids are finished with the day’s activities a very common question to ask is, “did you have fun today?” When you are in the middle of an activity or gathering you might hear someone ask, “are you having fun?” Usually, it’s obvious what the answer is. People see it on your face. They see how you interact with people and engage in what is happening. 

It’s really hard to have fun when you don’t know or don’t like the people you are with. It’s even harder to have fun with someone that has hurt or wronged you. Because we value authentic relationships, we readily acknowledge that with relationships come being wronged and being hurt. Thankfully, Jesus has given us an incredible reason to forgive. He’s also given us an example of forgiveness, and the power to forgive others. We value fun because fun authenticates forgiveness, the key component of lasting relationships. Try having fun with someone you haven’t forgiven (you can’t!). Check out some of these verses about forgiveness - Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13, 1 John 1:9. 

Pastor and Christian leader, Carey Nieuwhof writes about other benefits of having fun. He writes, “Fun over time equals connection. Ever notice you connect at a whole new level with the people you laugh with? Fun over time breaks down walls, authenticates forgiveness (you can’t have fun with people you haven’t forgiven), and even more than that, fun heals.”

In the Bible, the apostle Paul writes that his readers should “always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT). I think this joy of the Lord and this rejoicing can be seen on your face. It can be seen in the way that you interact with people and engage with what is happening. Of course, we all express it differently, but however you express it, it’s a fun, it’s a joy, that can happen even when you are in prison! (This is where Paul was when he wrote those words). 

Q. Why the words “connect” and “us” and the idea of “you?”

A. We value developing authentic relationships. 

Core values make clear the reason the church does what it does. They drive the church to accomplish its mission. We want our values to align with the Bible so that what we do honors God and leads us to accomplish the mission that He has called us to. Over the next 5 days leading up to the first vision night we will be taking a look at our values. 

The value that we are highlighting today is developing authentic relationships. Having quality friendships. Having people you can trust and rely on. Having others care about you and make you feel known. Knowing that there will be someone there for you no matter what and walk with you through whatever life brings your way. I think we pretty much all desire this. But how do we make these things happen? Who actually lives this way? 

I think we’ve all experienced being let down by someone that seemed to disappear when you needed them the most. Maybe you realized that their love was just “pretend” when it came down to it. Paul tells the followers of Jesus in Rome, and by application us, to “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NLT). He goes on to say that we should ^“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” These verses are hitting at the idea of authentic relationships. We don’t want to pretend. We want to really love. Be genuine. And authentically delight in honoring each other. 

But again, who lives this way? 

Jesus said to this followers, ^“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). We don’t just wake up one day and have great quality relationships. Even being Christians and going to the same church doesn’t mean that you really love one another in a way that honors Jesus.

This is why at ConnectUs Church we want to develop authentic relationships. Relationships grow over time. Relationships develop through getting to know someone more and experiencing life with people. 

Developing authentic relationships also takes intentionality. As a church we want to create environments where authentic relationships can develop. We value the ability for you to share your story, to pray with people, and encourage one another. When you do these things you are developing your relationships. We will create places where you can do this regularly. 

Unfortunately, when you are authentic and open with people you are going to be let down… even at church. That is why the value we are going to talk about tomorrow is so important. It might even be a little unexpected how it all works together. Paul encourages us to ^“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18 NLT). We need this instruction because people do evil things and people get out of peace with us. That’s life. But as a follower of Jesus we have a powerful calling to develop authentic relationships that can make it through anything! 

Developing Authentic Relationships. Romans 12:9-21.

We engage in small groups of people to build quality relationships where we are able to share our stories, pray, and encourage one another.

Read more about our mission, vision, and values.

A. It’s hard to boil it down to just 1 thing. Check out https://www.connectuschurch.org/mission-vision-values for a list of the things we value. 

Core values make clear the reason the church does what it does. They drive the church to accomplish its mission. We want our values to align with the Bible so that what we do honors God and leads us to accomplish the mission that He has called us to. 

Our first and primary value is that we are focused on Jesus. If we had to boil everything down to one thing this would be it. In one his letters to the church in Corinth, Paul writes, “so whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT). He had just spent 15 verses talking about if someone should eat meat that was offered to idols. He then concludes with these words. Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

So often we get caught up in trying to figure out if we should do something or not. Is this right or wrong, we ask. Is it a sin to (fill in the blank)? While it’s important to ask these kinds of questions, oftentimes the more time we spend thinking about these things the less time we have to think about a better question. Instead of figuring out how close to the line of sin we can get without going over the line, why don’t we spend time figuring out how best we can glorify God in this situation? No matter what it is, do it all for the glory of God. And if you can’t do it for the glory of God, you probably shouldn’t be doing it \ud83d\ude42 . 

A practical application of this value is what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:33, “I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” When we live for the glory of God, we not only do what is right in God’s eyes, but we do what is best for others [ultimately these are the same thing!]. We should live less with a me centered way of thinking and live more with an others centered way of thinking. When we do everything for the glory of God, we think about how what we do impacts other people and adjust our lives accordingly to accomplish the ultimate mission. We want to live in such a way that many people will be saved as a result of the choices we make. 

So, no matter where we are or what we are doing we desire to do all for the glory of God. 

Main Value:

Focused on Jesus – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Everything we do is to the glory of God, at church and outside church

A. Multiplying More and Better Disciples

That’s the short answer…

This is the vision of ConnectUs Church: 

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ConnectUs Church provides an exciting and thriving experience when the church gathers together and partners with God in the community. We value church planting and will be multiplying disciples and churches across Central PA and beyond. 

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While we want to be a church beyond our walls, something has to happen in our church. Why not make it great! Using a variety of different methods and strategies to best engage our world and make God’s Word come to life we will provide an exciting and thriving experience. There is nothing better than to see God working in someone’s life. When sin is confessed, healing happens. When forgiveness is chosen, burdens fall away. When love is shared, relationships flourish. When grace is offered, we can overcome anything. When we worship, we are living for the purpose for which we were created.

But, to be a church beyond our walls, we need to constantly realize that it’s not all about us. God is at work in our community. He is at work in other churches, in our offices and workspaces, in our homes, and in our vehicles. God is at work all around the world in so many different ways. If that is true, and I believe that it is, then let’s partner with what God is already doing! Let’s throw fuel on the fire of people, ministries, and churches that are allowing God to use them to reach people. Let’s show up in places that people aren’t quite sure God would actually go there and seek out where God is up to something. I don’t want to miss out!

When we do accomplish the Great Commission that Jesus gave his followers to accomplish lives are changed and Jesus followers are really living for His Glory. When people are reached and come to faith in Jesus and grow in their faith, communities of faith spring up. It’s very difficult to follow Jesus in isolation. God didn’t design it that way. That is why we value the church and starting new churches. When we multiply more and better disciples we must always be thinking about the next thing. What does it look like to connect people in Lancaster to God’s next step for their life? Whatever it looks like, let’s do it! What does it look like to connect people in Harrisburg to God’s next step for their life? What about Delaware? Utah? God is at work in these places and all around the world. When we partner with Him we realize that we’ve got to expand our vision. The good news of the gospel spreads like wildfire. Let’s keep in step with what God is doing and rely on Him to make it happen. 

Read more about our mission/vision/values at https://www.connectuschurch.org/mission-vision-values

A. Connect you to God’s next step for your life. 

That’s the short answer… 

This is the mission of ConnectUs Church: 

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ConnectUs Church reaches out to invite all people to connect with a gospel community and challenges you to take God's next step for your life.

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We first want to be a church known for reaching out. We want to be involved in the community where God is already working. We don’t want to wait until people find us or show up at our doors. We want to go to them. We want to be where you are. We want to serve where you serve and love where you love. We want you to be glad that we are here. 

Secondly, we want to be a church that invites all people to connect with a gospel community. Not only do we want to be involved in the community, but we will have an exciting, thriving experience when the church gathers together. We will embrace diversity and truly invite all people no matter who you are. And we will invite you to connect with a gospel community. A community of people centered on the person of Jesus and the good news that He offers the world. We will do life together. 

Thirdly, we are a church that challenges you to take God’s next step for your life. We believe that God has a next step for your life, and we want to help you take it. Sometimes “helping” looks like “challenging.” We don’t just naturally want to take a next step. Often times we just shift into neutral in our life and before we know it, we are coasting back down the hill. We want to help you get your life into drive and start, or continue, to take steps forward in your relationship with God. God promises abundant life that starts the day that we put our faith in Him. We want to help you discover all that God has for you by getting to know Him better and learning to obey what He says. 

Read more about our mission/vision/values at https://www.connectuschurch.org/mission-vision-values