RUINED by grace: This week we look at Romans 5.1-11. Here we see what God has done and what we "have" as a result. Not only does this highlight the distinctive that makes Christian faith unique among all religions but it has huge consequences for those who follow Jesus. For starters, it means that we do not have a spiritual life that is constantly looking over our shoulders with fear or paranoia that God is mad at us, judging us, or kicking us to the curb. Have a listen!
This week we return to Romans: A Letter From A Life Ruined By Jesus. Any community depends on relationships that generously accept one another. A Christian community depends on this AND the awareness of God's presence. On what basis does God accept us? What should we base our acceptance of others upon? These are just a few of the items that were discussed today...
Do to a technical glitch this week's message did not record through our sound board however we have this backup version which "works" but does not have the fidelity of our normal recordings.
This week we return to Romans: A Letter From A Life Ruined By Jesus. This week we review, reflect on what it means to live RUINED, and refocus our life before God so that we might grow in our faith, relationships, and influence. We are learning that if Jesus does not spiritually RUIN our lives, then our lives will spiritually ruin ourselves!
Celebrating FCC: What is a church really? How do we think about who we are here at Faith Community? Who do we aspire to be? How do we know we are are investing ourselves in ministries and opportunities that are consistent with our sense of "calling" as a community? This Sunday is our annual reflection and presentation to our congregation. The audio-stream contains Mark's comments... the notes for this week includes the financials that were reviewed with our community. Please feel free to have a look... we have nothing to hide!
Click here if you are interested in seeing the 10 minute video that was presented on Sunday. Just go easy on the old man with the droopy eyes, monotone voice, and low energy-- he obviously is not a media-savvy personality!
A King and His Kingdom: Jim Scott, director of Foursquare Missions International, will challenge you on how to think about Jesus and the kingdom He announces. What does Jesus mean when He announces that He has come to "preach the Good News that the Kingdom of God is at hand"? Who is this "King"? And what are the characteristics of this Kingdom He announces?
Eating Right was our Family Sunday message. Prior to the recording Mark spoke on foods that are "posers". Products that are offered as "healthy choices" that are anything but! Cereals that claim to be nutritious but have less nutritional value than a package of M&M's. Fruit juices boasting that they will improve your body and brain but have more sugar and calories than a can of Coke. Protein bars that have more sugar than a Snicker's bar. Posers pretend. To spot them you must examine their label and make a decision to honor your body. In 1 Corinthians 11.20-32 Paul talks about the Lord's supper and warns us that we can be "posers". The only way to avoid it is to examine our lives and make a decision to honor the Body of Christ (His presence and His people).
The story of Zechariah is the story of two men who are overwhelmed, discouraged, and powerless. God sends Zechariah to inspire these men that they may gain confidence to complete the task that God has set before them. Today we will discover what prophetic encouragement is and how we can share it with others...
The story of Bezalel is a story of an ordinary man with an ordinary job being used by God in extraordinary ways. God used Bezalel's work to bring his presence close to the Israelite people. Today, God still uses the occupations of ordinary humans to bring his presence, his transformation, and his loving care to the world.
Jesus is being revealed to the world. Some people believe Him. Some people are adverse to Him. But there are these people who are around Jesus who are living proof that Jesus is who He claims to be. They testify that He has the power that He claims to have; that He conquers death and brings life... Lazarus is one of those people and we can be too!
This week we look at Mephibosheth – try saying that name 10 times fast! Here is a man orphaned and crippled when he was 5; self-exiled to a region whose name literally means, "the land of nothing"; and a self-esteem he, himself, describes as "a dead dog." Watch what happens when David, the King of Israel, intentionally seeks to imitate God's compassion in his care of this broken man.
This week we look at Hannah – a woman wrongly written off as "forsaken by God" and tormented by those around her. In pain she cries out and in surrender she offers back the very answer she yearns to receive. The result will ultimately lead Israel into her golden age of kings that will ultimately find fulfillment in the coming of Jesus.
This week we look at Exodus 18 and the influence of a father-in-law. The story of Jethro reveals him as a man, in whom a kind, considerate disposition, a deeply religious spirit, and a wise judgment all met in happy combination. His wisdom shapes and resources Moses to lead well. What is wisdom? What is the difference between constructive criticism and critical cynicism? What is the benefit of a wise word delivered to us? These are just some of the questions Vince addresses along the way.
Ever wonder what the difference is between "grace" and "mercy"? Ever reflect on what "mercy" means to both the one who gives it and the one who receives it? Glenn's message just might change your life and theirs too.
This week we meet a man who we know by his nickname, "Barnabas", which means "Son of Encouragement." His encouragement influenced Paul, planted Christian communities, represented the Apostles, and was a passionate advocate for others who were misunderstood. His example has a lot to teach us so we can encourage the relationships God has surrounded us with...
Nearly Famous: The Power of Intentional Hospitality
This week we meet a couple who intentionally used their home to host and encourage two men that would radically alter the spiritual landscape of the Roman Empire. What might happen if we followed their example?
Click here to download this week's study notes.
Anonymous people can have extraordinary impact. In Genesis 24 a man whose name is never mentioned impacts the life of Isaac. His efforts are changing lives still today!
Every job, people, culture possesses a unique vocabulary. The RUINED followers of Jesus have a vocabulary too. Words borrowed from life that describe our encounter and experience with Jesus.
The biggest event since the "Big Bang" occurred in Jesus! ... at least that is what Paul is asserting in Romans 3. Join us as we reflect on this amazing declaration.
Remember!
This weekend we take a break from Romans to "remember". The most dangerous thing we can do in our relationship with God and others is to "forget". Listen in as we reflect on what it means to remember God in our friendships and families..
Paul's Judaism was ruined by his encounter with the crucified and risen Jesus. Why? Because Paul devoted his entire life to faithfully serving God only to find himself unprepared to recognize the presence of the God he served! This exploded his mind... It should RUIN our religion and explode our minds too... especially as we consider how do we express this new and "true" religion.