Your identity defines you – Your identity is like a sculpture or a painting. For most of us it is a work in process, for others it is virtually complete. The younger you are, the fresher your paint is. Because your identity is only partially formed . Everyone has an identity, but not everyone has a healthy identity.

A good exercise is to simply answer two questions: who are you and what are you living for? The answers that flow from your thoughts are good indicators of your perceived identity. This does not mean that you have to stay that way; in fact God wants to challenge how you see yourself, and what you might think you are living for.

Our culture tends to influence us to try and form our self-image around our possessions, our positions, and our pleasures. I can easily buy into the mindset that if I have a lot of valuable possessions, then I am a valuable person and my things define me. You might hear someone say, “I’m the guy who drives the Vet, the Mercedes, the VW bus”. Oh yea, we like to define ourselves by what we have, or by what position we hold. “I’m the guy who’s in charge, I’m the boss, the owner, the Dr., the chief”, whatever. Pleasure or one’s competency can also play into one’s identity. I’m the “athlete”, the “artist”, the “life of the party”. All of these can create an identity, but not a spiritually healthy one. Take a few minutes and ask yourself which of these influencers have defined you. Be deeply honest; don’t just fly by this exercise. What has defined you? Is it your family name, your accomplishments, your relationships? I’m “so-n-so’s friend.” Are you a name dropper? Do you seek knowingly or unconsciously to boost your self-image by dropping names of important people you have worked with, known, or have at least seen across a crowded room?

Our text would lead us to understand three important components of a healthy identity – knowing what to build your identity on, with and for.

1.  Knowing what to build your identity on. After contrasting the old identity with the new identity: Old- “foreigners and aliens.” New- “God’s people and members of His household,” Paul reminds us that a strong foundation is critical for a strong house, and that our foundation is comprised of a couple of things. The “apostles and prophets” is his way of saying that the truth which was passed on to us from those who were with Christ. What they said about Jesus is the basis for our belief. Their words are written in the Bible. Without revelation, we are in the dark. The better the revelation, the better the  impact. Paul ties the salvation that comes through Christ to this revelation – the chief cornerstone. The cornerstones were the most significant parts of a first century building, and the “chief” cornerstone was obviously the most important. Read the following passages and draw 2-3 conclusions about the value of an effective spiritual foundation, 1 Peter 2:4-8, 1 Cor. 3:10-11, and Matt. 7:24-27. Have you or are you going through any kind of identity change? If so, how would you define your old and new identities?
2. Knowing what to build with. We are the building material. A pile of lumber does no good if it isn’t being utilized for a project of some kind. If you are building material, what is the project that God is currently using you to construct? If you are not being utilized, how would that affect your self-image or your identity? What do 1 Peter 2:4-5 and 4:10 say about your utility? What is the significance of the “body of Christ” metaphor and the “building” metaphor? What would each suggest when it comes to finding one’s “fit?” 
3. Knowing what to build for. The bottom line for every believer and believing community is that God has called us for the purpose of revealing who He is to the world around us. How do the following passages affirm this and how is this purpose becoming a greater reality in your own life, John 17:20-21; 1 Peter 2:8-10; Eph. 4:11-16, & 23?

If you are not already doing so, start to build some community with those around you. Review your answers with a few friends and pray for each other to find your unique fit.

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

Ephesians 2:11-18 helps us to understand the “Purpose” of Christ’s coming and how it is inextricably tied to the power of peace .  I love verse 15b—”His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross.”  This “one new man” is often confused to be Jesus, that’s not what he is saying, but rather it is the new man, new body, that will be the new display of God’s presence on earth, the Church, the body of Christ.  I guess in one way it is Jesus, it is Jesus being seen through us as we are his peacemakers, The Sons of God.  When we work out our problems, when we speak well of one another, when we build bridges instead of walls, we add to the potency of God’s presence on earth.

So how can we get better at being peacemakers?  First, it’s important to “Empathize”.  If you cannot feel the pain of someone else you are not likely to have any compulsion to reach out to them.  Conversely, when you feel their pain you are much more inclined to do something about their pain.  Look up  the following passages and make a note or two about how they might stir empathy:  Titus 3:3-7, Colossians 1:13, 21-22 and Philippians 3:18.

Second, we have to “Prioritize” our relational connection to Christ.  When we are experiencing the peace of Christ we will be much more inclined to dispense the peace of Christ.  Two things about this—I must prioritize to have time with Christ and I must prioritize my thoughts to be set on Christ.  You are in control of your time and your thoughts.  No person will ever accomplish the peace of Christ without giving Him a greater piece of their time and thoughts.  Look up each of the following passages and see how they relate:  Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 10:5 & Colossians 3:1-2.

Third, we have to “Emphasize” relationships over rules.  One of the major mistakes of religion is to try and relegate faith to a set of rules.  This propensity will produce an external form of piety but it will always leave a gap between appearance and reality.  Rules will never make me more like Jesus.  Restrictive and damaging legalism will sooner or later value the rules over the people.  Where or how have you experienced “rule keeping” that lost its connection to God’s heart?

Lastly, we have to “Organize” for peace to spread.  That is the Church’s job.  When we are functioning well, it shows. The only reason to organize something is to better accomplish its intended purpose.  Have you ever endured being a part of something poorly organized?  What did that feel like?  In contrast what is experienced when something is organized well and runs smoothly?  Share your answers with a friend and challenge one another to ask yourselves how you are cooperating with the “Work of the Church.“  How do these verses exhort us to find our place in God’s work for peace:  Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Peter 4:10 & Romans 12:4-8?

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

Before we look at the flow of this great rescue let me point out that the text shifts from Paul    addressing you in vs. 1 & 2 to us in vs. 3-7. To help clarify the “you” and the “us,” remember that he is addressing primarily a Gentile, non-Jewish audience – that’s the “you”. He then adds in the “us,” which is in reference to the Jewish believers, including himself. The theme of Ephesians is not just community, but living in unity as Christ’s church. You cannot take “unity” out of “community” and still have the concept. As we move through this epistle/letter, we’ll see Paul constantly helping them (Jewish and Gentile believers), to stop seeing themselves as different or separated from one another, and instead to see themselves as one. That is also our challenge. Where do we tend to separate ourselves from other believers? Consider the following as possible areas of separation - Do you/we separate yourself/ourselves from others because:

1. We are afraid of potential rejection?
2. We are not of the same economic class?
3. We are different in our ethnicity?
4. We are connected to different church denominations?

Find a few friends to wrestle with the question: “How can we (as believers) help to tear down walls or barriers to unity?”

Our text rides on three major points: what we have been 1) rescued from, 2) rescued by and 3) rescued for. The first is what we’ve been rescued from. Paul covers three things that Christ wants to rescue us from: death, deception, and sinful desires. As you review your notes, do one of these stand out to you as an issue that you are more vulnerable to? 

1. The description of being “dead” spiritually is being non-responsive. What stands out in Titus 3:3-7 that sounds like our Ephesians passage? Do you remember being “non-responsive” to God before coming to Christ? Do you know anyone you interact with who is non-responsive? How have you seen 2 Cor. 2:14 in your relationships?
2. Rescued from spiritual deception. This may be one of our most vulnerable areas. Even as committed believers, we can be deceived. If Eve, who could walk in paradise with God and her husband Adam could be deceived (2 Cor. 11:3), I think you and I could be as well. How do you see the two ways of deception (the “world” and “Satan”), at work to pull people off course? Share some of your thoughts with an accountability partner or your small group.
3. Rescued from sinful desires. We all have desires and we all have desires that are “sinful”. Our text describes them as “cravings”. Which of the desires in Gal. 5:19-21 might you be vulnerable to? Be as honest as you can. The sooner you can see clearly where you are vulnerable, the sooner you can begin to better understand how to stay clear of areas or temptations that peak your fragility. 

An interesting aspect of our passage in vs. 4 is the statement, “…it is by grace you have been saved.” The tense of the verb “have been” describes a present state that has resulted from a past action. Salvation, being saved, is therefore an accomplished fact that produces continuous effects. How is grace continuing to have a saving effect on you?

Look over your notes and discuss these questions with someone:

From Point II, why are “motivation,” “application” and “demonstration” all critical parts to being rescued?

From Point III, we were rescued for a reason. What do Ephesians 2:1-10 and the 2 Cor. 5:17-20 passages suggest as reasons for rescue? Have you ever wondered why you are here? How does this study impact your understanding as to why God rescued you?

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

The Scriptures also make it clear that an individual’s core is their “heart” (Luke 6:45, Prov. 4:23 and Eph. 1:18 & 3:16-17), and that a spiritually sound and healthy heart is one where Christ is Lord, the center of our control (1 Peter 3:15). 

Therefore, a strong spiritual core is when your faith in Christ becomes the center of who you are as a member of the Church/Christ’s Body. Can you see how that definition of your core strength is inextricably linked to the church? You cannot separate who you are in Christ from who you are as a member of the body of Christ. Yet that is exactly what we struggle with. We fail to see ourselves as critically linked to one another. Our culture is so far removed from the Biblical/Hebrew culture that we miss the message that resonates from almost every page of the scriptures. Let’s walk through our text and let me highlight the movement of Paul’s thoughts as he writes. 

First, let’s remember that he isn’t writing a letter that will be run through a copy machine and then delivered to each of the homes of all the Ephesians’ Christians. He is not addressing individuals – he’s addressing a body of believers. His application throughout the letter is much more corporate than individual. By that I mean, he wasn’t thinking for a moment that they would work on their faith independently, but interdependently with one another. Therefore, if we are to develop true “Core Strength” it will happen only in the context of community. 

Our passage as well as numerous others reflect quite clearly that a “strong core” (a church that functions with Jesus at its center), comes from three things: being faithful, prayerful, and insightful with one another. 

Being Faithful – Eph. 5:1 tells us to be “imitators of God”, and God is faithful, see 1 Cor. 1:9. Looking at verse 15 of our text notice what precedes their love. It’s their faith. That is a connection that scripture makes over and over. True faith in Christ instigates love for others. Love in the Bible is always about action. It always does something. “For God so loved the world that he…” what? He gave! A church learning to love in healthy ways must be well connected to faith – faith in what? Look back to Eph. 1:1, “faithful in Christ Jesus” and 1:15, “your faith in the Lord Jesus”. Core strength originates from our faith in Christ and is evidenced by our love for one another. The apostle John was so adamant about this, he challenged the early church that if they do not love one another, they do not know God (1 John 4:8, & 19-21). We will never be faithful at loving others if we are not learning to live within community!  

Being Prayerful – How central is prayer to the Christian experience? So central that you cannot have one without the other. If you are reading the Bible, it doesn’t take very long to recognize that prayer is as essential to core spiritual strength as breathing is to living. There are dozens of passages that tell us what to pray, when to pray and how to pray. One of my favorites is 1 Thess.5:17 that challenges us to “pray without ceasing”. Oswald Chambers said it well, “The purpose of prayer is to get a hold of God, not an answer.” That’s it – we don’t know God personally without prayer. It is the primary mode of our communication. You can think, write, sing your prayers, or simply say your prayers. If you aren’t praying, you aren’t connecting to God. Community is one of the most powerful and perfect places to learn to pray!  

Being Insightful – The Christian experience is repeatedly described in the scriptures as a spiritual move from darkness to light (Jn. 1:9; Acts 26:18; Eph. 5:8; 1 Peter 2:9; &1 Jn. 1:7-8). When Paul prays that “the eyes of their heart would be enlightened…” he is asking that they would have or obtain greater insight. The bottom line to having spiritual insight is knowing “What would Jesus do?” An insightful believer has the clarity to see at least three things based on our text. They see the future through God’s eyes which produces hope, they see one another through God’s eyes which produces worth and they see power through God’s eyes which produces strength. Take a few minutes and look up three more passages and make notes on how Christ is at the center or core of each way of seeing or gaining insight (Col. 1:27;2 Cor. 8:9 & 2 Cor. 12:9-10).

If you have not yet joined a small group or ministry team I have to ask, why not? Please let us help you to connect to one today and begin to build your “core strength”. Sign up on your iCard or stop by the info desk for assistance.

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

Today’s text was written in the style of a Jewish blessing. Paul launches into what one scholar calls “a controlled state of ecstasy.” He repeatedly uses a Greek word, eulogetos, translated “praise” that was used exclusively of God as the only one worthy of worship. If we were CSI investigators at a crime scene, we would be looking for DNA evidence to discover who was at the scene. The crime in our study is that more of us are not utilizing the amazing access that we have been given to the blessings that God provides; and that many, in both their (the Ephesians) culture and ours, give affections to the wrong things.

So before going further, read Ephesians 1:3-14. Look for the four times Paul uses the word for “praise” and notice what he is so excited about (verses 3,6,12 &14). If there was any doubt that you are loved by God and that He really does have a wonderful plan for your life, this DNA evidence should help clear up your self doubt! He has provided you with every spiritual blessing (verse 3). He takes pleasure in you (verse 6). He will be reflected through the first believers and through us, the future believers (verses 12&14). God is absolutely effusive about being our Father and having us as His children!

There are four predominate characteristic about God that we can imitate and in deed, should be seen in our own DNA as His children. 

1. God is relationally responsible. Even though the Bible never uses the word “Trinity” we can clearly see the triune God throughout the Scriptures. For ages, the church has been united on this fundamental doctrine. Augustine, the early church father said, “If you deny the Trinity you are in danger of loosing your salvation; if you try to explain the Trinity, you are in danger of loosing your mind.” The evidence in this passage is undeniable; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are all functioning to provide God’s blessings. If God has chosen to reveal Himself within community as three functioning members and He has made us in His image, wouldn’t He want us to function within community, too? Look up Genesis 1:26 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 as further examples.
2. God is proactively loving. As you read through our passage, look for the times that speak of God’s plans and His predestining us for a loving connection to Himself. I love knowing that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Before time began, God was already determining to express His love to us. His love never had a beginning and will never have an end. God predetermined to pour out His love on us. If we are waiting to feel love before we express love, we have missed the point. Who can you predetermine to love this week? Why not be more like your Father God and refuse to wait to love and decide to love instead? Share with a few friends three ways you can proactively love this week. Agree together to hold one another accountable this week and then share with each other what happened.
3. God is sacrificially committed. Martin Luther said, “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffering nothing, is worth nothing.” Jesus didn’t come simply to introduce us to God – He came to remove the sin barrier keeping us from God. And it cost Him his life. I love the deeper meaning behind the two key words that describe Christ’s work: “redemption” and “forgiveness”. The DNA testing shows that “redemption” is the giving of freedom to a slave or a prisoner. In our sin, we were both slave and prisoner and He has emancipated us! How awesome is that? The second word, “forgiveness”, specifically means to loose someone from what binds them. He not only wants to give us the blessings that go with these gifts, but to also use us to be dispensers of redemption and forgiveness. Do you rub it in or do you rub it out? With these two words in mind, how can you be more like Jesus?
4. God is intimately connected. The Spirit of God is what keeps us connected. Ephesians hints to the broader work of the Spirit but what He guarantees is a non-stop, never-ending, securing, sealing, and sanctifying presence and inheritance. I love the three steps that stand out as a DNA map on how to be “included” in God’s family. Look closely at verse 13. You first, “heard the word of truth”. Second, you “believed” and third, you were “marked” or “sealed”. When God’s Spirit comes into our life, He is our guarantee that we are now His children. No more DNA testing needed. His presence in us sealed the deal! What is the evidence of the Spirit’s presence in our lives? See John 14:15-21; 16:7-15 and 1 John 4:2-6 & 13-21, and share your observations with a friend or two.

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

The answer to a dysfunctional community is not to abort the community, but to begin to correct and educate the community so it can reorder the way in which it functions. That’s our job – the church and its leaders – have been given the task of helping to reorder, re-parent, and re-calibrate the way we, as children of God, live our lives. To embark on this journey we are going to look at one of the letters/books in the Bible from the Apostle Paul – the Book, or letter to, the Ephesians. As we navigate our way through the letter’s instructions to this early, first century church in the town of Ephesus, we’ll find out that God is all about community. In fact, we’ll see that everything about God and what He wants to do is connected to and driven by community. Therefore, if we want to be His followers and disciples we must find our place and our purpose in His community.

As we begin, let me share a few tasks to help guide us in our effort to discover and become more of who He has designed us to be. First, make every effort to read Ephesians from start to finish in one setting. Second, write down your “big picture observations” and questions. Third, take time each day to read the memory verse. We’ll be memorizing one passage from each of the 6 chapters of Ephesians. The first memory verse is Ephesians 1:7-8. What does this     passage say about God, about you and about us? Take a moment to pray the verse, i.e. “Lord, thank you for bringing me into a relationship with you. A relationship where I am redeemed by your blood, completely forgiven by your sacrifice…etc…” As you meditate on each verse in our study, ask God to empower you by His presence and His word.

The other thing step I must ask you to take is to connect to community. Join a small group and/or a ministry team. We must step into relationships where we are learning, discovering and growing in our faith. That will not happen simply by attending church. Worship attendance is a needed part of the journey but absolutely inadequate to accomplish what God has designed for you. He has chosen you to be a part of community and has called you to be an active     participant in community. Now is the time. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. This is the season for each of us to do our part in building a healthier community.

In His love,

Pastor Jeff

God has given us a message assignment. What Christ accomplished on our behalf has changed everything. When we receive that message (the Good News) for ourselves it changes our heart – the way we see life, death, people, time, resources and where we will spend eternity. There is nothing more radical than what we have to offer. C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but by it, I see everything else.” 

Look up the following passages and write down the terms that the Bible uses to describe what and how we are to go about communicating the Gospel (Luke 8:39; Col. 4:5-6; 2 Peter 3:9 and 2 Cor. 5:18-20).  

Looking back over your notes let me give you a few clear steps that will help you follow through on each point in your sermon notes.

Praying for opportunities is great but I’d challenge you to make an actual list of the people in your life with whom you frequently come into contact. Begin to ask God for     opportunities to share with them. You’ll be surprised how quickly these opportunities arise once you are thinking and praying about specific people.

Appealing to common ground is simply recognizing what you have in common with those same people. Is it a sport, hobby, mutual friend, what is it that you can build on to widen your relational connection?

Reaching out in love is more than just sharing good news – it’s being good news. You will never love someone deeply until you get past the temptation to judge them superficially. James Thurber says, “There are two kinds of light, the glow that illumines and the glare that obscures.” Which kind are you?

Tell your story. If you have never written down your story, you need to. Take a few minutes this week to write out your personal story of coming to Christ. This will reinforce your spiritual aptitude greatly. Once you have written it out, share it with someone ASAP and ask for their input.

Nurture friendships. Luke tells us that Jesus was a friend of sinners. I heard a very disappointing statistic – within 2 years of becoming a Christian, most believers have little or no unbelieving friends. How are you staying connected with friends who are far from God? This week, step-up and muster the courage to ask an unbelieving friend to join us on the 17th as we start our new Fall series about Spiritual Community.

Expect God to act. Anticipation. When you start doing the things on your list, you will see a lift in your faith. When you do nothing to engage what you say you believe, what you believe ceases to be engaging.

Reflect Christ with your life. Staying focused on your spiritual journey is the most reflective thing you can be doing. A growing changing life is the kind of life that reflects Christ most clearly. So what steps can you take today and this week to make sure you are focusing on and taking your next best steps forward?

See you at the kickoff!

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

As a child of God, your progressive growth and maturity are constantly in motion. Getting stuck is one of the greatest deterrents to becoming who God has called you to be. There is an ultimate destination – it’s called heaven. I have a suspicion that when we get there, God will have more things that He’ll have us doing that will again have  adventure, challenge and fulfillment as woven into the fabric of that celestial place. Until then, He has called us to be on the move toward spiritual maturity. What lies ahead is sure to be spectacular. 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us, “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

The markers of spiritual growth we’re covering each week in our series, are the interim stops on our journey toward our final destination. When  Jesus was concluding His ministry on earth, He told several parables/stories that helped illustrate how to be prepared for His second coming. Matthew 25 – the parable of a faithful servant – is one of the metaphors to describe the appropriate readiness for His return. As a follow up to today’s message, take a few minutes to read Matthew 25:14-30 and answer the following questions and share your answers with a friend.

1. What is the impact of today’s choices on your future? 

2. What are the differences in the three servants?

3. Is there any indication that more talents equal more value to the master?

4. How do you assess peoples’ value in relation to their talents?

5. What does the story infer as to the rewards of faithfulness?

Looking back over your notes, to which of the three barriers are you most vulnerable? Have you overcome any of these barriers? If so, how?

What are you doing to be more available for ministry/service? From reading Matthew 25 and hearing today’s sermon, is there any reason that a person should not be a contributing part of the body of Christ? If giving faithfully is the best way to break the grip of greed in our lives, I’d say that serving faithfully is the best way to break the snare of self-centeredness. Are these points true for you? If so, share your story.

Look over the following three passages and select at least one to memorize, as a way to support your commitment in becoming a partner of YC, who is truly dedicated to doing your part. 1 Cor. 12:12 & 27, 1 Peter. 4:10, Mark 10:45 and Phil. 2:5-7.

To reinforce an attitude of gratitude, take some time today to list 10 things for which you are grateful. Consider writing a gratitude journal. If you already journal, this is as easy as tacking on a prayer of thanksgiving at the end of each entry. Challenge yourself to identify one or two things for which you are thankful.

To build your resolve to be a faithful person, serve in a ministry of your choice. If you are new at this, select something easy, like being an usher, greeter or helping with room set ups and commit to serving for three months. Then reevaluate and recommit, or choose another ministry. As you become available, grateful and faithful, God promises to move you forward in your faith. Look up the following verses to see how they remind us of the promises associated with service. Matt. 25: 21 & 23, Gal. 6:9 and Eph. 4:14-16.

See you on the 28th for our Fall Kickoff!

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

The destination of “Discipleship” is the place where I focus on the goal to become like Christ through my commitment to spiritual disciplines and accountability. Today as we have looked at this destination, we can only make confident progress when we know that we are headed in the right direction. WWJD has become one of the most well-known acronyms of our era. “What Would Jesus Do?” has found its way into our vocabulary for sure. The deeper question is, has it made its way into our lifestyle?

Scripture is abundantly clear that God has a plan for our lives, which is to be conformed to His likeness. That doesn’t happen because it’s a church priority, it happens when it becomes your priority; it doesn’t happen because you are convicted that it is right; it happens when you build the accountability to do what is right. It doesn’t happen because you aspire to godliness; it happens when you discipline yourself for godliness. It doesn’t happen when you think you are strong, but when you know you are weak. It is the spiritual result of the believer who has learned to depend on the indwelling Spirit as their guide and to follow His eternal word (Bible) as their map.

A few weeks ago we looked at the destination of Worship, which is our ultimate destination. If I am “Responding appropriately to God” in all that I do, I am functioning as a fully devoted follower of Christ. Discipleship is one of the mile markers that helps to confirm that I am heading in the right direction. If you are participating in spiritual disciplines, then you are moving toward that ultimate goal. Dallas Willard says it well, “The spiritual life is a life of interaction with a personal God, and it is pure delusion to suppose that it can be carried on sloppily. The will to do His will can only be carried into reality as we take measures to be ready and able to meet and draw upon Him in our actions.” 

Willard refers to those measures that are commonly known as “Spiritual Disciplines”, which I     defined in your notes as: “a habit or regular pattern of behavior that consistently brings you back to God and opens you up for what he is saying and doing in your life, to conform you into a greater reflection of Himself.” I have listed eight Spiritual Disciplines for you to consider as critical patterns of behavior that will be present in a growing disciple and absent in one that is stalled or adrift. There are many variations and amplifications to these disciples and numerous books for further study. Please take some time this week to select a few of them and begin to evaluate how you are fitting them into your “Time”, “Team”, and “Trials”.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: 

Bible Study – 2 Tim. 2:15, the habit of regularly opening God’s Word for the purpose of knowing what the Bible says and how it intersects with real life. 

Meditation and Memorization – Josh. 1:8, the habit of looking deeply into God’s word allowing it to become part of your thoughts and desires as it becomes affixed to your memory.

Prayer – Eph. 6:18 & Phil. 4:6, the habit of practicing and enjoying God’s presence by engaging Him in a frequent dialogue, to capture His perspective and relinquish your control into His hands.

Solitude – Mark 1:35 & Lam. 3:28, the habit of being absent from people and things to attend to God.

Confession and self-examination – Psa. 139:23-24 & James 5:16, the habit of surrendering your faults and weaknesses to the forgiving love of Christ and the intentional departure of your character defects for the purpose of honoring Him in all that you do.

Accountability – Gal. 6:1-2, the habit of giving regular and honest account of your choices, priorities, and temptations to a godly and wise companion who challenges and supports your commitment to Christ.

Community – 1 Tim. 3:14-15 & Col. 3:15-16, the habit of meeting regularly for authentic connection with other believers, where the truth of God is expressed and lived out in caring, loving relationships.

Service – 1 Peter 4:10 & John 12:26, the habit of serving within the body of Christ through the use of your gifts and time for the purpose of extending God love and truth to others.

As you consider the above disciplines, I encourage you to begin now to establish accountability with someone you know and trust, who will support you in your efforts to fit these practices into your lifestyle.

In His Love,

PJ

The simple concept we will explore is that our spiritual journey should have each of us arriving at several very key destinations as proof that we are traveling in the right direction spiritually. Your spiritual destination is the second half of our Mission Statement: “Meeting people where they are and loving them to where Christ wants them to be.” Where you are growing will determine where you are going.

Our first stop will be the most pervasive, expansive, and glorious destination of all. The Bible calls it, “WORSHIP.” Having just come out of our study through the Old Testament, we should be very aware of the Temple’s importance. It was the place of OT worship. The word used most often in the OT for worship is the Hebrew word “hishtahvah” and was used 171 times. The Greek OT translated this word 164 times as “Proskuneo” and was almost always used in connection with the place where one would bow down and/or give reverence to God – the Temple.

When we get to the New Testament we see this word used continually as the dominant word for worship. What is unique is that it ceases to be used in reference to a geographical location. Jesus uses this word when He speaks to the woman at the well in John 4 as they dialogue about the issue of where to worship – a hot issue of the day. Jesus reveals that the place of “true” worship is no longer a physical location, but a spiritual one. See John 4:23-25 in your notes.

The heart is now the new destination of worship. Another key term in the NT for believers who are devoted to God/Christ is the word most often translated “godliness”. Godliness should be the characteristic of true followers. They should have a measure of godliness/god-likeness. The Greek is the word “Eusedeia”. It is a compound word – “Eu”=something done “well” or “good” and “Sebomai”= worship or that which has “worth” or “value”. Therefore, those who are “godly” are good worshippers, or give high value to that which they worship.

So, if we are going to be good worshippers we have to give Jesus the highest place of value in our lives. When Christ was asked about the greatest commandment, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind. This is the first and the greatest command.” Clearly Jesus was saying that the most important thing we can do for God is to inject God into all that we are. Worship is not something I do somewhere. it is what I do everywhere.

The New York street musician answered the new budding musician, who asked how he could get to Carnegie Hall, and was told, “Practice, Practice, Practice”. I want to offer three ways we can make steady progress in our efforts to live in a place of worship.

1. Practice adding God and His perspective to all of your thought categories. How do the following passages reflect this as a way of life, devotion to God? Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 & 11:1; Col. 3:1-2; Eph. 4:22-25

2. Practice inviting God into all of your emotional responses. Look up the following and notice the connection between emotion and the invitation of God’s presence. Heb. 13:5-6; Phil. 4:6-8 and John 14:1-4 &15-17

3. Practice honoring God by all of your choices. Obedience is simply a decision to honor God in all things. Notice in these passage the connection between obedience and our love for God and our transformation. 1 Peter 1:22; John 14:15,21 & 23.

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff