Life in the Upside Down Kingdom (The “Offensive” Church part 4)

Life in the Kingdom of God is the opposite of life outside of it.  Loving enemies, seeking righteousness before worrying about basic needs, and storing up treasures in heaven instead of on earth are but examples of Kingdom living.  The world’s “me first” mentality gives way to an ethic of looking for the place of least honor.  In our upwardly mobile culture, Jesus calls us to the downward way of humility, deference, and service.  Real life is found when you’re willing to give yours up.  Are you ready to be turned upside down?

(note:  regrettably, the first minute has some significant static which is only slight after that, but it clears up completely about 7 minutes in)

God's Mission Has a Church

Part 3 of the "Offensive Church" series

Churches often get caught up in trying to discover their mission. While this isn’t a problem on the surface, it does suggest that things are upside-down. God has a mission, to redeem and restore a broken and sinful world through Jesus Christ. The Church is God’s chosen instrument in completing this mission. We need to remember that God sets the agenda—not us. It is not so much that God has a mission for His Church in the world as much as God has a Church for His mission in the world.

 

The Church in the Flesh

Part 2 of the "How to be an 'Offensive' Church" series

As the presence of Christ on earth, the Church should be found where one would expect to find Jesus.  Jesus didn’t separate Himself from the sick, poor, outcast, unrighteous, or unclean.  He sought them out because they were the most in need.  The Church is not property or programs; it is God’s people.  As Jesus came “in the flesh” and ministered in person, so must the Church. 

How to be an "offensive" church

November 17, 2013  Most churches are known by their addresses rather than their contribution to their communities.  The influence of the church doesn’t reach beyond the property line, and God’s love is passed back and forth between those within the church walls.  Jesus didn’t establish the Church to take a defensive posture against the ills of the world; He issued orders to “go into all the world,” taking the message of hope and salvation, reconciliation and restoration, into our broken world.  God is on the offensive.  Are you?  Hear what Pastor Andrew has to share about it:  

Rejection Repeats

Rejection Repeats - we see it throughout
biblical history and in our own lives.
 

March 24, 2013 - Palm Sunday

From the beginning, God has faced rejection by His creation.  Beginning in the Garden of Eden and continuing to the present day, God and His message have been rejected.  Even after Jesus entered Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd, within a week Jesus would find those closest to Him turning on Him.  Sadly, the rejection of Jesus continues today, even among those who would claim to follow Him.  In this morning’s message, Pastor Louis shows how we as Christ’s followers should respond to the message, grace, and love of Christ in our lives.

Reverence - Putting Jesus in His Place

Washing Jesus' feet with her hair

March 17, 2013

Pastor Andrew reminds us to keep a right relationship with Jesus. At times, we can forget where we've come from and just how much we're forgiven of. We can get "full of ourselves" and forget how desperately we need Jesus to be not only Savior, but Lord of our lives.  Turn to Luke 7.36-50 and listen in:

 

For further reflection on reverence and John 12, see Pastor Andrew's notes here:  day2dayreflections.

Repentance Is Not Optional

March 3, 2013

Pastor Andrew talks about the ridiculousness of busying ourselves with alternatingly walking toward Jesus then away from him. We are called to repentance, which means we are to turn away from our sins and leave them behind.

There Are No Stupid Questions

February 24, 2013

Using the context of Nicodemus, Pastor Louis explains how there are no stupid questions when sincerely seeking God.

The Value of a Life, Part 2

February 17, 2013

Pastor Andrew continues his discussion about the value we place on ourselves and others. With so many things in the world that make people 'smaller', less significant, and that tear them down, we as Christians must be ones who polish people up to reveal all that God created them to be. We look at Gideon, a coward who God called, "mighty warrior" and who stepped out to rescue his people from horrible oppression. Like God, we should see the potential in the messy people God puts in our lives, we need to be willing to invest in people as valuable and precious, so that we understand their intrinsic value to their Creator.

The Value of a Life, Part 1

February 3, 2013

Do we recognize the value of life? To be fair, we must say that most of us actually DEvalue life on a regular basis. Genesis 1 tells us that as human beings, we are created in the image of God: we are not just animals or any other form of creation - we are uniquely set apart. When God breaths life into Adam, it is a personal, intimate interaction. In God's eyes, each person is immeasurably valuable, so valuable, in fact, that he chose to die for us so that we might be reconciled to him. When we pray for the ability to see ourselves and others through God's eyes, we are asking to have hearts broken for the people all around us, but also to understand how much God loves us individually.

Prepare for Battle

January 27, 2013

Pastor Louis asks if we're prepared for the battle in Christ. Is our armor up-to-date; will it serve us well in the fight, or is it old, ratty and sad; ready to fail us due to a lack of care and upkeep?

Pushing Through

January 20, 2013

Picking up on last week's theme, Pastor Andrew reminds us that our hope in God does not disappoint us, because God's love never fails us. We persevere, pushing through all trials and hardships because of the faith we have, and the reality that God, as the focus of our faith, is always good, solid, dependable, and sure. 

Get Out of the Boat

January 13, 2013

Abraham had faith against all natural hope that God had the power to fulfill what he promised. Do we believe that God is faithful and powerful enough to fulfill all his promises?  Pastor Andrew discusses Matthew 14 when the disciples were in the boat and Peter gets down out of the boat to walk toward Jesus on the water. Peter had to let go of the boat to get within arms reach of Jesus.

New!

January 6, 2013

Welcome to 2013, a new year.  It's a great time to remember that God is making all things new.  Pastor Andrew reminds us that God is in the business of making people new. Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul, but even the unnamed masses in the New Testament became new creatures through the message of salvation. He is making your life new as well, how will you embrace that truth?