Harmony Christian Church

Briefing Document: Themes and Insights from "The Spirit of the Honey Badger" Executive Summary The source material explores the concept of spiritual readiness through the lens of the Apostle Paul’s final exhortations in 2 Timothy. The central thesis posits that while individuals—particularly men—are naturally wired to prepare for physical threats (symbolized by the "honey badger" or "Rottweiler"), they are often woefully unprepared for spiritual challenges. The document outlines three critical takeaways: The Political Nature of the Gospel: In the first-century Roman context, the "Good News" (euangelion) was a subversive political statement identifying Jesus, not Caesar, as the true King. The Believer as the "Rescue Plan": The mission of the church is not localized to the clergy but is the responsibility of individual believers who encounter people in crisis in their daily lives. A Framework for Preparation: Spiritual readiness is achieved through identifying one's purpose, engaging in communal accountability ("circles, not rows"), and committing to a three-fold process of discipleship: dying to self, living by faith, and knowing the heart of Jesus. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Context of Preparedness Physical vs. Spiritual Readiness The narrative begins with an analysis of human instincts regarding danger. Using the "honey badger" as a metaphor for unexpected threats, the source notes that people often engage in "guy code"—theoretical discussions on how to survive animal attacks or positioning themselves in restaurants to face the door. This instinctual preparation for physical danger stands in stark contrast to spiritual passivity. The source cites a tragedy in Kansas where a school bus driver failed to intervene during a fatal Rottweiler attack on a student, using it as a cautionary tale: many individuals do not know how they will react when "the rubber hits the road" spiritually. The Prison Cell Perspective The mandate for spiritual readiness is framed by the Apostle Paul’s circumstances while writing 2 Timothy. Status: Paul was a political dissident, not a common criminal. Environment: Writing from a prison cell with minimal light, likely using charcoal and scraps. Stakes: Paul was facing imminent execution (beheading), a "privilege" reserved for Roman citizens. Despite these "monsters," Paul’s instruction to Timothy remained: "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Subversive Power of the Euangelion The document provides a historical and linguistic analysis of the term "Good News" (Greek: euangelion). Imperial Context: In 8 BC, an inscription regarding Caesar Augustus used euangelion to announce the birth of a "savior of the world" and a god. Christian Subversion: When early Christians used the term to describe Jesus, they were making a direct political challenge to Roman authority. The Meaning of "Christ": The title "Christ" literally means "King." By proclaiming the euangelion of Jesus the Christ, Paul was announcing a new King whose kingdom was based on the "rule and reign in the hearts of humans" rather than geography. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Mandate for Readiness: "In and Out of Season" Using the analogy of basketball in Kentucky—where the "season" is effectively year-round—the source argues that spiritual readiness must be constant. The Methodology of the Body Paul’s instructions for spiritual engagement include three specific actions: Correct: Providing necessary adjustment to others. Rebuke: Offering firm warnings when needed. Encourage: Providing deep support and motivation. These actions must be delivered with "great patience and careful instruction." The "Hot Potato" Phenomenon The source identifies a common failure in spiritual readiness termed "hot potato." In this scenario, God "passes the ball" (an opportunity to share faith or provide support) to a believer, but the believer immediately passes it away out of fear or lack of preparation instead of "shooting" (taking the opportunity). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Individual as God’s "Rescue Plan" A primary theme of the document is the decentralization of ministry. The source asserts that the individual believer—not the pastor—is God’s rescue plan for their specific sphere of influence. The Limitations of the Clergy: Pastors are not present in secular workplaces (e.g., a Toyota factory floor), in private meetings, or in classrooms where people are experiencing crises like divorce or abuse. The Great Commission: In Matthew 28:18-20, the "imperative" is to make disciples. This is achieved through three supporting actions: going, baptizing, and teaching. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Framework for Spiritual Preparation To move from passivity to readiness, the source outlines three essential disciplines: DisciplineDescriptionBiblical ReferenceFind Your PurposeRecognizing oneself as God’s "handiwork" created for specific "good works."Ephesians 2:10Find Your PeopleTransitioning from "rows" (passive church attendance) to "circles" (community groups) for accountability and correction.Hebrews 10Grow as a DiscipleEngaging in the three-fold process of spiritual maturity (see below).N/A The Three Pillars of Discipleship Die to Self: This involves "crucifying" sin. The source argues that people struggle with sin because they "like it" and treat it as a "little savior" for a temporary fix. Dying to self means admitting this attraction and choosing to end it. Live by Faith: This is defined as a practical shift in internal dialogue. Instead of self-talk regarding worries, the believer adds "God" or "Jesus" to their thoughts, turning inner dialogue into a constant prayer life. Learn the Heart of Jesus: Head knowledge of the Bible can lead to "Phariseeism." True discipleship requires knowing Jesus’ heart—specifically his sacrifice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conclusion: The Reality of the Sacrifice The document concludes by emphasizing the visceral reality of the Crucifixion to illustrate why knowing the "heart of Jesus" is paramount. Jesus’ death is described as a transition from complete purity to becoming "all of the world's sin all at once," experiencing the weight of every human atrocity. The ultimate goal of spiritual preparation is not to become a biblical scholar but to be "dumb enough to shoot"—to act on faith when the opportunity arises, regardless of formal training or perceived status. The source illustrates this with a personal anecdote of a 17-year-old on a BMX bike leading a friend to baptism, proving that the power of the "rescue plan" depends on God's authority, not the believer's expertise.

FACEBOOK COPY: Who are we letting close enough to carry our armor? 💔🤝 This week, Kent dives into betrayal, trust, and building real heart-and-soul friendships. EASY TO GIVE at Harmony, text any amount to (859) 459-0316 to get started (or give online @ my.harmonychurch.cc/give ). Get the fill in the blank bulletins my.harmonychurch.cc/bulletins. ------------------------ OPENING: When I was in my early 30’s I had developed a friendship with a guy in our church.  I shared deeply intimate things with this guy about my weaknesses, my pain, my dreams, my inadequacies.  Do you guys have someone like that?  Like someone I could sing the golden girls theme song with: A “Confidant” [start singing the golden girls theme]… We hung out all the time, he influenced lots of stuff I did and I kept bringing him in closer and closer into my circle.  Until eventually I invited him to be a part of the leadership of the church I was at. You ever have something just 100% blind side you?  This guy blind sided me.  We were in one of our leadership meetings and he said, “I don’t think Kent should be leading…”  my stomach dropped, I was like, “what in the world is going on”  He proceeded to tell them all the things I had shared with him as insecurities that I had told him as a friend.  It was gut wrenching.  As a young man who felt in over his head, this guy was throwing me under the bus - I found out later he just wanted to gain control of the church for himself, thankfully the other leaders at the time saw through it and it didn’t happen. But something it made me realize is Who we let into our closest circle of friends matters more than we know. b The temptation, after a betrayal is to “never let anyone get close to me again…”  Ever felt that? Honestly, there are lots of people living that life… They are completely alone on purpose -a family member betrayed them and left them hurting -a pastor who they looked up to failed and they decided they’d never let themselves be hurt like that again -Friend after friend abandoned you so you decided a wall was better than a door… You can make it through life like that, but you were created for deep meaningful relationships with others. the first thing God ever said wasn’t good in the creation story was not spiders, it wasn’t the duck billed platypus, it wasn’t the smell of sulfur, listen to what it was. Genesis 2:18 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. You were created for community.  It’s all through the scriptures, even to the point that when Jesus left the earth what He left you other people. People are the only thing from this reality that will continue to the next. So, especially for those of you who have convinced yourself you can’t have a good relationship or for those of you who have resigned to just never have a deep relationship,  What does it look like to have a circle of around us who we can count on? I want to tell you a story to show you, then I want to give you 3 things to think about…  ready? Before King David in the bible there was a King named King Saul and his son, Jonathon. During Saul’s entire reign there was a constant battle with the Philistines.  A constant war.  They were being oppressed, think of the Russians to the Ukrainians.  So much so that Saul and Jonathon were the only ones with true weapons because the Philistines had gotten rid of all the blacksmiths in Israel, it was a genius move.  No blacksmiths, no weapons… Jonathon leaves the encampment like a young man is prone to do with his armor bearer. I want you to listen to this story… 1 Samuel 14:1-10 1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men,3 among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left. 4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba. 6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” 8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us.9 If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them.10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.” What would you do to have a friend that would say to you: “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” I’d give a lot for that, wouldn’t you?  Someone who is a heart and should kind of person… [need to finish from here on out - need to adjust this on finding people who have these qualities:] 3 Key Questions to Finding a “Heart and Soul” Kind of Person: b 1. Do they Lead with Loyalty? Proverbs 3:3-4 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;     bind them around your neck,     write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name     in the sight of God and man. ILLUSTRATION: When I was a youth pastor I would tell kids they needed to find a Christian to date and then I realized, “what does that mean?  It meant finding someone who exhibited the fruit of a Christian.  Finding someone who is loyal takes looking at the fruit of their life.  Letting someone into your close circle means watching is this person a person who binds their neck with faithfulness and write’s it on their heart, that they are loyal to the people in their sphere. -If I had listened to the way my friend talked about past relationships I would have seen that he was not this kind of person.  He almost always talked negatively about people from his past… 2. Do They Tender Trust? Matthew 5:33-37 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. As you watch these people are they the kind of people who shoot you straight and you never have to question their intentions or what they say their going to do?  I was talking to a guy the other day who builds houses and I told him, “you don’t sell houses, you sell trust”  What jesus is saying isn’t just good for a Christian, it’s just good plain advice.  If you are going to give someone your armor to carry with you and be willing to let them into the battles of your life, you have to know their yes means yes and no means no.  3. Do They Cultivate Commitment? Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Philippians 2:19-21 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. These were two men in Paul’s lives who cultivated commitment - not just to Paul, but in their commitment to Jesus and to the body of Christ… Listen, some of you are too afraid to give your heart to someone because you’ve been betrayed, some of you give your heart away too quickly to just anyone.  But being wise about who you give your heart to can be so incredibly life giving… CLOSING ILLUSTRATIONS: I get being betrayed.  So does Jesus.  On the night he was betrayed it was with some of his closest friends and one of them literally turned him over as a criminal.  Jesus knows what it is like to be betrayed, and still he brought people close.  He still longs to bring you close.  I’m amazed by Him because He knows we all have the capacity to betray Him and yet He lets us in…  Some of you need to let Him in to your life and and start by getting close to Him, being Heart and Soul with Jesus and then find spiritual friends who will do the same with you… -------------------- 1 Sam 13:16-14:52 16 Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah[a]in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash.17 Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah in the vicinity of Shual,18 another toward Beth Horon, and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim facing the wilderness. 19 Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!”20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles[b]sharpened.21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel[c]for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel[d]for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads. 22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them. Jonathan Attacks the Philistines 23 Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Mikmash. 14  1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men,3 among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left. 4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh.5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba. 6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7 “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” 8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us.9 If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them.10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.” 11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.”12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him.14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre. Israel Routs the Philistines 15 Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.[e] 16 Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions.17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there. 18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.)[f]19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.21 Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.22 When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit.23 So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven. Jonathan Eats Honey 24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. 25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground.26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.[g]28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.” 29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?” 31 That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.32 They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.33 Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.” “You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”34 Then he said, “Go out among the men and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still in it.’” So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had done this. 36 Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.” “Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.” 37 So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day. 38 Saul therefore said, “Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today.39 As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” But not one of them said a word. 40 Saul then said to all the Israelites, “You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here.” “Do what seems best to you,” they replied. 41 Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault,[h]respond with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared.42 Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken. 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die!” 44 Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.” 45 But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death. 46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land. 47 After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings[i]of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.[j]48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them. Saul’s Family 49 Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.50 His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul’s army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul’s uncle.51 Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel. 52 All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service. Johnathan and his armor bearer come up to a cliff with some Philistines on it and Jonathan wants to go attack.  He tells his armor bearer what he wants to do and the armor bearer says, “I’m with you heart and soul”.  I’ll tell you, our hope for you is that as you are looking around this place you are looking to find the people who will say they are with you heart and soul, but this also takes you being that kind of person for someone else.  This guy is going to have to risk to be with Jonathan in this.  You are probably not going to have to risk your life, but you are going to have to risk something.  You’ll have to risk your time.  You’ll have to risk vulnerability.  You’ll have to risk your heart.  You’ll have to risk letting people see who you really are and hope they respond like you need.  Can I tell you something.  Staying where you are will never take you to where you need to be.  It’s time to stand with someone heart and soul! STUDY: -the Philistines are a thorn in Jonathan & Saul's side... they have gotten rid of all the blacksmiths to the Iraelites can't have swords and spears... they have to go down to the Philistines to get even their farming implements sharpened and worked on... When the battle came, literally Saul and Jon are the only ones with swords and spears... Jon and his armor-bearer go overto the pass at Mikmash without telling Saul Jonathan is walking in faith, "come let's go over, nothing can hinder the Lord from saving" the armor bearer says "Do all that you have in mind, I am with you heart and soul" they go and show themsleves to the Philistines and said, "if they say "we'll come to you" we will not go up, but if they tell us to climb up, we will go and it's a sign God is giving them into our hands..." Armor, Armor Bearer. Protective gear and one who carried the armor and weapons of a warrior. Paul and Barnabas had been in Jerusalem to distrubute help to the church becasue Agabus had prophesied about the famine (46-47 AD).  Paul and Barnabus

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Back in 1997 in Taipei they decided, as part of a celebration to do a massive game of tug of war.  Let me ask you, how many of you were the kid that would let go of the rope when playing tug of war…  Ha, just about every guy I know has done that.  The people should have let go of the rope…  That day they had 1,600 people join in the tug of rope.  I can’t even imagine that many people and how long the rope had to have been.  Here’s what I do know, that many people, tugging on one rope exerted 176,369 lbs of force on the rope… Here was the problem, no one thought to check how much force the rope 2” thick rope could actually handle, which was only 57,320 lbs.  What happened was crazy.  When all 1600 people began tugging all at once the rope severed and as it did, two men has their arms ripped from their bodies… It’s not clear if the rope snapped back and severed the arms or if they were literally ripped off their bodies.  Can you imagine standing there looking down at the ground and being like, “someone lost an arm” and then realizing it was you…   Oh man, that’s crazy! This morning we are going to begin to explore the tension that’s created when we follow God by looking at the life and story of Abraham from scripture. I heard someone say once that  Tension is not something you can typically get rid of, rather it’s something you manage. my hope is to help you learn to manage the tension SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation,     and I will bless you; I will make your name great,     and you will be a blessing.[a] 3 I will bless those who bless you,     and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth     will be blessed through you.”[b] It would be easy for me to preach an inspirational sermon about hearing God, believing God, and following God.  I could preach and get yall fired up and talking about how Abraham didn’t hesitate, he just followed God and how through Abe God will bless all peoples, some day Jesus will come through his lineage and you will sit in this room today because this guy thousands of years ago left everything.   And while that sermon would be good and true, it would miss something. Did you notice what Abe was going to have to leave behind to follow the call of God? b His country, his people, and his family If you’ve ever done something significant like moving away from a place you grew up in you know this wasn’t a quick easy thing for Abe. I’m preaching for the silence right now, and we don’t know for sure.  But you do know that his country is the land he grew up in, it’s knowing all the honey holes for fishing, and knowing the best places to hunt.  It’s all the culture and customs he’s ever known. His country represents everything he’s comfortable with. and his people? Abe is leaving his friends, he’s leaving his neighbors, he’s leaving his aunts and uncles and relatives.  He’s leaving free babysitting and help with sick animals, he’s leaving all his community Leaving his people is leaving his community and friends behind. and then to leave his father’s household.  There’s no phones, there’s no facetime.  Abe is literally saying, “I may never see you again” to the people who are closest to him. Leaving his father’s household is going into the world alone. Look, it would be easy for me to make this seem easy, but following God is not easy, it’s full of tension.  It would be easy to hide the fact that Abe will take things into his own hands because things didn’t happen the way he thought they should.  It would be easy to hide the doubt his wife had or how she laughed at God or how God gave promises to her too to confirm what he called Abe to do.   Following God is not always easy and clear cut. Jesus said it this way: John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. So, I was thinking.  How do I help you make sense of this without overwhelming you.   On one side I want you to start listening to God and being brave enough to follow Him into the generosity of giving your life away like Abraham did b On the other side, I want to make sure it’s God you’re listening to… b 2 Guardrails as you learn to follow God into the unknown: b 1.  Start with what’s clear. God has already called you to certain things, have you mastered those? Love your neighbor, Love your enemy forgive as He forgave you be generous etc. ILLUSTRATION: When our kids were little and wanted to learn to ride a bike, I learned pretty quickly they needed to learn to balance before they learned peddling.  We’d take them to the top of the driveway and have them put their feet down and just let it coast down to the bottom and then go again till that was easy.  I’m not saying God won’t call you to big things when you are a new christian.  But I am saying if you are not faithful in these, why would would he send you big things?   b If you haven’t learned to look at life through the Kingdom lens of “everything I have is on loan to me, so I can give it away,” then why would He give you more? b Most of what God calls us to is small, it’s in the small that He learns if you are able to handle much. (Luke 12:48) 2.  Following God should never be a battering ram to use against others ILLUSTRATION:  we’ve all met the person who claims God has told them to do something, the worst cases are the people who say God told them something that manipulates you into having to do something for them. “God told me you are supposed to come help us…”  Maybe…. Maybe he did…  But Abraham’s story wasn’t that clear cut God revealed it to his wife too (Genesis 18:1-15) God spoke it multiple times to Abraham (Genesis (Genesis 12, 15, 17) b God may be a God who is hard to nail down, but He is not a God of chaos. b It’s ok to take time to confirm what God is calling you to and to make sure you are listening to Him and not just following your emotions… CLOSING ILLUSTRATION: People today are still following God’s call like Abraham did.  They  are still leaving everything they know and giving everything they have to follow Him.  My wife and I have done it several times (moving to Kentucky from Kansas was one of those for us).  I want to introduce you to a young couple who is taking a massive step.  Listen to their story  [PLAY VIDEO OF THE OTTS] ------------- Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation,     and I will bless you; I will make your name great,     and you will be a blessing.[a] 3 I will bless those who bless you,     and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth     will be blessed through you.”[b] John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. Abraham is called out of a nation that he knew.  A land, a people, all his friends.  This may not seem like generosity, but let me tell you, generosity is the laying down of what you have to benefit another.  Abraham is leaving everything he knows to bless the entire world.  You and I are blessed because this man was faithful in what God called him to.  Jesus will come through his line as a direct result of him being willing to follow God into this.  God still calls people like this.  My wife and I moved from KS to be here to minister at the call of God.  Same with you, He’s still looking for the faithful and to call you to something greater.  The question is whether we will respond with generosity, lay down our life and our rights for the blessing of others.  The secret is that in the laying down, God ends up blessing us as well…  We’ll see this in Abe. Interview or video with the Otts STUDY: It's easy to see Abram as some super human who this was easy for, but trapped in those words are lots of heartache, lots of stress, lots of questioning, etc.  "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you." Let's break it down.  Leave the people and customs you have always known - your country.  Leave the land, the way of life, the culture, leave it all... Leave your people - leave the friends you've grown up with, leave the ones you see at the well when you're watering your animals, leave it all. Leave your father's household.  Leave your family, walk away from those you love - no phone calls, no facetime, no returning.  Leave them and never see them again. this was not easy.  This was complete and utter trust - I wonder what Terrah said to Abe? "Son, this is not a smart move.." "Son, what are you going to do if you run out of food? or get attacked?  What will you do? The narrative that's easy to believe and that most of us believe is we are out there alone, but that's not true.  We forget God. We forget that He is moving and will move.   Following God is not an easy peasy thing, it's not straight forward and efficient like we think of efficiency.  following God is being willing to follow Him into the unknown. The tension Abe felt in following God was extreme.  It was not easy, it was a difficult thing.   Guardrails there are already things God has called you to do that are not special love your neighbor forgive be generous etc. Most things God calls us to are not massive - they are little things like, "hey, give that person some help" or "offer to watch their kids for free".  Jesus very clearly said that whoever is faithful in the little things will be given more This is not about baptizing your ideas and telling people it's from God.  Abe very much heard from God and God reconfirmed it multiple times, even with his wife Sarai having it confirmed to her.  This should never be a battering ram to another person.. What has God called you to be generous in that the tension of the unknown has kept you from being obedient? What's the worst thing that would happen if you listened to Him? Who do you need to invite into praying over this decision to make sure you are hearing from God (John says to test the spirits) ORDER: Starting generous tensions -looking at the tension of following God while still in the skin Abe and his call -would be easy to preach an inspirational sermon about following God -but thats not reality.  What's hidden in these words are the nights spent deciding to follow God (the pain of separation from family, etc.) -what's hidden in that sermon is Abe doubting and not always listening to God, but taking things into his own hands - his wife laughing -what's hidden is that it was confirmed to his wife and when they finally saw the promise was YEARS later there is tension when following God - because God doesn't make things clean and cut perfect, He makes it wild and makes it where you need to stay close to Him, it's why we call it "following" So, practicals, what do you do if you feel God calling you to something big.. Guardrails there are already things God has called you to do that are not special love your neighbor forgive be generous etc. Most things God calls us to are not massive - they are little things like, "hey, give that person some help" or "offer to watch their kids for free".  Jesus very clearly said that whoever is faithful in the little things will be given more This is not about baptizing your ideas and telling people it's from God.  Abe very much heard from God and God reconfirmed it multiple times, even with his wife Sarai having it confirmed to her.  This should never be a battering ram to another person.. I want to introduce you to some friends who are following God in some big and scary ways... -introduce the Otts talk about their story...

Tune in as we hear a fresh perspective from Griff Ray from Crossroads Church!

Tune in as we hear a fresh perspective from Ken Idleman from The Solomon Foundation!

Tune in as we hear a fresh perspective from Mike McCormick from Calvary Christian Church!