Crossroads Church of God, Lima OH

Transmit Hope: proclaiming and demonstrating the reality of Gods’ Kingdom Acts 1:8 NRSV Mark 10:42-45 NIV John 13:1-5 NIV  John 13:34-35 NIV Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. - Thomas Merton   Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love… - Mother Theresa Serving to demonstrate the Kingdom    Kingdom serving is indiscriminate     Kingdom serving is in the mundane     Serving makes God visible Becoming people of Kingdom service       Look for a need       Serve quietly       Serve regularly        Keep Jesus’ service in mind

You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. – Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) Matthew 6:19-34 NIV Practice of Generosity Giving is a heart issue Recognizes the provision of God An act of resistance ACTS 20:35 NIV Beginning Steps Start where you are Be consistent Grow in sacrificial giving

Psalm 119:11 NIV 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV Psalm 1:1-3 NIV Quote by Brian Zahnd: God is like Jesus.God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God was not like Jesus. We have not always known what God is like but now we do. Role of Scripture in a life of faith Guides us Reveals the heart of God Offers correction   How Scripture can be formative Regular saturation Meditate Surrender to its authority Jesus-centered view   Helpful Resources Dwell App Lectio 365 Sunday AM Course in May (cultural context)

2 Peter 1:3-8 NIV Revelation 4:11 NIV Gathering Supports Spiritual Growth: Grounds us in the family of God Shaped by the story of God Priorities are reshaped   How we Gather Matters… Come expectantly Primarily as participant Cumulative not instantaneous

John 10:10 NIV  Galatians 5:19-21 NIV The story of the human race is not just one of universal disappointment but one of inextinguishable hope. (John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted). Galatians 5:22-23a NIV Matthew 11:28-30 NIV John 14:12 NIV Dangers That Inhibit Growth: Assume it is impossible Spiritual ‘trying’ Life as an Apprentice: Presumes transformation is needed Jesus believes in us Time with Jesus Practices to promote growth

1 Corinthians 15:14 NIV John 20:19-23 NIV Jesus is present He speaks peace He shows His wounds He calls us to His mission Empowers us through the Holy Spirit Authorizes us to do His work

Special Guest from Chosen People Ministries: Efraim Goldstein

John 6:14-21 NIV John 18:36 NIV Psalm 139:1-6 NIV Romans 5:8 NIV Escapes from becoming king Divine knowledge Approaches by walking “It is I" Greater Realities         God above all         Desire for influential relationship Invited to...         Surrender        Give attention         Transformation

John 6:1-13 NIV John 20:30-31 NIV John 6:35 NIV Philippians 4:19 NIV John 10:10 NIV Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Psalm 23:1 NIV Passover Feast was near Gave thanks and distributed 12 baskets of bread leftover Greater Realities          God’s Provision           God’s abundance Invited to...         Open-handed Preparation         Sustainable life in his presence

John 2:1-11 NIV John 1:14 NIV Revealed His Glory         Glory seeks relationship         Glory is the hope for renewal Our involvement         Jesus was invited         Courageous obedience

Quote by David Benner: The Christian spiritual journey is a journey we take with others.  Each of us must take our own journey, and for each of us that journey will be unique. But none of us is intended to make that journey alone. The myth of the solitary Christian making his or her own way alone to paradise flies in the face of everything the Bible teaches about the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). We are parts of one body as we follow Christ on the journey of personal transformation. We cannot make the journey apart from spiritual companions and community. Are we paying attention? 1.) A guiding assumption: God is already up to something good in your life, in your community, and in the world… A simple definition... Mentoring is a companionship in which two or more persons intentionally come together to pay attention to God’s activity in their lives. Who noticed you? 2.) We have a tremendous need to be seen and recognized. Jesus’ relational way with others 3.) Jesus is “a first-class noticer” of others. (Mark 5: 24-34, Luke 19: 1-19; 24:13-35) Who are you walking with? 4.) There is no shortcut or substitute for life-upon-life when it comes to learning to follow Jesus… Quote by Keri Wyatt Kent: If we are led by the Spirit, we will increasingly imitate God and become people who are filled with “coming-alongside-ness.” That is, we listen to God and people and then come into their story, get involved with them enough that we can point out where God is in their story and allow them to do that for us as well. When we are full of coming-alongside-ness, we will be willing to walk with people through their pain; we will listen before we try to fix. We will be with people. How to become a mentor?: amentoringway.org

Genesis 6:5 NIVPsalm 51:10 NIV1 John 1:9 NIVAn OverviewWhy did the flood happen?Avalanche of sinWhat happened in the flood?Removal of protective barrierWhat are we to make of this?Trust in the Covenant of GodConsider the trajectory of your lifePray with confidence

Genesis 3:8 NIVRomans 4:7 NIVGenesis 4:4b-7 NIVMark 10:43-45 NIVGrace Outruns the Avalanche of SinRelationship with GodAdam/Eve hide from GodRelationship with One AnotherPower replaces servanthoodGlimpses of GraceGod covers shameGod contends for our soulInvitation to respondCome out of hiding (confession)Offer hospitality

Genesis 3:1-10 NIVStrategy of the enemyIsolationOperate in DisguiseTwist God’s WordsTrue Agenda: distrust the goodness of GodInvitation to RespondMake Community a HabitMake Praise a Habit

Genesis 2:8-17 NIVHarmony in life hinges on one command…Not unfair or unreasonableGod determines the rulesCommand is for our goodReveals human dignityProhibition is not knowledgeThe command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would then mean that Adam and Eve were not to aspire to that maturity possessed only by God, whereby they might consider themselves to be independent of him and able enjoy a fulfilled life by taking matters into their own hands and making their own decisions for their future welfare. - Daniel Fuller Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,My memory, my understandingAnd my entire will,All I have and call my own.You have given all to me.To you, Lord, I return it.Everything is yours; do with it what you will.Give me only your love and your grace.That is enough for me.Amen.(St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Genesis 1:26-31 NIVImage-Bearer of the Creator       Represent the Creator to the world       Reflect the Creator’s nature       Relational beingsSuggestions of Response        Receive the dignity of being an image-bearer        Marvel at the dignity of others        Step into community

Genesis 1 NIVCreator Creates Creation        Out of nothing         By speaking         In a Divine way         Creation is goodWhat are we to do?         Pay attention to beauty         Pray expecting God’s ability to create out of nothing

1 John 4:8b-12 NIVRomans 5:8 NIVLove of God … … sees clearly… intervenes… is complete… honors freedom… becomes alive in us 

Luke 2:8-20 NIVGalatians 5:22-23a NIVPsalm 16:11 NIVPsalm 51:12 NIVNehemiah 8:10 NIV1 Chronicles 16:27 NIVPsalm 23:4 NIVEcclesiastes 7:16 NIVZechariah 8:5 NIVJoy is a pervasive sense of well-beingJoy is connected to the Presence of GodWe are to pursue JoyDon’t take yourself too seriouslyPlayCreateA trusting relationship with God

John 1:4-5 NIVJohn 8:12 NIVIsaiah 9:2, 6-7 NIVWay of HOPEWonderful CounselorMighty GodEverlasting FatherPrince of Peace

John 1:4-5 NIVHebrews 10:23 NIVHebrews 10:18-24 NIVPhilippians 1:6 NIVThe Way of HopeWe are cleansedGod is faithfulHope is contagious

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVProverbs 11:25 NIVImportance of Generosity     Time      Abilities      ResourcesChoose gratitude before difficult situations

1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVPhilippians 1:3-8 NIVPhilippians 1:12-14 NIVPhilippians 3:13-14, 20-21 NIVIt is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful…Grateful for peopleGrateful for circumstancesCaptivated by the love of God

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVPhilippians 4:11-13 NIVRomans 12:10 NIVColossians 3:2-4 NIVGratitude BlockersEnvyGreedEntitlement"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything.  Every breath we draw is a gift of his love.  Every moment of our existence is a gift of his grace.  Gratitude takes nothing for granted.  It is never unresponsive.  The grateful person knows that God is good not by hearsay, but by personal experience.”  - Thomas MertonDiscipline of ContentmentBegin with praiseBe with othersLive with eternity in mind

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIVPsalm 103:1-22 NIVPraise rightly honors GodPraise holds onto hopePraise reminds us of God’s work

Zechariah 1:2-3 NIVMatthew 5:16 NIVZechariah 4:6 NIVGalatians 5:6 NIVInvitation to…A trusting relationshipDo good worksBe empowered by the Holy SpiritHow have you loved yourself, others or God that requires you to trust God more?

Genesis 12:2 NIVHaggai 1:13 NIVJohn 20:21 NIVMatthew 10:16 NIV Why: To restore and reconcile a broken and lost creation to the creatorHow: Wise and InnocentWhat: Depends on your context

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NIVJohn 15:16 NIVRomans 8:38-39 NIVHaggai 2:9 NIVChosenBelovedTo live from not for

Patriarchs -> Slavery -> Exodus -> Judges & Kings -> Temple -> Divide -> Exile -> Temple Destroyed ->Re-build the Temple Haggai 1: 2-7 NIVMatthew 6:31-33 NIV 4 Main Motivators      Fame      Wealth      Pleasure      Control 3 Intentional Reminders     Identity     Mission     Calling

Scripture:Matthew 6:9-13 NLTMatthew 7:0-11 NIVMatthew 21:22 NIVJames 5:15 NIVMatthew 7:7-8 NIVPhilippians 4:6 NIV Quotes:Petitionary prayer should always remain the primary mode of prayer because we never can outgrow our dependence on God. Just as we long for our own children to share with us the petty details of their day at school, so God longs to hear from us the smallest matters of our lives. It delights him when we share. - Richard Foster, PrayerLove loves to be told what it knows already. It wants to be asked what it longs to give. - PT Forsyth, Soul of PrayerThen there are times when our prayers are simply self-contradictory, a “grant me patience” quickly kind of prayer. And finally sometimes our prayers if answered would do us in. We simply are not yet prepared for what we have asked. It is God’s grace that prevent our prayers from being answered. God withholds his gifts from us for our good. Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack, improving cholesterol levels and sleep, and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress, and research points to an increase in the forgiveness-health connection as you age. “There is an enormous physical burden to being hurt and disappointed,” Chronic anger puts you into a fight-or-flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. Those changes, then, increase the risk of depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health. - HopkinsMedicine.orgPoints:Give us what we need todayForgive us our sins as we forgive othersDeliver us

Psalm 46:10 NIVJohn 10:27-28 NIVPsalm 1:1-2 NIVSilenceTone of Jesus’ wordsFamiliarity with ScriptureListen in context of community

Psalm 139:23-24 NIVPsalm 139:14 NIV Quote by Nathan Foster: “Distraction is the curse of our age." Quote by Richard Foster, Prayer: We need a deeper musing upon our knack for disobedience and God’s unbounded habit of forgiving.  We all need a richer contemplation upon that life, which shows us the way so we may follow ‘in His steps’.  We all need a fuller meditation upon that death, which sets us free.  We all need a more profound experience of that resurrection, which empowers us to obey Christ in all things.  Need for timeNeed for spaceFocused attention           Recognize the love of God           Sober look at sin           Request resurrection

Matthew 7:9-11 NIV[We] lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us… CS LewisRomans 7:15 NIV Matthew 11:28-30 MSGPrayer is for everyoneDo not be discouragedLet go of trying too hardPray while strugglingPrayer is often uneventful

Jonah 4:4 NIV2 Peter 3:9 NIVExodus 34:6-7a NIVGod is patientGod is one who weepsGod is generous 

Romans 10:11-15 NIV2 Peter 3:9 NIVRomans 1:21, 24a, 25 NIV Call to ‘go’ and bring good newsPrevalence of God’s movementPerformance aspect of Word of GodSharing is an act of mercyWhat is the warning?What is the message for our city?

The line that divides good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. - Alexandr Solzenietzen  Romans 5:8 NIV1John 3:18 NIVWhen [the world] sees us sacrificially serving the needs of our neighbors whether they believe as we do or not, then it may begin to see that believers are motivated more by love than by the desire to accrue power. – Tim KellerMatthew 28:18-20 NIVBecoming Compassionate PeopleResist pigeonholingGod’s mercy is not restrictedWork for the good in the communityCall to ‘go’ is for all of us

Romans 12:21 NIV1 Peter 5:8-9a NIVSin is of a stupefying nature. It is the policy of Satan to rock people asleep in carnal security that they may not be sensible of their misery or danger. (Matthew Henry Commentary)God’s call confronts our wayPublic ramifications of sinRelentless pursuit of GodNecessity of other believers

Philippians 4:2-9 NIVPhilippians 2:12-13 NIVGrand Affirmation: the Lord is nearLive in harmony (4:2)Know real joy (4:4)Respond with gentleness (4:5)Know real peace (4:6)Paul’s How To: Purity of Thought (4:8)

Philippians 3:10-21 NIV Philippians 3:13 NIV He will never glory in any of his achievements or use them as an excuse for relaxation … in the Christian life there is no room for those who want to rest on past accomplishments - William Barclay 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 NIVRequires forgettingUnderstands the ‘race’Keep the prize in mind

Joy: a pervasive sense of well-beingPhilippians 3:1-11 NIVPhilippians 3:8-9 NIVWired for JoyBe aware of joy-robbersHuman resources cannot produce joySurpassing knowledge of Christ

Philippians 2:12-18 NIVPhilippians 2:15-16a Our Role (work out...)God’s Role (works in you…)Importance of detailsKingdom impact of Transformed PeoplePatience of a Mentor

Philippians 2:1-11 NIVQuote by CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.Quote by Dallas Willard, Spirit of the Disciplines, Secrecy rightly practiced enables us to place our public relations department entirely in the hands of God…We allow him to decide when our deeds will be known and when our light will be noticed.Humility and Other-Centeredness            Surrendered to the agenda of God            Faithful in the small things            See the dignity of others            Receive the goodness of GodPractice of Secrecy

Philippians 1:27-30 NIVLiving as Citizens of Heaven            Stand firm in the Spirit            Strive together            Life of confidence, not fear        

Philippians 1:3-11 NIVPhilippians 1:5-6 NIVChristian Community MattersPaul remembersHe remembers with joyDesire for other’s growthCultivates gratitudeCentered on Jesus

Acts 2:1-8, 12 NIVJohn 14:16-17 ESVGalatians 5:22-23, 25 ESVPresence of God for the Purposes of God            Guides us into truth            Intercedes/helps us            Brings out the best in us            Power to be witnesses of JesusActs 1:8 NIVCooperating with the Holy Spirit            Gathering with God’s people            Listen for the movement            Willingness to obey

If the resurrection is true, Jesus is worthy of our full devotion.Revelation 5 NIVOur Actions               A Humble Life               A Generous Life               A Compassionate Life Our Verbal Witness               Songs of Adoration               Words of Encouragement               Point others to Jesus

John 14:1-3, 27 NIV“God’s plan for heaven is a resurrected life in a resurrected body, with the resurrected Christ on a resurrected earth.” – Randy Alcorn, Heaven“As He spoke, He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” – CS Lewis, The Last BattleRevelation 21:1-6 NIVWhat is missing?               No more sea               No more decay               No more templeRomans 6:5 NIV What is there?               Intimate presence of God               Us, in resurrected bodies               New city               Purpose in the present

Importance of ApprenticeshipInroads to the communityA place to experience belonging Invitation to be involved…               Attendance               Invitation               Giving

Hebrews 4:12 NIVMatthew 22:37-40 NIVMatthew 5:19a NIVMatthew 4:4 NIVScripture is ReliableWhat Jesus said about Scripture:               Primacy of loving God               Scripture is authoritative               Scripture guides us to life               Scripture points to JesusJohn 5:39-40 NIVThe best way to hear God speak is to spend regular time reading, studying and meditating on His Word.  God speaks through the Bible in clear, understandable language.  The first step in knowing God's will for your life is to carefully obey every revelation of His that you find in the Bible. – Henry BlackabyWhat Jesus believed about Scripture:               God’s speech to us               It is alive and active               Scripture is transformativeThings to take with us:               Pray the Psalms (see journal)               Dwell App               Approach Scripture with humility

John 14:2-11, 16-18, 26-27 NIVMatthew 7:24-27 NIVJesus’ Words Are TrustworthyIf the resurrection is real...We can trust what Jesus claimed about himself.We can also trust what Jesus taught about abundant life.We can not only trust what Jesus claimed about himself.We can not only trust what Jesus taught about abundant life.We can act on what Jesus taught.If the resurrection is real (and it is)THENWe can not only trust what Jesus claimed about himself.We can not only trust what Jesus taught about abundant life.We CAN put his teaching into practice