The Chapel in Wadsworth

Humanity is aching for a kind of life it cannot manufacture on it's own. The future re-creation that humanity longs for has broken into the present through Jesus. We can't do the Lord's work without the Lord's way. His way is empowered by the Holy Spirit. We, the church, are the Spirit filled, Heavenly Humanity on Earth.

This week we considered that God’s primary mission is recreation of the world through Jesus. The church is called to be a "new humanity" empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have a personal invitation to allow God into the "wastelands" of their own lives—such as broken habits or stagnant desires—to begin His recreative work from the inside out, through the Spirit.

This week we answer the question for our church; how do we as the church grow as followers of Christ in the work that the Lord is doing here in Wadsworth? To understand this, we are breaking it down into four environments, or spaces we participate with God in our discipleship to Jesus.

As we look at the conclusion of the Gospel of Luke, we see that the Resurrection of Jesus is a physical reality that transforms fear and doubt into great joy. Encountering the living Jesus provides an objective anchor and "peace" in an unsettling, rapidly changing world. This peace is not merely as the absence of conflict, but the restoration of all things to God's original design. Are we living using the strength of the Holy Spirit to reflect this divine peace in our daily relationships, families, and vocations?

Looking at the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, we considered how God nourishes and sustains the faith of believers through both objective truth and personal experiences. Though Jesus initially hid his identity to show that faith must first be anchored in the "objective reality" of the Scriptures rather than just emotions or physical sight. By sharing the scriptures and later breaking bread, Jesus demonstrates that a mature faith requires both a deep understanding of God's Word and an active, personal relationship with Him.

As we celebrated the Resurrection, we considered the initial lack of expectation for a miracle from the people closest to Jesus. How often does our own brokenness blind us from God's power? By faith in Jesus, we are saved. The gospel calls for a complete swap out of one's life for Christ’s and for us to believe in the promise that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

We considered Jesus' entry into Jerusalem through the "living parable" of the healing of two blind men. This miracle serves as a lens to show that only those who are humble, desperate, and dependent—like children or the blind—can truly see and praise Jesus.

This week we considered how the devil acts as a personal deceiver who exploits our disordered desires. "Flaming darts," or attacks from the enemy, are designed to sow confusion and distract us from God’s truth. We consider how to combat these attacks by wearing the full armor of God and standing firm on God's faithfulness.

Temptation often starts with our own disordered desires and appetites that seek ultimate satisfaction in things of the world. Giving in to these impulses over and over makes us "callous," meaning we stop being able to feel or enjoy life the way God designed us to. Willpower alone often fails, so we must lean into a greater desire to abide in Jesus, who overcame the world and is our ultimate satisfaction and joy.

Three distinct yet interdependent sources of temptation are the world, the flesh and the devil. An external system, internal appetite and the evil one who is a wicked collaborator between the two are against God and His people. Where do you find the evil one trying to connect the fallen world to your inner desires? The more we learn to recognize in our own lives where our particular disordered desires are prone to long after the allurement of the world, the more readily we are able to resist.

As we look into Jesus’ third temptation in Luke 4, where the devil tries to get him to "prove" God’s love, we can relate because in seasons of vulnerability and isolation we often feel the urge to demand a miracle or a sign when life gets hard and God feels distant. While the Israelites constantly grumbled and questioned God’s presence in the desert seen in Exodus 17, Jesus did the opposite—he stayed obedient even when He was hungry and alone. It’s a powerful reminder that our own tough times are opportunities to learn how to trust God’s character over our current circumstances.

The temptation to seek immediate satisfaction and ease over faithful obedience is a universal human vulnerability. From scripture, we observe that true joy and intimacy with God are found not through shortcuts or "moral rigor," but through taking up one's own cross and trusting in the supreme worth of God’s goodness.

Jesus, though fully divine, faced trials in His humanity by relying on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. God often allows us to experience hunger or unmet needs to prove that He alone is truly satisfying, especially during moments of vulnerability. If we internalize scripture, the Word of God will come out when we are "squeezed" with trials.

As we consider the biblical metaphor of the body in 1 Corinthians 12, we see that every member is indispensable and that true growth requires both relational depth and a commitment to caring for one another. One of the ways we are called to "abide" in Jesus is by building practical, rooted relationships within the congregation.

As we consider Jesus’ ministry and mission, we can define it as the proclamation and embodiment of the "Kingdom of God," where the beauty and order of heaven are brought into earthly reality. Rather than viewing ministry as a set of religious tasks, we see it as becoming the kind of people through whom God works, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Worship Gathering is the next of our four foundational commitments that we as a church are prioritizing in our devotion to Jesus. The weekly assembly of God's people returns all of the things we need to be the people of God in the place that He has positioned. Our rest comes from receiving nourishment, strength, encouragement, clarity, conviction and a reminder of who we are and who God is. It is important to exercise our faith by gathering together.

The first of our Foundational Commitments we will be considering as a church is Devotion to Jesus. As we follow the example of the Peter in Matthew 16, we see the internal struggle between standing on the sure foundation of faith and stumbling due to self-centered desires. Are we investing our time and energy into the eternal value of a relationship with Jesus?

As we consider Matthew 2, we see a contrast of the reactions of King Herod and the Magi to the birth of Jesus, illustrating the difference between moving toward or away from God's light. While Herod responded with secrecy, deception, and eventually murder to protect his own power, the Magi traveled great distances without certainty, ultimately finding joy and worshiping Jesus. Are we viewing Jesus as our supreme treasure and willingly letting go of lesser worldly attachments?

Merry Christmas! The incarnation of Jesus represents God’s kindness in entering the world to address the problem of death. Through the lens of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration, we see Jesus as the sovereign king who took on a debt we couldn't pay. We are celebrating our Savior who redeems the fallen world and promises to one day restore all things to God's original design.

We explore how Psalm 8 demonstrates that human worth is an intrinsic gift from God, rather than something earned through status, appearance, or productivity. While humanity was designed as image-bearers to exercise dominion over creation, we have historically failed to steward this authority. We look to Jesus as the "perfect image-bearer" who succeeded where humanity failed, affirming the value of every person by tasting death for everyone. By trading his life for ours, Christ restores the glory and honor intended for mankind and provides a model for living in a way to reflect God's majesty.

As we see consider the rejection Jesus faced in Nazareth as He began His ministry, we can see parallels to the story of Naaman and what God is revealing to us that we can apply to our lives currently. Jesus in love, directly confronts where our souls don't actually believe we need saving. If you come to God with nothing, He will give you everything.

As we consider Psalm 145, we recognize that our blessing of God is a response to who He is. David outlines for us ways in which we bless God. We see that joy is the life of the one who who learns in all things, to bless the Lord.

A testimony of God's Faithfulness from Tom and Shelly Mountjoy.

A testimony of God's Faithfulness from Barb Melchien.

Jesus is our supreme example of humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit. We see in Luke as Jesus is being baptized, that He receives the approval of God, affirmation from His Father and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to do the work that God has given Him. We also, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to God's purposes.

On the other side of the destination of repentance, there is greater life than you ever experienced and then in so repeating that same journey and course of action, repentance to Jesus, leads to life. Luke shows us this in the life and teaching of John the Baptist.

God has made Himself to be known and to become one with those who bear His image. Jesus shows us the way. If we want to treasure the greatest treasure of all, God himself, we can consider how Jesus grows in his understanding and wisdom in an insignificant place while practicing submission. If our circumstances aren't what we wish them to be, are we still treasuring the reality that God is at work?

In Luke 2:22-40, we consider the contrast between the Holiness of God and the lowliness of humanity, and the significance of His ability to use those who would be seen as insignificant for His purposes. Luke draws attention to the humility of the people and the way that God ordered these events to happen that shows the law and the prophets are fulfilled in Jesus.

In the Christmas story, rightly understood in it's context, there are points of application that can help us grow in confidence that God is accomplishing His purposes through Christ in our lives today. In Luke 2:1-21, we consider where there are elements of His supernatural power, where God is using those in positions of authority, and where God is using common ordinary people who respond by faith to reveal His purposes.

We recognize as people of faith that we should expect that there will be times when our faith is not strong enough. What kind of expectations should we have when God is deepening our faith, how does He go about doing that? God in His mercy will work to deepen our faith through circumstances in our lives, if we let Him.

As we look at how Mary responded in obedience to the Lord in Luke 1:26-56, one can consider where in your life the Lord would invite you to respond to His word by saying, "May it be done to me according to your word?" Is there an area in your life that you know is not of the Spirit? Though we can't choose the work that God has in store for us, we can trust that the Spirit will empower us to do the work that God has for us.

As we walk through the story of Zechariah we consider how God takes those who have faith and invites us into an even deeper faith. What do we do when we are confronted by our own lack of faith? Because God is gracious, we can expect that He will train us to have greater certainty in Him.

In a life full of fear and anxiety that often overwhelms us, how can we grow in certainty about the primary purpose of life? If you want to grow in certainty, one must learn how to find joy in Jesus as the greatest treasure.

What does it look like for us to live life devoted to prayer? In three parts, we walk through a story in Acts 3 and uncover two areas that we can grow for a greater devotion - with fixed rhythms, and as perceivers. Committed prayer most fully enflames your affections for Jesus, and it is love that awakens devotion.

One of the primary ways God deepens our devotion to Jesus is through taking Communion. Together we remember what his death has accomplished and proclaim his life!

Although there’s water in every breath of air, you must find a fountain in order for the water to satisfy. In a similar way, the power of the Spirit to deepen devotion to Jesus, is found in primary fountains God has made. These fountains have been called the primary or ordinary means of grace. This message presents the Word of God as the first of these fountains and asks two questions. How do we preach the Word of God in the power of the Spirit? And how do we receive the Word of God in the power of the Spirit? 

The Holy Spirit is the flame of the church. If you are a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit has indwelled you and set a flame in you. You can fan it into fire in the way that you live, or you can dampen it. Are we leaning on our own strength to fan the flame or are we relying on the Holy Spirit to empower us to renew our city?

2 Peter 1:3-11

Jesus' vision for the new family he was forming directly confronted his culture on their deepest loyalties. Is the Western American church living out Jesus' dream in a confronting way, or is she living out only a less potent version of it? If so, how might we awaken the church to devotion to Jesus and his dream for his new family?

Jesus is the Anointed One who brings God’s favor to the broken and makes them whole. Isaiah 61 invites us to receive His healing—and to live as restored people who bring hope to others.

Isaiah gives us a vision of God's coming city and calls us to hope for its arrival. Jesus has already begun building that city - and calls us to live now as its citizens.

3 blessings from meditating upon Jesus, the Divine Warrior, finally and fully avenging the glory of God.

True humility is a necessary quality to follow Jesus Christ. True humility is demonstrated in righteousness and repentance.Isaiah 56:9-59:15a, 63:7-66:17

Isaiah 56:1-8

Colossians 3:16

Genesis 3; John 4; Revelation 22

Hebrews 10:19-25

Hebrews 10:19-25

Hebrews 10:19-25