Elements City Church Podcast

As we all continue to navigate these ‘stay at home’ days, there is a powerful lesson we can lean into and practice that Jesus models. Jesus demonstrates the full extent of his love (John 13:1) as he serves and washes the feet of His disciples - giving us an example to heed. Real love serves others and isn’t self-seeking. Serving is our calling and is to be our lifestyle as we follow our Savior who led the way.

We get to eavesdrop in on a one-on-one conversation with Nicodemus and Jesus - as he is curious and leaning into this movement of Jesus to learn more. Jesus' actions spoke loudly, but now we get to see how His words bring clarity. We experience the backdrop to one of the simplest and most profound verses describing God's heart in all the Scriptures. Lean in with us, let it refresh your soul and fuel your ability to share the hope of Jesus. (see John 3:1-21)

Tonight we see an encounter with Jesus, where a worship moment breaks out at a dinner party. There is boldness and an intimacy in this action from Mary that must have shocked the guests reclining at the table. Some think it's a waste, but Jesus relishes it. Mary's posture of praise invites us to take our worries and exchange it for worship in the presence of our mighty Savior. Jesus is worth our utmost devotion, not simply some attention from time to time.

As we continue our look in the gospel of John, we see Jesus step forward into a role and a title that was reserved for God himself. Jesus is stating his deity again by proclaiming that he is The Good Shepherd. Friends: we are invited to KNOW the Good Shepherd as the leader of our everyday life today, not just for our eternal life someday. Jesus knows you and is here to lead you in our here and now. You’re safe when you’re close to the Shepherd.

In John 8:1-11 we encounter a story that is best described as part church service, part soap opera and part Law & Order episode. How will Jesus respond in a most tension filled moment? So many in our culture are quick to throw shade or cast stones of shame; but thankfully Jesus provides a better example as He responds with grace. His first reaction is compassion, not condemnation. Is that yours? Friend, drop your rock.

Today we lean into John ch. 6 and this amazing passage of Scripture. It has a crescendo early on with the feeding of the 5,000 as Jesus does an incredible miracle; it then builds to this deafening 'selah' moment at the conclusion of Jesus' toughest sermon. The miracle is a reminder that It’s never about how much we have to offer Jesus, but rather if we will offer whatever we have to Jesus and watch what He can do with it. At the conclusion of the chapter, Jesus proclaims that He is the Bread of Life and many of the fans of his feeding miracle the day before, walk away. What started with admiration, ended for some with abandonment. Jesus' activity is to push people toward making a decision about him, not just admiring what he can do.

This message seeks to get behind the writing of John and why he wrote his gospel the way he did. John had lived an amazing life with and for Jesus. He had seen miraculous signs that he writes about but he had also seen almost everyone of his friends brutally killed for the cause of Christ so when he tells the story of the woman at the well he hopes others will be willing to give their lives to following Jesus the King!!

The gospel account from John records Jesus' first miracle and it takes place at a wedding celebration. What's here for us to lean into? A lot. Jesus always shows up where he's invited, so are you inviting him into every area of your life? When his presence and power show up, His activity can divinely do way more than what your individual ability can do. Someone better is here.

Each of the Gospel writers chose a different starting point for their accounts of the life of Jesus. In the beginning of his gospel account, John presents the largest perspective of all, describing Jesus as the very source of everything we understand as beginning. The first 18 verses are so epic and grand about who Jesus is and all he came to do. The Apostle John wrote his Gospel to help his readers understand the identity and deity of Jesus. Jesus is way MORE than you think and John writes to persuade you, so that you may BELIEVE. *(see John 20:30-31)

Through faith, we are now: IN CHRIST. That brings us UNION with God - as we are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. Christ’s power and presence is within helping us to follow him, to walk in obedience and choose his ways more easily and more often. We're incorporated into the family of God. The CHURCH is an entity of connected believers who are following King Jesus as we each have gifting’s to contribute, roles to play as God’s gospel story continues to influence, impact and reach people.

Through faith we've been given a new IDENTITY in Christ. That’s why the adoption language we see in the New Testament is such a powerful picture. We're also enfolded into a PARTICIPATION role within the gospel. We’re not just killing time before we go home to heaven; we’re living a WITH GOD life now; invited to be an active agent for Him in our here and now. The prayer is not "beam me up", it's "here I am, send me."

What does it mean to pledge your allegiance to Jesus and enter the Kingdom of Christ? The Gospel is bigger and better than you thought it was and this message clears a path for how a person enters the most amazing eternal type of life only God gives!!

We're launching 2020 pursuing clarity around The Gospel. We want us all to not just know it. But to live it. We want to be a people captivated by it and enfolded into it. Because it's way bigger and better than you thought it was.

As we reflect on 2019 and look ahead to 2020. Each of us probably has some goals we'd like to see play out. Today I want to challenge us to focus on 3 key things this New Year. One Mission – One Word – One Practice

This season of Christmas extends to us a CHOICE. We each lean in, we each listen - we each get to choose. Back in Luke 2 - we see the shepherds do is what we each are invited to do. They heard the news, They believed it, They acted on what they heard. They chose wisely! Choose Jesus. Choose him today and then the next, and the next. Orient your life and living, around choosing him and his ways continually.

God's GIFT to us at Christmas was a Savior, not a coach, cheerleader or counselor. He provided what was needed most. We are to remember that Jesus has done way more than just offer us some advice to live a better life, way more than coaching us through a jam, way more than just encouraging us in a down moment of life. Jesus rescues us eternally and rescues us continually. Why? Because he's a Savior.

Within chapter 3 of Titus we hear the call for us to leverage our lives for God and His good in our world. Paul hammers home the truth of all Jesus did and reminds us that being good or doing good isn’t what makes you right with God, but when you’re right with God – it always produces a life that seeks to do good! We are to be people who continually have a focus on how we can ‘do good’ within our scope of influence. We should stay alert for the God-ordained interruptions in life and partner with Him there. 

The Apostle Paul was emphatic that Titus set things in order in the churches and that they would pursue doing good relationally. He wanted them to "embrace a lifestyle that is consistent with the gospel" and eliminate types of behaviors that would "discrete the Gospel message". We encourage you to join us in our attempt to discover what that looked like in the 1st Century and how that shapes our lifestyles in the 21st Century. Find clarity on your true identity, the purpose of your life and how to fulfill that purpose.

The small New Testament book of Titus contains some wisdom for us to glean as it comes to the internal work of God to do good within ourselves, in our relationships and in our sphere of influence around us. The Apostle Paul writes to give us a concise summary of how a follower of Jesus should live out the doctrine of grace with godliness and good works. It begins in chapter 1 with a challenge to grow strong godly character and to pursue building character over just managing a reputation. (character > reputation)

As we wrap up this series I want us to explore one of the greatest stories of the Bible from a 10,000 foot view. It's Joseph's story in Genesis. We'll see some application for us about our words and their power! What Joseph couldn’t have known, was that God’s plan for the ages was hanging by a thread of his words in this moment of reunion with his brothers. He had every right to 'lower the boom' with his words, but instead he rescued and raised up a legacy of love with them. If our words are stones, we can choose to THROW them or USE them to pave a path forward. Let's choose to speak words that make souls stronger. (*see Romans 12:17-21)