Paul Don’t get bored with the story of this holy week, be amazed, in awe Stephen Keating Support Mercy’s Village by going to Chili’s this Wednesday Mike Workman is forming actuating groups for men Jon Looking at John 4 tonight A wise man once told me, don’t focus on a couple of trees in the Scripture, look at the whole forest Look at His entire redemptive story Sometimes God is predictable and sometimes not Holy Wind – Ruach HaKodesh Don’t know where He’s going to be Earth would shake Also described as a consuming fire All these elements Living water Jesus often referred to Himself as this God shows up to Elijah on the mountain not as any of these elements but as a gentle whisper Revealing Himself in all these different ways I want us to be a community relentless in our pursuit of God Maybe He’ll do the … Continue reading →

Paul Stephen After church in K-1 is a meeting for solace for the children (Afghani kids summer program) Jon Matthew 6:9-13 -“Plant your hope with good seeds. Don’t cover yourself with thistle and weeds.” Mumford & Sons Life sentence for drunk driving manslaughter Instead of staying and facing the crime he ran Inspectors found him and convicted him Interview revealed why he ran Father had a watch collection, had a beloved watch Curiosity got the best of him, he broke the watch and he put it back When dad found out he called the kids together and asked them to fess up Nobody did and this middle child learned early on that when the big test comes along, he would leave it in the dark Series of small compromises led to this big failure -Peirasmos? Temptation in the text Tricky word Also translates as test The test can be turned … Continue reading →

Paul Matt’s preaching on visions, God be our vision (Lord Have Your Way With Us/There Must Be More Than This) (Though I’ve Failed A Thousand Times) Matt Come on up – Manoj, Alexis, Micah & Ellis Allipuria; Dore, Tiff, Faith & Jacob Reperts (sp?) Dedicating these kids back to the Lord … People to honor: staff, board, men’s group, youth leaders, parents, the church Proverbs 29:18 When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he! We can get so limited that we miss what God is really saying John on Patmos has a vision leading to the book of Revelation What does God see in my life that only I can do? God has THIS much more for you to complete You don’t have to sweat on some things, but there are things He wants us to do … Continue reading →

Paul Jon Ezekiel 47:1-12 Theme in the whole book Vision given to a people in the desert when the temple has been destroyed Cleanse themselves in Living Water Babylon destroyed the temple and took Israel into captivity Living water poured out over the altar Ezekiel 19:13 Planted in wilderness for disobedience They know where they are…something deeper God’s reminder goes deeper The image is a metaphor for God Revelation 1:15 like the roar of many waters The water brings life and healing Where God flows, there is life and healing Land of Pharoah Land of Canaan Land of the desert – where God lives Bigger than location or idea – metaphor Deeper in the desert, closer to God – Rabbi Akeva 40 years of wandering…for what? Complained about food and water-never the heat or the dangers Wadi – canyon in the desert that can quickly flood and fill it Had … Continue reading →

Paul Jon Matt. 11:28-30 Discipleship Talmudeen (sp?) Cost to the committment Calling in rabbinic terms, but it’s more than Student/teacher vs disciple/rabbi Disciple more passionate to follow rabbi than student Still a burden, still a yoke….it’s just easier/lighter Jesus Ben Sira – author of apocrypha Drawing near to a source of instruction Alluding to the following and learning…thtmat Luke 9:57-62 No pillow to lay my head Let the dead bury the dead – father was probably dead for one year Let me say goodbye to my family The study of the torrah was a hard dedication His teachings are not easy, but exhilirating Students just want intelectual Is that Christian music? Count the cost Luke 14:26-33 Cultural idiom Wants a full out committment from us John only disciple not crucified – exiled to Patmos Luke 18:28-30 The value of the kingdom fills the next life …AND this life Matthew 13:44-46 … Continue reading →