In Genesis 21 and 22, we see two separate stories of Isaac that both deal with faith.  One story is one of celebration and laughter after a long time in the waiting room of life for the promise the promised heir of Abraham.  The other story is one of sacrifice, faith and the ability to do hard things even when they may not make sense to us.  
 
Genesis 21:1-7 | Son of Laughter  
Isaac means Laughter.  Abram laughed in Genesis 17 when God said a child would come through Sarai. Sarah even laughs when he she hears at 90 she will have a child (Genesis 18).  And now Sarah says God has made her laugh because He has given her a child in her old age. He has done the impossible.  She says others will laugh in disbelief because of this crazy story of God making what seem impossible possible.  After 15 years of waiting, God has given them the promised child through Abraham and Sarah.  This is will not be the last time God makes a promise that another child you come through what seems an impossible birth through a couple named Mary and Joseph.
 
Genesis 22:1-2 | Only a Test
Over a decade later we see God command Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt sacrifice.  Now this doesn’t make sense because God had made a promise to Abraham he would have a son and now he wants him to kill this child. In verse 1, we see that this is only a test.  In no way did God intent for anything to happen to Isaac, but this was a test of Abraham’s faith and his love for the Father.  
 
Genesis 22:6-14 | Christ as the Substitute.
Abraham does as God instructed. As they get to the top of the mountain Isaac looks for the lamb but sees none.  His father grabs his hands and ties him to the altar.  Isaac cries out in desperation asking why he is doing this.  In the last moment an angel stops Abraham and tells him not to harm Isaac.  The Lord has seen that Abraham fears the Lord.  Isaac is unbound and grabs hold of his father, thanking him for listening to voice from heaven.  In that moment Isaac knew that his father loved God more than him.  We have to ask ourselves the same question: do our children know we love Jesus more than them?  The best way we show our love for our kids is to point them to Jesus through our obedience. God is giving us a foreshadowing of what is to come in Christ.  A father gives his only promised son on the altar in love.  Jesus takes our place on the altar.  Jesus is the substitute for our sins.  God will give us his son so that we could have eternal life (John 3:16).  The redemptive history clock is beginning.  Remember what happens in the Old Testament is pointing to the New Testament – the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.  And what happens in the New Testament is pointing back to the Old Testament – a loving father willing to sacrifice his son, but a substitute is given in his place.  
 
Big Idea: Abraham’s willingness to put his only promised son on altar was a foreshadowing of God’s love for us in putting his only promised son on the cross.  

Have you ever been impatient with God?  Have you ever felt the Lord has put something on your heart or even led you to do something with your life, but instead of waiting for his timing – you took it upon yourself to open those doors?  When we look at Genesis 15, 16 and 17, we see that Abram believes God’s promises, but due to impatience, confusion sets in. God, in his patience with Abram, gives us hope when we too stray from God’s plan.  

Genesis 15 | Covenant
In the first six verses of Genesis 15 God come to Abram in a vision confirming his promise that he has made to him about both a heir and the promise land.  Abram responds with doubts. He responds with "are you sure? I don’t have a child and the longer we wait, the less it seems possible." God doesn’t strike Abram down for his doubts, but points him to the stars in the sky and says "this is how many will be a part of your family." In verse 6 it says that Abram believes and God calls him righteous.  This is important because one, it was after he had doubts and two, we see that his belief is what causes him to be righteous -- not his good works.  In the following verses, God give Abram a Covenant.  In Abram’s day there were no contracts or lawyers, only your word.  Covenants were more than just a promise but a partnership between two parties to say they would do what they promise or it would cost them their lives.  Abram watches as he sees a pillar of fire walk the path of the covenant between sacrificed animals as a sign that God alone would keep his word and give everything to Abram his has promised.  This is the Covenant Jesus often refers to as the “Old Covenant” in the New Testament and be essential until the New Covenant would come through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.  

Genesis 16 | Confusion
In Chapter 16 after God has established a Covenant with Abram, things go sideways.  Sarai begins to get impatient. God has made this promise of a child, yet nothing is happening.  Both Sarai and Abram are in the “waiting room” of life.  It is the place between Expectations (a child) and Experience (having a child).  We have all been there and we all have one of two responses- faith or fear.  Unfortunately, Sarai choses fear and convinces Abram to be with Haggar to have a child with his servant because she believes it will be impossible because of her old age to have a child (Genesis 16:1-2). Haggar does become pregnant, but this doesn’t please Sarai because she is jealous.  When we strive from God’s plan, it normally doesn’t satisfy us.  It causes Haggar to become confused because she didn’t do anything yet Sarai mistreats her and sends her into the wilderness. The angel comes and tells her to go back. The angel tells her "that God will keep his promise that any child of Abram would be blessed and great a great nation (Genesis 16:8-10). "

Genesis 17 | Confirmation
Despite Abram and Sarai trying to accomplish God’s promise separate from God’s plan, He remains faithful and in Chapter 17 he comes back to Abram to say: “You will have a heir through Sarai.” But Abram laughs and responds I think you mean I already have a son, Ishmael, and he will be the heir.  Again God confirms it will be use Sarai to be the vessel for the child. God likes to take situations that are physically impossible and make it possible so that he receives the glory.  This is true for Sarah (Genesis 21) and true for Mary, with the birth of Christ.  
 
Big Idea: When we are waiting on God we can respond in fear or faith.  Fear leads to pain and confusion while faith leads to praise and worship.

Throughout Scripture we see that God puts a calling our lives that he has gifted us, prepared us, and has a purpose for us.  In Genesis 12 we see the calling of Abram to be Father of a Nation.  This calling of Abram is a hinge point in the Redemptive Story of humanity.  God is planting a seed for a family tree.  Abram is that seed for a family tree that will bear kings and queens, prophets and prophetess, heroes and even some villains.  But the pinnacle of this family tree would be the “root of Jesse”, the “promised Messiah”, “Wonderful Counselor”, the King of Kings – Jesus.   The origins story for the nation of Israel all starts with Abram's answer to the call and stepping out in faith to follow God.  
 
Genesis 12:1–3 | The Promise of a New People
We can establish nowhere does it say that Abram is worthy of this calling.  He may have been a great guy.  We know he is wealthy because he doesn’t have kids!  But no where do we see his is righteousness.  Like Noah, he was faithful.  God gives him instructions without much to go and Abram says “Yes.”  God says: “I will make your name great.”  Unlike the builders of the tower of Babel, Abram wasn’t trying to make his name great.  But we when follow the Lord not for our fame but His, he does great things through us.  Our story is much the same.  When we accept the call from Jesus that we aren’t worthy of, we too are blessed.  Again it isn’t because we have earned it, but God’s goodness and grace allows us to accept this invitation to step out in faith.  
 
Genesis 12:4-7 | The Promise of a New Place
God says this place you are at now will be given to you, your family, and this nation that will come from you and your faithfulness.  As Abram steps out in faith, God gives him peace in the midst of chaos. The promise we receive, again, isn’t of a physical place or geography, it is a promise of an eternal home.  A way to get back to our creator.  A place where there is no death, disease, or destruction.  There are no tears and light of a Savior illumates all of heaven.  It is only through Christ we can receive the promise of place.  Jesus is the bridge that gets us back – his sacrifice and blood.  It will be Abram’s faithfulness that will create the family that gives us a way back home.  
 
Genesis 12:8-9 | The Promise of a New Purpose
Abram responds with worship.  The theme of scripture in Genesis has been – relationship and worship.  We were created to be in relationship with our creator and our purpose is to worship him.  Abram creates an altar, a place of remembrance to worship and praise for God’s promises. For us, our purpose is to remove ourselves from the center of the story and put Christ.  Worship is more than singing songs.  Worship is making God smile by what you say and what you do.  That is why we were created and our purpose in life.  How are you doing at fulfilling your purpose?
 
Big Idea:  God’s calling to Abram gave him a new people, place, and purpose.  Jesus' invitation calls us to have a new heart, new family, and new purpose.

Remembering and Rescuing
 
The story of Noah and the Flood is a story that spans not only the history of mankind but also culture. You don’t have to be in church to have heard about God sending a flood across the globe and only saving Noah and his family. The question is why?  And what does it mean for us?  Let’s find out.  

Genesis 6:5–8 | The Wickedness of Man
We see that God saw the wickedness of man was great and that every thought of his heart only contained evil.  There was no good, not even selfish good to make themselves feel good about themselves.  Everything was evil.  Then we read a passage than can be both shocking and confusing.  God regretted he made man? Does that mean God can make mistakes? Many times we see emotions given to God but those descriptions might be more for our benefit than an actual description of what God is feeling.  It helps us connect with what God.  It is like a father who raises, guides and allows a child to choose, yet their decisions go against the father.  The Father isn’t “sorry,” but he is full of sorrow for the damage and hurt that comes from those choses.   Free will has been given to mankind and man chose evil over good and now judgement must come.  

Genesis 6:17–18 | Noah Chosen
In the midst of the evil and chaos God chooses Noah and his family to continue the hope of redemption. Noah wasn’t perfect or even good, as we will see later, but God invited Noah into relationship and gave instructions – Noah listened and created the Ark.  Rain came and as God promised all life outside of the ark was gone.  

Genesis 7:24- 8:1 | Remembering Leads to Rescue
Did God forget Noah? No. The remembering isn’t about God’s memory, but his mission. His Covenant bears fruit. Here we see an origin of truth: remembering leads to rescue.  Noah was rescued through a wooden boat but the rest of humanity was rescued through a wooden cross.  

Purpose of God’s Judgement | 2 Peter 4-5,9
Peter reminds the early church that God had poured out his judgement on the wicked people of Noah’s day and rescued the righteous.  He points them back to the Origins story to ensure that God is in control and despite the wickedness that surrounded the early church, God is just.  

Patience of God’s Judgement | Hebrews 11:7
God was patient with Noah not because he was perfect but because he was faithful.  Noah had evil in his heart just like everyone else.  But when God gave his warning of the flood and gave instructions – Noah listened.  We think God isn’t patient or demands perfection from us which leads to fear and frustration when we are not.  But God’s grace is one of a patient Father.

Promise of God’s Judgement | Genesis 9 + Matthew 24:37-39
God promises that His judgement will not come again in such a catastrophic way.  But he will give us a symobol of his promise- the rainbow.  But an even great promise was given in that it wouldn't be water that purifies the Earth next time, but the blood of Christ that will purify our hearts.   Jesus told his disciples – like in the days of Noah as people live their lives, he will come to close the final chapter of the Redemption Story and usher us into Restoration in a New Heaven and New Earth.
 
Big idea: The flood was both the Judgement of God and the Rescues of God’s people. The flood is a warning and hope.  

Genesis is often viewed as just a historic book that tells us about how the world got started and a bunch of stories that aren’t really relevant to today.   This is why Genesis is one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible.  Genesis is our origins story.  Many of the questions we ask today and answers we are looking for can be found in Genesis.  Scripture can be broken into four major plots: Creation (Genesis 1/2), Fall (Genesis 3), Redemption (Genesis 4 and beyond), and Restoration (New Creation – thread of the story of the Bible).  
 
Many of us know the story of Creation.  God created the heavens and the Earth for his Glory.  He threw the stars into the sky to reflect His goodness.  He shaped the mountains to reveal his majesty.  He breathed life into Adam and Eve to walk and worship with him in the Garden.  But then they chose to listen to the enemy and cross that boundary that God had established.  In that act of disobedience – sin and shame entered the garden. Our holy God could not be in the presence of sin therefore causing the fall and the exile of Adam and Eve.  
 
Genesis 4:1-7 | Adam and Eve are obedient and multiply as they begin a family.  Cain and Abel are born.  With this family God is faithful and still desires a relationship.  Cain and Abel brings offerings, but Cain’s is rejected.  We don’t know why, but God sees past the offering and into Cain’s heart.  He sees that “sin is crouching at the door.”  Cain has a choice, deal with the sin or ignore.  God warns from that sin, much pain will come.  Cain chooses rebellion over repentance in the murder of Abel.  His response to God’s warning was to ignore, justify, and blame others instead of choosing repentance for his sin.  His actions aren’t that different than ours.  We, too, often choose the way of Cain over the way of Abel.  
The way of Abel is one of humility, compassion and sacrifice.  The way of Cain is a path of pride, rebellion and self preservation.  Throughout scripture we see many point back to these two brothers and their actions (Jude 11, Matthew 23, Luke 11, 1 John 3).  The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.  The innocent blood of Abel is a foreshadowing of the blood of Christ.  The plan of Jesus wasn’t something that come thousands of years later, but one that is starting in the first generation of mankind.  The blood of the innocent will cry out for justice, but there will only be one who will be able to satisfy that desire for Justice, Jesus.
 
Genesis 4:25-26 | It could seem hopeless to Adam and Eve who had been told that through their seed a son would come to crush the enemy and bring redemption.  But their oldest son has murdered their youngest son.  God is faithful and gives them another son, Seth.  Seth is said to be a substitute for Abel.  He represents New Life and from Seth we see him raise a family that brings man back to “call upon the name of the Lord.”  From the innocent blood, new life comes.  This is the picture of the Gospel.  Through the death of Christ, we have new life.  We call upon the Lord as adopted sons and daughters.  

Big idea: The story of Cain and Abel isn’t a sibling rivalry but the beginning story of redemption through the shedding of innocent blood in the clash of kingdoms of light and dark.  

Luke 10:38–42 | Mary and Martha
 
Distracted vs. Focused
Jesus says "Martha you are distracted. Mary is focused."  When we lack boundaries in our lives, it is like trying to herd cats of what we should or shouldn’t do.  We aren’t able to focus on the main thing.  We are so busy running around being distracted by the world; we aren’t able to focus on Jesus. Martha is tired, frustrated and empty, even though she is doing good things for Jesus.  She is taking care of other people.  Jesus tells us to do that – right? Yes, but not to the expense of our health.  Mary isn’t serving, but soaking.  Our serving is meant to come from rest, not working.
 
Anxious vs. At Peace
Jesus says, "Martha you are anxious.  Yet Mary sits here at peace."  Martha was more focused on what needed to get done, than who was sitting in her home.  Her anxiety of what she was responsible for distracted her from trusting the one who says to trust him.  I would say that Mary is at peace because she is in the moment.  Paul says in Philippians 4:12 that he has learned to be content in all circumstances.  Too often because we are striving for more, never satisfied, and can’t slow down, our lives are full of anxiety and not peace. We can’t be in the moment because we are worrying about what’s next or what if this happens or what others will think. Martha thought Jesus was going to say "Yes, Mary go help your sister."  Instead, Jesus says, "No, Martha, you need to slow down in order to sit and soak."
 
Troubled vs. At Ease
Jesus, says "Martha you are troubled." We see Mary is at ease because she is worshipping instead of working.  The issue with so many church people is that we miss that Jesus desires our worship, not our work.  We don’t have to earn his love.  We don’t have to impress him with our religious acts.  We don’t have to "do," he asks us to simply "be." In that "being," we don’t live a life where our soul is troubled, but a life of ease.  We have ease because our identity, acceptance, and love isn’t based on how good we are, but how good Jesus was.  If we are honest, this is really hard for us.  In America we go, we do, we build, we earn.  Which is why many of us are like Mary and Martha.  We have an issue with just being.  I will confess – YES.  While we are being honest – many of us are ok with going to church, checking our boxes and living our life as is. We are troubled like Martha, but we can begin to adjust, remove, and slow down to find a life full ease focused more on worship than work. It is easier for me to work for Jesus like Martha than to worship Jesus like Mary.    
 
Big Idea: A balanced life isn’t about doing more work for Jesus, but living a life full of worship of Jesus. 

When we think of development, we often think of children.  And we do everything in our power to make sure their development is healthy.  Dr. Townsend and Dr. Cloud in “Boundaries” explain how boundaries are developed in children and how it will impact them as they grow into adults.  These boundaries that are developed as children also impact us as it comes to our spiritual development as well.  Many times in church, we don’t explain how we develop as a Christ followers.  We think we get “saved” and get our "get out of hell free" cards, but don’t understand there is still a journey we must travel to live a life as a disciple.   Paul shares this passage with the church of Corinth as there is division in the church over childish things.  

1 Corinthians 3:1–3
"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?"
 
Paul doesn’t equate spiritual maturity with how long they have been in church like we do. He says they are still spiritual babies because they are still living in the flesh.  Their lives still look like the lost world around them; they haven’t become spiritually mature.  Which means there is a process from going to just receiving spiritual milk as an infant to the solid food as a mature believer.  Just as a child develops, we, as disciples, are developing into mature followers of Jesus.  Here is one way to think about development as a Christ follower: information, imitation, and innovation.  

Information | Ephesians 4:17-20
When we first become a Christ follower, like an infant, we are soaking up everything around us.  We are collecting information of whose we are and who we are now that we are making decisions differently because of Christ.  We begin to read scripture and begin to see passages like Ephesians 4 of who we used to be but now who we are now in Christ.  This information begins to reveal the difference in those who are in the world and those who are a disciple of Christ.  

Imitation | 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
As you collect this information about Christ and begin to finds way to apply it, you begin to watch others who are further along than you.  You watch how they read scripture, pray, give, serve, and live life differently because of Jesus.  We must remember just like we aren’t perfect parents, those we are imitating aren’t perfect either.  Paul says "watch me as I follow Jesus.  You will see me confess, forgive, serve and mess up."  But we are learning from someone more experienced and showing us just what to do but how to do it.  We often forget church has always meant to be a family full of spiritual mothers and fathers.  

Innovation
As we have learned the words and ways of Jesus, we have watched others model it for us. The final piece is innovation.  This means we take what we learn and apply it to our story, gifts, and abilities.  And then we take others through the same journey as a mature believer who is making decisions differently because of Christ.  

Big Idea: The development of balance and boundaries impact all areas of our lives: physical, emotional and spiritual.

The first week of Balance + Boundaries we saw that our God is a God who operates both in balance and boundaries.  You don’t have to look far to see that his creation is one that balanced.  In Genesis 1, He took what was formless and empty and created life.  He took what was chaos and gave it order.  His creative balance is what hold’s planet Earth in orbit and our bodies operating as it should.  In Genesis 2, he gives all of the garden to Adam and Eve but creates a boundary – the tree of Life.  The enemy comes and plants the seed of deception that God’s only reason to give them boundaries was because didn’t want them to have a full life.  He wanted to restrict Adam and Eve.  It wouldn’t be that big of a deal if they crossed that line and ate from the tree.  They bought the lie: hook, line and sinker.  Sin entered the world and it has been off balance ever since.  The story of Jesus and the Gospel is the redemptive story of making things the way God intended them to be. 
 
Our second week of Balance + Boundaries was about three of the ten laws of boundaries from the book “Boundaries.”  Our world has Laws of Nature.  These are truths that work in our world and don’t change.  The Laws of Boundaries are based on biblical truths that don’t change and often cause us to ignore boundaries or convince us we don’t need boundaries.

The Law of Envy | Envy is what cost Lucifer his place in heaven. He wanted something he didn’t have and that caused him to rebel against God.  He then convinced Adam and Eve to cross the boundaries God gave them. Envy causes us to hate what we have and love what we don’t have.  Envy causes us to have desires that smash through our boundaries and allow our desires to drive us.  

Galatians 6:4-5 | Paul says we must Test his or her work.  Another way to say this, is we have to ask why do we do what we do?  What is our motivation?  Is it to keep up with the Joneses or is it be satisfied in whose we are in Christ?  When our motivation is anything other than Jesus, it often can be trace back to envy that causes much of the pain and difficulties in life.
 
The Law of Sowing and Reaping | Proverbs 22:8, 2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 6:7-8  
Sowing and Reaping is seen throughout scripture.  It is a truth from both the Old Testament and New Testament.  Our actions and decisions will produce some type of fruit.  If we sow things of the world and flesh – scripture says it will produce “calamity.”   Or we can place boundaries in our lives that allow us to sow the things of the Spirit and produce eternal and spiritual fruit.   We have choice everyday of what we will sow in our lives and boundaries help filter what we are doing and the fruit we will reap.  

The Law of Action | Hebrews 10:35-39
The writer of Hebrews says that we will need endurance.  We have been redeemed to sit on the sidelines.  The endurance reminds us that we are in a marathon, not a sprint.  We aren’t to retreat, but push forward.  When we have balance and boundaries we have clarity of what and how.  We can’t do everything – so we must tell someone no.  We can’t help everyone – so we must refuse helping everyone.  Having boundaries doesn’t me we don’t do anything, it means we have focus on the greater impact and gives us ability to not burn ourselves out trying to do everything.  

Big Idea: The Laws of Boundaries are truths that God knows about us, therefore commands us to create boundaries out of these truths.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.

In the beginning the universe was formless and void. There was no order.  There was no life. There was no value. It was chaos. Yet God was attracted to the chaos to bring order. God creates a universe not haphazardly, but perfectly balanced. God takes what had no boundaries and gives boundaries. We see from the very beginning that our Creator is a God of balance and boundaries.  He is a God of order, not chaos.  He is a God of balance, not imbalance. Everything God did, does, and will do, has order.
 
This New Series called “Balance + Boundaries” is meant to help us say yes to the things of God and no to the things that don’t align with this purpose in our lives.  Much of this series will be based on the book Boundaries by Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend.  We will be hitting a few of the highlights of this Biblical based book that helps us recognize our need for boundaries in our lives.  You might be asking: “Why do boundaries matter?”  Through this series we will talk about creation and how the God of the universe is all about balance and boundaries. We will also discuss Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, this month who models balance and boundaries in his life and ministry.  And last but not least, we will cover the Holy Spirit, God in us, who leads us to balance and boundaries if we have the courage to listen to his guidance, scripture, and Gospel Community. Many of our limitations aren’t based on our lack of time, money, and energy.  It is because we don’t invest them in the right areas, which is what a balanced life would help us do.  
 
In the Creation story, God’s creation has perfect balance.  Planet Earth is the only known planet in our Milky Way Galaxy and universe that is perfectly placed to support life. Our position, spin rate, atmosphere, and large moon are all essential and perfectly balanced in order to support human life.  As he created Adam and Eve he said it was very good. Even our bodies were created balanced and must stay balanced to work correctly, but He gives us something he doesn’t give the rest of creation – a soul.  He gives us the ability to choose to worship him, where everything else created already points to Him. 

Genesis 2:15-17 | Adam is created outside of the Garden and God places him there.  God also creates the Tree of Life.  Here, we see God’s first boundary – do not eat of it.  His boundary wasn’t to keep something from Adam, but to protect him from the dangers of it.  The sneaky enemy comes in Genesis 3 to convince Adam and Eve that the restrictions God gave was because he didn’t love them.  He didn’t want them to have fun or to be equal to him.  Fast forward to today and his tactics are the same.  Let’s look at three myths of why we don’t establish boundaries.  

Myth #1: If I establish boundaries, I am being Selfish.
We have been told boundaries are selfish.  But boundaries are essential in order to be good stewards.  Setting boundaries doesn;t keep us from loving others in Jesus names, it gives us a great ability to serve and bless others.  Jesus couldn’t heal everyone if we was going to be a good steward with the time the Father gave him here.  

Myth #2 | If I set boundaries, I will hurt others.
Many times we sacrifice our boundaries on the altars of others.  We believe our "no" will harm them.  We believe that boundaries cause tension and difficulties.  They might, but as we learned in James 1- there are times people need those challenges in order to grow their faith.  

Myth #3 | If I set boundaries, I am trapped
Too often we think of boundaries more like walls than fences.  If we create walls – we are indeed trapped.  And there are those who create bunkers- they hide there.  Boundaries are more like fences that have gates, to let the bad things out and the good things in.  And, our boundaries will change as life and seasons change as well.  
 
What boundaries do you need to be establishing to be a better steward of what God has given you?

James 1:5 says that if any of us lacks wisdom we should ask for it.  God, in his generosity, is faithful to give it to us.  Many of us think we aren’t wise or have the ability to make wise choices.  But the truth is, we have a choice.  We have a choice in the wisdom that we listen to: worldly wisdom or Godly wisdom.  Many of our issues come from the source of our information which leads to our transformation.  Are we seeking worldly wisdom in how we live or do we seek out Godly wisdom in the ways we are making decisions in our lives?
 
James 3:13-16 | Worldly Wisdom = Selfish Ambition and Pride
The question we have to ask: why do I do what I do?  Sure, we can justify our actions...  we just want our kids to have it better than us.  We will be able to give back one day – right now it is my time.  Someone else will help, it isn’t my responsibility to serve everyone.  

A couple weeks ago we asked: what has your faith cost you?  If you are living your life following worldly wisdom then you probably don't have a faith that has cost you. Sacrifice, service, and suffering are things you try and keep at an arms distance.

James 3:17-18 | Godly wisdom = Selfless Attitude and Humility
James give us a picture of what our faith that works should look like in our lives.  Godly wisdom leads to a life that is pure, gentle, full of peace, open to reason, full of mercy, impartial – not picking sides and sincere.  This is what Godly wisdom creates in us when we follow specifically the words and ways of Jesus. We sow a spirit of peace that will bring peace. Often times we get this wrong and try to win arguments instead of bringing the Kingdom.  

James 4:1-4 | Friendship with the World vs Friendship with God
James says that the reason we are fighting, arguing, and sinning is because we are acting like toddlers.  We are throwing tantrums because we don’t get what we want.  James says we are willing to do whatever it takes to get what we want.  James says in v.4 “You adulterous people.” Your actions reveal you are a friend of the world meaning you are an enemy of God.  Jesus says in Matthew 12:30 – He who is not with me is against me. 

James 4:6–10 | Resist the Devil and Draw near to the Lord
We must run from the path of destruction he invites to and often tempts us with.  We must make a choice.  We must STOP resisting God and START resisting the devil.  Many of us are in the situations we are because we choose not to resist the devil.  How do we avoid those lures in life that hidden hooks?  Trust God and resist the devil.  When we trust that God is enough, we won’t look for love or completion in someone else or a one-night stand.  
When we turn from the devil, we turn to God.  This is called repentance.  We do a 180 degree turn from the path we were on and go an opposite direction.   We move from seeking worldly wisdom and desire to be under Godly wisdom.  

Big Idea: Worldly wisdom and friendship leads to destruction, while Godly wisdom and friendship gives us an eternal purpose and place.  

What is your faith in?  

What do you trust more: the ways of the world or the ways of God?

Is your wisdom filled with words that point others to Jesus or broken systems and self-medication of material things, revenge, and power?

The last part of James Chapter 2 is one of the clearest, yet convicting scriptures when it comes to the life Christians are supposed to live.  We see that our calling isn’t to just pray for someone in need, but if we have a faith that works, we help be an answer to that prayer.

James again uses strong language as he says in verse 18: “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  In the following verse, James says "let me show you why your faith apart from works is useless."  He first uses an example from the Old Testament and the story of Abraham being called by God to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22).  Abraham prepares everything to sacrifice his only son but God stops him and says his actions have provided his faith.  Then we get to the most controversial scripture in James – James 2:24.  It is controversial because it seems to contradict what Paul says in Romans 3:28.
 
James 2:24 - "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."  
Romans 3:28 - "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
 
So which one is it?  Are we justified by works like James says or by faith as Paul says? Many people put James and Paul toe to toe as they are debating.  But what if they aren’t debating, but standing back to back defending the same Gospel?  James is writing to the early, under persecuted church who is hiding and beginning to operate under the belief that as long as you believe that is enough (much like the demons of James 2:19).  Paul is battling false teachers who are focusing on religious rituals and works of the law as a necessary addition to the work of Jesus on the cross.  Even though it can been seen as contradictory, the Holy Spirit is weaving a defense from all sides for the same Gospel. Today we are fighting the same battles at the same time.  
 
James and Paul use the same words and even the same example of Abraham – yet seem to say different things. But Scripture doesn’t work against itself.  Scritpure will always support scripture, which means there aren’t mistakes.  A couple words they use aren’t used the same in their contexts – which is why we must not just pick and choose certain scriptures, without understanding the whole view of scripture.  One example is “works.”  James uses the word as a positive. The book of James uses “works, actions, or deeds” 15 times, all used in positive language.  Paul’s use of “works” is negative as he describes the works of the flesh and works of the law.  Another example is “faith”.  In James 2, James continues to describe a dead, useless faith.  He is simply saying that a dead and useless faith can not save us.  Which is why faith alone can’t save us because the way he is using faith is a dead faith.    
 
Justified in Christ alone  James describes a useless, workless faith that won’t save us.  We are justified in Christ.  We are made right or justified by Christ who was the only one who could pay our debt.  

Faith | Our means to justification. We must have faith in order to access the justification that comes in Christ alone. That faith is that Jesus is enough.  We don’t place our faith in ourselves and our good works.  Our faith is in Christ and his perfect work on the cross.

Works | Evidence of our justification. James' point is that we can’t have true faith without works as evidence of our faith.  Both Paul and James would agree – words alone don’t save us, but our faith has fruit that is evidence that we have been saved.  
 
Big Idea: We are not saved through our works but our works show that we have been saved.

“You can’t help everyone but you can help someone.”

We are all led to serve the vulnerable in different ways. Our desire is for you to ask who is your ONE? We already talk about having someone who is close to you but far from God that you are praying for, building relationship with and looking for ways to have gospel conversations with.  
 
But the One Less Initiative "ONE" is from James 1:27 – the vulnerable.  
 
Many times we think winning is getting a big number.  But sometime success is getting the number down to zero.  Zero foster kids sleeping in offices.  Zero schools without church partnerships.   Zero widows with a wraparound family.  Zero orphans without families.   Zero at risk kids without mentors.  
 
The idea of trying to get something to zero can be overwhelming.  But what if just started with one less;  if each one of us did our part in the hopes of seeing it get to zero.  There is no way we can help everyone, but we can help someone.  And that someone would be one step closer to zero – one less. One less foster kid without a safe place to go.   One less orphan without a family.  One less addict without sponsor.   One less school no being prayed for.  One less widow without a wrap around family.
 
We have all been called to have ONE less – spiritually and physically.  Spiritually one less hell bound and physically, one less not seeing heaven on earth.  Who will be your one less?  We know that some of you already have your ONE less direction.  Others – now is the time to hear James 1:27 and care for the vulnerable.  We believe this is one of the things that separates Capstone from so many other churches -  our focus, desire, and calling be a Gospel Community that pushes our family to have a Faith that Works.

James begins his letter by saying "count it as pure joy for trials." In verses 1-18 in Chapter 1, James answers the question: How do we respond to trials?  In verses 19-27,  he asks the question: How do we respond to truth? In verse 19, he begins to answer those questions as he lays out some ways to ensure that we are staying on the narrow path Jesus lays out in Matthew 7.  James gives us guidance and a picture of what it looks like to have a faith that works.  We see nine targets he set out for us as Christ followers that fall under three responses.
 
James 1:19–27 | Nine Targets  

1. Quick to Hear  (v.19)   6. Don’t forget what you see (25)

2. Slow to Speak (v.19)   7. Bridle Tongue (v.26)

3. Slow to Anger (v.19)   8. Visit Orphans and Widows (v.27)

4. Put away wickedness (v.20)9. Stay unstained (v.27)
5. Be Doers of the word (v.22)

 
Response to the Word v.19-21 (1-4) 
These verses often get highlighted in verse 19 because it says: be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.  On the surface we can think that is just talking about defending Christianity, a political stance, or gossip.  But the nugget is buried in verse 21: “IMPLANTED WORD which is able to save your souls.”  We see first that word of God is implanted in us and what does that implanted word do – it doesn’t just save us from going to hell, but heals our souls. So how will we respond to the truth of the Word that is implanted in our hearts? When we do, will it heal our very souls?  Maybe we should open the word with an open heart that soaks in the word and doesn't respond quickly or defensively. We can respond to the word in a way that bring healing, not excuses.  

Response in our Hearts v.22-25 (5-6) 
James says, "don’t just hear what it says you should do, but put into action what we are commanded to do." When we listen, it goes to our hearts.  That is where the healing of our soul begins.  That is where we are transformed from the inside out like Jesus told us we would be.  And out of our mouths – going back to speaking – is an overflow of what's in our hearts (Matt 12:34). Our response of the heart changes us, or as James says, we are like a man who looks in the mirror and forgets what we see. We forget whose we are and our calling.  

Response in the World v.26-27 (7-9) 
Often we talk about Religion as a bad thing.  I’ve said in following Christ, we are choosing a relationship over a religion.  Here, James is saying religion isn’t a bad thing, but can be twisted if we don’t keep it pure.  Religion is defined as: a particular system of faith and worship. James echoes the voice of the OT testament prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 58.  Israel is complaining that God isn’t responding to their worship, but God says it focuses on yourselves.  He desires to break the chains of the oppressed, feed the hungry, and give clothes to the naked. James says pure religion or faith is one that cares for the vulnerable. An in those days, the orphan and widow were as vulnerable as you got.  God says – my family needs to step in and put into action what His word says.   Be a family to the fatherless, provide for the penniless, provide healing for the broken.  One might say that the pure religion the Father desires, is a faith that works.
 
Big Idea:  Our faith is one that causes us to respond: to the Word, in our Hearts, and in the World. #ONEless 

The book of James is seen as challenging, yet clear.  James gives clear direction and application of what it looks like to be a Christ follower.  We will see throughout this series that the faith we are called to have isn’t one that sits on the sidelines or is just in word only. The faith we have in Christ, is one of action and one that puts our faith to work.  If we had to pick one verse that summarized the book of James, it would be James 1:22  “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 
 
The book of James is thought by many scholars to the be very first written letter of the New Testament. James is believed to be the leader of the church of Jerusalem. James writes this letter in response to the stoning of Stephen in Acts 8.  The church of Jerusalem had seen exponential growth and times of celebration.  But know that the church has been scattered and the new Christ followers are fleeing Jerusalem, heading deeper and deeper into the Roman and Persian Empire.  Much of what we will see in the letter that James writes is used by the Holy Spirit to encourage, comfort and challenge the New Testament church.  

James 1:2-4 | Steadfastness in Trials
James doesn’t say what has happened is unjust, unfair, or that they should hide as victims. He says to count it as pure joy that these trials and persecution have happened.  James instructs them to be steadfast.  The word means “cheerful endurance.”  He doesn’t want them to give up because it has gotten hard.  Jesus told his disciples that they would face trials and those trials would make them stronger, more dependent on each other, and running towards the father instead of away.  

James 1:5-8 | Shaped by Trials 
James continues saying that in the midst of trials when we need wisdom, we should ask for it.  Remember, we aren’t trying to fix this ourselves.  James says when we humble ourselves and ask, God is faithful to hear us and give us wisdom.  Our faith gives us confidence.   James says if your faith doesn’t drive you towards your heavenly Father, then you will be tossed and directed by the seas.  Which is similar to what Jesus says in the sermon on the mount: the difference between those who only hear his words and those who put them into practice (Matthew 7:24-27).  Many of us run from trials.  We fail to embrace the theology of suffering.  Which means when we avoid suffering in the midst of trials, we miss the opportunities to be shaped into the image of Christ.  May we say yes to Jesus and the suffering that may come from following Jesus in order to become more like Him.  

James 1:12-15 | Sinfulness in Trials
When we can’t run from suffering and hide from our trials, we like to point fingers.  We play the blame game and we allow sin to come through our trials instead of being shaped by them.  Spiritual Truth: trials will always lead to temptation.  The temptation will be to not trust God, to question his love for us.  James reminds us that God may test us, but he will never tempt us.  Our desires lead us to temptation which leads to sin.  When trials come, we must not ask "Why am I going through this" but ask "What can I learn in the midst of these difficulties."  
 
BIG IDEA: James instructs us to be steadfast in our trials as we are shaped by trials and to avoid the sinfulness of trials.  

For almost 20 years I have challenged those under my leadership with a specific goal during summer- be closer to Jesus at the end of the summer than at the beginning.  A vast majority of us get out of our routines during summer.  We aren’t getting up to take kids to school, so we might get to sleep in and don’t have that margin for quiet times.  We are soaking up the sun and when it goes down, we are wore out so we aren’t intentionally growing in Christ.  We are crisscrossing from the mountains to the sea with vacations and trips without connecting in Christ centered community.  Please don’t hear me say you shouldn’t enjoy the summer -- go for it.  But my challenge for you is NOT to put Jesus on the shelf this summer.  
 
When we get out of our normal routine in the summer, it is easy to just hit the pause the button in my relationship with Christ and even Gospel Community. Then we just hit play again in August or post labor day when we are back into normal routines.  But we aren’t called to “coast” through summer, but be international with our time.  

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 | Paul says that we should remember that we are running a race.  We must be disciplined and intentional with our time.   Too often we just go through the motions when we have been given a purpose and mission with our time here on planet Earth.  This summer, let’s not take our eyes off the eternal purpose of following Christ, but be focused on the prize that lies ahead – Jesus.  

Galatians 6:9–10 | We also see where Paul encourages us not to get tired of following Jesus.  In case you didn’t know- following Jesus is NOT a cake walk. As Christ Followers we should be known for doing good to EVERYONE, including those who may not deserve it. People will often take advantage of us, not appreciate our kindness or act entitled instead of thankful.  I know I have wrestled with that and Paul’s words echo what I felt like the Holy Spirit told me: We don’t do good for the praise of men, but the Father.  Our actions should stand out.  Do yours?
 

We want to give three targets this summer for our Capstone Family as we scatter for the summer.  We want you to enjoy your family vacations and time of fun in the sun.  But we also want to give you some direction that might help you be closer to Jesus at the end of summer than the beginning.  

TARGET ONE: Growing in Christ
Do a Study on Right Now media or a book of the Bible.  Pick up a book at the bridge on a topic of interest.  Don’t want to have a water logged book sitting on the beach or pool – invest in Audible.  Commit to listen to a Christian podcast or memorize scripture.  

TARGET TWO: Bless someone at Capstone
Galatians 6:10 says do good, especially to those in the household of Faith.  We would say it this way: Bless someone in our Gospel Community.  It is easy to just think about me and my family trips and family time during the summer.   Who can you bless for being apart of your church family?

TARGET THREE: Serve the Least of These
Who can you be Jesus to this summer?  Who needs to know the love and compassion of Christ through you?  Don’t just have fun in the sun this summer but take some time to serve someone who can’t pay you back, who can’t defend themselves, or doesn’t deserve it.  


Big Idea:  This summer isn’t a time to put Jesus on the shelf, but a season to continue being disciplined in growing, blessing, and serving in the name of Jesus.

Mother’s Day was first dreamed up by Anna M. On May 10, 1908 – Miss Jarvis a held memorial service at her church a few years after her mother’s death and gave every person who attended a white carnation, her mother’s favorite flower.  Large cities across the United States began to meet on the second sunday of May to recognize the love and sacrifice of mothers.  May 9, 1914, by an act of congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.  He said this day would be a time for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Here, we see culture catching up to scripture.  Honoring our mother’s and father’s has always been a part of God’s plan.  He has used mothers throughout history as models, protectors and nourishers of their children.  
 
Mother’s day isn’t just a day of celebration but also a day to mourn. For some, this is their first Mother’s Day without the lady who raised them. For others, Mother’s Day is challenging because of their parodical son or daughter who is both far from God and them. There are others who desire to be a mother but God hasn’t answered that prayer yet.  Which is why we join together in community on Mother’s Day to both celebrate and mourn together.  We know as a Gospel community that no matter what our situation with our mother, children or family – God is still for us.  

Proverbs 31:29–31
"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."
 
Proverbs 31 is a beautiful celebration of a daughter, wife, mother and worshipper.  A woman who is doing the work of caring for her kids, her husband, and her business affairs while worshipping with all of her heart, soul and mind.  This a woman who is deserving of praise. As we think about biblical characteristics of a mother there are many that come up: loving, caring, compassionate, patience and caring.  But we want to focus on the self-sacrifice of a mother.  Many of our mothers have modeled Jesus to us through their self-sacrifice.  We can learn a lot about Jesus as we look at our mothers whose relationship with Christ overflowed into our relationships with her children. Looking at Philippians 2:3-4, we see our call as Christ followers to be full of sacrifice and how our mother’s sacrificed for us.  

Others more Significant | As Christ followers, we are called to sacrifice and serve others as Christ did. Moms live this out in so many ways.  They so often sacrifice time and energy raising their sons and daughters.  
 
Others Interest | Jesus sacrificed his interest for us.  He willing went to the cross for us. Our moms took on the interest of their children out of love.  They learned about sports, dance and our favorite shows. They sacrifice for us.  But sacrifice isn’t sacrifice when it is done in love.  
 
Serving Others | Salary.com says stay at home moms should be paid $160,000 for their work.  But no mom has ever gotten paid. They served us out of love.  We could never pay them back for their service.  Like Jesus who gave us a gift in salvation that could never be repaid.  

Big Idea: Jesus' self-sacrificing love can be seen in a mother’s love for her family. We too should live a life full of self-sacrifice for His glory, not ours.

Do you know why we should leave margin each month – to live generously.  Do you want to know why we want to live a life where less is more – to live generously.  Living generously is why we are called to be good stewards with what we have been given.  It is what, I believe, should be one of greatest calling cards as Christ followers. Why? Because is throughout scripture.  
 
Acts 20:35 | Proverbs 19:17 | Psalm 112:5 | Hebrews 13:16 | 1 John 3:16-17
 
John specifically talks about how Jesus' love for us is seen through his sacrifice.   For those who have accepted his love, we are expected to sacrifice and show that love by being generous in helping meet worldly needs.   Too often we think that generosity is a by product of the Gospel, but the heart of the Gospel is generosity.  The reason we are saved is because of the generosity of the Father.  He gave us something we could never earn or pay back.  It isn’t a loan, but a generous gift.  We have to ask if aren’t living generously, then do we really know the love of the Father and have the Gospel in our hearts?
 
1 Timothy 6:17-19 | DO GOOD
Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to let all the rich people know they need to sell everything or stop making money.  He tells them not to be prideful or place their hope in riches, but to remember who gave them their riches.  In case you are thinking you aren’t rich and doesn’t apply to you,  it does, because you live in America.  If you have a roof over your head, working electricity, indoor plumbing and a car in the drive way – you are in the top 1% of richest people in the world.  You have been blessed in what you have.  The question is, what will we do with what we have been given?  Will we use it on ourselves or will we use it to do Good?

RICH LIFE  
We believe that God has placed unique passions and abilities in each one of us.  He has given us a Kingdom calling in our lives.  It's more than coming to church and checking some boxes. It is using our abilities and passions to bring his Kingdom here on earth.  It is to do good and share his love to those who need it.  Paul says we should be rich in good works or we should live a RICH LIFE.    What if money wasn’t an issue or you had plenty of it?  What would you do for the Kingdom?   For some, it is moving to different county to share the Gospel.  For others it might be starting a new business or non-profit.   But if we are mastered by our money we will never live rich lives- we will just stand on the sideline and be in awe of what God is doing through others.  
 
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 | GENEROUS GIVER
Paul says if you give a little you will only see a little fruit. But if you are all in helping bring the Kingdom as a generous giver, you will see God do amazing things. It takes discipline and it takes sacrifice, but as in the parable of the talents to the servants who invested well Jesus says: Well done good and faithful servants.

How will you live a generous life with what you have been given?
 
Big Idea: Kingdom Economics Rule #3 Live Generously.  We have been blessed in order to share and show His Love to others.

Kingdom Economics is the idea that we don’t treat our finances and resources like normal people, but that we deal with our money different because of Jesus.  Instead of looking like “normal people” when it comes to our money, we should look like “Kingdom People.”  Normal people don’t have any margin and normal people don’t have any savings.  
 
39% of Americans only have $5,000 or less in savings.
45% of Americans don’t have $1,000 in savings for emergencies.
60% of Americans don’t have a retirement account.  
 
These stats show that so many are mastered by their money.  We aren’t able to live on a budget because if something breaks or something happens in life we don’t have a way to avoid more debt. We keep digging a deeper and deeper hole.  We lack the ability to say no, which causes us to aquire more stuff instead of saving.  This is our second Kingdom Economic Rule:
 
Less is More
Our inability to curve our appetites for more has caused us to get further and further behind in our finances, making us look like normal people. How can we become ok with the idea that less is more?  How do we get our spending under control so we can focus on what we give not what we get?
 
Proverbs 30:7-9 | Prayer not to be Poor or Rich
This Proverb says we should be praying that we wouldn't be so poor that we have to steal to provide for our family, but not so rich that we would forget our dependance on the Lord.  Both break God’s command and heart. There should be a balance in our finances, where we learn to be content.  We are content in what the Lord has provided. We work hard to provide for our families, but not so hard that we just bury our resources.  

Philippians 4:10-13 | Learning to be Content
Paul says that he has learned to be content in all circumstances.  Notice he says this is a learned behavior, meaning that it doesn’t come naturally.  It is something that takes work and he says in verse thirteen that he has strength to be content with a little or a lot – God is still good.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 | Ruin and Destruction
Paul says being content is a Christ-like characteristic.  He goes on to say that those who have fallen for the trap of always wanting more have falling into “ruin and destruction.”  That is many of our stories or the story of many we know.  The desire to chase after, collect, and spend on more has led many astray.  
 
Simplicity  | We live in a complex word and the remedy isn’t more, but less.  It is simplifying our lives, not collecting more things.  We can learn to pay cash for things.  Cash allows us to slow down and save, but also time to process our need for it.  Simplicity also calls us to declutter- finding value not in more things, but less.  We can live simply because less in more.

Satisfaction | When it comes to being content it isn’t just simplifying but also satisfaction.  Our identity can’t be in the next thing.  King Solomon said collecting more was like chasing after the wind – you are never satisfied.  We often have more because are trying to calm our soul through creation instead of listening to our Creator.  We are made complete in Christ not with more.  
 
Big Idea: Kingdom Economic Rule #2: Less is More.  When we learn to be content in whatever we have, we are free from the bondage of more.  

At Capstone we define a disciple is someone who is pursuing Christ and making decisions differently because of Christ.  That is in all areas, especially when it comes to money (whi is normally the last place we do).  The Bible talks more about money than Heaven and Hell combined.  Scripture gives us clear warnings about money, wise guidelines for money, and the affects money can have on our hearts.  Kingdom Economics is meant to be a discipleship series.  This is a time where we want you to see what the Bible says money and how to make decisions differently with your money because of Jesus.    
 
In November of this year, 60% of Americas were living pay check to pay check.  Stats show the “normal” thing in the US is to live paycheck to paycheck, which means you are dependent on this month’s paycheck to cover this month’s expenses and nothing left over to save or give. Now for some of you that might be a shock, for others it is a relief you aren’t the only ones.   73% of the millennial generation (27-42 year olds) are living paycheck to paycheck.  Those who are making $100,000 or more, 40% of them are living paycheck to paycheck. The truth is, it doesn’t matter your age or even income, living this way effects so many.
 
Matthew 6:24
Jesus says you can’t love both God and money.  And that is where the issues comes for so many.  We often worship our stuff over the commands of our savior when it comes to money. We believe God gives us Kingdom Economics rules and when we follow these guidelines it makes us better stewards: generous and faithful to the Lord.  
 
Kingdom Economic Rule #1: Leave Margin | Matthew 6:19-21
The reason so many people are living paycheck to paycheck is that we are spending it all.  We haven’t left any room for giving, saving, or just when life happens and we have unexpected expenses.  We are handcuffed to our job and paycheck.  We are mastered by our things and lifestyle.  When we don’t leave margin, we can’t go, do, or serve as the Lord leads.  Often we have bought into the lie of the consumption assumption.   The world tells us, we made it therefore we should spend it.  Green means Go Spend. And we listen leaving no “extra” spending it all.  We make a choice everyday whose kingdom we will invest in: ours or His.  Will we work hard to build our Heaven on Earth or invest in bringing his Kingdom on Earth as it is in heaven?
 
Normal: Living off 100% or More
Normal in America is spending everything and living paycheck to paycheck.  If something happens unexpectedly, we have to put it on a credit card and go into more debt.  We become more and in bondage when it comes to money,  

Kingdom Economics: 10-10-80
The idea is to give 10%, then save 10%, and you live off of 80%.  In His economics He says 10% give back to his Kingdom, specifically the local church.  We call this a tithe.  We find this idea of giving back to God first in the OT.  Deuteronomy 14:22 & Proverbs 3:9. We are also called to save.  We should have an amount saved for help for when life happens and we have freedom to serve and not be mastered by money: Proverbs 21:20

Big Idea: Kingdom Economics Rule #1: Leave Margin.  When we fall for the consumption assumption we become slaves to our stuff not our savior.  

Why is Easter such a big deal?  Why is it such an important event in the Bible?  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 that if there is no resurrection, then we are preaching in vain.  If the tomb was not empty, then the foundation of Christianity falls in on it self.  But if the tomb was empty and Jesus did come back after he died on the cross, then it not only changes human history, but our eternal destination.  The resurrection is an essential part of our beliefs as Christ followers.  That is why Resurrection Sunday is so important, without it we have nothing to stand it.  The resurrection wasn’t just a story but the truth of what Christ has done.

John 19:38-42 | Change in Status
We are introduced to one new person (Joseph of Arimathea) and reintroduced to someone from John 3 (Nicodemus). Both of these men come from the shadows of following Jesus to change their Status. They go from secretly following Jesus to publicly saying they are following Jesus and showing it by their actions of caring for Jesus’ lifeless body.   Our status changes as well because of the work on the cross.  Because Jesus pays the penalty for our sins, we are able to trust in him and have eternal life.  We go from lost to found, death to life because of Christ's sacrifice.

John 20:11–18 | Mary Magdalene stands outside the tomb and she weeps.  First, she asks the angels in the tomb where they have placed Jesus’ body.  Then, outside of the tomb she sees Jesus but doesn’t recognize him.  She believes he is the gardener and asks him where Jesus’ body is and she will carry him back herself.  Jesus simply says: “Mary.” Her eyes are then opened and she recognizes Jesus and gives him a big hug.  

Change in Perspective | Mary had been looking for the body of Jesus but her perspective changed when he called her name and she saw him.  She began to understand all that he had promised and been teaching.  The empty tomb should change our perspective as well.  Our perspective should be focused on the unseen not the seen.  We should be focused on what other promises Jesus has made to us in all that we gain in him.  

Change in Relationship | Jesus tells Mary to go and tell “my brothers” I am alive and “your Father.”  This is first time in the Gospel of John that Jesus refers to God the Father as “your father” and the disciples as “my brothers.”  Why?  Because there has been a change in relationship.  Jesus has legally gone into the court room and made us a part of his family.  We call it "Gotcha Day" in the adoption world.  It is the day you go from Foster Parent to Mom and Day.  A judge legally makes them a part of the family.  This wasn’t just a court room case about an orphan but a criminal.  A criminal found guilty and deserved death.  Jesus says, "I will take their death sentence (because we are all guilty)."  We have been set free, forgiven and adopted by the work of Jesus! 

Being a part of this family has three promises:

The promise of Inheritance | We get to sit at the Banquet table of the Father because of Jesus.
The promise of Love | We know the Father loves us because he sent Jesus to rescue us.
The promise of Acceptance | Jesus fully accepted our sins on the cross.  Because of his actions on the cross we are fully accepted by the Father.  

Big Idea: The Resurrection is the key our change in status, perspective and relationship.

This Sunday we looked at the path Jesus took to the cross.  We dove into John 18 to begin to see that everything that happened to Jesus on the way to the cross wasn’t a surprise but was planned, orchestrated and controlled by Jesus.

John 18:1-2 | We see that Jesus takes his disciples to a familiar place in the garden and this place will also be where Judas finds Jesus.  Jesus wasn’t hiding from Judas or the soldiers.  He was out in the open knowing they would be coming for him.  Judas wasn’t setting a trap for Jesus but the trap was for Judas.  

John 18:3-6 | Judas doesn’t come alone, but with soldiers and a mob with torches and weapons to bring Jesus in.  As they approach, Jesus doesn’t back away but confront them.  He asks what their purpose for being in the garden is and they say to find Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus doesn’t just ask this for information but is asking to establish who is charge.  When Jesus responds with “I AM he.” The soliders are taken aback and fall to the ground.  This group doesn’t overpower Jesus, but Jesus’ statement of who he was overpowers them.

John 18:10-11 | Despite Jesus being in complete control of the situation, Peter felt as though it was spiraling out of control. He takes action and attacks in order to protect Jesus.  Jesus looks at Peter, telling him to put away his sword and says I must drink from the Father’s cup. He then heals the man.  Peter is confused and conflicted as they take Jesus away to the council to be put on trial.  

John 18:26-27 | Peter finds himself doing exactly what he told Jesus he would never do – deny him.  Yet as the rooster crows the words of Jesus from the night before echo in his head: before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.  Peter hangs his head with the realization that Jesus knew.  Jesus knew he would be taken.  Jesus knew Judas would betray and him.  Jesus knew that Peter would deny him.  

BIG IDEA: The path to the cross wasn’t a surprise to Jesus but planned out and controlled by a Sovereign Savior.

No Surprises | Jesus wasn’t surprised by anything that happened that night.  The same is true of you. He isn’t surprised by anything you do.  He knows what you have done, are currently doing and will do.  Yet he still went to the cross for you.  His love for us isn’t based on our actions but His – going to the cross.  

Planned Out | Jesus discipled and loved Judas despite his betrayal.  Jesus told Peter he would build his church through him even though he cut a guys ear off and denies him.  Jesus has plans for us all -- a calling.  He equips, prepares and sets in motions plans for our lives. The issue lies with us, we have a choice.  We can refuse to follow his plan for our life or we can embrace it and be used for his Kingdom.

Sovereign Savior | Sovereign means in control.  Jesus was always in control on the path to the cross.  Jesus told his disciples they were taking his life, but he was giving it.  Even though the path to the cross was full of pain, betrayal and suffering, he did it for us because the mission to defeat Satan, Sin and Death was greater than difficulties.  What a Savior we serve.

In John 11 will see a plan of two sisters (Mary and Martha) to save their brother (Lazarus), but Jesus doesn’t follow their plan and it leads to pain and grief.  How do we wrestle with the fact that sometimes God’s Plan doesn’t line up with ours and we must suffer?  How can we worship a Savior who would allow pain and grief when he has the power to stop it?  These are all questions and some answers that are uncovered in the story of Lazarus – John 11:1-40.
 
Mary and Martha’s plan was to put Lazarus on the prayer list and let Jesus know.  Their family was close to Jesus and figured, once Jesus hears Lazarus is on the prayer list then he would come down and fix him.  But as many of us have figured along the way that you can’t really put Jesus in a box because he always seems to break out to do something greater, and this is no different here.  Jesus doesn’t come immediately to Bethany and waits two days before He and his disciples begin their journey to check on Lazarus.  But as they come over the hill they realize they are too late as they hear weeping and see everyone in their mourning attire.  Lazarus had died.  Mary gets word that Jesus is at the edge of town and runs to meet him.  Her words are strong for Jesus: ““Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:21
 
John’s Gospel says that Jesus cared, even loved, this family, but Mary and Martha didn’t feel loved but betrayed. Their feelings blamed Jesus for not coming with urgency to save their brother.  Word of advice: Don’t trust your feelings.  Let the truth set your emotions not your emotions set the truth.   Remember what Jesus told us John 8, he was the truth and the truth will set you free.  Jesus hears the pain in Mary’s voice and Martha confronts Jesus in the same manner.  In these moments we see Jesus enter into the suffering of this family. He joins them in their loss, grief and suffering.  He says he weeps not because Lazarus is dead, but because of the pain of his friends.  
 
In John 11:40-44 Jesus says, "take me to Lazarus’ tomb."  They are thinking that Jesus wants to  pay his respects, but then he says – "remove the stone over the grave."  Martha says: "Jesus, he has been in there 4 days.  He 'stinketh!'"  Jesus smiled and looks up to pray to his heavenly Father for what he is about to do is for His glory.  And he says “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:42.  And Lazarus comes walking out still wrapped in his grave clothes.  Jesus says "take those off -- I want to give my brother Lazarus a hug to welcome him back."  
 
Big Idea: The grief and sorrow of losing Lazarus four days revealed the demise of death through the power of Jesus.  
 
Jesus tells the crowd that Lazarus was just a sleep and he would simply be waking him up. That is the power Jesus has over death.  That he just had to call his name, give him a shake, and wake him from his slumber.  Jesus shows the crowd, us, and the devil that death doesn’t have power over him.  This is a foreshadow of what Jesus will do three days after paying our debt for our sins on the cross.  Another stone will be rolled away.  Another tomb will be found empty.  Jesus will show his power over Satan, sin and death through his actions: I am the resurrection.  

In the beginning of John 8, Jesus finds himself in a situation where it would seem that he would have choose between grace or truth.  We have said throughout the book of John that Jesus operated in both grace and truth, but the religious have a set up a situation where Jesus will have to choose one or the other.  But of course, Jesus being Jesus finds a way to stay in that messy middle.  
 
John 8:3-6 | CAUGHT IN SIN
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him so that they might have a charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.  
 
We see here a woman caught in sin, she has literally been dragged out into the street either naked or with just a sheet covering her body.  The Old Testament was very clear the penalty for being caught in adultery was death. This is a black and white situation. So when Jesus gets the question he doesn’t respond right off the bat.  It says that he looks down at the ground and begins to write in the dirt.  In the follow verses (7-11), Jesus looks up and says:  
 
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”  John 8:7
The crowd looks around and reflects on what Jesus has just said and John’s gospel says starting with the oldest, they dropped their stones.  Jesus looks back up asks the woman, "Where did everyone go? Is no one going to condemn you?"  Her response (I’m sure in tears) says "no."  And Jesus says "neither do I, go and sin no more."  
 
The law of moses is very clear - death to anyone who takes part in adultery. Jesus doesn’t argue the Law of Moses or whether or not she she is guilty. Jesus never says don't stone her, but let the one who is without sin throw the first stone.  Jesus didn’t doesn’t disagree with the judgement of death, but establishes that we are all sinners and we all deserve death.  Jesus taught grace.   But Jesus also didn’t just sweep her sin under the rug.  He tells her to sin no more.  Jesus doesn’t just give her grace, but gives her direction.  Jesus sought truth.
 
In John 8:31-36, Jesus establishes that he is the Truth.  Truth isn’t what feels right, what your opinion is, or what we think is fair.  Truth not only is determined by Jesus, but is Jesus.  And because we know the truth, we can be set free.  We are free from the spiritual bondage of salvation by good works, the addiction to our comfort and the striving to find satisfaction in the things of this world.   We have been released from the bondage of sin, in the truth that Jesus paid the ultimate price to give us the freedom to live.    
 
BIG IDEA: Christ is the truth, and the truth will set us free indeed.  

The Gospel of John is special for several reasons.  One being that we see Jesus have many different conversations with a variety of people.  The lens in which we read John’s Gospel is one where Jesus was very approachable and listened well, no matter the circumstances. In John 3 and 4 we see two such conversations.  
 
In John 3:1-15 we are introduced to Nicodemus who comes to Jesus in the night to ask more questions about the teachings of this special Rabbi.  Nicodemus comes in the cover of darkness because he is a Pharisee and if anyone might have seen him talking with Jesus, they would have begin to question his allegiance.  There was something that was sparked in Nicodemus to learn more about the Kingdom that Jesus spoke of.  Nicodemus was taken back when Jesus says you can’t be a part of the Kingdom unless you are born again.  Nicodemus says this is impossible to be physically born again.  Jesus smiles and says, it isn’t a physical birth but a spiritual one.  Being born of water and spirit, taking us back to the Jordan and John the Baptist in Chapter 2.  The picture of death, burial and resurrection of a new life and new heart.  Jesus goes even further and points Nicodemus to Numbers 21:9 with the comment that just as Moses lifted up the serpent on a pole, so much the son of man will be lifted up.  Jesus goes back to the Old Testament to show that God showed grace to those who would die unless they looked up to what God had given to save their life.   Jesus tells Nicodemus that he can’t save himself with following all 613 Commandments of the Old Testament.  The only way to be a part of the Kingdom is look up to the cross and accept the grace given through Christ.    
 
In John 4:7-15 we are introduced to the woman at the well.  Jesus asks her for a drink, which shatters cultural norms of His day.  One, a Jew didn’t talk to a Samarian due to their view of worship.  Second, a Jewish man never spoke to a Samarian woman.  Yet Jesus strikes up a conversation with this woman who is caught off guard by his request.  As they talk Jesus  introduces her to a water greater than that in the well of Jacob but a living water.  She decides she desires this water and Jesus says go get your husband we will talk more.  She hung her head and Jesus knew that she didn’t have a husband but was living a sinful life with a man who wasn’t her husband.  Yet Jesus in her sin, Jesus points her to the truth that he is promised Messiah.  
 
Two different people. Two different places. Two conversations but ONE Gospel.  Jesus stands in the Messy Middle presenting both Truth and Grace to two people who were on the opposite side of the spectrums of moral living.  Yet because of the Gospel, they will dine together at the banquet table in eternity.  We ended the Gathering by asking three questions:
 
The Status | Who needs the Gospel?  
The Who | Who are you in the story?
The Place | Where is your Well?
 
Big Idea: Jesus’ conversations with Nicodemus and the woman at the well happened because he was full of Grace and Truth.
 

The first four books of the New Testament are known as the Gospel.  They are made up of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Each one of these books share about the life and ministry of Jesus.  Some people ask, "why do we need four books, wouldn’t have one been enough?"  The way God often works, is that He doesn’t just have one view but multiple views and angles in order to weave together a more complete picture.   In our study of the Gospel of John we will see that John’s gospel is unique because it is more reflective and holds full conversations. We often point people who are just being introduced to Jesus because of the way it is written & the basics that it covers.

John’s Gospel starts very different than the other Gospels with how Jesus began his life and ministry.  John doesn’t start in Bethlehem in the manger but takes us back to the very beginning where the Word was with God and the Word was God.  John starts his Gospel all the way back in Genesis.  John establishes that Jesus isn’t a created being, but has always been.  Which is one of the first themes we are introduced to in John:
 
Word and Flesh | John 1:1-2
Many times we ask: “Who made God?” But the better question is, "who made the Trinity?" (because they have always been).  Everything was created through Jesus and for Jesus. Words were used to create the universe + worlds and now the Word has come to bring salvation.  This Word that always has been, puts on flesh in order give us a way back to the Father. John is connecting the dots of creation, fall and redemption.
 
Life and Light | John 1:4-5
John lays the foundation of why Jesus came.  He came to give us life.  We were dead in our sin. Jesus came to bring us back to life, not make us better people.  We are called from death to life in Christ.  Jesus says, those who are a new life in Christ will come together in community and those around them will see His life + light. We are no longer stumbling around in the darkness (Isaiah 9:2) but now have hope in the light of the Lord.  Jesus later says in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world.”
 
Grace and Truth | John 1:14  
John says the Glory of the Lord is seen in the fullness of Jesus who lived in both Grace and Truth.  These two things cause tension, because our flesh pulls us towards one more than the other.  We can get stuck in the truth ditch and just make sure people follow all the rules.  And if they don’t follow the rules, throw stones in order to knock some sense into them.  The other ditch we can get stuck in is grace.  We find ourselves in a place of thinking -- you can do whatever you want, believe whatever you think is right.  As long as you are good person and do good things then you will get into heaven.  But Jesus operates in both Grace and Truth.  Jesus loves us enough to welcome anyone who desires to call him Lord (grace).  But also loves us enough to not leave us there (truth).