A Seattle Church

In the final sermon of the series "WITH", we're reminded of the profound importance of childlike faith and how it relates to our spiritual journey. The key scripture comes from Mark 10, where Jesus says, 'Let the little children come to me.' This isn't just about kids – it's about all of us embracing a childlike approach to faith. We're challenged to consider how our childhood experiences, especially trauma, can shape our perception of God and others. The message draws fascinating parallels between attachment theory and our spiritual lives, suggesting that our early relationships profoundly impact our ability to connect with God. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to allow Jesus to heal our inner child, transforming our faith journey. This isn't just theory – it's an invitation to experience deeper belonging, becoming, and blessing in Christ, potentially changing how we relate to God, others, and even the children in our lives.

In this powerful exploration of marriage, we're challenged to view our relationships through the lens of Christ's love for the church. The key message revolves around three choices we must make: to love, to sacrifice, and to heal. Drawing from Philippians 2, we're reminded that true joy in marriage comes from being like-minded, having the same love, and being one in spirit. This isn't about losing our individuality, but about choosing unity over being right. The sermon emphasizes that thriving in marriage is our choice - it's what we get by giving in God's grace. Just as Christ emptied himself for us, we're called to humble ourselves and value our spouse above ourselves. This perspective shift can transform our marriages from battlegrounds to holy grounds where God's love is manifested.

The sermon "With — Neighbors" emphasizes the importance of engaging in genuine, compassionate faith conversations rather than relying solely on traditional sermons. Drawing on the example of Philip the Evangelist, it highlights how Christians can overcome barriers to sharing their faith by challenging preconceived categories of who is deserving, prioritizing evangelism even amid discomfort, and being open to diverse methods led by the Holy Spirit. The core message is that effective evangelism starts with listening, understanding, and letting God’s love and Spirit guide interactions, reaching beyond boundaries to share the good news with all.

In our exploration of dating through a biblical lens, we discover that God's vision for our relationships transcends cultural norms. Romans 13:8-14 serves as our guide, reminding us that love is the fulfillment of the law. This passage challenges us to approach dating not as a self-serving pursuit, but as an opportunity to love others as Christ loves us. We're called to 'put on the armor of light' in our relationships, rejecting the world's casual dating culture and instead embracing intentional, Christ-centered connections. This message encourages us to view dating not as a means to complete ourselves, but as a way to grow in our faith and serve others. By clothing ourselves with Christ, we can navigate the complexities of modern dating with wisdom, discernment, and a heart that seeks to honor God and others above our own desires.

Pastor Tyler discusses sexuality from a Christian perspective, addressing how modern cultural views have deviated from traditional biblical teachings on sex. It emphasizes the belief that God created sex as a gift intended for marriage between a man and a woman, meant to foster intimacy, procreation, and symbolize a relationship with God. The conversation encourages acknowledging the misuse of sexuality, such as through pornography or casual sex, as distortions that impact real relationships.

The overarching message is that understanding and practicing sexuality should be grounded in God's design, and individuals are encouraged to align their sexual desires and actions with their faith.

As a young gay man, David Bennett saw Christianity as an enemy to freedom for LGBTQI people, and his early experiences with prejudice and homophobia led him to become a gay activist. But when Jesus came into his life in a highly unexpected way, he was led down a path he never would have predicted or imagined.

This is the Q&R recording from our House of Learning event, October 6th

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Dr. David Bennett, a scholar and evangelist, shares his testimony about the journey through suffering and self-discovery, particularly in relation to his sexuality. Dr. Bennett speaks about his struggle with identity, desire, and his eventual transformation through a profound encounter with Jesus during a difficult period in his life. He reflects on how suffering and misaligned desires are opportunities for God’s grace to work in our lives.

Dr. Bennett emphasizes that sexuality and other challenges we face are not just ethical issues, but deeply connected to human suffering and spiritual transformation. He shares a vivid experience of feeling God's healing presence, which led him to realize that his identity and worth were found in Christ, rather than in societal or personal expectations. He encourages others to embrace their struggles as holy places where God reveals His glory, pointing to the inclusivity of the Gospel and the ultimate restoration that comes through faith in Jesus.

Pastor Brice reminds us of our deep-seated need for genuine Christian friendships. Drawing from Genesis 2, we see that even in paradise, God declared it 'not good for man to be alone.

Brice challenges us to examine our own lives and ask: Do we truly value growing deep Christian friendships? Or have we settled for surface-level connections?

Through personal testimony and biblical insight, we're encouraged to see friendship as a divine reality, with Christ at the center. 

God has chosen us for relationship with him. The question is if we will choose to love him back. If we will also love those God has called us to? In partnership with Pastor Don Lee from World Vision, Pastor Tyler encourages us to consider how God is inviting our church to "remember the poor." To begin afresh by sponsoring children together from 2 villages in Zimbabwe.