We live in a culture that expects performance, drives performance, and rewards performance. But is that how God operates with us? Is a relationship with God all about following the rules and doing all the right things? As we return to The New You, we’ll look at the difference between the expectations of religion in light of what Christ has done. With change comes the opportunity to become better versions of ourselves, and lean into Christ-centered living. Join us Sunday as we learn to live in the reality of Done.

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What is the correct position for a Christian to take on gun control?

What is the correct position for a Christian to take on immigration?

What is the role, Biblically speaking, that the government ought to take in caring for the poor?

What about capital punishment?

What about global warming?

What is the Christian response to Covid-19?

What is the Christian response to protests for equality?

Underneath all these questions is the question we will focus on this Sunday: what is the way of Jesus in politics? In this message we will look, as clearly as we can, at the Biblical teaching on this subject.

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The Good Samaritan story is known to Christians and non-Christians alike. What many people don’t know is how the cultural, social and religious realities of Jesus’ day color the story. In this message we will explore what this story meant to Jesus’ listeners and hopefully give us a new appreciation for in light of what we’re experiencing today.

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All the reading I’m doing on racism has forced me to come face to face with my own pride and sense of privilege that keeps me at a distance from people who are different than me. It’s been difficult because I’m learning that deep down in the cracks of my own soul, I have a sense of superiority, and I have prejudice, and I have fear that I would just like to keep covered up. I would just like to pretend it’s not there. I’m just being honest: it’s a struggle to be consistently loving toward people who are different than me. And I’ll bet if you were honest, you would have to acknowledge that you have similar issues that create a distance between you and some people that are different than you; because every single one of us possesses this kind of dark, depraved, instinctive nature to build walls between ourselves and other people. But Jesus died to tear down the dividing wall of hostility that separated the Jews and Gentiles, the great ethnic chasm of his day. We live in a society that is filled with dividing walls of hostility between black and white; Asian, Hispanic, rich and poor. And Jesus died to tear them down. If followers of Christ are not involved in tearing down the walls that alienate people, we’re making a joke of the cross. It’s not an option.

Matt VanCleave

Teaching Pastor

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Amos was a simple farmer in ancient Judah, but God had bigger plans for him. God used him to instruct the Israelites on how to respond to marginalized people. God’s dream was a society that reaches out with compassion to those who are oppressed, and treats those who don’t have power with justice. God’s dream has not changed, and it’s up to us, his church, to live it out in our communities today.

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What is one thing the church has to offer that the world cannot get anywhere else? It’s grace! We can say to people with confidence, “You were dead, but now you’re alive. You were lost, but now you’re found. You were guilty, but now you’re set free.” Join us Sunday as we learn to realize God’s grace.

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Often, we place our hope in the people around us, the profession we’re in, or the possibilities that may come our way. What if we had a hope based on a promise, one that could not be broken, a hope that lived within us? There is no mystery to finding this hope in Christ and it’s the difference between Christ and us and Christ in us.

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The way we live directly reflects how we perceive Jesus. When Jesus is weak, we offer prayers without faith, worship without awe, service without joy, and suffering without hope. The result is fear, retreat, loss of vision and failure to persevere. However, life with a powerful God is a life of risky faith, fearless obedience, and passionate leadership. Join is Sunday as we learn to live in the reality of a powerful God.

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Jeremiah 29:11 says “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” It’s hard reading that truth in light of this season, as all of our plans have shifted. We aren’t comfortable with the unknowns, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not crazy. Peace can be found in the truth that God knows the plans He has for you.

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Hope is a quality that can run very deep. It’s a belief that the best is yet to come. Those with hope have courage that allows them to dream big and take risks. Hope enables us to endure pain and overcome grief. With it we are able to surmount obstacles, frustrations and failure. Join us Sunday as we learn how to be carriers of hope rather than despair.

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