Driven by ambition?

Two categories of worries:

1) Our life,

2) Our body.

Seek first (be ambitious for) God's kingdom and his righteousness.

Make sure it is worth it!

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (verse 16)

"on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (verse 18)

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Our greatest need, our greatest thankfulness.

Jesus' Family

Understanding God's Calling

Isaiah 6:1-10

The four stages of Isaiah's calling:

Implications for us:

Jesus’ surprising mission to the poor

Isaiah 61:1-6 & Luke 4:14-22.

What is our Christian responsibility to the poor?

What Jesus doesn’t / does say - Why this emphasis on preaching / proclamation?

The poor are all around us:

We can offer real hope.

But what about our mission to the physically poor?

As we are rescued from our spiritual slavery we are free to authentically and selflessly care for the physical needs of others.

Do you have optimism fatigue?

A wrestle with hope in the desert

Isaiah 40:1-11

The comfort we need:

How do we prepare?

What good are words at such a time?

Because of this we can proclaim the victory:

What kind of Victor is the Lord?

Our wrestle with hope in the desert.

Do you know...