As we enter this season of Advent (coming) we begin our journey to Christmas following the Hope of the World. How the assurance of Hope in Jesus changes our perspective and the direction of our lives.

As we enter this week into Thanksgiving we look at being thankful, grateful, and generous.

When we give of our time, effort and finances believing we serve an abundant God our lives open up to live not as a blessing for ourselves but as a blessing to others around us.

Some information from Life.Church and Craig Groschel

John 6:66-69 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God. When Jesus is the only thing on the menu do you still order.

Becoming a follower of Jesus is not based on rules but on love, when we try and follow the rules we run into empty religion that will frustrate and confuse us. But God made a way through His love for us to come to Him and respond in love to His grace.

The very thing the world saw as a weakness, guilt and was meant to be shameful, God used to make a way for us.

Today we look at Luke 7:36-47,

Fans want knowledge of Jesus, and to keep things shallow, just enough to be forgiven but "not mess with my life."

Followers want to have an intimate relationship, and become vulnerable to get to be known.

With an intimate relationship with Jesus comes forgiveness to freedom.

Have you ever thought once I get it together I'll go to church, well in Luke 9:23 Jesus invited anyone to follow Him, and when He said "anyone," He actually meant it.

What would it feel like to sit down with Jesus at the dining room table and have the D.T.R (Define the relationship) talk? Jesus said in Luke 9:23 "And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." How would we answer that question? What does that look like in everyday life?

Today we start a new series from Kyle Idleman's book and small group "Not A Fan."

Mark 8:36 Jesus asks us, and what do you benefit if you gain the wold world but lose your own soul? then He goes on to ask...Is there anything worth more than your soul?

So today we are going to talk about keeping first things first and whats important - important. what are you chasing with your life?

National Back to Church Sunday today we talk about "a place to belong." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. as we come together and serve, support, encourage each other becoming the body we begin to become all God has called us to be.