KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE CROSS

The Cross as Reconciliation

3.30.25

The cross reconciles humanity to God (vertical), people to one another (horizontal), and all of creation to its Creator.

Colossians 1:19-23

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

Ephesians 2:11-22

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The cross not only reconciles us to God, but creates a new humanity reconciled to one another. To cling to our divisions or our differences is to resist the very work Christ accomplished on the cross.

The cross is not just a symbol of personal salvation; it is a pattern for social reconciliation. It dismantles the walls we build and invites us to a table we did not deserve to sit at—alongside people we never imagined calling family. - Paraphrased from Exclusion and Embrace by Miroslav Volf

The cross doesn’t make light of our pain or pretend the past didn’t happen. It acknowledges the depth of our sin and the cost of justice—and then pays that price in full.

KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE CROSS

Our Enduring Model of Discipleship

Matthew 16:24

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Matthew 16:22-24 NIV

“Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. Then Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

• A theology of glory (victory)

“ the theologian of glory does not know God hidden in suffering. Therefore he prefers works to suffering, glory to the cross, strength to weakness, wisdom to folly, and, in general, good to evil." - Martin Luther

• A theology of the cross

The clearest image of God—the fullness of who God is and the pinnacle of His self-revelation—is the crucified Christ.

“In Christian discipleship the cross is not only something Jesus did for us, but also the pattern we are to follow. As Christians we don’t just stand on the sidelines and watch Jesus carry his cross. No, we fall in behind and carry our own cross. The cross is the call to self-denial for the sake of imitating Christ.” - Brian Zahnd

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV

“And I, when I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE CROSS

The Lamb on the Throne

3.16.25

John 1:29

Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 19:14

When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.

Revelation 5:1-14

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased for God

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

In a complete reversal of expectations, it is not a ferocious lion who is worthy to open the seal, but a slaughtered lamb.

Through the imagery of Jesus as the slaughtered Lamb, God is completely redefining the world’s understanding of power.

· Power and victory now come through sacrifice, not domination

· The cross is the ultimate display of power (1 Cor 1:25, Col 2:15)

· Jesus rejects earthly power structures (John 18:26, Luke 4:5-8, Mark 10:42-45)

· The slaughtered Lamb is not weak but brings redemption

As Christians in America, our political engagement must reflect the way of the Lamb:

· Serving rather than striving for control

· Prioritizing love over the need to win arguments

· Speaking truth with humility, not arrogance

· Pursuing justice through self-sacrificial love, not forceful demands

· Loving our enemies and refusing to demonize those we disagree with

· Being peacemakers, not combatants in a culture war for power

· Pledging our full allegiance to Christ alone, not to any political party or nation

If our engagement with politics mirrors the power-driven methods of the world, we are no longer following the way of the Lamb but have chosen the way of the Beast.

John 18:36

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

KALEIDOSCOPE OF THE CROSS

God Revealed

3.9.25

Since the beginning of human history, the primary question humanity has asked is: What is God really like?

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Colossians 1:15

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

The clearest image of God—the fullness of who God is and the pinnacle of His self-revelation—is the crucified Christ.

Romans 5:6-8

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

When we look at Jesus, we see not just a new way of being human, but the full revelation of who God has always been. The cross is where God’s justice and mercy meet, where love and power are redefined forever. - N.T. Wright

DEVOTED

Devoted to a Common Mission

3.2.25

Acts 2:42-47

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We often want the benefits of Acts 2:47 without the sacrifice and commitment of Acts 2:42-46.

Unhealthy churches cater to consumer Christians.

Healthy churches commit to making disciples - no matter the cost.





God—the Trinity—is, by nature, a sending God:

The Father sent the Son into the world to bring salvation – redemption.

The Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to empower and guide the church.

The Spirit sends the church into the world to proclaim and embody the gospel.

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Luke 10:1-3

After this the Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Your ability to live out God’s mission for your life is directly proportional to the depth of devoted, gospel-centered community you surround yourself with.

What does it look like for you to reject a culture of consumerism and individualism to walk in full discipleship to Jesus?

What does it look like for you to be actively engaged in an intentional discipling community on mission to reach the world?

Devoted to Life Together

2-23-2025

"Recognition is the first human quest.”

Andy Crouch

God's Vision from the beginning:

• We were created for uninterrupted relationship with God

• We were created for relationship with others

Human flourishing is inescapably connected to both God and others.

Ephesians 2:14-19

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

The way of Jesus and the aim of spiritual formation is not just to form YOU into a PERSON of love, but to form US into a COMMUNITY of love.

4 Circles of Community:

• Intimates

• Friends

• Village

• Tribe

Intimate Relationships are marked by:

• Depth

• Vulnerability

• A Commitment to Transformation

Commitments to Community:

• Priority

• Proximity

• Place

"Long-term interpersonal relationships are the crucible of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay grow. People who leave do not grow. We all know people who are consumed with spiritual wanderlust. But we never get to know them very well because they cannot seem to stay put. They move along from church to church, ever searching for a congregation that will better satisfy their felt needs. Like trees repeatedly transplanted from soil to soil, these spiritual nomads fail to put down roots and seldom experience lasting and fruitful growth in their Christian lives."

Joseph H. Hellerman

Commitments to Community:

• Priority

• Proximity

• Place

• Pattern

Acts 2:42-47

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

DEVOTED

Devoted to Hospitality & Generosity

2.16.25

Acts 2:42-45

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

The miracle of the Spirit is seen in people breaking from the power money holds over them, forming a new kind of economy – one shaped by divine love rather than accumulation.

– Willie James Jennings

MAIN IDEA: As we are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, it reshapes how we see our time, talent, and treasure, and we joyfully offer them to others for the sake of the kingdom of God.

Acts 4:32-35

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Acts 16:14-15

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.

The gospel of Jesus Christ reshapes the lives of God’s people, moving them from ME to WE and from individualism to true community.

Matthew 25:31-40

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

MAIN IDEA: As we are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, it reshapes how we see our time, talent, and treasure, and we joyfully offer them to others for the sake of the kingdom of God.

Opportunities for Hospitality:

Live with margin—both in time and resources—so you have something to give to those in need.

Host a meal and invite neighbors, coworkers, or church members into your home to build deeper connections.

Create a space for meaningful conversation where people with different backgrounds or perspectives can feel heard and understood.

Provide essential support—whether it’s a meal, children’s clothing, furniture, or other resources—to those in need (e.g., through Care Portal).

Go out of your way to check in on and care for an elderly neighbor or widow, offering companionship and practical help.

Surprise someone with unexpected generosity, expecting nothing in return and without seeking recognition.

Reach out intentionally—whether through a handwritten note, a phone call, a text, or simply by offering your time to truly listen.

Offer a safe and judgment-free space for someone who is hurting, providing comfort and support without conditions.

Feb. 9th, 2025

Devoted to Prayer

Self-reliance is often celebrated as a mark of success and maturity in our culture today

Acts 2:42-44

The Believers Form a Community

42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

When we prioritize self-reliance, we miss out on the richness of what God intended and designed for us to experience.

James 1:22

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Philippians 2:3-5

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

Postures of prayer:

I should pray

I must pray

Our Rhythms:

Engage

Push

Exhaustion

Jesus Rhythms:

Engage

Withdraw

Refill

George Muller

“I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord... but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man may be nourished. I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation of it.”

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Isaiah 37:14

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord:

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 26 (Garden of Gethsemane)

Jesus gave God his feelings

Jesus gave God his desires

Jesus gave God his trust

Prayer isn’t a play to be good, it’s a place to be honest

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

The Welcoming Prayer by Father Thomas Keating

Welcome, welcome, welcome. I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it's for my healing. I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions. I let go of my desire for power and control. I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval and pleasure. I let go of my desire for survival and security. I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person or myself. I open myself to the love and presence of God and God's action within. Amen.

DEVOTED

Devoted to the Gospel

2.2.25

Acts 2:41-42

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Willie James Jennings, Commentary on Acts…

The church was being carried forward by the incredible power of the Holy Spirit, but now they had to commit themselves to the daily transforming practices of the Spirit. Just like the winds of the Holy Spirit were blowing through the house at Pentecost, now the wind of the Spirit was blowing through structured and settled ways of living – the ordinary – the everyday.

Between the occasional spectacular moments in the church are many ordinary days that require steadfast devotion.

Four pillars of devotion:

1) Apostles’ Teaching (the gospel)

2) Fellowship – Life Together

3) Breaking of Bread

4) Prayer

What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL?

1. Devotion to the gospel shapes every aspect of our lives around the life, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL?

2. Devotion to the gospel confronts and uproots the false idols and deceptive ideas that fill our lives.

False Idols & Gospel Responses:

· Individualism – The gospel calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and live in humble submission to Christ and one another (Phil 2:3-4)

· Consumerism – The gospel teaches us that our lives are not our own and we are called to lay ourselves down for the sake of God’s kingdom (Gal 2:20)

· Power and control – Jesus redefines greatness, calling us to a life of servanthood, humility, and trust in Him (Phil 2:5-8)

· Relationships or family – While relationships are a gift from God, only Christ can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls and must be our first love

· Comfort and pleasure – The gospel is not about the easy life but about faithfulness and obedience, embracing a life of sacrifice

· World pursuits – Instead of chasing worldly success, we pursue holiness, knowing the fullness of life and joy are found in submitting ourselves to Christ’s lordship

What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL?

3. Devotion to the gospel transforms the way we relate to others and reshapes how we see the people around us.

DEVOTED

Vision Sunday

1.26.25

“The danger is not that the church becomes irrelevant to the world; it’s that the church becomes indistinguishable from the world.” – Mark Sayers, Reappearing Church

Force #1: A society that has become increasingly individualistic

• The Enlightenment (17th-18th century)

• Protestant Reformation (16th century)

• Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution

• Urbanization and Modernization

• Postmodernism and Secularization (20th century)

• Technological advancements, Human Rights movements, a culture of consumerism

Summary: All of these forces collectively shifted values from communal interdependence to personal freedoms and self-expression.

Force #2: A church shaped by a culture of consumerism

• Post-Reformation changes

• First and Second Great Awakening (18th-19th century)

• Urbanization

• The Evangelical Movement (mid 20th century)

• The Megachurch movement - celebrity culture – production-oriented churches

Summary: The evangelical church in America has prioritized attraction and accessibility, played to the consumer mindset, and embraced shallow commitment over deep spiritual formation and communal discipleship.

Acts 2:41-47

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Jesus’ Paradigm for Discipleship:

1) INVITATION

• Come and see

2) CHALLENGE

• Take up your cross

3) TRANSFORMATION

• Abide in me

4) MULTIPLICATION

• Go and make disciples

In the early church, baptism symbolized a covenant with one another—a commitment to live in fellowship, share mutual accountability, and embody love within the Christian community.

How can we restore what has been lost and realign the church with God’s heart and vision?

1. A commitment to Christ-centered living

2. A commitment to the way of sacrifice

3. A commitment to intentional community