Coming Alive

Today we look at the parable of the weeds among the wheat.

Matthew 13:24-30.

How do we live faithfully the kingdom of God in a world full of evil?

Today we gather around God’s word to get his heart for how he wishes us to live.

Something that is such a common part of our human experience is that to be human is

to have loyalties…

And today I would like for us to reflect on an aspect of our faith that is so foundational yet so easy to overlook.

Living for the kingdom of God. For the kingdom.

Thsi Sunday we explored a conversation on welcoming Jesus, anchored on the gospel of Mark 6.

We are an imperfect people called to a high standard of love. Becoming a way of love will not be something we build ourselves up to.

Becoming a way of love will be a fruit of a life devoted fully to God.

We do not do community because there is a payoff…we do community because of what God has already done in us and is doing in our lives currently. We do not go there because of what will happen, we go there because of what has happened and is happening!

We are so grateful and humbled that we get to share this moment together to look back at where we started, celebrate who we have become, and give thanks for the God who has walked with us through it all.Nine years of people and our world coming alive in the love of God as modelled by Jesus. Nine years of becoming, growing, serving, belonging, laughing, worshipping, and making room for one another.

Thank you for being part of this story. Thank you for showing up, serving, loving, giving, welcoming, and helping make JourneyFamily what it is.Here’s to nine years, and to all that God is still shaping us into.

Today we are inviting you along a very wonderful conversation that reminds us that becoming a way of love is about the return of the prodigalS!

Luke 15:11-32. The story more fully is about two brothers and how in their own way become estranged to their father’s love and more importantly about a Father who is eager to

have them back.

As we approach our 9th Anniversary, we are reflecting the various aspects that shape who we are as a church family.

Luke 11:-1-4

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.’ ” 3 “Give us each day our daily bread.” 4 “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’

To conclude this conversation we look at Jesus and the cross as the ultimate path to freedom.

I Peter 2:24-25.He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.