Crossroads Church of God, Lima OH

APPRENTICESHIP TO JESUS

Learning to live our life the way Jesus would live our life if He were us.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

• Availability of the Kingdom of God

Mark 1:15 NIV

  • Life of friendship with the Trinity

Mark 1:11 NIV

  • Gradual inner transformation

  • From Duplicity to Genuineness

  • Radical other-centeredness

  • Unshakable life

Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV

  • Learned life

DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?

Healing at the pool of Bethesda.  John 5:1-15

• Jesus’ vision vs. religious leaders

     • Jesus loves broken people 

     • Jesus desires to bring healing

     • Jesus honors our will

• Responses to the invitation

    • Resignation 

    • Trust our own abilities

    • Acknowledge and yield to Jesus

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Elijah hiding in a cave.  1 Kings 19:8-18

• Impact of exhaustion/burn out

  • Forget God’s goodness

  • Blinded to God’s movement

1 Kings 18:3b-4 NIV

Philippians 1:6 NIV

• God’s response to exhaustion

  • Grace to meet you where you are

  • Uses others to encourage

• Persevere in the face of exhaustion

  • Courageous community 

  • List of blessings

  • Make praise a habit

Where Are You?

Genesis 3:1-10

What we learn about God...

1. Desire to be with us
2. Response to sin
3. Pursuit of humanity

What we learn about ourselves...

1. Prone to shame and guilt
2. Good at hiding

Invitation to look at God...

1. Grace
2. Purpose

Exodus 13-14 --- God frees us to live in divine friendship with the Trinity.

 • Devoted to God (work and heart)

 • Under the guidance of God

  • God’s guidance is gracious

  • Guides through His presence

  • Protected by the power of God

Exodus 11-12 --- The Passover frames our identity as God’s people

• God is the Deliverer

• We are…

  • Saved by the blood

  • Bound in a communal faith

• Called to…

  • Tell others of availability of life

  • Champion cause of powerless

Scripture:

Exodus 7:22 - 23 NIV

Exodus 8:15, 22 - 23 NIV

Exodus 9:13b - 18, 27 - 28 NIV

Quotes from Good and Beautiful God, pages 121 & 125

GRACE BEFORE JUDGMENT

Exodus 7:1-10:29 --- God’s love is inextricably connected to His holiness.

• Lessons from the plagues… 

          • There is only one God

          • God’s judgment is evidence of His love

          • Pattern of grace before judgment

          • Kindness leads to repentance

Exodus 5:22-6:30 --- Between promise and fulfillment, we walk by faith.

• Living out a life of faith…

  • Long obedience in the same direction

  • Return to God in prayer

  • Remember God’s promises

  • Choose to trust

  • Faith developed in community