In a culture that's saturated with marketing and the push to capitalize on consumption – it can lead us to living by a mantra of: MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER. But is it? Having MORE may not actually lead us to: being happier or being more satisfied. In a land obsessed by consumption, contentment calls to us!  Contentment is learning to have a satisfied heart and not just follow along with the pursuit of acquiring more and more and more. Enough More. The Apostle Paul has some wise words to help us fight for contentment.

We're to live on the GO for Jesus. Some of his final words recorded in the gospel of Matthew are to be are first priority! If we’re to live out the Great Commission of Jesus (Matt 28), we must do so with Great Commandment love (Matt 22) -- we must live it out through our actions AND we must speak about Jesus as we have opportunity. We examined 3 key opportunities available to us as we seek to leverage our lives for Jesus as His disciple.

Sometimes we are content to be spectators, but being a disciple is NOT for spectators. Christ wants us to jump in with both feet and eagerly participate in his kingdom building. The parable of the talents challenges us to wrestle with the question: 'what are we doing with what's been entrusted to us?' To whom something is given—regardless how great or small —something is required. We've been enfolded into a faith that calls for our participation as we follow after Jesus.

Being His disciple means we live out loving God and loving others.

Tonight we examine a conversation that Jesus has with Peter around one of the toughest challenges we will wade through as one following after Jesus. Forgiveness as a habit and mark of a disciple is tough when we live in a culture that likes to keep score. So we look at what forgiveness is, what it is not. We lean into the heart Jesus wants to form within us. Ultimately: forgiven people, forgive people. *also hear a testimony from Sheila in her journey of forgiveness.

We live in a world that likes to define greatness in a way that is contrary to how Jesus defines it. We look into the conversation (Matthew 18) he has with his early followers redefining what greatness truly is - as he sought to move their hearts toward a motivation to serve others. We’re called to live life with the mindset of Christ, with humility and an “it’s not all about me” type of attitude and approach as a disciple.

We lean into the Parable of the Sower and what Jesus unpacks about the receptivity of the human heart towards the truth, grace and hope of God. We're challenged to cultivate a receptive heart within ourselves and to also share God with whomever, whenever and wherever we're given opportunities. Invest like the Sower. Cultivate a heart that is conditioned well for God's growth in and through you.

In our 'always connected' culture, often times, real rest can be elusive. We can get caught up striving for more and more and even have that mindset slip into our spiritual journey. But the beautiful invitation of the gospel is to a posture of rest. Resting fully in the finished work of Jesus and learning rhythm's of rest as we journey life with Him. Lean into one of the most significant invitations given by Christ.

Doubt isn't something only some encounter in life, it seems to be a part of the human experience. As we pursue after Jesus, doubts and questions might surface in our journey. What do we do in those moments? Disciples are not people who never doubt. They may have doubt, but they choose to lean on Jesus with their doubts. We look at John the Baptist's experience with Jesus in Matthew 11:1-15 and see that Jesus meets us in those moments - he responds, he doesn't rebuke. Our faith can persevere and even grow through seasons of struggle.

As a disciple, we’re to grow an INCREASING sense of AWE for ALL of WHO Jesus is. Following after Jesus is a continual encounter with a God who is way bigger than you think He is. Increasing AWE should be an emotion we experience often. Jesus is bigger than your struggles, bigger than your past, bigger than your future worries and BIG ENOUGH for you.