Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU

In a moment of stunning humility, Jesus flips our ideas of weakness, strength, and leadership upside down.

(John 13:1-17, Matt 23:11-12, Phil 2:10-11, Acts 4:12, Col 1:15, Matt 28:18, Phil 2:3-8, Matt 5:38-41, 2 Cor 12:9)

In an early moment with his disciples, Jesus asks them a direct question about their motive: what do they want?  How would we answer that question?  (John 1:35-41, Jn 1:14, Col 2:9, Ps 139, Ps 147, Matt 7:7-8, Ps 63:1, Lk 10:38-42, Ps 27:4, Matt 6:33, Col 3:1, Hos 10:12)

In an early moment with his disciples, Jesus asks them a direct question about their motive: what do they want?  How would we answer that question?

(John 1:35-41, Jn 1:14, Col 2:9, Ps 139, Ps 147, Matt 7:7-8, Ps 63:1, Lk 10:38-42, Ps 27:4, Matt 6:33, Col 3:1, Hos 10:12)

Our great God, beyond comprehension, became human.  The infinite God subjected himself to a finite world.  In doing so, he taught us what real ministry is.

(Jn 1:1-14, Gen 1:3, Phil 2:5-8, Heb 4:15-16, John 10:14-15, John 13:34-35, Luke 9:54)

Moses and Jesus seem to agree on what needs to be our greatest priority.

(Deut 6:4-6, Ex 14:14, Deut 11:18-21, Mk 12:28-34, Deut 8:6, Jn 13:34-35, Heb 12:1)

The closer we get to Jesus, the less we need to the World to define us

(1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 12:1-2, Romans 8:1-2, Matthew 6:21)

Balaam the sorcerer is hired to curse the Hebrew people, but his encounter with Jehovah God will take him down an entirely different path.

(Num 22-24, Eph 6:12, I Peter 5:8-9, Matt 6:13, Romans 8:11

Community is powerful – will we let it be a force for good or for evil?

(Exodus 32:1-20)

The ark of the covenant sits at the heart of the tabernacle.  And the message it speaks is that an imperfect people need a pathway to a perfect God.  And God in His wisdom has provided that pathway.

(Matt 5:17-18, Ex 25:1-22, Deut 10:1–5, Heb 10:1, Gal 3:23-27, Jn 14:6, John 1:29, I Cor 6:11, Jn 8:12, Jn 6:35, Jn 14:14, Matt 27:51, Heb 9:11-14, Heb 4:14-16, I Cor 2:2, Acts 17:27)