Ethos Church

Joy No Matter What

Life never seems to go the way we imagine it will in our heads. No matter the effort we put into preparing our day-to-day lives, unforeseen circumstances can leave us feeling frustrated and losing our joy. Many of us have believed the lie that Christians won’t have troubles. But Jesus tells us plainly in John 16:33, “...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We will have problems. The question is, what will we do when we face obstacles? Will we continue to pursue Christ and joy no matter what? Paul writes that we are to have the same mindset as Jesus. Jesus didn’t deserve the pain He endured, yet He never once protested. Jesus came to bring people to His Father. When He left, He challenged us to do the same. As we choose to humble ourselves, live in a place of joy, all while taking on an attitude of gratitude; we point people toward our Father.

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us”

-Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) -

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

Love Without Alignment

It is easier to only love people we agree with, but we must remember that joyful Christ-centered communities are diverse and therefor accepting of all people. Jesus lived His life with people that did not think, talk, act, or believe like Him yet was able to draw in the sinner, as well build up disciples. Agreeing is not the goal, rather loving and being united is. Through the life of Jesus, we see His connection to the Father, the power through the Spirit, and His humility being the reason He was so affective at loving all people. Let us not just worship Jesus as our sacrifice but also follow His life as an example of how to love each other amid differences and disagreement.

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are you hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.”

-Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT) -

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

Redefining Life

In the book of Philippians, the author, Paul, reveals the secrets of the art of living a life of flourishing. The truths of his letter also have the power to speak directly into our current cultural moment, where many people are languishing somewhere in between depression and flourishing. Through this deep dive into the book of Philippians, we hope our community’s perspectives might shift and we will be able to interpret the world not through our circumstances, but through an abiding sense of joy.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!”

-Philippians 4:4 (NLT) -

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

To know, be Known, & to Be Led by The Holy Spirit

We ended last week by identifying that the Holy Spirit gives everyone at least one spiritual gift. It’s equally important to know that no gift is an indication of spiritual maturity. The fruit of the Spirit manifesting in love is the measure of spiritual maturity. William Barclay said, “The important issue is not how many gifts I have, but is my life like Christ’s and am I attracting people to Him?” How do we ensure our lives are attracting people to Jesus? It begins by knowing and understanding that we are known by the Holy Spirit. This is where everything good about life begins. Have you ever thought about what it means to be known? It is pretty cool to pause, and picture God saying, “(Insert your name here), I know him/her. They are my son/daughter. I love him/her.” Are you confident this is what God would say about you? This is where we begin today because this is the beginning of being led by the Holy Spirit.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

-Romans 8:14-16 (NIV)-

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

The Holy Spirit Working Through Us

How did Jesus do everything that Jesus did? There are two dominant theories that exist to answer that question, and neither are entirely inaccurate but one of them is most clear. He did it by the power of the Holy Spirit. Before the Holy Spirit rested upon Jesus after His water baptism, Jesus did not do much. However, after he was anointed with the Holy Spirit; He was teaching with authority, working miracles, building disciples, and bringing Heaven to Earth. Here is more good news; the same Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus wants to empower you. Martin Lloyd Jones said, “If we have what the first Christians had, why do we not do what they did? We must conclude that either God gave them more than He has given us, or we have failed to avail ourselves of what He has given us.” Let’s continue to avail ourselves to all that God has made available to us.

“…believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”

-John 10:38 (NLT)-

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

Another, Like Jesus

How can you be sure that you are going to receive all the things the Holy Spirit gives? The community he gives you, the illumination he gives you, the experience he gives you, but most of all, the ministry of the Holy Spirit as a friend inside your heart, working against the various enemies your heart has … accusation, temptation, all the things. Do you know how you can receive it? If you want the ministry of the second Advocate (Holy Spirit), you have to believe in the ministry of the first Advocate (Jesus).

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

-John 14:16-17 (NIV)-

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

A Person to Know, not a Force to Capture

We begin our knowing of the Holy Spirit by first understanding the teaching of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We need to understand that they are not three gods; rather they are one God, but who are all individually distinct. It is not like there is one person who sometimes has his Father hat on, sometimes his Son hat, and sometimes his Holy Spirit hat. There is not one God and one person, nor are three gods and three persons. There is simply one God within three persons, and they know each other. In one sense, Jesus can leave, and the Holy Spirit can come. But in another sense, since they are so one, when you get the one you get them all. And when Jesus left, the Holy Spirit came so that we may continue the ministry (service) of Jesus today.

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away,

the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

John 16:7 (NIV)

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

A generous heart does not look to give the bare minimum or simply what is needed but to go above and beyond. Often we settle for what is good instead of what is great. However, the life of Jesus calls us to consider not that which is good, or which is great, but to live for what is God. Jesus shows us how to live with the privilege of generosity. He was generous with His time, reputation, rights, and His friendship. It was the generosity of Jesus that caused people like Zacchaeus to leave everything behind and experience the love of God, and so it should be ours. The privilege of the people of Ethos is to be a generous people to give more than is expected and allow our generosity to shine a light on the God that gave us more than was expected.

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

Relationships aren’t always easy, but pursuing healthy ones is worth it. In fact, the way we relate with one another is intended to be a distinguishing characteristic of Jesus followers. In this two-week series, we are discussing the “7 Habits of a Highly Healthy Ethos Family” where we identify 7 relationally healthy habits that are practical yet profound. What would it look like if we fully leaned into implementing these Christ-honoring habits in our homes, dorms, and offices? We believe it would be so attractive to the world around us that those who don’t know Christ would grow more curious about Him.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage on another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org

Relationships aren’t always easy, but pursuing healthy ones is worth it. In fact, the way we relate with one another is intended to be a distinguishing characteristic of Jesus followers. In this two-week series, we are discussing the “7 Habits of a Highly Healthy Ethos Family” where we identify 7 relationally healthy habits that are practical yet profound. What would it look like if we fully leaned into implementing these Christ-honoring habits in our homes, dorms, and offices? We believe it would be so attractive to the world around us that those who don’t know Christ would grow more curious about Him.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage on another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference.

EthosOH.com

Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community

ServeColumbus.org