FOUNDRYcast

What does it mean for something to really be great?

I've been thinking about it over the last few weeks, and one of the things I slowly realized were many of my initial answers weren't great for anyone but me. Does that truly make it great, or just personally beneficial? Great things tend to have a bigger impact than us having a personal win.

We've been throwing around the phrase "even greater things" a bunch over the last few weeks. This Sunday, we are actually going to talk about those things. In scripture, we find out they aren't a possession, but an amazing work or deed. Things that exist for the sake of others. Simply believing and functioning in a purely individual idea of Jesus and His gospel simply isn't big enough. It's an over-simplification of the gospel message that misses the point.

Jesus gives us these greater things to do because He is going to the Father. We wouldn't gain access to this new life if He didn't rise from the dead. Our ability to do these greater things is part of the promise of the kingdom of God.

Before we get to deep…let's look at the passage.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing,and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14

There are big things at stake in this project. Are we going to settle for kinda ok things, or even greater things? Listen to a few of our folks share what they believe this project can do for our ministry.

As we continue our series of Even Greater Things conversations, Chad talks with Angie Nicholson. Angie and her family were part of Foundry at the very beginning. We talk about the big role a church plays in the life of a family and how our relationship with space and environment is part of our ministry.

Our conversation includes:

Why the Nicholson's were willing to uproot for Church. Why being part of a church in your neighborhood matters. What were the tough parts of making the decision to be part of Foundry in the beginning? What it means for our kids to be stakeholders in Foundry. Why our church continuing to provide for our kids matters, especially as they grow up. Why it is important for a church to have a place. What roots are like in a church. If we are supporting our kids in baptism, we need to continue to provide ALL the environments for our kids to experience Jesus fully. Confirmation and Foundry. What do we think our kids are looking forward to? Why do we think adults are looking for a different expression of church? Why we are excited for our kids to see this happen. How we build our future in front of the younger generation at our church. Why the Nicholson family is supporting this project.

Have you ever experienced fear of missing out? (#FOMO).

It's the emotion that keeps us up late at night with friends, out early in a boat running to a mallard hole, taking late night drives home from concerts or events, and making sure our kids have the experiences we feel they need.

Missing out can be a big thing. But it doesn't just apply to having fun. It's part of school and work. We don't want to squander an opportunity or waste resources.

This week in our latest conversation in #EvenGreaterThings we are talking about a story of missing out and reaping the benefits.

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver[b] to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

16 "The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money.

19 "After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, 'Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.'

21 "The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together![c]'

22 "The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.'

23 "The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'

24 "Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.'

26 "But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant and gathered crops I didn't cultivate, 27 why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.'

28 "Then he ordered, 'Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Matthew 25:14-29

Every great story starts with taking a risk. It takes being willing to not miss out on something we might not just understand.

It begins with surrender and sacrifice. It ends with a new understanding and definition of life.

So how do churches build buildings? That's the question we are talking about today with Jamie Champagne. Jamie and his wife Missie have been part of Foundry since our launch and he holds the record for most time served in our setup crew.

Jamie and Chad talk about;

• Jesus' senior picture and awesome church furniture.
• Why Jamie believes in serving.
• Why being IN church matters on Sunday.
• The way the church raises money matters.
• Funding the future vision Jesus gives us means funding this project.
• Sunday Surprises.
• This is about a space that helps us fulfill the mission better.
• Why it's important to be part of the financial mission of the church.
• How the campaign works and how the money is raised.
• How we can all be part of this.
• This is bigger than our offering to the campaign, it's about what we learn about ourselves and about Jesus through this campaign.

Enjoy the conversation and high-five Jamie the next time you see him.

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to do? I can make a pretty interesting lift. Once I had to move a 400lb or so locked motorized wheelchair about 30 feet. It was almost impossible. Mentally, that is a different story. I would almost rather stay in the physical realm than think of the mental and emotional places I have had to be in at times.

Impossibility is interesting.

It's one of the best playgrounds for God to work in our lives. Impossibility stretches us…and we all know how God loves to stretch us. One of the greatest stories in scripture is of a family moving halfway across the known world to a new place, all because of a promise that seemed impossible.

After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you." Genesis 13:14-17

There are many reasons this shouldn't happen. Abram didn't have any kids, he was a stranger in the area, and God was talking about a remarkably large piece of land. But this is a story of faithfulness worked out. It is the story of the relationship the people of God have with the places God has called them to.

It's a story about you and me and the places we have found ourselves in. And it is the perfect jumping off point for our conversation about these next places Jesus is asking Foundry to look for.

As our whole church moves towards our campaign "Even Greater Things", we want to take the time and hear stories of what people are excited about, the memories we have of how we got to where we are, and where we believe Jesus is leading us in the future.

In this episode, Chad sits down with Molly Masters. Molly has worked for Foundry for the last several years and is deeply involved in all of the different places we gather and worship in. We talk about every space Foundry has inhabited and the memories we have there. We also talk about what it will mean to be in a new space that is completely ours.

Enjoy the conversation and high five Molly when you see her next!

Have you ever had the chance to meet someone famous?

Did you freak out a little, or did you go right up to them? Isn't it funny how we clam up a little when we see someone?

This week, we are looking at the story of a man who went through a bunch to meet Jesus. We find the story in the gospel of Luke.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar 35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene[f] was going by. 38 So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

39 "Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?"

"Lord," he said, "I want to see!"

42 And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you."43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Luke 18:35-43

Think about what it could have meant if the blind man never had the nerve to walk up to Jesus. Think about how his life could have been wildly different. He didn't let fear take hold of him. This week, we are going to talk about the ideas of fear and how fear has the ability to make our life better or worse. Tackling our fears means freeing ourselves up from the things that stop us the most.

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

When was the last time you remember being a stranger? Sometimes I enjoy it. Going to a movie by yourself or sitting down at a bookstore to read a book isn't that bad. But when was the last time you had to spend a long amount as a stranger, especially when everyone else knows each other?

It isn't fun.

The good news is this; No one isn't known in the kingdom of God.

This week we continue our journey into the women in the family tree of Jesus from Matthew chapter 1. We will focus on two women; Ruth and Bathsheba. Both of their stories are about being known. Here is a quick peek into their story.

Then Boaz asked his foreman, "Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?"

6 And the foreman replied, "She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes' rest in the shelter."

8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don't go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well."

10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. "What have I done to deserve such kindness?" she asked. "I am only a foreigner."

11 "Yes, I know," Boaz replied. "But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done."

And the story of Bathsheba

2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, "I'm pregnant."

Both of these women were known in different ways. One way ending up redeeming and other ended up..well, let's just say it got rough.

Let's learn together from scripture, how it talks about moral complexity, but above all, how each of our lives are wrapped up in redemption inside the life of Jesus.

Think of your favorite family story. The ones you love to tell. They brag about your family, show how awesome, smart or funny they are. You might have super awesome sentimental stories to share or some wild story about forgotten and found love.

Then you have the other stories.

The ones you don't talk about. When you heard about them, your parents told you to not talk about it. Sometimes, we were there for the story and the reason we don't talk about it is even more intense for us. We might want to talk about it, or we are terrified it will come to light.

In Matthew, we find out about 4 such stories in the family line of Jesus. You can read the whole chapter, but these couple of verses form the backbone of our conversation in worship this week.

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).

We are going to talk about the story of Tamar and the story of Rahab. And both of them are the ones families don't talk about. You can read more about Tamar in Genesis 38 and Rahab in Joshua 2. In both of these stories, we meet a woman who has been cast aside, judged and forsaken.

But the good news is this; at every twist and turn, Jesus goes to the side of the broken, abused, and neglected.

We will look at what happens when people are sinned against, and when people are trapped in sinful situations. But throughout the family line of Jesus, in spite of (and even through) these stories, we don't talk about…we find a larger story of love, value, justice, and redemption. And scripture doesn't hide this stories. It brings them out in front and redeems them.