Generations Community Church

Most American Christians don’t appreciate how big, how important, how all-encompassing Jesus is through Scripture. They camp out in the "red letters" and some of Paul's letters, but ignore everything else. It ALL points to Jesus. In this message, Max Vanderpool, makes a case for why Jesus is the true and better human. The only way to recover your full humanity is through Jesus. You won’t get there through self-help. You won’t get there by trying harder. You won’t get there by trying to obey all the stuff in the Bible. Jesus is the true and better human.

All of us, because we are SO human, tend to return where we are wanted and welcome and invited. You could almost say we’re “acceptance magnets.” God knows this about us – which is why Jesus was constantly inviting people IN. Today’s big idea is simple: As followers of Jesus, we build relationships that are strong enough to invite others in.

All of us, because we are SO human, tend to return where we are wanted and welcome and invited. You could almost say we’re “acceptance magnets.” God knows this about us – which is why Jesus was constantly inviting people IN. Today’s big idea is simple: As followers of Jesus, we build relationships that are strong enough to invite others in.

At the end of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonican church that God knows the end of the story, and no matter what they were facing, God would give them strength to keep going. At the end of the letter, Paul says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." You and I don't know how our stories will end, but we do know how THE story ends (Jesus returns, Jesus makes things right, Jesus sorts people, Jesus gives us resurrection bodies that don't get sick or wear out). We have good reason, even when the chips are down, to be grateful.

At the end of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonican church that God knows the end of the story, and no matter what they were facing, God would give them strength to keep going. At the end of the letter, Paul says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." You and I don't know how our stories will end, but we do know how THE story ends (Jesus returns, Jesus makes things right, Jesus sorts people, Jesus gives us resurrection bodies that don't get sick or wear out). We have good reason, even when the chips are down, to be grateful.

Unlike Job's friends, Jesus knows how to be a good friend for those experiencing pain & suffering, for those enduring loss, for the woman caught in adultery, and for the thief on the cross. Jesus is a better friend. In this recording, Amanda Duke shares the Biblical pattern of lament, Max Vanderpool shares how to be a good friend to someone who is going through and tough time, and Danita LaSage and Dawn Tippey share their experience of loss - and where they found Jesus.

Unlike Job's friends, Jesus knows how to be a good friend for those experiencing pain & suffering, for those enduring loss, for the woman caught in adultery, and for the thief on the cross. Jesus is a better friend. In this recording, Amanda Duke shares the Biblical pattern of lament, Max Vanderpool shares how to be a good friend to someone who is going through and tough time, and Danita LaSage and Dawn Tippey share their experience of loss - and where they found Jesus.

"Who are your people?" For the longest time, you LIVED in the same place where you were born. You were rooted and connected to a household. “Who are your people” was the most common question asked (even in America). All that changed after WW2. Now the first question typically asked of an adult is, “What do you do?”

But despite all the mobility we Americans have enjoyed over the past century, and despite ALL the ways we can now remain connected to people “back home” through social media, you cannot separate geography and friendship.

Geography matters (when it comes to friendship).

"Who are your people?" For the longest time, you LIVED in the same place where you were born. You were rooted and connected to a household. “Who are your people” was the most common question asked (even in America). All that changed after WW2. Now the first question typically asked of an adult is, “What do you do?”

But despite all the mobility we Americans have enjoyed over the past century, and despite ALL the ways we can now remain connected to people “back home” through social media, you cannot separate geography and friendship.

Geography matters (when it comes to friendship).

True friends are not blind. They see us as we really are. They know our strengths, truth, and beauty – and they know our weaknesses, warts, and issues. Friends know the truth about us. The art of friendship requires both ENCOURAGEMENT and REBUKE. True friends help us see the truth – the good, the bad, and the ugly – because the truth will set us free.