Main Idea: The welcome we’re seeking is found with Jesus.
John 1:10-13 (NLT)
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.




The Shepherds
Jesus welcomes the overlooked.
Luke 2:8-17 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! … 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.



Simeon and Anna
Jesus welcomes the old and the young.
Luke 2:25-28, 36-38 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God… 36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.




The Wise Men
Jesus welcomes outsiders.
Matthew 2:1-2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”


Will we practice radical hospitality?


Will we love enough to make our different backgrounds points of unity rather than separation?


Will we respond to Jesus’ invitation?



Discussion Questions:
Can you think of a time when someone welcomed you in? Tell the story. How did it impact you?
If Jesus welcomes everyone, then what is the only thing that can keep someone from knowing him?
How does Jesus’ welcome challenge the church to practice hospitality?
What are the barriers to practicing hospitality in our own lives?
How would a church that practices radical hospitality stand out in our current cultural climate? What are some of the cultural problems that would be addressed if the church practiced this kind of hospitality?
What is the connection between evangelism and hospitality?
How might your small group practice hospitality in the coming year?

Hebrews 12:26-29 (NIV)

26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

• “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful.” - Heb: 12:28
• When we are at peace, we are not in conflict. We are in perfect harmony with everyone and everything around us.

• Hebrews 12:26-27
• Anything that is not of God is shakable. 
• When we put our hope in anything else besides Jesus, we are on a sketchy wooden roller coaster. 
• Even for those who are in Christ, we still find ourselves putting our hope in things of this world. This is why we must renew our minds to our true identity in Christ. 

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” - Romans 12:2

“… we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.” - 2 Cor. 10:5

• Ephesians 2:6 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
• Galatians 4:7 - “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child.”
• John 8:36 - “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
• Hebrews 12:28 - “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
• Matthew 6:26-30 - “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Haggai 2:6-9 

• When God shakes, better is made. 
• Jesus did not come to usher in a kingdom of less, but a kingdom of more
• God wants to get rid of the stuff that is not of Him, so that we can have more OF HIM.
• What remains after God has shook? Vs. 9 “And in this place I will grant peace.” 

John 1:10-14 (NLT)

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.

Romans 3:10-13 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 22 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”

Ultimately, the gap is a RELATIONAL problem

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Discussion Questions:

• Describe a time you experienced a sense of isolation or loneliness. What was it like? How did you respond? What are some of the ways we try to cope with those kinds of feelings?
• Can you think of some common ways that Christians think and live as if we’re still waiting for God’s presence? In the sermon, Adam called this the “Advent Myth.” What examples of the “Advent Myth” have you seen in your Church experience?
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in conveying the Father’s presence to us? In your past church experience, would you say the person and presence of the Holy Spirit is something you’ve learned to experience? Why or why not? What impact has that had on your sense of God’s presence in your life?
• How can a real, living awareness that God is present to bless change a challenging circumstance in your life right now?
• As a group, spend some time in the Father’s presence. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister. If someone is willing to share a difficult situation, gather and pray for them. As you do, realize that the Holy Spirit is present within you. Allow Him to minister through you to that person. Give space and time for the Holy Spirit to bring revelation.

Healing Relationships

Series: God Wants to Heal You

November 28, 2021

• The Father advances us by investing in us.

• We steward faithfully when we’re absolutely confident in His goodness.

• Stepping into the authority and power we have for healing

John 21:13-19 (NLT)

13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” 

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

• Forgiven People Forgive People

• Accepted People Accept People

• People who Receive Grace can Extend It

• When we meet the one who paid the price, we don’t need to be repaid

Discussion Questions:

• Describe a time you experienced relational hurt. How did you handle it? Do you feel you’ve been healed from that hurt? 
• Are there ways you’ve found it difficult to forgive? Why is it sometimes difficult to walk in forgiveness?
• Is there a place where you want to experience relational healing? What are some of the steps that might help you get there?

Series: God Wants to Heal You

November 21, 2021

Kingdom principles reveal new possibilities for the believer that are both present and eternal.

Kingdom principles reveal new possibilities for the believer that are both present and eternal.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 

The gift of the master grants authority to the steward.

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

We always operate out of faith or unbelief in God’s Faithfulness

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 

Key: Stewardship brings advancement

Use it or lose it.

28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 

Discussion Questions:

• What gift of Real Truth, Real Power, and/or Real Community have you received in your time at Inheritance? How are you being called to steward and multiply what you have received?
• What is the challenge of stepping out, stewarding and multiplying the gifts that we have received? What makes it difficult? How can your community group help you take the next step out in stewarding the things God has given you?

God Wants to Heal You

Series: God Wants to Heal You

November 7, 2021

We can’t have faith for what we don’t believe.

1. Because Jesus paid the price for your healing

Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

2. Because Jesus healed everyone, and perfectly revealed the heart of the Father

John 5:19-20 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

3. Because God has revealed himself as the God who heals

Exodus 15:26 “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” [JEHOVA-RAPHA; YAHWEH-RAPHA]

Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases...

4. Because Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and heal

Luke 9:1-2 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

• Matthew 10:7-8 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Luke 10:9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

5. Because God is a good Father

Luke 11:11-13 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Doubt is in direct opposition to strong faith. How do we strengthen our faith by overcoming doubts? Adam Barr reveals that the secret to destroying doubt is by knowing the heart of the Father. 

Faith has the power to move mountains! But we often fail to tap into the key to ultimate blessing and power. Dana Morey preaches on what faith is, and how we grow in it.