Journey RVA Podcast

"In the beginning..." can be a loaded phrase - one that forces us into debate and doubt. But maybe we're missing the point of Genesis 1:1a point Moses made to a world where the violence and injustice of the gods justified and legitimized the violence and injustice of human rulers. Moses introduced a radically different, unparalleled, and untested worldview.

Most of us know some Bible stories, but very few of us know the story of the Bible. And you may be surprised to discover it's a story that doesn't actually begin in the beginning. It begins with the accounts of a few men who sat down to record the death and resurrection of Jesus. It begins with the words of his followers who were compelled to document the events that had changed everything for them—because they knew it could change everything for us.

Long before there were Christian Scriptures, there were Christians—men and women whose faith began with an empty tomb. These eyewitnesses to the resurrection experienced an event so extraordinary that it changed their lives, and what they gave their lives to, forever. But now a generation is walking away from their faith as their confidence in the Bible is dismantled. They assume that as the Bible goes, so goes Christianity. Maybe it's time we learned from the faith of those early eyewitnesses—faith that's undeniable and ultimately, irresistible.

Is the church still relevant today? Well, try to imagine a culture without the Church. What would that culture look like? Better yet, would that be a culture in which you would want to live? In this final message of the series, the case was made that Christianity, unlike any other religion or civilization, offers not just a different way of living, but a better way of living. We explored how Christians - and the Church - have been on the forefront for the most positive, liberating advances known to humankind. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a message that saves people for eternal life, but a message that restores a broken world. It's a message that has shaped cultural values and national identities. With that in mind, it's time for the Chruch to re-engage at every level because our message is a message of life.

People are willing to talk about spirituality, faith, and God. When Jesus is introduced into the conversation, however, the mood generally changes and people are less receptive. This isn't new. So what are followers of Jesus to do? Just talk about love, peace, kindness, good deeds, and helping the poor? These are all good things, but they can't bring salvation. This is why can't keep quiet about the one name that brings salvation to everyone: Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Your body has many different parts, each with different and unique functions and yet they all work together for the purpose you choose. Did you know that Christians are a part of what the Apostle Paul called "the body of Christ"? As a follower of Jesus, you are a member of his body - the Church. Just as your body has different members with different functions, so the body of Jesus has different members with different functions. As a Christian and a member of his body, his agenda becomes your agenda. You are called to function in his body to accomplish his purposes. He has given you gifts and abilities to be used in building up his body, which includes you!

As Christians, we believe God is calling us to have a positive impact within our community and around the world and we are committed to clearly communicating the love and grace of God to everyone we meet. There are a lot of things we could focus our efforts upon, but none as important as our ministry to the next generation.

We all believe exercise is good for us, but we don't always head to the gym or go on a run. But to get in shape we have to exercise. We have to get off the couch and do it. And, isn't it easier when we have someone to keep us accountable? The same is true of our faith; we can only get so far on our own.

Certain experiences in life mark us and set us on a new path. There are events that impact the world in a similar way. In this message, we will explore one event that stands out more than any other and how it can impact your life.

Life gets busy. Priorities compete. We loose focus on what is most important. About that time, we read the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and we are called into focus on what really matters. Jesus' words cut through the noise and cause us to pause and take inventory.