King's Cross Church South Bay

This Sunday we continue our series on the Fruit of the Spirit with kindness. There's an old cliche, "Kill them kindness" - which tacitly admits the goal is not really to be kind but rather to conquer your opponent through the manipulation tactic of persistent niceness. (Think Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew.) But Jesus said, "Love your enemies." And then he went and died for them. Not to gain power over them, but to set them free. He didn't kill them with kindness; his kindness got him killed. So who wants to be kind like that? Virtually no one. Yet, for that reason, kindness to enemies (or even just strangers) often creates a crisis: "What's your real motive? Are you trying to take advantage of me? Where is this coming from?" There is a yearning for heaven underneath those questions that has learned cynicism through past disappointments. So how does Christ actually expect his followers to answer that, much less do that? Let's revisit David & Mephibosheth as we talk about "Life in the Spirit: Kindness" (2 Sam.9:1-13).  

"World peace. Peace through strength. Give peace a chance. Hold your peace. Disturbing the peace. No justice, no peace. Peace of mind. Peace and quiet. Live in peace. Rest in peace. Peace at last. A lasting peace. Inner peace. Eternal peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. The peace that passes all understanding." As much as humanity talks about peace, does anyone doubt our lives are full of conflict - most of which we do not want? Jesus said he brings a peace unlike any the world can offer. Paul said he knew the secret of this peace (even while in prison), but most Christians still struggle to find a practical, sustained peace. What is so distinctive about this peace and how can we grow in it daily? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Peace" (Philippians 4:4-12).

We were created for joy. From the time we could play as a child, we craved it. Toys, playgrounds, friends -- somehow remind us of the gift of existing. CS Lewis has said, "All joy reminds." It taps a desire for something long ago or what could be. No one ever says "I will take less joy in my life please." And yet... the way Jesus talks about joy often collides with how I think of joy. He tells his disciples he is leaving, but it will bring more joy. He talks of the pain of childbirth and its greater joy. He even argues with religious scholars about what makes heaven rejoice. If joy is so good and obvious, why is it so hard for us to get and keep? And why does Jesus feel the need to correct us so often on what actually brings lasting joy? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Joy" (Luke 15:1-10).

"Love God." "Love one another." "Love your enemies." "Love not just with words, but in action..." There are few more basic commands from Jesus than "love one another." But is there a more difficult one? Set aside dating apps or coworker drama. Why is this hard to do even with our closest friends and family - especially when it requires more than just "wishing them positivity"? The Scriptures present love with a particularity that includes both external actionables and internal desires. "Love your enemies" is not only a big idea, it is uncomfortably tangible. Why? Because the Bible is clear that love is not just a concept or subjective feeling. It is who He is. He pursues. He pays. He heals. But sometimes I don't like what that implies about me, much less that I should do that for others. Is there such a thing as an 'unloving Christian'? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Love" (1 John 4:7-21).

This week we begin our new series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said, "You will know my disciples by their fruit." Now that's a loaded thing to say. Think about Jesus' own disciples. Think even about the messes we see in the New Testament church. Forgive the pun, but the fruit looks more 'holey' than it looks holy. So what hope does that give us? Paul lists off nine traits as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. However, it's worth noting that he's writing the angriest of all his letters to a church that is riddled with holes. And yet he seems to think this will bring them joy. In other words, it can't simply be a checklist of what they are failing to do. He has a particular hope in mind, that is good news for both the ancient and modern church. Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit" (Gal.5:1,16-25)

What does the New Testament mean when it says all Christians are "members" of Christ's body? And why do we hear that idea so differently from the term "membership"? Even American Express has shifted their motto away from "Membership has its privileges." Who wants to be a 'member' anymore? We hear those terms and think almost solely bad things: arrogant exclusivity, membership dues, deeper commitments and demands, etc. So why does the Bible see it so oppositely? Let's talk about something that our society finds - at the very least - undesirable, yet the Scriptures compare to marital bliss. "Why Join the Local Church?" (1 Cor.12:12-27) And yes, we will be offering immediate ways to experience this joy firsthand. *winking emoji*

This week we come to the end of our series on worship in the Psalms - the benediction. It is the final blessing which sends us out of each worship service. Why do we do this? "The Lord bless you and keep you..." Years ago I had a pastor's daughter ask me: "what is a blessing anyway? Does anyone really know what that means?" It reminded me of how often Christians throw around religious terms without appreciating the depth of what is happening. For lack of clarity, it gets reduced to "have a great week, and we'll see you next time." Those words are forgotten the moment we walk out someone's door. How is the benediction different? There is a promise from God here that is meant to lead us out with joy and equip us for the journey. How do we get that? Let's talk about "Benediction" (Psalm 67).

Who writes letters anymore? Who sends snail mail when you can email or text? We want instant input, a feed we can scroll through and assess our interest in milliseconds. We swipe past anything boring, and forward a meme we like. (I bet some of you even debated whether to read this paragraph because of its length! I know I do.) Who has time to sit around and read long periodicals, much less some arduous theological treatise? The irony of the information superhighway is how little we actually take in and glean. We've become a society who posts pictures of ourselves at the Louvre without sitting and staring at masterpieces. The hours a soul has poured into conveying meaning through art... and we have fifteen seconds to give to it. Somehow as a society we are beginning to awaken to the tragedy of that loss of attention in the arts and education. So what about our spiritual lives? The Scriptures require soaking. There's no cursory swiping. And all of the latest stats say exactly what you'd expect, including among regular attenders of worship. But what does that really mean for us in our relationship with God? How can we counteract that trend? Let's talk about the joy God intends through giving us such a high investment, deeply personal way to know him: "Scripture" (Psalm 19)

I remember learning the best way I know to get rid of hiccups: ask to borrow $20. No jump scares. No yelling. No smacking on the back. Just ask to borrow some money and persist sincerely through the semi-automated questions that follow. As they begin to reach for their wallet, then ask if their hiccups are gone. I've found this even works with children. Why? Because few things scare us like parting ways with our treasure. And that, friends, is why Jesus spoke so much about money. Note well: he did not horde money like some charlatan televangelist with a jet. He knew that money is just a temporary resource to which we have attached all sorts of meaning it simply cannot give us. And that is why he called us to the joy of generosity, possibly the most counterintuitive notion in the Bible for modern Americans. As we continue our series on worship in the Psalms, let's talk about "Offering" (Psalm 81).

He stole another man's wife. He had the man killed. He wrote a song about it. And it became a central part of... worship?! This week as we continue our series in the Psalms we come to the assurance of pardon. Last Sunday we said confession is agreeing with God (over against ourselves). This Sunday we look at how God encourages us through his response to our confession. There are few more practical examples in Scripture than David's confession and assurance in Psalm 51. Let's talk about the transformation God works in us through his "Assurance of Pardon" (Psalm 51).