If you have never been able to make it through the book of Numbers, you're not alone. Reading it can feel like sitting in the DMV, "take a number." Yes, the book is full of numbers and can get very repetitive, but there are also some very interesting stories in there. One of those stories (Numbers 22-24) has to do with a selfish prophet named Balaam. Though he clearly hears God (even through his donkey) and he desires the peace God offers His people (Numbers 23:10), Balaam chooses his own path instead of trusting the promised peace of God (Numbers 24:13-17). The words of peace that God prophesied through Balaam come to be realized in the birth of Jesus, the Messiah (Matthew 2:1-12). God makes His invitation clear. It is an invitation of cosmic peace. It is an invitation to join His family and forever be in relationship with THE Prince of Peace.

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How do we be patient in our waiting periods? How do we recognize that it is not a waste of time? The fall broke our relationship with God, others, creation, and ourselves. However, in the same verses of Genesis that describe the fall, God presents the protoevangelium; the first good news of the redeemer. Jesus is that redeemer. He brought Himself down to a position such that Satan could strike His heel, yet in the same act, Jesus crushed Satan (John 12:28-31). This was God's plan before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20) (Rev 13:8). And God's plan requires waiting. During this time God is doing great things in us and around us. We have hope in this, and we must be patient (James 5:7-11). For, we who wait shall have renewed strength and will not be exhausted. We shall mount with wings like eagles and we will run without weary (Isaiah 40:30-31).

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Prayer is an act of humility, a declaration of our dependence on God, that invites Him into our fears and worries. As we bring our requests with thanksgiving for all God has already provided, He meets us with His promised peace (Philippians 4:4-9).Liferoads Church Spokane

Humility isn't entirely about introspection and self. Humility brings unity. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church about being unified, being of the mind of Christ. Then he described Christ in a way that flipped the cultural expression of glory and honor on its head (Philippians 2). He wrote out a hymn about the glory of Jesus being His surrender of His power and becoming a slave to die a criminal's death. This is the achievement of eternity. This event is a unifying event, bringing us all together at the foot of the cross. Throwing out baggage on the ground at Jesus' unconditional forgiveness.

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Our culture has this strange pattern of the 'humble brag,' where we act as if we are humble—all the while we are boasting. Paul warned of such pride. C.S. Lewis called pride "the great sin." It is sin curved inward on ourselves. God opposes the proud (James 4:6), Paul presents this plainly in 1 Corinthians. He surrenders any self-judgment. Only God is the judge. Paul stated in 1 Timothy 1:15 that he was the chief sinner. His goal was to fully honor God. Humility is the disappearance of self and the vision that God is all.

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What does true humility look like? In John 13:1–17, we see true humility. Jesus, fully aware of His identity and authority, took a posture of a servant and washed His disciples' feet. His example challenges our ideas about strength, success, and status. Pride can quietly shape the way we see ourselves and others. Humility begins with security in who we are in Christ! Jesus invites us to lay aside self-importance, serve others freely, and discover the blessing that comes from living a life shaped by His humility.

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This message looks at the birth of the church in Acts 2, beginning with Peter’s sermon at Pentecost and moving to a snapshot of the early Christian community.
We explore what life looked like in that community — how believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Their devotion led to unity, generosity, and joy that made their faith attractive to those around them. The message invites us to reflect on what it means to be a church marked by the same devotion, generosity, and glad hearts.

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You probably didn't feel a cultural pressure to attend church this morning. Most likely you wanted to come. Why is that? Why come to church? Hebrews 10:19-25 provides us some answers to these questions. It states three "let us" statements about being together in church. First, let us draw near with hearts full of faith and cleansed by Jesus' blood. The curtain was torn, and we have access to a new living way, full of 'zoe' life in Christ. Second, let us hold fast to our confession of hope in scripture, prayer and community. Finally, let us not neglect meeting together. There is something very different and very special about being together in a church - it is being with Christ in a way that differs from our solitary time with God. Let's be realistic: there is no such thing as a perfect church—gather, encourage one another, encourage others, and love each other.

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The Great Commission: these words are not actually used in the Bible. But Jesus gave his disciples (and us) a task, a mission; and He gave us the authority to spread the great news of His coming - and His resurrection. This is the fundamental event of history (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). Central to Christianity. Jesus showed His authority in teaching. He showed His authority over disease, nature, sin and death. He calls us to participate in sharing this news. Go, make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:1-20). The more we live transformed lives, the more natural the mission is for us.

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All history points to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection (Matthew 27:27-54). The cross is a scandal (1 Cor 1:18); it makes no sense to invent such a thing - to use a device of torture as a symbol of grace. This idea of sacrifice is alarming (especially the sacrifice of Jesus); could there be another way? Even Jesus asked this question. The night of His death, He prayed; "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me," but concluded, "Your will be done." Justice is required for the history of sin. It is here that God's love and justice 'kiss' (Psalm 85:10). Seven hundred years after Isaiah wrote about the suffering Messiah's redemption of the world (Isaiah 53:1-12), it finally came to pass. Love overwhelming, love manifest (1 John 4:9-10), love in action, the act of history. Jesus' act of love is enough to redeem the entire world (John 3:16).

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