Acts 6-18 contains four critical stories of people taking radical risks that reveal the beauty of the Incarnate Kingdom.  The stories of the Greecian Widows, The Ethiopian Eunuch, The Household of Cornelius, and the High City Council of Athens stir us to consider questions that help us find ourselves in these scriptures.  We consider what the Holy Spirit might be leading us to risk during this pandemic that might reveal Incarnate Kingdom beauty.

In this last message from Brandon & Rebecca Cook, we consider the resurrection pattern of life and how we engage with it day to day knowing that we serve a God that is always doing a new thing.

Whether we look at the early church or the life of Christ, we see that a spirit-filled life draws us, not further away from reality into an ethereal personal spirituality, but further into reality characterized by the good news for the poor, the broken, and the hurting in this life. As we draw parallels from the Pentecost events of Moses going up Sinai and returning with the law that would define the life of God’s people, we also see Christ ascending and delivering His spirit as the way by which the Church would live in the world now.

The gospels give us models for endings and new beginnings...and the way that Jesus ended, his ending always includes hope, it always includes new life, resurrection, and even his death includes life.  In a crazy way the kingdom of heaven has come to earth and we, each of us, are invited to the party!  Jesus is alive, and so should we be!  Hallelujah!

In the narrative of Palm Sunday, we see the prominence of Jesus' relationship with Lazarus that draws people to follow Jesus and to desert the leading priests. We consider how Jesus' relationship with Lazarus reveals the kind of King and Kingdom Jesus is establishing.  In this time of global crisis, we cry Hosanna, and choose to love others with the love we know from our humble King.

Praise Song for the Pandemic Video | watch here https://youtu.be/zCYoikGaI6U

One of Jesus' closest friends was the Apostle John, writer of this gospel and 4 other New Testament books. John spent a lot of time with Jesus and has some INCREDIBLE things to tell us about Him. Why does this make a difference? How does this make a difference for us in our day to day life, especially in light of the fears and uncertainties of the Coronavirus outbreak? Is there ANY certainty anywhere?  The Bible has a resounding YES answer to that question. Let's "lean into" Him who is certain in these uncertain times.

How can we love others the way Jesus wants to love through us, as we deal with our own anxiety and uncertainty? Jesus embraces us, holds us tight, and reassures us even in our fear and doubt as we go through these difficult times together. We are set free to love others as we simply declare, "Jesus, you are invited here, you are welcome". What are the ways we can invite Jesus in our homes and conversations this week to bring his presence of peace?

Looking at Luke 13-18 we see Jesus moving love into action. At the end of chapter 14, Jesus calls people to count the cost of what it means to love our neighbor. Love does the things no one wants to do and Jesus calls that the flavor of his people. We begin with a responsive reading of Psalm 91 led by Pastor Barbara. You can find the responsive psalm on our LBCF Live page. Ryan ends the message with a Welcome Prayer which can also be found on the Live page.

Jesus sends his disciples out to proclaim and make present the kingdom of God, without taking a cloak, a money bag, or so much as a walking stick. In this message, we explore how Jesus initiates us into trust and how, in the spiritual journey, we become ensigns and outposts of the kingdom of God. We can enter this journey—this initiation into a new way of living—at all times, by practicing the principles Jesus lays out for us.

If you would enter into the wilderness, do not begin without a blessing. Do not leave without hearing who you are, beloved! Named by the one who has traveled this path before you. You bring the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. In the unique way that is only you. We bring the kingdom TODAY!!