Missio Dei Community - SLC

Kyle Costello opens the new sermon series, Age of Rage.

We all trust a “gospel” in our lives. Whether we claim to follow Jesus or not, we all have “good

news” that we run to for hope, meaning, and healing. In the book of Galatians the author

suggests that just because you are a Christian does not mean that you always trust Jesus as

your true gospel. In this series we begin to look at the Gospel of Jesus and compare it to the

gospels that the world offers us. We will look closely at our own words, time spent, etc... to

discern whether we trust in the true Gospel of Jesus or whether we have traded it in for a false

gospel offered by our world.

Heather Thomas walks the community through Isaiah 61.

Last week Kyle talked about the vision for who we are at Misiso based out of Jeremiah

29. In Jeremiah 29 the people are in exile. Exile happens throughout the OT as a result of

humanity failing; not honoring their relationship with Yahweh. Adam and Eve are sent

away from the garden: exiled. Israel is sent away from Jerusalem: exiled.

The broader textual meaning is that exile creates in humanity a feeling of being

dislocated and lacking a sense of true belonging. Tim Mackie describes it this way:

“(A) feeling of alienation and longing for something more no matter where you live.”

In that place we need comfort, hope, vision for who we are and a renewed sense of

purpose and vocation.

The book of Isaiah provides poetic imagery describing a person, a human agent who

is sanctioned and empowered to do a deeply transformative work in the community of

Gods’ people. What emerges is a picture of transformative, radical reversal and

exchange; where people are brought out of exile, drawn out of sadness, loneliness, grief

and are offered presence, vitality and joy. They become people with energy, vision and

resolve. People whose strength and vitality is restored. Earlier in Isaiah it is clear how

these people emerge. They emerge though the self-sacrificing servant of Isaiah 52-53

and their subsequent response to him.

When Jesus begins his ministry he reads Isaiah 61. He is about to do a deeply

transformative work in humanity. Through an act of self-giving love he brings humanity

out of the exile of sin and death. His life proves more powerful than human failure and

exile. The picture in Isaiah 61 then becomes a picture of who we can be when we

respond to the transformative power of God in our lives.

As a church sometimes we have to step out of our rhythms to reflect on what God has done

and is doing. The first Sunday of every month is our opportunity to do that. This month we ask

the question, "What is the Missio Dei?". Sure its our name, but what does it mean or more

specifically what does it look like to join God on his mission.

Kyle Costello interviews several members of the church community within the context of Jeremiah 29:4-7.

Kyle Costello preaches from John 18:33-38 and John 19:9-11.

To end our series we close with one of the most fascinating conversations in the life of Jesus.

As he is set to be crucified Jesus comes face to face with Pilate. Jesus represents the

Kingdom of God and Pilate represents the most powerful nation on earth. In their exchange

Jesus teaches Pilate and anyone who reads of their account that he is a God who is extremely

personal and all powerful, but not even close to the way the world would expect. This week we

look at how we have a choice as people whether or not to embrace Jesus and how our own

addiction to power often keeps us from fully knowing him.

Kyle Costello preaches on joy.

Joy is anything but an emotion of happiness. Joy propelled Jesus to the cross and the invitation of Joy compels sinners to trusting in Christ. Today we look to the scriptures to get at the heart of Joy and what it means to be people who don’t just fake happiness, but rather immerse ourselves in Joy.

Jonny Morrison preaches from Luke 19.

We are currently in our series entitled, Exclusion & Embrace, which focuses on stories of Jesus

with people. We spend a lot of time talking about the theology of Jesus or the doctrines of

Jesus but in his time with people we see a lived theology of presence that shapes our vision for

who God is and what it means to be his people.

This week we looked at the, flannel graph favorite, story of Zacchaeus. Interestingly only Luke

records the story of Zacchaeus. It’s especially interesting that Luke includes this story when

you look at the stories coming directly after: Parable of the Ten Minas, Triumphal Entry, and the

Cleansing of the Temple. At first glance it feels like Zacchaeus is a strange little tag along but,

what if Zacchaeus’ story is actually key to understanding what comes next? And not just to

understanding the narrative of Luke but to understanding the work of Jesus?

The story of Zacchaeus isn’t an isolated incident or a fun but inconsequential addition. No, the

story of Zacchaeus is essential to chapter 19. The parable of the Ten Minas doesn’t make

sense outside of Zacchaeus story––they are essentially connected pairs. But that’s also true of

the cleaning of the temple. Jesus condemn the temple for not doing what Zacchaeus does.

Jesus is rejected from his rightful home (temple) but welcomed into Zacchaeus’ home. But,

that’s what happens when we follow Jesus and live out his way, we become living a temple.

Kyle Costello speaks about Mark 5.

Throughout the series we have been looking at the way Jesus embraces and invites people to

know him, his love, and his mission. Today, we continue down that path but with a tweak.

Today we ask, how do we live his embrace? What does it look like when we accept him for

who he is and then actually live out the grace and mercy he has given us. To put it more clearly,

how do we live as people who are practicing their faith?

The story of Jairus that is linked with the bleeding woman in the Bible is a remarkable picture of

what it means to live faith. From the beginning to the end the author shows us how to not just

know about Jesus, but know Jesus; not just to like him but trust him; and not just be a fan of him

but devote our everything to him.

Pastor Tony Simoncini from Missio South Jordan preaches on Mark 5.

Kyle Costello speaks from Matthew 19.

Whether you study people who believe in a God or gods or people who don’t, one thing you

find is that we are always asking some fundamental questions. How do I belong? How do I

qualify for love? What things do I need to do in my life to “get right.” People of Jesus' day were

no different. What’s remarkable about Jesus is the way he engages these questions. He

challenges the questions and seems to assert that we are asking the wrong questions.

This week, in our series that takes a look at ways people exclude and embrace one another, we will

look to the Bible to see how Jesus addresses the fundamental questions that humans ask

about love, belonging, and acceptance.