Missio Dei Community - SLC

Heather Thomas preaches on Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus in John 3.

Pastor Heather Thomas speaks on value and what it means to be a witness.

Luke's writing in Acts is showing us God’s presence isn’t gone in Jesus' absence, but instead, that the Holy Spirit is God’s personal presence come to take up residence in the new dwelling place: His people. As His presence shows up in His people they begin to look differently. This week we looked at how they embodied both gratitude in worshipful feasting together and generosity in openhanded sharing of what they had.

As the Christian Church began to grow up in the Book of Acts they needed teaching and

correction. As we grow up and mature in our desire to follow Jesus we need teaching and

correction. When we first hear that it can challenge us. There seems to be nothing good or

attractive to being corrected. But, what if we are seeing teaching and correction through the

lens of shame or control rather than what Jesus is inviting us into. As we look to Acts this week

we see that Teaching and Correction are 100% a part of the life of a Christ follower but instead

of being there to control or shame its there to invite people into hope and grace. As a church we can’t abstain from teaching and correcting one another, rather we need to look to the ways of Jesus in order to honor one another as we teach and correct so that we can truly understand the fullness of Christ.

When you hear "repent" what do you think? Bullhorn guy on the corner? Angry preacher on television? Would you ever picture Jesus saying that? The reality is he said it and he said it a lot. But why? What was he inviting us into? This week we are asking anyone and everyone in our community to set aside what they think about when they think about repentance and to give an ear to the book of Acts, and other texts, that invite us into one of the most beautiful gifts God has given us: Repentance!