New Community Church of Tacoma

Waymond Hampton closes out our Laying it Down series by teaching on laying down compartmentalization. Our culture conditions us to break our lives into different "rooms" that don't tend to overlap one another, and this can cause us to live a disjointed spiritual life. As we apprentice to Jesus, though, the walls can come down and we can become attentive to God's voice in all situations, living a life of restored relationship with the Father, just as Jesus did.

Bo Noonan teaches about laying down the power that money and possessions can have on us. According to God's word, money is not a neutral thing, but rather has power to do either good or harm. As we apprentice to Jesus, we learn to find purpose in the way we spend, save, and give in ways that build God's kingdom, rather than our own little kingdoms.

Wes Swarthout teaches about laying down our need for approval. Because of what Jesus has done, we can moved from seeking approval to accepting and living in the grace, love, mercy, and secure identity that comes from being hidden in the work of Jesus.

Bo Noonan teaches on the difficult but necessary discipline of laying down unforgiveness. In Matthew 18, Jesus shares a parable of amazing significance in response to Peter's question, "How many times do I have to forgive my brother?" Forgiveness is an act of faith. Faith that God has forgiven us more than we understand, and faith that his justice will be justly served - whether we see it in our lifetime or not.

Bo Noonan teaches about the spiritual discipline of fasting. Fasting is laying down our desires, wants, and even needs, in order to feast on God and his provision. It prepares us for life as we rely on our Father, rather than the things of the world. Laying down our own desires is a hallmark of following Jesus, the ultimate example of a life laid down.

Andy and Alissa Cooley kick off our series, Laying it Down, by helping us see the wonderful truth that laying down our story into the beautiful story of God brings ultimate security and joy. As we see more of who Jesus is and the story that he has been writing since the beginning of Creation, we find that our own story finds its ultimate purpose and meaning.

In the final part of our series through the book of Job, Bo Noonan unpacks the the final scenes. Here we find Job standing as a mediator between his friends and God - a picture of what Jesus will one day accomplish. Additionally, we see the beautiful picture of a restored life as God blesses Job with a bountiful end to his days on earth.

Bo Noonan teaches during part 6 of Why, God, why? If you are looking for part 5, we apologize, but due to a technical error it was not recorded. As for part 6, we find Job in a place of contriteness before the Lord, and the Lord continuing to see the power, majesty, order, and complete control that he has over all creation - both physical and spiritual. Rather that belittling Job, the Lord is showing him that he is completely dependent upon a God who is personal AND powerful.

Over the past four years it seems like the playing field has changed for us. Our "stuff" keeps getting moved, taken, and messed with. This is our reality, but it was also the reality of followers of Jesus for ages past, and Jesus knew it would be. The simple play he calls his followers to is spelled out clearly in the gospels, but running it takes a life of devotion and trust.

Travis Aicklen shares the often untold story of the second half of the life of Gideon. Instead of finishing his life in faith and humility, Gideon tried to build and control his own little kingdom without God. He ignored the fact that it had been his Good Father who had provided success and who actually had the power. This act of ignoring led him, his family, and those he led away from the Living God and into idolatry and destruction.