Jesus gave His church her mission on a mountaintop in Galilee almost 2,000 years ago. And He made some pretty astounding promises about what His church would accomplish between His first and second comings. Foundational to the teaching of Jesus on the church, is understanding that it was designed to be a movement, rather than an institution. A living organism, rather than a dead building or event. Not only that, the church of Jesus was designed to function well and advance when every follower of Jesus took their place in the story God is writing. It was never designed to be a show for an hour a week, with an audience of spectators. As we consider the mission Jesus gave His church to make disciples and advance His Kingdom locally and globally, we must all consider what role God is calling each of us to play in and through His church body in order to push forward the mission He has given His Bride!

This week, we wrap-up our Unstrapped series on the subject of money. So far, we’ve looked at big-picture Scriptural principles about how God views money and how his people should view money in light of the gospel of Jesus. This week, we’re going to get really practical as we look at giving, saving and spending from a biblical perspective. In short, God’s principles for money can be summed up like this: give extravagantly, save wisely and live sufficiently. In this way, we begin to walk in the financial freedom that allows us to take our place in the story God is writing. Stewarding God’s money using his principles not only results in him receiving the glory he deserves, but it also results in our good as well. God’s plan is always for our best!

Last week we launched our Unstrapped series by looking at some pretty radical teachings from Jesus on the subject of money. In essence, Jesus told us that where we put our treasure (money) reveals what we really worship. This week we’ll drill down a little deeper into that truth by discovering that because God owns everything, we are stewards rather than owners of everything God gives us. We’ll also discover how the gospel transforms us from being primarily spenders or savers--into radical investors in the Kingdom of Jesus. Your trust in God will be most clearly seen in how you steward what He gives you!

The subject of money is one that makes many people squirm in their seats! There are some legitimate reasons people get squeamish when they hear the word “money” from a church stage. But the reality is that Jesus spoke on this issue so often, that a biblically faithful church simply cannot avoid teaching on it. In this short-series, we’ll attempt to unpack how God views money, and how His people should understand the purpose of the resources God entrusts us with. Jesus has set us free so that we might live free. And in order for us to truly live in this freedom, we must learn how to live “unstrapped”!

The final parable of Jesus we’ll look at is one of His best known but often misunderstood. He contrasts a Pharisee (who would have been understood as the “good guy” by Jesus’ original hearers) and a tax collector (who ends up being a most unexpected “hero”) who go up to the temple to pray. The story illustrates in vivid and unexpected ways what makes a person acceptable in God’s sight. This is the heart of Christianity and the pathway to entering His Kingdom!

This week, we’ll look at one of the shortest parables Jesus ever told. Actually, there are 2 short parables we’ll look at that are intentionally interconnected. Twin parables, if you will. The 1st parable is commonly known as the parable of the hidden treasure, and the 2nd, is often called the parable of the pearl of great value. In these short stories Jesus is driving home one main truth, and it’s this: Jesus’ Kingdom is more valuable than everything. This one sweeping, life-altering truth has dozens of potential applications, but we’ll focus on just a few. Truths like; we actually find joy in forsaking everything to gain the most important thing. Giving up our small dreams and ambitions for the great and glorious Kingdom of Jesus is a glad exchange. We see that the treasure of Jesus is only grasped by being willing to trade everything to find it. There’s no middle ground. Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposition, because Jesus is after our hearts & our hearts can only worship one thing at a time. So, what do you value most in life? If it’s anything less than Jesus & His Kingdom...your dreams are too small and you’re limiting your capacity for joy. The ultimate treasure is found in knowing Jesus & enjoying His Kingdom!

Think of the best meal or the most enjoyable party you’ve ever experienced. All of us can think back fondly to experiences like this that we’ve enjoyed with family and friends. Even Jesus spent much time eating with people during his earthly ministry. In this parable of the great feast, Jesus tells a room full of feasting self-righteous, religious people a story about a great king who invites ungrateful people to an epic feast. The invitees come up with lame excuse after lame excuse for why they can’t attend. This king eventually fills his epic party with the poor, sick and marginalized of the day. Jesus’ point was that not everyone who is invited to the great feast in his Kingdom will come. In fact, many who think they’re in, will miss it entirely. We can also learn much by observing the king’s servants who were sent out to the streets and alleys to compel people to come to his feast. This story challenges us to consider whether or not we are on our way to the King’s Great Feast, or whether we’re making lame excuses. For those of us who are servants of King Jesus on the path to the feast, it also begs the question: who are you currently inviting to come to the king’s feast? He wants a full party! Are you doing your part to fill it up? Christmas season is the perfect time to invite people in your life to the Great King’s Great Feast!

Persistence is a key ingredient to a happy and meaningful life. If you want a happy marriage, to be a good athlete, musician, business owner, small group leader at church ...you name it--all of it requires a great deal of persistence. We understand that concept in our everyday lives, but oftentimes miss it in our spiritual lives. Jesus tells a parable highlighting 2 main characters; an evil judge and a persistent widow. As we get a window into their interaction, Jesus paints us a picture of how He intends for us to interact with God. We learn incredible truths like the importance of remembering who God is when we pray. Jesus reminds us to remember who we are, as chosen and beloved children of the Father, when we pray. We see that persistent prayer activates divine action. Jesus is looking faithful, relentless people who know their Father and refuse to lose heart in their relationship with Him! Jesus explains this parable right before he tells it, and gives us some great practical application--your Father loves you, so pray a lot and never lose heart!

Last week, we looked at the 1st half of the prodigal parable and the younger rebellious brother. We saw the father’s scandalous grace in welcoming him home with love and forgiveness. Most people end the parable there, but Jesus didn’t. There’s another brother, and there’s much to learn from him as well. The older brother teaches us that there are really two ways to be lost, rebellion and religion. It’s possible to be outwardly moral and obedient, and yet be distant from our Father’s heart. The truth is, for most of us we are in more danger of following the path of the older brother. We are easily angered when God doesn’t give us what we think we deserve. We are blinded by our own sin. We inwardly develop a superiority complex with people who’s sin we see as darker than our own. And yet, the Father pursues both his younger rebellious son, and his older outwardly-obedient son, and invites them both into the party. Two ways to miss God’s heart; rebellion and rule-following. One way of salvation and relationship with the Father, and that’s through His son, Jesus who is the better and perfect older brother!

As Jesus began to preach about the Kingdom of God, he attracted quite the crowd of social rejects, outcasts and sinners. The fact that Jesus hung-out and even befriended these people infuriated the religious elite of the day. In response to their anger, Jesus told one of the most scandalous stories of grace found in the entire bible. This parable, commonly known as the parable of the prodigal son, is actually a tale of two sons and a father. This week we’ll look at the younger son, and next week the older son. The father’s reaction to his rebellious younger son, is a window that allows us to see just how much God loves his children and how deep his grace really runs. This parable teaches us that we’ve never gone too far for God’s love to reach us. You can walk away from this parable understanding that you are the object of God’s relentless love. In Christ, we are sons, never slaves. That’s grace, and grace changes everything!