Survivor is back with season 44 and this episode is jam packed with some of the most unusual situations ever all leading up to a crazy tribal council. We discuss it all and more!

 

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Welcome to this week's New Culture Church Podcast! In this sermon, Pastor Chris Griffith shares his insights on the significance of sacrificial community in today's self-centered culture. He describes community as a group of individuals who share common interests, identities, or locations and offer mutual support and interaction. However, not all communities are created equal. While a "circumstantial community" may provide convenience, a "sacrificial community" offers accountability, growth, and true connection. Join us as we dive deeper and learn how we can build sacrificial communities that truly reflect the way of Jesus.

A Rule of Life is a set of practices that helps us to be with Jesus, become like him, and do what he did, created with consideration of personality and stage of discipleship, balanced between structure and spontaneity and reviewed regularly.

Start small, be specific, and consider your personality and stage of discipleship when creating a Rule of Life.

Balance structure and spontaneity and remember that it's a working document that can be adjusted over time.

Give yourself grace and share your Rule of Life with your community.

The process includes reviewing your current activities, removing negative habits, and redirecting towards spiritual practices.

Response:

Review - Write down everything you currently do (ex: work, church, sports, gym, friends, daily routine, housework)

Remove - Are there any bad habits you have or things you wish to stop doing that lead to negative emotions or outcomes?

Redirect - What rhythms or habits could you add a spiritual practice to or redirect towards becoming like Jesus? (Ex: pray while brushing teeth, listen to scripture while driving)

The vision of New Culture is to Create the Culture of Christ

How do we do this?

Being with Jesus, Becoming like Jesus, Doing what he did.

and how can we achieve that?

Spend time with him: Alone, in your daily rhythms.

And in Community.

So that we can contribute to the culture of christ daily

So What: Prayer is partnering with the heart of God

Now what: God's heart is for people. Pray for people!

So What: Prayer is where we find God in the midst of our pain

Now What: Be honest in your prayer

Psalm 43

Sermon by Pastor Nerma

January 8th, 2023!

Resources:

Praying like monks, living like fools - Tyler Staton

How to pray: a simple guide for normal people - Pete Greig

Prayer toolshed

New Culture Prayer Room!

SO WHAT: God desires to know us, and for us to know Him

NOW WHAT: Slow down & make space to meet with Him

Reasons why we DON'T pray

We fear of being naive

We fear silence

We fear selfish motives

We fear getting it wrong

We don’t know where to start! (i added this one)

Reasons we SHOULD pray

1.We feel overwhelmed

2. We need trust

3. We need to complain

4. We want to draw near to God

5. We want to know God more

6.We need absolutely anything

Psalms 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Listening prayer - the practice of quieting the noise and paying attention to the voice of God

Why should we listen when we pray?

Jesus did

It will lead to us hearing from God

It will lead us to knowing God, and God knowing us in greater ways

How do we practice listening to prayer?

Make space

Listen!

“Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

-- Eli to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:9)

Application: Confess to the Lord the things that stop you from praying. Quiet your mind, and say “speak Lord”. Write down what you hear Him say. Respond, ask questions, give thanks, and repeat.

Sermon by Pastor Abbie Sawczak

It's here, and it's wild. The finale of Survivor 43 is here and we can't believe how it goes down.

 

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Apologies for the lack of episodes, but we have good reasons! We're back to discuss what we missed along with our prediections going into finale night. 

 

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Philippians 4:2-9

Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

SO WHAT: Peace & joy are available through Jesus

NOW WHAT: Practice examine & gratitude

Rejoice

Pray

Redirect your thoughts

Practice

How to pray the examine

(adapted from 24/7 prayer tool sheet)

1. Replay - think over your day like a movie replaying in your head. Notice what you are noticing. What made you happy? What made you anxious? What made you angry?

2. Rejoice - thank God for those things which are obvious. But also thank Him for non-obvious things we sometimes forget - random acts of kindness, being healthy, a positive song or meal. Relish and savor these moments in gratitude to God.

3. Repent - say sorry to God for moments that come to mind as you review the day, e.g., getting involved in gossip, reacting with an aggressive tone, lacking compassion in a situation, ignoring a need, not responding to a nudge. Receive His forgiveness afresh.

4. Reboot – decide in your heart to live for Jesus tomorrow and ask for the grace to see His presence more clearly.