For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

MARK 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], “Let us go across to the other side.”

And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

IMAGE - SEA OF GALILEE

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. Mark 4:38

And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

MEGA STORM / MIGHTY GOD

ANXIETY

DENIAL

RESIGNATION

RECOGNITION

And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

Recognizing his power

brings rest in his presence.

On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], “Let us go across to the other side.” Mark 4:35

Don’t let your worry speak louder than his word.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. Mark 4:37

MEGAS

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

MEGAS

And they were filled with great fear . . . . Mark 4:41

MEGAS

It’s through our mega-storms

that we experience a Mighty God.

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

NEVER ALONE.

IMAGE - TWINS

I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:25-26

PRESENCE

PEOPLE

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

PROMISES

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I’ve seen the lightning flashing,

And heard the thunder roll;

I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing,

Trying to conquer my soul;

BUT I heard the voice of Jesus,

Telling me to still fight on;

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.

No, never alone,

No, never alone,

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone;

No, never alone,

No, never alone,

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.

DIVINE DISRUPTION - Pastor Brent Roam

“UPSIDE DOWN" PART 3

November 24, 2019

www.onefamilychurch.com

One Family Church

6350 Delmar Blvd

University City, MO 63130

[T]hey dragged . . . some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. . . . [They] are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” Acts 17:6-7

DIVINE DISRUPTION

DISRUPTIVE

NETFLIX

PANDORA

TURBO TAX

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

AIRBNB

Jesus . . . reshaped [their] identity. He broke down dividing walls of hostility; he transformed how his followers saw themselves and treated “the other”. . . . God was true Father; they were all brothers and sisters. . . . They lived differently in the world. . . . Two millennia ago, Jesus Christ. . . set in motion a movement that turned the world upside down. He is the same Lord today. It can happen again.

What would it take for us to become divine disruptors in the world?

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. . . . Philippians 2:14-15

OUR ATTITUDE AFFECTS OUR ILLUMINATION

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

OUR ETHICS IMPACT OUR EFFECTIVENESS

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12

OUR UNITY IS OUR TESTIMONY

I pray . . . that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23

[A]s God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

[S]ome Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

Matthew 15:1-2

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

He replied . . . “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Matthew 15:10-20

INSIDE / OUT

God will only heal what you reveal.

When you compensate for a problem, you camouflage the problem.

When you camouflage a problem, you complicate the problem.

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Matthew 8:1-3

When you confess it, He can cure it.

Is there anything in your life that needs to be turned upside down?

[T]hey dragged . . . some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. . . . Acts 17:6-7

[They] are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” Acts 17:6-7

CONDEMNATION INTO CONFIDENCE

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

STRANGERS INTO FAMILY

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28

IMAGE - ENEMIES

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-28

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28

The failure of many Christians . . . to decisively oppose the racism in their families, communities, and even in their own churches provided fertile soil for the seeds of hatred to grow. The refusal to act in the midst of injustice is itself an act of injustice. Indifference to oppression perpetuates oppression. ~ Jemar Tisby, The Color of Compromise

LIFE INTO LIGHT

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

IMAGE - OUR KING

The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold. . . they are sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. Psalm 19:9-12

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Psalm 19:9-12

Adjust Your Mirrors

IMAGE - MIRRORS

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Invite Some Passengers

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Upgrade Your Software

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13-14

When [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face . . . . Galatians 2:11-14

HOW CHRISTIANS DO CONFLICT

What causes fights and quarrels among you? James 4:1

Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have . . . . You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. James 4:1-2

The source of every dispute is

unfulfilled desire.

ATTACK

AVOID

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15

ENGAGE

1. CHECK YOUR HEART

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

2. OWN YOUR PART

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:4-5

3. LISTEN TO LEARN

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. . . . James 1:19-20

4. SPEAK YOUR MIND

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6

5. FREE YOUR GRIP

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

6. SEEK THE PEACE

(when possible)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-19

7. STAY ON MISSION

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Corinthian 5:19-20

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO - DIRECTION Part 5

Abraham trusted God, and when God told him to leave home and go far away to another land that he promised to give him, Abraham obeyed. Away he went, not even knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8, TLB).

Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:4-6, NKJV).

There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:32-34, NLT).

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17, NKJV).

PRINCIPLE: If I will do what God has revealed, I can trust Him with what seems concealed.

It is God’s will for me to repent.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9, NKJV).

It is God’s will for me to experience deliverance.

…who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father (Galatians 1:4, NKJV).

It is God’s will for me to avoid sexual sin.

For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3, NKJV).

It is God’s will for me to be under authority.

For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you (1 Peter 2:13-15, NLT).

It is God’s will for me to be thankful.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV).

It is God’s will for me to fill with the Holy Spirit.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:17-18, NIV).

PRINCIPLE: When I don’t know what to do, there’s still something I can do.

I can seek counsel.

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14, NKJV).

I can pray.

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 (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT).

I can wait.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31, NLT).

He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:5, NLT).

I can let go.

And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever (1 John 2:17, NET).

HOW TO KEEP YOUR SANITY

WHILE SINGLE

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 1 Corinthians 7:8

SINGLENESS IS GOOD.

God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Western civilization idolizes individualism and self-realization and views marriage as something to attain after reaching a certain point in life. Marriage becomes a means of self-fulfillment and an idol.

Eastern civilization idolizes the family and makes everything revolve around it. Family becomes an idol.

Christianity has a unique view of singleness because there is no obligation to get married. Marriage is understood as a temporary earthly institution until the second coming with the new heaven and new earth.

For singles who choose to get married, marriage is a sacrament that is meant to be an act of service. Christianity drastically changes both how marriage and singleness should be viewed by its followers. It also emphasizes that marriage will never give you everything that you are looking for in life. That can only be found in Christ. This view is different from the world’s view. Christians are called to be set apart from the world while remaining in it.

~ Tim Keller, An Introduction to a Theology of Singleness

USE YOUR PERSONAL FREEDOM

TO NARROW YOUR SPIRITUAL FOCUS

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided.

An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.

I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of being alone. It has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone. ~Paul Tillich

It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:8-9

SEEK COMPANIONSHIP, NOT COMPLETION

(suitable mate, not soul mate)

‘I want someone who will fill every vacancy in me, awaken dormant gifts inside, and continuously enrapture me in otherworldly emotional bliss.’ This puts tremendous pressure on another human being. ~ Ben Stuart

I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

BEING SINGLE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN

BEING ALONE

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23

WHY DO I FEEL DISCOURAGED?

Between 2005 and 2017, the rate of 12 to 17 year-olds who experienced a major depressive episode in the past year rose by 52 percent.

In young people ages 18 to 25, the percentage with depression rose by 63 percent between 2009 and 2017.

Young adults affected by serious psychological distress (anxiety, depression, sense of hopelessness / worthlessness) in the past 30 days rose by 71 percent in 2017.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

CHECK YOUR SIGNAL

[W]e take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

SET YOUR SIGHTS

[S]et your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:1-2

[B]rothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. . . . Philippians 4:5-9

And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:5-9

CONFESS YOUR SINS

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. . . . my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Psalm 32:3-7

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. . . . And you forgave the guilt of my sin. . . .

Psalm 32:3-7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 32:3-7

REJECT YOUR SHAME

Normalize it. We all struggle, in varying levels and there is a healing element present when it is "allowed" to be freely shared, supported and accepted.

[S]eeking help for mental or emotional pain is not a lack of faith. It's an element of partaking in and participating in the community that God provides.

The stigma [of mental health struggles] has lingered in many churches, with clients often feeling unintentionally shamed for their mental health struggles.

When our thoughts are broken, damaged, or wounded, it mars almost everything within our lives. . . . [especially] our ability to comprehend just how well loved we are by our Heavenly Father. Pursuing a mentally healthy life is an intentional effort and oftentimes requires us to receive help from others. . . .

avenuescounselingcenter.org

stl-ccc.org

LOSE YOUR SELF

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 10:39

BE STILL

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR SOURCE

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:5-7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5-7