OVF Summer | Jake Smith

OVF Summer | Week One | Jenna Mondoro

Often, when we think about what is next, we first think about what has already been.   When we follow Jesus, the past has no authority over who we are becoming.   What God starts, God will finish, and Paul invites us to join in with what God is doing by choosing humility, practicing healthy thinking, and holding onto the hope that is found in the faithfulness of God!

As we finished our series called “YESHUA” on Tuesday, we saw that the old covenant (or the old way of relating to God) is obsolete because Jesus came to establish a new way.   When Jesus established a new way, He changed everything.   He ensured that our agreement with God was paid in full, He demonstrated God’s unconditional love, and declared that our freedom is here and our hope is secure!  It’s time we step out from underneath the weight of the law (an agreement that was never made with us) and live the life Jesus came, died, and rose again so that we could live!

Among the things that Jesus changed, He changed the way we see ourselves, how we connect with God, and the way that we live out our faith in the everyday rhythm of our lives. Value is significant because it influences our direction and our direction always determines our destination. The arrival of Jesus was radical as it solidified our value and, therefore, transformed our lives direction. Jesus initiated a new covenant and demonstrated a new way to live by faith. Ultimately the way of Jesus is what we were made for from the very beginning!

This Tuesday at Overflow, we continued our series called "Yeshua" about the life of Jesus.   Jesus didn't come to continue something old but rather to pay for and demonstrate what the new covenant was. One of the first ways we see Jesus shows this is through His decision to get baptized. We see this through the story of His temptation in the wilderness, where the enemy tried to take hold of HIs approval, appetite, and ambition.   Through these interactions, Jesus shows that our best life is found when we live solely from the approval, appetite, and ambition God gives us.

This Tuesday, as we started our new series all about the life of Jesus called “Yeshua.”   We talked about the depth of truth there is found when we explore the family lineage, the initial accounts of Jesus’s life, and the true meaning of Jesus’s original name, “Yehoshua,” meaning “YAHWEH SAVES.”   We believe that our faith is the safest when placed solely in the arrival, life, and resurrection of Jesus!

At Overflow this Tuesday, Marquise Cox encouraged us to make Jesus known to the people in our lives. This can often be hard and full of complications but what hangs in the balance is more important than anything else! This week we are praying for eyes to see the opportunities to share our faith and the courage to step into the opportunities we find ourselves in!

On Tuesday, we finished our series on relationships called "The Real Thing" by talking about the relationship we have with our parents. Finding a healthy relationship with our parents can be challenging, especially in college. "Honor your parents" is a phrase used a lot around the church and in faith communities, and it has immense meaning. Honor is truly an expression of love, not forced agreement. In a story recorded in Matthew 15, we see Jesus clarify that there is nothing more important than the condition of our heart!  We hope this message encourages you no matter where you are in your relationship with your parents! God loves you no matter where you are and wants to help relieve the pressure you feel and remind you of your purpose in His family!

Geoff Banks gave an incredible message this past Tuesday about the way we see dating relationships and how important it is to pursue a deep and intimate relationship with God despite your dating relationship status. God's invitation is to be with him and to not run ahead and try to create what is perfect on our own!