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IT IS FINISHED, BUT IT’S NOT OVER

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary
Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been
removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon
Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said,
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20:1-2

 John 20:5

Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. John 20:10

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she
bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in
white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and
the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you
crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t
know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, John 20:11-14

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have
seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:18

1. Remember the reason

Sin is the root cause of all  pain.

To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing
very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate
fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must
not eat from it,’ Cursed is the ground because of you; through
painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.                 Genesis 3:16-17

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans  3:23

Until you see yourself as a sinner 

you’ll never recognize your need for a savior

2. Remember the Cross

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and
through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things
on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20

Jesus didn’t just suffer; He suffered for us.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we
considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for
our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on
him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

3. Remember the empty tomb

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb… John 20:11

Learn to lean -in and look for Jesus

God is with us and working all things for good

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’” The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it. Mark 11:4-7

Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Mark 11:8-10

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

God chooses the unlikely

to do the unbelievable

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,1 Corinthians 1:27

Lessons from the Donkey

1. Jesus knows
    Me.

Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Mark 11:1-2

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

He doesn’t cancel
 you,  He has compassion
 on you.

2. Jesus wants
 me.

The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it. Mark 11:4-7

Jesus wants me free.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1

Jesus wants me close.

3.  Jesus wants me in community.

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Are you bold about your faith
 in Jesus?

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. Acts 4:13 NLT

ἰδιῶται

idiotai - ordinary, untrained
,
, with no credentials, no religious status, and outside the traditional system.

… they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

More Time With Jesus

Boldness increases

Spiritual impact intensifies

Spiritual hunger grows 

Less Time With Jesus

Boldness decreases

Spiritual impact diminishes

Drift from Jesus

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.” Acts 4:29 NLT

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 NLT

[The religious leaders] arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. Acts 5:18

They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. Acts 5:18-19

When you walk in obedience to God, you wont be suprised
 by the miracles of God.

“Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. … Acts 5:20-21

Is your faith strong enough to believe
 in Jesus, but too timid to be bold
 for Him?

Discussion Questions:

What topics or things do you talk about boldly? Why are you bold about this thing?

Talk about a time when you had bold faith. How did your relationship with Jesus fuel your obedience to God?

On a scale of 1-10, how bold are you about your faith? How does your current relationship with Jesus impact your answer?

Share openly about your relationship with Jesus. Are there areas where you’re too timid to be bold for Him?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord. Psalm 19:14

Tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21

Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” Proverbs 26:18-19

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:3-5, 7-8

What is impossible
 for humans is possible for God!

How to TAME your tongue.

T –Think 
 before you  Speak.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19

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. Philippians 4:8

A – Ask God to purify
 your heart.

You snakes—how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34

The condition
 of your heart will be revealed by the content
 of your speech

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

M – Meditate on God’s Word. 

Garbage in
, Garbage out

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

Put God’s word in 
 now, so it will come out 
 when you need it.

E – Encounter God’s Presence.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1

Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5

Discussion Questions:

Think about a time when someone’s words deeply encouraged or discouraged you. What did they say, and why did it stick with you?

Psalm 19:14 asks that both our words and our thoughts be acceptable to God. Why do you think the writer includes both speech and meditation of the heart?

When do you most need a yellow light in your conversations?

What practical habits could help you fill your heart with God’s truth so that life-giving words come out naturally?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Fruitful

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing… This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5,8

You will know them by their fruits… Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Matt 7:16-17

Jesus didn’t ask us to wear a costume  so we look right, but to crucify our flesh.

How pleased do you think Gods with the
quality of your fruit?

How pleased do you think God is with the
quantity of your fruit?

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Jesus is the vine
           I am the branch.

meno: remain, abide, dwell, live in

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4

Don’t focus on production
; focus on connection.

BE THE BRANCH

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.       Galatians 5:25

Discussion Questions:

What stood out in Sunday’s message to you?

Why do you think Jesus used something as simple as fruit to describe spiritual life?

Why do you think Jesus repeats the word “remain” so many times in John chapter 15?

If someone at your work, school, or neighborhood described you, what kind of “fruit” do you think they would say they see?

Which practices help you stay connected to Christ the most? As a group, how can we help one another stay connected to the Vine this week?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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United in Love

“My prayer is … that all of them may be one … 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 … 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

God approves of a Church that is United in Love.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Prov 6:16-19

• One enemy

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, (I’m out) but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy …” John 10:10

• One mission

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit … Matt 28:19

• One strategy

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you (same politics)love one another. John 13:34-35

Discussion Questions:

What does being “United in Love “ mean from the sermon this week?

Why is it important at Relate? In your community?  In your home?

What is one way you can walk out being United in Love this week?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matt 3:17 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Faith is not: Busyness  

So we make it our goal to please Him,  2 Corinthians 5:9a NIV

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24 

Faith is not a: Moment 

For we live by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith: Fades
when: Fear 
grows louder

3 ways to have AMAZING faith!

1. Amazing faith comes from: Hearing
 God

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Romans 10:17

2. Amazing faith comes from: Remembering
 God

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

his power, and the wonders he has done…

so the next generation would know them…

and they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their trust in God.”

Psalm 78:4–7

3. Amazing faith uses what you: Already Have

(1)Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’”

(2)And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied.  Exodus 4:2

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.  Mark 6:5–6 (NIV)

“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’  Luke 7:9 (NIV)

Only two different kinds of people amazed Him:
 Weak faith and
Strong faith

Which one are You? 

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Approved – week 1 – The Fear of the Lord

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matt 3:17

A church that pleases God is made up of people who are pleasing God.

3 Qualities of a Church That Pleases God

• Fears the Lord
• Full of Faith (without faith impossible to please God)
• A Loving

A reverential awe that produces obedience, intimacy, and alignment with God’s heart.

The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11

Fearing, awe-filled, reverently aware of God’s holiness and authority.

Low View of God

• Treat God’s Word casually.
• Ignore conviction and rationalize sin.
• Know what God says, but do what you want.

High View of God

• Take God’s Word seriously.
• Repent of your sins quickly.
• Obey God with reverence no matter the cost.

“I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.” Luke 7:44-46

When we lose our awe of God, the God we serve gets smaller.

…Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:12-13 NLT

Want to go deeper this week? We’ve created a simple Bible reading plan that follows today’s message and helps you carry what God spoke on Sunday into your everyday life.  Scan the QR code to walk it out with us this week. https://www.relatecommunity.com/soap

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Join Relate on superbowl sunday, and chose which of the 5 ads best descibes where you are at this week!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNxvsxU2rJE (Alexa)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4TMQVYiIKk (Nike)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv8NRl-C3WA (KFC)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7KENDxBFaU (Uber)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY9Mlz99z0A (Big Brother Big Sister)

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Relate's 8th  Birthday Party and the How to be Bold Panel!

Join our Leadership team in a discussion about practical ways to Bold this Year!

- We have to be bold for God in a wise way.
- Obedience is our job, the outcome is God's job
- You've got to die to yourself and be obedient, because obedience begets         blessing every single time.
- Even the timid boldness is the yes that God needs.
- You don't grow when you stay in the same pot you've been in.
- Obedience is God's invitation to you.
- Life is letting others in and letting the walls down.
- Obedience to God can mean saying no to yourself.
- God is instructing you, and he wants you to follow his direction.
- We can be accountable to God and still keep our secret things hidden. 
- If we're not accountable to somebody then we're accountable to nobody 

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved