Before Jesus washed His disciple’s feet, He performed a great act of self-sacrificial service by stooping down to us to become human. He continually was the example of what self sacrificial service was. Even a task too lowly as washing a master’s feet was done by Jesus for His disciples. It’s through a relationship with Jesus that we are given a heart for self-sacrificial. His work in our hearts provides us the desire and ability to do so. We are free to pursue His calling for us since we are secured by His love for us.

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This week, we are joined by our guest speaker Mike Neglia as we continue our series on Unity Through Humility. To better understand what humility is and why we are pursuing it, we begin by looking at its’ opposite - pride. Pride is destructive and deceitful. It becomes the root of many other issues, but it is important to be mindful that pride does not encompass a healthy self image and understanding of ourselves. It is also important to recognize what Humility isn’t. It is not thinking lowly of ourselves, but rather simply agreeing with what our reality is. Through humility, we are able to be gracious, ask for assistance, set aside our differences, and not over promise what we can do for others. Ultimately, we are trying to follow the example of humility that Jesus demonstrated for us.

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Today we look at John 17 and Jesus’ prayer for all believers and that there be unity. This was the desire for His church and is made possible by Jesus. Ultimately, love and unity in the church is how the world knows of our identity in Christ and that He is real. While there are many beliefs and points of view on theological topics, we should not let them all divide us.

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olivebranchcf.org

As we turn our attention to Advent, we look closely at the first character of the Christmas Story and her Faith. Mary exemplified great faith when she was told what God had in store for her. Not only did she know who she would bear, but also all the shame, ridicule, and hurt that would follow her having a son out of wedlock. Mary displayed great faith that stemmed from taking a a close analytical look at what the angel told her, she considered the costs, and proceeded in faith. In turn, God demonstrated His faithfulness and trustworthiness to Mary and her faith grew. It is through well placed faith that Mary could receive peace, and that we too are invited to share in that same peace.

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Jesus gave “The Great Commision” to His followers, charging them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey what was commanded. As we look at this passage, we are reminded that Jesus gives this commissioning with authority given directly from God - it isn’t a request or suggestion, but a command. It is clear that we live in a broken world, and that many people need the hope, freedom, and salvation found in the Gospel. We are called to make disciples, and invite them into the family of God. We are also encouraged that we aren’t sent out on this mission by ourselves because Jesus promises to be with His disciples to the end of the age.

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This week, we are joined by our guest Speaker Jesse Jimenez from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa as we dive into how we can balance our excitement and deep desire to follow Jesus with sometimes feeling a lack of community and solitude in following Him. In the same way that Peter encourages the early church, we need to look to the living hope we have in Jesus and the powerful purpose of what He did for us.

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This week, we wrap up our Series looking at the Seven Signs in John as we look at Jesus’ final proclamation from the cross, that it is finished. We look at what exactly was accomplished when He declared it finished, why His sacrifice was needed in the first place, and how we can have confidence in the finality of His statement.

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olivebranchcf.org

As we wind down our series looking at the Seven Signs in John, we continue looking at the seemingly paradoxical truths that the end of Jesus’ life points us toward. Last week, we covered how God can be both a loving and just God, since it was out of His love that justice was not required of us. This week we continue looking at how these two realities can be possible - that God is sovereign and that we have free will.

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