St. John's Denver

Compare Genesis 1:6-8 with Genesis 7:11. In creation, God separates the waters above from the waters below. In the flood, God allows the waters to come crashing back together. This is a "decreation" of sorts. It's in this decreation and judgment that Noah and his family are preserved and saved.

Water is all around us. We drink it to survive, we use it to clean ourselves, and we swim in it for fun. What if God made water not only for our physical benefit but also to point us to deeper realities? In this series, we explore the role of water in God's work in this world.

Luke 5:15-16 portrays Jesus seeking solitude in the midst of his ministry, highlighting the importance of retreat and solitude for spiritual renewal and intimacy with God. This passage invites believers to follow Jesus' example by prioritizing times of solitude and quiet reflection in their own lives, recognizing the value of withdrawing from busyness to cultivate a deeper connection with God.

Hebrews 10:19-25 highlights the significance of community within the Christian faith. The author of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of gathering together, encouraging one another, and spurring each other on toward love and good deeds. Through studying this text, participants are invited to deepen their understanding of the value of community in their spiritual journey and to actively engage in supporting and building up one another in faith.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 shares the importance of generosity and compassion towards those in need. This passage emphasizes the blessings that come from a generous heart and calls believers to be open-handed towards the poor and marginalized in society. In studying this text alongside the spiritual discipline of generosity, we are invited to reflect on the principles of generosity and to consider how they can embody these values in our own lives, participating in God's work of justice and mercy.

As we read 1 John 1:5-10 and John 20:19-23, we discover the profound connection between confession and forgiveness. These passages reveal the importance of acknowledging our sins before God, leading to the experience of cleansing, restoration, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through these texts, we are encouraged to embrace confession as a vital aspect of their faith journey, fostering intimacy with God and experiencing the transformative power of His grace.

In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus teaches about the spiritual discipline of fasting, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and humility in our practice. The passage highlights fasting as a means of seeking God's presence, rather than seeking attention or approval from others. This week, we will explore the spiritual discipline of fasting and its significance in deepening our intimacy with God and overcoming distractions.

In James 5:13-20, James teaches us to pray in various circumstances, emphasizing the power and importance of prayer in the life of a follower of Christ. This passage encourages us to engage in fervent, persistent prayer, both individually and corporately, as a means of seeking God's guidance, healing, and restoration. This week, as we focus on prayer, we will delve into the spiritual discipline and its role in overcoming distractions and aligning our hearts with God's will. 

In Joshua 1:1-9, we see Joshua being commissioned by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. The passage emphasizes the importance of courage, obedience, and meditation on God's Word in the face of challenges and distractions. Through exploring this passage, we will examine how the spiritual discipline of meditation can help us focus on God's promises, overcome distractions, and find strength and guidance in our journey of faith.

This is a promise of a future hope that ties us to Jesus' return, the one true Sabbath which we live eternally in His rest. In this "Sabbath rest for the people of God," we strive to enter it so that we do not fall by disobedience. However, we are fallen humans and are called into God's grace when we stumble, because we have a God who knows our weaknesses and "has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." So we learn as followers of Jesus to Sabbath regularly as a future hope that one day, we will eternally rest.