Scripture Reading - Ephesians 2:1-10

The basic life of a Christian is summed up in two simple words: Loved and Sent

Loved by God

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Sent to Others

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Congratulations to 24 of our students who are confirming their faith in the Lord Jesus today!

Scripture Reading - John 15:1-17

Scripture Reading - Ephesians 2:11-22

Be the Church! Remember:

1. The church isn’t a destination, it’s who you are.

2. Who are you building up and encouraging?

3. You are at your strongest as a Christian when you live covered in grace and holding on to hope.

Where God builds a church, the devil builds a chapel. -Martin Luther

The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity. -Mike Stachura

The Church has left the building!

Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph. 2:20-22)

Scripture Reading - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

The church, the people of God, are strongest and most effective when we live:

Covered In Grace

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body. (2 Corinthians 4:10-12)

“The church is not a museum of saints but a hospital for sinners.” –Brennan Manning, Ragamuffin Gospel.

And Holding On To Hope

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Scripture Reading - Acts 11:19-30 and 13:1-3

The Biblical Pattern For Growing a Pastor:

Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:25-26).

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (Acts 13:2-4)

Antioch = a training ground (St. John’s)

Cyprus = sent to a future destination (TBD)

Scripture Reading - I Thessalonians 5:1-28

You are the church. The church is you.

The church is not a destination.

The church is who we are.

“There’s nothing like the local church when the local church is working right” - Bill Hybels

Why does the local church exist?

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:10-11)

A question for us as the church leaves the building: Who are you encouraging & building up this week?

Scripture Reading - I Corinthians 12:12-31

You are the Church. The Church is you.

The Body of Christ = The Church

Notice: Paul uses the human body as an analogy for the church, not a building.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body-- whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink...As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

The body of Christ is:

1. Exponentially stronger together, but incredibly weaker when divided.

2. Significantly stronger when our individual and unique gifts are more fully realized.

Scripture Reading - John 21:1-14

Keeping it Real with Joy and Thanksgiving.

Dare to Compare: Peter at John 21 vs. Luke 5.

Peter’s two responses indicate in those the three years Jesus impacted him in amazing ways.

It is my prayer, that when you are asked the question, “who are you” that you always have a different answer.

Let those around you impact who you are.

Let God continue to develop you, daily.

Never be afraid to cast off the past to embrace a brighter future.

There is something special about the disciples sitting around a fire with Jesus after the resurrection. Something true, something living, something authentic.

People of St. John’s, thank you for making ministry real for me and my family. You welcomed me around the fire, embraced me, and allowed me to grow.

Scripture Readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost - Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Living In A Time Of Waiting

-As we wait for God to act it often seems like no matter how hard we try….how much we pray… things seem to keep getting worse.

-Isaiah compares this way of living to the way a farmer lives—totally dependent on God for the means of life…but never sure how or when God will intervene.

-Our lives of faith are lived with the same trust as the farmer who plants his seeds in the spring with only the promise that though those seeds will die they will grow again to harvest!

-Paul is not advocating a blind hope because our hope is in a God Who time and again has exercised His dominion in a creation otherwise filled with futility.

-For Christians hope is the same as security. We know that whatever happens, we are upheld by our ultimate security—God’s love for us!

Scripture Reading - Romans 6:1-15

Living wholly in Freedom, under Grace

The Roman Christians lived in a world without freedom, but Paul’s letter to them shows them that they are, indeed, under grace.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace though the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24

How should we live in light of our freedom/grace?

Living in such a way that promotes life:

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires... because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:12-14

The whole life of the Christian should promote life in how we take care of ourselves so that we can better impact the lives of others.

Honor your freedom and your grace because we all know that both required great sacrifice.