The Bridge RSM

2 Chronicles 34

You are not defined by your history, but you are affected by it. King Josiah came from a history and lineage of predecessors who had become irreverent toward God. And yet, as a young man, barely more than a teenager, he made a choice to bring his life and kingdom back under the scripture instead of standing over it and looking down upon it. God's word is fresh every day; it's about what he's saying to you through hat He's already said. What is God speaking to you today?

1 Kings 11-13

We all have influence. We all have people we're around who hear from us, maybe learn from us, respect us. So how do you wield your influence? Who do you let influence you? This week, Pastor Ryan looks at the life of Jeroboam, a king of Israel who got it wrong. He took advice from the wrong people and led the people down destructive paths. What can we learn from a life like this? Where can you identify with Jeroboam's folly and, importantly, how can you turn from that and use the influence you have to lead people closer to Jesus?

2 Samuel 7:1–17

Can you imagine living in a world of perfect peace? Pastor Mike Foell walks us through the promises that God made to King David in 2 Samuel 7. God promised David that He would cut off his enemies from him. Can you imagine being in a place like that? Even though David sinned countless times against God, He was still faithful. Destiny can be derailed by disobedience, but resurrected through repentance. As broken as we are, God still loves us. What promises has God made to you, and how has He continued to show His faithfulness toward you?

1 Samuel 8:4–5, 1 Samuel 8:7–9, 1 Samuel 8:19–20

Substituting expedience for obedience always yields the "fast food" result. Trying to substitute what we want instead of what God has for us never satisfies our needs. It only ever brings something temporary. The truth of the matter is that there is nothing we can hide from God, and yet He still chooses to love us, care for us, and fulfill His promises towards us. Today, Pastor Cami walks us through how King Saul failed time and time again to listen to God's calling, and how God still loved him and his people through the process.

Judges 2:1–19

It's easy to let little things in our life slide for the sake of immediate gratification or convenience. And God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but He does call us to follow Him wholeheartedly. That's the crux of Compromise. It's trying follow other things along with Jesus and it doesn't work. The book of Judges is the story of Israel's compromise and the low build up of decisions that lead the people away from God. But His mercies are new every morning and there is always a way back to Him!

John 20:1–23

We often build our identity on things that are not the best focus of our lives. We focus on career, parenthood, or status. But there is a better source. Jesus asks Mary Magdalene two questions at the empty tomb: "Why are you weeping?" and "Whom are you seeking?". The second of which is key to rooting our identity in the firm foundation of God's goodness in our lives. Mary sought Jesus, her Gardner (tender caregiver), Teacher, and Lord. It was from that relationship that her identity came. The same is available to us today; abundant life living in the good love of Jesus our Gardner, Teacher, and Lord.

Joshua 1:1–9

We talk about bridging the gap between who you are and who God created you to be. But how do you know who God created you to be. It starts by recognizing that we have been commissioned by God. Pastor Ryan begins Volume 2 of our series on the Epic Story of Scripture by examining the opening words of Joshua and what it means for us to be Commissioned by God in our lives today.

Acts 2:42–47

What is the point of church? Have you ever found yourself wondering this? Why the songs? why the preacher? Why the time to 'turn and greet your neighbor'? You're not alone. This week Pastor Ryan takes a pause after Holy Week to remind us what the point of our gathering together on Sundays is and cast a vision of what it means for us to not only go to church, but be the Church.

John 3:16 What does the love of God look and feel like? It looks like sacrifice and initiative. It looks like laying down His life in the person of Jesus Christ in order to bring us back to Him and live abundantly, eternally in His presence. The choice is ours, each and every day. Will we live through belief in Him and enter into His Kingdom? This Easter we implore you to choose Him and choose life!

Luke 19:28–46 There is nothing that King Jesus can't triumph over in your life! As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the people laid down their stuff, self-importance, and social status to welcome their coming King. Fearless generosity makes a path for the kingdom to advance. The willingness to freely let go of everything you're holding on to, and relinquish it to Jesus loving hands leads only to life. What are you still holding on to?