Next week marks the official 6-month celebration as the Metro East site of The Gathering! This Sunday, we’re stepping away from our sermon series format so I can speak to you about the site. I want to share a vision of where God is calling us to over the next year, and that looks: INVITATION. Today, we are diving into Jesus’ calling and mission to invite people to hear and experience the authentic Jesus and His Gospel.

If money is a tool to be used, how exactly do we use it without letting it take over our hearts? How do we balance providing for our families without becoming greedy? One of the greatest theologians of the 18th century, John Wesley—the founder of the Methodist movement—preached a famous sermon called "The Use of Money." In it, he laid out three brilliantly simple, yet incredibly challenging pieces of advice for how Christians should handle their finances. These aren't just historical footnotes; they are fiercely relevant to how we live today.

The theme today is making sure we don’t waste money so we can use it for its highest purpose.

Today we’re going to look at how we make our money, and what the founder of methodism, John Wesley has to say about it. Because this man had a lot to say, and some of it remains pretty timely. Also, we’re going to look at a couple of grounding scriptures for how to view the money we make.

This message lays the groundwork for the series by debunking the myth that money is something to be ignored, shunned, or fearful of. Instead, money is a gift that God gives to us to use.

Over the next four weeks, we are going to talk about biblical wisdom for shaping faith in kids at different ages. We will start with babies and young kids, we will move to older kids and teens, young adults, and then adult children. Today the focus is on parents being the consultant to adult kids. The consultant has opinions and advice but they do not share unless asked.

Over the next four weeks, we are going to talk about biblical wisdom for shaping faith in kids at different ages. We will start with babies and young kids, we will move to older kids and teens, young adults, and then adult children. Today we are moving on to older kids and young teenagers, think roughly 8-16 years old. In this stage, a shift happens primarily because they begin to question things. And how we react to these questions can make a big difference in either pushing them away or helping them to draw close.

Over the next four weeks, we are going to talk about biblical wisdom for shaping faith in kids at different ages. We will start with babies and young kids, we will move to older kids and teens, young adults, and then adult children. Today we are going to start with how to shape faith in babies and young kids, where our role is active, directive, leading the way – much like a captain navigates a ship so that the passengers can arrive at a destination, we are responsible for navigating a way of life that leads young kids to experience God in healthy, life giving ways.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to talk about this problem. Specifically, I want to talk about the biggest ways in which Jesus’ name is being distorted and his message is being misrepresented by those who claim to speak for him. As we do that, I want to instead teach and remind us of what Jesus actually said, what he actually stands for, what he actually commands us to do.

The last distortion is a bit harder to name, but is something that is having a broad affect right now. Christianity is being used to support an unequal social order when Jesus practiced a radical equality.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to talk about this problem. Specifically, I want to talk about the biggest ways in which Jesus’ name is being distorted and his message is being misrepresented by those who claim to speak for him. As we do that, I want to instead teach and remind us of what Jesus actually said, what he actually stands for, what he actually commands us to do.

The distortion we'll talk about today is the belief that it is faithful to exclude and marginalize certain people, when what Jesus practiced was the radical inclusion of all.