The most basic lifestage paradigm is the two halves of life. Jesus speaks of these stages in a post-resurrection conversation with Peter in John 21:18-25. Many of us find this simple frame of our spiritual journey to be helpful. The conversation between Peter and Jesus is also a conversation between Jesus and ourselves.

This is the model of Jesus: “The first and second half of life” or as some refer to it: “The first mountain and the second mountain.” The first half is a way of getting it all together. The second half is about giving it away. This passage also hints at the path that Jesus took. Both stages are necessary and are good.

Sometimes in this journey, we are caught in the middle of pain. Reflection and examination are key in having a healthy outlook during these times. Surrendering to God for the questions we have is essential.

This is the second part of the shocking story of how God transforms and enemy outsider from the outside in. We see in Naaman a restoration of his body that leads to a reorientation of his heart. But it didn't come easily, Naaman had to overcome his ego and his expectations (don't we all?). What he found, however, was a God that was bigger than he ever imagined waiting for him to dive in. How about us? Even when it doesn't make sense -- even if it seems too unlikely or ordinary -- will we dive in?

SLIDES/RESOURCES--

// Last week we began a story of how an outsider & enemy of God's people found himself brought within God's reach.

// Tonight we'll see how this outsider is transformed from the outside in.

// The Father's arms are already extended -- the question is whether or not we'll dive in

// Faith to dive in requires... 1. an Open Mind to believe God's at work, 2. an Open Heart to embody God's transformation, 3. an Open Hand to give God's due, and an 4. Open Door to walk God's way.

// The important movement from “Why, God...?”to “WHAT, God...(are you forming in me...are you working around me...)?”

// What Naaman experiences is a seeing that leads to believing, a recognition that leads to repentance, an encounter that leads to embodiment. What are some of those moments in your story?

// You're headed in the right direction if the God you encounter is more loving, more expansive, and more beautiful than you ever imagined.

// REFLECTION: 1. What are some of your "Earthen Altars" that remind you of a significant moment with God? 2. Where is God inviting you to open your mind, heart, hand, or doors toward a new life or experience?

While we routinely build walls and label those who are "In" and "Out" -- God routinely breaks down our divisions and expectations. The truth is that no one is beyond God's reach, even the most unlikely or unworthy. There are no lost causes in God's mission to renew the world. God has always, is always, and will always invite outsiders in. Listen to the first part of the shocking story of how an enemy outsider finds himself within God's reach. You might be reminded that you're never too far away from God's hand, either.

SLIDES/RESOURCES--

// FOCUS SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 5

// FOCUS STATEMENT: There are no lost causes in God's mission to renew the world. God has always, is always, and will always invite outsiders in.

// SURPRISE #1: Why would God help him?!? CHALLENGE: If him , then __________?

// God is moving in and toward the most unlikely neighbors -- no ifs, and's, or " BUT's"

// SURPRISE #2: Why would she help him?!? CHALLENGE: Every person a neighbor to be loved.

// *NOT* A SURPRISE: Anger when expectations aren't met. INVITATION: Open-minded trust.

// SURPRISE #3: Why would he help him?!? INVITATION: Enough faith for the next step.

// QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Where is God inviting me to "Dive in"? What's keeping me on the ledge?

Summer's here -- do you need a vacation? The expectation for followers of Jesus is that they follow Jesus' rhythm of work and rest. So when the disciples return from a busy season of kingdom work, Jesus invites them to come away and recharge. The problem was that the crowd -- with all their need -- found out where Jesus and his disciples were headed and cut the retreat short. How does Jesus react to them (and how would you)? How much do the disciples have left in the tank? How much is enough for God to use?

SLIDES/RESOURCES:

// SCRIPTURE FOCUS: Mark 6.30-44

// , 2. Jesus' example of compassion, 3. Jesus' expansion of offering

// 1. JESUS' EXPECTATION OF REST: The expectation for followers of Jesus is to follow Jesus' rhythm of work and rest (even when life encroaches).

// 2. JESUS' EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION: We know about Jesus' remarkable acts of Kingdom Power but don't miss his remarkable attitude of Kingdom Love...

Every action is an enactment of God's overflowing love.

// Q: How might we grow in compassion for those in need? A: Prayer, Proximity, Perspective

// 3. JESUS' EXPANSION OF OFFERING: The disciples see too much need and too few resources. asking...“What do you expect us to do?” But Jesus asks “What do you have to give?”

// Q: So, how much IS enough when we offer it to God? A: Whatever we give for God to use.

// Jesus multiplied what they offered and gave it back so they could give it away. What you have isn't always just for you.

// If Jesus is looking at you and says, "You give them something,” what's he inviting you to offer? (...and what are the excuses?)

Life can be hard. We sometimes are jolted by circumstances in our lives that leave us struggling. The book of Hebrews was written to the Jewish Christians as a reminder of who God is and what he is doing in the lives of his people. They needed a fresh word from God, just as we do. Hebrews 11 is a combination of faithful people who were exposed to valleys in their lives, but l lived a life of faithfulness. Whatever your circumstances, be reassured of your faith and hope. God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do!

Living without the power of God's Spirit is like living in a house without electricity. Sure, there's furniture, decorations, and appliances -- but there's no life. Many churches are living as though Pentecost (the day God fulfilled his promise to send the Holy Spirit) never happened. The truth is, however, that the filling, indwelling, and enabling presence of the Holy Spirit is the expectation -- not the exception -- for the Church today. Pentecost may have been the Church's birthday, but living in step with God's Spirit is for every day.

[The title image is from a painting by TNC member Rebekah Knight]

// FOCUS SCRIPTURE: Acts 2.1-13; 1.4-5; 2.36-39

// At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit who was always PRESENT in the world became RESIDENT within God's people.

// Living in the power of the Holy Spirit is the EXPECTATION, not the EXCEPTION, in our life with God together.

// TNC CORE PRACTICE #4: We commit to make time for God and others for transformational relationships to grow.

// Do what you can and let God do what you can't.

// The Holy Spirit is the birthright of every child of God -- in his indwelling presence and his enabling power.

Ever had a conversation that goes something like this: "God, why don't you DO something about this?" Many of us have. And honestly, many times we're reminded that God HAS done something -- he's calling, empowering, and sending his people. In this message we see Jesus's disciples gathering around Jesus, going with Jesus, and growing more and more followers of Jesus as they live out his commission. God really has sent us into the world to "do something" about it, will we join his work in the world?

SLIDES/RESOURCES:

// FOCUS SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28.16-20

// 1.) Gathering, 2.) Going, 3.) Growing (by discipling, baptizing, teaching)

// TNC has an open-heart posture (embracing before encountering) and an open-door policy (belonging before believing).

// Discipleship is being with Jesus to learn from Jesus how to live like Jesus in our everyday lives.

// "...Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (v. 20a) = Belief is meant to be lived.

// HANS DENCK, 1526 -- "No one can truly know Jesus unless he follows him in his life,

and no one may follow him unless he has first known him…For whoever thinks he belongs to Christ must walk the way that Christ walked.”

// QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What's impeding you? Where's Jesus sending you? What's a next step for you?

Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter in our everyday lives? In this message we look at a few BIG reasons that really boil down to this amazing statement for followers of Jesus -- what's true of Christ is true of you. Because we've been united with him in his own death and resurrection we are dead to sin and alive to God, just like Jesus. How would it change our lives if we really lived like it?

SLIDES/RESOURES--

// FOCUS SCRIPTURE: Romans 6.1-11

// PAUL'S REMARKABLE CLAIMS: 1. We're Dead to Sin (Because) 2. We're united to Jesus (Which means) 3. We're free from the power and penalty of sin (Now that) 4. We're alive to God.

// Sin is rebellion against God and his way (and our true identity as God's children).

// When you say "Yes" to Jesus' invitation, you're transferred into a new humanity, a new life, a new family.

// Jesus gives us what we need to live the life he's called us to. Most often it looks like the power to take the next right step in your everyday life.

// Salvation is living with God in his kingdom by trusting God's King. (This life starts now and stretches beyond death, forever.)

// ALSO SEE: Romans 8.13-17

// You are God's child (even when you don't feel it, remember it, or believe it), lean in and live like it.

Join the procession accompanying a widowed mother as she buries her only son. Walk for a moment away from a newly quiet home, out of the village, and to the family burial plot. Hear the mourners, see the pall bearers, smell the spices that will soon cover the young man's body. Just then, you notice someone vaguely familiar approaching the crowd. How might Jesus surprise us? How might Jesus see, empathize, speak, and resurrect your desperate situation? Perhaps this story of new life can inspire you to believe that Jesus really can turn anything around.

SLIDES/RESOURCES--

// The crowd witnesses 2 resurrections -- the son's life and the widow's future. Where there was once death, now life; despair, hope; brokenness; restoration.

// God promises to restore life those who hear his voice and know his touch.

// How would it change your circumstance if you dared to believe that Jesus could show up and turn it around?

// The crowd processes what they see in light of the stories they heard from the past -- now mingled with the expectation that God just might be near enough to do it again.

// Jesus saw, empathized, spoke, went, touched, and gave. Do we believe Jesus still sees, empathizes, speaks, goes, touches, and gives?

// What can we learn from Jesus' response to a grieving, desperate, and marginalized person?

// "Go through the scene again, but this time, instead of it being a funeral procession in a small first century Galilean town, make it the moment you most dread in this next week or next year. Maybe it's something that you know is going to happen, like a traumatic move of house of job. Maybe it's something you are always afraid of, a sudden accident or illness, a tragedy or scandal. Come into the middle of the scene, if you can, in prayer; feel its sorrow and frustration, its bitterness and anger. Then watch as Jesus comes to join you in the middle of it. Take time in prayer and let him approach, speak, touch, command. He may not say what you expect. He may not do what you want. But if his presence comes to be with you there that is what you most need. Once he is in the middle of it all with you, you will be able to come through it.” (N.T. WRIGHT, Luke For Everyone)