The Perfecting Church

The Book of Joshua begins with the word “after”. It implies a continuation, a moving on from what God had been doing to what He’s doing now. God moves forward. And if we’re going to walk with the God who continues, who moves and advances — we are going to have to learn to do the same. God calls us to be river crossers. Our lives are filled with moments where we cross over — from where we once were to where we’ve been ordained to be.

The scriptures reveal that there are many different types of love and various dimensions of love. As humans, we are prone to associate certain qualities of love based on gender. However, in order for the body of Christ to fully mature and transform this world, we have to activate and operate in a higher dimension of love.

So many of the people we once looked to have gone and we're all looking for those who will fill the void. Kobe Bryant, Steve Jobs, Queen Elizabeth, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela and Charles Stanley are just a few of the patriarchs, matriarchs, and icons that have gone in the last decade. We’re living in a time of massive transition and change. Times like these, even more than others, demand courage. We are living in the midst of a great transition — a changing of the guard. 

In order to see the Kingdom of Jesus come in our lives and in the lives of those around us, we must live out our faith in such a way that it causes others to have a reaction toward Jesus. When our walk and our talk show Jesus to others we live lives that impact and influence those around us for the sake of the Kingdom.

Who is my Neighbor? This seemingly innocent question carries so many assumptions and attitudes. The way Jesus responded to this question is profoundly challenging in a world full of bigotry, racism and segregation. What does the Christian call to love our neighbor as ourselves mean in our world today? How do we, as Jesus’ followers, honor this call and commitment in a world shaped by division and tribalism?

What do we do after our biggest failures, disappointments and pains? Peter knew what it was to be flawed and to fail. “You won’t be crucified.” “You’ll never wash my feet.” “I tell you, I don’t know the man.” Are just a few of his big blunders. But his flaws and failures didn’t disqualify him. In fact they uniquely qualified him to live a resurrected life, realizing he wasn’t fit for any other kind. The resurrection is the very thing that makes it possible for us to be failed Christians but not finished Christians. 

Jesus endured the brutal, inhumane torture and humiliation of the cross because He saw something beyond the cross. He had a joy in sight that we must learn to see and grab a hold of too. God’s answer to the suffering, adversity and hardships of this world is found in the joy Jesus saw and the power He has given. Pick up your cross. 

Holy Week begins with Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Three million people fill the city; some have heard rumors that Jesus is the Messiah, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophesy nearly 600 years before. This moment marks the first time Jesus doesn’t resist the title of King. His time has come! Untie em’.

Scripture(s):

Matthew 21:1-9

4.2.2023 Message Takeaways

The living God is a promise keeping, prophesy fulfilling God.

Jesus keeps some things tied until He has need of them.

There are places God has chosen not to go without us. 

The Kingdom of God is a never ending source of life for those who find it and are found by it. It is the will and way of God. It is the eternal rule and reign of God. It is the peace and goodness of God. Of all the things in this life to be pursued, discovered and realized, none can compare to the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is a well, well, well.

The destruction and chaos of this world is rooted in the rejection of God and the loss of ourselves in the pursuit of peace and goodness on our own terms.  When we reject God and choose our own way to peace and goodness it has a destructive ripple effect.  The coming Kingdom restores us to God, our true selves in Him and our call to be peacemakers and keepers of one another.  

Scripture (s): NLT

• Genesis 4:1-12

3.19.2022 Message Takeaways

We fall every time we choose a way other than God’s to pursue peace and goodness.

When we reject God and choose our own way to peace and goodness it has a destructive ripple effect. 

The human family’s connectedness to God and one another roots us in God’s peace and goodness.