Vineyard New Orleans (Messages) episodes:

• April 09, 2017A Different Kind of King

  Introduction

  Mismatched expectations

  The world of Jesus time

  Rome

  Israel

  Snapshots of a different kind of king

  The arrival of the king | Matthew 21:1-11

  The last snapshot

  The cross

  The danger of mismatched expectations

  What do we do with this king?

  For Further Discussion

  Looking back over your life, have you ever had an experience that didn't match what you expected to happen? How did you respond?

  When you think of Jesus as king, how does that change how you respond to him?

  When you adjust your expectations to God's answers, how will your life change?

  The auditorium will be open Good Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm for prayer and meditation. Spend some time contemplating and meditating on these things. Bring your palm strand with you and lay it at the foot of the cross.

  Good Reads:

  
  

  
  

  Simply Jesus

  
  

  N.T. Wright

  
  

  
  

  How God Became King

  
  

  N.T. Wright

  ...more

  

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• April 02, 2017Worshipers & Workers

  Introduction

  In the beginning, God created humanity with an identity and a purpose

  The true identity and purpose of humanity never changes

  Living on Purpose

  If we don't know where we're going, anywhere will do!

  Life IN community vs. Life AS a community

  What would happen to the world if the Church lived...

  ...distinctly on purpose according to our commission; continually aware of and immersed in the presence of God; willingly bound together as a community of believers?

  I'm in!...How do I get there?

  First you have to know where you are...

  Presence, presence, presence!

  Take a step

  For Further Discussion

  Consider this description of the Church: "We are a community of worshipers working with God to make things right in the world." Which part resonates the most with you? Which part most challenges you? Why might that be?

  Seriously consider section 3 on your outline. What would happen to the world if every Christ-follower lived this way? Take a few minutes to specifically pray for us as a church to move and grow together in each of these ways.

  ...more

  

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• March 27, 2017Ancient Wisdom Pt. 4 : Reading the Story

  The power of story to shape us

  It is a multi-layered story of God and humanity and it must be read as such.

  We must learn to read the bible like grown-ups...fully engaging both the Holy Spirit and our intelligence thereby approaching the text as morally responsible readers.

  It may not be "safe" or easy...but it will be good!

  For Further Discussion

  In reference to the TED talk...how do you think the young girl became so hate-filled toward people who were different than her group?

  How did she arrive at a place in which she was willing to look at scripture differently?

  What stories (through writing, art, or film) have influenced or shaped you in some way? How did they shape you?

  What are your thoughts about approaching the bible as the over-arching story of God and humanity? Does that in any way take away from its meaning or does it enhance it?

  Did you agree or disagree with the "grown-up" approach to the interpretation of the texts regarding slavery and corporal punishment for children? Why or why not?

  ...more

  

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• March 19, 2017Ancient Wisdom Pt. 3 : Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World

  "The reality is that our one Bible gives rise to divergent understandings among intelligent, sincere, committed readers about what it says about most topics of interest."
  

  Christian Smith; The Bible Made Impossible

  The Bible has been wrongly interpreted by Christians and non-Christians in every age.

  The Bible is wrongly interpreted when we reduce God to a parIcular place, nation, or thing.

  The Bible is wrongly interpreted when we impose our preconceived ideas on it and refuse to see our own limitations or weaknesses.

  The Bible is rightly interpreted when we read it as pointing to Jesus Christ!

  A word about exegesis

  A word about hermeneutics

  For Further Discussion

  In what ways have you had trouble with biblical interpretation? Give some examples of the challenges you have faced and how they were resolved...or not!

  How have people/we reduced God to parIcular places, nations, or things? How is that a disservice to rightly interpreting the text?

  In reference to the TED talk...how do you think the young girl became so hate-filled toward people who were different than her group? (Watch it again here)

  How did she arrive at a place in which she was willing to look at scripture differently?

  How would seeing the whole of the Bible as pointing to God's work of redeeming humanity through Christ affect our reading and interpretation of scripture?

  ...more

  

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• March 12, 2017Ancient Wisdom Pt. 2 : Soul Food

  1. The essence of Christianity is not creedal, doctrinal, or ideological but relational interactions between God and His people; the Bible is one of the locations of those interactions.

  
  

  2. My soul's fitness depends entirely on my soul's diet.

  John 6:35; 63; 67-68

  3. How does the Holy Spirit make the "bread of life" a reality?

  1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Romans 5:5; 8:15; John 4:23; 16:13

  4. Warning: An unhealthy obsession with eating may lead to disorders.

  For Further Discussion

  Discuss the dialogue recorded in John 6:53-58. What do you think Jesus means when he says, "My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink."? You may want to connect that statement with verse 63 for more clarity.

  Describe your experiences with the Holy Spirit in making the "bread of life" a reality. You might consider instances when the Spirit has taught you, revealed truth, guided you, corrected you, liberated you, loved you, etc.

  What role did the word/bible play in those instances?

  Discuss this statement in the light of the Living Word and the written word being food for the soul: "You cannot live spontaneously and successfully as a Christ follower without discipline as a Christ follower."

  Good Reads:
  

  
  

  How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
  

  Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart
  

  
  

  ...more

  

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• March 05, 2017Ancient Wisdom Pt. 1 : Ancient Wisdom for the Soul

  I. Souls untethered...

  "How is it that what was clearly understood as moral and appropriate forty years ago, is laughable to the point of absurdity today?"

  A slow and gradual disconnect from the truth

  II. Ancient wisdom for the soul | 2 Timothy 3:16-17

  Our desperate need for God's word.

  God's word helps us to...

  Building our lives on God's word

  Mark 12:2; Isaiah 55:8; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:22; Colossians 3:10

  For Further Discussion

  What changes in cultural values have you witnessed in your lifetime? How did those changes affect your understanding and perspective of life?

  Given the slow and gradual disconnect from God's truth in modern culture, what can be done to reconnect with the transcendent values of the Kingdom of God?

  Discuss the passage from James 1:5-8 regarding being "double-minded" and unstable. When and how has God given you wisdom as stated in verse 5?

  Discuss your experiences with the ancient wisdom of the Bible. (i.e. Reading, meditating, studying, etc.) What can you/we do to reconnect with God's values as a centering point for the soul?

  ...more

  

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• March 01, 2017Ash Wednesday Gathering

    

  ...more

  

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• February 26, 2017Four Pt. 7 : When the Music Fades

  I. Introduction

  Closet Dancers

  Is the Divine Dance still happening when the music fades?

  II. Dancing on Autopilot

  All of creation experiences the brokenness of life. | Romans 8:18-23

  Our default responses to broken life send us down a vicious cycle.

  Name & claim it.

  Bargaining with the Big Guy

  Run Away!

  What do our default responses say about God?

  III. Re-learning the Divine Dance

  The Father, Jesus, & Holy Spirit are not only active in bringing you to eternal life, but keeping, caring, and carrying you into eternity. | Rom 8:30

  The Spirit intercedes for us. | Romans 8:26-27

  Jesus draws near to us with compassion and care. | Hebrews 4:14-15

  The Father pours out mercy and grace in our time of need. | Hebrews 4:16

  IV. Surrounded in Dance

  The Triune God draws us into the dance, even when the music fades.

  Surrounded, we experience His presence and peace.

  For Further Discussion

  How have you experienced "the music fade" in your own life? Describe how the brokenness of life affects your understanding of God.

  Which of the autopilot responses are you most prone towards when the music fades? (Name/Claim, Bargain, Walk Away) Why do you think we default to these?

  Read through Rom 8:26-30 and Heb 4:14-16. How is the entire Trinity keeping and caring for you throughout all of life?

  Describe a time when you experienced the mercy and grace of God during a difficult time.

  Good Reads

  The Divine Conspiracy
  

  Dallas Willard

  Renovation of the Heart
  

  Dallas Willard

  After You Believe
  

  N.T. Wright

  The Divine Dance
  

  Richard Rohr

  ...more

  

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• February 19, 2017Four Pt. 6 : When the Music Plays

  I. So many dances, yet, so little time!

  Three categories of gifts

  Romans 12:4-8 (personality gifts)

  Ephesians 4:11-12 (ministry gifts)

  1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (grace gifts)

  Some are natural endowments energized by the Spirit while others are supernatural endowments

  A few assumptions...

  Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 4:10; 1 Corinthians 13

  II. When the music plays... (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

  Follow the Spirit's lead

  Phanerosis; Gk. – manifestation; to make visible; the dancing hand of God

  The eyes, the hands, and the mouth of God

  The purpose and pursuit of spiritual gifts

  To make God visible

  To build up the church

  To serve the world

  III. Application

  For Further Discussion

  What are the distinctions between the three categories of gifts listed above?

  How would you describe the purpose of the manifestations of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12? What has been your experience with these gifts? Are they for everyone?

  What steps can you take toward being open to receive such gifts from the Spirit?

  Why should this be important in our transformation into Christlikeness?

  Good Reads

  The Divine Conspiracy
  

  Dallas Willard

  Renovation of the Heart
  

  Dallas Willard

  After You Believe
  

  N.T. Wright

  The Divine Dance
  

  Richard Rohr

  ...more

  

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• February 12, 2017Four Pt. 5 : A Graceful Dance

  I. You need a body to dance!

  The potential power and problem presented by the human body

  The body is not inherently evil and should be cherished and cared for, not as our master, but as a servant of God.

  Romans 8:5-6

  Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:11; Philippians 3:10

  II. It is difficult to dance with a broken leg! (Colossians 3:5-7)

  Whether it is a clean break or a shattered bone; it is still broken!

  Nice looking flesh is still flesh (Philippians 3:5-8)

  A broken leg is not a problem, if you are dead! (Colossians 1:1-3)

  III. A graceful dance (Romans 5:14; 17-21)

  Grace is a presence and power which provides an alternative to the flesh

  The grip of grace opens the way to freedom from sin in my body

  Learning the steps for the graceful dance...

  Present your body to God

  Don't worship or live in fear of your body

  Don't misuse your body

  Honor and care for your body

  For Further Discussion

  How do we wrongly position our bodies in everyday life?

  Is it possible for our bodies to be pre-conditioned to do things without being told? Is that a reflection of an inner reality/character?

  So, does my body belong to me? Discuss the implications of 1 Corinthians 6:20.

  How does the body "run the life" in most people? How does that affect body image/hatred? How does Christ redeem it?

  Good Reads

  The Divine Conspiracy
  

  Dallas Willard

  Renovation of the Heart
  

  Dallas Willard

  After You Believe
  

  N.T. Wright

  The Divine Dance
  

  Richard Rohr

  ...more

  

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