I. Transfiguration Sunday

A. Symbols | Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36

B. Substance | 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

C. Sabotage

• Believing lies about God

II. Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

A. Acknowledging God’s goodness and love versus experiencing God’s goodness and love | Ephesians 3:14-19

B. Symbols - the bread and the wine

C. Substance - the love of God

D. Sabotage - lies believed about God

III. Application

For Further Discussion

• First, give your personal explanation/understanding of the sacrament of communion. (Eucharist, Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ Meal, etc.)

• Now, relate your personal experiences of participation in the sacrament. How have your experiences and/or understanding changed over the years?

• Do you think that an emphasis on experiencing God’s goodness and love is significant? Why or why not?

• According to today’s talk, what is the main obstacle to experiencing the love of God?

• Try to express ways in which you have actually experienced God’s love.

Good Reads:

Come to the Table

by Vineyard USA

I. Nehemiah an agent of change | Nehemiah 1:1-11; 2:5, 17-18

• Who is an agent of change?

A. An agent of change is a person who prays (is prayerful)

• Nehemiah 1:1-11

B. An agent of change is a visionary person

• Nehemiah 2:5;17-18

C. An agent of change is a person who understands the context of his ministry

• Nehemiah 2:11-17

D. An agent of change is a team player

• Nehemiah 2:5,17-18

This year we have several opportunities for everyone to participate in missions.

Stop by the tables in the Lobby to learn more.

• Mission to Alaska with StudentLife - June 4-11, 2016

• Mission to Israel - July 7-19, 2016

• Beach and the Bayou with StudentLife - July 18-23, 2016

• Mission to Mexico - July 23-30, 2016

• Mission to Mexico with SKL - September 3-10, 2016

• Mission to Honduras with Compassion Intl. - November 17-21, 2016

• Mission to NOLA - November 27-30, 2016

I. The birth of the new community | Acts 2:1-4

A. The birth of the church was a Spirit event

1. As Jesus was conceived by the Spirit and empowered for mission by the Spirit, so, too, the church is birthed and empowered by the Spirit.

B. Individual and/or corporate?

C. The representative journey of Christ becomes a reality for humans.

1. The representative journey of Christ becomes a reality for humans

2. An emphasis on the corporate dimension of the church

II. Rooted in community | Acts 2:5-47

A. A community of new life

1. Baptism in the Spirit and its implications in community

2. The dance of Trinitarian life!

B. A community with new power

1. A special kind of power that includes the power of creation and the power of suffering love

C. A community with a mission

1. After the resurrection, the focus shifts from the earthly Jesus to the community of his brothers and sisters, all filled with the same Spirit

2. A community that embodies and depicts what the world is to become

For Further Discussion

• In what ways did today’s talk impact you? Has your understanding of church changed, and if so, in what ways?

• What are the implications of the Spirit’s presence and role in the church? What has been your experience in church regarding the Spirit?

• How have you witnessed/experienced the Spirit’s presence in the church? What about esoteric, ecstatic experiences in the Spirit? What role do they fill in the big picture?

• Why should it not be easy to leave a community of faith?

I. Receiving Christ | Colossians 2:6

A. “Receiving Christ” or “salvation” is a Spirit event.

1. Confessing Christ and receiving the Spirit

• Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved, through faith…it is the gift of God.”

• 2 Corinthians 3:6 | John 7:37-39 | John 20:22 | Acts 9:17 | Acts 10:44;46

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

B. “As you therefore have received Christ…so walk in Him.” | Colossians 2:6

1. Ephesians 2:8-10

II. Rooted in Christ | Colossians 2:7

A. This, too, is a Spirit event.

1. John 14:16;21;23;26 | Romans 5:5 | John 15:4;26

B. Growth in Christ is a Spirit event.

1. Colossians 2:7

2. Need; seed; root; fruit

3. Growth in Christ is an expansion of the Holy Spirit within that is both cognitive and experiential.

• 1 Thessalonians 1:5 | Romans 15:18-19 | 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

C. The journey to conformity with Christ is a Spirit event

For Further Discussion

• Why do you think it is more common to hear people speak of converts receiving Christ rather than receiving the Spirit?

• Given that this is not merely a matter of semantics, what are the implications of avoiding salvation as a Spirit event?

• How has your understanding of being rooted in Christ been affected by today’s talk?

• If growth in Christ is also a Spirit event, what is your greatest need and challenge to growth?

• How would you describe the telos, or goal, of growth?

Good Reads:

Flame of Love

by Clark H. Pinnock

I. Seeds of bitterness

A. The crisis

B. The cycle

II. Roots of bitterness | Hebrews 12:14-16

A. The source

B. The fruit

III. Price of bitterness | Hebrews 12:15-17

A. The trouble it brings

IV. Removing the roots

A. Forgiveness…

V. Rooted in Christ

A. Rooted and grounded in love…

For Further Discussion

• Describe the destructive force of bitterness as you have experienced it within yourself.

• Describe how bitterness within someone else has affected you.

• What is it that happens when we forgive someone for their offenses against us?

Good Reads:

Exclusion and Embrace

by Miroslav Volf

Free of Charge

by Miroslav Volf

2016!

I remember thinking back in the 80’s that I might not make it to the new millennium, Y2K. How crazy is it that we are now sixteen years deep in it? The first, new millennial generation is already a teen-ager! What an exciting and challenging time to be alive. What an exciting and challenging time to be a Christian and a part of the Church of Jesus Christ.

I have felt for some time now that the church is on the edge of another great reformation. As exciting as that sounds, it is equally challenging! Reformations are not easy. The volatile political, social, religious, and economic issues in the world are pressing Christians and the church to finally face, address, and respond to the issues. The response of the church must be thoughtful, inspired and empowered by the Spirit, and measured by the life of Jesus.

2016 could be the most challenging and fruitful year in the 30 year history of the Vineyard of New Orleans…are we ready for the challenge? I believe we are!

- Phil Jeansonne

I. Introduction

A. Sitting at the Adult Table…

B. Lifelong friends in a family feud

II. The Unlikely Guest | 2 Samuel 9:1-5

A. The heart of David | 2 Sam 9:1-2

1. David’s experience of God’s kindness has shaped how he relates to others.

2. David’s love for God supersedes expected cultural hate.

B. The only, remaining son | 2 Sam 9:3-5

1. Mephibosheth - “the shameful thing”

2. Physical ailments

3. Living in fear and obscurity

4. “Dead Dog" Mentality

III. The King’s Actions | 2 Samuel 9:6-11

A. The King knows his name.

B. The King restores him.

1. Past, present, future restoration

C. The King adopts him.

1. Mephibosheth receives a place at the royal table.

IV. The King’s Table | Romans 8:14-17

A. Slaves or sons?

B. You are adopted.

C. You are invited to the King’s table.

For Further Discussion

• In what areas of your life do you find yourself “crippled” like Mephibosheth?

• You have been adopted by King Jesus and invited to His table. What do you think about that? How does it make you feel?

• As adopted children of God, in what ways does life look different now than before?