PREPARE FOR IT -- I Peter 2, I Peter 2: 9, Exodus 19, 31: 16-17, Exodus 19: 6, Eph. 4: 11-12, Matthew 7: 21-25, I Corinthians 10:31

Tomorrow, Sunday, November 30th, will be the start of a new sermon series called "Joy to the Work" .  Let's study these verses today and prepare our hearts.

1 Peter 2  (NIV)

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,” 

8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

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Exodus 19 (NIV)

At Mount Sinai

19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”

23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”

24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

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Exodus 31:16-17 (NIV)

16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

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Exodus 19:6 (NIV)

6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

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Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

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Matthew 7:21-25 (NIV)

True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

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1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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Living on Mission and Realizing It’s All Sacred

Living on Mission and Realizing It’s All Sacred

It’s all sacred. I have had such a hard time wrapping my head around this idea. I mean, there’s holy stuff and there’s regular stuff, right? Why would God care about the regular stuff?

For most of my life I lived under the impression that God really only cared about the stuff I did for Him – like worship, going to church, giving, and praying. All of the other stuff I did was just a big, fat, waste of time that I should really try to minimize. I mean, why would God care about the endless meetings I am in every day or the documentation I create?

This mindset impacted my everyday life with God. It made it hard for me to understand Daily Presence. How could I “enter and remain in the presence of God daily” when I had to go to work? Was I supposed to quit my job and stay at home and pray all day? How was I supposed to abide when I had to disconnect from the holy stuff to do all of the regular, non-holy stuff required in my day?

Truth be told, I still struggle at times with this mindset, but I’m learning. I’m learning that while God may or may not care much about the Test Strategy or the Migration Approach documents I have to create, He cares very much about the people I interact with about these things every day. He cares very much about all of the people I pass in the hallway as I walk to the next meeting. He cares about the people we all interact with every day. In fact, He cares so much about these people that he sent us (yes, you POCers!) there as priests and ambassadors of His Kingdom, as missionaries to engage the culture and show what His love looks like every day.

He has sent us into the places where we live and work for a reason. “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.” (1 Pet 2:9,10 MSG)

So, yes, it’s all sacred because we can actually abide in His presence every moment. We can be connected to Him while we’re walking down the hallway at work, writing a document, building a house, washing dishes, repairing carburetors, folding clothes, caring for a patient, or cleaning toilets. We can experience and share His life changing love every moment of every day.

Let’s practice Living on Mission, and realize that every part of our life is sacred. We can dedicate it all to God and embrace the fact that He has sent us into the places where we live and work to share the Good News of His love and acceptance.

PRAY IT! Joy to the Work! Week 1

Happy Thanksgiving, PoC and Friends!

This upcoming sermon series, Joy to the Work:  Every Member a Minister and I have a love-hate relationship.  Maybe you're looking forward to it.  Maybe you're dreading it.  It could be just what you're needing, regardless of how you feel.  I don't really know.  But I do firmly believe God has something amazing in store for us.

I know if I were being refreshingly honest, I could write a really lengthy blog lamenting on woes and struggles regarding job/work/calling/passion, etc. 

But I won't.  (It is Thanksgiving, after all).  Maybe next week...

As far as prayer goes, here is what I would suggest for us all to target our prayers toward in light of our upcoming series:  preparation.

Stick with me here.

When I first heard Pastor Todd suggest this whole God+work+me+it's all sacred, I wanted to punch him.  I did not want to ponder the "what if..." I wanted to stay miserable and unhappy, because I had a right to be miserable and unhappy.  Being anything other than that would be inauthentic and somehow be akin to my approval of things that were contributing to my unhappiness.  So... miserable and unhappy.  Frowning face.  Arms crossed. 

Maybe the notion that wherever God has placed you - yes, even there - is exactly that:  where God has placed you, makes you want to vomit.  To rebel.  To protest with every fiber of your being. 

God began to prepare my heart and to consider possibility... (And it's been pretty cool!)

So here's my question:  What if...?  (Consider being open to refreshing possibilities...)

What if... you really are where God has placed you (for this season)?
What if... there is a higher purpose for your presence in said place, whether you see it or not... whether you like it or not... whether you approve of it or not...
What if... some kind of happiness were possible "Monday through Friday" despite your possible OfficeSpaceNinetoFiveFightClubTheDevilWearsPradaHorribleBosses job circumstances?

Maybe your job is not your passion.  Maybe your job is a place you desperately want delivered from.  Maybe your job is downright awful.  But maybe the season is temporary and the circumstances are permissible in the bigger picture of God's plan. 

For example... what if... God let you stay where you didn't want to be, for a season of time, because He knew you'd be at the right place, at the right time, when a co-worker needed someone to be Jesus to them.  Maybe God let you stay where you didn't want to be, for a season of time, because He knew you were going to have some hefty medical bills, and a job change when you wanted it would have thrown off your insurance.  Maybe God let you stay where you didn't want to be because you brought some joy to your co-workers in a time of otherwise miserable transition and change?

Whether it's provision, or preparation, or just simply not only about us as much as we wish sometimes it were, God is wise and trustworthy.  Despite our natural inclinations, we don't actually have to have all the details in order to respond to God with obedience and let a 'lil bit 'o joy spill out of us in the process.

Prayerfully consider, sometime between now and Sunday, for God to help prepare your heart... my heart... our hearts... to be open to the "what if's..."

I don't have all the answers.  I haven't figured it all out.  But I think there's a lot of possibility looming ahead for us, church!  I'm excited to take this 3 week journey with you, PoC!  What if... we could really be "The Whos" instead of "The Grinch"?

Why not?????????????????????

Dear God,

Thank you for Jesus.  Thank you for your many blessings.  Please help prepare our hearts and minds for what You have for us in this season of our lives.  Help us to respond with frontloaded trust.  We need you.  We love you.  Amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Celia

No prayer service tonight.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Mall-Walking Priest -- A Letter from Pastor Todd

Dear Working-Classy PoC,

When I was pastoring in the Chicago area, I was walking through the local mall one day when three people rushed up to me excitedly. At first, I wondered if I was a part of some crazy street theater, but then recognized one of them from my church. He said to His friends, “This is my priest from my church, the one I was telling you about.” Quickly, and before I could say, “No . . . wait . . . you have it all wrong”, the other two started saying, “Wow . . . cool . . . it’s nice to meet you, Father . . . that’s awesome”. It was weird. I hardly got a word in edgewise as they walked away. There was a part of me that thought, “Wow. I have the coolest job in the world.” But, that’s the problem, isn’t it? I’m NOT special.

If God didn’t call me to be a pastor, but I became a pastor, that would be . . . disobedient, right? So, the goal then is not to be a man “of the cloth” as much as it is to be – obedient. All of us have to be obedient to whatever call God places before us that leads to whatever vocation God places before us for whatever time (long or short) God places before us in whatever condition (easy or difficult/pleasurable or crazy miserable) that God places before us. Whether you are clergy or laity (yuck . . . I hate that word), the goal is to be obedient and on mission. When you look in the Old Testament you see a separation between the clergy (priest) and the “people”, but if the New Testament does anything at all, it shows that the pastor is less priest (kept high and separate), and more gentle leader in a priesthood of believers. So, you and I, see . . . ain’t all that different.

And, I think that this ought to shape the way we see our work. It should shape the way we see Mondays. Look at it this way, if you were to ask me how I see my work, and I said, “Gross, yuck, I dread it, it’s awful, I can’t wait to quit”, you would probably be troubled to your very core. But, when I ask people about the work that they do, I often hear dread and misery. If I vilified my church to the point that many people vilify their jobs, I’d be rightfully thrown out on my clergy butt!! See, my calling isn’t from some higher or more noble order, at least not when you think about having to simply be obedient to any call that God puts on any person’s life. Being obedient and working where God has placed you for God and His mission to care for others brings with it a type of ordination all its own.

This coming Sunday we’re going to start a new series called, “Joy to the Work: Every Member A Minister”. I’m hoping that through it we can begin to get our mind around how our faith can make a difference on the job in the New Year. I want us to see God when work is a pain, when laziness attacks, in the blessing of work, in work that will last, and as a perfect model for us as we work. I think God has a whole lot more Joy that He wants to add to our work.

See You Sunday. Your Pastor Is Praying For You!

Pastor Todd

P.S. Got someone at your job that kinda hates it? Prayerfully consider inviting them.

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Unexpected Beginnings”

Supplies: Bible

SHARE 

We like predictability.  Yeah, ok, it’s fun to be spontaneous once in awhile, but all in all, we find comfort in the fact that life operates in a certain, relatively consistent pattern.  The sun comes up in the east.  If something tastes delicious, odds are it’s not good for you.  Half the kids in the mall will cry when it’s their turn to sit on Santa’s knee.  Good brings good, bad brings bad, and the Chicago Cubs…well, you get my point.  We expect certain things in life.  That’s why, when we don’t get what we expect, we are often taken aback.  We even have a catch phrase:

“It’s not supposed to happen that way.”

The slacker in your history class who sleeps through every lecture ends up getting the best grade at the end of the semester. — It’s not supposed to happen that way.

The short, geeky guy ends up at the dance with the prom queen. — It’s not supposed to happen that way. 

You slip on some ice and do a phenomenal hip-hop ballet move, never once spilling a drop of your latte. — It’s not supposed to happen that way.

A wonderful family who love God and serve others gets into a fatal car accident. — It’s not supposed to happen that way.

Can you think of anything that would fit this category?  Good or bad, what’s happened to you lately that caused you to say, “It’s not supposed to happen that way”?

READ

Read Luke 1:26-49 together as a family. 

THINK

If we have a certain expectation for the predictability of life, we have an even greater expectation for the predictability of God.  We have built God a nice little box and expect Him to do His work within the confines of that box.  And let’s face it—Mary and Elizabeth’s story are waaaaaaayyyyyy outside that box.  I think we get so used to the story that we forget how absolutely absurd it is: first-time parents who are old enough to be grandparents and a pregnant unwed teenager.  This story that kicks off Luke’s gospel is the stuff of tabloids.  Can you imagine the headline in The Judean Enquirer?  “Teen Pregnancy Shocker: ‘There’s no dad!’”  Then inside there’d be a picture of a partner-less Mary and her senior citizen cousin taking their Lamaze classes together.

It’s not supposed to happen that way!  God’s not supposed to work like that!  Or is He? 

God is the Master of the unexpected.  Some of His greatest works happen in unexpected circumstances, in unexpected places, and through unexpected people.  We just need to open our minds to see them and recognize His hand at work.  Mary’s family and neighbors likely had a hard time with that.  Joseph certainly did, until an angel set him straight (how unexpected!).  When we go through difficult seasons, when we struggle through the difficulties, when we’re fighting the slings and arrows of gossip and judgment, it can be challenging to think of our life circumstances in those moments as part of God’s plan.  It just seems counterintuitive.  But we’ve got to remember that God uses the unexpected to reveal His will and bring salvation.  Our job is not to manipulate our circumstances or even try to make sense of them.  Our job is to be like Mary and say, “I am the Lord’s servant…My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,…for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (v 38, 46, 47, 49)

APPLY

Think about the situations you shared a minute ago.  Maybe you’ve had a couple of other examples come to mind.  The temptation may be to try and figure out how God is working through those situations.  You can certainly ask Him—and He may choose to tell you.  But in the meantime, you still have a role to play.  Whether your struggle is at work, at home or at school, choose to be the Lord’s servant in unexpected circumstances.  Commit to submit to God’s will as it unfolds in and around you remembering that great things have come from unexpected beginnings.

PRAY

Glorious God, thank You for being all that You are—completely indescribable in every way.  Forgive us, Father, for trying to pigeonhole You and limit Your ways and workings in our lives.  Have Your own way, Lord!  Today we surrender fully to Your purpose, in all its unexpected wonder.  In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.

REPLY

Did you and your family enjoy this devotional blog?  We'd love to know about it!  Our hope is to continue providing this weekly opportunity for families to do a devotion together.  If your family did this devotion, please shoot us an email, text or just post a comment to this blog.

EXPLORE IT - 1 Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV)

As a pastor, one of the most humbling experiences I participate in is presiding over the Communion table.  Whenever I prepare for serving Communion, I have to make sure the elements (the bread and juice) are ready, I have to know what I am going to say,  I need to know how the congregation will participate (pass plates, come forward, etc.), there are several components that must be in place.  But I also feel the need to prepare myself.  I must make sure I have prayed and sought God for forgiveness, coming to a place of reconciliation with Him.  Serving Communion is an honor and I do it for the glory of God.

We are entering into a sermon series entitled “Joy to the Work.”  We will be looking at everything we do and realizing with everything we do, we are called to “do it all for the glory of God.”  While it is obvious to me that serving Communion is a weighty ministerial opportunity, I sometimes forget that teaching group fitness or working with clients at the gym are also weighty ministerial opportunities.  I always prepare my heart and mind for the ministry of Communion, but I rarely prepare myself with prayer before I head to the gym.  I wonder, am I missing opportunities to share Jesus with those around me because I am not as prepared as I could be?

Every day we enter the mission field.  Whether we are going to a corporate job, staying at home to minister to our children, or just heading to the gym, we are all in the world as God’s representatives.  Whatever we do, we are to “do it all for the glory of God.”  We must bring our best mindset and attitude into everything we do.  Those who know us, know Jesus by our actions and attitudes.  If we have a crummy work ethic, our co-workers will think Jesus has a crummy work ethic.  If we have a bad attitude, those around us will think Jesus has a bad attitude. 

But, if we are loving, and care for those around us, instead of just getting through the day so we can get home, we begin to build relationships with those around us.  We begin to be able to speak into the lives of others, encouraging them, sharing our faith with them, and even introducing them to The One who has made such a difference in our lives.

This series is going to challenge all of us, maybe even make us a little uncomfortable as we are encouraged to continue to grow – becoming a little more like Jesus every day.

I’ll see you Sunday!

Blessings,
Pastor Amy

READ IT -- I Peter 2, I Peter 2: 9, Exodus 19, 31: 16-17, Exodus 19: 6, Eph. 4: 11-12, Matthew 7: 21-25, I Corinthians 10:31

This week, we're preparing for the new sermon series called "Joy to the Work" starting Sunday, November 30th.  Let's study these verses together this week in preparation for this coming Sunday's lesson.


1 Peter 2  (NIV)

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,” 

8 and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

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Exodus 19 (NIV)

At Mount Sinai

19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”

23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”

24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

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Exodus 31:16-17 (NIV)

16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

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Exodus 19:6 (NIV)

6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

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Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

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Matthew 7:21-25 (NIV)

True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

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1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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PREPARE FOR IT! - Genesis 47:29-13, 50:15-21

This week, we're studying  Genesis 47:29-13, 50:15-21 (ESV).  Let's review it again today in preparation for tomorrow's sermon.


29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If nowI have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt,


God's Good Purposes

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, butGod meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Living on Mission with Joseph and Relationship Impacting Guilt

Living on Mission with Joseph and Relationship Impacting Guilt

Guilt makes people do really dumb things. Joseph’s brothers are a prime example.

I see two options for how we arrived at this place in our story:

1.     Either the brothers never actually apologized and connected with Joseph relationally. Or,

2.     They did apologize, but neglected to maintain the relationship and fear overtook them.

Option 1

Joseph’s brothers apparently had not fully addressed the pit/slavery issue between themselves or with Joseph. Did they ever look him in the eye and say – Hey, we all know who did wrong here. We admit that it was stupid and selfish and it caused you a great deal of pain and suffering. We are so sorry. Please forgive us.

It appears that this conversation never happened. They must have collectively decided that Joseph was fine with it since he kept saying how God used it for good. So, if he’s fine with it, we’re fine with it and we can all just pretend (FOR YEARS) that it never happened and “all’s well that ends well.”

That approach worked for almost 20 years. (Denial is a wonderful thing, right?)

OR

Option 2

The brothers did apologize and restore the relationship with Joseph.  But, over the years the busyness of life caused them to forget about it all.  They ended up taking for granted the blessings they were experiencing and along the way their relationship with Joseph just dwindled down to nothingness.

When Jacob died, things suddenly got real all over again.

Guilt about the unresolved issues surfaced. Their guilt made them very afraid and a little crazy. They remembered what they had done and reasoned that Joseph would surely want to pay them back now that their father had passed. The boys must have thought “uh oh!” Their safety net was gone. Their DMZ was taken out. Their neutral zone dissolved.  Without their patriarch to act as the glue that held them all together, what would happen?

Thankfully, Joseph really was fine. He really didn’t hold it against them. He had cancelled their debt long ago.

The big problem here is that the brothers bore guilt that was impacting their relationship with Joseph. Whether they never cleared it up with Joseph in the first place or whether their relationship with him drifted apart due to neglect, the end result is the same. Guilt. Fear. Shame. Distance.

It’s the same with our relationships with one another and with God.

If we aren’t intentional about restoring and maintaining relationships with one another, guilt can cause them to fall apart. If we aren’t intentional about confessing our sins to God, we can drift away from Him out of guilt.

Let’s practice Living on Mission and rid ourselves of relationship impacting guilt through repentance, confession, and restoration – with one another and with our Father God.

Pastor Angela

PRAY IT! Genesis 47:29-31; 50:15-21

At the beginning of the sermon series, Pastor Todd gave us all a "sneak peak" of where the story would be ending when he passed out a verse to all of us.  And now, we're finally there.

Genesis 50:20 "You planned to harm me, but God planned it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Joseph, Jacob, and his brothers surely were on one wild ride as we follow along in this snippet of their lives.

Jealousy.  Deceit.  Attempted murder.  Slavery.  Lies.  Tarnished reputation.  Prison.  Ambivalence. Despair.  Mistrust.  Famine. 

Protection.  Promotion.  Freedom.  Power.  Forgiveness.  Reconciliation.  Feast.

Maybe you feel like you're in the pit RIGHT now.  And you've been there for far too long.  Maybe you feel helpless and estranged, and you just don't know what to do.  Maybe you are in the midst of a famine of sorts, and aren't sure when the abundance is going to present itself. 

Whatever the circumstances, we have a choice.  We can pray to our God, with the confidence found in Psalm 20:7 "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."  We can choose to trust without knowing how things work out in advance.  (We just often don't like to... or want to... or maybe that's just been me...!)

Whatever the situation, God CAN use it for good to accomplish His purposes.  We can choose to trust in the waiting.

Dear God,
I choose to praise You today.  You have delivered me from the pit before.  You have provided clarity and passion in Your timing, when I have felt hopeless and directionless. You have met my needs when I thought they wouldn't be met.  You have shown me before how you can take a bad circumstance and bring about a lot of good from it.  Help me to trust you in this current season of my life and truly rest in you, believing confidently in Your outcome without knowing all the details in advance.
Amen.

Prayer Service, 7pm.  It may be cold out, but the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit can warm your soul! 

Pastor Celia

Long Psalm 23 -- A Letter from Pastor Todd

Dear PoC, the Good,

Several years ago I was called upon to do a funeral.  A very very awkward funeral.

I didn’t know the man who died.  I didn’t know his family.  A friend of a friend of a friend sorta kinda knew me, so when the family decided at the last minute to have an actual service, I was asked if I would help.

I met with the family like I typically do and asked questions about the deceased.  No one answered.  Not one question.  I asked them to share their memories.  Nothing.  I asked them to tell me some kind things about him.  Zip.  Finally, I said, “Would you like for me to just plan a service that hits all the traditional notes of a typical funeral?”  They nodded.  The man’s son spoke up and said, “Sorry we’re not more help, Pastor.  He wasn’t a very nice man.  It’s complicated.”   The family left, and the funeral director and I just stared at each other.  Finally she said, “Better you than me.”  Great!

How horrible it would be to leave a legacy of hurt, to be known only as a bitter, angry, argumentative, hateful, complaining old man.  Very few people were at the funeral.  I stretched Psalm 23 out as slowly and meaningfully as I could.  Two of his adult children talked through the entire service.  But, they did thank me.  Called me, “Tim”.  Awkward.

This coming Sunday is our last week to meet with Jacob and Joseph and all His brothers.  It’s going to be a powerful service as we look at a life well lived.  We’re going to look at that powerful verse in Genesis 50:20 that we used to kick off our series so many weeks ago.  At the end of the service, we’re going to consider two important questions:

1. How is your relationship with God?
2. How are your relationships with others?

We’re going to ask the Lord to shine a light on our relationships now . . . before it’s too late.  

PoC, I think there’s still plenty of time to become known as peace-givers.  And, I think you’re up for the challenge.  Which is good . . . ‘cause I’d like to think that I’ve done my last awkward funeral.  That would be nice.

Great things are happening!  God is amazing!  Invite like mad!

Your Pastor Is Praying For You,

Pastor Todd