The Kingdom of God is characterized by reconciliation. Here we take a look at God's heart of reconciliation, justice, and mercy. We look at how Jesus perfectly showed these things in his ministry and how only in Christ can racial reconciliation truly be achieved, for only in Jesus can the two become one new humanity (Eph 2:11-18). #kingdomofGod #kingdom #kingdomofheaven

In the modern west (and many other places following suite) that glorify youth, vitality, and beauty, is there a place biblically to be both sexy and righteous? Before I start to tackle this question, let me first begin with some explanations of what I'm meaning. When I use the term "sexy" I'm not meaning cute, handsome, or attractive in and of itself. What I am meaning by "sexy" is "sex appeal" ... to intentionally draw someone to that which is sexual. Now to answer the question quickly and straight forwardly, I would say it is not possible to be both righteous and "sexy" (as I'm defining here), unless it is with your spouse (and that privately and mutually between the two of you, not for the rest of the world). Sure you might say, that seems obvious enough I suppose, but Christians don't really do that ... right? I don't know, you tell me. I see the Christian banner being waved all the time by people that, at least in my opinion, are trying to draw in people sexually. There is new demographic of "cougars" and "desperate housewives" now that are basically trying to prey on people sexually. How many of them do you think consider themselves Christians? And to that point, why are there so many people fighting to stay young, even when they are clearly not? I have nothing against staying active and living healthy lifestyles (nor does God, in fact he desires us to live in a way that honors our bodies which is his dwelling - 1 Cor 6:20), but this clamoring for attention and validation through the aesthetics of youthful beauty is simply not of God (enter duck-faced or max rep workout selfie here). Where are the sage's and wise elders that can direct and teach the younger men and women as God commands (Tit 2; 1 Pet 5; etc.)? Now that I have ranted on how the devil has taken our culture (and much of the church) hostage to the fear of aging, decay, and ultimately death (Heb 2:14-15) ... let me move on to some of the more difficult matters. Sex and attraction is not evil in and of itself, for God created it, and all that he creates is good (see Sex Is Good). But we as depraved and fallen humans certainly take what God has made and twist it until it is barely recognizable. The bible clearly states that as Christians we are not supposed to find our beauty and confidence in outward appearances such as clothes, jewelry, or even the shape or muscularity of our bodies (1 Pet 3). But rather that our beauty and confidence come from our inner-selves, which is precious in God's sight. This doesn't mean that we have to all run around trying to look slobbish, but what I'm getting at is that I believe the world barges into the church, but many times it does so undetected. We should see some scantily clad women and men in our churches that are seeking the Lord and being called (and taught) to repent and follow Jesus as his disciples. But this is supposed to be in stark contrast to the disciples of Jesus already in the church. Most of the time when I walk into a church there is little to no discernible difference between the world that is in attendance (supposedly being called out of that world), and those that are already supposed to be removed from the world doing the calling. Here are some practical ways to test our hearts in these matters Christians: Are you willing to go a weekend without any makeup or jewelry? What about an entire week? A month? How does this prospect make you feel inside? What does it reveal in your heart? Perhaps you are a seriously fit person and you are constantly working out, are you willing to stop working out for a week? A month? How does this prospect make you feel inside? What does it reveal in your heart? Are you working as hard to be beautiful to God by training your character of humility, love, and charity, as you are to make yourself desirable and validated in the world? Are you training yourself to deny your flesh and walk with the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control? Or are you simply trying to be "sexy" like the rest of the world, and go to church at the same time? #sexuality #singleness #discipleship #sex #spirituality #beauty #culture #righteousness #dating

Talking with Marty Solomon of the BEMA podcast about a myriad of things such as the nature of discipleship, the holy Scriptures, why BEMA has blown up and whether or not any of us are saved or Christians at all. Oh yea, and Marty basically rebukes St. Augustine's interpretation of the Apostle Paul, I'm just sayin. Learn more about BEMA and find Marty Solomon at: https://www.bemadiscipleship.com #discipleship #BEMA

Here we wade into the controversial, and often taboo subjects of gender and sexuality. We discuss creative intent and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in the cultural soup of universalism and relativity. In issues of sexuality and gender how can we stand for truth, and be gracious at the same time - just as Jesus was? #sermons #disciple #gender #sexuality

Have you ever felt like your life was being chopped away at the roots by a dull axe? Yea me too. If we are honest, I think for many of us we have felt like that more this past year than ever before. Social unrest and social distancing, presidential and political upheaval, viruses and vaccines, fear and death ... lots and lots of death. And God knows ... masks. No one likes pain. Well I guess a very few do, but they have a named disorder to call them by. For the rest of us, pain is unpleasant and generally to be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately we can’t live for very long without being marred by pain. Be it physical, emotional, mental or what have you, pain comes in many shapes and sizes and is a part of this fallen life. Even with all the pills and pharmaceutical options that we have at our finger tips, we still can’t avoid pain all together, and usually we can only seem to find ways to simply manage it, or perhaps numb it. For some of us on the journey with Christ, we find ourselves in a similar boat. But Christ never promised his followers a pain-free life, and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise — please watch your wallet carefully. I mean let’s face it, Jesus was murdered. People aren’t usually murdered for being a really nice guy. Obviously there were some that were around Jesus who thought he didn’t make their lives any less painful, in fact quite the contrary. Jesus said the world hated him and they probably wouldn’t like his followers much either (John 15:18-25). In the midst of this pandemic we have seen pain emerge in all our lives in some new ways, and in some old ones too. Fear, anxiety, laziness, and the very real threat of sickness and death have lurched upon us at every turn for the past year. Cancel culture has lead to discouragement and confusion, and sometimes downright anger. I myself have gotten frustrated, and deeply saddened, on more than one occasion trying to explain to my five year old about “the sickness” and why he can’t go places and see his friends like he used to, why he has to wear a mask, and why businesses and parks are shut down, and some closing for good. But in all of this I believe God is at work (Jn 5:17) and continually pruning his people (Jn 15:1-8). As more and more strife saturates our culture, as more and more Christian’s backbite and devour one another (Gal 5:15) on social media and destroy the witness of Christ by destroying the unity and love of his body (Jn 17; Eph 4; etc.), I believe that God is preparing his bride to be even more beautiful and fruitful. I have heard it said that addition by subtraction is sometimes most effective, and that is certainly the principle of pruning that we see Jesus teach in John 15. So if you are experiencing pain and discomfort right now in your life and/or faith, I want to encourage you to lean into the pain, allow God to do his pruning work in you ... because he loves you (Heb 12:4-11). #pruning #suffering #coronavirus #pandemic #pain

We see the Spirit of God introduced on the first pages of the Biblical narrative representing the creative power of God as his Spirit hovers over the chaotic waters and brings order to chaos (Gen 1). Throughout the Old Testament we also see the God of Israel tell of a time when his people would have their hearts of stone (hardened, immovable, resistant) removed and replaced with a heart of flesh (malleable, soft, supple), as he puts his own Spirit in his people. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. - Eze 36:26-27 The Spirit of God, the same Spirit present in the creation of the universe that brought order to chaos, is the same promised Spirit that God says will one day be given to his people. That day is now. Now under the new covenant of Christ, the Spirit of God is still bringing order to chaos as he leads and guides us and helps us to overcome our flesh. This process of course is not without conflict (Gal 5:17), but God has indeed given us a heart of flesh and removed our heart of stone. He is shaping our lives as we walk with him and surrender our lives and hearts to him. We must remain malleable and supple as we walk with God's Spirit, paying attention to how he may be trying to bring order to the chaos. God, through his promised Spirit, moves us to follow and obey him, but not against our will. We must submit and surrender to the Spirit's movement, otherwise we can harden ourselves and take up that immovable heart of stone again and again (Heb 3:13; 1 Tim 4:2). We do this, we surrender to the Spirit, but choosing to obey when the Spirit brings things to our attention. This can happen as we hear and read the word of God, as we talk with people, the small and quiet places that allow us to hear from God and his direction for us. The Spirit can move us in many different ways, but are we willing to be moved? Memory Scripture: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.." - Eze 36:26-27 Meditation/Reflection/Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me a new heart. Thank you for giving me your Spirit who leads me to follow you. Action Item: Where do you see your "heart of stone" tend to rage against the heart of flesh that God has given you through his Spirit? What can you do to act upon the heart of flesh, and not the heart of stone in that area? Study Questions: Do you believe that God has given you a new heart? Why or why not?

Continuing our Kingdom of God series, here Jon discusses the nature of the kingdom breaking in through Jesus and how the future kingdom of God in heaven is to be made a reality in our lives right now. #kingdomofGod #kingdom #kingdomofheaven

Here we discuss the coming of the kingdom as depicted in the Old Testament, the foretelling of a kingdom that would be eternal and governed by a prince of peace. #kingdomofGod #kingdom #kingdomofheaven

Continuing in our 2020 year of the Bible series "Finding Our Place In God's Story", here we continue in the book of Revelation as we look at apocalyptic literature as a genre to help us understand Revelation. #sermons #biblestudy #revelation

Here we kick off our study of the book of Revelation as we close out our 2020 year of the Bible series "Finding Our Place In God's Story" and take a look at how to grasp and understand the book of Revelation. #sermons #biblestudy #revelation