Matthew 4:1-11 "The Rhythms of Becoming"

 Message: Matthew 4:1-11 "The Rhythms of Becoming"

Many of the wilderness experiences mentioned in the bible are drawn out of 40 year or 40 day experiences. The idea is that our change and transformation takes a drawn out period of time. Jesus not only underwent 40 days in the wilderness, but he also made it a habit to withdraw to 'wilderness/deserted places' to spend time with God. This means that as a human being, Jesus developed healthy spiritual life rhythms as he grew in his life with God. We too are invited to create healthy spiritual rhythms in our lives so that we might develop into the fullness of who God is inviting us to become. 

Genesis 21:14-21 & 1 Kings 19:11-15

Message: Genesis 21:14-21 & 1 Kings 19:11-15

 Sometimes, who God has made us and what pursue is at odds with what others want from us. As we grow into the people God has called us to be, we’ll face opposition and even loss. The good news is, we can always be real with God, who always meets us where we are but never abandons us there. Our encounters with God will enable us to encounter the world in authentic ways. In today’s message, as we continue the series “Wealth of the Wilderness,” we’ll look at how Elijah was authentic with God and how Hagar encountered God even as others sent her away. We’ll talk about our own encounters with God and how our authenticity with Him enables us to be authentic with others. Hagar is called to leave those who have rejected her, while Elijah is called to return and engage. 

Exodus 3:1-3; 1 Kings 19:1-9 “Eyes to See, Ears to Hear”

 

Message: Exodus 3:1-3; 1 Kings 19:1-9 “Eyes to See, Ears to Hear”

 Both Moses & Elijah spent time in the wilderness. Though hundreds of years apart, they had a shared experience at Mt. Horeb. Moses’ wilderness experience gave him eyes to see God showing up unexpectedly. Elijah’s time in the wilderness gave him ears to hear God’s still, small voice. Our wilderness experiences help us to develop eyes to see and ears to hear God as well. 

 

John 13:1-17 "A Sacrificial Life"

Primary text:  John 13:1-17 "A Sacrificial Life"

A sacrificial life flows out of a transformed life.  Genuinely loving others flows from the security of knowing our identity in Christ (John 13:3-4, Jesus knew who he was, SO he washed the feet of his disciples).  This is one of the rewards of a fulfilled soul… the ability to love well.   

Exodus 16:1-3 “Engage the Process”

 Message: Exodus 16:1-3 “Engage the Process”

When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances we often only focus on the way out those difficulties. It took the Hebrews forty years of wilderness journey to get from Egypt to the Promised Land. The only thing they wished for was to either begin their new and better life in the Land of milk and honey, or just return to Egypt. The wilderness is not where they wanted to be, but it is where they needed to be. Perhaps what took so long is that they resisted the one thing God wanted them to do: Engage the Process. In this message we’ll begin shifting our thinking from simply wanting a way out toward meeting God within our difficult circumstances.