Romans 6:1-11 "The Strangeness of the Church"

Message: The Strangeness of the Church, Romans 6:1-11

As we continue our series “Encountering the Stranger” today we look at the strangeness of the Church. We are truly the strange ones in this world. We follow a man who claims to come from heaven, died and was resurrected. We follow him in death through the symbolism of baptism and seek to live like he lived. We beckon others to ‘come and die’ with us, arguing that it is the only way to truly Live!

Luke 6:37-38 "Not Safeguarding Against the Stranger"

Message: Not Safeguarding Against the Stranger   Luke 6:37-38

As we continue the series “Encountering the Stranger” we come to the point where we accept our mandate as Christ followers not to ‘Safeguard against the Stranger’. Many of our judgments of others are motivated by fear. Fear builds walls that Christ desires to tear down. He makes this vividly clear in his call to not only love the stranger, but even our enemies.

Luke 7:36-50 "Learning from the Stranger"

Message: “Learning from the Stranger” Luke 7:36-50

Continuing the series “Encountering the Stranger” we arrive at this message of ‘Learning from the Stranger’. In this lesson we’ll look at how Jesus, considered an outsider by the religious leaders, was never truly received or heard by them. Because they did not truly receive the stranger and learn from him, they missed out on the fullness of God’s gift for their lives. We not only need to encounter the stranger, but a genuine encounter must open ourselves to learning from the stranger.

Philippians 2:1-11 "Becoming the Stranger"

Message: “Becoming the Stranger” Philippians 2 :1-11

In this continuation of the series “Encountering the Stranger” we will talk about our call to identify with the Stranger, Alien and Foreigner. Because of Israel’s experience in Egypt and as wanderers on the face of the earth, they were called to treat the foreigner among them as one of their own. It is through identifying with the plight of another that we are able to empathize and assist them. As Christians, we too are called to recognize our ‘alien’ status on earth, living as Kingdom of God people while here on earth.

Hebrews 13:1-3 "Encountering God in the Stranger"

Message: “Encountering God in the Stranger” Hebrews13:1-3

In this message we’ll be looking at passages where God shows up as a stranger. Hospitality was a big deal to the Jewish people and it should be a big deal for Christians as well. We never know when we might Encounter God in a Stranger.

Nehemiah 1:1-4, 2:17-18 Divine Direction: "Faith to Start"

Message: Divine Direction: “Faith to Start” Nehemiah 1:1-4; 2:17-18

In this final segment of “Divine Direction” we’ll focus in on the need to “begin”. You don’t need the faith to get to the finish, you just need the faith to ‘start’. You certainly won’t finish something you don’t start. We’ll be looking how Nehemiah’s burden for Jerusalem turned into divine direction for him to begin something new.

Acts 20:22-24 Divine Direction: "Trust the Process"

Message: Divine Direction: Trust theProcess   Acts 20:22-24

We’re called pay attention to and follow the Spirit’s prompting in our lives. Yet this prompting does not come with ‘certainty’. If you’re not living with a little uncertainty—you’re not living with faith. Also, just because you’re following God’s plan doesn’t mean you won’t experience resistance. In fact, when we follow God’s direction we can expect resistance, but internally and externally. We are not called to be ‘successful’, but to ‘obey’. In obeying, we can have complete confidence in God’s plan for us.