Bearing Witness

Jesus flips the story, as He does so often. He is interested in the internal, the heart, not the external, the behaviors/morals. Hard how it is to give up what we trust in that isn't God. If our focus is on the externals, we are constantly serving idols, not following Jesus.

Prayer IS presence. Faith does not have to be perfect or pure, just present.

Who do people say I am? Your view is too small when it's about your nation, your people. Jesus disciple needs to deny themselves - their preferences, comforts, power, privledge etc... He is our servant leader, not a leader of power, religious or political.

Preparing for the work. Time spent in community with Jesus, learning, then going out to the world. That is what is needed. Bring nothing but what I have taught you, says Jesus. That might be the ultimate test of faith. Trusting that His formation is enough....

Chains & Demons & Pigs - Oh My! Go home & tell.

Mark 3: On this MLK Jr. weekend, we look at how Jesus was the example, coming up against the power structures that oppressed others. Holiness is catchy, not the other way around - Jesus brings wholeness to those who have been pushed out. He tells us that "whoever DOES my will" - so much more central to what we believe. What actions bring wholeness to God's people and the world?

Join us for our second book of Mark, as we continue the Journey through the Gospel of Mark. What new thing does God have for us? (To hear  from Mark 1: go to www.kentcov.org/sermons preached by Pastor Dan.)

John 3:1-17: The Spirit blows where it will. It is not earned. It is not  birthright. LOVE came down because of love and because we need more love & life here and now.

Isaiah: Joy is more than happiness. That deep knowing, hope, faith, love... It's all connected and comes from Jesus.

Isaiah - Liminal Space - the in-between. Out of the stump of Jesse will come hope. God brings justice & righteousness. This is not a  judgement of punishment but one of deliverance, where restoration will happen.

Wrap up to the Lord's Prayer Series. The Parable of The Friend at Midnight - maybe it doesn't say about prayer what you think it does... ?!?

What are the temptations we face and how might we be formed by this prayer Jesus taught us? Both individually and communally, we face times of trial and need to resist falling into sin. Be clear though - God does not tempt us and He forgives us when we do fall.

Matthew 6 & Luke 11 both have the Lord's Prayer yet quite different versions. Forgive us our Debts, our Sins.... Similar but different. In both ways, we are being shown that forgiveness is the only way to live with others - to be a part of the Kingdom of God. We are not individuals on this journey but a part of a body - a part of a whole.

Isaiah 25:6-9: Prayer is subversive. In the Lord's Prayer, we are remided that God's holiness, God's Kingdom, comes first. This gives us a right perspective - not us first. Then we are ready to ask "Give us our daily bread....". In the giving of daily bread, we trust Jesus as provider and also are to be reminded that He provides a feast for us. All the good stuff happens around the table.

The Lord's Prayer - Your Kingdom come, as in heaven. God's kingdom is not someday - it's at hand, near. Turn & access it (repent). Be a part of participating in God's will being done here and now. Love, Justice, Goodness...

The beginning of the Lord's Prayer Series: Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Prayer is central to Christianity, as well as Judaism. The "goal" is to see God as our Loving Father. 

John 4:27-30 & 39-42: Imagine that you receive such a welcome and are so seen that you can't help but tell everyone. Jesus is the one who welcomes and sees us like that!

Matthew 20:17-28. Why do we serve?

Matthew 9:9-13 - The Table is the place where radical hospitality, fellowship, community happen. It is an invitation for all and the only qualifier is that you accept grace - the grace that is Jesus. The Kingdom of God is most often described as a place of feasting at the table with all people. Welcome!

Matthew 28:16-20 - Evangelism: What are we being asked to do in the Great Commission and how are we being asked to do it? Is there a better way? How can we start to relearn our practices?

John 13:34 - A New command I give you". Love your neighbor - not just "as yourself" but as I (Jesus) have loved you. Jesus ups the game, as He so often does by asking us to love in a self-sacrificing way, after His example.

Eph. 6:10-20 - The Armor of God was never meant as a battle cry. The ONLY thing we need to do is stand firm on the foundation of Christ Crucified and Risen!

Ephesians 5: Perichoresis - The beautiful dance of the Trinity: Father, Son & Holy Spirit. A love & grace that flow in & out. In Ephesians 5, we are not being told that women need to be submissive to men but that the marital relationship is a metaphor for Christ & the Church.  Verse 1&2: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children   and walk in the way o...

Hebrews 10&11 - By Faith. Faith is not just an intellectual assent to an idea, but an action. It takes practice. Moving forward in faith, we press on with a foundation of God's love, knowing that He is FOR us. 

Ephesians 5 - Wake up... Follow God's example... Walk as children of light... Watch what Jesus does and then do it.... Walk in the way of love... It's a journey towards partnership with Jesus in expanding the Kingdom of God, more each day.