River City Vineyard - Teachings

This line from our Mission statement, "living and learning together," took on a whole new meaning after a week in Luton with the School of Reconciliation & Justice. This experience provided a new lens for reading Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Wow! The Good News just got bigger!

Paul & Barnabas announce the King and his Kingdom in Antioch of Pisidia. Some reject the announcement and "judged themselves unfit for eternal life." Others receive the announcement and are "appointed to eternal life." Geez, what does that mean?

Which do we want? To preach down at our generation? Point out sins with a tone of superiority? Condemn people to hell? Or, declare the good news of the kingdom? Point toward the genuine Savior of us all? Announce resurrection and life?

May the Holy Spirit send us out to proclaim not preach the good news of the king and his kingdom to our neighbors and the nations!

What a helpful reminder of our commitment to our King and his kingdom in all that we do including our finances. Thanks for keeping our focus on a community serving one another,our neighbors, and the nations rather than on the numbers.

1+1=4. Sometimes Kingdom stuff does not add up. It multiplies. Hoping for a year of increase by multiplication.

What are we to do after we see Jesus for who Jesus is? Following John, Andrew, and Philip is a great place to start.

John saw the glory of the only unique, one-of-a-kind, Son of God. He saw God with skin on, a man of flesh and blood. And yet, he saw more through eyes of faith. Will we? Will we see both the humanity and the eternal glory of Jesus. May this be a Glorious Christmas for all!

John, one of the Twelve, continues to describe the greatest event in the history of humanity. Jesus steps into time and space with life as it is meant to be lived. His entrance forces all of us to decide. Will we continue as is or become a child of God?

Just who is this that stepped out of eternity into time? Just who is this that became flesh and blood? Who is this?

What a person! What an event! How does one describe "the Word becoming flesh" while at the same time reeling from the impact? John, one of the Twelve, a Galilean fisherman, a Jew following Jesus, records his experience for us.

The Pilgrim's first year in the New World was miserable and yet, they gave thanks. What's up with that?

God can do anything and when he does it blows our minds. Peter couldn't believe an angel was getting him out of jail. It was just too good to be true. His praying friends couldn't believe he was at the front door. At times our faith is in the unbelievable.

A Christian is "one who belongs to the KIng." So who is the King? Herod Agrippa? Caesar? Jesus? First and foremost Jesus is King. When he is those who belong to him can be a threat to religious, economic, and political power centers.

They were first called Christians at Antioch. What does Christian mean?

What will we stick with for the rest of our lives? How about sticking with God as He grows large and strong cross-cultural communities who announce the King and His Kingdom?

What is Jesus doing in our world? How will we respond to what He is doing?

So the worship set is not grabbing your attention. You seem disengaged. What to do? Here is a great suggestion from Marianne.

The place, the forerunner, the Messiah; His life, death, and resurrection, eyewitnesses, the announcement...what a rich story with a unbelievably generous announcement for all the world. Jesus offers something better for every nation.

An angelic visitation, a vision from God, Peter (a Jew following Jesus), and Cornelius (a Roman centurion) all come together to reveal God's truth and message to all of humanity.

Peter gets the vision. It's not about food. It's not about purity laws. It is about people. People that Peter would never associate with until...