Worthington Christian Church

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. — John 15:13 » Love flows in and through us. (v.12) » Love gives itself away. (v. 13) » Love changes our relationship with Jesus. (v. 15) What are we willing to lay down in ourselves to love others the way that Jesus has loved us? This week’s challenge: Lay down what keeps you from loving like Jesus.  Followers of Jesus s...

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. — John 15:10 Main Idea: The life we want is found in Jesus. Big Question: Do you have complete joy? The phrase, “If you keep my commands,” is not the price of admission to God’s love, but the natural overflow of living inside it. Obedience does not produce the relationship. It is w...

Formula for when we are disconnected from the Vine: Isolated Striving + Unending Responsibilities = Burnout  Formula for when we are connected to the Vine: Connection with Jesus + Unending Responsibilities = Fruit A branch connected to the vine produces every time. A branch that thinks it’s the vine withers and dries up every time. We are the branches. We are not the vine.  If you’re feeling exhau...

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” — John 15:4 BIG QUESTION: How do I remain connected to Jesus? ANSWER: By keeping Jesus the most important thing in my life. The Vine, the Gardner, and the Branches (v. 1) God the Father is the Gardener, Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches. As the Gardener cares deeply for the plant, God cares deeply for us. There are two types of cuts; neither feels...

Jesus declared, "I am the true vine," the night before His crucifixion. This statement connects to God's revelation of Himself as "I AM" (YAHWEH) to Moses in Exodus 3:14. The Seven “I am” Statements from Jesus  1. "I am the bread of life." — John 6:35  2. "I am the light of the world." — John 8:12  3. "I am the gate." — John 10:9  4. "I am the good shepherd." — John 10:11, 14  5. "I am the resurre...

How Nehemiah pointed to Jesus: » He left a place of comfort and privilege to enter the brokenness of his people. » He wept over the brokenness. » He overcame opposition.  » He is known as the rebuilder. » He finished the work.  Nehemiah’s wall eventually fell, but what Jesus did on the cross holds forever.  How can our rubble become a testimony to the Lord? By being grateful for God’s presence in...

But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. —Nehemiah 9:17  » Nehemiah 9 reminds us of God's faithfulness throughout our lives.  » Anything worth doing in the Kingdom of God will be met with challenge and opposition.  » Following Jesus comes down to one word: Trust. » Do I trust Jesus? Do I trust that God has a plan?  My friend, God has not deserte...

“All the people came together as one…” —Nehemiah 8:1 The wall was built in 52 days because the people came together as one. After the wall was built, they hungered for spiritual renewal. Here are a few nudges that the Israelites give us: » Let’s get off the fringe. Living on the fringe is proximity without unity. What’s your next step toward Jesus and His church?  » Let’s get into our Bible. It br...

Grief is not the end of our story, but a place where God meets us with His grace. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Often grief hits us in different seasons: » Winter – A season of endings and closure, a hard season. » Spring – A season of possibility and potential. » Summer – A season of growth. » Fall – The apex of seasons. A way...

“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14  Remembering God’s faithfulness leads to rebuking the enemy’s schemes.  How do we keep rebuilding when the work gets hard, and the voices get loud?  • We remember how God has previously provided. (Nehemiah 4:14a)  • We’re so close to God’s Truth that we...

» The power of teamwork » Some were opposed to rebuilding » Our collective brokenness looks hopeless » We are not alone » You have a place in God’s kingdom

Nehemiah asked great things of a great God and attempted great things in reliance on his great God. Here’s what Nehemiah is teaching us: God rebuilds what we’re willing to move toward. Last week, we asked: What’s your rubble? This week, we ask: What’s your next step? » We don’t need the whole plan. We just need to move. » We don’t need to wait for courage. We build it by practicing. 

KEY DEFINITIONS Exile is living in the displacement of what was lost and what is not yet, held by a God who has not forgotten where we belong. Liminal space is the disorienting experience between what was and what's next; where the old normal is gone, but the new one hasn't arrived. Exile is where we are. Liminal space is what it feels like to be there. SETTING UP NEHEMIAH » In 586 BC, Babylon bes...

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." — Acts 4:12 » The man at the temple believed he needed something. » Peter and John gave him more than he expected. » The people were amazed by what they saw. » Maybe what you think you need is not what God will offer. » God’s gift will more than satisfy anything you think you ne...

“Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he...

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. — Luke 9:51 » Jesus doesn't accept neutrality — We cannot stay neutral about who Jesus is; neutrality is actually a rejection. » Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem — Knowing what awaited Him, Jesus didn't hesitate because He had us in mind. » Jesus is always at the center of our chaos — He's not too f...

Revival begins with humility, prayer, and repentance. Understanding Revival » Humility — "God, I can't do this myself!" » Prayer — "God, I need your help!" » Repentance — "God, I want your way!"

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14 How do we serve our community? * We meet real needs. * We prioritize our connection with God. * We stay focused on the Mission.

After picking up the towel and serving His disciples, Jesus said: I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:14 NIV)  What does it look like to serve in the home?  » Servant leaders sacrifice  » Servant leaders don’t keep score.  » Servant leaders stay when it’s hard.  » Servant leaders set the example. (Titus 2:3-4 MSG)  Jesus, the ultimate servant leader – Phil...

To "Love Where We Live," starts in our home and then extends to our community. What do we notice about the “expert” in the law/lawyer? 1. He’s an “expert” 2. He stands up to test Jesus 3. He asks the wrong question How does the Good Samaritan Respond in Jesus’ Story? He saw the person before he saw the need! (The need is temporary, but the person is eternal.) He chose to help meet the need. (He di...

Loving where we live starts with love in the home. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) Here are some ways to love our family:  * Wives: Love with encouragement. “Encouragement in the mouth of a woman is strength in the heart of a man.”  * Husbands: Love first and love the loudest.  * Kids: Love with honor.  * Grandparents: Love with presence, not pressure. Two practical ways to bring love into the home:  * Eat ar...

Freedom endures by grace as we stay near Christ–who sustains us, teaches us His unhurried pace, and invites us into His work.    Unformed Rhythms of Grace  * Walk with Jesus  * Work with Jesus  * Watch how Jesus does it 

A strategy to exchange little “t” truths for Big “T” Truths is making Nevertheless Statements “Nevertheless” is a strategic word that pulls your heart from its pit of despair or fear and guides your heart to its safe place — the Big “T” Truth. (pg. 231) When fighting for an unhindered heart lets… * Pause * Think * Pray * Say “Nevertheless”

Heart Shapers » Sore Spots » Faulty Heart Logic » Private Conclusions » When what seems true isn't fully true. » When what used to work doesn't work. » When Jesus has the final word.

What Is Heart Logic? Heart Logic is the most foundational meanings we make about the world, others, ourselves, and God. Heart Shapers » Sore Spots » Heart Logic The Four Heart Logic Questions: » Is God Good? Is He really good all the time? » Am I good even though I’m flawed? Am I truly valued and worthy of love? » Are other people good? Is there goodness among the brokenness in humanity? » Is life...