Intro: (1) gratitude (2) cruel joke first day back (3) five lessons from rest (4) biblical overview of restThe Jacob Lesson (Genesis 32:24-31): (1) Jacob returning to potentially dangerous situation → met by God in human form (2) they wrestle all night until Jacob is both blessed and hurt (3) he limps away, but now with the name Israel (4) a limp prevents us from operating with strength/control (c...  Read More

Intro: ways I and the congregation have been shaped by TimWorship (5:15-21): (1) v.19 → importance of singing as Christians (2) Timism → singing only one part of worship (3) this applies to corporate worship (4) applies in a larger way to Christian life → wisdom, using time well, being filled with the Spirit, giving thanks, submitting to one another (5) “mind’s attention and heart’s affection” (6)...  Read More

Intro: (1) roles of Ben/Jeremy → titles (cf. 1 Timothy 5:17) (2) NT → plurality, elder = pastor = shepherd = overseer (4) some paid, some volunteer in our context (5) “pastor” vs. “director” (6) five marksCorporate Worship: (1) Acts 2:42, 20:7, 1 Cor. 14:26, 40 (2) key → sermon, singing, scripture reading, prayers, communion/baptism, sharing/testimony, preaching, giving, benediction (3) overseen b...  Read More

Intro: (1) the Christian life is one restoration after another (cf. man rescued from same mountain twice) (2) what are marks of a life restored from sin by Christ?Service that is grateful (15-17): (1) breakfast from “charcoal fire” in v.9 (cf. 18:18) (2) three rounds of question, response, command → different forms/words used for “love” (3) first clue → “do you love me more than these?” (cf. Mt. 2...  Read More

Intro: (1) Jesus meets disciples back home (cf. Mark 14:28) → MAP (2) meeting Jesus in everyday lifeJesus meets us in failure (2-3): (1) v.2 → seven disciples, (i.e. those from this region) → no longer behind locked doors (3) first introduced in ch.1 → think of all the ups/downs since then (4) v.3 → return to their normal work (5) the Lord ordains fishing failure as their final lesson (cf. Mt. 4:1...  Read More

Intro: (1) how faith in the unseen becomes tangible reality (cf. gravity) (2) three reasons for gatheringJoyful Mission (19-21): (1) v.19 → evening of resurrection day → first “church” gathering (2) doors locked → still afraid, given the past few days (3) group included the eleven, the initial group of ladies, the two from the road to Emmaus (4) Jesus miraculously appears with greeting of peace → ...  Read More