Corbin White 9/17/23 Corbin White 9/17/23

Revealing the Kingdom 23

Defining the Gospel

Four common definitions of the Gospel in American Christianity.

Gospel of Prosperity
Gospel of Evangelicalism
Gospel of Church Attendance
Gospel of Social Justice

The best place to begin is with the gospel Jesus preached.

Scot Mcknight says, If we don’t start with the Gospel Jesus preached, we may very well end up with a Gospel Jesus did not preach.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17 (ESV)

“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” – Luke 4:43 (ESV)

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” – Mark 1:14–15 (ESV)

When Jesus preached the gospel, he preached of the Kingdom of God breaking into our reality.

The Kingdom of God throughout the biblical narrative:

Creation: A Kingdom Established.
Fall: A Kingdom Challenged.
Redemption: A Kingdom Revealed.
New Creation: A Kingdom Reigning.

The Kingdom Established at Creation

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27

This is the work God has given humans to do.

“[work ] is rearranging the raw material of God’s creation in such a way that it helps the world in general, and people in particular, thrive and flourish.” – Tim Keller

At Creation, humanity was given the delegated authority to create the culture of God’s Kingdom.

The Kingdom Challenged in the Fall.

"Did God actually say– ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” – Genesis 3:1

God’s kingdom was and continues to be challenged by three forces; (1)Satan, (2)human sin, and (3) death.

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” – 1 Jn 3:8–9.

Satan, an evil being hellbent on building his own kingdom. One who tricks humanity out of our delegated authority and responsibility to create culture.

“…the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. “ –1 Jn 5:19.

“Nobody believed he was real. . . . That was his power. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”—Keyser Söze

Satan’s aim is to take God’s authority from us; to create his own world and a people in his image.

Sin is our disordered desires passed down from generation to generation that become the weapons by which we harm ourselves and one another.

“[Sin ] is an unwillingness to trust that what God wants is our deepest happiness.” –Saint Ignatius

The biblical narrative suggests that every human, apart from Jesus Christ, has a rebellious instinct that consciously and unconsciously guides us.

The result of our pitiful insurrection is antilife, decreation; and death.

Our original task was to cultivate a world in such a way life flourishes, but humans have rejected that task opting to order the world in such a way death abounds.

Death is the final challenge to the Kingdom of God because it is the antithesis of the Paradise God imagined.

A Kingdom Revealed in Redemption

“...and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” –Daniel 7:13–14.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” –Mark 1:15.

Jesus’ interest is in restoring an ancient Kingdom– one marked by a plurality of royal sons and daughters, who cultivate the earth and walk in the cool of the day with their God.

“And [Jesus] was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And [Jesus] was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”–Mark 1:13.

15 “He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.” – Colossians 2:15 (the Message)

The Gospel is the news that our true King has returned.

The Gospel is the announcement of something that has happened in Jesus, but it is also the announcement that is soon to come.

This is a theological theory known as Inaugurated Eschatology.

The Kingdom of has been started by Jesus but it hasn’t fully been realized.

A historical analogy to help us understand Inaugurated Eschatology is Juneteenth.

The Kingdom Come in New Creation.

Our God started his Kingdom in a Garden with collaborators he called humans, and he will complete his Kingdom in a garden city with collaborators, he calls sons and daughters.

"We are built to live in the kingdom of God. It is our natural habitat." – Dallas Willard

“Repent and Believe”.

Repentance as is used by Jesus is an invitation to ‘rethink everything.”

“When we see ourselves in the light of Jesus’ type of kingdom, and realize the extent to which we have been living by a different code altogether, we realize, perhaps for the first time, how far we have fallen short of what we were made to be. This realization is what we call ‘repentance’, a serious turning away from patterns of life which deface and distort our genuine humanness. It isn’t just a matter of feeling sorry for particular failings, though that will often be true as well. It is the recognition that the living God has made us humans to reflect his image into his world, and that we haven’t done so.” –Tom Wright

Belief in Christ is an act of allegiance; an allegiance that may lead us to do strange things to this culture for the sake of the Kingdom.

Corbin White 9/10/23 Corbin White 9/10/23

Come, Holy Spirit- Prophets

In a world that is confusing, disorienting, and complicated we need luminaries to show us the way. We need those who have explored the reservoirs of human knowledge and found a way to the good life. In the days of Moses, these luminaries were called “Prophets”.

The Prophets

In the biblical literature, the prophets of the Old Testament constitute 17 different books – Isaiah through Malachi.

Moses said to GOD, “Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, ‘Give us meat; we want meat.’ I can’t do this by myself—it’s too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I’ve seen enough; I’ve had enough. Let me out of here.” – Numbers 11:11–15 (Message Paraphrase)

God says he will fill 70 elders with his Spirit, and they will share the burden of leadership with Moses.

24 And [Moses] gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. 25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. – Numbers 11:24-25

The simplest definition for a prophet is “a messenger from God.”

Three characteristics of true prophets

1. True prophets of God depend on the Spirit of God, not their own charisma.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” –Zechariah 4:6.

2. Second, true Prophets are compelled to speak the truth.

“I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times….” 13 ‘If [the King] should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak’?”–Numbers 24:12–14.

True Prophets moved by the Spirit are compelled to speak the truth, regardless of the consequences.

“[Know] this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” –2 Peter 1:20–21.

“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! – Psalm 119:10–12

3. True Prophets have the Courage to Stand for Justice

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” – Luke 4:18-19

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-45

“Justice [in the Christian tradition] is learning to live out what God has done in Christ amongst ourselves first. And in living out this justice in this community, it becomes possible to share this justice with the world.” – David French

Justice is the shape of the Christian community.

“We believe firmly in the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. I can see no conflict between our devotion to Jesus Christ and our present action. In fact, I can see a necessary relationship. If one is truly devoted to the religion of Jesus he will seek to rid the earth of social evils. The gospel is social as well as personal."– Martin Luther King Jr.

26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” –Numbers 11:24–28.

Joshua’s Concern: False Prophets

It is dangerous to follow a false prophet.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” –Matthew 7:15–20.

1. A false prophet lacks personal integrity.

“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character.” –Matthew 7:15 (The Message)

False prophets have charisma but lack character.

2. A false prophet lacks Moral Courage.

“We cannot reinvent a Christianity that fits nicely on the ‘coexist’ bumper sticker, avoiding the disgrace and shame of the cross for a respectable religion that bows to the idols of our day: consumerism and sexual autonomy. This manipulation strategy relies on using biblical words in anti-biblical ways. It shares with biblical Christianity the same vocabulary, but not the same dictionary.” ~ Rosaria Butterfield

Moses’ Dream: A Prophetic People

29 “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”–Numbers 11:29.

“will pour out [his] Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” – Joel 2:28–29.

There is a Tension between Joshua’s Concern and Moses’ Dream.

We must be able to discern between the true and false prophets.

“19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.”– 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21.

Test everything.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”–1 John 4:1–3

Is this person’s teaching and life moving me toward greater obedience to Jesus?

Learn to trust God enough, to trust others.

Are you willing to let God use another person in your life?

Test everything, but also hold fast to what is good– that we might learn to hear the voice of God in surprising places. That we might be a people radically open to God.

Corbin White 9/9/23 Corbin White 9/9/23

Come, Holy Spirit- Numbers 11

The Prophets
In the biblical literature, the prophets of the Old Testament constitute 17 different books – Isaiah through Malachi.

“Moses said to GOD, “Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, ‘Give us meat; we want meat.’ I can’t do this by myself—it’s too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I’ve seen enough; I’ve had enough. Let me out of here.” – Numbers 11:11–15 (Message Paraphrase)

God says he will fill 70 elders with his Spirit, and they will share the burden of leadership with Moses.

The simplest definition for a prophet is “a messenger from God.”

Three characteristics of true prophets

1. True prophets of God depend on the Spirit of God, not their own charisma.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” –Zechariah 4:6.

2. Second, true Prophets are compelled to speak the truth.

3. True Prophets have the Courage to Stand for Justice

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” – Luke 4:18-19

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-45

Justice is the shape of the Christian community.

“26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” –Numbers 11:24–28.

Joshua’s Concern: False Prophets
It is dangerous to follow a false prophet.

1. A false prophet lacks personal integrity.

False prophets have charisma but lack character.

2. A false prophet lacks Moral Courage.

Moses’ Dream: A Prophetic People

29 “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”–Numbers 11:29.

There is a Tension between Joshua’s Concern and Moses’ Dream.

We must be able to discern between the true and false prophets.

“19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.”– 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21.

1.Test everything.

Is this person’s teaching and life moving me toward greater obedience to Jesus?

2.Learn to trust God enough, to trust others.

Are you willing to let God use another person in your life?

Test everything, but also hold fast to what is good– that we might learn to hear the voice of God in surprising places. That we might be a people radically open to God.

Corbin White 9/3/23 Corbin White 9/3/23

Come, Holy Spirit-1 Samuel 16

“Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins

“I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem’s room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author’s name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, fewer than 7% of Americans polled in 2012 had read a work of poetry at least once in the past year.

“Poems are comprised of everyday material expertly arranged in ways that require a reader’s time and reflection. But the reward is great: a memorable insight into our humanity, a line that perfectly encapsulates a moment or a truth we want to remember, an experience with language that provokes new ideas and deeper understanding.” –Jen Benka

“The Christian gospel is rooted in language: God spoke a creation into being; our Savior was the Word made flesh. The poet is the person who uses words not primarily to convey information but to make a relationship, shape beauty, [and] form truth…” – Eugene Peterson

“Then the Lord said [to Samuel], “Rise and anoint [David]; this is the one. So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed [David] in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” – 1 Samuel 16:12b-13 (ESV)

“The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.” – 1 Samuel 16:13 (The Message)

The first person anointed with oil in the Old Testament.
There are three kinds of people in the Old Testament who were anointed with oil- priests, kings, and prophets. The first person to be anointed is the first priest in Israelite history- Moses’ brother, Aaron.

The recipe for anointing oil is actually included in the Exodus account- Exodus 30:23-24. It has two main components-

Fragrant spices like cinnamon and myrrh
Olive oil

Anointing oil symbolizes a combination of liquid life and the smell of the perfect garden.

The Genesis account.

“[B]ut streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” – Genesis 2:6-7

Adam is the first anointed one brought about by liquid Spirit.

Humanity was created by God’s liquid Spirit, to bridge the gap between sky and land, heaven and earth, to be God’s image bearers or representatives to all of creation.

David as the anointed one.
David's story is the fullest story of anointing in the Old Testament.

David is unique in that he is the first person since the fall of creation to be given both liquid and Spirit at the same time. And although David messes up time and time again, he is the best example of what it looks like to repent and continue to seek the guidance of the Spirit even unto death.

Sufferer & Victor

David is so closely associated with the anointed one or God’s liquid Spirit; on his best day, he is a picture of the new Adam, the suffering servant, the anointed one that we eventually and fully see in the person of Jesus.

Jesus is the true anointed one.

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare[c] the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins…In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” – Mark 1:1-4,9-11

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” – Luke 4:18-19

In the History of Israel, we see God’s liquid Spirit, His anointing rest on the person of David. And David foreshadows the true anointed one, Jesus the Christ.

The anointed ones.

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20:21-22

You are now an anointed one bringing God’s spirit to earth through both suffering and victory.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13.

Reflect on Your Identity as an Anointed One.
To be God’s anointed ones- those who bring the heavenly realms to land, who manifest God’s Spirit here on earth and change the world around us, we must understand our identity as such.

We are invited to reflect on, ponder, and to consider our identity as the anointed ones.

Corbin White 8/27/23 Corbin White 8/27/23

Come, Holy Spirit- Exodus 35

“[I]n the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.” – David Foster Wallace

Workism is the belief that our job is not just for economic production or personal provision, but that a job can be – should be– the center of our identity.

“People … told me over and over that their careers are “spiritual journeys” and their work is a “calling.” Many said they had become more spiritual, whole and connected after working in tech. Their workplaces were communities where they found belonging, meaning, and purpose…But as I discovered during my research, the gospel of work is thin gruel, an ethically empty solution to meet our essential need for belonging and meaning. And it is starving us as individuals and communities.”– Carolyn Chen

“Our desks were never meant to be our altars.”– Derek Thompson

Set against this culture stands the biblical vision of work not as an identity, but as a collaboration with the Spirit of God.

“See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri” son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah – Exodus 35:30

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” –Genesis 2:15

“[Work] is rearranging the raw material of God’s creation in such a way that it helps the world in general, and people in particular, thrive and flourish.” – Tim Keller

A Theology of Vocation
In workism, our day job becomes the means by which we produce an identity. In the Christian vocation, our identity is first rooted in being image-bearers, and our work, whether paid or unpaid, becomes how we can explore that identity.

All people are called to follow Jesus.
We are called to recognize our work as an act of discipleship.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” –Colossians 3:23-24
“The Church’s approach to an intelligent carpenter is usually confined to exhorting him not to be drunk and disorderly in his leisure hours, and to come to church on Sundays. What the Church should be telling him is this: that the very first demand that his religion makes upon him is that he should make good tables.” -Dorothy Sayers, “Why Work?”
We are all called to work for the good of all and the glory of God.

Filled with the Spirit: Collaboration with God.
Based on the example of the text to be “filled with the Spirit” is to be given access to divine resources.

“[God] has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship… and 35 He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.” –Exodus 35:31,35.

They’ve honed their craft, but this passage suggests that the creating Spirit is furthering their natural ability.

Glory in their Midst.

In chapter 40, with the closing verses of Exodus, we are told about the product of Bezalel and Oholiab’s labor–

“… the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 36 Throughout all [Israel’s] journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” –Exodus 40:34–38.

The product of Bezalel and Oholiab’s work is a meeting space for God and humanity

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt [he pitched a tent] among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. –John 1:14.

The final two chapters of our bible, reimagine that garden transformed into a garden-like city.

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” – Revelation 21:2–3.

“What you do in the present—by painting, preaching, singing, sewing, praying, teaching, building hospitals, digging wells, campaigning for justice, writing poems, caring for the needy, loving your neighbor as yourself—will last into God’s future. These activities are not simply ways of making the present life a little less beastly, a little more bearable, until the day when we leave it behind altogether. They are part of what we may call building for God’s kingdom.” – NT Wright, Suprised by Hope

Spiritual Practice

Eugene Peterson puts it best when he says the primary location for spiritual formation is in the workplace (Living the Resurrection).

To practice the Jewish concept of Kavanah is to cultivate to holy intention: to bring the whole of yourself– mind, body, heart, and soul– to an activity as an act of worship to God.

May our simple practice be to repurpose a just few tasks this week as opportunities to invite the Spirit to work with us.

Corbin White 8/20/23 Corbin White 8/20/23

Come, Holy Spirit- Creation

Scripture

In the beginning, God created the heavens [better translation here is sky] and the earth [better translation here is land]. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Ge 1:1-3

When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. Ge 2:5–8.

“Come, Holy Spirit” Series Objectives

Moving Beyond Information

Ordinary Encounters

Radical Openness to God

Do the Jesus Stuff

“[Jesus] went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.” – Matthew 4:23-24

You cannot escape the presence of God, for he is in your very breath.

Genesis Disclaimer: Genesis was not designed to be a scientific or abstract statement about the origins of the universe. Rather it is a theological and pastoral statement. Genesis reminds its readers that if God created the world, if he sustains the world, He can be trusted.

Part 1: The Spirit Defined

Part 2: The Spirit Creating and Sustaining

“And God said…” Ge 1:3a

“When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.” Ge 2:5–8.

If it were [God’s] intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust. -Job 34:14-15

Where can I go from your presence, where can I flee from your Spirit? -Psalm 139:7

“God is everywhere present through his Spirit in the whole of creation. You can never get lost from God.” - Christopher Wright

You cannot escape the presence of God, for he is in your very breath.

PART 3: Lingering Questions

Question 1: If God’s breath is in all of creation, should we worship nature or even ourselves?

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. -Romans 11:36

Question 2: If God’s breath is sustaining and creating all of life, why are there natural disasters, invasive species, extinct species, global warming, disease, cancer, chronic illness, etc.

Question 3: If God’s Spirit is our very breath, why do we stop breathing? Or in other words, why do we die?

“Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” -Job 1:21

“and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” -Ecclesiastes 12:7

“The paradox of the relationship between the Spirit of God and human life on earth in the Old Testament is this. On the one hand we have the breath of life—i.e. physical life, the gift of God, which we share with all other living creatures on the planet. But on the other hand we are spiritually dead in our rebellion against God and destined to die in the end when that life-giving Spirit leaves—as destined to die physically as we are already dead spiritually- breathing and leaving…Life and breath are the gift of God’s Spirit. But when the Spirit leaves, breathing stops and our mortality asserts itself.” - Christopher Wright

Spiritual Practice

As I inhale, I pray, “Come Holy Spirit.”

As I exhale, I pray, “I receive your wisdom.”

Come, Holy Spirit, I receive your strength.

Come, Holy Spirit, I receive your love.

Come, Holy Spirit. I receive the fullness of God.

Corbin White 8/6/23 Corbin White 8/6/23

Zechariah

“Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought, useless and disappointing.” - A Cinderella Story

Like Israel we are left asking: How and why we can continue to have faith?

What is faith?

Mental affirmation is only the beginning of Faith, It ends with obedient action, or “Enacted Loyalty” - Salvation by Allegiance by Matthew Bates

“Faith is the substance, or reality, of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen.” - Heb 11:1

Allegiance communicates who & what we are loyal to and obey.

Zechariah directs the people of Israel toward a Spirit-empowered Faith

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” -James 4:7-8

God’s promise is consistent that when his people repent and turn toward Him, He is faithful to draw near to them.

Bible Project Resource: https://bibleproject.com/view-resource/246/

Zechariah 3 & 4 offer us a vision of (1) the why of our faith and (2) the how of our faith.

Zechariah 3: Vision about High Priest, Joshua

Role of High Priest:

Act as representative and mediator

Responsible for enforcing the covenant & directing the hearts of the people.

Jesus is our new High Priest; Jesus is WHY we can have faith

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” - 1 Peter 1:3

Doubt isn’t decreased faith, its matured faith

Studies have shown that for every 1 negative experience, you need 3 positive ones.

Give God the chance to give you 3 positive moments.

Faith begins with engaging your mind and ends with actions.

Zechariah 4: Vision about Governor, Zerubbabel

“Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit Says the Lord” - Zech 4:6

God is the source of Zerubbabel’s authority and power.

“Only if his Spirit governs every detail can service be glorifying to him.” -Scholar Joyce G. Baldwin

Spirit Empowerment is HOW we have faith.

“Obedience is about living in the present as if the future has already arrived. It’s not blind faith you’re doing it because you can point back to the resurrection of the risen Jesus.” - Theologian Tim Mackey

Faith is a leap but it’s not blind.

“...real biblical faith is not a general positive mindset or a blind optimism but is directed toward a defined object—and it is the trustworthiness of the object that sources and fixes faith’s genuineness. So if we want to grow in faith, we should study and contemplate God’s extraordinary reliability.” -Author Matthew Bates

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Encourage your soul with stories of FAITH
Posture yourself to receive
Love God & Love your Neighbor

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30

BE THE MOST INTERESTED PERSON IN THE ROOM!

Corbin White 7/30/23 Corbin White 7/30/23

Haggai

Timeline:

Haggai is one of the three minor prophets which prophesied post-exile, the other two are Zechariah and Malachi
The book was written in 520 B.C. which was 70 years after being exiled.
And because the Babylonian empire recently collapsed, the Persians were ruling and they allowed the return of a small group of Israelites to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, temple, and their lives.
The return back to Jerusalem was led by the High Priest Joshua the Son of Jozadak and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel the governor.
The returning people experienced extreme opposition and hardship building the temple which caused them to delay the rebuilding of God’s temple for nearly 20 years.
Haggai delivers a message of hope to the Israelite people and tells them their work will be blessed, God will rebuild a new Jerusalem, and His spirit will be in their midst.

4 Main Sections of the Book of Haggai:

Misplaced Priorities
Missed Expectations
A Call to Covenant Faithfulness
Future Kingdom

Together, we will journey through how God’s presence is revealed in each of these sections as well as in our own stories as God’s covenant people. In the book of Haggai, God is addressing two groups of people: the Distracted and the Discouraged.

1. Misplaced Priorities – Haggai 1:2-10

Haggai asks God’s people to consider what direction their lives were heading and if they really wanted it to continue that way. The Israelites were constructing their entire lives around the throne of Self instead of God’s Kingdom thus allowing their distractions to paralyze their obedience.

2. Missed Expectations – Haggai 2:1-9

The temple was destroyed nearly 70 years earlier and the Israelites knew this new temple was not going to compare in any shape or form to Solomon’s temple. This knowledge brought extreme sadness, comparison, and ultimately paralyzed them from obeying.

However, God pursues the discouraged and the distracted through Haggai reminding them God's presence will be in their midst to complete the work, to help them return their presence back to the neglected areas of their hearts, and to trust His plan.

3. A Call to Covenant Faithfulness – Haggai 2:10-19

God is giving an analogy of ritual holiness and uncleanness to force the priests to think about the spiritual status of the people. God is telling the people he not only cares about HOW they rebuild the temple but He also really cares about the priorities of their hearts.

4. A Future Kingdom – Haggai 2:20-22

God is preparing the people of God to live in His kingdom. As His people, we are asked to stop building our own castles, repent, and to be co-laborers in God’s kingdom reality. Our presence to God in our own realities plays a huge part as He works to restore the earth. God is too real to be met anywhere other than reality.

Spiritual Practices:

Take time this week and reflect on your priorities - have they brought you closer to God or farther away?
Take some space to honestly ask yourself if you trust God with your attention. Process this with a trusted friend or pastor.
Practice bringing your attention to God and seek what He is wanting to rebuild in your life.
Where do you need to be reminded of God’s presence?

Corbin White 7/23/23 Corbin White 7/23/23

Zephaniah

Zephaniah: Correction, Love, and Restoration

Timeline:

Zephaniah was the Great-Great Grandson of King Hezekiah

He would have the third most royal blood in his veins behind King David and Solomon.

Final decades of the southern kingdom (see 2 Kings 22-23)

Northern Kingdom is Samaria

Southern Kingdom is Judah

King Josiah wanted to bring real change to the land by removing idols and worshiping God alone.

Israel was too far gone and King Josiah’s pride led him to die a tragic death on the battlefield. (see 2 Chron. 35: 20-25)

Zephaniah saw all of this coming.

Three Main Parts of Zephaniah:

Judgment on Jerusalem (1-2:3)
Judgment on Other Nations and Jerusalem Again… (2:4-3:8)
Hope for the Nations and Jerusalem (3:9-20)

Judgment on Jerusalem

“I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.

“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. Zephaniah 1:2-3

“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Genesis 1:3-4

“Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff—before there comes upon you the burning anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the Lord. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.” Zephaniah 2:1-3

Even if there is chaos, destruction, and death around, be faithful because God is faithful. He will never leave or abandon you.

Judgment on Other Nations and Jerusalem Again… (2:4-3:8)

For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod's people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the Lord is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left. Zephaniah 2:4-5

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27

‘“Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.” Zephaniah 3:8

Let our love for God match our character and actions in our home, our neighborhood, and place of work.

Hope for the Nations and Jerusalem (3:9-20)

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:17-20

Zephaniah contains very intense images of God's correction and Love.

Correction: A passion to rescue his world from human evil and violence.

He brings this correction to restore. In order to create a world where everyone can flourish in safety and peace because of his love.

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

“While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Spiritual Practice:

Are you living separated from God?

Does God recognize you?

Accept his Correction, Love and restoration.

Make disciples.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Corbin White 7/16/23 Corbin White 7/16/23

Habakkuk

HABAKKUK & GOD

Habakkauk’s Complaint: Violence of Judah

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” - Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God’s Response: Unbelievable Work

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” - Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV

Habakkuk’s Second Complaint: Violence of Babylon

“Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One?“ - Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV

“I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.” - ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God’s Second Response: Unshakeable Faith

“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” - Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Babylon’s 5 Woe’s

1 & 2: Unjust Economics

3: Slave Labor

4: Abuse of Alcohol by Irresponsible Leaders

5: Idolatry

Spiritual Practice:

One: Set Your Eyes on What God Has Done

“O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” - Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV

Two: Find Joy in What God is Going to Do

« Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” - Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Corbin White 7/9/23 Corbin White 7/9/23

Nahum

Nahum 1 :

The oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;

the Lord takes vengeance

and is fierce in wrath.

The Lord takes vengeance against His foes;

He is furious with His enemies.

The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;

the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished.

His path is in the whirlwind and storm,

and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

He rebukes the sea so that it dries up,

and He makes all the rivers run dry.

Bashan and Carmel wither;

even the flower of Lebanon withers.

The mountains quake before Him,

and the hills melt;

the earth trembles at His presence –

the world and all who live in it.

Who can withstand His indignation?

Who can endure His burning anger?

His wrath is poured out like fire,

even rocks are shattered before Him.

The Lord is good,

a stronghold in a day of distress;

He cares for those who take refuge in Him.

But He will completely destroy Nineveh

with an overwhelming flood

and He will chase His enemies into darkness.

Whatever you plot against the Lord,

He will bring it to complete destruction;

oppression will not rise up a second time.

For they will be consumed

like entangled thorns

like the drink of a drunkard

and like straw that is fully dry.

One has gone out from you,

who plots evil against Yahweh,

and is a wicked counselor.

This is what the Lord says:

Though they are strong and numerous,

they will still be mowed down,

and he will pass away.

Though I have afflicted you,

I will afflict you no longer.

For I will now break off his yoke from you

and tear off your shackles.

The Lord has issued an order concerning you:

There will be no offspring

to carry on your name.

I will eliminate the carved idol and cast image

from the house of your gods;

I will prepare your grave,

for you are contemptible.

Look to the mountains –

the feet of one bringing good news

and proclaiming peace!

Celebrate your festivals, Judah;

fulfill your vows.

For the wicked one will never again

march through you;

he will be entirely wiped out.

Nahum’s 3 Chapters:

Nahum is comprised of three short chapters, and each chapter serves a purpose.

Chapter 1: A Message of Deliverance
Chapter 2: The Fall of Nineveh
Chapter 3: A Woe Oracle

When we look at the book of Nahum we realize that there isn’t just one audience, but two.

This is a message of hope and deliverance for the people of God.

Three reasons the people of God would struggle with believing a message of deliverance from the Ninevites:

Power
Extreme Brutality
History

God is bringing forth the promise that although his people have been afflicted, he is going to bring relief. He is going to show himself as the comforter to his people.

Nahum 3:1-7:

Woe to the city of blood

totally deceitful,

full of plunder,

never without prey.

The crack of the whip

and rumble of the wheel,

galloping horse

and jolting chariot!

Charging horseman,

flashing sword,

shining spear;

heaps of slain,

mounds of corpses,

dead bodies without end –

they stumble over their dead.

Because of the continual prostitution of the prostitute,

the attractive mistress of sorcery,

who betrays nations by her prostitution

and clans by her witchcraft

I am against you.

This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts

I will lift your skirts over your face

and display your nakedness to nations,

your shame to kingdoms.

I will throw filth on you

and treat you with contempt;

I will make a spectacle of you.

Then all who see you will recoil from you, saying,

“Nineveh is devastated;

who will show sympathy to her?”

Where can I find anyone to comfort you?

God is slow to anger, abounding in grace. But he will not let injustice and evil reign forever.

Nahum's prophetic message is that God is faithful in the midst of the brokenness.

God does not negate our experience just because he knows the ending, because he knows what it feels like to walk through the valley of death.

Psalm 34:15-22:

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their cry for help.

The face of the Lord is set

against those who do what is evil

to erase all memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,

and delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is near the brokenhearted;

He saves those crushed in spirit.

Many adversities come to the one who is righteous,

but the Lord delivers him from them all.

He protects all his bones;

not one of them is broken.

Evil brings death to the wicked,

and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

The Lord redeems the life of His servants,

and all who take refuge in Him will not be punished.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

Experiencing Brokenness

Instead of withdrawing and isolating ourselves, lean in.
Instead of being hardened by our pain, be vulnerable.
Instead of being skeptical, be reminded.
Instead of running away, make space.

Being People Who Walk with Others Through Brokenness

Be present.
Listen with love.
Weep with those who weep.
Carry each other’s burdens.

Corbin White 6/25/23 Corbin White 6/25/23

Micah

Three Things to Remember:

A prophet is a messenger sent by God to call the People of God back to covenantal or relational faithfulness.
The Old Testament Covenant was an agreement between God and Israel. When a covenant is broken, the relationship is broken, and there is fallout from the broken relationship.
God does not just leave the people in their brokenness. He works to restore his relationship with them, the covenant through the prophets.

Image bearers have power that is meant for the flourishing of others, to be shared in community through justice, mercy, and humility.

Micah 6:8 “ He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Idols of Judah:

Idol of Money

God cares about what we think about money, and how we steward it.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:7

Idol of Power (Resource: Playing God by Andy Crouch)

Power can be bolstered by a multitude of things.
- Privilege:
- It’s the responsibility of the privileged one to determine how their power will be stewarded
- “The exercise of true power always involves us in risk and requires creaturely dependence on God and other people.” - Andy Crouch
- Authority
- Hidden habits and hidden loves corrupt souls until they overpower us and lead to injustices

Idol of Pride

Pride can be summed as the idol of self.
Self-sufficiency is a lack of humble submission to God

Biblical Power

Biblical power is meant for creating space for thriving, collaboration, reconciliation, relationships, and multiplication of power.
God’s desire is for image bearers to practice their authority in a way that embodies the commitment to giving of yourself to God and giving of your power to and for others.

“Power is nothing without Love and Love without power is less than what it was meant to be.” - Andy Crouch

Acting justly is a lifestyle. When we love mercy, acts of justice will follow.

“True power that multiplies is on the other side of the choice to empty ourselves of power.” - Andy Crouch

Three Actions to Help Us Reclaim the Gift of Power:

1 Abide with the Lord

Resource: Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mulholland

2 Be Interruptible

Add one solitary discipline to your rhythm

3 Silence, Solitude, Fasting

*Disclaimer: if you’ve ever suffered from an eating disorder or live with a diagnosed medical condition, you should consult a doctor, therapist, or pastor prior to fasting.*

Corbin White 6/18/23 Corbin White 6/18/23

Jonah

Context:

No other book like this one in all of scripture. Jonah starts off similar to the other Minor Prophets but is actually about the prophet himself.

One of the few minor prophets of which we do not know who the author is, the other being Malachi.

A prophet is simply a messenger of the Lord to call the People of God back to covenant faith.

Theologians have two schools of thought when it comes to Jonah:

Historic Story
A Parable using real people. Jonah was mentioned in 2 Kings as a prophet that prophesied that Israel will expand its borders. Jesus also mentions Jonah displaying similarities of Jonah being in the belly of a fish for three days and himself being in the tomb for 3 days.

Jonah’s behavior is dramatic yet we can act like Jonah often. You will find that Jonah is really a story that is aimed at us, God’s believers.

Narrative:

Jonah 1:

Jonah means ‘Dove’. Amittai means ‘Faithfulness’. So Jonah begins with the line, “Now the word of the Lord came to Dove son of Faithfulness. This is ironic, as Jonah is the most faithless person in this story.

Jonah is tasked to go to Nineveh and to call out against their evil. Of which there is some historical context to understand here.

Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian empire.
They were brutal people with ruthless practices.
Assyrians were responsible for near genocide of the Hebrew people, killing 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Jonah instead flees the presence of God to Tarshish, the farthest west city of the known world.

The Lord prepares a mighty tempest that nearly destroys the boat. As a result the sailors interrogate Jonah. Of which ends with him being thrown overboard and then swallowed by a great fish.

Jonah 2:

We see our son of Faithfulness in the belly of the fish. He ends his poem with this ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’

He then is vomited up onto dry land.

Jonah 3:

Jonah is commissioned once again to carry out the task that the Lord has for him.

He gets to Nineveh and preaches an eight word sermon. “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown”

He doesn’t mention what evil they have done or what they need to do to not be overthrown.
He doesn’t lie with this sermon. God does indeed overthrow the Ninevites, just not not the way that you would expect. He overthrows their hearts

Word even reaches the king of Nineveh and he issues a bizarre decree. No man nor beast can taste anything and that they all be covered in sackcloth.

God relents from sending destruction.

Jonah 4:

If we were to not have Jonah 4, Jonah would have a happy ending. But, Jonah 4 has the big reveal of why Jonah didn’t want to come to Nineveh to begin with.

We assume that Jonah doesn’t want to come to Nineveh because he was afraid of the Ninevites, but it is actually because he hated them. This begs the question, what do we do when God loves our enemy?

Jonah then laments to God and quotes God’s own words to him from Exodus 34:6.

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…”
The Old Testament covenant was an agreement between God and Israel. Exodus 34:6 was God’s response to Israel after they made a golden calf and God still chooses to renew the covenant and to not leave his people in their brokenness. They ask God why would you do this? Exodus 34:6 is his response.

Jonah’s true worst enemy in this story is himself.

Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. - Charles Spurgeon
Our hatred can blind us from part of what God has for us.

God asks a simple question, “Do you do well to be angry?”

Jonah completely ignores this question. Then he goes outside of the city to watch what would become of it.

God then has a plant grow next to Jonah which gives him shade. This makes him exceedingly glad. Not too long after, God appoints a worm to attack the plant making it wither.

God is using this as a teaching moment for his prophet. God is still not finished with Jonah. He still has one more person to reach, Jonah.
Although Jonah messes up so many times, God is in fact gracious and compassionate. Slow to anger and abounding in love.
Jonah’s anger went from avoidance to anger to selfishness.

The Lord ends Jonah with this question, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

The Ninvevites didn’t know any better.
God is inviting us to all meditate on these questions. Should he not pity those who we call enemies as well?

Spiritual Practice

Forgiveness of our enemies is key.

“The first step towards enemy love is recognizing the common humanity, the common brokenness that we all share.” - Tim Mackey
Sit down and meditate with a pen an paper of a time where someone displayed a characteristic that made you upset or hurt you. Now meditate and think of a time where you displayed that same attribute.
Humble yourself. There is pride in our hatred. It can cause us to completely miss what God has for us.
Take joy in the small mundane day to day interactions. God could be using these small conversations to impact this person in a huge way.

Corbin White 6/11/23 Corbin White 6/11/23

Obadiah

Welcome to a community pride check.

Call them pride checks, or embarrassing moments; we have all had moments when our pride does not allow us to move forward well, and love others in the process.

What we do know about Obadiah and the minor prophets.

The prophets are messengers sent by God to call the People of God back to covenantal or relational faithfulness.
The Old Testament Covenant was an agreement between God and Israel. When a covenant is broken, the relationship is broken, and there is fallout from the broken relationship.
God does not just leave the people in their brokenness. He works to restore his relationship with them, the covenant through the prophets. He helps them learn to live in his new kingdom.

There is space for a good sense of pride.

Good pride is acknowledging accomplishments you (and others) have worked hard for.

Bad pride is any internal deliberation, or outward attitude that diminishes others.

(We should not resist vulnerability. We should resist the urge to use our past hardships or accomplishments to attempt to gain power in relationships.)

Bad pride is the hard truth of when it gets in the way of revealing the Kingdom of Jesus in Kansas City. (God hates this.)

Problem: The more we allow ourselves to abide by pride, the more we do it subconsciously. Pride is the root cause of all sin.

Historical Context:

Jacob’s line = Israel (God’s chosen nation).

Esau’s line = Edom (Systematically self-focused).

When Israel was being destroyed by Babylon, Edom chose to watch their brother nation come to ruin. Then, they looted the ruins.

Edom took pride in their physical security. Edom’s capital city, Petra, literally means “rock.” It was an impenetrable fortress high up in mountain clefts. This was Edom’s pride and joy; the centerpiece of their security. Their primary attitude existed as “Who could ever reach us from up here?” Which applied both to their geographic location, as well as their spiritual relationship with the Lord.

But hedges mean nothing to God.

Obadiah 6 says “Every nook and cranny of Edom will be searched and looted. Every treasure will be found and taken.”

Edom took pride in their strong alliances. They participated in the destruction of Israel by siding with wicked Babylon. They wanted to maintain connections to success, even if that meant evildoing.

Edom took pride in their own sense of wisdom. They assumed that because they were smart, they were also independent from God.

“The first and worst cause of errors that abound in our day and age is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and misleads `judgment. Pride is the main handle by which he has hold of Christian persons and the chief source of all the mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder the work of God.” - Johnathan Edwards

May spiritual wisdom not be used to gain leverage or power over others, as so many have done. May it not morph into a mode of pridefulness, taking place of humility.

Edom was prideful of:

their own sense of security;
their strong alliances;
and their perception of wisdom.

They were blinded by their pride, and they disobeyed God by aiding in the destruction of their brother/neighbor. (FOR THIS, GOD WAS ANGRY.)

He pride-checked them. God called them out for (at least) three things:

Verse 11. Edom! You should have helped Israel when strangers plundered Jerusalem. But because you stood back, you are as guilty as those who invaded (11).

Verse 12. Edom, you gloated over their brothers in the days of their misfortune. You took pleasure in the harm that came to Israel (12).

Verses 13-14. Edom, you exploited Jerusalem by looting the city. When you stood at the crossroads while people fled. And when you captured Israelites to traffic (13-14).

Verse 15. Obadiah reminds Edom that the day of the Lord is coming. What they have done will be done to them.

“Those who are high and powerful today should not be so overconfident in themselves, whether they are a nation, a corporation, a church, or a family. Just as Edom was destroyed for its pride, so will anyone who lives in defiance of God” (What Ticks God Off, Jantz).

To start the pride-checking process we must acknowledge where it is occurring.

Where are the patterns of pride in your life?

Does it get in the way of having genuine relationships with people?

What are the messy closets you’re trying to hide away, making sure no one can see?

Is the pride of your home a hindrance to enjoying your family?

Is the pride of your friend group excluding people you know you need to support?

Is the pride of your education or your accolades coming into conversations more than your ability to listen to someone else’s ordinary life?

Are you paying more attention to protecting your pride or allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you?

Solution: Take the cue from the Son of God.

When Edom, a spiteful nation was destroyed, it was rubble. When Jesus, a holy man was destroyed, there was resurrection. Out of His destruction came life.

Luke 14:11 “All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

God’s solution to pride based on our idea of independence and self-sufficiency is to humble ourselves. Humility is not weakness. It is not solving our problems alone. It is not holding superiority over others. It is a radical, subversive way of life that Jesus has taught us.

1 Chronicles 7:14 "My people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways.”

Defending against pride according to the Father:

Prayer
Seek His face
Turn from wicked ways

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9 (NLT)

Just as Edom was responsible for taking care of its brother nation, we are responsible for taking care of the brother/sisterhood of humanity. God has not called us to always be waiting to do the right thing. In our doing, may we not be so inwardly focused, overwhelmed by the big picture of everything, that we forget about our own neighborhoods and apartment complexes

The beginning of Obadiah is a somber declaration of God’s impending judgment upon a prideful nation. The ending contains a joyful noise of “the Lord himself will be King.”

Blessed by God, for we have realized our need for Him. For the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to us.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:3

Corbin White 6/4/23 Corbin White 6/4/23

Amos

Now Dylan has a song called “God On Our Side” where he traces some of the moments from America’s history and speaks about how he was taught that we won wars and had a right to manifest our destiny because God Was On Our Side. And one of the verses goes like this:

Through many a dark hour

I've been thinkin' about this

That Jesus Christ was

Betrayed by a kiss

But I can't think for you

You'll have to decide

Whether Judas Iscariot

Had God on his side.

Am I a part of the problem? Am I contributing to ecological disasters? Am I caught up in the extreme consumerist attitude of the culture? Am I doing anything to help my city and my neighbors suffering from injustice? Do I have implicit or explicit prejudice? Does the change I want to see in the world need to start with me?

Amos, like all prophets, is a messenger sent by God to call the people of God back to covenantal or relational faithfulness.

Amos is advocating on behalf of the covenant God established with the Israelite people. Which is consistently broken by their sin, rebellion, and unjust treatment of one another resulting in a broken relationship between the people and God..."

“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye,” (Matthew 7:3-5).

Justice and Righteousness is THE key theme for the book of Amos.

God has called us to change our hearts, not just our clothes. To be people who go through both outward AND inward change. Israel, however, thought changing their clothes was enough.

Amos 5:21-24, I hate, I despise your feasts! I can’t stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even if you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will have no regard for your fellowship offerings of fattened cattle. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.

“What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not!” Romans 6:1

The prophets never separated themselves from the people of Israel.

They led through their EMBODIMENT, not through political or social power.

“Forgive US our debts,” Matthew 6:12

“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

“Seek God and live.” Amos 5:4

Spiritual Practice:

Grieve/Lament
Personal inventory
Energization/Hope

Luke 19:41-44, “41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

“Faith without works is dead.” James 2:17

Corbin White 5/28/23 Corbin White 5/28/23

Joel

A 2022 report done by the Mental Health Million Project at Sapien labs found that people between the ages of 18-24 became fixated with one or more celebrities at 12 times the rate of their parents’ generation.

The first shall be last and the last first (Matthew 20:16)

Blessed are the meek and poor (Matthew 5)

Go and tell no one that I have healed you - Various scriptures

“Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.” -Luke 9:58 (MSG)

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” - Luke 9:46-48

God’s invitation is for everyday ordinary people to join him in the renewal of our world.

Prophet Defined: The prophets are messengers sent by God to call the People of God back to covenantal or relational faithfulness.
Covenant Defined: The Old Testament Covenant was an agreement between God and Israel. When a covenant is broken, the relationship is broken, and there is fallout from the broken relationship.
Good News: God does not just leave the people in their brokenness. He works to restore his relationship with them, the covenant through the prophets. He helps them learn to live in his new kingdom.

A few things about the book of Joel-

There is no explicit indication of when it was written. People believe it was written during the time period of Ezra-Nehemiah after Israel’s return from exile during and after Jerusalem's destruction.
Joel is also different because he refers to many of the other prophets.
Joel never accuses Israel of a particular sin.

Joel teaches us that as everyday ordinary people we join God in the renewal of our world by:

Changing our lives, not just our clothes
Coming back to our God
Receiving the Spirit

Change your life, not just your clothes

“Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God!” - Joel 1:13

“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:7-9

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” -Joel 2:12-13

“Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!” 13–14 Change your life, not just your clothes.” -Joel 2:12-13 MSG

Come back to God again and again

“It is the task of the prophet to stand up in such moments of catastrophe and clarify who God is and how he acts.” - Eugene Peterson

“Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!” 13–14 Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your God!” -Joel 2:12-14 (MSG)

In Exodus 34, Moses encountered the God of Israel and wrote– “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” –Exodus 34:6.

In Psalm 108, David, Israel’s most famous king, declares– “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” –Psalm 108:3–4.

The apostle John writes- “God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” –1 John 4:8-9.

Receive the Spirit

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants” - Joel 2:28-29

Spiritual Practice

Suggestion 1: Some of us really need to work on changing our lives, not just our clothes.
Suggestion 2: Some of us need to work on really knowing who God is.
Suggestion 3: Some of us need to be open and receptive to the leading of the Spirit.

Corbin White 5/21/23 Corbin White 5/21/23

Hosea

The prophets are messengers sent by God to call the People of God back to covenantal faithfulness. God is consistently faithful to his people, even when we fall short.
The Old Testament Covenant was an agreement between God and Israel. When a covenant is broken, the relationship is broken, and there is fallout from the broken relationship.
The prophet's invitation is to reflect and restore a broken covenant, coming back in relationship with God and restoring the faithfulness of Israel to the covenantal relationship.
When the covenant is restored, the people live as God has called them to live. They understand their calling as Kingdom people and live in that kingdom reality.

When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.” Hosea 1:2

And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a bussell of barley. And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” Hosea 3:1-3

A Marriage:

God has chosen us from the beginning of time. He has pursued us.

Adultery:

The world was very chaotic around Hosea. Israel was split into two kingdoms. They were referred to the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom. Hosea was from and lived in the Northern Kingdom. Kings of Israel kept getting assassinated. The Assiarians were pressuring the nation of Israel. So Israel had the choice to follow God or the gods of the nations around them.

Baal was the god of life and fertility. This is ironic because Baal was a false God. The people had the real God all along but chose to seek the other.

Illustration:

The cactus is a very hardy plant. It can survive extreme weather. Going from Cold to intense heat. All the cactus needs is a little water and Sun. It can not live without the Sun. What kills the Cacti is over watering. We are the same. All we need is God. But we tend to fill our lives with other things to take the place of God. We over water ourselves. We are committing Adultery to God when we try to replace him.

Restoration:

The story of Hosea does not dwell on the actions of Gomer. The story dwells on God's actions through Hosea. Buying his wife back. Cleaning her up. Restoring her.

Gomer is a picture of us.

Hosea is a picture of our God.

He will do whatever it takes to restore her to himself, even if she currently has no intention of changing her ways. - Eric J Tully

Each time you fall He’ll pick you up. He knows your own efforts are never going to bring you anywhere near perfection - CS Lewis

Other examples of restoration: David, Peter, Barnabas, Paul

Spiritual Practice:

We are not perfect, we have not arrived. One of the biggest lies today is we don't have to change. We do have to change EVERYDAY.

Abide in Christ

Accept the Forgiven Life

Prioritize a Jesus Community

Alex Ferren 5/14/23 Alex Ferren 5/14/23

Resurrection Ordinary Time

Ordinary time is what we call the months that are not included in the major seasons of feasting or fasting in the church calendar, such as Advent, Lent, and Easter.

“[an] intentional, deliberate decision to believe and participate in resurrection life, a life out of death, a life that trumps death, a life that is the last word, Jesus-life.” – Eugene Peterson

Most of our life with Jesus is lived in the ordinary time.

John 14-17 is known as the farewell discourse.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. –John 14:15-17

Jesus promises that if his followers seek to obey him, they will experience a Familiar Presence in every moment of life.

“God’s Empowering Presence.” – Gordon Fee

This passage emphasizes two major themes; (1) the guidance of the Spirit, and (2) the Presence of the Spirit.

The Spirit guides us.

V. 15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

V.21 – Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.

V. 23– If anyone loves me, he will keep my word,

The good news is that he sends the Spirit to help us.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” –John 16:13–14

“the Spirit, above all else, carries on Jesus’ mission and mediates his presence… The personal functions of the Spirit are also the functions of Jesus in the rest of the book, and the sensitive reader cannot miss the connection.” – Craig Keener

Action aimed at the love of God and Neighbor is the unmistakable mark of the Spirit of Jesus.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. – John 14:18-21

The Spirit is not a substitute for our Lord but is the real thing.

The manifest presence of God is made available to all the people of God.

The scriptures time and time again reveal God’s desire to be with his people– to dwell in our midst.

Jesus’ invitation is to wake up to his presence in every moment of life.

“Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.” – John 14:22–23.

The God of the cosmos has decided to take up residence in each of his followers.

“The most effective way Brother Lawrence had for communicating with God was to simply do his ordinary work. He did this obediently, out of a pure love of God, purifying it as much as was humanly possible. He believed it was a serious mistake to think of our prayer time as being different from any other. Our actions should unite us with God when we are involved in our daily activities, just as our prayers unite us with him in our quiet devotions.” – Brother Lawrence

“Love turns work into rest.” ― Teresa of Avila

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” –Matthew 11:28–30 (The Message)

Spiritual Practice: Pay Attention.

“If you are home alone with small children whose needs give you little uninterrupted time, then you don’t need an hour of private prayer daily. Raising small children, if it is done with love and generosity, will do for you exactly what private prayer does.”– Ronald Rolheiser

A life lived in love and awareness to God is prayer.

“In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.” ― Brother Lawrence

The simple takeaway is that to come to know his presence, we must think of him often.

Pray the simple and ancient prayer– “Come Holy Spirit”.

Corbin White 5/7/23 Corbin White 5/7/23

Resurrection Baptism

We are blessed enough to often be surrounded by easily accessible and drinkable water. Water, as we all know, is pretty essential not only for human life, but life in general on this planet. But water, as we read in our Scripture this morning, is also essential to the life of a believer. Jesus said that we are to be born of both water AND Spirit. But like Nicodemus on that night, it can be hard to wrap our heads around what this looks like and how we can live it out. So, let’s talk about baptism together this morning. We will do this by tracing the beautiful relationship God has with water throughout Scripture and how it is used.

1. Our God defeated death; The central message of our faith is that Jesus died, was buried, and came back to life in the flesh.

2. Easter is everything. More than a day or a celebration of Spring, Easter is the climax of the Christian story. It is God’s invitation to belong to a new world, his kingdom.

3. We practice resurrection.

Water and Baptism Throughout the Bible:

We're going to DIVE straight in at Genesis and trace baptism through the unified story of Scripture. When the Story of Scripture begins, we find God and water already being intertwined. Gen 1:2 tells us that,

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

The Spirit of Our God is near the water, ready to begin the work of bringing the world out of chaos and into Holy order through the act of creation. It shows a very special relationship between God and water, a relationship that we will continue to explore as we move through the Old Testament.

Now, we go to Exodus. We see Moses, the first priest and prophet of Israel bringing the People of God out of slavery and bondage in Egypt. As they are walking, they encounter the Red Sea. A massive body of water that stands between them and Pharaoh’s pursuing army. Yet, God instructs Moses to use his staff to part the waters. Moses wades out into the water and lifts the staff, and when it touches the water, WOOSH! The People of God walk through on dry land to the other side, safe from Pharaoh’s final threat and continuing to Mt. Siani where they would receive the Ten Commandments, the foundation to their lives as God’s covenantal community.

This covenant with Almighty God would bring them into a whole new identity, a covenantal identity. And this began with WATER. Though it is not the typical dunking we may think of, many theologians, including one of our favorites to quote here at Midtown, NT Wright, speak of how this significance cannot be ignored when speaking about God’s relationship with water and baptism throughout Scripture.

BUT it does not end there. We then move to the book of Joshua. Israel must again cross a body of water. This time it’s the Jordan River. And the Jordan is not just at a normal level, it is flooding. The water is roaring through the Holy Land. But God tells His people in Joshua 3 to take the Ark of the Covenant before them and the water will dry up so they may cross. And sure enough,

“The water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan…” Joshua 3:16

And then, hundreds of years later, a locust-eating, camel skin wearing fella called John the Baptist comes along. John is out in the wilderness, just like Israel was, calling the people of God to repentance, just like the prophets did. Luke 3 tells us that John is out here baptizing all sorts of people. And then, Jesus comes along. While John is baptizing, Jesus asks to be baptized as well. And Luke paints the picture here.

“And as he was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

Jesus, the Son of God Himself, gets baptized. And once again, the Spirit of God is hovering over the waters. The Order of God is once again going to be established. And where is this happening? The JORDAN RIVER! The same place where the covenantal People of God entered the promised land is where the establisher of the New Covenant is now baptized WITH Israel in the Jordan. Scripture is like a beautiful poem that loves to rhyme.

The Great Commission:

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

The Book of Acts:

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

“Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Acts 8:36

“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” Acts 16:33

Baptism Explored:

Baptism is first and foremost about the community that is formed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is not only an isolated event for the individual to recognize the choice that they have made to belong to Jesus’s Kingdom. When we gather around a newly baptized individual, there is participation from the entire family of God.

Baptism is MORE than a private transaction. In our hyper-individualistic world, baptism is more counter cultural than ever because it is something WE do together as a family. It is not a simple act of piety by an individual but a welcoming of that individual into the much larger family of God. It is something that involves all of us TOGETHER.

Just like you are only born once, you only come into the house once. God is faithful even when we are not. Even when we lack a full understanding, when we stray away from the family house, God honors the covenant He has made. Our God is not one to abandon. He is a God of solidarity, who honors and stands with His people, even when they don’t stand with Him.

Even you who were baptized as infants, I believe our God honors that. NT Wright, along with several other of my favorite theologians were all baptized as children in Catholic, Anglican, and Episcopal traditions. I don’t have a problem with them or when they were baptized. I recognize their baptism, and I believe God does as well.

We recognize all baptism is believers’ baptism because belief is something we do TOGETHER as the family of God. When you were baptized as a baby, your blood relatives, and your church, committed themselves to raising you in the Christian faith. And as your church family now, we promise to honor that commitment and carry that responsibility together.

When we say the Creeds, we do it together. When we confess the mystery of our faith, we do it together. And when one of us is baptized, WE DO IT TOGETHER. Our community is one that invites the individual to make our shared faith their own. It always revolves around community.

The act of being baptized itself is an identification with our Lord Jesus. We go under the water, baptized into his death and rise with him in his glorious resurrection.

Whenever we doubt our place in the family of God, those physical acts, these beautiful practices that we engage in regularly are here to remind us that God never doubts our place in His house or in His family. When we feel the water, when we see the bread and cup, when we hear the splashing, or smell the body and blood, it is a holistic way of reminding our body, all of our senses, as well as our heart and mind that we belong to God and He welcomes us into His family. Baptism reminds us of our identity HOLISTICALLY so in those moments of doubt, it brings us back to the water to remind us of the faithfulness of God and our identity as His People.

Application:

Baptism:

We want to baptize you if you have not been baptized already! And we are going to be having a baptism class coming up that you can sign up for this year so we can walk you through the process of baptism.

Remembering Our Baptism:

I would invite you to take some intentional time to contemplate your own baptism. Remember where it was, who was with you, how it felt. Allow the Spirit to bring those memories and feelings to your mind so you can reflect upon them as we approach the table of the Lord together.

And I would encourage you to visit that place once again. That church, that pool, that river, wherever. Go again and sit in that space, dip your hand in the water, and be reminded of just how faithful our God has been to you as you have journeyed forward as a part of His house.

Even this week, when you see water, when you fill up that bottle or mug you brought this morning, or even when you’re cleaning up a puddle after your kids have spilled something, be reminded of the Scripture’s we read this morning. Invite the Holy Spirit to hover over the waters once again. Let us be reminded of the sacredness of water, of how God has used it, and how we now reside in our Faithful Father House as His baptized people.

Corbin White 4/30/23 Corbin White 4/30/23

Resurrection Friendships

“[Loneliness is] proven to be worse for health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” - Mark Robinson

The CDC states on their website that there is a strong correlation between loneliness and increased health risks for those over the age of 50:

Social isolation significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.
Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.
Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

Gallup states, “Experiencing significant loneliness is entangled in a larger global issue of mental health and emotional wellbeing. Recent Gallup research estimates that over 300 million people globally don’t have a single friend, and one in five don’t have friends or family that they can count on when needed.”

According to a Gallup poll conducted in January of 2023, 17% or 44 million American adults experienced significant loneliness, reporting they felt lonely “a lot of the day yesterday.”

Young adults under the age of 30 account for 24% or around 10 million adults who experience severe loneliness in America.

David Brooks, opinion writer for the New Yorker, argues that we have shifted from identity politics that emphasize our common humanity to identity politics that emphasize a common enemy.

To follow Jesus is to be community, to have friends.

Practicing Resurrection:

Our God defeated death; The central message of our faith is that Jesus died, was buried, and came back to life in the flesh (Mark 16:9, John 20:18, Matthew 28:9, Luke 24:34, Luke 24:13-31, John 20:19 and 26, John 21:1, etc.).
Easter is everything. More than a day or a celebration of Spring, Easter is the climax of the Christian story. It is God’s invitation to belong to a new world, his kingdom.
We practice resurrection. In the words of Eugene Peterson, “The practice of resurrection is an intentional, deliberate decision to believe and participate in resurrection life, a life out of death, a life that trumps death, a life that is the last word, Jesus-life.”

“The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” - Matthew 10:2-4

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35

“This is where we as Christians have such a beautiful story to tell. They will know you are Christians, how? By being friends.” - Professor Dan Hasse

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. - John 15:12-27

“The named people remind us that the resurrection takes place among men and women like us—puzzled, bewildered, confused, questioning, and even stubbornly doubting friends. And yes, also singing and believing and praying and obeying friends.” - Eugene Peterson

To follow Jesus is to be in community, to have friends.

2 Barriers, 3 Suggestions:

Barrier 1: Hurt
Barrier 2: Hiding
Suggestion 1: Intentionality
Suggestion 2: Trust
Suggestion 3: Hospitality

Rosaria Butterfield: “In a post-Christian community, words can only be as strong as your relationships. Your best weapon is an open door, a set table, a fresh pot of coffee, and a box of Kleenex.”