Revealing the Kingdom 2025
4 American Gospels
The Gospel of Prosperity.
The Gospel of Church Attendance.
The Gospel of Social Justice.
The Gospel of Evangelicalism.
Many have received a gospel that is not so good news.
Jesus’ Preaching.
If we don’t start with the Gospel Jesus preached, we may very well end up with a Gospel Jesus did not preach. –Scot McKnight
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17
“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)
The Gospel of the Kingdom.
In Matthew, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ is mentioned fifty-two times.
In Mark, “Kingdom of God” is mentioned twenty times.
In Luke, “Kingdom of God” is mentioned forty-five times.
John uses ‘eternity’ as a substitute for ‘Kingdom’.
To rediscover the good news as good news, Jesus’ understanding of the ‘Kingdom’ must be re-centered.
The Kingdom Created.
The Kingdom Betrayed.
The Kingdom Come.
The Kingdom Reign.
1. The Kingdom Created
“ …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
In His wisdom, God decided to create beings with whom He would have a special relationship, beings that would be made in his image; to be a royal delegate, a steward, a representative, a manager of the divine.
“[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
2. The Kingdom Betrayed.
“…you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”– Genesis 3:5.
The humans betray the God-King and work against his Kingdom of life.
This betrayal runs so deep that it becomes one of the defining features of humanity; a theological concept that the bible calls sin.
“The Human Propensity to [muck] things Up.”– Francis Spufford
“…the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19.
Sin puts humans on a trajectory toward death.
3. The Kingdom Come.
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” –Mark 1:15.
Jesus was restoring an ancient Kingdom of royal sons and daughters, who cultivate the earth and walk in the cool of the day with their God-king.
“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.
Where the first Adam failed, the Second Adam succeeds.
“He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe [sin, satan, and death] of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.” – Colossians 2:15 (the Message)
This is good news because Jesus is the only King who is worthy of our full trust.
Discipleship is the path of being assimilated into Jesus’ Kingdom; it is how we learn the ways, culture, and language of the Kingdom.
"We are built to live in the kingdom of God. It is our natural habitat." – Dallas Willard
4. The Kingdom Reign.
“I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” –Revelation 21:3-4.
God’s new creation is Eden remade.
Inaugurated Eschatology is the theological theory that in Jesus, the foundation for the Kingdom has been laid, but its full reign and power have yet to transform the earth; an already/not yet Kingdom.
The Church’s task is to demonstrate and display what God’s kingdom will look like.
“Every act of love, gratitude and kindness; every work of art or music inspired by the love of God and delight in the beauty of his creation; every minute spent teaching a severely handicapped child to read or to walk; every act of care and nurture, of comfort and support, for one’s fellow human beings, and for that matter one’s fellow non-human creatures; and of course every prayer, all Spirit-led teaching, every deed which spreads the gospel, builds up the church, embraces and embodies holiness rather than corruption, and makes the name of Jesus honoured in the world—all of this will find its way, through the resurrecting power of God, into the new creation which God will one day make. That is the logic of the mission of God.” –Tom Wright
Citizenship
Conservation of Religion.
Political theorist Samuel Goldman has theory called “The Conservation of Religion.” Goldman’s theory posits that human society possesses a certain amount of religious energy, which will always be expressed, even if not in traditional religious environments.
Americans are less involved with religious institutions today than years past, but that does not mean they are less religious.
Religious energy has shifted into politics.
“As Christianity’s hold, in particular, has weakened, ideological intensity and fragmentation have risen. American faith, it turns out, is as fervent as ever; it’s just that what was once religious belief has now been channeled into political belief. Political debates over what America is supposed to mean have taken on the character of theological disputations. This is what religion without religion looks like…We are a nation of believers.” – Shadi Hamid
Caesar’s Gospel in Philippi.
The city of Philippi was established roughly 400 years prior to Paul’s letter, and refounded as a Roman Military colony 300 years after that.
All of Philippi’s citizens were given Roman citizenship, and it was repopulated with Roman military veterans.
“In a city like Philippi, this would have meant that every public event (the assembly, public performances in the theater, etc.) and much else within its boundaries took place in the context of giving honor to the emperor, with the acknowledgment that (in this case) Nero was ‘lord and savior.’” –Gordon Fee
“The birthday of the God (Caesar Augustus) was the beginning for the world of the good news [Euangelion] that have come through men through him.” –9 B.C. Priene Inscription
The Gospel of Christ.
“The beginning of the good news [Euangelion] about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God…” – Mark 1:1
The earliest Christian believers Jesus was the rightful King of the world.
In Philippians, Paul refers to Jesus as “Lord” 15 different times.
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” –Philippians 2:9–11.
The Christian Gospel is that the one true God has taken charge of the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus; And that he is establishing a nation, a kingdom, where death is defeated, sin is no more, and life is unending.
“Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” – Matthew 6:10
The Gospel of Jesus is a threat to those who think their will is supreme.
Jesus wasn’t crucified because he said ‘love your neighbor’; that is a radical ethic, but it's unlikely to get you executed.
Jesus was executed because he was a threat to the powers that be.
Paul is writing from a Roman prison because he was touring the Roman countryside, ‘Defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, [named] Jesus” ( Acts 17:7).
The Philippians weren’t experiencing opposition because they were worshiping privately.
Honestly, Rome was incredibly tolerant of religious diversity as long as that religious loyalty came second to Roman loyalty.
The Philippians were experiencing opposition because they refused to bow a knee; because they insisted that ‘Jesus is Lord, and Caesar is not’.
In a city charged with Roman Patriotism, holding loyalty elsewhere caused problems.
This could have been due to a lack of work, economic restrictions, social rejection, a tarnished reputation, or family disapproval.
“…believers in Christ could no longer join in as citizens of Rome in Philippi. Their allegiance was to another [Lord], Jesus Christ, before whom every knee would someday bow and every tongue confess, including the citizens of Philippi who were causing their suffering, as well as the emperor himself. The Philippian believers in Christ were thus citizens of a greater dominion, and their allegiance was to another [savior], whose coming from heaven they awaited with eager expectation.”– Gordon Fee
Kingdom Citizenship (1:27)
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” – Philippians 1:27
Conduct | Politeuomai – ‘to be a good citizen’.
“If Roman citizenship required a lifestyle of honor and glory for Rome, then how much more is necessary for a heavenly citizenship to the Lord, Jesus Christ?” – Sydney Park.
“Live in the Roman colony of Philippi as worthy citizens of your heavenly homeland.” (Philippians 1:27, Gordon Fee paraphrase)
“...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”–Philippians 3:20.
This makes Christians those with dual citizenship.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors…” –1 Peter 2:13–14.
“We must obey God rather than human beings! –Act 5:29.
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” –Jeremiah 29:4–7.
Paul instructs them to live gospel-shaped lives– let your life be a reenactment of the story of Jesus.
Strive together
Live without fear
And to suffer well
Strive together (1:27)
“Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel…” – Philippians 1:27
Paul wants the Philippians’ conduct to be consistently Kingdom-oriented.
Spiritual tenacity is forged in faithful community.
Living without Fear (1:28)
“... without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.” – Philippians 1:27-28
“Shunning, public embarrassment, non-recognition of personal honor and status, discrimination in the patronage system because of their beliefs—these would be sufficient factors to cause a great deal of discomfort on the part of new believers who have heard words about persecution but not experienced it for the first time.”– Carolyn Osiek
Paul is rightly concerned about how fear and intimidation might affect this tiny Christian minority.
Suffer Well (1:29-30)
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” –Philippians 1:29-30.
Disciples of Jesus follow the way and pattern of the one called ‘Son of Suffering’.
The Christian faith doesn’t offer ideal conditions for life; it offers the presence of God and the pattern of Jesus so that one might suffer well.
Ultimate Allegiance.
Our primary identity is Christian. All other identities are second.
Phil. Part 3
The Fear of Death.
“…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin
“[humans are] held in slavery by their fear of death” –Hebrews 2:15
“…as we see the other living things around us fall one by one, that no one is spared. We recognize that death is the real enemy; with our powerful minds we can stave him off for a while with sharp spears or strong gates, full larders and hospitals, but at the same time, we see that it is all ultimately fruitless, that one day we not only can but surely will die. – Steven Cave, Immortality.
The Christian Story.
In Jesus of Nazareth, God defeated death.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory”–1 Corinthians 15:54
Suffer Well (1:18)
“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” – Philippians 1:18–19.
The line, “what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance,” is a direct quotation from Job 13:16.
Paul is using a fragment of an earlier text as a hyperlink to evoke a similar message as the original.
In this case, Job 13 is Job’s ardent rejection of his friend’s perspective on his suffering and that God will be his salvation. Job says, “I know I will be vindicated”(Job 13:18)
The examples of Paul, Job, and Jesus remind us that suffering is not cosmic karma doled out by a vindictive God.
Gamble on Hope (1:20)
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” –Philippians 1:20.
“For a man to be arrested and detained in a shameful condition of loss of freedom was damaging not only to his sense of self but to his public reputation.” –Carolyn Osiek
Paul acknowledges the shame, but believes ultimately he will be vindicated by Christ.
The centerpiece of Paul’s letter to the Philippians comes a few paragraphs after this passage.
“[Jesus], who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” –Philippians 2:6–11.
“Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:20-21
“Every day I put hope on the line. I don’t know one thing about the future. I don’t know what the next hour will hold. There may be sickness, accident, personal or world catastrophe. Before this day is over I may have to deal with death, pain, loss, rejection. I don’t know what the future holds for me, for those I love, for my nation, for this world. Still, despite my ignorance and surrounded by tiny optimists and cowardly pessimists, I say that God will accomplish his will, and I cheerfully persist in living in the hope that nothing will separate me from Christ’s love.” – Eugene Peterson
Die Fearlessly (1:21-24)
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”–Philippians 1:21–24.
“[Jesus] was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone… so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”– Hebrews 2:9,14-15
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:10-11
“[While] the afterlife ceased to be a respectable subject for theory and argument, but people kept on having visions, seeing ghosts, and reporting strange experiences at the threshold of death…you can believe that nothing, absolutely nothing, awaits you after death and come back from the operating table transformed, or at least badly shaken in your nonbelief.” –Ross Douthat
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” –1 Corinthians 15:55
“In many respects, I find an unresurrected Jesus easier to accept. Easter makes Him dangerous. Because of Easter, I have to listen to His extravagant claims and can no longer pick and choose from His sayings. Moreover, Easter means He must be loose out there somewhere.” –Phillip Yancey
Live joyously. (1:21-26)
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me…it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” –Philippians 1:21,24.
“Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.” –Philippians 1:25–26.
Defiant Joy
Align your story with the story of Jesus.
Take satisfaction in all work.
Enjoy Life.
Phil. Part 2
The Silver Lining - The Impact of a Positive Outlook
The idiom silver lining means a consoling or hopeful prospect coined by the poet John Milton.
Pew Research found that Americans are far more pessimistic than optimistic about the country’s future.
63% were pessimistic about moral standards compared to 16% being optimistic, the remaining being neither.
59% were pessimistic about education and 20% optimistic, the remaining neither.
44% were pessimistic about racial equality, and 28% optimistic. The remaining neither.
Other studies indicate that optimism is contagious. The church’s optimism can become someone else’s optimism. However, pessimism is also contagious.
The Early Life of Paul
Before becoming Paul, Saul was born in Tarsus.
He was born to Jewish parents, but was a Roman citizen. He used this to his advantage.
Roman citizens could have their cases heard in court.
They could appeal to Caesar.
They could avoid being flogged.
Saul witnessed the death of the first Martyr for Christ, Stephen.
He ravaged through the early church, imprisoning both men and women for their faith. The church still had joy.
Saul would then become Paul and have his road to Damascus moment, forever changed.
Finding the Silver Lining
Despite being imprisoned himself, Paul’s main focus was that the Gospel was being advanced.
“Paul’s letters are full of joy because they are full of Jesus—and for Paul, to know Jesus, even in suffering, is to know joy.” - NT Wright
Just because Paul is chained, the Gospel is not. It was advancing because of Paul’s radical conversion. Everyone knew who he was and why he was imprisoned.
Paul also used his negative situation for positive by having access to the Praetorian Guard, the same guard that served as bodyguards for the emperor.
There were those in the early church that viewed Paul not as a brother, but rather a rival. They attempted to seize this moment as an opportunity to preach the gospel to amass a following for personal gain. Paul chooses to focus on the silver lining here as well. The gospel is still being preached, that is what is important.
Paul understands that what he is facing is only temporary. If it is rivalries or being placed in a cell, it’s all temporary, but his joy is eternal because it comes from Christ.
“The joy of the Lord in the soul of Paul turned the dungeon into a palace, and the whipping-post into a throne.” - Charles Spurgeon
Practicing Optimism
Find joy in the mundane moments. Others are watching how we react. Find the silver linings in even the day to day tasks. Help meet the needs in our church and area, in doing so the Gospel advances.
Do not go through the negative moments alone. Seek someone in our church as a partner to walk through it with you. When Paul was burdened by being placed in a cell, the church was there to support him.
Try to find the silver lining in your current circumstance. Could it be that God is able to use your current circumstance to advance the Kingdom?
We ought to be optimistic about the future because the future is Christ. All pain, trauma, and grief is temporary. One day we will be face to face with our Lord and he will wipe away every tear.
Philippians 1
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:1-2
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:3-8
“Thanksgiving is not simply “good thoughts” concerning the various communities [Paul] established, but specifically gratitude relayed to God in prayer.” - Sydney Park
“In our personal relationships, it is a great thing to have nothing but happy memories; and that was how Paul was with the Christians at Philippi. To remember brought no regrets, only happiness.” - William Barclay
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11
“[The Philippians] lived, as we do, in a world where several moral issues were blurred and distorted, and it was often hard to see what was the right thing to do. Paul longs to see them grow in telling the difference between good and evil when so often they appear, at first glance, as shades of grey.” - N.T. Wright
“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 18:10–14
Spiritual Practice: Notice and meet needs.
Community Conclution
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
“The church was being carried forward by the incredible power of the Holy Spirit, but now they had to commit themselves to the daily practices of the Spirit. Just like the winds of the Holy Spirit were blowing through the house of Pentecost, now the wind of the Spirit was blowing through the structured and settled ways of living - the ordinary - the everyday.” Willie James Jennings
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
“the constant references to prayer in Acts are a sight that this is how these very ordinary, frequently muddled, deeply human beings, the apostles and the others with them, found that their story was being bound up with the story of ‘what Jesus was continuing to do and teach.” N.T. Wright
And they devoted themselves to fellowship… and all who believed were together and had all things in common. V42
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. V25
And they were devoted to the breaking of bread….And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 46
"[They were] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved" V48
Community as Gathering
The History of Sunday:
Why do Christians gather on Sunday? It’s not because of convenience, calendars, or conspiracies—but because Sunday is the day our Lord Jesus rose from the grave. From the earliest days of the Church, believers chose Sunday as their day of worship to celebrate the resurrection, to share the bread and cup, and to resist fasting in joyful remembrance of Christ’s victory over death. Church Fathers like Tertullian and Justin Martyr reminded us that Sunday also symbolized the first day of Creation and pointed to the new Creation still to come. Christians have long believed in a promised “eighth day”—a final, eternal Sabbath when Christ will return and all things will be made new. So when we gather on Sundays, we’re not just marking time; we’re stepping into a holy rhythm that connects past resurrection, present worship, and future hope. In a world that treasures the weekend for rest and escape, we dare to say that true rest is found not in more free time—but in the presence of the risen King.
“We hold this general gathering on the Day of the Sun, because it is the first day in which God made the world, moving darkness and matter. It is also the day in which our Savior Jesus Christ rose from among the dead… and he appeared to his disciples on the day of the Sun.”
-Justin Martyr, The First Apology
1. Confess Honestly
In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
The nations will hear and tremble;
anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
the people of Canaan will melt away;
terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone—
until your people pass by, Lord,
until the people you bought pass by.
- Exodus 15:13-16
The Israelites’ journey from slavery to freedom was filled with both celebration and fear—though freed by God’s power, they struggled to trust Him in the wilderness, clinging to the familiar patterns of Egypt. Their turn to idols like the golden calf wasn’t just rebellion, but a deeply human response to fear and uncertainty. Like them, we’re shaped by our culture and tempted by modern idols—wealth, success, image, and power—that promise security but lead us away from God. Each week, we gather as a church to be re-formed by God’s grace, returning to the “mercy seat” to confess, realign, and remember who we are in Christ. Honest confession frees us from false gospels and unites us as a people being reshaped by love. The call isn’t to perfection, but to begin again—trusting that God’s mercy is stronger than anything we leave behind.
2. Believe Actively
God helped the Israelites become His people by giving them tangible reminders of His faithfulness—like the Ten Commandments and the jar of manna in the Ark of the Covenant. The Law was not a list of arbitrary rules, but a covenant of love: guiding Israel to love God, care for their neighbors, and live differently than the nations around them. It taught them they were not slaves anymore, but a people invited into rest, justice, and compassion. The manna reminded them that Pharaoh was not their provider—God was. In the wilderness, God fed His people miraculously, showing that His kingdom is built not on scarcity, but on abundance. Today, as we gather at the Table, we are reminded of the same truth: that God still provides, still invites us to rest, and still forms us into a people of grace and trust. The Table is where we lay down fear and striving, and pick up the promise of God’s presence and provision. We come not because we’ve earned it, but because we are hungry, weary, and deeply loved—and through this rhythm of remembrance and trust, we are being made new.
“If you stay close to Jesus, there is plenty of bread. And we are never quite sure how.” - Walter Brueggemann
3. Look Forward Together
The Tabernacle in the wilderness wasn’t just a tent—it was an invitation into God’s presence and God’s story, shaping Israel through shared rhythms, meals, and worship. Though God once dwelled in a tent and then the Temple, through Jesus and the tearing of the veil, His Spirit now dwells within us. We are His new tabernacle, His living presence in the world. Our gatherings—whether a Sunday service or a simple potluck—are rehearsals for eternity, foretastes of the great feast to come. Each meal shared, each burden carried, each moment of worship is a declaration that God’s Kingdom is not just coming—it’s already breaking in. So we don’t just look back at what God has done; we live now as citizens of a Kingdom already arriving. Through every act of love, every invitation to the table, and every shared story, we become living signs that heaven is drawing near. The question isn’t just “Will the Kingdom come?”—it’s “Are we living like it’s already here?”
Witness
Church Calendar
Advent & Christmas – God with us.
Lent – God preparing us.
Easter– discover God for us.
Pentecost– God in us.
Ordinary Time– God through us.
Defining Love.
The English word love is broad and adaptable.
We use it to describe our appreciation for food, drink, products, and activities.
We use it to describe sexuality and romance.
We use it to describe the bonds of affection and loyalty that connect us to family and friends.
Eros is sexual or romantic interest. It is the root of erotic.
Storgee, this is the attachment bonds between family members.
Philia is the affection shared between friends.
Agape is the willingness to act for the good of another. Agape is the term John uses to describe God’s love.
Some form of agape occurs 46 times in the book of 1 John; 27 times in our fifteen verses.
And in this passage, John argues that love is –
The character of God
The sacrifice of Christ
And ultimately, love is the witness of the Spirit
Love is the character of God
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:7-8
God is Trinity, a community of love.
God is relational, affectionate, and joyous.
“[T]he famous text “God is Love” might be transliterated to read: God is family, God is community, God is shared existence, and whoever shares his or her existence inside community and friendship is participating in the very flow of life and love that is inside the Trinity.” – Ronald Rolheiser, Domestic Monastery
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” –Ephesians 3:17–19
“Meditating on God’s love has done more to increase my love than decades of effort to try to be more loving. Allowing myself to deeply experience his love—taking time to soak in it and allow it to infuse me—has begun to effect changes that I had given up hope of ever experiencing. Coming back to God in my failures at love, throwing myself into his arms and asking him to remind me of how much he loves me as I am—here I begin to experience new levels of love to give to others.” –David Brenner
Love is the sacrifice of Christ
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)
“[sin is] love turned in on itself.” – Augustine
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” –Matthew 22:37–40.
Atonement is the theological concept that describes what Jesus’ death accomplishes.
“[God] loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”–1 John 4:9
The Bible offers pictures, motifs, and analogies, and angels to understand Jesus’ sacrifice as the antidote to the poison of sin.
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” – Colossians 2:13-15
“It is in the crucifixion that the nature of God is truly revealed.” – Fleming Rutledge
Love is the witness of the Spirit
”Dear friends, since God so loved us, we should also love one another.12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.”– 1 John 4:11-13
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” –John 13:34–35.
“This is what it means to live in the Spirit. The premier expression of the Spirit is love, and the Spirit-prompted person is one who loves God and loves others. Spirit-ual formation is formation into love.”– Scot McKnight
By the witness of the Spirit, we are the love of God manifest in the world.
To a watching, waiting, and hurting world, the bonds of love between us are an invitation to know the love of God.
Serve one another
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” –John 13:14–15
“Everyone wants a revolution. No one wants to do the dishes.” –Tish Harrison Ward
We serve one another in love and let that love overflow to the world.
New Family
“Family love is messy, clinging, and of an annoying and repetitive pattern, like bad wallpaper.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
“as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” -Galatians 6:10
“And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. - 1 Thessalonians 4:10
“the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” - Hebrews 2:11
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” -1 Peter 2:17
“Resist [the enemy], standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” - 1 Peter 5:9
“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” – Romans 8:12-17
Upon receiving Christ we gain:
New Life
New Inheritance
New Family
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” - Romans 8:15
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God...” - Romans 8:16
“and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” - Romans 8:17
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:4-11
Spiritual Practice: Commit to this family
The Beloved Disciple
The Toxic Trait of Comparison
Comparison is the thief of joy.
It makes us no longer view what needs our neighbors have, but makes us focus on what they have that we think we need
“Men do not desire to be rich, but richer than other men” - John Stuart Mill
Psychologist Ethan Kross researched how social media impacts our mental health negatively with excess use.
Life satisfactions declined.
More common negative self-talk
Individuals develop an illusion of actual social connection
A social comparison in others with trigger.
Peter - The Rock of the Church
The book of John is an eyewitness testimony of Christ.
Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Each question redeemed Peter for denying him three times.
Peter’s death is predicted by Christ right after these three questions.
Peter’s focus immediately shifts from Christ to the other disciple in the room, John.
An interesting parallel here with Matthew 14 explaining another time where Peter shifts his focus off Christ when he becomes afraid.
Peter is told to follow Christ, not John. His focus should not be on John. Who or what are we following?
John the Beloved Disciple
John is only referred to as the one who Jesus loved in this book.
John is intentional on calling himself this to focus on who Jesus is (1 John 4:8), and not anything about John.
Spurgeon writes “This perspective emphasizes that his faithfulness and insights were gifts from Christ, not personal achievements.”
John’s outcome is reported that he dies of old age. However, there were attempts on his life. He was plunged into a boiling vat of oil. He then is exiled to the isle of Patmos, a small island west of Turkey. This is where he writes the book of Revelation.
John and Peter’s Calling
Each of these men had a specific calling that Jesus had for them. Peter was called to be the shepherd of Christ. John was called to be the witness for Christ.
“Paul might be the pioneer of Christ, Peter might be the shepherd of Christ, but John was the witness of Christ.” - William Barclay
Peter was crucified upside down, while John died of old age. This outcome may appear to be unfair. Jesus said to Peter, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is it to you?” may seem like a tough check on him. It’s important to take a step back and ask was what Christ went through for these men and all of us fair?
We will go through difficulties in life. We can take comfort in knowing that our Lord has gone through difficulties too.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
What is God calling you to? Take time this week and begin to meditate on it. Pray that God would begin to reveal this to you. That the kingdom of Jesus would be expanded. Not by anything that we are, but by who we follow.
“My prayer is that when I die, all of hell rejoices that I am out of the fight.”- C.S. Lewis
Forgiveness
“[Sin is ]the human propensity to [mess] things up.” - Francis Spufford
Peter’s Story in Three Acts
Act 1: Peter the sinner
Act 2: Peter the forgiven
Act 3: Peter the forgiver
“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” - Luke 5: 8-11
A dispute also arose among them[the disciples], as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. - Luke 22:24-27
“I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” - Luke 22:34
“Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” - Matthew 26:35 & Mark 14:31
“If we confess our sins, he [Christ] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9
“though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” - Isaiah 1:18
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” … 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” … 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish….15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” -John 21:9-19
“Here is the secret of all Christian ministry, yours and mine, lay and ordained, full-time or part-time: Somewhere, deep down inside, there is a love for Jesus, and though (goodness knows) you’ve let him down enough times, he wants to find that love, to give you a chance to express it, to heal the hurts and failures of the past, and give you new work to do.” - N.T. Wright
“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.” - Acts 2:38
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” - Matthew 6:14
“Forgiveness is a lovely idea until you have something [or someone to] forgive.” - C.S. Lewis
Spiritual Practice: Which group do you identify with?
I need Christ’s forgiveness.
I need to forgive myself.
I need to forgive someone else.
Breakfast
THE DISCIPLES DO TWO THINGS
John the Apostle, introduces this moment where Jesus returns to Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, and some unnamed disciples in John 21:1-2
One: The Disciples Go Fishing
“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” - John 21:3
Two: The Disciples See Jesus
“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” - John 21:4-7a
“It’s wonderful to think that Jesus showed up at their work. He was interested in all their life, not just when they attended religious service. The risen Redeemer and Ruler was showing men His interest and power in the commonplaces of their lives.” (Morgan)
“We don’t know exactly why they did not know that it was Jesus. Perhaps they were preoccupied with their failure, or because they could not see him clearly through the morning mist on the lake.” (Tenney)
One: Pursue Jesus
“When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.” John 21: 7b
Two: Experience Jesus
“The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.” John 21:4-8 ESV
Three: Know Jesus
“Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:12-14 ESV
Believe
John's Gospel: A Summons to Believe
Post-Easter stories: Jesus with Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas.
Today’s passage (John 20:30–31) concludes John’s Gospel.
John invites us: “Believe… and have life in his name.”
Spiritual Curiosity.
Cultural decline in faith has been real—but change is happening.
Growing curiosity in the Spiritual: Ghosts, aliens, astrology, psychedelics, and more.
DIY Spirituality
Many craft personal beliefs—a spiritual buffet.
But without a guide, we’re lost in life’s mystery.
We need more than vibes. We need truth and a trustworthy guide.
Two Ways We Know God
General Revelation is information about God found in reality, creation, and humanity.
Special Revelation is information about God gained through spiritual experiences (miracles, encounters, dreams, experiences, etc.); in Christianity, the primary special revelation is the Incarnation of Jesus.
Jesus Reveals The Activities of God
“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” –John 21:25.
7 Signs of Jesus
Changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
Healing the royal official’s son (John 4:46-54)
Healing the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (John 5:1-15)
Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:5-14)
Walking on water (John 6:16-21)
Healing the man born blind (John 9:1-7)
Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-45)
Jesus Displays The Character of God
Jesus is: Rabbi, Prophet, Savior, Son of God, Word of God.
“God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God was not like Jesus. We have not always known what God is like— But now we do.” – Brian Zahnd
7 “I Am” statements
"I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)
"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)
"I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7)
"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)
"I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)
"I am the true vine" (John 15:1)
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” –1 John 4:16.
Jesus invites us into the Life of God
Jesus doesn’t just show us truth—he invites us in.
His life is not just admirable—it’s compelling.
He offers eternal life, now and forever.
In Jesus, we are given an example and a blueprint on the best ways to be human.
Stories.
A.N. Thomas, “Why I Believe Again.”
Tom Holland, “Why I was Wrong about Christianity”
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, “Why I am Now a Christian.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which Christians are inclined to fall when thinking about doubt. On the one hand, those who are theologically liberal tend to be too soft on doubt, lionizing such notions as ambiguity and uncertainty, and verging on a spiritual permissiveness that becomes a slipway to unbelief. On the other hand, those who are theologically conservative tend to be too hard on doubt, demonizing the dire consequences of unresolved doubt, and verging on a spiritual perfectionism that leaves doubters in such a state of guilt or despair that they dare not acknowledge their doubts to others or even to themselves.” - Os Guinness
“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.” - John 20:24
“So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” - John 20:25
“The reason many of us do not ardently believe in the gospel is that we have never given it a rigorous testing, thrown our hard questions at it, faced it with our most prickly doubts.” -Eugene Peterson
“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” -John 20:26-27
“Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” - John 20:28
“In a marvellous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of his Master’s body, should heal our wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples.” -St. Gregory the Great
The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich
6 Stages of Faith
Recognition of God
Life of Discipleship
A Productive Life
Journey Inward (includes “The Wall”)
Journey Outward
Life of Love
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” - John 20:29
Spiritual Practice: For the doubter….
Be honest.
Don’t do it alone.
Start with Jesus
Keep fighting
Doubt: “messengers of the Living One to rouse the honest.” - George MacDonald
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
Light of the World
Easter is not just a one-day event; It is the event that changed the world.
Throughout the Easter Season, we’ll be teaching through John 20 and 21 to explore John’s account of the Resurrected Jesus.
What is Discipleship?
Some have defined it as Christian trivia, just a synonym for Christian, or a wellness strategy.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
“...being with another person, under appropriate conditions, in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become like that what that person is. An “apprentice” of Jesus is learning from him how to lead their life as he would lead their life if he were they” –Dallas Willard
Jesus’ simplest definition, which he says 20 times in the gospel of John, is ‘follow me.’
For those who commit their life to the ways of Jesus, the future becomes the present; they live a life Jesus calls eternal.
Abide with the Father.
Become like the Son
Collaborate with the Spirit.
Abide in the Father.
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”–John 20:19–20
“If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.'“ – John 14:7
“God is like Jesus. God has always been like Jesus. There has never been a time when God was not like Jesus. We have not always known what God is like— But now we do.” – Brian Zahnd
“…If we can’t trust our parents, who we can see, to provide emotional support and security, how can we trust God, who we can’t see? Patterns of interactions with our attachment figures get stored in our memory as gut-level expectations of how close relationships work. These expectations get placed on our relationship with God, often without realizing it. This doesn’t mean that our experiences and expectations of God can’t change, but it does mean that the social context in which we are raised profoundly shapes the “God of our gut.” And this—not the God of our head—is the God we experience most of the time.” – Todd Hall
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” –Psalm 103:8
Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus invites us to discover the love of God through experience.
If you really know me, you will know my Father as well (John 14:7)
But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:17–18)
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” (John 14:27)
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27)
“I purposely emphasize the word ‘experience,’ and will seek to show from the scripture the importance of experience. A non-experiential religion is suspect, for it fails to deal with the totality of our being.” – Simon Ponsonby
Become like the Son.
“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” –John 20:21 (ESV)
Just as the Father sent Jesus into the world to save it, Jesus is sending us into the world to declare that Good News.
The Activities of Jesus.
Preaching the Gospel.
Teaching the Way
Healing the sick
Casting out demons
Eating and drinking with those far from God
Doing justice
Peacemaking
Prayer
Standing up to religious and political corruption.
The Character of Jesus.
“…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” – Galatians 5:22-23
“whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:19.
“[Becoming like Christ] is training, not trying.” – Richard Foster
Collaborate with the Spirit.
“And with that, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” –John 20:22–23 (ESV)
“God’s Empowering Presence.” – Gordon Fee
The Spirit will lead.
The Spirit will dwell.
The Spirit will glorify Jesus.
“[the Spirit] will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13)
“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
The Spirit is at work, pointing to Jesus and redeeming our fractured world, which will include a wide variety of ordinary and extraordinary acts.
Into the World
“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.”― Dallas Willard
Follow Jesus
Commit (and recommit) your mind, your body, your emotions, and your life to pursuing his Way.
Get Baptized.
Join a microchurch.
Serve
Read the scriptures
Learn the rhythms of prayer
Easter Encounters
An Unexpected Discovery.
“Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” – John 20:1
Two days prior,Jesus of Nazareth had been executed by the Roman Government because it perceived him to be a political threat.
The resurrection story is not a fairy tale; it is a funeral story.
John’s account of Easter morning will feature three vastly different characters peering into the tomb:
John the Seeker
Peter the Shamed.
And Mary the Sorrowful.
John the Seeker.
“...she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.And [John] stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.”– John 20:2-5
John quickly takes note of the details and rules out a grave robbery.
John looks beyond his first impression of the event, so that he might find the truth.
“Our first impressions of faith tend to be made as children—and those impressions can haunt us as we mature. People often dismiss religion as a mishmash of myths and childish nonsense that well-adjusted adults should logically leave behind…The solution to this obstacle is to reacquaint yourself with faith with mature eyes.” – Arthur Brooks
The Resurrection of Jesus is also not the unreasonable leap of faith suggested by our childhood impression.
The entire New Testament was written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses. (1 Corinthians 14, Luke 1).
There is no precedent for an event like the resurrection of Jesus, in the Jewish scripture, theology, or philosophy. (“Alexamenos Graffito”)
The dramatic transformation of the disciples is unexplainable outside of some significant event.
The Pew Research Center released a report this year suggesting that 92% of Americans hold some kind of spiritual belief (such as an afterlife, gods, or souls).
Peter the Shamed.
‘Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself….” – John 20:6-8
I would imagine Peter is not looking at this empty tomb with great hope, but rather, with great shame.
Shame is the storyteller that lives in our gut, telling us a story about who we are.
We develop all kinds of coping mechanisms, distractions, and stories to hide ourselves from really being seen.
God, who is at his essence love, has come in the flesh that we might know how loved we are.
Mary the Sorrowful.
“... Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.” – John 20:11
“Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out” – Luke 8:20
Mary came to grieve in the quiet hours of the morning, to be left alone in her despair.
“I am convinced that when we bring our griefs and sorrows within the story of God's own grief and sorrow, and allow them to be held there, God is able to bring healing to us and new possibilities to our lives. That is, of course, what Good Friday and Easter are all about.” – NT Wright
Encountering the Risen Jesus.
The centuries since that first Easter, millions of people across the world have had surprising encounters with the risen Jesus.
The story of the Global Church, and this church, is alive with stories of Easter Encounters.
Jesus is the Gardener of this world, bringing about a new Eden and conquering death.
Wrath
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ – Matthew 5:21
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” – Matthew 5:22a
Anger is a “healthy emotion and a hellish habit.” – Rebecca DeYoung
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” – Psalm 103:8
“There is great pain in our world, and our anger alerts us to the fact that it needs fixing. We become angry when we see the weak exploited, those we care about injured, what we value destroyed. The desire for justice is legitimate. In fact, God desires the elimination of evil even more than we do.” – Jeff Cook
“The love of justice perverted into the desire for revenge and for the injury of someone else.” – Henry Fairlie
“the anger of the man [or woman] who nurses his wrath to keep it warm.” – Dale Bruner
“whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” – Matthew 5:21b
“God’s love would not be love if it did not work to remove all that ungraciously hurts.” - Dale Bruner
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24
“Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. “ – Matthew 5:25-26
Spiritual Practice:
Notice your anger
Practice compassion and curiosity
Change your response
Greed
A Culture of More
“Just a little bit more.” – John D. Rockefeller
The American way is constant pursuit of more.
Greed is not wealth itself, but the insatiable desire for more.
Greed finds all of us.
Pursue Contentment
“...godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. – 1 Timothy 6:6-7
“For not to possess much, but to need little, is to be rich indeed” – John Chrysostom
“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” – GK Chesterton
True wealth is contentment in Christ.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:11-13
The Trap of Greed
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 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 6:9–10.
Paul says the desire to be rich plunges people into ruin and destruction.
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
Jesus on Greed
“Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” – Luke 12:13–15.
Are you overwhelmed with financial anxiety and worry? (Matthew 6:25–33& Luke 12:22–31)
Do you believe that there is an amount of money that will satisfy? (Mark 4:18-19, Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Do you hoard possessions & resources? (Matthew 6:19–21)
Do you find yourself isolated from the pain of others, specifically the poor?
Do you find yourself spiritually barren? (Luke 16:13, Matthew 19:24)
A Prayerful Interlude
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”–Matthew 19:25-26
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 6:11–16.
Instructions to the Rich in this Present Age.
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” – 1 Timothy 6:17–19.
Three instructions for combatting greed.
Embrace Simplicity.
“An inward reality that can be seen in an outward lifestyle... choosing to leverage time, money, talents, and possessions toward what matters most.” – Richard Foster
Set your hope on God.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” –Luke 9:25.
Be rich in good works.
“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” – Luke 16:9.
Envy
“Another pound of flesh
Offer it unto the gods of American Success
Doesn’t matter who you are
You are only second best
And that’s all that you can ever hope to be”
John Mark McMillan, Gods of American Success
When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the Lord. But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king. They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods. Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them.”
Samuel told all the Lord’s words to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “These are the rights of the king who will rule over you: He will take your sons and put them to his use in his chariots, on his horses, or running in front of his chariots. He can appoint them for his use as commanders of thousands or commanders of fifties, to plow his ground or reap his harvest, or to make his weapons of war or the equipment for his chariots. He can take your daughters to become perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He can take your best fields, vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards and give them to his officials and servants. He can take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys and use them for his work. He can take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves can become his servants. When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you’ve chosen for yourselves, but the Lord won’t answer you on that day.”
The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.”
Samuel listened to all the people’s words and then repeated them to the Lord. “Listen to them,” the Lord told Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.”
1 Samuel 8:6-22
“Envy rots the bones.”
Proverbs 14:30
“Love does not envy.”
1 Cor. 13:4
“Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man.”
Luke 18:11-12, The Message Paraphrase
“The whole Law is summed up by this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other… Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Galatians 5:14-15 & v. 26
The Practices of Neighboring and Self-Love
Crossing Our Driveways
Dr. Steven Smallwood once said, “Our driveways have become our drawbridges. Once we enter them, we shut out everyone outside.” These "drawbridges" can take many forms: our front doors, air pods, or the busy pace of life that isolates us from others. These barriers prevent us from connecting with our neighbors. Scripture challenges us to reflect on why we disconnect. Is it for solitude or to avoid uncomfortable interactions? Christ calls us to lower our drawbridges—to invite others in, to share our lives, and to embrace neighboring. It’s hard to envy others when we truly know them.Learning to Love Ourselves
We must also learn to love ourselves in order to love our neighbors well. Rabbi Bunim, a Jewish scholar from the 18th century, suggested that in each pocket, one should carry two pieces of paper: one saying, "I am but ashes and dust," and the other, "For my sake the world was created." This dual understanding of humility and value helps us recognize that God created us for a purpose. We don’t need to compare or envy because we are enough in Him.
Pride
“Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.” - Paradise Lost, John Milton
“Righteousness is more dangerous than our sin. For “righteousness” can serve the most self-centered of all human desires: self-glorification.” -Martin Luther
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 6:1
“Watch out that you do not do your righteousness in front of other people in order to theater them.” - Dale Bruner
Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.- Matthew 6:1 MSG
The Structure of the Three Examples:
Bad Practice: prideful generosity, prideful prayer, and prideful fasting
Good Practice: anonymous generosity, private prayer, and secret fasting.
Reward
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:1-4
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:5-6
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:16-18
“Simply knowing God better is reward enough.” - NT Wright
Live a Quiet Life
“aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12