Paul

You'll Come (I have decided, I have resolved)
The Desert Song (This is my prayer in the desert)

Katie

I’m the children’s director
Dec 18th is the Christmas Program
In January we’ll be starting a separate worship team for the kids
Just got back from Haiti and so many people have asked that I’m gonna do a review
Went with another local church for 2 weeks
Loving on the kids and just being able to play with them and supporting those who have given up their lives to help people
Going back a 2nd time the most interesting part was seeing where people I met the first time are at now
Orphanage is growing by leaps and bounds
All the kids are really special
If you’ve been to Uganda before, you might want to go back and see what’s changed since them…it can be very special

Paul

It’s really special when somebody from our church takes the things we sing about and make it real
How Great Is Our God (The splendor of the king)
The Stand (You stood before creation)

Stephen and Katie

Advent readings
Also sort of confusing
Jesus is about to be born but he was born almost 2000 years ago?
Fun time of year to read these with the mindset of this time in history when God broke into the world
Isaiah 6:35 ???
You have hidden your face from us…we are the clay you are the potter
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
God is faithful by Him you were called

Paul

And with the lighting of the first Advent candle we’re going to sing or first Christmas carol of the season
I like starting with this one because it had a sense of longing for the Messiah
O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Jon

This is Leah
We asked her to paint tonight
We are a very diverse family here: artists, geeks, musicians, athletes
New CD of music that is part of our family’s story coming soon that Paul has been working hard on
Matthew 5:3
I asked a couple of people what is meekness when you look at Jesus and I have some email responses I want to read

Email 1

Not a phlegmatic
Not indecision
Most of ask not weakness
Numbers 12:3
Moses was the meekest man on Earth at the time

Jon

Strength under control
The Hebrew scriptures are full of metaphors and images that paint pictures of God’s power
Playing a bit inside the mouth of a wild animal
Controlled strength used for the betterness of others
Tongue sweeping throughout the world, deadliest weapon (James)

Email 2

Opposite of meekness – sulking
Unduly berated
My thoughts did not spring from …
God was speaking to me this week
I want to be like you when it really costs me something
Opportunities to be like him are not sprinkled on us like fairy dust
Jesus was despised and crushed…did he sulk?
Ate with Judas and looked at Peter after the denials

Jon

Philippians 2:3-8
I knew that my thoughts did not spring forth from his loving kindness and charity
…
Many theologians refer to the fruits of the Spirit as the communicable attributes of God
Meekness and gentleness are things we can catch from Jesus
We get it by spending time with Christ Jesus, learning from Him, and practicing in community
It’s got to spring from something in order for it to be a gift from God
Has to spring from trust in God
When you don’t have to strive or scheme our demand because you’re drawing from a source that meets all your needs
Meekness is something that we display to others, but it draws from that source
My life is in the hands of Jesus
Suddenly people aren’t objects (chess pieces in a diabolical game if checkers) but people
I can enter into relationships differently with them
Think of Jesus riding into Jerusalem as a conquering king and he chooses a donkey
He chooses to come in peace and meekness
I’m here to break paradigms, not make you fit into mine
This is the position of humility; let me wash your feet
I don’t need you to love me, I have Him
I’m here to take the sword upon myself, not swing it
1 Peter 2:23
I’m going to leave judgment up to God
Jesus allowed Himself to die so he could align himself with the will of the Father
In Gethsemane, in his greatest hour of need, not my will but thine be done
That’s where meekness really begins: surrender
So much freedom in surrender because we know our lives are in His hands
Psalm 37
Better to leave things that we can’t control in God’s hands
Those who hope in the Lord will…
You don’t have to take every promotion
You don’t have to win every argument
How much do I really need to acquire, to buy up just because I can
Inherit simply means I can’t buy it, I can’t earn it, it has to be given

Meekness is having hand that are extended…

Christian university in Indiana (Taylor)
Samuel from Africa
President showed him all the dorms and asked which one he wanted
The one no one else wants
In all his years, the president had never heard any Christian ask for that
I draw all from Jesus
A job no one else wants, a kid no one else wants to eat with
I will make that sacrifice

Paul

Jon

Welcome
Good to see you tonight
About to see a picture of what the kingdom of Heaven looks like
We want everyone to participate
We want Lord Jesus to be first in this place
Jeami is going to share her heart with us

Jeami

Our church is really invested in Africa
This is Sara, she’s a Mercy’s Village employee who is going to move to Uganda

Watoto Choir Performance

My favorite song was “Not Forgotten”. 

Paul

Beautiful (I See Your Face In Every Sunrise)
The Grateful Ones (There's A Melody That Rises)

Stephen

11-11-11 the time it’s now
The words from Mark just kind of jump off the page
We’re glad you’re here
Offering
Next week it’s Watoto
Pretty packed, so be sure to arrive early for seating
We can’t all go to Africa
Great way to get a feel and a look at Africa

Paul

This is THE Becki Ryan
Be The Air (My Lord And My God)
One Thing Remains (Higher Than The Mountains That I Face)
Love Came Down And Rescued Me
You Alone (Who Can I Run To)

Jon

Great segue
Story about a woman who could sing that song
4 years ago we went over this story, but I think it’s important to revisit
Elkinah is married
1 Samuel 1:3-28
We’re supposed to pray and then things get better
No means no and there’s nothing on the other side
…
There isn’t a person in this room who doesn’t have inadequacies
Why do we love underdogs in movies?
…
If you build your life on your kids, your expectations will crush them
…
Peninah isn’t satisfied/pursued either, so she takes her misery and projects it on Hannah
…
Hannah starts her prayer where Jesus asks us to start them…by hallowing the Father’s name
…
I’m not going to listen to what society says about kids, I’m going to pray for a child and give him back to You
…

Paul

Beautiful Things (All This Pain)
All To Jesus I Surrender

Jon

Don’t forget about your wife

Paul

Beautiful
Not To Us
Your Love Never Fails (Nothing Can Separate)
One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails Never Gives Up) tag
Love Came Down (Love Came Down And Rescued Me)
Came To My Rescue (Be Lifted High) bridge

Jon

Prayer for the offering
Meet with Moses and signed an agreement to open up on November 1st
If you feel led to give, put Crave Life Covenant Church on the memo line
Prayer for Crave
Mike Workman will be speaking tonight, he’s a good friend of my family and of me

Mike

Colossians 2:3-15
Paul, off the bat addresses reality
3 kingdoms
One is our kingdom
God’s kingdom
Satan’s kingdom
Paul is assuming that the Collosians have submitted to Christ as the head
Dallas Willard, kingdom, range of your effective will
We’re used to thinking in our kingdom
God’s will …
Christ’s invitation (Matt 4:17)
Jesus is inviting people to participate
Agape love as modeled by God and Jesus
Total submission/surrender
Reality shifts
We walk about life with some false realities
…
Your lie to yourself – Desire is my master
Missed an opportunity to celebrate with a friend
The great need to/have to
Put all the little kingdom’s together she’s you get the world
A system of lies about the source of life
I bought into the lie that my significance lies in my achievements
Need to go to
Of the enemy
Being a scientist I at first assumed there was no demonic interaction
Lies of identity
Usually from a very young age
You’re a timid man, passive
Women buy into the lie that you’re not beautiful
Deception and sin
Isaiah 5:18
It’s not the way Christ intended for us to live
Breaking chords of deceit doesn’t take special rituals
John 8:31-32
For a long time in my life, my gospel was only a third of the real gospel
Three parts
1) Christ died
Christ called us to believe…
2) Christ rose
He is our source of life
3) He ascended
Chords broken because of Christ’s
Flesh death
World resurrection
Enemy ascension
You can live and reign in life with Christ
Blessed are the poor because they can participate!
The only knowledge that can set you free is the knowledge gained from apprenticeship, not from sitting on the sidelines
The New Self
I think we should spend a lot of time meditating on these verses
We have a fight for our mind
Jesus tells us to renew our mind and Satan is always fighting for it
We need to think about our thinking
If I don’t think about it, I can dwell on images that don’t reflect truth
The Bible is chock full of images that project truth
Try to fully visualize a house built on sand our the bread of life
Who is the bread of life? Jesus. Think about Him becoming one with us on a molecular level
Those habitual behaviors
Wouldn’t it be great if we had the obedience to automatically bless that person who just cut us off on the freeway?
Let’s pray

Jon

Toboggan hills in Michigan
Kids would ask me to haul them up the hill
Thought about asking them to get off and help me pull
The verses on the back [of the outline] are what we should be pulling through our day

Outline

Reality – Lies – Trust
Reality

1. Kingdoms

Col 2:6 = “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord”

1. Your kingdom is the range of your effective will.
2. God’s Kingdom is the range of His effective will.
1. Christ’s invitation (Matt 4:17)
2. Love and Surrender

Lies (Col 2:8)

2. Satan’s Kingdom – a kingdom of lies. (Matt 13:19, John 8:44)

1. Deception and the Flesh
1. Your lie to yourself – Desire is my master.
2. Deception and the World
1. A system of lies about the source of life.
3. Deception and the Enemy
1. Lies of identity.
4. Deception and Sin (Isa 5:18)

Trust (Col 2:9-13)

3. Faith, Knowledge, and Action (John 8:31-32)

1. The Gospel (1 John 5:18-20)
1. Cords of the flesh are broken because of Christ’s death.
2. Cords of the world are broken because of Christ’s resurrection.
3. Cords of the Enemy are broken because of Christ’s ascension.
2. The New Self
• John 1:12 – In Christ: You’re a child of God.
• John 15:15 – In Christ: You’re Christ’s friend.
• Romains 5:1 – In Christ: You’ve been justified.
• 1 Corinthians 6:17 – In Christ: You’re united with the Lord and one with Him.
• 1 Corinthians 6:20 – In Christ: You’ve been bought with a price – You belong to God.
• 1 Corinthians 12:27 – In Christ: You’re a member of Christ’s body.
• Ephesians 1:1 – In Christ: You’re a saint.
• Ephesians 1:5 – In Christ: You’re adopted as God’s child.
• Ephesians 2:18 – In Christ: You have access to God through the Holy Spirit.
• Colossians 1:14 – In Christ: You’ve been redeemed and forgiven.
• Colossians 2:10 – In Christ: You’re complete in Christ.
• Romans 8:1-2 – In Christ: You’re free from condemnation.
• Romans 8:28 – In Christ: You’re promised all things will work out for good.
• Romans 8:31-34 – In Christ: You’re free from condemning charges.
• Romans 8:35-39 – In Christ: You can’t be separated from the love of God.
• 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – In Christ: You’re established, anointed, and sealed in God.
• Colossians 3:3 – In Christ: You’re hidden with Christ in God.
• Philippians 3:20 – In Christ: You’re a citizen of heaven.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – In Christ: You’ve been given a spirit of power, love, and sound mind.
• Hebrews 4:16 – In Christ: You can find grace and mercy in time of need.
• 1 John 5:18 – In Christ: You are born of God and the evil one cannot touch you.
• Matthew 5:13 – In Christ: You’re the salt and light of the earth.
• John 15:1,5 – In Christ: You’re a branch of the vine, a channel of His life.
• John 15:16 – In Christ: You’ve been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
• Acts 1:8 – In Christ: You’re a personal witness of Christ’s.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16 – In Christ: You’re God’s temple.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 – In Christ: You’re a minister of reconciliation.
• 2 Corinthians 6:1 – In Christ: You’re God’s coworker.
• Ephesians 2:6 – In Christ: You’re seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
• Ephesians 3:12 – In Christ: You may approach God with freedom and confidence.
• Philippians 4:13 – In Christ: You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
3. A Fight for the Mind
1. Your thoughts are information organized into images, which reflect ideas.
4. Restoring the mind = Dwelling on images that reflect truth.

4. Closing Thoughts (John 14:10-14)

Paul

Wonders (Who Is Like You In The Heavens)
Great And Glorious (Everything I am I give you)
God Of Wonders (God Of Wonders Beyond Our galaxy)
Savior (Beautiful Savior Merciful King)
Everlasting (From The Inside Out)

Jon

Prayer for the offering
Paul’s speaking tonight
We’re in fundraising mode for the next six weeks

Paul

I wish you could see what I see up here
Everything we experience
When the speaker is uneasy the listener is uneasy
At least I have Angry Birds on my phone
Breathless, I hang on the every word from my adonis
Protagonist: main character
Dooteragonist: 2nd main character
Antagonist: villain
I’d like to touch on what the bible says about this
Luke 9:23 pick up your cross and follow me
We see a cross and feel welcomed because we know the rest of the story
What was Bartholomew’s perspective?
It was a bloody awful thing
Why would Jesus use this imagery?
Scicero (emperor before Jesus) wanted to abolish crucifixion
Self-denial
Deep-fried Twinkee
Whack-a-mole with the sinful self
Denial of it like Peter’s denial of Christ
Just as passionate as his confession of Him
What would it take to say that to your sinful self three tones like your life depends on it
It’s one thing to talk about wrestling with yourself
My sinful self is dead (Thank you Jesus), but every day you have to kill it
It’s a zombie
You are the star of your own zombie movie
They are relentlessly trudging on after you
I think that’s what Jesus had in mind in Luke 9
…
Jesus wasn’t an extrovert, He kept trying to find private areas to be with His disciples
He wasn’t a grandstander
He hung out with fisherman who probably didn’t speak their own language very well
Philippians 2 – obedient to death
It’s one thing to deny the donuts on our lives
Jesus put aside the glory of God to die like a criminal
Moments of “Don’t I deserve this”…are we supposed to deny those?
Paradoxes
Letting go of the right to be the protagonist
When 2 protagonists get together nobody volunteers to be the deuteragonists
They fence back and fourth, parry thrust
What happens I’d I really let go of the spotlight
See the other person’s movie going on
What if I choose a supporting role for the people on my life?
I was really busy this morning getting ready to speak and noticed the dishwasher needed to be emptied
First thought was I’m really busy, Jeami will understand
Then I realized what I’d been preparing to say today and emptied it
Then I started thinking about how much praise I was going to get for emptying it
Are we supposed to deny that?
…
I want to be in charge for a day on my birthday
Can we lay a path for selfish people by being selfless towards them?
I think about Jesus on the cross, what He did
Setting up his mother with John, remembering the thief on the cross
He’s a footnote to the crucifixion, but he has his own story; parents, a crime leading to this punishment
What does it mean to lay your life down
Nobody wakes up trying to be a villain
No believers are twirling their mustaches, trying to ruin your life
I’m going to try fasting from the words I, me, my
A little less me, a little more you
C.S. Lewis – inclined to think He has done enough
God is building a different house than you thought
Only one hero in humanity and that’s Jesus Christ
God needs a house for himself – will He accept a two room shack?

Jon

Paul

All Creatures Of Our God And King (O Praise Him, Hallelujah)
Our God (Water You Turned Into Wine)
Grace Like Rain
Always Forever
All I Need Is You

Paul

Hosanna (I See The King Of Glory)
We'll See The Goodness Of
Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Thank You (I Didn't Know I Was Lost Until You Found Me)
Take Heart (There Is A Light)

Jeami

Prayer for the offering
Watoto Choir is coming back, November 20th and 21st
We need host homes

Jon

Can you remember a first worst job?
Shoveling manure, shoe salesman, taco del amo
We have shared
Teaching Ryan to drive stick shift
I remember my dad teaching my sister to drice a 1987 Nova (stick shift next the the driving wheel)
She actually got out of the car and walked home
I learned in a Ford Escort
Great stories help connect us
By sharing something, we hope it will help us connect with people
Connection happens when someone throws out a ” Me too”
Life Is Mostly Edges by Calvin Miller
What it feels like to be a pastor
You mean you can actually make it through being a pastor and still be sane?
Sometimes you connect to a book or a song or a movie where you feel like the creators totally get me, like they’ve been reading my mail
As I go back to Scripture, to Genesis, I see God creating order out of chaos
Rib from the Hebrew selah means side
Woman from the Hebrew meaning helpmeet
We need people to stand by our side
Had lunch with my sister
Do you have any best friends? She said no
Brother would you pray with me that God will bring friends into my life
She’s very active and out there, but she’s not going deeper with anybody
A friend is a great treasure
Poem: a friend is one to whom you may pour out all your heart
We need someone to look back at us from the other side of the table and tell us that we’re not crazy

Anna Warde

Acts 12:1-19

Jon

There are times when my prayers are so vague, were we try to soften the blow of disappointment
If we’re honest with ourselves, and say we wish the outcome had been different
Sometimes my heart is trying to …
Some friends say it’s because we don’t have enough faith
I need someone to stand alongside of me and say, let’s pray together
I want Mike Workman to share an experience

Mike Workman

Several years ago I was lied to by someone I loved very much
Buried it very deep in my heart
Fast forward several years
New to the Rock and somebody after service asked me how I was doing and I honestly responded about this low-grade anger inside of me
Suddenly I had 7 guys fasting for me and praying for me for a week
It didn’t solve everything but the anger subsided and it wouldn’t have healed as quickly without their support

Jon

You guys are amazing, so I’m gonna throw out everything I’ve prepared and go a completely different direction
Flying by the seat of my pants right now
Want to do some things a little differently
One thing in here really hits me
They gathered together and prayed
Every first Tuesday of the month we have a lunchtime prayer meeting
Not coming doesn’t make you any less of a super Christian
I was at the car dealership and was talking about food with this Morrocan man
God showed up in that moment and he started sharing very personal information with me, and all I could do was ask him if I could pray for him
The glory of God showed up at the Nissan dealership the other day, you should have been.there, it was epic!
They very specifically prayed for Peter’s release
We need to pray specifically for things

Paul

Such Love (Tell Me The Story Of)
Beautiful (I See Your Face In Every Sunrise)
Beautiful Things

Great and Glorious
Your Love Never Fails
Beautiful
Beautiful Things
Amazing Grace

Forever Reign ( (Running To Your Arms))