New Thru 30: A Community to Live In - 01/31/2010

Join us next week as we continue exploring the NT: Feb. 7 - “All Things New” (Revelation 21:1-4)

Join us next week as we continue exploring the NT: Feb. 7 - “All Things New” (Revelation 21:1-4)
This week we have been reading some of the personal letters Paul wrote to the churches that he started. These were letters of encouragement written for the purpose of teaching new disciples how to live as followers of Jesus. A recurring theme in these letters is how a person becomes “righteous”. Does righteousness (a right standing before God) come from keeping the “Law” (an external set of rules) or does is come in another way? In Romans 2:21-22, Paul writes words that would have been liberating to his readers: “But now a righteousness, apart from the law, has been made known… This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and now are justified freely by His grace”. Join us Sunday as we learn how the wonderful gift of God’s amazing grace sets us free!
Join us in the weeks ahead as we continue exploring the New Testament: Jan. 31 - “A Community to Live In” (John 1:12-13) Feb. 7 - “All Things New” (Revelation 21:1-4)

In our reading this week, we find Jesus giving extreme instructions to His disciples and to a newly formed church about the way they are to live and the ministry they are to accomplish. These instructions are so radical that they could not achieve them without outside help. Here is the exciting news: Jesus did not leave us helpless! He gave us a “GIFT” that would make it possible to accomplish all the commands He gave. In Acts 1:4 we find these words: While Jesus was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the GIFT my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Join us Sunday as we discover how this “GIFT” impacts our lives individually and how it is affecting the work of MissionWay.
Join us in the weeks ahead as we continue exploring the New Testament: Jan. 24 - “A Covenant of Grace” (Romans 5:1-2) Jan. 31 - “A Community to Live In” (John 1:12-13) Feb. 7 - “All Things New” (Revelation 21:1-4)
Click here to view and download the 30-day reading plan.

”Who Is Jesus?”
At the beginning of a new year, it seems appropriate to ask God for directions on the way we should head. Rather than trying to decide on our own, why not consult the One who knows our past, present and future? In this message, discover the keys to finding God’s direction and perspective in facing the challenges and opportunities of a new year.

You Say You Want a Revolution
The birth of Jesus happened quietly and without a lot of fanfare. Most of the world went on with their lives as if nothing unusual was happening. Yet in the manger in Bethlehem, a new day had dawned. The birth of Jesus Christ marked a new beginning … it was the “evolution of a revolution”. Join us Sunday as we continue in our “Let It Be Christmas” series and learn how Jesus started a revolution of love that ultimately brought joy into the world.
Dec. 24 - “Let It Be Christmas” Christmas Eve Service (6 pm, Nease High School). The service will be for adults and children. Be sure to invite your family and friends to join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!


All the Lonely People
While we’re busy celebrating the joys of the holiday season, there are many of us who can’t help experiencing feelings of isolation, depression and loneliness at Christmas time. By looking at the perspectives of those who were present at the time of Christ’s birth, we can discover how Jesus offers us depth of community with Him and with each other. Join us Sunday as we are reminded that even when things are difficult in our lives, Jesus offers us everlasting peace.
Dec. 20 - “You Say You Want A Revolution”
Dec. 24 - “Let It Be Christmas” Christmas Eve Service (6 pm, Nease High School)

We all have our belief systems. We believe God is like this and He works like that. But what happens when you get that phone call at 2 a.m. that challenges everything you believed about God? Or you finish having a conversation with someone you never thought you would have? You are listening to a voicemail asking you to come in and discuss your biopsy results. Your spouse is in love with someone else. All of a sudden your life as you know it will never be the same again. You feel like you’re left trying to figure out where is God in all this, or can He even be trusted? Join us Sunday as we hear a message from Mark Albert about how we can respond to God when faced with some of life’s most difficult challenges.

The reason many us have a hard time making spiritual investments is that our hearts are prone to selfishness. In reality, it is not an investment issue but a heart issue. Luke 12:34 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” In other words, what we treasure exposes our hearts. It speaks loudly and clearly about whether we are selfish or gracious, worldly or spiritual, foolish or wise. We reveal our hearts by the things we treasure. When our hearts treasure Jesus, we respond in love and generosity to the needs around us. Join us Sunday as we consider how we can share the love of Christ by investing our hearts.
PODCAST STARTS AT THE 00:52 mark

When most of us think about investing money, we think about CD’s, 401k’s, stocks, bonds, money market funds, interest rates, and the stock market. In the final analysis, it is all about a return on the dollar, how much money our money can make. This Sunday we will consider another form of investing. This form of investment is not based in risk or speculation or on how we can expand our net worth. It is an investment based in obedience and confidence, focused on expanding the Kingdom of God. Join us Sunday as we discover the principles of investing our money God’s way. The only “safe” and “secure” investment.
Join us next week (Nov. 22) for “Investing Your Heart.”