practicing the presence of the kingdom...

This past Saturday, we finished up our series on the kingdom. We discussed how Jesus radically ushered in a new kind of kingdom, one that most if not all were not expecting. We spoke about the gift of the Spirit and how Jesus reigns inside each of his followers through his Spirit. We talked about how we catch glimpses of the kingdom, yet are still moving toward the full revelation of the kingdom when Jesus returns. And with that in mind, we talked about how we live this out now instead of simply using our salvation as "fire insurance." We also spoke about the transition that happens in the book of Acts after Jesus' resurrection and return to the Father. All through Jesus' ministry, he and his disciples were preaching that the kingdom of heaven is near. Following Jesus ascension, his disciples preached the good news of Jesus. Something changed dramatically. Jesus showed us the beginning of the kingdom in our midst and he has chosen us to carry it out until his return. May we spread the kingdom boldly by our actions, words and lives.

revisioning life in the kingdom...

Last night, we discussed why we can be blinded to the kingdom and God's work in our and other's lives. We discussed how repenting means stopping what you are doing and turning and doing the complete opposite. We talked about how we are called to humble ourselves and repent before God so He can grant us His heart and His vision. As we talked about the parable of the sower last night, think this week about where you seem to fit in that parable. Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you and inventory your life, so that God can continue His transforming work in each of you through Jesus. Use this blog to share your questions, thoughts and reflections throughout the week...

discovering the kingdom...

We began the first of a three-week teaching series on the kingdom tonight. We discussed what the kingdom is and the history of it in scripture. We discussed the start of Jesus' ministry and what it meant when he preached, "repent, the kingdom of heaven is near."

As we go through our daily routines this week, let's be aware of the people we speak to and the things we see and do that give us the sense that the kingdom of heaven is near. Let's also be aware of those things that make us feel that it is distant.

Think about this verse this week, "the kingdom is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field."

the Kingdom...

This Saturday, we will begin a new three-week teaching series on the Kingdom. We will explore the origins of the concept of the Kingdom, how God establishes it, what Jesus has to say about it, and how we can enter into it. We highly recommend reading Rick McKinley's book, This Beautiful Mess. It is an excellent book from which we drew much inspiration and insight for our series.

Check it out at http://www.rickmckinley.net/books.php