Against the Grain // Au Contraire Living a Life of Love In a Revenge Culture Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:9-21 (ESV) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to…

Against The Grain // Living By Faith Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” John 3:8 (NIV) “The wind [Spirit] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going.” Galatians 5:25 (ESV) “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep …

RESTLESS Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” How Jesus Entered Rest Jesus left the crowds to get quiet Jesus read and thought …

Against the Grain // The Pathway to Internal Peace Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If an…

Against the Grain // What is A Christian’s Role in Politics? Proverbs 14:34 (ESV) “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” John 12:31-32 (ESV) “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Revelation 1:5a,6 (N…

Against The Grain // The King’s Heart Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and …

Against The Grain // The War of Worldviews 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidde…

Parables // The Parable of the Elder Brother Luke 15:25-32 (NIV) ““Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and s…

Parables // Lost & Found Lost & Found Luke 15 The Lost Sheep The Lost Coin The Lost Son Two Kingdom attitudes to embrace. 1. Compassion 2. "For the Son of Man [Jesus] has come to save that which was lost." LUKE 19:10 (NKJV) Celebration "The Lost Sons” God seeks sinners and wants them to come to Him. God and all of heaven rejoice when a sinner turns…

Parables // Jesus Wants To Do A New Thing In Your Life Luke 5:27-39 (NIV) “Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were …

Parables // Have You Found What You Are Looking For? Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he…

Be Radical Like Jesus 1 JOHN 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” MATTHEW 9:36-38 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,…

Parables // Prayer // The Key to Living an Overcoming Life Luke 18:1-8 (NLT) “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. ‘There was a judge in a certain city,’ he said, ‘who neither feared God nor cared about people.’ A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this …

Parables // Object on Road Ahead, Do Not Avoid Luke 10:25-29 (NLT) “One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, ‘What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?’ The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, a…

Parables // The Parable of the Soil Matthew 13:1-13 (NLT) “Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant…

The Good Life // By The Grace of God Philippians 4:23 (NIV) “ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV) “by the grace of God I am what I am…” Quote from Timothy Keller “The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into…

The Good Life // The Rare Jewel of Contentment Philippians 4:10-15 (NIV) “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in n…

A Recipe for Practicing a Good Life Philippians 4-9 (NLT) “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experien…

Living For Something Greater Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV) “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” John 18:35-36 (ESV) “’Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered y…

Which is Better, Life With or Without Jesus? Which is better, life with or without Jesus? “Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy. But being a Christian, that's a tough call. That's real rebellion. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll is easy. True Christianity … that’s rebellion.” - Alice Cooper Philippians 3:1-14 (ESV) “Finally, my broth…

The Good Life // Becoming Like Christ Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:12-18 (ESV) “Therefore, …

How To Live The Good Life Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV) “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count …

The Good Life // God’s Perspective is Everything Acts 16:20-23 (NIV) “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” Philippians 1:12-30 (NIV) “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a …

The Good Life – A Call to Cruciformity Philippians 1:1-11 (NIV) “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, …

Fresh Start // Living in Freedom Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” John 8:32 (NIV) “you will know the truth, …