Our Three Parts

OUR THREE PARTS-It’s important to understand the way God created us. First, I need to be sure you HAVE a phone. Then, you need to give me your number. Still, even if those two things are checked off, you need to have your phone ON and you must notice when it’s ringing; and answer. Once you understand how you are created and listen for God’s “call”, I believe you’ll notice that God is trying to get your attention.

1 Th 5:23- May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I am a SPIRIT-this is our eternal part. This is how God’s spirit can resonate with ours.

Rom 8:15-18

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 

I have a SOUL-Greek “psuche”=psychology  

It’s basically the “stuff” we’re made of (mind, will, emotions). Often interpreted as life/breath in the Bible. 

In Psalm 42:11, we see King David kind of talking to himself. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” 

I live in a BODY our temporary part that dies. 

WE HAVE A CHOICE Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God” 

2 Cor 5:7 “we live by faith, not by sight.” (We must recognize which part we are walking in.) 

Rom 10:17 “faith comes by hearing…the word” (What is your atmosphere like?) 

James 4:8 “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” 

WE ARE NOT ALONE We were never meant to do this alone. 

John 14:26-27 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

Remember you can watch this video on YouTube at “Atypical Church”

Getting God’s Attention part 2

Getting God’s Attention part 2 

Hello, I started a new message series last week that I’m calling “Getting God’s Attention” where we are going to explore taking baby steps of faith as well as large leaps of faith. Last week I laid out some of the fundamentals of Christianity. The first ways to get God’s attention are simple. In my opinion, we do this by recognizing His love, acknowledging your sin, and responding to his commands. Once you have made these choices into habits, you are well on your way.  

For today, I’m going to do a textual message (meaning that I follow a section of scripture chronologically for each point). I’m going to use the story of Peter walking on water, found only in the gospel according to Matthew. I’ll use the New Living Translation. 

Matthew 14:24-25 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 

• When Joshua was taking over after Moses died, God said this to him in Joshua 1:9, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV) 

• Sometimes we get into trouble in life. We may feel like nobody is paying attention. God is! 

Matthew 14:26-27 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 

• It’s normal to fear something that you don’t understand. Listen for Jesus who is calling out to you in the darkness.  

Matthew 14:28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 

• It is up to us to respond to Him.  

Matthew 14:29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 

• He will answer. It’s up to us to take the first baby steps of faith and follow Him.  
• We see this same type of response many times when Jesus interacts with people. 
• Joshua 3:15-16 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. (NIV) 

Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 

• Isn’t it like us all to get our eyes on our problems instead of trusting that God will provide a way out? In those moments, follow Peter’s advice and call out to God again! 
• While we can certainly fault Peter for his lack of faith, we can also be encouraged by the fact that he at least got out of the boat. 

Matthew 14:31-32 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 

• Whenever we fail, He is right there waiting to pick us back up! He will not make you wait. He is reaching out for you. Simply believe! 

• King David said in Psalm 40:1-2, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (NIV) 

Ok, now I’m going to give you an assignment. I want you to think of what God may be calling you to do. What is a baby step of faith you could take right now? We’ll explore this more next week! 

Happy Easter!

Check out the full youtube video here (“Atypical Church”)

The Significance of Easter 

Last time I asked, “Why did Jesus have to die?” This time I ask, “Why did Jesus resurrect?” 

Jesus resurrected so that He could: 

1.Create correct connection 

2.Defeat death’s devastation 

3.Restore right relationship 

1) Do you ever feel like you have a bad connection? Or, no connection at all?  

Matthew 27:50-51 (used in live GF) “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split” 

This automatically corrected our connection to God.  

2) Do you fear death? What thoughts come to mind? 

Revelation 1:17-18 (used in live GF) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 

Hebrews 2:14 (used in live GF) Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 

1 Corinthians 15:54-56 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (quoting Hosea 13:14) 

We have no reason to fear death. Jesus has conquered that for us! 

3) Think of some really comforting relationships that you have. What do you like most about them? 

One of my favorite stories after Jesus resurrected is how he restores Peter.  

• Matthew 26: 73-75 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of [His followers]; your accent gives you away.” ⁷⁴ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.  
• Luke 24:12 (After the angels tells the women that the tomb in empty.) Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. 

• Jesus appears to the disciples (recorded in John 20) but nothing about Peter is not mentioned. 
• John 21:6-7 (Jesus calling to the disciples in their boat) He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. ⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” 

So, again, Jesus died and resurrected in order to: 

1.Create correct connection 

2.Defeat death’s devastation 

3.Restore right relationship 

The Significance of Good Friday

The Significance of Good Friday 

Ok, so I’ve been talking a lot regarding the truth about the devil. The most important thing to remember is that he has no authority over a child of God! And that’s what makes Good Friday so good!  Many of you will know that we honor Good Friday as the day Jesus was crucified. That’s why Satan has no authority! Today’s message is called “The Significance of Good Friday” and it will kick off another three-part series (Easter/resurrection and ascension). 

We know His earthly ministry started “around the age of 30” according to Luke 3:23 and that He ministered for around 3 ½ years, ending after the passover feast, which would have been around March/April on our calendar. This means, unlike Christmas, we do actually celebrate Good Friday very near the actual date that it happened. Before I get into the message, I want to point out these two key sections of Scripture: 

• Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (ESV) 
• Rev 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 

Why did Jesus die? (We have to go all the way back to the beginning.) 

• Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”  
• Verse 21 God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them  

• Exodus and Leviticus record the steps that humans would have to go through for to appropriately cover their sin. It was messy, dirty, and difficult!   

For a sacrifice to atone for sin:  

• A male without defect  
• You must lay your hands on its head  
• Slaughter the animal  

• Arrange the wood  
• Wash organs and legs  
• THIS COULD ONLY BE DONE BY THE PRIEST  

John 12: ²³ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. ²⁴ Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ²⁵ Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 

–Jesus knew He had to die so that spiritual life could abound. (Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.) 

John 14:1-7 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 
-Jesus knew He had to die so He could prepare the “way.” 

John 14:16-17 ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  
-Jesus knew He had to die so He could usher in the Holy Spirit. (This is only in John. We now live in the world that the disciples were hoping for.) 

John 15:4-6 ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 
–Jesus knew He had to die so that we could be justified and abide in Him. (See Romans 12:2-Impossible without this renewal.) 

John 19:28-30 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 

-Jesus knew He had to die so that “it” could be finished. What was “it”? (The prophecies) 

All of this was only made possible because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.