Matt Furr - April 5, 2026

Welcome to CenterPoint Church! I’m glad you’re here exploring what it might look like to walk with us on the journey of Faith. Everything we do is about living and sharing a life-changing relationship with Jesus together. So whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or are unsure, exploring the possibility…you are welcome here!

Matt Furr - March 29, 2026

Welcome to CenterPoint Church! I’m glad you’re here exploring what it might look like to walk with us on the journey of Aaith. Everything we do is about living and sharing a life-changing relationship with Jesus together. So whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or are unsure, exploring the possibility…you are welcome here!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

The purpose of this series is to steep in the goodness of God. As we catch a better view of who he is and how he interacts with his people, we can rest in his steadfast love. In contrast to the striving and driving of this world, grasping for our own provision, God invites us to trust him as we walk with him.

Our world is filled with frantic striving and driving, grasping for our own provision. Yet, into that world, the Lord speaks some of the most well-known words in the western world. In these words, he is telling us about himself. He is inviting us to trust him. He is drawing us into his steadfast love all the days of our lives. What are these words? “The Lord is my shepherd…” Indeed he is!

Focus on Jesus, the light of the world, who is faithful in the wilderness

Notes: the wildness can be dark and foreboding. Into the darkness, the light of the world has come! Jesus is that light, who, himself, is sent into to be tested in the wilderness. And unlike us, he doesn’t fail to trust the Father and is vindicated righteous for the task ahead.

Matt Furr - December 21, 2025

Focus on reconciliation with God through the forgiveness of sin Notes: John came baptizing in the Jordon in the Judean wilderness. He is embodying the prophetic call of Isaiah to make straight paths in the wilderness. John’s was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Forgiveness is the ONLY path to reconciliation with God.

**

Welcome to CenterPoint Church! I’m glad you’re here exploring what it might look like to walk with us on the journey of Aaith. Everything we do is about living and sharing a life-changing relationship with Jesus together. So whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or are unsure, exploring the possibility…you are welcome here!

Joe Ercoli - December 14, 2025

Moses summarizes God’s intentions and provision in the exodus wilderness

**

Welcome to CenterPoint Church! I’m glad you’re here exploring what it might look like to walk with us on the journey of Aaith. Everything we do is about living and sharing a life-changing relationship with Jesus together. So whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or are unsure, exploring the possibility…you are welcome here!

Moses was exiled into the wilderness where God prepared him to shepherd the Hebrew people out of slavery. Note: David was also prepared in the wilderness as he tended sheep and protected them from bears and lions.

Purpose

The purpose of this series is to explore the biblical theme of wilderness so that we can experience comfort and encouragement to trust God. 

Summary

The wilderness is a brutal place of testing. Alone. Dark. Weary. Afraid. Yet…in that very place, God reveals himself. Like a lamp that illuminates only one step at a time, he, himself, leads us through the wilderness. As he does, he offers good gifts to those who trust him. These gifts of mercy, growth, provision, and reconciliation to himself are all wrapped up in the love of God unleashed into the world through the Son, the light of the world.

Adam and Eve were exiled from Eden and prevented from getting to the tree of life. This is God’s mercy because salvation will come through the death of God’s promised one. God’s mercy is also seen in the covering God made from animal skin…as well as God’s presence with them outside of Eden.

Purpose

The purpose of this series is to explore the biblical theme of wilderness so that we can experience comfort and encouragement to trust God. 

Summary

The wilderness is a brutal place of testing. Alone. Dark. Weary. Afraid. Yet…in that very place, God reveals himself. Like a lamp that illuminates only one step at a time, he, himself, leads us through the wilderness. As he does, he offers good gifts to those who trust him. These gifts of mercy, growth, provision, and reconciliation to himself are all wrapped up in the love of God unleashed into the world through the Son, the light of the world.

Welcome to CenterPoint Church! I’m glad you’re here exploring what it might look like to walk with us on the journey of Aaith. Everything we do is about living and sharing a life-changing relationship with Jesus together. So whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or are unsure, exploring the possibility…you are welcome here!

Welcome to CenterPoint Church! I’m glad you’re here exploring what it might look like to walk with us on the journey of Aaith. Everything we do is about living and sharing a life-changing relationship with Jesus together. So whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or are unsure, exploring the possibility…you are welcome here!

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

It’s time! Today is the day! We all have things that we have been waiting for and anticipating. Maybe it’s our graduation, a new job, the birth of a child, a vacation, a wedding. We wake up on the day and know…it’s today! God had promised his people over and over again, that he would show up on the scene and set the world right again.

The ache and pain and disappointment will be dealt with. And the rule and reign of God, himself, would break in. Jesus announces this good news. The Kingdom of God is near…it’s happening! No more waiting. Today is the day! The time has come!

*** Through this series, we will grow in our understanding of the Kingdom of God through the Gospel of Jesus according to Mark. This should inspire our faithful apprenticing to Jesus as we see the Kingdom breaking into our world today.

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Key Idea: There is nothing that we can do to make God work in and through our church. We can merely set the sails and prepare to follow where He leads us.

Purpose: The purpose of this series is to remind us who we are and how God is at work in us and through us. It should also lead people to engagement in the life of the church.

Summary: No one can force the wind to blow. But we can set the sails to be ready when it blows. As a church community, we set the sails by living into the aspirational culture of God’s people we see in scripture. The culture is made of the stories we tell and the values we hold. God is at work in and through us, as his people…let us set the sails together that we might be faithful to follow wherever and however he leads us!

Out of sorrow comes God’s provision and promise. God heard Hannah’s prayer for a child. In response to God’s provision for a child, Hannah dedicates him to service of the Lord…she recognizes that the gift is not for glory, but God’s. This points to Jesus as the answer to the grieving heart, who comes to satisfy the promise of God through sacrifice.

Through the story of three man, we see that God exalts the humble and He opposes the proud. Samuel, Saul and David must each decide how they will live in relation to God and his people. While David was running for his life, he wrote: “I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:1-2

Each day, we too, must decide how we will live.

Will we grab hold of what is ours for the taking? Or will we walk humbly and patiently with God himself? The road of humility is the road of obscurity, struggle, and suffering. Yet let us always remember…God exalts the humble and opposes the proud. With God, the life we’re looking for is HUMILITY Is Greater Than Pride.

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The Israelites Oppressed

1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. 5 The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy[a] in all; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. 8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” 11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly. 15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” 19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” 20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. 22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”

Cain and Abel 4 Adam[a] made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.[b] She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth[c] a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[d] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so[e]; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod,[f] east of Eden. 17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech. 19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of[g] bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah. 23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. 24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” 25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth,[h] saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on[i] the name of the Lord.

February 18 – The Deceptive Nature of Sin

The Bible’s perspective of sin is much more robust and nuanced than simply “doing bad things”. Sin is far more deceptive, deadly, and destructive than we realize. It has shattered our relationships with God, others, and even creation. We participate with sin in ways that we are often oblivious to, including spinning our own narratives where we do what is right in our own eyes for our own gain. Thankfully, God made a way for us to come to terms with our own sin by forgiving us through Jesus. It is through Him that we experience true freedom, healing, and the good life.