Where You Can Find Me
Key Takeaways
Jesus explicitly tells us in Scripture where he can be found.
Jesus invites us to find him at the right hand of God's throne by coming to him in surrender and honest confession.
Jesus is present in the ministry of the gospel, meaning time in Scripture is time with him, not just time with a book.
Jesus promises his presence to both individuals and the community of believers together.
Jesus' resurrection is the world's ultimate happy ending, making every happy ending true.
Study Questions
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Alex O'Connor, a self-described agnostic, said that what would move him toward belief in God would be an experiential encounter with unconditional love -- do you think this is a reasonable standard for faith, and what does it reveal about the relationship between intellectual belief and personal experience in your own spiritual journey?
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How does the Bible's honesty about doubt in Matthew 28:17 shape your own comfort with uncertainty, and what does it mean to you that doubt and worship can coexist in the same moment?
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C.S. Lewis observed that the death of a friend did not give him more access to his remaining friends but less, because each person uniquely draws out dimensions of others that no one else can. How does this idea challenge or deepen your understanding of why Christian community is irreplaceable for knowing Jesus more fully?
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John draws a parallel between surrendering to artificial intelligence and surrendering to Jesus, arguing that surrendering to Jesus makes you more human while surrendering to the machine reduces you to one. How do you discern what authorities you have already surrendered to in your life? Are those authorities making you more or less fully yourself?
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Tolkien's concept of "eucatastrophe" describes the sudden, joyful turn in a story after everything seems lost. This resonates with us because the resurrection is the true eucatastrophe of history. How does this framework change the way you interpret the suffering and apparent defeats in your own life's story?
Seeking God’s Face Devotional
This year, we’ll be using the devotional “Seeking God’s Face” for our personal daily discipleship.
This Week’s Liturgy
Call to worship
Psalm 22:27-28
Leader: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
All: For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.
Confession of FAITH
New City Catechism Q & A #34
Q: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
A: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
Confession of sin
Almighty God, we confess that we have been content to deny the true story of the world, to ignore you, to do life alone, to hide our sin, and to surrender our hearts to idols. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, our advocate, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.
This Week’s Playlist
Looking Ahead
Invite a friend as we kick off a new sermon series in the Gospel of John and join us this Sunday at 8, 9:30, & 11:15 a.m.