fight for it | april 10 | philippians 1:12-26

Series – #fightforit

Summary: In this letter, Paul puts his struggle on display and shows how his struggle glorifies Christ. Thankful for the prayerful and financial support of the church in Philippi Paul writes this letter to provide encouragement to the church. Paul explains how to find joy no matter what is happening to you. He reveals how we can fight for it through a total dependency up Christ in all things. May Christ be the end and the means of our fight.   

Resources: Community Group Guide | Fight For It: Week 2

fight for it | april 3 | philippians 1:1-11

Series – #fightforit

Summary: In this letter, Paul puts his struggle on display and shows how his struggle glorifies Christ. Thankful for the prayerful and financial support of the church in Philippi Paul writes this letter to provide encouragement to the church. Paul explains how to find joy no matter what is happening to you. He reveals how we can fight for it through a total dependency up Christ in all things. May Christ be the end and the means of our fight. 

Resources: Community Group Guide | Fight For It: Week 1

the table | week 6 | luke 24:36-49

Series – the Table

Summary: Perhaps the most miraculous thing that Jesus has done is the most ordinary. Jesus “has come eating and drinking.” (Luke 7:34–35) Of Luke’s gospel it has been said that Jesus is either going to a meal, eating a meal, or leaving a meal. In Jesus’ life, the best demonstration of the restoration he brings is eating and drinking. God is restoring a world that is lost and broken by sin. He is making all things new. What portrait does God paint of the renewal that he brings? It’s a wedding feast. God restores the world by gathering the broken around his table in order to be restored to a perfect family meal in the life to come.  

Resources: Community Group Guide | the Table: Week 6

the table | week 5 | luke 22:7-23

Series – the Table

Summary: Perhaps the most miraculous thing that Jesus has done is the most ordinary. Jesus “has come eating and drinking.” (Luke 7:34–35) Of Luke’s gospel it has been said that Jesus is either going to a meal, eating a meal, or leaving a meal. In Jesus’ life, the best demonstration of the restoration he brings is eating and drinking. God is restoring a world that is lost and broken by sin. He is making all things new. What portrait does God paint of the renewal that he brings? It’s a wedding feast. God restores the world by gathering the broken around his table in order to be restored to a perfect family meal in the life to come. 

Resources: Community Group Guide | the Table: Week 5

mist | week 6 | ecclesiastes 12:1-14

Series – Mist

Summary: There is nothing wrong with ordinary life except that it is always falling apart and slipping away. The preacher in Ecclesiastes says that life is a vanity. By vanity, the preacher means that all life under the sun is a mist. Life happened before us and life is not depending on us to continue. Our life under the sun is like a mist. It is here but it will soon be gone. The preacher, in his wisdom, does not want us to chase after the wind, he does not want us to long for more of the broken world that is falling apart. This world is a mist, yet God has bound eternity to our hearts. In our study we will discover how to receive God’s gift of joy in our ordinary lives under the sun. We will see how joy points us to a restored life beyond the sun, and how through Jesus vanity will, itself, one day become a mist.

Resources: Community Group Guide | Mist: Week 6

mist | week 5 | ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Series – Mist

Summary: There is nothing wrong with ordinary life except that it is always falling apart and slipping away. The preacher in Ecclesiastes says that life is a vanity. By vanity, the preacher means that all life under the sun is a mist. Life happened before us and life is not depending on us to continue. Our life under the sun is like a mist. It is here but it will soon be gone. The preacher, in his wisdom, does not want us to chase after the wind, he does not want us to long for more of the broken world that is falling apart. This world is a mist, yet God has bound eternity to our hearts. In our study we will discover how to receive God’s gift of joy in our ordinary lives under the sun. We will see how joy points us to a restored life beyond the sun, and how through Jesus vanity will, itself, one day become a mist.

Resources: Community Group Guide | Mist: Week 5, video for CGs

mist | week 4 | ecclesiastes 7:1-13

Series – Mist

Summary: There is nothing wrong with ordinary life except that it is always falling apart and slipping away. The preacher in Ecclesiastes says that life is a vanity. By vanity, the preacher means that all life under the sun is a mist. Life happened before us and life is not depending on us to continue. Our life under the sun is like a mist. It is here but it will soon be gone. The preacher, in his wisdom, does not want us to chase after the wind, he does not want us to long for more of the broken world that is falling apart. This world is a mist, yet God has bound eternity to our hearts. In our study we will discover how to receive God’s gift of joy in our ordinary lives under the sun. We will see how joy points us to a restored life beyond the sun, and how through Jesus vanity will, itself, one day become a mist.

Resources: Community Group Guide | Mist: Week 4, video for CGs

mist | week 3 | ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Series – Mist

Summary: There is nothing wrong with ordinary life except that it is always falling apart and slipping away. The preacher in Ecclesiastes says that life is a vanity. By vanity, the preacher means that all life under the sun is a mist. Life happened before us and life is not depending on us to continue. Our life under the sun is like a mist. It is here but it will soon be gone. The preacher, in his wisdom, does not want us to chase after the wind, he does not want us to long for more of the broken world that is falling apart. This world is a mist, yet God has bound eternity to our hearts. In our study we will discover how to receive God’s gift of joy in our ordinary lives under the sun. We will see how joy points us to a restored life beyond the sun, and how through Jesus vanity will, itself, one day become a mist.

Resources: Community Group Guide | Mist: Week 3. video for CGs

mist | week 2 | ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Series – Mist

Summary: There is nothing wrong with ordinary life except that it is always falling apart and slipping away. The preacher in Ecclesiastes says that life is a vanity. By vanity, the preacher means that all life under the sun is a mist. Life happened before us and life is not depending on us to continue. Our life under the sun is like a mist. It is here but it will soon be gone. The preacher, in his wisdom, does not want us to chase after the wind, he does not want us to long for more of the broken world that is falling apart. This world is a mist, yet God has bound eternity to our hearts. In our study we will discover how to receive God’s gift of joy in our ordinary lives under the sun. We will see how joy points us to a restored life beyond the sun, and how through Jesus vanity will, itself, one day become a mist.

Resources: Community Group Guide | Mist: Week 2, video for CGs

the weary world rejoices | Christmas Eve

luke 2:8-14 | by nate bush | december 24, 2015

Series – The Weary World Rejoices

Summary: When we sing songs like Silent Night, we might be tempted to overly sanitize the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born into a broken world in a scandalize way. The way the story of Jesus begins is very stressful. The world is a weary place. Jesus was born into the weariness of this world. It is, however, because of Jesus that a weary world rejoices. We know that Jesus is our redeemer and rescuer. We know that Jesus was born into a weary world to end all weariness. For this reason the weary world can and does rejoice. 

the weary world rejoices | matthew 1:18-25

matthew 1:18-25 | by nate bush | december 20, 2015

Series – The Weary World Rejoices

Summary: When we sing songs like Silent Night, we might be tempted to overly sanitize the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born into a broken world in a scandalize way. The way the story of Jesus begins is very stressful. The world is a weary place. Jesus was born into the weariness of this world. It is, however, because of Jesus that a weary world rejoices. We know that Jesus is our redeemer and rescuer. We know that Jesus was born into a weary world to end all weariness. For this reason the weary world can and does rejoice. 

the weary world rejoices | matthew 1:1-17

matthew 1:1-17 | by nate bush | december 13, 2015

Series – The Weary World Rejoices

Summary: When we sing songs like Silent Night, we might be tempted to overly sanitize the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born into a broken world in a scandalize way. The way the story of Jesus begins is very stressful. The world is a weary place. Jesus was born into the weariness of this world. It is, however, because of Jesus that a weary world rejoices. We know that Jesus is our redeemer and rescuer. We know that Jesus was born into a weary world to end all weariness. For this reason the weary world can and does rejoice. 

Resources: Community Group Guide | The Weary World Rejoices | Week 1,  video for CGs

creed | week 7 | revelation 2:1-8, 22-27

revelation 21:1-8, 22-27 | by nate bush | december 6, 2015

Series – Creed

Summary: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

Resources: Community Group Guide | Creed: Week 7

creed | week 6 | romans 8:18-39

romans 8:18-39 | by nate bush | november 29, 2015

Series – Creed

Summary: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

Resources: Community Group Guide | Creed: Week 6, video for CGs

creed | week 5 | ephesians 4:1-16

ephesians 4:1-16 | by nate bush | november 22, 2015

Series – Creed

Summary: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

Resources: Community Group Guide | Creed: Week 5, video for CGs

creed | week 4 | romans 8:1-17

romans 8:1-17 | by nate bush | november 15, 2015

Series – Creed

Summary: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

Resources: Community Group Guide | Creed: Week 4, video for CGs

creed | week 3 | 1 corinthians 15:1-6, 12-28

1 Corinthians 15:1-6, 12-28 | by nate bush | november 8, 2015

Series – Creed

Summary: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

Resources: Community Group Guide | Creed: Week 3, video for CGs

creed | week 2 | john 17:20-26

john 17:20-26 | by nate bush | november 1, 2015

Series – Creed

Summary: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

creed | week 1 | hebrews 11:1-6

hebrews 11:1-6 | by nate bush | october 25, 2015

Series – Creed

Summary: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

Resources: Community Group Guide | Creed: Week 1

only the broken | galatians | week 13

galatians 6:6-18 | by nate bush | october 18, 2015

Series – Only the Broken

Summary: Galatians teaches us that Only the Broken can recieve the gospel, because the broken is all there really is. Tim Keller says, "The gospel is the message that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope.” Galatians beautifully puts on display God’s graciousness over our sinfulness. As we study this series together may we experience the goodness of our salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, that Jesus might get the glory alone.  

Resources: Community Group Guide | Galatians: Week 13