Rodger Rushing

Thrill of Hope | Hope for the Future

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Summary - Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:16-19

Thrill of Hope | Peace

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Summary - Oh Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5

HERE & not yet | week 9

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Series – HERE & not yet

Summary - And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29

Resources - Cardboard Testimony

HERE & not yet | week 5

Series – HERE & not yet

Summary - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12

Resources - My True Identity [Bookmark]

BLESS | week 3

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Series – BLESS

Summary -  “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Isaiah 55

Resources - CG Guide

our house | may 27

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Series – Our House

Summary -  And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”  Luke 14:17-24

Resources - CG Guide

light of the world | march 18

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Series – Light of the World

Summary - As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. John 9:1-7

Resources - CG Guide

believe. | January 21

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Series – believe. 

Summary -  At the beginning of a new year, it feels like you get a fresh start. The page had turned and a new chapter, with new stories, has begun. What story does God want to write in your new year? The power of belief is in the object, and not the subject, of belief. In other words, what you believe in matters.

Resources - CG Guide

church in the city | 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 | September 3

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Series – Church in the City

Summary -  The Corinthian church was succumbing to the pressures and the cultural norms of its surrounding culture. Paul is writing to confront the behaviors that are not in step with the gospel and to encourage the church live out her distinction as a holy temple in and for the world. 

CG Guide - Church in the City | week 3

Short Stories: Faith | Mark 4:1-20 | June 25

Series – Short Stories: Faith

Summary - Jesus was the master storyteller. Mathematics is precise, but math lacks the ability to connect the human heart. To connect a truth to people you need something more profound than a precise calculation, you need a story. Stories and metaphors connect to the human condition and speak to the human heart. Jesus’ stories are simple, but we could swim in the depths of them endlessly. Jesus’ stories are not meant to write a precise prescription, but they are meant to stir the heart to contemplation. In this series we are going to contemplate and study the Short Stories of Jesus and will be wading through the depths of these stories as they instruct the human heart. 

CG Guide - Short Stories | week 5

Short Stories: Love | Matthew 18:21-35 | June 18

Series – Short Stories: Love

Summary - Jesus was the master storyteller. Mathematics is precise, but math lacks the ability to connect the human heart. To connect a truth to people you need something more profound than a precise calculation, you need a story. Stories and metaphors connect to the human condition and speak to the human heart. Jesus’ stories are simple, but we could swim in the depths of them endlessly. Jesus’ stories are not meant to write a precise prescription, but they are meant to stir the heart to contemplation. In this series we are going to contemplate and study the Short Stories of Jesus and will be wading through the depths of these stories as they instruct the human heart.  

CG Guide - Short Stories | week 4

Short Stories: Love | Luke 15:1-32 | June 11

Series – Short Stories: Love

Summary - Jesus was the master storyteller. Mathematics is precise, but math lacks the ability to connect the human heart. To connect a truth to people you need something more profound than a precise calculation, you need a story. Stories and metaphors connect to the human condition and speak to the human heart. Jesus’ stories are simple, but we could swim in the depths of them endlessly. Jesus’ stories are not meant to write a precise prescription, but they are meant to stir the heart to contemplation. In this series we are going to contemplate and study the Short Stories of Jesus and will be wading through the depths of these stories as they instruct the human heart.  

CG Guide - Short Stories | week 3

Short Stories: Love | Luke 7:36-50 | May 28

Series – Short Stories: Love

Summary - Jesus was the master storyteller. Mathematics is precise, but math lacks the ability to connect the human heart. To connect a truth to people you need something more profound than a precise calculation, you need a story. Stories and metaphors connect to the human condition and speak to the human heart. Jesus’ stories are simple, but we could swim in the depths of them endlessly. Jesus’ stories are not meant to write a precise prescription, but they are meant to stir the heart to contemplation. In this series we are going to contemplate and study the Short Stories of Jesus and will be wading through the depths of these stories as they instruct the human heart. 

CG Guide - Short Stories | week 1

rise | 1 Thessalonians | April 23

Series – Rise | 1 Thessalonians

Summary - Paul is writing to a young church plant that is under pressure. Their faith is being tested and they are in need of encouragement. Paul is going to encourage this church in faith, love, and hope. In faith, Paul will affirm the gospel they believed. In love, Paul will affirm God’s affection for them. In hope, Paul will affirm the return the Jesus and his ultimate rescue.  

CG Guide - Rise | week 8

advent | january 1

Series – Advent

Summary: When life is happy we want to share it with the ones we love. When life is sad we don’t want words, we want presence. There is no replacing the company of those we love. This Christmas we are celebrating God With Us. Jesus loves us so much that he chooses to be with us. When Jesus Christ was born in a manger he gave us the gift of presence. Christ’s presence brings the world peace. As the angels said, he brings "peace on earth and good will.”

advent | november 27

Series – Advent

Summary: When life is happy we want to share it with the ones we love. When life is sad we don’t want words, we want presence. There is no replacing the company of those we love. This Christmas we are celebrating God With Us. Jesus loves us so much that he chooses to be with us. When Jesus Christ was born in a manger he gave us the gift of presence. Christ’s presence brings the world peace. As the angels said, he brings "peace on earth and good will.”

ResourcesCommunity Group Guide | Advent | Week 1