Come Follow Me: Abiding & Prayer
Pastor Steve Poole
1. We all abide in something
2. Abiding in Jesus means orienting our lives around Jesus the source of life, strength and
vitality.
• “Just as branches draw life and nourishment from the vine, so believers draw spiritual life, strength and
vitality from Christ. He is not an accessory to our lives; He is the source of our life.” (Rev. Kyle Borg, TableTalk)
• 2 Peter 1:3-7
3. Two core abiding practices are Bible study and prayer.
4. Deeper abiding takes pruning.
SCRIPTURE: John 15:1-5
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
NEXT STEPS
1. Believe and begin following Jesus and abiding in Him.
2. Answer the following questions as you abide in Jesus through prayer this week.
⃞ Envision starting your day with prayer. What excites you? What challenges you?
⃞ Think about your week and come up with a plan. When and where will you engage in prayer?
⃞ Pray and ask God what may need to be pruned from your life? What has He shown you?
SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:3-7
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
Come Follow Me: Abiding & Prayer
Pastor Steve Poole
1. We all abide in something
2. Abiding in Jesus means orienting our lives around Jesus the source of life, strength and vitality.
⃞ “Just as branches draw life and nourishment from the vine, so believers draw spiritual life, strength and vitality from Christ. He is not an accessory to our lives; He is the source of our life.” (Rev. Kyle Borg, TableTalk)
⃞ 2 Peter 1:3-7
3. Two core abiding practices are Bible study and prayer.
4. Deeper abiding takes pruning.
SCRIPTURE: John 15:1-5
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
NEXT STEPS
1. Believe and begin following Jesus and abiding in Him.
2. Answer the following questions as you abide in Jesus through prayer this week.
⃞ Envision starting your day with prayer. What excites you? What challenges you?
⃞ Think about your week and come up with a plan. When and where will you engage in prayer?
⃞ Pray and ask God what may need to be pruned from your life? What has He shown you?
SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:3-7
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
Come Follow Me
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Following Jesus in 2026 will transform our lives.
TEXT - Mark 1:16-20, 35-39
1. Be with Jesus. (Vision)
• What does abiding with Jesus look like?
• What kind of person will I become when I abide with Jesus?
• What is at stake if I don’t abide? (Why is this a better alternative?)
2. Become like Jesus. (Intention)
• Have I truly decided to change? (Desire without intention is useless.)
• Have I moved from preference to conviction?
3. Do what Jesus did. (Means.)
• “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.” (Dallas Willard)
• Have I identified spiritual practices and a community of accountability?
NEXT STEPS
1. Name your quiet place and time
_________________________
2. Name your spiritual practices:
_________________________
_________________________
Four Chair Disciples: Healthy things grow.
The Biblical vision of discipleship points to organic (a seed or a tree), not mechanical growth (an assembly line). Growth is not an event but a slow and steady process requiring nurture, cultivation, and patience. The soil of growth is relationships developed in real-life situations, in real-time, with real people. We divide this process into four stages:
Chair 1: Come and See - Seekers
Chair 2: Follow and Grow - Believers
Chair 3: Abide and Serve - Servants
Chair 4: Go and Bear Fruit - Reproducers
People in Chair 1 explore Jesus and one question key to growth is to ask and answer the question “Is Jesus Lord and savior?”
People in Chair 2 discover new life in Jesus by asking “Who is Jesus and what is his mission?”
People in Chair 3 are growing in Jesus so that they learn to serve Jesus through serving others. They learn to ask, “What is the cost of following Jesus?” and “Where is God calling me to go and what is God calling me to do?”
People in Chair 4 are maturing as disciples and they are reproducing faith in others through discipleship and mentoring. They ask questions like “Who else is God calling?” and “Who is next for me to disciple?” and “How does the power of Jesus work through me?”
He Shall Reign: Eternal Song
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.
4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
He Shall Reign: Rejoice!
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Celebrate God’s glory revealed in lowliness.
TEXT - Luke 1:46-55
GRACE #1- God’s shows mercy to the lowly.
• Luke 1:46-49
• “The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” ~ Job 5:11
GRACE #2 - God shows grace to the lowly.
• Luke 1:50-53
• “For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” ~ Isaiah 57:17
GRACE #3 - God shows up for the lowly--as the lowly.
• Luke 1:54-55
• “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” ~ Zechariah 9:9
NEXT STEPS
1. Delight in your lowliness.
• Celebrate your low estate and need for God’s help.
• Celebrate in the low estate of others and refrain from judgement.
2. Don’t be a Grinch (or a Scrooge).
• Celebrate with generosity.
• Reveal God’s glory in your generosity.
3. Attend to the carols we sing.
• Celebrate God’s glory!
• Rejoice!
GO DEEPER: For continued reflection:
• And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. ~ Matthew 18:3-5
• But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
• Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. ~ James 4:10
Grace & Truth: A Reign of Gritty Love
Pastor Steve Poole
TEXT: Luke 2:22-35
TRUTH #1: King Jesus is God’s salvation
• Luke 2:29-32 & Exodus 13:2, 12-14
• Luke 2:30 –“For my eyes have seen your salvation…”
• Galatians 4:4-5
TRUTH #2: King Jesus embodied gritty, sacrificial love
• Hosea 13:10-14
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-56
NEXT STEPS
1. Believe in King Jesus for salvation
2. Reread the “Christmas story” from Luke and Matthew looking for God’s gritty love.
3. Do a “gritty love” thing for someone this week.
4. Slow down this week so you don’t miss Jesus
ADVENT REFLECTION
(This is an excerpt from "The Anticipated Christ" by Brian Zahnd)
In our high-tech, high-speed, high-stress age, we’re not very good at waiting—it feels too much like doing nothing. But it’s not doing nothing. As we wait, we slowly become contemplative enough to discern what God is doing. Unless we intentionally cultivate some contemplative slowness in our soul, it doesn’t matter if God acts, because we will most likely miss it. When God entered history definitively in Christ, a lot of people who should have perceived it and rejoiced, missed what God was doing or even resisted it. Quiet contemplatives like Simeon and Anna perceived the arrival of God’s salvation because they had learned how to wait.
The deeper truth is that God is always acting, because God is always loving his creation. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are always inviting us into their house of love. But when we are consumed by anger, harried by anxiety, and driven by impatience, we are blind and deaf to what God is actually doing in the present moment. God is always about to act in our life and in our world, but if we want to discern the actions of God we must learn to first wait in quiet contemplation. Advent is a season to keep watch and ponder the stars like the ancient magi, to keep vigil in the fields like the shepherds of Bethlehem. God is always about to act and God is always acting. The question is, can we perceive it? Another poem in Isaiah sums it up well:
Behold, I am about to do 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 43:19
O God, you are always about to act and bring about a new thing; help us to wait patiently, that we might perceive and welcome what you bring to pass. Amen.
Grace & Truth: King Jesus is Coming
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Prepare for King Jesus
TEXT - Luke 1:57-79
1. Expect a visit.
• Luke 1:68 – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.” (ESV)
• James 4:8 – “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”
2. Expect a visit from God.
• Luke 1:69-75
• Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
3. People are not ready.
• Luke 1:76-78
• Micah 3:1-3, 4:1-4 - “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” (3:2)
4. Get ready.
• Luke 1:79
• Mark 1:14 - “And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
• Acts 22:16 – “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
NEXT STEPS
• John 14:27 – “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 or afraid.”
• 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 – “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
GO DEEPER
Luke 1:57-66 -
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah,
60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.
63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”
64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.
66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
GRACE & TRUTH: King Jesus, Light In The Darkness
Pastor Steve Poole
KEY VERSES: Isaiah 9 & 1 Corinthians 6
TRUTH: The world is dark and hopeless without Jesus
· Isaiah 9:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
GRACE: King Jesus has come to bring light to the darkness
· Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 6:11-12
NEXT STEPS
1. Mourn the darkness of this world. Let the sadness and despair prepare our hearts to celebrate King Jesus even more in His advent.
2. Turn from darkness to light through faith in Jesus.
3. Find peace in the washing, sanctifying, and justifying work of King Jesus.
4. Practice freedom by bring light to others instead of abusing freedom by returning to darkness.
Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
1 Corinthians 6:9-12
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
Grace & Truth: No Small Dissention
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME: The early church established communities of grace & truth.
TEXT: Acts 15
TRUTH: Disputes Happen.
Acts 2:42-47
Acts 4:12
Acts 10:44-45
Acts 13:1-2, 38-39
Acts 15:1-2 - Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:5-7 - Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
GRACE: Jesus Saves.
Acts 15:8-9 - God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:11 - We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.
Acts 15:19 - It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Galatians 1:6-7 - I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:11-15
Galatians 1:9 - As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
Acts 16:31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and all the people in your house.
Ephesians 2:8-10
Acts 22:16 - And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
NEXT STEPS
1. Don’t fight over ridiculous things.
2. Stand up for truth when it matters.
3. Make room for Jesus to save anyone.
GRACE & TRUTH: Acts 1-3
Commissioned, Empowered, and Unleashed
Pastor Steve Poole
TRUTH
The Church is COMMISSIONED to be the witness of Jesus Christ
··· ACTS 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
··· ACTS 2:22-24; 2:36-38 – “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it… Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
GRACE
The Church is EMPOWERED by the power of the Holy Spirit
··· ACTS 2:2-4 – “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
TRUTH
The Church is UNLEASHED to advance God’s kingdom
··· MATTHEW 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
NEXT STEPS
1. Believe in Jesus Christ for salvation - Acts 2:38 - “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
2. Reflect on your spiritual gifts - How has God empowered you through the Holy Spirit?
3. How is God calling you to unleash those gifts to advance His kingdom?
Grace & Truth: The Best is Yet to Come
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Jesus brings hope through scandal.
TEXT - Mark 14:27-31
1. Embrace the scandal of Jesus.
* Mark 14:27 “All of you will fall away.”
* Mark 6:3 “And they took offense at him.”
* Matthew 15:12 “(They) were offended when they heard this.”
2. Embrace the scandal of our weakness.
* Mark 14:29 “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
* 1 Corinthians 1:23. “...a stumbling block to the Jews, foolishness to the Gentiles.”
3. Embrace the hope of this scandal.
* 1 Corinthians 1:24 “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
* Mark 14:28 “BUT after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
* Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
NEXT STEPS: Embrace the truth: the best is yet to come!
GO DEEPER: Real people. Need Jesus.
2025 Congregational Bright Spots:
* Real people coming to faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
* Revival in our community and around the world.
* Reading the whole Bible. (The Bible Recap.)
* Intergenerational disciples making disciples.
* Real people stepping up to teach and lead small groups.
* Renewed commitment to hospitality that welcomes all.
* Men and women engaging in new Sunday classes.
* Real people engaged in reaching our community. (Thank you for loving and serving real people in need.)
* Growth in the Alliance of Reformed Churches. (ARC)
* Faithful giving that met (and exceeded) our needs.
* Fifty-two weeks of God-centered worship, gospel-centered preaching, and relational discipleship.
* Reaching 100’s of families weekly in need of food.
* Leaders who love the Lord and love the church.
* And more…
2026 Congregational Goals:
* Real people coming to faith in Jesus.
* Real people growing as disciples. (beyond Sunday)
* Reaching the next generation of disciples.
* New small groups and small group new leaders.
* Launching dinner church as a successful outreach.
* Real people engaged in spiritual disciplines/pathways. (Nine practices coming in January)
* Next generation mentored/discipled by adults. (more intergenerational connections with children and youth.)
* Successful “Building Our Future Fund.” (Parking Lot resurfacing in 2026.)
* Develop a strategic plan for the next season of our congregational impact.
* Strengthen ARC partnerships.
* And more… We know that God has plans for Cedar Hills Community Church. God is NOT done with us. The best days are ahead!
Grace & Truth
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Jesus saves.
TEXT - Luke 19:1-10
1. What must I do to be saved?
* Acts 16:30-33
* Luke 18:18-23
* They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved - you and your household.” Acts 16:31
2. Who can be saved?
* Luke 19:1-10.
* For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
3. What does salvation change?
* Luke 15:11-32
* Luke 19:35-43
* But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:32
NEXT STEPS
1. Admit your lostness.
2. Believe in Jesus.
GO DEEPER
Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation
Five pillars of our faith that come out of the reformation.
1. Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone.
The Bible is the sole written divine revelation, our only infallible rule for faith and life, and alone can bind the conscience of believers absolutely. (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy. 3:16-17).
2. Sola Fide – Faith Alone.
Justification is by faith alone. By God’s free grace, the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to us by faith and is the sole ground of our acceptance by God, by which our sins are pardoned (Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians. 2:8-10).
3. Solus Christus – Christ Alone.
Jesus Christ is the only mediator through Whose work we are redeemed (John 14:6; John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:30-33)
4. Sola Gratia – Grace Alone.
Our salvation rests solely on the work of God’s grace for us (Romans 2:4; Ephesians. 2:8-10).
5. Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone be Glory.
Salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, therefore to God alone belongs the glory (Isaiah 42:8; Colossians 3:17).
Grace & Truth: People Get Ready!
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Pay attention to the signs of readiness.
TEXT - Luke 12:13-56
Four questions to diagnose readiness:
1. Is your focus now or not now?
Luke 12:13-21. Parable of the rich fool.
Signs: greed or gratitude.
2. Is your strategy wise or not wise?
Luke 12:35-41. Parable of the unwise steward.
Signs: unfaithful or faithful.
3. Is your posture ready or not ready?
Luke 12:42-48. Parable of the thief in the night.
Signs: not alert or alert?
4. Is your heart trusting or not trusting?
Luke 12:54-56.
Signs: Afraid or unafraid.
NEXT STEPS
1. Get ready.
2. Stay ready.
GO DEEPER:
People Get Ready by Curtis Mayfield
People get ready, there's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord
There is a lot that we don’t know about the return of Jesus (like the time) but there are some things we do know without a doubt. Three things we know for sure:
1. Jesus will return again. (It could be soon.)
2. The return of Jesus will be sudden and unexpected. (There will be no time to prepare after he returns.)
3. We are called to get ready and stay ready for the return of Jesus.
Preparing for Jesus' return requires living a life of active faith, vigilance, and holiness in one's daily duties. This means cultivating spiritual alertness, pursuing holiness, and faithfully living out our calling while wearing the full armor of God.
Preparation also involves embracing suffering with hope; focusing on love for God and others; growing in faith through prayer, scripture, community, service, etc.; and reaching out with the love of Jesus to others. Getting ready for the return of Jesus is part of our walk as disciples of Jesus.
Until Jesus returns we are called to trust God in all things. Are you ready?
“He who calls you is faithful. He will surely DO IT” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Grace & Truth: The Anatomy of Disgust
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - We are defiled by what comes out of our hearts.
TEXT - Matthew 15:10-28
1. Truth: Jesus was unapologetically offensive.
Matthew 15:12
Matthew 15:1-9
2. Truth: Evil comes from the heart.
Matthew 15:10-20
Luke 6:65
Proverbs 4:23
3. Truth: We are easily disgusted by “them.”
Matthew 15:21-22
4. Grace: Jesus is not disgusted by the things that disgust us.
Matthew 15:23-28
Luke 18:9-14
NEXT STEPS
1. Guard your heart.
2. Don’t be disgusted by appearances.
3. Give thanks that there is room at the table for you.
GO DEEPER - Eating with Jesus
While He was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came as guests to eat with Jesus and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ~ Matthew 9:10-11.
Jesus gathered for dinner in Matthew’s home with Matthew’s tax collecting buddies. Matthew made a profit off Rome’s oppression of his people, and so, the only people who approved of him were other people making similar choices.
The word “sinners” in the gospels described those who were likely non-law-observant Jews who did not tithe, sacrifice, or observe the rites of purity that were meant to set God’s people apart. It also described those who were diseased, injured, or contaminated. These people were outcasts. Outsiders.
Matthew, who had just been called by Jesus, immediately brought others to Jesus. Rather than drop his friends, he invited them to come meet Jesus. They wanted to meet Jesus AND Jesus wanted to meet them.
When Jesus accepted Matthew’s invitation to eat with these people, it was scandalous. Eating together implied sharing not just food but something deeper. Even strangers around a table became something more. They became acceptable.
Jesus extended grace to people thought to be unworthy and THAT disgusted the Pharisees. Jesus, motivated by love, associated with sinners: that was his mission.
In this moment, Jesus showed his heart. It was (and is) to share the table with those who are far from him. Jesus longs to share himself with us. AND with everyone! That was (and is) the true identity of Jesus.
Grace & Truth: God Reigns Above All!
Pastor Steve Poole
TEXT - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
GRACE - Jesus offers rest to all who come to Him.
TRUTH - Jesus was unapologetically offensive.
“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” ~ Matt. 11:6
TRUTH - Jesus is offensive because He doesn’t meet our expectations.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” ~ Matthew 11:18-19 ESV
Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ~ Acts 15:10 NIV
The HEAVY yoke of Jesus? Matthew 5:17, 21-22, 27-29, 43-44
GRACE - In Jesus, we find rest from sin and shame.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ~ Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 ESV
NEXT STEPS
1. Come to Jesus for salvation through faith.
2. Come to Jesus and let Him help carry your burdens.
3. Do less this week and rest more.
4. Continue reading the gospels with us this week and ask God to show you where you have false expectations of Jesus.
Grace & Truth: Truth and Trust
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Temptations are always temptations to trust in something far less than what God offers.
TEXT - Luke 4:1-30
1. Who do you trust when called?
• Luke 3:21-22
2. Who do you trust when tempted?
• Luke 4:1-13
• Deuteronomy 6 & 8
3. Who do you trust when challenged?
• Luke 4:14-30
Next Step: When called.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
Next Step: When tempted.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Next Step: When challenged
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
GO DEEPER:
Truth Matters
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
Here is a summary of an essay entitled Truth, Error, and Knowing by James Anderson. To read the entire essay go to https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/truth-error-and-knowing/.
Scripture places a high premium on truth, not least because truthfulness is an essential attribute of God and his Word. The deep connections between truth and the triune God have wide-ranging ethical implications for God’s covenant people. The Bible takes for granted a realist view of truth, according to which truth involves (minimally) the accurate depiction of reality. Philosophers have proposed various theories of truth, insights from which can be incorporated into a Christian theological account of truth. Since error is a deviation from what is true and right, neither God nor his Word can err, and Christians should especially strive to avoid theological errors and promote sound doctrine (orthodoxy). Scripture also has important things to say about knowledge, both divine and human. On account of God’s revelation and our God-given cognitive faculties, we can acquire various kinds of knowledge, including propositional knowledge of truths about our creator, the created world, and ourselves. The greatest knowledge, however, consists in a saving personal knowledge of God through Jesus Christ.
Grace & Truth: Hearing the Word
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - God’s word establishes all things.
TEXT - Nehemiah 8:1-12
1. God’s Word establishes reality,
• Genesis 1:1-3
• Nehemiah 8:1-6
2. God’s Word establishes truth.
• Psalm 33:4
• Proverbs 30:5
• John 17:17
3. God’s Word establishes hope.
• Nehemiah 8:7-12
• 2 Timothy 3:16
NEXT STEPS
1. Read your Bible.
2. Do what your Bible tells you.
3. Rejoice! (Have a feast.)
GO DEEPER
What is “Sola Scriptura?” Sola scriptura is a Latin phrase meaning "by Scripture alone" and is a foundational principle of the Protestant Reformation. As Protestant Christians we believe that the Bible is the final, infallible authority for Christian faith, doctrine, and practice. The Bible, as the Word of God, is sufficient to guide believers in matters of faith, salvation, and life. Human traditions, creeds, and councils do not (and cannot) hold the same level of authority.
Key Aspects of Sola Scriptura
1. Final Authority: The Bible is considered the ultimate source of truth and the final court of appeal for all theological matters.
2. Sufficiency: Scripture alone contains all that is necessary for a Christian to know about God's will, salvation, and godly living.
3. Infallibility and Inerrancy: Believers hold that the Bible is God-breathed, infallible, and without error, making it a reliable and unchanging source of guidance.
4. Rejection of Other Authorities: We believe that the Bible stands above traditions or teachings that claim equal or higher authority than the Bible.
Historical Context - Sola scriptura was a central rallying cry during the 16th century of reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox. They emphasized that true faith is derived from Scripture alone.
Biblical Context - “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” ~2 Timothy 3:16-17
Grace & Truth: Prophetic Songs
Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Singing prophetic songs shapes our lives.
TEXT - Zechariah 4:6
1. Hum a prophetic tune.
Not by might.
Not by power.
But by my Spirit.
2. Sing prophetic lyrics.
God will confront evil.
God will restore goodness.
3. Dance a prophetic jig.
God sees.
God cares.
God works.
NEXT STEPS
1. Speak the truth in love. (Grace and truth.)
2. Be bold.
GO DEEPER: The Day of the Lord
Meditate on these prophetic passages.
Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty… See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. Isaiah 13:6, 9
For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near— a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. Ezekiel 30:3
Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Joel 1:15
Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light… Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? Amos 5:18, 20
The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. Obadiah 1:15
Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited… The great day of the Lord is near— near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. Zephaniah 1:7, 14
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. Acts 2:20
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
Grace & Truth: God Reigns Above All!
Pastor Steve Poole
TEXT - Daniel 4:28-37
TRUTH - God’s sovereignty and kingdom > man’s sovereignty and kingdom
“...for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; …all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand…” Daniel 4:34-35
GRACE - God paid the price that allows us citizenship in His eternal Kingdom through faith alone in Jesus.
Daniel 7:13-14
Mark 10:45
GRACE - God’s kingdom is for people from ALL nations and languages.
Daniel 4:1
Daniel 7:14
Revelation 7:9-10
NEXT STEPS
1. Join God’s kingdom by believing in Jesus.
2. Be humbled by the example of Nebuchadnezzar and recognize that your “kingdom” is not for your glory, but God’s.
3. Find hope and comfort in the truth that God’s kingdom will come and His Will will be done, even when life looks its darkest.
GO DEEPER
A Brief Guide to Apocalyptic Prophecy
Books like Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation are filled with weird symbols and visions. The authors reveal divine truths through imagery that invites us to pay attention to several layers.
Remember this:
1. Focus on the historical context. The first layer is always the message the author wanted the immediate audience to grasp.
2. Next study the symbols and imagery as they are used throughout the Bible. The meaning of these symbols remains consistent throughout the Bible.
3. The next layer is to understand what these passages teach us about God. And in particular, how these prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus.
4. The final layer asks how these prophecies might be fulfilled again today or in the future.
Be Careful:
1. Don’t lose the big picture of the battle between good and evil and God’s ultimate victory over evil.
2. Avoid over-interpreting every detail; instead, focus on the prophetic themes of hope and the establishment of God’s kingdom.
3. Do not interpret symbolic language literally. The authors describe complex ideas in terms that would have been understandable to the original audience.
4. Resist the temptation to get carried away by elaborate schemes that assign a specific modern meaning to every symbol.
When we read these books we take the authors at their word when they explain what they hope to tell us. Ezekiel is clear in chapter 1 verse 1: “I saw visions of God.” John is clear in Revelations 1:1 “The revelation of Jesus.”