New Work Fellowship Podcast

Remember and Forget (1/1/2023)

Remember and Forget (Isaiah 43:14-19)

The reality of age is that our focus tends to look back and remember. That's a good thing! God calls us to remember and celebrate what has been; however, our mission is forward.  This is our focus.  God is leading us. We see the movement of God, and He is always advancing His Kingdom. Let's dream a little about what could be the reality in 2023.

The Advent of Love Forevermore (12/25/2022)

John described the “glory” of Jesus as being on display through his “fullness of unfailing love and faithfulness” (NLT) (these words describe the loving kindness (chesed) of the OT. The Greek is Grace and Truth. But when you put grace and truth together, you get love. Indeed, the thing that shines brightest about Jesus, is love.  Jesus was the gift of Love, “For God so loved…” (John 3:16). Jesus declared that love is the calling of his followers: John 13:33-34; John 15:9-11). Love is also the distinctive marker that sets his followers apart: John 13:34. But the love of Jesus isn’t just temporary or temporal love. It is forever. In fact, one of the final portraits of Jesus is the bridal language of Revelation—like a wedding, like a bride. And the description is tender with love. Revelation 21:1-4. That’s a beautiful picture of heaven to come. But in the meantime we have been taught to pray, “Thy kingdom come… thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We pray heaven down. And we do here on earth, what God will do then—in love, touch the hurting. Bring hope, bring peace, bring joy, show love. That is why we take the benevolence offering.  

 Just as Jesus has come into the world, so too, together with all the believers who have ever lived—we echo again the longing—even so, come Lord Jesus come!

The Advent of Joy Overflowing (12/18/2022)

The Advent of Joy Overflowing (John 15:11)

Joy and Jesus are inextricably connected. Jesus says knowing him, remaining connected to him results in our experience of overflowing Joy. We are to keep our focus on Him. Hebrews tells us it was joy awaiting Him, that he endured even the cross. What kind of Joy is enough to make you endure such suffering? Overflowing Joy! (Hebrews 12:1-12, specifically v2.) So keep your eyes on Jesus! Isaiah described the Messiah as pouring out a joyous blessing (Isaiah 61:3). No one has more joy—the bible calls it the oil of joy. And it is true—one of the themes of Jesus' teaching was joy. In one of the most familiar passages (Luke 15), Jesus tells three stories that result in Joy: lost sheep, lost coin, lost son. All three stories end with a joyful celebration. When Jesus comes—we will finally and fully see and experience JOY! 1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us that all that we see and know right now is broken and fragile, but there is a day coming when we will fully see—and what we will see when we see Jesus, is JOY!  

The Advent of Peace Made Firm (12/11/2022)

The Advent of Peace Made Firm (Revelation 19:11-16)

Jesus is coming again. And when he comes, the Peace we long for will be absolutely firm. Jesus is King. He is Judge. He is the Priest—who makes right. He is the only one worthy to bring the peace we long for. And the Peace we seek is rooted in His righteousness. Justice and peace are connected. (We know it in our hearts). There can be no peac, until there is justice and righteousness. When there is no peace, you can be sure—justice is absent. (This has become a slogan of the racial injustice protests in our country: “no justice, no peace.”) Not only is it true in our world, but it is true in our hearts. We long for justice. We yearn for true judgement. Jesus comes to make all things right. Who is seated on the throne in your life? There is only one who is worthy. There is only one who is qualified. Jesus is coming—and he comes to Judge—but the judgement he brings will bring you peace. Let Him rule - beginning today. 

Even so, come Lord Jesus come!

The Advent of Hope Realized (12/4/2022)

The Advent of Hope Realized (Matthew 24:42-44 & 2 Peter 3:8-12)

Jesus is coming again. And when he comes, the Hope we long for will be finally and fully realized. Hope is such a gift.  Hope that is blocked or lost leaves us overwhelmed. But understand that the hope we have in Jesus is not just the mere desire for something good to happen (like a child eager for a gift at Christmas—“oh, I hope I get it!”—) Biblical Hope is the confident Expectation that something good is going to happen based upon the goodness and character of God. He is dependable! There are so many thoughts/ideas about what the second coming will be like, but the teaching of Jesus affirms this one thing: HE IS COMING. BE READY! There is a “bit” of heaviness in Matthew 12:51 but the point is that we should be eagerly expecting his return and “setting our house in order” (his house, for we belong to Him). The same Jesus who came then, will come again. Peter echoes Jesus’ teaching. And when Peter writes about that next coming, we need to remember, he had his own “second coming”. [After his failure, Peter went back to fishing—but Jesus met him by a charcoal fire. (John 18:18—and the next morning Jesus brought him to the fire (John 21:9)]. Notice in our text, Peter says we are all going to “face the fire” (2 Peter 3:10). This speaks of Judgement, but the assurance of judgment brings peace. But Peter declares that not only do we hope for this coming but we are to “hurry it along” and “look forward” to it. Again, the eager anticipation we have (kind of like living on our tiptoes—straining to see that day come), is what protects us from the fiery judgement. When we live “with Him” now, we have no fear of living “with Him” then. It is that presence of Jesus that gives us Hope instead of fear. All the way back to Genesis, we learn that we do not need to fear the coming of the Lord if we do what is right. We will be accepted. (Cain—Genesis 4:7). 

Thankful for Friends (11/27/2022)

Thankful for Friends - John 15:9-17

 

One of the richest blessings in life is the divine gift of relationship. Remember, we are created in God's image.  God is the triune God - there is perfect unity and fellowship in God. Jesus tells us that he and the Father are one.  He and the Spirit are the same.  We are created in that image.  One of the sweetest blessings in your life are the people of your life.  And, YES, they can also be the biggest pain in your life.  But if Jesus could be grateful for that rag-tag bunch of disciples - can't we be thankful for the imperfect people in our life? If Jesus would be thankful for you and me - is there anyone who is too far removed that we cannot find some means of being grateful for them?

During the rush of this hurried season we are entering, be sure to remember the gift of relationship. Remember the treasure of friends. Be grateful for the people God has placed in your life. They may be imperfect, but then again - so are you. Be thankful. Just like Jesus.

Thankful for Provision (11/20/2022)

Thankful for Provision (Matthew 14:13-21)

The only miracle in all four gospels is that of the feeding of the 5000. And in all four accounts there is one thing that is clearly evident. Jesus took the bread in his hands and looked up to heaven and he gave thanks. Gratitude is the serious work of Jesus. The amazing miracle of feeding 5000 began with the simple prayer of thankfulness. Even the simplest gifts from the Father deserve our heartfelt gratitude. Make your own gratitude list and do not overlook even the smallest thing. This message would be a good one for the preacher to model thanksgiving by walking through your own gratitude list. Remember, EVERY good gift that is in your life comes from the Father. Be thankful. Just like Jesus.

Thankful in Pain (11/13/2022)

Thankful for Pain (Luke 22:14-20)

Even in the hardship of life, we are to be thankful. Jesus models this kind of defiant-nevertheless gratitude at the Lord’s Supper. Think about what these simple provisions meant: his blood, his body. His blood spilled. His body broken.  And he pauses to pray and specifically give thanks. Can you give thanks in the pain? Do you know that in the pain, God is at work for you? Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works in all things. So, should we not also be giving thanks in all things? Many of us could testify that it was in the pain of life that God showed up and worked for our good. This supper points us to the cross. It reminds us of the pain. But it also reveals that God is at work for our good. Be thankful. Just like Jesus.

Thankful for Prayer (11/06/2022)

Thankful for Prayer (John 11:32-44)

Jesus thanked the Father for prayer. What about you? Do you understand the incredible privilege that is ours in prayer? Do you know that God listens? Jesus models gratitude in just thanking God for hearing him when he speaks. Not only does God listen to your prayers, God speaks to you through prayer. Are you thankful for the privilege of prayer? Are you hearing his nudge? Are you following his lead? Be thankful. Just like Jesus.

The Joy Principle (10/30/2022)

The Joy Principle (Matthew 13:44-45 & Acts 20:35): In these two very brief parables, Jesus describes the Kingdom of heaven in the language of precious possessions—possessions that you joyfully (excitedly) give your all in order to secure. There is an undercurrent of joy in the teaching of Jesus on giving, and indeed throughout the bible. Watch Jesus as He takes as seat in the temple and watches the offerings being given. Luke 21:1-4. Do you not hear the joy as he declares her tiny gift the greatest gift? Listen as the woman anoints Jesus with the expensive perfume and everyone else is incensed. But Jesus praises her for such an extravagant gift (Mark 14:1-9, John 12:1-7). I love how John 12:3 states that the house was filled with the fragrance of the gift. Generosity is like that—it smells of joy. Generosity and Joy go together.

Is your generosity producing the sweet fragrance of Joy in your life?

Give until it feels good by Ben Elrod