New Work Fellowship Podcast

New Year, Same Mission (1/28/24)

New Year, New You! - "New Year, Same Mission" (Matthew 25:40)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Isaiah 43:18-19a

New Year, Same Gospel (1/21/24)

New Year, New You! - "New Year, Same Gospel" (Genesis 3, Psalms 17 & 18, Luke 15)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Isaiah 43:18-19a

New Year, Change Direction (1/14/24)

New Year, New You! - "New Year, Change Direction" (John 4:39)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Isaiah 43:18-19a

New Year, New Beginning (1/7/24)

New Year, New You! - "New Year, New Beginning" (1 Samuel 25)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Isaiah 43:18-19a

Getting Past the Past (12/31/23)

Traveling Light - "Getting Past the Past" (Matthew 1:1-6 & Hebrews 12:1-2)

There are three names that show up in the family tree of Jesus that are difficult: Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba. They are especially difficult if you are having family worship! For that reason, I'm not going into their life stories, but it won't take but a little while to explore their sordid history. But I'm so glad they are in there! They remind us that even Jesus' family tree had some issues. There was a history and a past that people would have liked to ignore. Just like you have a past. Just like your family has a history. But the amazing thing about the Christmas story is that Jesus makes room for you too, and through you, He writes a brand, new story. New Years is time for aspirations and hopes. The family tree of Jesus reminds us that it isn't too late for anyone. He can graft you - yes, even you - into His family tree.

Nostalgic Regret (12/23 & 12/24/23)

Traveling Light - "Nostalgic Regret" (Matthew 1:18-25)

Christmas stirs a lot of emotions in us; one of those is regret. And yet the Christmas story is much about letting go and trusting God's plan. With that vision, Joseph is like an unsung hero of Christmas. He doesn't get a speaking line in the story, but gosh, does he get a heavy load! It would have been easy for Joseph to give into bitterness or regret. The truth is Christmas can become the time that tough emotions bubble up. But we have a choice better than regret - we can TRUST that even in the mess that life becomes, God is still at work.

Beyond Distractions (12/17/23)

Traveling Light - "Beyond Distractions" (Luke 1:26-56)

The stories of Elizabeth and Mary are the same and yet opposite. Mary is young and unmarried. Elizabeth is long time married yet barren. And yet through them and their unexpected pregnancies we learn to FOCUS on what really matters - who really matters - and what matters is Jesus. Is that our focus?

The Burden of Control (12/10/23)

Traveling Light - "The Burden of Control" (Luke 1:5-17)

Zechariah really had no control in life. His hopes to be a father were dashed by the time we pick up his story. But as he learns to let go and trust God - he discovers that God has for him, more than he could have ever asked or imagined. One of the struggles of our Christmas is that we want control. How about remembering that in the Christmas story - only God is in control!

It’s Not About the Stuff (12/3/23)

Traveling Light - "It's Not About the Stuff" (Matthew 2)

 

Just as "light" can light your way, so too we are looking for our way to be His Way. And just like someone's burden can be "light" - so too, following Jesus is "light" (not always easy) - but He joins us in the journey. When the wise men were looking for Jesus, we are told they "saw his light" and again followed the light until it was over the child." We can miss the joy/blessing/gift of Christmas when we are overwhelmed by the distractions of the season - what we need is His "traveling light" to guide us to the better way.

Materialsiim has become the ruin of Christmas. It is so ironic that the way in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus is through the accumulation of more and more. And after Christmas we can be "undone" due to our gifts. Be wise and thoughtful as you celebrate Christ. There is meaning in the gifts of the wise men. They remind us that the gift is Jesus.

Blessed (11/26/23)

Cultivate Gratitude: Thankful, Grateful, Blessed - "Blessed" (Luke 22:14-20)

Gratitude begins in the heart - feelings of thankfulness bubble up. That thankfulness finds its voice in expressing gratitude to God. Finally - gratitude settles into the life-awareness that you are blessed. Even in the shadow of the cross, the end of the journey, the final night with the disciples - Jesus chose to focus on the blessings. The Lord's Supper is a tangible reminder of the blessing we have in Christ. Even in the midst of sorrow and loss - Jesus teaches us that we are blessed.