New Work Fellowship Podcast

Right Thinking: What Is Your Name? (10/8/23)

Going Through the Motions - Right Thinking: What Is Your Name? (Genesis 32:24-31)

God is not suddenly forgetful. It's not like he doesn't know who this is. This is God calling upon Jacob to remember who he is. He is Jacob. Deceiver. Grasper. Out of control, but always trying to work the angle. But God gives him a new name: Israel, God fights. This had to be mind-blowing to Jacob - God fights? Is it that God fights against him? No, not really - it is that God fights for him. Jacob declared, "I will not let you go until you bless me" - only to discover that it is God who will not let him go. God will not abandon his promise. His word is sure. This question is all about identity. The ONLY ONE who gets to tell us who we are - is God and God alone. I am not my sin I am not my struggle. I am not my failure. I am His.

Right Thinking: Where Are You? Who Told You? (10/1/23)

Going Through the Motions - Right Thinking: Where Are You? Who Told You? (Genesis 3:1-14, 21-24)

These two questions are powerful together. Understand, God is not asking because He needs information. This was all about relationship - and transformation. These questions force Adam and Eve to think deeply about who they are and what they are to believe - about themselves and about God. These questions are authority questions. Adam was created to be "in the likeness and image of God." They were created to reign. But they have slipped from that position. And likewise they had given up dominion by turning away from what God told them. When we stop listening to what the Lord tells us, we too will fall short of who He has called us to be.

Margin, Moments, and Open Hands (9/24/23)

Going Through the Motions with My Stuff - Margin, Moments, and Open Hands (2 Kings 7:1-11)

When we live generously, save wisely, and live appropriately - it postures us to use the resources God has placed in our hands for good. And it is "so good" to be a blessing to others. You get this as a church. But let's be real - even if we do all those things right, our reality is that we are quite vulnerable. So, we need to be prepared to live with margin, and be ready for the moments. And then we live with open hands. Oh, and don't miss this - the steward understands from the outset - this isn't my stuff. Everything I have is a temporary gift - for which I will give an account. It is all His!

Live Appropriately (9/17/23)

Going Through the Motions with My Stuff - Live Appropriately (Colossians 2:13-14, Luke 2:52, & 1 Timothy 6:6-10)

 

It is important that we understand our current condition. We are blessed. We are rich. By all the standards of this world, the vast majority of us live far above the standards of this world. However, the challenge is that we often want to live above and beyond our means! Financial faithfulness requires that we tell our money where it is to go. We are to budget! We are not to live haphazardly with the blessing that God has given us. We have been blessed to be a blessing. So live as if we will give an account to the Lord with all He has given us.

Save Wisely (9/10/23)

Going Through the Motions with My Stuff - Save Wisely (Proverbs 22:1-4)

Every one of us will face unexpected trouble in this life. Jesus said so - every day has enough trouble of it's own. Sometimes that includes financial trouble. But the wise person plans ahead. We don't always know what the trouble will be - but we can be sure that it will come. When you prepare by storing up for the day of trouble, it removes the stress. It takes off the pressure. And instead of having to borrow from others in the day of trouble, you can relax and step into whatever the crisis. Do you want to reduce the stress around finances? Give Generously. Save Wisely. And remember, your future is not secured in what you save - it is in God. Matthew 6:25-34

 

Give Generously (9/3/23)

Going Through the Motions with My Stuff - Give Generously (Mark 4:13-20)

These two teachings of Jesus set up the tension. There are two ways to live. We can hold and keep, or we can release and give. And as contrary as it may sound - in this kingdom, the blessing comes to those who choose to live generously. Malachi declared it (Malachi 3:8-12). Jesus taught it (Luke 6:38). Paul affirmed it (2 Corinthians 9:11-13). It all begins with a generous heart.

Come to the Table (8/27/23)

Going Through the Motions of Relationships - Come to the Table (Luke 22:7-23, John 13)

 

Table fellowship is a unique blessing throughout the scriptures. Abraham entertained three mysterious guests. Moses and the elders of Israel sat down on Sinai for a fellowship meal. In the wilderness wandering, God provided bread (manna) to the people. Jesus invites us to the table. At the table we receive community and life. Likewise, we need to understand that for us to sustain spiritual depth - there likewise must be the deepest of commitment to the table - the place where the family of God gathers as the people of God - with the bread of life. The Lord's Supper is so much more than just a ritual to be observed; it is a way of saying - these are my people, this is my Jesus, this is my place! Come to the table!

 

You - His Temple (8/20/23)

Going Through the Motions of Relationships - You - His Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, & Romans 12:1-2)

The story of faith is a journey of God finding and making his place among his people. Follow the journey from the tabernacle to the temple - to the declaration of Jesus - that the temple is to be a house of prayer for all people. But it does not stop there - throughout the scriptures the journey is shown until God is present in the hearts of his people - until we finally arrive at that place of eternity - where God Himself is among us. So at this point in our journey - you - yes, your body - you are the temple of God. Not just you, but "all y'all" are the collective temple. But as we know with our own bodies - when one part suffers, the whole body suffers. So how are you taking care of your temple? Your relationship to your body (His body) matters. Pastor Kevin had a life coach who reminded him (and drilled into his head), you cannot be the man if you do not first build the man. Who are you building? There are so many facets to health (like a diamond), but these are essential: sleep, nutrition, movement. Pastor Kevin's first job at a church was custodian.  The pastor there reminded him that how he cared for that little church building was a reflection of how he cared for Jesus.  Same could be said of our bodies!

Marriages that Thrive (8/13/23)

Going Through the Motions of Relationships - Marriages that Thrive  (Song of Songs 8:6-7)

 

The "place" where going deeper in our relationship with Jesus should show up more than any other place - is in those closest relationships The marriage relationship is a unique place that is to express our bing joined to Jesus. In Ephesians 5:19, Paul talks about the mystery of our marriage relationship mirroring the relationship of Christ to the church. One of the beautiful Hebrew words for love is dod - it is the idea of the two becoming one flesh - but it is more - it is the mingling of souls. What does it take to "go deeper" in marriage? Man up! The man leads the way. Don't be passive. It is not so much about being a good man as it is being good at being a man! What does a man need to do well? 1) understand and relate well to women, 2) understand and master his money, 3) self-control and self-mastery, and 4) how to be a brother to other men. Here is a question for all of us - do we default to being the thermometer or the thermostat in our relationship in the home? Do I set the spiritual temperature? Do I reflect the temperature of life's stresses? The four habits of joy-filled marriages: Play together, Listen for emotion, Appreciate daily, Nurture rhythm.

Be a Friend (8/6/23)

Going Through the Motions of Relationships - Be a Friend (Luke 7:33-34 & 36-50)

Going deeper in relationship requires eyes that see people - really see people. And in this story, you have movement of the woman from being known as a great "sinner" (v39) to a woman who shows great love (v47). When you really love one another - when you really love others - you want them to be in the presence of Jesus, to be "at the table" with Jesus. What does it take to be a great friend? Jesus was called a friend of sinners. Could the same be said of us? Who are the friends you are loving toward Jesus? Spiritual depth is directly tied to personal friendships. Where are you investing?