New Work Fellowship Podcast

Forgive (7/30/23)

Going Through the Motions of Relationships - Forgive (Romans 12:9-21, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 18:21-22, & Luke 23:34)

Coming out of isolation and into authentic relationship is the pathway to growing deeper. But coming out of isolation isn't just about the people around you - right now. We often carry with us baggage and bitterness from our past. We are sternly warned about bitterness (Hebrews 12:15, Ephesians 4:31). A couple great examples of forgiveness include Jacob and Esau. When Jacob comes home he has to face the past and face his brother. The story sets up like it is going to be a great conflict - but instead, it is a story of forgiveness. The past wounds are forgiven. NOTE: Even though they forgive and move on from the past - there is no genuine restoration. They are reconciled but continue to live quite separately. Another story of forgiveness would be Paul and John Mark. Early on in the missions trips, Paul and Barnabas take John Mark, but Mark quits (Acts 13:13). Next time, the subject of Mark coming along a second time erupts in a divisive rupture between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41). But by the end of his life, Paul makes a plea that Mark be brought to him, for he is most useful (2 Timothy 4:11). This story is one of full forgiveness and restoration. We never know where the journey of forgiveness will take us until we walk it. Jesus is, of course, the full example of forgiveness as he prays for our forgiveness when He is on our cross.

 

One Another (7/23/23)

Going Through the Motions of Relationships - One Another (John 13:34 & Matthew 22:39)

Coming out of isolation and into relationship requires a risky commitment. It demands an investment in one another AND others. The risk of this type of community is seen in the story of Saul (Paul) in Damascus. You see the risk that Ananias feels, (Acts 9:13, "But Lord..."). Likewise, you see it in the community (Acts 9:21). Paul's ability and his standing in the community are a result of the community itself. It's been said that every human being has just a few basic needs (from psychological health): To know and be known. To love and be loved. To serve and be served. That is at the root of the Christian community. Aristides talked about this amazing love of the Christian community in the Roman world.

Together (7/16/23)

Going Through the Motions of Relationships - Together (Matthew 4:12-22)

As soon as the time of 40 days of fasting and praying is complete, Jesus gets to work calling together the disciples. We were created for relationship. From Geneses 1:26-28, it is clear we were created for relationship with one another and with God. And our relationship with God is all tied up in our relationship with one another (1 John 4:20). The very first time God says something is "not good" is in the second creation story, Genesis 2:18. Throughout our culture we are seeing the devastating effects of isolation. To go deeper, we must deliberately choose to move out of our isolation - and specifically into faith relationships. Step OUT of isolation.

When the Church Prays (7/9/2023)

Going Through the Motions of Prayer - When the Church Prays (Acts 12)

 

All last year we were in one sermon series: Preach Jesus. The point of that was simply that you and I would see Jesus. But, once you see Jesus: what's next? You worship Him. But then what? What's next? There is a simple phrase Jesus used over and over again when interacting with people, "Follow Me." Jesus was inviting people (then and now) to go with Him on a journey. He was offering to be their guide, and as their guide, he was going to take them to places they could not and would not go without Him..  The words "Follow Me" were mission-critical for the church. It was an invitation to a way of life. So, for much of the year to come, we are going to talk about "going through the motions" with Jesus. How are you following Him?

Until we learn to go through the motions and rhythms and disciplines of our faith journey, we will not experience all that Jesus has to show us. Prayer is the first essential movement of going deeper with Him.  There was a prayer rhythm to Jesus' life.  What is your rhythm? Maybe you can pray in the early morning - before daylight time. Maybe you can pray before you take that first sip of coffee. Maybe you could pause to pray at lunchtime or at bedtime.  In the weeks to come, we will be laying out for you many rhythms of prayer that you can weave into your life.

Yield (7/2/2023)

Going Through the Motions of Prayer - Yield (Romans 12:1; Matthew 26:36-46)

All last year we were in one sermon series: Preach Jesus. The point of that was simply that you and I would see Jesus. But, once you see Jesus: what's next? You worship Him. But then what? What's next? There is a simple phrase Jesus used over and over again when interacting with people, "Follow Me." Jesus was inviting people (then and now) to go with Him on a journey. He was offering to be their guide, and as their guide, he was going to take them to places they could not and would not go without Him..  The words "Follow Me" were mission-critical for the church. It was an invitation to a way of life. So, for much of the year to come, we are going to talk about "going through the motions" with Jesus. How are you following Him?

Until we learn to go through the motions and rhythms and disciplines of our faith journey, we will not experience all that Jesus has to show us. Prayer is the first essential movement of going deeper with Him.  There was a prayer rhythm to Jesus' life.  What is your rhythm? Maybe you can pray in the early morning - before daylight time. Maybe you can pray before you take that first sip of coffee. Maybe you could pause to pray at lunchtime or at bedtime.  In the weeks to come, we will be laying out for you many rhythms of prayer that you can weave into your life.

Ask (6/25/2023)

Going Through the Motions of Prayer - Ask (Luke 11:5-11; Philippians 4:6-7)

All last year we were in one sermon series: Preach Jesus. The point of that was simply that you and I would see Jesus. But, once you see Jesus: what's next? You worship Him. But then what? What's next? There is a simple phrase Jesus used over and over again when interacting with people, "Follow Me." Jesus was inviting people (then and now) to go with Him on a journey. He was offering to be their guide, and as their guide, he was going to take them to places they could not and would not go without Him..  The words "Follow Me" were mission-critical for the church. It was an invitation to a way of life. So, for much of the year to come, we are going to talk about "going through the motions" with Jesus. How are you following Him?

Until we learn to go through the motions and rhythms and disciplines of our faith journey, we will not experience all that Jesus has to show us. Prayer is the first essential movement of going deeper with Him.  There was a prayer rhythm to Jesus' life.  What is your rhythm? Maybe you can pray in the early morning - before daylight time. Maybe you can pray before you take that first sip of coffee. Maybe you could pause to pray at lunchtime or at bedtime.  In the weeks to come, we will be laying out for you many rhythms of prayer that you can weave into your life.

Pause (6/11/2023)

Going Through the Motions of Prayer - Pause (Psalm 23; Psalm 46:10a, Matthew 6:9)

All last year we were in one sermon series: Preach Jesus. The point of that was simply that you and I would see Jesus. But, once you see Jesus: what's next? You worship Him. But then what? What's next? There is a simple phrase Jesus used over and over again when interacting with people, "Follow Me." Jesus was inviting people (then and now) to go with Him on a journey. He was offering to be their guide, and as their guide, he was going to take them to places they could not and would not go without Him..  The words "Follow Me" were mission-critical for the church. It was an invitation to a way of life. So, for much of the year to come, we are going to talk about "going through the motions" with Jesus. How are you following Him?

Until we learn to go through the motions and rhythms and disciplines of our faith journey, we will not experience all that Jesus has to show us. Prayer is the first essential movement of going deeper with Him.  There was a prayer rhythm to Jesus' life.  What is your rhythm? Maybe you can pray in the early morning - before daylight time. Maybe you can pray before you take that first sip of coffee. Maybe you could pause to pray at lunchtime or at bedtime.  In the weeks to come, we will be laying out for you many rhythms of prayer that you can weave into your life.

Rejoice (6/18/2023)

Going Through the Motions of Prayer - Rejoice (Philippians 4:4; Psalm 37:4, Psalm 63)

All last year we were in one sermon series: Preach Jesus. The point of that was simply that you and I would see Jesus. But, once you see Jesus: what's next? You worship Him. But then what? What's next? There is a simple phrase Jesus used over and over again when interacting with people, "Follow Me." Jesus was inviting people (then and now) to go with Him on a journey. He was offering to be their guide, and as their guide, he was going to take them to places they could not and would not go without Him..  The words "Follow Me" were mission-critical for the church. It was an invitation to a way of life. So, for much of the year to come, we are going to talk about "going through the motions" with Jesus. How are you following Him?

Until we learn to go through the motions and rhythms and disciplines of our faith journey, we will not experience all that Jesus has to show us. Prayer is the first essential movement of going deeper with Him.  There was a prayer rhythm to Jesus' life.  What is your rhythm? Maybe you can pray in the early morning - before daylight time. Maybe you can pray before you take that first sip of coffee. Maybe you could pause to pray at lunchtime or at bedtime.  In the weeks to come, we will be laying out for you many rhythms of prayer that you can weave into your life.

What is Prayer? (6/4/2023)

Going Through the Motions of Prayer - What is Prayer? (Luke 11:1-4)

All last year we were in one sermon series: Preach Jesus. The point of that was simply that you and I would see Jesus. But, once you see Jesus: what's next? You worship Him. But then what? What's next? There is a simple phrase Jesus used over and over again when interacting with people, "Follow Me." Jesus was inviting people (then and now) to go with Him on a journey. He was offering to be their guide, and as their guide, he was going to take them to places they could not and would not go without Him..  The words "Follow Me" were mission-critical for the church. It was an invitation to a way of life. So, for much of the year to come, we are going to talk about "going through the motions" with Jesus. How are you following Him?

Until we learn to go through the motions and rhythms and disciplines of our faith journey, we will not experience all that Jesus has to show us. Prayer is the first essential movement of going deeper with Him.  There was a prayer rhythm to Jesus' life.  What is your rhythm? Maybe you can pray in the early morning - before daylight time. Maybe you can pray before you take that first sip of coffee. Maybe you could pause to pray at lunchtime or at bedtime.  In the weeks to come, we will be laying out for you many rhythms of prayer that you can weave into your life.

Glory (5/28/2023)

Worship Jesus: It Has Nothing to Do With Volume - Glory (Revelation 19:4-7)

Revelation 19:6, "Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder..." It was loud!

This final picture of the worship of heaven brings back into focus much of the themes that we've seen and experienced in looking at so many worship services before. The sound is not unlike Sinai or Pentecost. It is reminiscent of the crowds at Jericho and Jerusalem. Worship is ultimately not about us. It is always about bringing glory to God. And what is it that brings Him glory? When the world down here, looks more and more like the world up there. His Kingdom come is to be our prayer. It is our worship that fuels such a vision. Our praise to bring Him Glory.

Worship Moment: Shâbach

Psalm 145:4, "Let each generation tell its children of your might acts; let them proclaim your power." Loud worship passes the glory of God from one generation to the next. Again, it has nothing to do with volume, but it has everything to do with a wholly surrendered life - that brings God glory.