Church is Messy

About the Masterpiece series

• Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
• Series Thesis: We are good works of art created to do the art of good works.

Resources for this episode

• Listen to the message at: https://churchismessy.transistor.fm/episodes/masterpiece-the-art-of-gentleness
• Watch the message at: https://youtu.be/HJwA2i30s-0

Topics Discussed in this episode

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:55 Recap of Rick's sermon on Gentleness, part of Autumn Ridge Church's Masterpiece Series
• 03:55 Is gentleness a feminine quality?
• 07:01 How did Jesus display strength and gentleness in John 8?
• 11:30 Judging sin and practicing gentleness
• 15:10 Moral codes, relationships, and gentleness
• 20:43 Commandments as an expression of love
• 23:15 Ultimate reality is ultimately about relationships
• 28:43 What is the real intention when addressing sin?
• 31:50 Confronting sin based on the Gospel & appealing to others' dignity
• 35:15 Pastors and the Church as God's plan for His kingdom

About the Masterpiece series

• Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
• Series Thesis: We are good works of art created to do the art of good works.

Resources for this episode

• Listen to the message at: https://churchismessy.transistor.fm/episodes/masterpiece-the-art-of-fathering
• Watch the message at: https://youtu.be/fod8fgjKuRE
• Info on Opal Lee starting Juneteenth: https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/opal-lee-fort-worths-grandmother-of-juneteenth-is-still-marching-at-96/
• Senora Dodd starting Father's Day: https://www.fairmountmemorial.com/post/sonora-dodd

Topics Discussed in this episode

00:00 Intro

01:10 Recap of Otis's sermon on Juneteenth, Father's Day

03:50 What is the meaning and goal of "Family on Mission"?

06:10 How did Jesus model "Family on Mission" as a single person?

07:55 We are designed for community, not autonomy

13:07 What is the difference between "Family or Mission", "Family and Mission", "Family on Mission"?

16:40 The Apostle Paul's commendation to follow him as he follows Jesus

20:25 Is a Masterpiece perfect? If we are God's Masterpieces, why aren't we perfect?

21:33 How do we change our perspective on our collaborative mission?

In this special episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea follow up an email that was sent to the Autumn Ridge congregation on June 20, 2023 about the plan for the worship services. Rick gives greater detail to many of the topics introduced in the email.

Here are a list of topics and the times in today's podcast:
00:00 Intro
01:20: What is going on with weekend services and worship styles at our church?
02:05: What was our church's approach to making this decision?
11:00: Our worship service survey and what it revealed
13:15: Our church's history with worship service types
19:04: What criteria and requirements did our advisory and elder teams have for this decision?
24:03: Other churches have gone through this before
28:33: What is unified worship?
38:24: The road ahead
39:22: Watch the July 1-2 message online if you can't attend a service (video will be available after July 3)
39:56: What can guests expect at Autumn Ridge Church in the near future?

What is God’s purpose in using humility to make us his masterpiece?
Pastors Caleb Smith and Svea Merry discuss different aspects of humility. This is a practical topic for every person - not just church people.

About the Masterpiece series

• Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
• Series Thesis: We are good works of art created to do the art of good works.

Resources for this episode

• Listen to the message at: https://media.transistor.fm/c93033f3/9138d154.mp3
• Watch the message at: https://youtu.be/0qdlf0Y_gY4
• Passages discussed in this message/episode: Philippians 2:1-8, Luke 18:9-14, John 13:1-5

Moments in this episode

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:03 - Recap of Caleb’s message on humility and his experience as a “Hot Dog.” 
• 07:19 - Being confident, self-assured, and proud in a healthy and God-glorying way
• 09:28 - How to humbly use our abilities and gifts for others, rather than for our own purposes. 
• 10:35 - How did Jesus show humility in becoming like us? 
• 13:00 - Is humility the same as being a doormat? Was Jesus a doormat?
• 17:45 - Did Jesus show humility in always saying “yes” to people and always doing what they want?
• 18:55 - How did Jesus reach humility by using the Pharisee’s own example against them? 
• 23:00 - What foundational thoughts can help anyone to live in humility?
• 26:30 - How does God’s forgiveness of our past, present and future mistakes help us be humble?
• 28:40 - We may be surprised by who is and who is not in heaven
• 35:40 - Jesus washed his followers’ feet, knowing they would betray him.
• 38:38 - Read through the gospels with the lens of Jesus demonstrating humility

We kick off the Masterpiece series with a discussion between Pastors Svea Merry and Caleb Smith about what a masterpiece is and isn't and get a hint about where the series will be going over the next several weeks.

Rick and Svea begin by answering questions that have come in recent weeks. They also talk in detail about open and loving ways to share the gospel with other people.

Rick and Svea close out the He Gets Us series looking at the scandalous love of Jesus for those who were on the fringes.

Today guest Pastor Caleb Smith joins Svea Merry in the studio to talk about his message and a little bit more about "following the cloud" and what it looks like to recognize the faithfulness of God in the various chapters of life.

Rick and Svea look at the struggles of life and the example we have in Jesus in dealing with struggle and hardship.

Today Pastor Otis Hall joins Rick and Svea on the podcast to discuss questions people had after Otis' message on outrage and appropriate responses to the situations that may cause outrage, anger, and indignation.

Today Rick and Svea discuss compassion and Jesus' example that compassion was always accompanied by some form of action.

You can view the full message that is the basis for today's discussion at: https://youtu.be/PH3M47DhQ0s

Was Jesus anxious? Did Jesus worry? In this episode we look at the difference between anxiety and worry. Realizing God is both sovereign and intimately personal can keep us from worry. Pastors Rick and Svea unpack these ideas today.

Today Pastor Svea Merry asks Pastor Rick Henderson to reflect on his first three years at Autumn Ridge Church.

In this final episode discussing the 1 Peter series, Rick and Svea answer a number of question from their congregation. Topics include dealing with leadership in church, being humble leaders, spiritual forces, and more. Plus Rick gives a detailed account of an experience he had with demonic forces during a recent trip to Guinea, West Africa and calls listeners to take 1 Peter 5:8-9 seriously.

Watch the 1 Peter 5 sermon here: https://youtu.be/gnRbbtwTW08

Rick and Svea discuss practical ways to live out Peter's words of encouragement in 1 Peter chapter 4.

Rick and Svea continue their discussion on 1 Peter chapter 3.

Rick and Svea discuss 1 Peter chapter 3 and how it helps us follow Jesus. Our identity, thoughts, and actions can all be shaped by this incredible passage. 

(Bonus Episode) Rick and Svea further discuss 1 Peter chapter 2 and elaborate on several important concepts from the last episode.

Rick and Svea continue to discuss 1 Peter chapter 2 and how God's love in us causes us to engage culture.

Rick and Svea explore questions that dig below the surface and help us to discover our true identity in Christ.