john niewald

Message Notes
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Forgiven people, forgive people

Keys to pursue peace
1.Become relentlessly humble
2.Become an unconditional lavish blesser

Forgiveness is always possible, but reconciliation takes both parties

Scripture
Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 18:21-22, Acts 15:36-41

Message Notes

Healthy relationships are not defined by the absence of conflict, they are defined by three ability to address and resolve conflict.

How to fight the good fight:
1. Learn to be self-aware (Matthew 7:3-5)
2. Don't ignore the conflict (Matthew 5:23-24)
3. Invite someone not involved (Matthew 18:15-17)

Scripture
Romans 15:7, Romans 3:23, Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 18:15-17

Message Notes
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight." James 4:1-2

Desires can drive us to do dumb things
 
In moments of frustration, ask God to grow you

Two practices that can transform your relationships

1.      Embrace forgiveness

2.      Practice radical acceptance

Scripture
James 4:1-2, 1 John 4:20, Matthew 20:37-40, John 13:34, I John 4:6-8, Matthew 5:43-48 (message translation), Colossians 3:13, Romans 15:7

Happy Easter Church!

Message Notes

Paul learned that Jesus-shaped discipleship is not just the transfer of information, but the sharing of life together.

Spiritual selflessness flows from a heart transformed from the inside out.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
- 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

How do we follow Paul’s example of following Christ?
1.      Fix our eyes on the person and work of Jesus Christ
2.      Seek the glory of God in whatever you do
3.      Seek the good of your neighbor in whatever you do

Scripture
I Corinthians 10:23 – 11:1, Acts 18:23-19:41

Message Notes

Our relationship to Christ is what unifies the church

The basis for unity in the church is the attitude of selflessness, which is the mind of Christ.

The cross was thought to be the place of ultimate humility and defeat and Jesus turned it into the place of ultimate victory and unity

We need to see our differences as a blessing if we are going to live out God’s call for us to make disciples of all nations.

Scripture
I Corinthians 1:10-18, Philippians 2:1-11

Message Notes

Some people are good at PUSHING. A Barnabas is one who PROPELS. 

The bedrock of Barnabas was his ability to ENCOURAGE. – The bedrock of THIS church must be that we ENCOURAGE one another.

Become a Barnabas:
1. Pray
2. Be Positive
3. Be Persistent 

Scripture
Acts 9: 1-31, Acts 11: 19-30

 Message Notes

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us ponder how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:23-25

For those who follow Jesus, we are to be a people who are bent inward, but we live outward.

We grow to become like Jesus in community.

The cry of Scripture and the whisper of the Spirit is: “Don’t stop meeting together…”

“Scripture knows nothing of a solitary Christian. People of faith are always members of a community. God never works with individuals in isolation but always with people in community.”  - Eugene Peterson

You need Jesus to be able to rightly connect and love each other, and You need each other to rightly connect and love Jesus!

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Scripture
Hebrews 10: 19-25, John 15:9-17, Romans 8:1-4

Message Notes
“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” John 20:26-29

Our community and culture have changed dramatically over the years. But our DNA as a mission outpost has not. We are still here because God wants us to expand His kingdom.

We expand God’s kingdom when we live UP, IN, and OUT!

The disciples’ recipe for faith: repeated encounters with the resurrected Jesus.

Here are some practical steps to organize your life in deep and new ways around Jesus.
- Make a commitment to join us weekly for church. Matthew 18:20
- Have a daily appointment with Jesus.
- Organize your work around Jesus.

The Bible says the result of spending more time with Jesus is a massive change in character.

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Scripture
Hebrews 12:1-3, John 20:19-29, John 15:1-8, Matthew 16:24-27, Colossians 3:1-4

 Message Notes

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- Luke 18:9-14

The biblical writers believe sin is cunning and baffling and terribly destructive to humans individually and for our world.

Sin enslaves and degrades. It deadens and depresses.

The relief of forgiveness, a new start, a cleansed conscience, and a God-honoring life and freedom are only one honest prayer away!

It’s so hard to strive to be righteous without becoming self-righteous.

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Scripture
Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, James 4:8, 1 Timothy 5:22, Matthew 5:8, Romans 12:9, 1 Timothy 1:15, Luke 18:9

Message Notes

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” I Timothy 6:6-10

Money is morally neutral.

Greed is like a trap. It’s so easy to see in others, but so hard to see in ourselves.

You don’t have to be rich to be greedy, and you don’t have to be poor to be frugal. Anyone can be controlled by the love of money.

The only way we can break free from this trap is by having our hearts transformed by the grace of God.

Faith in Jesus changes everything in us, and it changes us from the inside out.

Corrie Ten Boom: “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”

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Scripture
1 Timothy 6:6-10, Mark 10:33, Luke 12:15, Jeremiah 17:9, Hebrews 13:5

 Message Notes

”The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. […] So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” Exodus 2:23-25

God will generally not do for you what he enables you to do yourself.

God helps people who ask for help.

1. God is able. - What we pray matters much less than who we pray to.
2. God is willing. - God is willing to hear, to notice, to love, and to act.
3. God helps people who can’t help themselves.

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Scripture
Exodus 2:23-25, Exodus 17:9, Exodus 2:23-25, James 1:27, Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 22:9, Matthew 25

Message Notes

“Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

Rest is a great act of faith.

Christians are called to embrace the spiritual practice of missing out.

God’s rest is to be an act of celebration and enjoyment.

God blessed the Sabbath which means it is supposed to be life-giving.

Worship: Anything that turns your heart toward gratefulness for God’s goodness!

Jesus can help us understand ourselves not as fast-paced consumers and producers but as unhurried enjoyers.

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Scripture
Matthew 11, Psalm 23, Genesis 1-2, Deuteronomy 15

Message Notes

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth… For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:14, 17

“I didn’t come to abolish the law; I came to fulfill the law.”
Matthew 5:17

God can purify a heart before you purify your life.

We should not make it difficult for people who are turning to God!

Three things that we must avoid at all costs if we are going to live out the Brand New things God is calling us to:

1) We’ve got to avoid the drift toward insiders and away from outsiders.

2) The drift toward law and away from grace.

3) The drift toward preserving rather than advancing.

Scripture
John 1:14, 17, Acts 15,

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Message Notes

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Then Luke, says these amazing words. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”
Acts 4:31-35

In this new command Jesus is inviting you to change your focus from you, to embrace the you beside you.

Jesus said that loving God is fulfilled when you love your neighbor as yourself!

The new command from Jesus is less complicated than the old testament law, but it is far more demanding.

Ask yourself the question: What does love require of me? And then do that!

We WILL help eliminate food insecurity in our community and throughout the world!

https://www.fmsc.org/get-involved/volunteer

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Scripture
Acts 4, John 13:34-35, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 5:23-24, Galatians 5:6, Matthew 25:31-40

Message Notes

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29-30

Going through challenges can make us more timid or more bold.

Part of the reason we’ve lost our boldness is because we are so blessed. You should never feel guilty for blessing. You should feel grateful AND you should feel responsible.

The first-century founders said, To have suffered, to be disfigured because of the name of Jesus, is the thing I’m most proud of.

Boldness baby steps:

1. Bold is deciding to say something when it would be easier to say nothing.
2. Bold is taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.

If that Brand New church didn’t boldly proclaim Jesus we wouldn’t be here today. Church the only way forward for Redeemer is if we become bold.

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Scripture
Acts 3-5

 Message Notes

“Blessed are you, Simon for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my and the gates of death, will not overcome it.”
- Matthew 16:17-18

The church began as a movement launched around an event in history.

Ekklesia simply means “an assembly or gathering.”

Jesus original intent for the church was—a growing, multicultural, multiethnic, a mission-centered movement of people sharing a very simple message for everyone in the whole world around one single event in history: the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus was resurrected, he gave us a Brand New Covenant - which means you don’t have to go to a sacred place, or make a sacred sacrifice, or have a sacred person mediate between you and God. In this new covenant, you are sacred.

When you receive Jesus forgiveness and grace, you are a New Creation. Do you know what connects Christians from all over the world? It’s that we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that he was resurrected, and that his death paid for the sins of the entire world.

Jesus gave us a Brand New Mission. The church wasn’t for church people, because there weren’t any church people and it wasn’t about a tradition or a style or a way of doing anything, the church was this movement based on an event in history that would change the world!

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Scripture
Acts 1 and 2