OK, We're Out of the Boat! Now What? - the end

Welcome Hal and Brenda, and thanks for the great smoked chicken. We missed David, he was playing with a praise team in another ministry opportunity. What a deeply meaningful worship experience tonight. We took a night to worship solely in Scripture and prayer; specifically the heart of Jesus' farewell discourse. United by the Holy Spirit we attempted to grasp the personal and cultural impact of Jesus saying "I am . . . "

1. the Bread of life (John 6:35)
2. the Light of the world (John 8:12)
3. the Door of the sheep (John 10:7)
4. the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
5. the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
6. the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6)
7. the true Vine (15:1)

Jesus made it clear, in chapter 14, there are great expectations of you and I. Please pray about what Jesus wants to do through you

• “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (14:1-7 ESV) This is the moment that the disciples must move from literal fellowship to spiritual faith. Do you accept the historical Jesus, or believe and love the Risen Christ?
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  Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
  
  
  
  “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (14:8-14 ESV) Was Jesus preparing the disciples for the physical miracles they would perform, or the spiritual impact they would experience? What is the application for us?
  
  
  
  Please share how God is leading you in your unique contribution to Origins. If you are a reader of the blog only, let us know how you pray for us here in New Orleans. Thanks!
  
  
  
  

Chosen

I love that word chosen, set apart, it makes me feel special. In our study of 1 Peter we came across those amazing words that we are a chosen nation, a royal priesthood. There are so many times in my life I don't feel chosen and it takes words like this to hit me square between the eyes to know that not only does God love me, but He chose me, and set me apart. Wow, that just blows my mind. I know this is a short post but I just wanted to reminde you that you are "CHOSEN" not just by the people who are in your life that love you, but you are chosen by God. If you need to feel special today, bathe your self in those words "you are a chosen"

OK, We're Out of the Boat! Now What? - part 5

The reality of a significantly more intimate setting for worship is beginning to become part of our DNA at Origins. We sang and prayed and worshiped together through some of John's letters to the faithful. Our exodus from the boat started with lessons from Peter, then Luke and Paul, and this week we learned to exercise confidence and cautious discernment from John. Here are some ideas and questions over which to grapple.

1 John 5:1-21

• (3-5) This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
  What commands is John talking about?

• (13-15) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
  Are there times when God cannot hear us?

John’s letter to a house church:

• (4-11) I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady— not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning— that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
  What kind of deception might we run into?
  Should there be a limit to our hospitality?
  How will we protect the truth when we grow?

Comment with the passion of the 9-0 Saints! Geaux For It!

OK, We're Out of the Boat! Now What? - part 4

What a kick-off to a great night with the Saints going 8-0. Welcome to Jason and Garren as first time visitors. Happy Birthday Dwayne and thanks for a reason to have cake with Janet's Corn Stew.

• We started with a great reminder from Acts 1:1-3 "In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God." Jesus came to earth to START an revolution. We are to work towards completion of that calling. 

• A reading of Colossians 1:2 makes it clear that Paul considered all of us saints. As saints we are indwelt with all the mystery that is God Himself. The very fact that Christ abides in us is the secret to that great mystery of our Creator. Paul tells us as much in Colossians 1:27, "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." It is so hard for most Christians to truly understand what it means to have "Christ in you." Paul, in an attempt to encourage us through his ministry, reveals one of the great untapped elements of our relationship with Christ. Paul said, "For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me (Col. 1:29)." Wow! It isn't even about me having the energy to live out this calling! If I let Him God will do all that He wants through me. The religious have never figured this out. Do you believe God lives in you?
• (this post is a work in progess. comment and check back)
  

OK, We're Out of the Boat! Now What? - part 3

    What a house full with six new guests. Welcome to Angelica and her boys, Bex, and Michael. We feasted on Jambalaya, thanks Duane. And thanks to all who filled out the menu with great grub.

     The Word was from 1 Peter 4 and 5 tonight with some good side trips through Luke, Philippians 3:12-14, and Galatians 5:1 - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

• Read 1 Peter 4:1-11 and Philippians 3:12-14, then grapple with this question based on Galatians 5:1: Who is trying to burden you with a yoke of slavery?

1 Peter 5 is dealing with leadership in the house church (of Christians exiled due to Neronian persecution). 

• Read 1 Peter 5:1-3 and comment regarding the following: Are these verses suggesting there must be a pastor, "shepherd" in each group, "flock"?
• Read 5:5 and give your thoughts on: What does it look like to be "subject to your elders"? Should there be an emotional distance between you and your shepherd?
• In response to 1 Peter 5:8-11 discuss this final question: In what ways do you find it helpful to know that others in Christ are suffering in the same way you are?

Thank you for your prayerful comments.