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Authentic Pursuit

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: Relentless Grace

When engaging in life together, sometimes, relationships take a wrong turn. Friendships are wounded. When this happens, we easily slip into our old ways and revenge feels natural and acceptable. Jesus shows us another way, the way of relentless grace.

Primary passage:
1 Thessalonians 5:15

Other Bible references:
Hebrews 12
Matthew 5:43
Matthew 5:44-45
1 Thessalonians 1
Ephesians 4:39
Matthew 18

Martin mentioned the book Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Martin also quoted Bertrand Russell.

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: Life Together

An essential part of our Christian faith is life together. Our God is a relational God! Our understanding of life together is rooted in the community of the Trinity, modeled by the heart & ways of Jesus, and it is to be lived out in the heart and ways of His people. This is why Paul tells the entire Thessalonian church: 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Primary passage:
1 Thessalonians 5:14

Other Bible references:
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
Matthew 23:25-26
1 Corinthians 4:14
1 Thessalonians 2
Mark

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: Everybody Needs Somebody

Bible references: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Psalm 23 life, heart, followers of Jesus, relationship, community, connect, known, ignored, understood, valued, life, faith, alone, Paul, 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18, MS, empathetic, compassionate, compassion, cancer, change, transformation, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, sacrifice, difficult, Timothy, mess, sin, consequences, trials, gifts, curses, tribulation, 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5, culture, society, strengthen,…

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: The Work of a Leader

Primary passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Other Bible references: Acts 20:28 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 Hebrews 13:17   leader, leadership, respect, disciples, discipleship, Paul, Acts 20:28, community, openness, posers, shepherds, healthy leaders, Jesus focused, Holy Spirit driven, Ephesians, character, reflect, mentor, mentee, mentoring, Mark Driscoll, draw, drive, know God, heart, catalyst, growth, control, oversee,…

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: The Heart of a Leader

Primary passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Other Bible references: Luke 6 Ephesians 3:17-18 1 John 4 In the Lord, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, heart, leader, leadership, leaders, crisis, Mars Hill, Matt Chandler, church, business, politics, political, ministry, abusive, manipulative, corrupt, doing, being, skills, character, position, influence, power, difference maker, Hitler, Stalin, parents, pastor, spiritual, identity, character, attitude,…

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: Wake Up!

9/11/2001 was a wake up call for America! That morning, America awakened out of her slumbering sense of false peace and security to a new awareness and a new world. The church is like America on 9/11! She needs to awaken out of her slumber! Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and God says to us,…

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: When Tragedy Strikes

In this sermon, Martin referenced the book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller. Primary bible references: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Other bible references: James 4:14 2 Corinthians 5:8 Revelation 7:15-17 Revelation 14:13 1 Corinthians 15:38-50 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 Philippians 3:20-21 1 John 3:2 tragedy, tragic, Woody Moore, mess, parkour, invulnerability, pain, painful,…

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: Relationships, “Yeah… But…”

Bible references: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 James 4:1 1 Peter 4 Philippians 2:1-4 community, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, relationships, sin nature, distortion, sociologists, adults, friends, connected, frontstage, backstage, church, society, small groups, community groups, accountability groups, forgiveness, Thessalonians, reconciliation, love, Samaria, unclean, Jews, Jewish, Jesus, rejected, family, brothers, sisters, compassion, grace, identity, forgiveness, pain, hurt, betrayal, James…

AUTHENTIC PURSUIT: Relationships Can Be a Challenge- Part 2

Primary passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Other Bible references: John 13:34-35 James 4:1-2 1 Corinthians 6:20 2 Corinthians 5:17 1 Peter 2:9-10 Philippians 2:1-4 1 Thessalonians 4:8 1 John 3:14 church body, community, relationships, John 13:34-35, crucifixion, upper room, wash feet, washed feet, washing feet, love, disciples, circumcision, command, brothers, sisters, husbands, wife’s, neighbors, friends, children,…