Stories Within the True Story

A New Community

A New Community

Following Jesus is a group project.

God's Spirit has been breathed out upon a community of people so that they would live in such a way, together, that the world may see God's glory. The church is to be formed by God - together - for the sake of the world.

But that’s not something we can do in our own strength, even by joining together. Following Jesus is not just a group project with other followers, but it is a partnership with God Himself. We are called to partner with the Spirit. As we devote ourselves to what He calls us to, He is faithful to build His Kingdom.

Acts of the Spirit

Acts of the Spirit

What changed in the few weeks between Jesus' followers running and hiding from fear for their lives to surging out into the streets with a message for thousands to hear? They had been equipped by Jesus. They had been witnesses of Jesus. They had been commissioned by Jesus. But the day had finally come which gave power to all of that. The day had come which made all of those other days all the more real. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God was breathed into these disciples. As the breath of God once again filled humanity, they were also filled with the hope that this was just the beginning.

Now As You Go

Now As You Go

After conquering death, sin, and satan, Jesus went to prepare a place for God to dwell with man - restoring what was originally intended in the beginning. But before that, he invited his followers to join in his work. They were to become co-laborers in the mission... they were co-missioned into the work of Jesus. Humans had not had a very good track record of this work, but this time would be different. Jesus promised to be with them in the mission - always.

Dirty Feet

Dirty Feet

The night of Jesus’ betrayal he shared an important meal with his closest friends and his betrayer. But right before they ate, Jesus knelt down to serve his followers by washing their dirty, grimy, travel-worn feet. Jesus, the King of all creation, took on the posture of a servant — a slave even. He washed all of them, including the one who would betray him. Yet, this was just a foretaste. He was about to serve them in an even greater and more difficult way.

The Lost Sons

The Lost Sons

When Jesus was confronted by religious leaders about why he was spending time with sinners, he told three stories: a parable of a lost sheep, a parable of a lost coin, and a parable of lost sons. The story tells of a wayward younger son who runs from home and lives recklessly without regard to his family, and an older son who stays home working and following all the rules in order to get what he wants. Yet, both sons are equally lost. The difference is one son comes to his senses and back to the father.

The Call of the Inn Keeper

The Call of the Inn Keeper

Many of us are familiar with the story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan. Who do you picture yourself as in that story? The man who gets beaten and robbed, left for dead? The ones who pass by on the other side of the road to avoid the mess? The Samaritan who cares for him? Could it be that Jesus himself has taken on the role of the Good Samaritan, and our role is found in one other character in the story who often gets forgotten?

Wine at the Wedding

Wine at the Wedding

The very first miracle where Jesus showed his glory was making wine out of water when a wedding celebration ran out of the good stuff. Was this a random, unplanned moment? Was this a side quest in the real mission Jesus came for? If we look closely and reframe this story away from our context into the people’s who lived it, we just may find how this moment was instrumental in telling the world who Jesus is and exactly why he came.

Jesus Is Born

Jesus Is Born

God’s people had been waiting and holding their breath for the promised Messiah to come and rescue them. They all had different expectations of what to look for. When he finally came into the world, many could not see him because they were searching for something else. Yet, Jesus came just as promised. What are you looking for? What do you seek? Are you able to see the real Jesus and find the hope, joy, peace, and rescue you need?

Get Ready For Your Exile

Get Ready For Your Exile

The words of Jeremiah were given by God to prepare His people for exile. You're about to be taken into captivity, forced to live in a foreign land, ruled by an oppressive nation. What should you do? How should you live? God's words delivered through Jeremiah were shocking. Make it a home. Plant and tend to gardens. Enter into relationships and build families. In essence, continue the call given to humanity at the very beginning... whether you're in a garden of paradise or exiled in Babylon.

Appointing A King

Appointing A King

God's people wanted a king, just like the other nations had. They wanted one who would represent them well. One who was tall, handsome, strong - a natural leader.

But God was their true King, and if He was going to give them a human representative it would be one who represented what He is like - not what the other nations were like. This is the context where we find the power struggle between Saul and David.

The Cycle of Judges

The Cycle of Judges

Israel had been rescued by God and finally entered into the promised land of rest. But it didn’t take long for them to rebel against Him and worship other gods. So, God would hand them over to their rebellion and let the gods they worshipped and the nations they longed for take them over. They would cry out for rescue so God would send someone as a judge over sin and the other nations. The people would rejoice, but again, it didn’t take long to repeat their rebellion.

They found themselves in an exhausting cycle: rescue, rest, rebellion, reaping the consequences, rescue… repeat. Who could come and break the cycle?

Crossing Over

Crossing Over

God’s people had been freed from slavery but had been wandering around the wilderness now for decades. To make matters worse, their leader Moses had passed away. Would this new leader, Joshua, be able to cut it? Would the people finally enter into the land promised to them long ago? Would they finally learn that it was not Moses or Joshua who would rescue them, but Yahweh himself who is their salvation?

The People At Sinai

The People At Sinai

Once God set His people free from slavery to Egypt, He showed His power to them and gave them a new way to live. In His ways. As His representatives.

These commandments were not just rules to follow. They were a liberating new way of life that would display God’s glory and goodness to the rest of the nations.

The Passover

The Passover

God has gone head to head with Pharaoh, perhaps the most powerful man in the world. Pharaoh brought all of his gods to the battle as well. God, the Lord of Israel, the Creator of all the universe, has been victorious every step of the way. Nine times, he defeats the gods of Egypt. Then He had one last blow to deal. Yet, even in the brutal discipline and judgment of God, He provides a way out. He gives an opportunity for not just Israel, but all who would trust in Him, to have death pass over them and lead them on to life.

Stuck In Egypt

Stuck In Egypt

Could you imagine going somewhere on vacation only to find yourself stuck there for the rest of your life? The vacation spot would turn into a prison. What if then the indigenous people who you once traveled to enjoy their culture begun to oppress you and your family, putting you to work for them, and replacing the once delicious culinary experience with bland food that serves only as sustenance for more work?

This is sort of what happens to Israel. They went to Egypt as a rescue from the famine. 400 years later their descendants still lived there as slaves. Who would come to rescue them? What about the promise God gave their ancestors of their own land in Canaan? In Exodus 1 & 2, we hear about a God who hears, sees, and knows. A God who has not given up on His people. A God of rescue.