Some define integrity as being the same person all the time. In Joshua 5 God invites his people to have a ritual and mark that points to a spiritual reality. That their lives are being transformed inside and out by their faith in God. We too are called not just to love Jesus by going to church or reading the bible, but having a faith that leaks into all of our lives, into the things you can see and cannot see.
We know that our muscles grow and strength through resistance and challenge. As a pastor I hear the same from people, the seasons of their faith that are most formative, are often ones filled with challenges. Part of growing and stretching ourselves, is leaning into our faith with a sense of boldness. Not due to overconfidence, but trust in the one who is sending us.
Sometimes how you think (or know) the story ends shapes how you read the rest of it. We all come everyday with a set of values, and assumptions about the world that we live in that deeply shapes how we make choices and interact with others. To start our series we are going to jump to the end of scripture, and hear how God plans to renew all things, and to reflect on how that forms us each day.
The Kingdom of God/heaven has come near: is among us, in our midst! And as The Message translation says, “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” God has come to his people and redeemed them (Luke 1:68). As Bill preached on the song about John the Baptist in his first message this Advent, now we hear from John himself…The stage has been set; the work complete; heaven has come to earth; His Kingdom come, His will done, on earth as it is in heaven. The Kingdom of God imparted among us here and now! In whom? Jesus! Us as wearied people, and the weary world can come to Jesus and learn how to live and serve like Him (Matthew 11:28-30). This is the thrilling hope for the wearied world!