Regular Gathering 06/14/2026

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. N.

Heat. Heat.

[music] [music] Hallelujah.

[music] [music] Heat. Hey, Heat.

Heat. Hey, Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[music] Hey, hey hey.

[music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

I love you.

Well, good morning church family. Let's

stand and praise God together this morning.

[music] [music] Be [music and singing] thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart.

not be all else to [singing and music] me. Save that thou art.

me. Save that thou art.

Thou my best Lord by day [singing and music] or by night.

Waking or sleeping, [music] thy presence [singing] my life.

[music] [music] Riches [singing] I he not no woman's [music] empty praise.

Thou might [singing] inherit thou and always. [music]

Thou thy are first in [music and singing] my heart.

I King of heaven, my [music and singing] treasure, thou art.

[music] [music] Great God [music and singing] of heaven, my victory [singing] won.

Way [music] I reached heaven's joys. Oh

bright heaven's [singing] son.

Word of my own or [singing] would [music] ever be fall

still [singing and music] be my vision or older of [music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[music] Still be [music] my vision.

[music] [music] Thank you Jesus.

[music] In Christ alone my hope is found.

He [music] is my [singing] light, my strength, my soul.

This cornerstone, [music] this solid [singing] ground firm through the [music] fiercest drought is formed. What heights of

[music and singing] love, what depths of peace, when fears are [music and singing] stilled, when striving seas. My comforter,

striving seas. My comforter, [music and singing] my all in it all.

Here in [singing and music] the love of Christ I stand.

Oh. [music]

[music] [music] Oh, [music] here in [singing] the ground his body [music] lay

the light [singing] of the world by darkness slain.

Then bursting forth on glorious day.

Up from the grave he [music] rose again.

And as he stands [music] in victory, since Christ has lost his victory, [music] for I am his and [music] he is [singing]

mine.

Oh, with the precious blood of [singing] Christ.

[music] in Christ alone. [music]

[music] No guilt in life, no fear in [music] death.

This is [singing] the power of Christ in me. [music]

me. [music] From life's first cry to final [singing] breath,

Jesus [music] commands my destiny.

Heat. Heat. Heat. [music]

[music] Yeah. [singing]

Yeah. [singing] [music] Heat.

[music] Heat.

Heat. [music]

[music] Oh, [music] heat heat.

Heat [music] up [music] here.

[music] Oh, [music] [music] [music] till he returns

or calls [music and singing] me home.

Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand.

Here in the power of Christ, we stand. [music]

we stand. [music] [music] We praise you, Lord.

[music] Yes Jesus.

Yes. Praise [music] you, Jesus.

Well, church family, we're going to learn a new song this [music] morning.

And uh you know, one of the things we do often as a rhythm of learning a new song is we'll actually kind of try on the chorus together. And Keith, our drummer

chorus together. And Keith, our drummer back here, many of you know him. Yeah.

Yeah. Keo,

you know, he asked this really beautiful question of why do we why do we learn the chorus of a song before we start playing it on a Sunday morning? And it,

you know, I so often you do something so much and you just don't really think about um the fact that other people don't this isn't clear to other people. So it it this

feels like a perfect opportunity to talk about this um and and answer this question not just for us as a as a band as we were preparing but all of us. This

is this is an opportunity for us to all actively participate. And in the same

actively participate. And in the same way that a band would never start a song that a choir has never heard. We're not

going to start a song without inviting you into the participation because we what we are doing is very much something

that is done together. Um and so the the invitation here is to learn this so that we all get to declare it together and minister [music] to God's heart together. Amen.

together. Amen.

Amen.

All right. So let's try this chorus on together.

Jesus [singing] King of Kings.

Jesus [music] Majesty.

Oh Jesus, King of J. [music]

J. [music] Jesus Majesty. [music]

Majesty. [music] [singing] Sing it out together.

Jesus [music] King of [singing] [music] Kings.

We praise you, Lord Jesus.

Majesty [music] [singing] Jesus [music] King of Kings [music] Jesus. [music]

Jesus. [music] [music] Let's sing it together.

[music] [music] I [music] can't wait for [singing] eternity.

Join the song. They're already singing.

[singing] Holy, holy, [music] holy are you, Lord.

[music] Just to bow down before your throne.

See your [music and singing] face, I'll cry out because you're holy. Holy,

[music] holy [singing] are you Lord Jesus, King [music]

of Kings.

Jesus [music] [singing] majesty.

I [music] can't wait for [singing] eternity.

Join the song they're already [music and singing] singing. Holy, holy, holy [singing]

singing. Holy, holy, holy [singing] are you, Lord. [music]

just to bow out before your throne.

See your [music] face, I'll cry out because [singing] you're holy, holy, [music] holy [singing] are you Lord.

[music] Jesus, [singing] King of Kings. [music]

Jesus [music and singing] majesty.

[singing] [music] Oh Jesus. Jesus

king [singing and music] of kings.

Jesus. [music]

[music] Sing with those who have heard well done. [music] Claim [singing] me forever

done. [music] Claim [singing] me forever that you're the one who faith faith.

[music] Hey [singing] [music and singing] [music] [singing] Jesus. Jesus.

Jesus. Jesus.

[music] Heat.

[music] Heat.

[music] [music] Heat.

[music] Heat.

[music] Worthy, [music and singing] worthy, worthy Lord. Another glimpse [singing]

worthy Lord. Another glimpse [singing] of glory. We sing once more. [music]

of glory. We sing once more. [music]

Worthy, worthy, worthy, Lord. [music]

Forever. [singing]

Forever.

Worthy. [music]

Worthy. Worthy [singing] Lord. Another

glimpse of glory we sing once more.

Worthy, [music] worthy, worthy Lord forever.

Forever.

Worthy [music] worthy, worthy Lord. Another glimpse of [music] the Lord. We sing once more.

Worthy, worthy, worthy Lord forever.

[music] Forever worthy worthy worthy [singing] Lord of the Lord. [music]

Sing ony, [singing] worthy.

[music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] Sometimes it's valuable to the

the scripture that we're singing. This

[music] song is really steeped in revelation.

Um yeah [music] John is showing us this vision in the throne room of God [music]

where the angels are saying, "Worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth [music] and

wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. That is what we are joining

and praise. That is what we are joining in when we sing [music] this bridge.

That's what we're joining in when we worship. Let's sing it some more. Amen.

worship. Let's sing it some more. Amen.

Oh, worthy, worthy, worthy Lord, another prince of glory. [music and singing] Sing once more.

Worthy, worthy, worthy [music] Lord forever.

forever. [singing]

Worthy, worthy, worthy [music] [singing] Lord of the glory. Sing once

[music] more. [singing] Worthy, worthy, worthy, Lord. [music]

worthy, Lord. [music] Heat.

[music] Heat. [music]

Heat. [music] [music] Heat.

Heat. [music]

[music] Yeah.

[music] Heat.

[music] [music] [music] [music] I'm going to read that scripture again that Hunter just read and I'll uh I'll actually start in verse 11. Revelation

5:11.

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels numbering thousands upon thousands and

10,000 times 10,000.

They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice, they were saying, "Worthy is the

Lamb who was slain to receive [music] power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise.

God, we praise you. We worship you.

Worthy are you, Lord.

We bless your name, Jesus.

Praise you, God.

Amen.

Amen.

Oh, church family, it is so good to be with you in this space. I'm Jen. I serve

as an associate pastor here. And

welcome. And welcome if you're new. We

would love to meet you and uh connect with you. We have a welcome desk that is

with you. We have a welcome desk that is just outside these doors to the left and there's a gift for you there. So, if

you're new and would stop by, we would just love to chat and give that to you.

Um, this morning we have some fun things happening. Uh, I want to talk about uh

happening. Uh, I want to talk about uh we're going to commission a team heading to Slovakia and if that team could come on forward wherever you are. Here we go. Come on

down.

There we go. Yeah, that's great. That's

great. Let's welcome them down. Come on

down. [applause]

So, we're going to commission them this morning and we're doing a fundraiser as well immediately following this gathering. So, we will uh we'll have Tom

gathering. So, we will uh we'll have Tom Johnson tell us a little bit about the fundraiser and the trip. Come on up.

Here is a microphone.

Fundraiser.

Yeah. Yes, there is.

It's a funer.

Fun. There we go. There we go.

We're going to enjoy ourselves this morning. Um, [clears throat]

morning. Um, [clears throat] first of all, I want to just say thank you. And can people be seated?

you. And can people be seated?

Yeah.

Okay, you can be seated.

Definitely. Go ahead.

Yay. Okay. Um, [clears throat] uh, this this year marks 30 years of the English sports camp.

Yeah. [applause] And um as you can imagine in with 30 years uh there's a lot of stories and a lot of a lot of history, a lot of fun things, a

lot of very profound things, a lot of sad things that uh make up 30 years of life. There's going to be people around,

life. There's going to be people around, not just the ones up here, but people around who are going to be wearing good sports stuff. And uh there's plenty of

sports stuff. And uh there's plenty of you who don't have good sports stuff. I

think I see you bunes. um who have been to Slovakia and so there are a lot of stories to be shared. So if you can linger afterwards we are going to have some fun. We've got the donuts of course

some fun. We've got the donuts of course but we also have a couple of sheetcakes we're going to be passing out piece of cake and um for kids or those of you who

have never grown up there is a inflatable out there where you can see how fast you can throw a baseball.

It's awesome.

And uh so have some fun out there. Um,

but there's some information out there about this. We're going to have fun

about this. We're going to have fun together, but we're also commissioning this team. Some of them are coming for

this team. Some of them are coming for the 30th reunion party, which will be right before the camp. Uh, others are going to be joining a little bit later on. The Nagels are going to be coming a

on. The Nagels are going to be coming a little later on. I don't think see them up here yet. And then we have some members who will be actually at the entire camp. And on a personal note, I'm

entire camp. And on a personal note, I'm just so grateful for many of you who have prayed for my wife Debbie.

Where are you? There. Who uh [applause] she she's able to go on the trip. Uh she

had major spinal surgery in January and um we're just grateful for how the recovery has gone recently enabling her to be able to go on the trip. So I hope you can stick around, check out what

we're doing, enjoy the fun, and if you can contribute to the financial burden that is involved in a mission trip, we'll be really grateful. Thank you.

Great. And Tom, could you tell us how can we be praying for you and the team and the camp?

Well, it's it's pretty much the same thing every year. Um the the ultimate goal is to to watch God's spirit work and for us to be sensitive to those

opportunities that the spirit opens up to us. Uh we have a lot of coaches and

to us. Uh we have a lot of coaches and that's intentional. We'll have 115 to

that's intentional. We'll have 115 to 120 kids. We'll have about 50 plus

120 kids. We'll have about 50 plus leaders who will be volunteering to help serve those kids. And we do that intentionally so that there are opportunities in the middle of the camp.

[clears throat] If you have a chance to pull off a kid and go one-on-one and have a conversation, you can do that right in the middle of whatever is going on. We've got enough help to make that

on. We've got enough help to make that happen. So, praying for us to be

happen. So, praying for us to be sensitive to how God is leading for those divine appointments that pop up along the way. Of course, the general

travel, you know, travel mercies. We we

are actually shleing uhund and what how many are weund jerseys over? 160 pounds worth of

jerseys over? 160 pounds worth of jerseys that are special for this year's 30th camp. [clears throat] So, pray that

30th camp. [clears throat] So, pray that they get through customs and all the other challenges that exist in travel these days. Um but then good health. I

these days. Um but then good health. I

mean it it's a it's a challenging camp.

People will be kind of exhausted and tired. And I do need to say that one

tired. And I do need to say that one member of our team who is here, Linda, and I know there's a sadness there because uh Linda was there at the first

camp in 1997.

And this was going to be um her first return after 30 years. but she got rearended in a car accident and she's been having some concussion and and issues that have been making it

difficult and so she's not going to be able to go with us, but I wanted her up here because she's part of our team and we love you. Um [clears throat] so just pray for general health as we get

prepared to go and um I think that's it.

Okay.

Um yeah, that's plenty.

That's great. That's great. Well, church

family, would you um just extend a hand if you would and let's pray.

God, we look to you and we're so grateful for you and um for every person that you have made. We are

made in your image, Lord. And we pray for this team as they head over to Slovakia.

Lord, we ask um for your leading and guiding, and we thank you that you do lead and guide them. God, we ask for um

safe travels and we ask for um good health and we ask for healing, Lord. We

just pause and ask for healing.

And Lord, we also just um think about all of the kids that will come, God. And

we just pray for them and we we just wonder what you might have for them in this week, Lord. And Holy Spirit, we just pray have your way, Lord. and tune

this this the ears of this team to what you have to say. Lord, we just look to you in trust. So we lift up all these

prayers to you in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. And if you would stay up here.

Yeah. Let's let's bless the kids. Would

you stand? It's our practice here to speak words of blessing over the children. We have a bunch of them here

children. We have a bunch of them here and throughout the room. So wherever

there are kids, if you just extend your hands towards them and let's speak out this blessing there together. Beloved

kids, may you know that God is here.

Listen for his voice and experience his love. And may you know that your church

love. And may you know that your church family is here to love you and point you to Jesus. Okay, you can head off to your

to Jesus. Okay, you can head off to your classrooms and say hello to someone near you. You win.

you. You win.

winning forever.

I can get me there. Thank you, Scotty. Um,

just a couple things that I uh completely forgot. One is we we put

completely forgot. One is we we put these bracelets together and we have a bracelet for every camper that's going to be at the camp and every volunteer coach that's going to be at the camp.

And so if you want to pick it up and pray for them, there's a name on it and you can pray for them over the next month. That would be wonderful. And uh

month. That would be wonderful. And uh

our dear administrative assistant, Katka, many of you know her. She's been

here before. She's been with us 20 years. So we're going to be giving a

years. So we're going to be giving a special gift to her at our ceremony. And

so we've asked people to write notes to her and that will be included in her gift just a way of congratulating her and thanking her for her service. Thank

you. Thank you. Absolutely. Yeah. Love

you brother.

Go get him.

Thanks. Uh you guys. Hi, church family.

Good morning. So, we are starting a new series through uh the letter written to the first century church, a book called First Peter at towards the end of your Bible. If you have a Bible, you can

Bible. If you have a Bible, you can start moving towards that. It's at the end of of towards the end of your Bible.

1 Peter chapter 1:es 1-2. But we're also starting a new practice for the summer.

And this practice is uh not only is the first century church that Peter is writing to experiencing persecution, but the church today uh actually is experiencing persecution all over the

world. In fact, there are more

world. In fact, there are more Christians experiencing persecution because of their faith than any point in history. And part of that is because

history. And part of that is because there's so many of them. And so what we're doing through the summer is every month we're going to focus on a different location and we're going to pray for the church around the world.

[snorts] A while back I had a a woman, a part of our church family ask me a question. She said, "Why don't we pray

question. She said, "Why don't we pray for the persecuted church?" And I was really convicted by that. And then this past spring we hosted a conference here

and voice of the martyrs came here and I was able to spend some time with those who are a part of voice of the martyrs connected with the persecuted church around the world and they of course were

asked over and over and over what what can we do as a church whether it was somebody here from out of town who's a follower of Jesus or even me I asked so so what are some things we can do and

over and over and over we kept hearing the same response the biggest thing that the church around the world is asking for is for their brothers and sisters to

remember them and to pray for them.

And so we put a rhythm in place to remember and pray for throughout the course of this summer. And we have some long-term plans as well as a church on what it looks like to partner in some of the most unreached people groups around

the world. We're praying and discerning

the world. We're praying and discerning what that could look like. So I was deeply convicted by this. And so that's how this practice was born. This month

we are praying for the church. There's a

vibrant church of followers of Jesus in Nigeria. And if you know anything about

Nigeria. And if you know anything about that location in Africa, it's one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian on earth. And so we want to show you one

on earth. And so we want to show you one story uh that brings us into some of what followers of Jesus are facing in

Nigeria. So let's watch this.

Nigeria. So let's watch this.

Here we are.

Millions of Christians are displaced here in in Nigeria.

Millions of Christians are displaced in the whole Africa. News don't take it.

Don't carry it. Nobody talks about it.

We are remaining in the darkness as we are being rejected.

Okay. Um [music] this is where we live in IDP camp for 4 years getting to 5 years now.

Each and everyone [music] you are seen here we are all Christians and we are displaced because of violence.

We believe that they are against uh Christians. When they comes to attack

Christians. When they comes to attack us, they call us capery. That we don't have any religion. So that makes us to understand that is they [music] purely attacking Christians. I was in the farm

attacking Christians. I was in the farm with my brother and my late brother's wife. We are walking when we had a rapid

wife. We are walking when we had a rapid shooting gun sounds.

We could not know what [music] was happening.

It's from there we began to ask what is happening. He say we should run. We

happening. He say we should run. We

should run. It was during this time that my [music] brother was being shot and killed by the militant. And uh my brother's wife was also shot and being

macheted and killed by the militant who attacked us [music] in this camp here. Many people are affected. Many are injured. Many are

affected. Many are injured. Many are

killed. [music]

The loved ones are killed.

When you're hungry, you will lose your confidence from God. When you're sick, you lose your confidence from God. They

are mind as being discouraged [music] from God. And being as a pastor in the

from God. And being as a pastor in the camp, me too, I'm displaced. I don't

have anything to give them. We only pray together and share the word of God together. So far, our eyes is on him.

together. So far, our eyes is on him.

[music] So far is our hope is on him.

We put all confidence on him.

We believe he's great.

[music] So, let's do this.

Let's stand and pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. If you're

able, if you're not, standing in your heart.

What we did is we put together a little call and response prayer for us to agree together. I'll be sending this prayer

together. I'll be sending this prayer out this week so we can continue to pray for the church in Nigeria. And of

course, pray how you pray how you feel led. And so,

led. And so, let's pray together.

God of mercy, we grieve with our brothers and sisters in Nigeria who endure such unthinkable violence.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Be a strong shield and a rock for those who have been displaced.

Lord, be their refuge and strength.

Comfort those who mourn in the loss of loved ones.

Draw near to the brokenhearted.

Restore the hope of those who have been victims of violence.

Bring healing where there is suffering and despair. Pour out your Holy Spirit

and despair. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon the Christians of Nigeria that they may catch a glimpse of your work in their hearts and in their lives.

Strengthen their faith and sustain them with your presence.

Change the hearts of those who attack your people. Bring peace where there is

your people. Bring peace where there is hatred and reconciliation where there is division.

Lord, accomplish what seems impossible.

We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ who lives and reigns now and forever.

Amen.

Let's stay standing for the reading of today's scripture as well. This is from 1 Peter 1:es 1-2. Now, keep in mind, keep in mind this is a this is written

to churches scattered throughout Asia Minor, this letter who are also suffering persecution. And we're just

suffering persecution. And we're just studying the first two verses as we go into a summer of studying this letter together.

Peter writes, "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, two God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of

Pontius Galatia Capidoshia Asia and Bethnia, who have been chosen according to the fornowledge of God the Father through the sanctifying work of the

spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood." This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. You can sit down, church family.

You know what's interesting about the church around the world and I think [snorts] in August we're going to look towards India and Stephanie and I have lots of friends in India and parts of

India where there's persecution and it is just one of the most profound things to see some of the most joyfilled people in the midst of suffering. Some of you have experienced that and it's

incredibly beautiful. In the darkest

incredibly beautiful. In the darkest places is where the church shines the brightest. So don't lose heart when the

brightest. So don't lose heart when the heat gets turned up on our culture. We

were made for this time through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All right, we're going to turn a little light-hearted for a moment. Does that

sound good?

I My name is Dave. I serve as one of the pastors here and I'm 46 years old. Yeah.

My birthday was back in March, so it's not my birthday.

But as I get closer to 50, here's what I'm learning.

My body is reminding me that it's not what it once was. [laughter]

And recently, I joined a softball team.

Keith Anderson, he's our coach.

Honestly, I'm a healthier human when I hang out with Keith. Some of you know that.

And I'm getting up to bat for the first time. And I had a little selft talk

time. And I had a little selft talk moment. Dave,

moment. Dave, don't try to beat the ball to first base. You're not a teenager anymore. And

base. You're not a teenager anymore. And

so I get up to bat and sure enough, I hit a grounder to third base and I forget my selft talk. And so I take off as fast as I can to first base and I

have an announcement to make today. I

beat the throw to first base.

Thank you. Thank you.

And while I was stretching out my leg to step on first base, I pulled my hamstring and my groin at the same time.

The moral of the story is this.

Sometimes running is fun and sometimes running is not fun. How many of you know what I'm talking about? Yeah. All right.

[gasps] So, scripture actually likens our faith in Jesus to a race. In fact, in a race like this this this faith in it's like a

race. We strain towards the prize and

race. We strain towards the prize and and it and many of you know when you're running sometimes the wind is behind your back and it's like yeah I was I was made for this. Let's go. And then

sometimes you're running and you're just limping along in this race called life in this faith. There are times when it's like smooth and then there are times

when it's like all right, all right, I need a break. I need a break. So Peter

Peter wrote this letter to the first century church and oh it's so appropriate. You guys know Peter is

appropriate. You guys know Peter is talked about in the gospels more than any other human besides Jesus. You know,

more words of Peter are recorded in the Gospels more than any other human other than Jesus. And here's why I love I was

than Jesus. And here's why I love I was just talking with somebody in the gathering place about this before.

Here's why I love that Peter is so highlighted in the Gospels. He is the exact opposite of Jesus. Jesus is

consistent sinless.

Peter, we see his race unfolding and sometimes it's like the wind's at his back and other times you're like, you are a knucklehead.

And how many of you are so grateful that the Bible's honest about the journey of of human beings just like you and me?

They don't put them on a pedestal. Jesus

is on the pedestal. And so this is the author of this letter, somebody who has had quite the race up to this point and will, as history tells us, eventually

die for his faith, being hung upside down on a cross. Jesus or Peter is an eyewitness of Jesus. He's called an apostle. One who has authority to speak

apostle. One who has authority to speak on behalf of another. That's an apostle.

And in this case, it's Jesus. So, he's

writing in the authority of Jesus to the first century church that's scattered across Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. Multiple church families. And

Turkey. Multiple church families. And

this is the state of the recipients of this letter. We'll explore their type of

this letter. We'll explore their type of persecution in a little bit. They were

in a tough leg of the race. The wind was not at their back. They were

experiencing persecution because they're followers of Jesus. Have you ever had that experience where you give your life to Jesus and life gets harder because of

your faith? Have you ever had that

your faith? Have you ever had that happen? And sometimes we're like, "That

happen? And sometimes we're like, "That shouldn't work. It shouldn't work like

shouldn't work. It shouldn't work like that. Life should not get harder because

that. Life should not get harder because of my faith."

Sometimes I believe we quietly assume that Jesus is an enhancement to the life we've we already have.

But if I could say this gently, Jesus didn't pursue us to enhance our suburban life.

Jesus Jesus pursued us to set us free from our suburban life and all of its trappings.

Scripture talks about and Jesus even says if anyone wants to come after me is they must take up their cross and follow me. This this instrument of death. There

me. This this instrument of death. There

is a a dying something that dies as we enter into this journey of following Jesus and then something that's born our our soul. It's like it's like our is

our soul. It's like it's like our is transplanted to heaven. Now we're

citizens of heaven. We've been born again into a different value system yet we still live on earth.

And so we were able to walk this earth with a the value system of heaven. And

there's a value system that's intrinsic in our western culture.

And sometimes it's really shiny and pretty on the outside, but on the inside it's it's a poison that will slowly rob us of life.

And so Peter begins with a simple life-giving reminder to weary people.

Remember who you are.

Church family, look at me for a moment.

Same.

remember who you are.

Peter's first reminds his readers the reality of their identity right at the beginning. And in doing so, he reminds

beginning. And in doing so, he reminds us of our identity. So, let's look at it. Verse one,

it. Verse one, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontius, Galatia,

Capidoshia, Asia, and Bthnia.

So he uses this term to God's elect exiles. He doesn't say to the sweet

exiles. He doesn't say to the sweet people of Galatia or to the really impressive church in Pontius.

He uses two words, elect and exiles. Now

we know the word elect means chosen in its simplest form. And the word exiles means strangers, pilgrims, sojourners.

And it's strange putting these words together because it feels like a contradiction.

It it kind of sounds like to the accepted rejects.

I mean, that's what that's kind of what he's saying. You are really accepted,

he's saying. You are really accepted, but you're also rejected. So, let's look at each of those words. The first word is the word elect. So, this word means chosen. And this word elect, some of you

chosen. And this word elect, some of you know this. It can be a theologically

know this. It can be a theologically scary word. For some of you, you're

scary word. For some of you, you're like, why? It's not a bad word. But for

like, why? It's not a bad word. But for

some of you, you know, you have some history with this word. Especially,

it can especially be a scary word when we read it through an individual lens as a mechanism to how we get to heaven.

Can you It can feel kind of like the playground when we were kids and some of you grew up in this environment. I did

where you have two captains on a team and those two captains look at a crowd of kids in front of them and they begin going one after another picking who's on

their team. And how many of you know if

their team. And how many of you know if you were one of the lucky ones that got picked first? Felt pretty good, didn't

picked first? Felt pretty good, didn't it? It's like, yeah, I was chosen.

it? It's like, yeah, I was chosen.

And then if you're that one or they look at you, they go you and you of me. No,

no, no. The guy behind [laughter] you.

It can be very discouraging.

And sometimes we can actually view God like that. Is that what happened in

like that. Is that what happened in God's imagination when we see words like chosen or elect that that God imagined all of us before we were born before him and he said, "You're going to be on my

team. You're not going to be on my team.

team. You're not going to be on my team.

You're going to be on my team. You're

not going to be on my team."

Well, I know this can get into a pretty complex uh situation theologically, but is Peter using this word to describe who's in and who's out? I actually don't

believe this is the heart of God. I

don't. And I I don't believe this is what Peter is getting towards. And I

don't believe that for two reasons. The

first reason is this.

Peter didn't write this letter to individuals. He actually wrote this

individuals. He actually wrote this letter to communities of people. So

Sylvanus or Silas the scribe who would have carried this to the would have journeyied with a scroll a papyrus scroll to the first church in one of in

one of those areas. Uh they he didn't like knock on a door and sit down at somebody's table and read this to to to a person or even a family. This would

have been read out loud at a church gathering. Yes. Way back then, the

gathering. Yes. Way back then, the church gathered weekly. They would

gather. They would they would they would pray. They would they would practice the

pray. They would they would practice the way of Jesus together. And this letter would have been written publicly to the church and then they would probably have tried to copy it down and then pass it

on to the next church, read publicly to a community of people.

Secondly, Peter is borrowing. This is so important. Peter is borrowing language

important. Peter is borrowing language from Israel's story. So when he's doing this intro elect exiles, he's taking language from the Old Testament, the Hebrew scriptures, and he's applying it

to these churches scattered in this region. And so throughout the Old

region. And so throughout the Old Testament, Israel is called God's chosen people. And they're they're not called

people. And they're they're not called God's chosen people because they were better than everyone else. In fact,

sometimes you're reading the Hebrew scriptures, the Old Testament, you're like, they definitely were not better than than everyone else. Um, but they

were called God's chosen people because because God set his love and purpose on them for the sake of the world. That's

really important. Now, Peter takes the same language and he applies it to these churches. But guess what? These churches

churches. But guess what? These churches

were predominantly gentile, non-Jewish.

So, he's like importing a story that was once seen as just a Jewish story. He's

importing that story to these people or he's inviting those people into this story. He's saying this story that God

story. He's saying this story that God has been telling all along, it's your story too.

Peter is not trying to explain how God decides who's saved. He is reminding the church that God has set his love and

purpose upon his people, the church to participate in his redemptive work for the world. So you can kind of look at

the world. So you can kind of look at the posture like this and this is the posture of the church in a sense. The

the posture of the church is not [cough and clears throat] we are the chosen ones.

The posture of the church is come give your life to Jesus.

Join in his redemptive work in our day.

You are invited into the family.

Come.

So, it's really important for us to pay attention to the tone of this letter when when Peter uses those kinds of words. Last week I was with a group of

words. Last week I was with a group of pastors and ministry leaders two different evenings and we were discussing all sorts of things but the core of it it's how can

we be faithful in our time serving the poor being faithful to the mission that God has given us as followers of Jesus as church families

how can we be salt and light and I want you to know while I was in that setting my I was just filled with

gratitude for knew that in God's providence he saw fit to bring us together in a time like this. You were

there to bring us together in a time like this, in a moment like this. You

guys, our journeys have come together and the world's crazy. Raise your hand if you if you agree with that. The

world's a little crazy and so are we.

But but God has chosen us to be in this point in human history together.

[snorts] And as messy as culture is, I am grateful. And the more that we are

am grateful. And the more that we are obedient to God's call and step out in faith, the more I feel this next word in my bones,

exiles, chosen exiles, elect exiles.

Honestly, I I feel I don't know about you as a follower of Jesus, I feel more misunderstood today than I did 10 years ago. Anybody else? I feel like the heat

ago. Anybody else? I feel like the heat has been turned up around me in my faith more than it was 10 years ago. I feel like there's more

deception swirling around what's real, what's not, where's the way of Jesus in the midst of this mess like than 10 years ago. Anybody else?

years ago. Anybody else?

more and more as we journey into the future, I'm feel I have this feeling this isn't my home. I I felt politically homeless for a long time like that

there's this sense of like I I am unc more and more uncomfortable in this space and so I feel this word growing and the

the weight of it I feel like over time is growing more significant in my life the longer I follow Jesus. This was also a word though this is important. It was

also a word used to describe ancient Israel. Again, this is Peter reaching

Israel. Again, this is Peter reaching back into the Jewish history. When when

when Israel was away from home, they were exiled because of judgment for sin or because of persecution. This word is

used. They were exiles and and uh exiled

used. They were exiles and and uh exiled means away from home. Here's what's

interesting about this word being used here, though. Many of the people who

here, though. Many of the people who were listening to this letter weren't away from home physically.

Some of them might have been. But

imagine the hearers thinking, "Wait, what?

Exiles? I grew up here. My grandpa lives down the road. What are you talking about?"

about?" It's interesting how Peter applies it.

These churches, now stick with me here.

These churches were in Roman provinces.

This means that society had customs built around allegiance to Rome and its way. All sorts of customs. I'll name a

way. All sorts of customs. I'll name a few. Emperor worship. Yeah, they

few. Emperor worship. Yeah, they

worshiped the emperor. Uh burning

incense to Caesar, declaring Caesar as Lord. That was a thing back then.

Lord. That was a thing back then.

pagan temple worship, festivals, sacrifices, meals at the temple. Now,

these things might feel a little bit foreign to us, but they also had culture. Roman culture had a sexual

culture. Roman culture had a sexual ethic that was very different from a kingdom of God sexual ethic. Uh,

prostitution was normalized. Adultery by

men, by men only, uh, was normalized then and more widely accepted. And all

the list goes on and on and on. uh

pursuit of honor and status. That one

feels a little familiar. Rome was Rome res revolved around honor and status.

And and so the list went on and on of these of these traditions of these ways of life that are connected to allegiance to to to Rome to something that's very

earthly. Now, their allegiance, the

earthly. Now, their allegiance, the followers of Jesus in that day, their allegiance to Jesus was revealed in the

way that they lived their life. They no

longer took part in the customs built around allegiance to Rome. They they

opted out. It's everybody. They probably

done it. They've probably done it their whole life, but not anymore.

They had a new customs that reflected the values of God's kingdom. Uh their

persecution, we actually when we read first Peter, we don't think their persecution was connected like we don't believe they were dying for their faith as much. That would come a couple years

as much. That would come a couple years later. Emperor Nero in Rome itself.

later. Emperor Nero in Rome itself.

Christians were uh mass killed in in Rome at that time. But this time, what persecution looked like was rejection.

And it would have been especially painful in their hometowns, rejected by their family and friends. Some of you know the pain of rejection. Some of you

are carrying it now. These people are carrying deep wounds of rejection. And I

would imagine there would have been times just like our brothers and sisters in Nigeria where you at least have to ask the question, is it worth it?

Is it worth it?

And Peter has an answer to that question.

But here's what Peter's saying when he uses the word exile. Exile in this case.

He is not saying pick up and move.

He is saying your address may not have changed, but your citizenship and your allegiances have changed.

The same is with us. Our western

culture, even in Minnesota, I'm sure we have our own microcosms of customs built around allegiances to things other than Christ.

We know this. I'll name a few.

Achievement. Our culture disciples us to believe that our value comes from our career, our accomplishments, or how productive we are. It doesn't.

Doesn't matter what you've achieved.

That's not where your value comes from.

Can I hear an amen?

Yeah.

Sexual ethics. Our culture disciples us to to believe in very different boundaries than what scripture sets around sexuality in our world.

Politics and tribal identity. Our

culture disciples us to find our identity in what? Political party ide uh ideology rather than the kingdom of God.

Boy, that's alive nowadays. And then uh comfort and consumerism. Our culture

disciples us to believe that the good life is nicer things, bigger things. I

had a really uh interesting thing happen. This is connected to our this

happen. This is connected to our this was early 2025. I saw this play out when we first started talking about our sacred settlement. And uh one of the

sacred settlement. And uh one of the questions that came up regularly, of course, we're answering questions all around the city, state, within our church family. But one of the questions

church family. But one of the questions uh reoccurring questions is a tiny house. Wait, a tiny house?

house. Wait, a tiny house?

Is that really a way for someone to live when when they like when will they move into a real house?

And I remember thinking to myself, what square footage is the magic line between a fake house and a real house?

Um, now I I want to hear me. This is

definitely not a guilt trip. There's

nothing wrong with more square footage.

There's nothing wrong with a good vacation. We need more vacations in our

vacation. We need more vacations in our life. Can I hear an amen through

life. Can I hear an amen through [laughter] that? Yeah. So, it's not a

[laughter] that? Yeah. So, it's not a guilt trip, but it revealed something that our culture quietly disciples and shapes our imaginations. It has taught

us what success looks like, what enough looks like, and even what real life looks like.

And so what's beautiful though is that we actually have people uh plenty of people and the conversation is ongoing, people who've never experienced homelessness who are

really interested in selling everything and in moving in and being an intentional neighbor and a permanent home with people who have moved out of homelessness. And that's really

homelessness. And that's really beautiful. Why in the world would they

beautiful. Why in the world would they do that? And I know it's not for

do that? And I know it's not for everybody. It's a calling. But why would

everybody. It's a calling. But why would somebody do that?

because their imagination of the good life is being shaped by the kingdom of God. That's what Peter's talking about.

God. That's what Peter's talking about.

Their address may not have changed, but their allegiances have changed. Our

address may have not have changed, but our allegiances have changed in in a way that will be revealed in the way that we live. So Peter not only reminds us of

live. So Peter not only reminds us of the reality of of their reminds them of the reality of their identity as God's elect exiles, but he also reminds them

of the result of their identity. So here

it is. We see this in two patterns in this short two verses. The result of their So they have their we're reminded of our their identity. They are chosen

by God. They're citizens of heaven. They

by God. They're citizens of heaven. They

are God's children and they're exiles in this world. Uh in fact um Peter uses the

this world. Uh in fact um Peter uses the word Babylon to describe Rome just to create a very vivid picture that this isn't your home. But what is the result

of that? What does that even mean when

of that? What does that even mean when it comes to the lived out expression of our faith in everyday life? We see two patterns that reveal the result of it.

Pattern number one is the trinity. Yeah.

The trinity. You know the godhead, father, son, and spirit. Now, when when you think of the Trinity, what order do we normally think of when we think of

the Trinity? Like, how do we talk about

the Trinity? Like, how do we talk about it? Even when we baptize people, we draw

it? Even when we baptize people, we draw from the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19.

Here's what he says. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father.

Everybody say, "Father."

Father, Father God, in the uh in the name of the Son, the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Holy

Spirit. That's a familiar pattern.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Here's what's

fascinating. Throughout the New Testament, the biblical writers occasionally change that order. And they

change the order not because they're ranking the persons in the Trinity.

Like, let's not do that. Okay? That's

not a good thing. It's not what they're doing. They're changing it because

doing. They're changing it because they're highlighting a particular aspect of God's saving work that they want us to notice. And this is especially

to notice. And this is especially highlighted in Peter's little intro here in the text. Let's look at the order that Peter refers to verse two.

Who have been chosen according to the fornowledge of God the father through the sanctifying work of the

spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of his blood. Do you

see the order change? Father, spirit,

son. That's weird.

It's not supposed to do that. What is

Peter doing here? Well, let's look a little bit closer at each of those briefly. Uh, so right there it says

briefly. Uh, so right there it says chosen according to the fornowledge of God the Father. Now, from the Greek word

forno, we get the word prognosis.

Think of a doctor who is actively intervening to bring about a certain outcome in your life. Prognosis. God

will not let sin and darkness have its way, but is actively intervening to bring about a certain outcome for humanity.

New Testament scholar Howard Marshall, he puts it this way. This does not mean that God chose them because he knew in advance that they would respond to his

call, but simply that God took the initiative and chose them before they had done anything to deserve it. Do you

see? And this fits the pattern of first Peter as a whole. What word do we actually begin with when we share our faith? Like when you share your faith

faith? Like when you share your faith story, you're telling somebody about your life with Jesus. What word do we

naturally begin with as humans?

Somebody said it. Well, when I was 15, I met Jesus.

I surrendered my life to Jesus.

And and this true I mean so much of that is actually true. Like

uh I don't I mean that's that's our that's our story. But what Peter is saying is that your faith journey actually didn't start with you initiating towards God, but God

initiating towards you. John 3:16, for God so loved the world, he sent his only son. In 1 John 3:1, God lavishly poured

son. In 1 John 3:1, God lavishly poured out his love on us. Our stories started with God. Amen.

with God. Amen.

And then the second part of this is through the sanctifying work of the spirit. The word sanctify, set apart.

spirit. The word sanctify, set apart.

The spirit is God's patient gardener. I

like that that metaphor. A patient

gardener that sets us apart and cultivates in us the way of life that no longer takes his cues from the world but from Jesus. And and Peter is saying in

from Jesus. And and Peter is saying in essence what began with God the father what was initiated by God the father is continued through the spirit god's

presence with us. So the question remains and here's where we see it in this pattern. What is the result of the

this pattern. What is the result of the father's initiative towards us in the work of the spirit through us maturing us into the image of Christ over time growing in the character of Christ.

What's the result of that? And here's

what it says in verse two, the the last part. To be obedient to Jesus Christ.

part. To be obedient to Jesus Christ.

All right, let's pause here for a second. How many of you your favorite

second. How many of you your favorite word is obedience? Anybody? Your

favorite words obey? No. Nobody's

favorite words obey. Peter suggests that this is the end result of our identity being rooted in Christ is obedience to Christ. A different way of living on

Christ. A different way of living on earth as sojourers and exiles. I'm going

to say it again. a different way of living on earth.

It's not connected to the value systems of this world. In other words, when Jesus says, "Follow me," he doesn't mean, "Call yourself a Christian." He

means, "Obey me and live differently and I'll show you how."

What does this mean for us in Minnesota in 2026? What does this mean for us?

in 2026? What does this mean for us?

Here's what I believe there. I believe

in in a general sense I actually believe our culture wants the kingdom of God. If the kingdom of God is a kingdom of peace and life, who doesn't

want that? You know what? Our culture

want that? You know what? Our culture

doesn't want a king.

Want the kingdom of God without a king.

I actually think many people give their life to Jesus with this idea of receiving the initial benefits of faith.

But somewhere along the way, and this is a I think a natural part of our disciplehip, face a struggle with the idea of not just having not just being able to live in the blessing of God's

kingdom, but actually having a king that calls you to obey.

Like that that's uncomfortable in our day and age. We're not used to that kind of that kind of way of thinking.

Obedience can feel like such an oppressive and a negative word and it can cause us to shut down when we say the word obedience. And so I want to and and stick with me here. I'm

almost done. I want to um invite us to reimagine the word obedience for a moment to open up our imagination to what's at the heart of Jesus's call to

obedience.

Jesus [snorts] doesn't call us to obedience to control us, to make us perform, but because he loves us. And

this is found in the second pattern that we see in Peter's little intro here. And

in order to get to that pattern, I'm going to, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to paint one of my favorite places. You guys

ready for this?

Yeah. Some of you are just waiting on the edge of your seats. I feel the tension growing in this room.

All right, so I'm going to paint one of my favorite places on Earth.

I've [clears throat] been practicing.

Ready for this?

Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Beautiful. How many of you know what I'm painting?

Rain. No, rain is not my favorite place on earth. Oh, this is water, you guys.

on earth. Oh, this is water, you guys.

It's beautiful. And what I painted for you today is Stop it.

What I painted for you today is two rivers.

Two rivers to show you what's at the heart of Jesus's call to obedience and how it can often get distorted. Now, at the

headarters of both rivers is God.

And the rivers flow this way. Both

rivers flow this way.

And in one of the rivers, it's like God obsessed with obedience.

And so downstream from God is this call to obey.

And there's this just there's this sense, you know, we know like, yeah, like God cares about obedience. We see it all throughout

obedience. We see it all throughout scripture. There's this thing called

scripture. There's this thing called surrender. That's it's in the Bible a

surrender. That's it's in the Bible a few times. Like obedience really

few times. Like obedience really matters. And there's this way of looking

matters. And there's this way of looking at God that's like God's obsessed with obedience.

And and so we enter into this life of trying really hard to obey everything in the Bible. And we can get obsessed with obedience, too.

It's not as much the issue as it is the way of viewing God. Because here's what can flow downstream from a view of a God that's first obsess obsessed with obedience and we become obsessed with

the same thing. Two things can happen.

Well, over here, yeah, we're going to have a sense of an identity if we're really good at obeying.

And in fact, connected to that identity on that end, it's going to be pride.

right downstream of God saying, "Obey, and I'm doing a great job. I'm doing a great job." People in the church need to

great job." People in the church need to get their act together. I need to go to a church where people actually have their act together. There's a sense of of pride that can grow. We would never say that, of course, because it's not

godly.

And so, but what happens when we don't do a good job obeying with this God who's obsessed first with obedience?

There's a dam that's created here in the in the river and and there's a sense that I I actually can never access

like God doesn't actually I'm I'm a failure and God doesn't see my identity isn't in Christ. Like may maybe you live in this reality of you're like my life's

so messed up. Like how can I be a child of God?

How how how can I be on the journey with that person over there in the church?

Their life does not look like mine. Play

this comparison game. But there's

another vision of God and it's a God who's obsessed with love and it's here. And and downstream

from this God who's obsess obsessed with love is this this invitation into an identity.

Like remember remember we just read about it like our stories began with God initiating towards us for God so loved

the world he sent his son in pursuit of us that whosoever believes the scripture says whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved

and so there there is this like we haven't done anything to earn it God has just given his love out of grace But here's where it gets tricky. What

Peter is saying here, and this is the other pattern that we see is downstream of our identity here is obedience.

It's not that the life we live doesn't matter. It's that our view of God in one

matter. It's that our view of God in one way when we look when we look at it through obedience can be very broken and destructive, be contrary to the gospel.

Or we can hit a place where we're like obedience doesn't matter because God is so gracious and we can actually live a life that reflects allegiance to this world and

and how we uh practice our sexual life, how we handle our money, how we how we manage our time. We can be very content not growing in the image of Christ at that because the grace of God's so

great. But Peter's going to push back on

great. But Peter's going to push back on that. And at the end of this, and I want

that. And at the end of this, and I want you to see the scripture here again, 1 Peter 1:1-2. This is the passage. And

Peter 1:1-2. This is the passage. And

here's the pattern. Peter, an apostle of Jesus, to God's elect exiles, to God's chosen. That word chosen is intimate.

chosen. That word chosen is intimate.

Those of you who are citizens of heaven, children of God, that's our identity.

Exiles scattered throughout the province of Pontius, Galatia, Capidoshia, Asia, Bthnia, who have been chosen according to the fornowledge of God. God has

initiated towards us through the sanctifying work of the spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled by his blood, grace and peace and abundance. And you can see Peter starts

abundance. And you can see Peter starts with identity and then moves to obedience.

All right, here's why I bring this up today. The question is, what is upstream of your identity?

It is a is it a God obsessed first with obedience or a God obsessed first with love towards you? And the result of that, the outflow of our life isn't

perfection. That's not perfection. It's

perfection. That's not perfection. It's

a it's growing in the character of Jesus. And there'll be times when we

Jesus. And there'll be times when we mess up, but but this is still intact.

Our identity is upstream from our obed.

Our obedience flows out of who we are.

So I say all that as we enter into first Peter to say this, the church in the first century is in desperate need of a

path of life. you guys, culture is is pushing in on them in the first century, tempting them to conform back to the ways of this world that they're

pressuring them. They need a path, a way

pressuring them. They need a path, a way of of living, a call. Um, they need it.

And that's that's what first Peter is.

So Jesus spoke these words through Peter before and before he tells them to obey, he tells them who they are. And then I

say to us, we too desperately need a path of life in our day. You guys

culture is like I feel the crushing like conforming weight, the temptation to conform surrounding the church, the body of Christ and me that the I actually

think we'll look back, this is my just my imagination. I think we'll look back

my imagination. I think we'll look back at this time and say that was the great time of deception.

We're to be obsessed with. That's why

I'm like, carry a paper copy of scripture. Like, let's let's get in the

scripture. Like, let's let's get in the Bible without being connected to the devices that are literally created to addict you and filled with deception. We

are to be obsessed with this. Study it

in community. And we we need a path of life. And first Peter will meet us

life. And first Peter will meet us there. And before we study the rest of

there. And before we study the rest of it and it tells us all sorts of things that Christ is calling us to obey in, obey in,

he tells us who we are.

So I want to encourage you as we study first Peter, it will naturally call you out and confront the way you live at times. As we study this,

times. As we study this, it will make you feel uncomfortable at times. It's not a bad thing. It's

times. It's not a bad thing. It's

already I've already been studying it, you guys. It's been making me feel a

you guys. It's been making me feel a little uncomfortable. Okay, I need a

little uncomfortable. Okay, I need a hug.

[sighs] It will call you out and confront you.

But in that, we must not lose sight that God challenges us out of love and for our flourishing. This means we can both

our flourishing. This means we can both be challenged and at peace. That's how

Peter ends this greeting. He says,

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance."

So, to start our study of this first century letter, we're going to do something a little counterintuitive.

There is a a posture shift here. When

you think about the persecuted church, I mean, really, we can think, "Oh, man. I

just wish they weren't going through that. Those poor people." We can we can

that. Those poor people." We can we can kind of and if you're if we're going through it, the temptation is and and some of us experience pressure on our faith in this world, the temptation and

especially in a society of cynicism is like just put your head down. Don't get

your hopes up. But what we'll see next week, especially when Peter says, "Praise be to God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ. In his mercy, he's given

Jesus Christ. In his mercy, he's given us a new birth into a living hope."

Peter, the tone of this letter to a suffering church is get your hopes up.

The story you're a part of is way better than you know.

Oh, if we could only see what God sees.

Oh, the future is bright. And there is grace and peace accessible to us right now. It's not connected to our

now. It's not connected to our circumstances. So, today we're going to

circumstances. So, today we're going to end our gathering by throwing a party.

That's what we're doing.

Um, first what we're going to do in worship team, you guys can start to make your way up. Uh, we're going to sing Living Hope together. And here's what I want to encourage you to do. Worship is

not just listening to lyrics or, you know, even in for the ancient followers of Jesus. And

if you rewind even more into the Hebrew scriptures, their whole body was an act of worship. I want to encourage you to

of worship. I want to encourage you to grab a hold of these lyrics. even if you regardless of where you're at to grab a hold of the depth and beauty of them

with conviction and declare them because we have a living hope because of Jesus who has risen from the dead. And

then we're going to move from here and we're going to move out into the gathering place. We're going to throw

gathering place. We're going to throw baseballs and see who throws the fastest.

We're going to eat together. And I want to encourage you to move slow through the gathering place. that just the act of simply being present to each other will be kind of a line in the sand

accepting the tone of this letter saying you know what I'm not going to wallow we were created we were chosen for a time such as this and I'm grateful

I'm grateful to be in this cultural moment with you so let's stand together [snorts] let's lift up our voices And let's have a little afternoon party.

Sound good?

Little pre-afternoon into the afternoon party.

Can we just lift our hands up to our savior and king? Scripture says, "Lift up holy hands." It actually calls us to lift up hands all through the Psalms.

Father, we come to you and we need help.

We're not perfect at this obedience thing. So we just mark a moment right

thing. So we just mark a moment right now as we study this letter that you've given us to the first century church.

Not written to us but written for us. We

just surrender our lives back to you again. And we thank you that the sandy

again. And we thank you that the sandy foundations of this world that cannot hold our identity that you've called us out of that and to place our identity on the rock which is

you. We love you. We lift up our voices

you. We love you. We lift up our voices in worship to mark this moment as we enter into this study. And then as we connect with each other, may the your

joy be our strength in Jesus name. Amen.

[music] [music] How great the chasm [singing] that lay between [music] us. How high

the [singing] mountain I could not climb.

In desperation, [music] I turned to [singing] heaven and [music] spoke your name into the night.

Then through the darkness, [singing and music] your loving kindness torn [music] through the [singing] shadows

of my soul.

The work is finished. [music]

The end [singing] is written.

Jesus [music] Christ my livinging hope.

[music] Who could imagine so [singing] great a mercy?

What heart could fathom [music] such promise grace?

The God of ages stepped down [music and singing] from glory to wear my sin [music]

and bear [singing] my shame.

Your cross has [music and singing] spoken.

I am forgi.

The King of Kings calls [music and singing] me his own.

Beautiful Savior, I'm [music and singing] yours forever.

Jesus Christ, my [singing] living.

Hallelujah.

Praise [music and singing] the Lord and set me free. Hallelujah.

Death has [music and singing] lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain.

There's salvation [music] in your name. Jesus Christ, my living [singing] heart.

[music] Then came the [singing] morning that sealed the promise. [music]

Your buried [singing] body began to breathe. [music]

Out of the silence, [singing] the roaring lion declare the grave [music] has no claim

on me.

Then came [music] the morning that seal the proise.

Heat. [music]

Heat.

[music] Yeah.

Heat.

[music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[music] [music] [music] Yeah.

Heat. [music]

[music] [music] Yeah.

Heat.

[music] [music] [music] Church family, if you would like prayer this [music] morning, if something is stirring in you, uh we will have some

people will pray with you over here.

Join us at the party outside. And I'm

just going to read some some words from our sermon series bookmark you can grab if you haven't [music] already.

Church family, may we learn to lift our eyes, to pray beyond ourselves, to live [music] generously, to stand

with the global church, and to become a people not shaped by fear or division, but by the living hope that cannot be

taken from us. Grace and peace.

[music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[music] Heat [music] up [music] here.

[music] Heat [music] up here.

[music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music]

Heat. Heat. [music]

[music] There you go.

Heat. Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat. Heat.

This is very Thank you.

Hello.

Hey. Hey.

Heat. Heat.

[music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Hey, heat. Hey.

heat. Hey.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Thank you.

5.

Hey Wonderful.

Let's be ready.

I Thank you.

like Thank you.

Hey, darling.

Hey. Hey. Hey.

Are you [music] [music] feeling You don't feel [music]