Now, as we come to THIS faith chapter, we find a very short introduction, a simple definition of faith. And THEN a series of examples; as if to say, "I can generally define faith, but I'll do much better to show it in the lives and experiences of all the characters of the Old Testament." And right off the bat, that tells us something but also excites us. God loves narrative. We seem to learn better through story. And faith isn't so much a skill to be learned or memorized. It's more something we observe and catch.

Real Christianity is inescapably communal. Togetherness in worship is an essential… it's an outgrowth of our basic ethic which is LOVE. Community, togetherness is nonnegotiable for orthodox, biblical, gospel-Christianity.

The private, individualistic, DIY route isn't authentic Christian practice, isn't really beneficial. Radical togetherness in real Christian worship IS the New Testament norm. It differs from most people's ideas of organized religion and differs from YouTube spirituality.

I want to look at:

1. the problem of separateness
2. the gospel basis for radical togetherness and
3. launching from this platform into the future.

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Tim Sansbury

In and around the story of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, we meet all kinds of fears. People motivated, moved, twisted, manipulating by fears. FIRST, notice how pervasive and powerful fear is. SECOND, some tactics people use to deal with fears. THIRD, what the resurrection speaks to our fears.

This one short sentence captures, the whole peak experience perfectly. It puts the whole story of Jesus Christ right there. It's not like Caesar, "I came, I saw, I conquered" but "He approached the city, He saw, and He wept."

Three Grammatical Points –

1. The OBJECT
2. The SUBJECT and
3. The VERBS

i.e., At whom/what is this aimed? Who is acting? What ARE the actions?

Q: What's the core content of Jesus Christ's teaching? A: The Kingdom of God and here He helps us see it. Let's look at:

1. The Way of the Bent and Broken
2. The Way of the Kingdom and
3. The Way for US in the modern world.

Scripture: John 11

Sermon By: Lucas Tanner

THIS particular discussion of money and possessions was initiated by an interrupter. Jesus wasn't talking about it but this guy busts in AS IF to say, "Hey, thanks Rabbi, for talking about all this great spiritual stuff but I have a REAL-LIFE issue and when you hear it, I'm sure you'll see how urgent it is…and then we can get back to all your pretty spiritual stuff. THE ISSUE IS MONEY – tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me!" And Jesus, does, in fact, change topics and DOES deal with this guy's intrusion…NOT in the way the heckler wanted…though it does becomes thē big topic.

So, since this heckler brought it up…and since Jesus Christ was willing to talk about it, LET'S DO:

1. Worrying about MONEY
2. Reasons NOT to Worry
3. What Jesus Christ's alternative looks like?