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The Kingdom of God is given to those…who care to ask Jesus more questions (and pursue Him for answers). The purpose of the soil is to create a home for the word of God to thrive and grow. Describe the four soil conditions and their interaction with the seed: 1. Pathway soil: 2. Rocky soil: 3. Thorny soil: 4. Good soil: There are three things that “choke” the word of God: 1. C - Cares of the World 2. P - Pursuit of other things 3. R - Riches which Deceive Which soil condition do you identify with? Pray that the Lord during this Advent season will make you (or keep you) like the fourth soil.

What are some reasons we don't read our bibles on a regular basis? What does the Bible say about itself? The goal of reading the Bible. The prize of reading the Bible. Practicals.

Following the book "Multiply," by Francis Chan

There are no Lone Ranger Christians. We are meant to be part of the global Church and a local church. “‘I love Jesus, I hate the Church.’ We can’t say that.” – Francis Chan A. Christian Layman Church will be a place where: 1. God is seen. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) 2. People feel loved. (John 13:34-35, Galatians 6:2) 3. And lives are changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. (Ezekiel 36:26-27, Ephesians 4:11-13) B. Fusion (Spiritual Formation Continuum): “Turning first time guests into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” “Think what a local church would be like if its people were radically devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to each other, and relentlessly dedicated to reaching those outside God’s family with the Gospel of Christ. It would be a church against which the gates of hell could not prevail! It would be an unstoppab

Intentional Steps

The Command to Make Disciples: A. Jesus commissioned us to “go, baptize, and teach”. (Matthew 28:19-20) B. Jesus asks us to follow him, but some hesitate and make excuses. (Luke 9: 57-62) C. Jesus wants us to be like Philip and be available to have Meaningful Conversations. (Acts 8:26-39) Question: What’s your excuse for not committing to a Meaningful Conversation?

What is the one thing this man lacked? Idolatry – is loving the gifts more than the Gift-giver; making a good thing an Ultimate thing. What is unbelievable about this story is not that Jesus asked this man to give up his riches, but given the choice between pleasures evermore in God, this man instead chose the “hamster”. What did Jesus mean when he said –“How difficult it will be for the rich to enter the kingdom of God?” Could He possibly have meant what He said? The disciples asked, “Who can be saved?” Jesus said “With man it is impossible, but…” Jesus assured Peter that he was getting the far better “deal”.

As soon as we are born into this world, we are examined, graded, judged even, for various criteria. So begins a lifetime of being validated and seeking the approval of others, whether knowingly or not. Sometimes this can be good, often this can be painful. Zacchaeus apparently was not approved by many people: 1. Occupationally, Chief tax collector (v. 2) 2. Economically, Wealthy (v. 2) 3. Physically, Short (v. 3) 4. Socially, Shameful behavior (v. 4) 5. Spiritually, Sinner (v. 7) Jesus however approved of Zacchaeus: 1. Called him by his given name. (v. 5) 2. Gave him priority of time and space (v. 5) 3. Shared intimate fellowship at his home (v. 5) 4. Saved not by birthright but because he demonstrated a transformed life that follows Jesus (v. 8- 9) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19: 10) “Yet to all who

We have no idea how sinful we are. We have no idea how perfect we are (in Christ).

Review (from last week): You are His Son/Daughter – (Mark 1:1-11) Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are given the same affirmation as sons and daughters that Christ received. Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is a symbolic foreshadowing of his death upon the cross for them. We have no part with Jesus unless we allow him to “wash our feet”. Jesus said that if we know these things, we are blessed not just for knowing them, but for DOING them. What does it mean to “wash the feet” of those around you? Among other things, it means YOU GO TO THEM. You go where they are. It means meeting needs. What does ________ need from you? Sometimes “washing feet” is giving people what they really need as opposed to what they want. For the Road… • Do you normally think God’s love is something you have to earn? • If you were to fail o

Eph 1:3-6 God as Father… In love… Eph 1:18 (You are His inheritance) What does it mean to be His adopted Son/Daughter in Christ? e.g. Galatians 4:1-7 (A slave must earn approval, but a daughter just has it by virtue of being a daughter) Are you living like an orphan or as His son/daughter? (See Diagram “Orphans or Children of God”) If you really believed you were His son/daughter, what would change for you?

hroughout history God is pleased to use small people to do BIG things. Often we excuse ourselves from His mission because we see ourselves as too weak and too flawed. Yet God chooses people not despite their smallness, but because of it, for His power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 4 …”We have this treasure in jars of clay.” (v.7) When people look at you, do they see the “surpassing power” of God in your life? There are two forces at work simultaneously inside us: Death and Life. How is Death and Life at work inside you? Luke 10:17-24 It pleases God to use small ordinary people to do his extraordinary work. When God uses small ordinary people to do his extraordinary work, then we see how truly unstoppable His kingdom is. Don’t find your identity in the great things you can do for God, find it in your place in His family. Have you been excusing yourself from God’s mission because you s

Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago and made a tremendous impact in this world. He taught radical change to how his followers should think and act. Like “Loving Your Enemy”: 1. Means going beyond just giving up your right for revenge. (v.38-42) 2. Means as children of God we bless them through the power of prayer. (v.43-45) 3. Is part of the process that transforms us to be like Jesus. (v.46-48) Next Steps: Identify the “enemies” in our lives. Pray. Bless our “enemies”.

The Compassion of Christ

The road to greatness is paved with suffering and servanthood. There is a throne prepared for you in heaven (for every follower of Jesus)… You know (how the world works)…BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU… A new vision for greatness: greatness is being like a slave A slave cannot measure their worth by any external measure A slave is free to leverage every resource they have for people who don’t have it.

Although Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago he still has an impact on humanity today. He brought hope to the world, and a warning to Pharisees that continues today. A. Good Life B. Good Person

Part One of "The Most Interesting Man" Series. And the "New Life" Story of Vincent Yeh.

This was a joint service commemorating the past week of serving Richmond. People came for the free eye screenings and if needed, free eye glasses, but we believe they left with so much more. So we are celebrating the wonders, the faithfulness, and the greatness of our God.

Second part of our charge to go to the Eye Screenings in Richmond, CA July 15-18, 2013

First part of vision and encouragement for the Richmond Eye Screening Event July 15-18