As followers of Jesus we need to embrace being “In-Betweeners”. Because the Kingdom of God is both here now and yet not in full, we are living in between Jesus’ first and second coming. Understanding that tension, embracing the journey, and learning to be “pilgrims” is vital to hope.
Call His Name Immanuel
“They shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” – Matthew 1:23
The Word became flesh, Jesus became a human being, so that He could be “God with you”. He bore your sin in His body so He could remove every barrier between you and Him and restore relationship. He conquered death so that you could live with Him forever. He sits at the Father’s right hand so that He can live inside of you by the Spirit of God. This is how much He loves you and longs to be with you. He is Immanuel. He is “God with you”. This is His name. This is who He is for you.
You are not alone. You are never alone. Not matter how you feel or what you are facing, God has not left you. He is always Immanuel. When you put your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit united your spirit with Jesus. He dwells in you and you dwell in Him. You are connected, intertwined; you are one with Him.
He is Immanuel in the fire. He is Immanuel in the flood. He is Immanuel in the wilderness. He is Immanuel in the lion’s den. He is Immanuel in the storm. He is your Ever-Present Help in time of need. He is your Comforter. He is your Eternal Refuge. He sees you; He knows you; He hears your cry; He is with you in the dust, wiping tears, giving you grace. He’s Immanuel in the hospital. He is Immanuel at the office. He is Immanuel when you’re alone. He is Immanuel when you have nothing left in you.
People are not ever-present; they are not all-knowing. Only God is. People don’t have perfect, unfailing love. Only God does
We often want and even expect people to be ever-present, there for us whenever we need them; we imagine them to be all knowing, seeing what is going on inside of us, knowing how we are feeling and what we need. We long for them to be our comfort. But people are just like you and me: they have their own needs, and they are limited. People are not ever-present; they are not all-knowing. Only God is. People don’t have perfect, unfailing love. Only God does. God has blessed us with family and friends as a gift from Himself. They have something to offer us. But where people do their little part, God–-only God—can do His big part. When we mix this up, we find ourselves disappointed or offended. I encourage you to let go of any offense and disappointment. Forgive and release them to God. And now, step into the comfort of His presence.
When we limit God to our abilities, our circumstances, or other’s presence we miss out on the comfort and life-changing power of His presence. Faith is living by a different Kingdom, a heavenly reality that is bigger than your circumstances, unlimited in resources. We are children of a good Father, citizens of heaven, heirs of a vast inheritance in Christ. We have access to everything in God’s Kingdom.
This is how Jesus, the Son of God, was able to sleep in a storm and calm it. In Mark 4, Jesus was in a small fishing boat on the sea of Galilee with His disciples and a great wind and rain storm unexpectedly swept over the sea (something common for that geography). The storm was so intense, the boat was filling with water and began to sink. The disciples were freaking out, trying their best to save Jesus. But Jesus wasn’t worried one bit. The situation was life-threatening and yet Jesus was asleep.
He was resting in the promises of God, He was abiding in His Father’s love, He was secure in His identity as a Son, He was sure of God’s faithfulness, He was convinced of His assignment and authority. These realities don’t remove the reality of a storm. The things of the kingdom are super-natural, above and beyond the natural order. When we live by faith, we are not limited to or by the natural realm but are able to overcome according to the higher reality of the Kingdom.
Faith interprets the circumstances differently, through a Kingdom lens.
The disciples saw a storm with their eyes, calculated the threat based on their experience, and concluded death was imminent. But faith interprets the circumstances differently, through a Kingdom lens. Jesus saw the same storm, knew the same threat, but His conclusion was different because of His faith. He interpreted the storm through a lens of the Kingdom. He saw God above the storm. He saw God’s protection. He saw God’s plan for His life. He saw His authority. This is why He could both sleep and speak. Often difficult circumstances and frightening emotions rob us of our sleep and our speech. But follow Jesus’ example. You can rest and sleep because God loves you. And you can rise up and speak to that storm to be quiet and stop because you have the name of Jesus!
Just like Jesus, you are a beloved child of God. Just like Jesus, you have an assignment, and you have authority in His name. Just like Jesus, you are not alone. God is with you.
Trust in the name of Immanuel. See that God is with you even in the storm. That He is the Fourth Man in the fire; that He is the one shutting the mouth of the lion; that He is the one holding back the flood, parting the sea, and making a way. Interpret the storm through a Kingdom lens. Walk by faith and not by sight. Call on His name.
You may feel alone, but God says He is always with you.
It may look like defeat, but God says He will go before you and fight for you.
It may look like lack, but God says He is your Shepherd and that you will not lack.
You may have failed, but God says His calling on your life is irrevocable and that if you confess He forgives every sin.
It may feel like you are lost, but God says He will always lead you into victory.
It may look like everything is against us, but God says He is for you and will answer every prayer.
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If you live in the Saint Louis area, we would love for you to join us at Expansion Church any weekend at one of our campuses. We pray you find the right community of Christ-followers for you wherever you live.
*All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise stated. Emphasizes are mine.
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Unity Needs A Foundation
I have these nice dress shoes I wear when I preach. I think they are from Kohl’s. They are anointed-with my sweat and fire! I signed the bottom of them with my pastor signature, which is illegible according to my daughter. How much do you think I could sell them for?
I also have a pair of Lebron James’ shoes worn during the final game of the 2016 NBA championship, anointed with his sweat, signed with his hand (ok, I am pretending). How much do you think I could sell them for?
The first rule of value: an object’s worth is derived from its owner.
The creator’s value is tied to the object’s value. The object, by osmosis, inherits the value of its owner. A broken guitar, a sketch, a game ball, a baseball card. None of these objects have much value unless their owner endows them with it. A Jimi Hendrex burnt guitar sold for over 380K. A Da Vinci sketch is priced at 16 million. Mark McGwire’s 70th-homerun-ball is worth 3 million. A 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card is worth over $500,000. Each is a piece of the owner; something that ties us to them and their greatness.
In Psalm 8 King David declares a foundational truth: “What is man that You are mindful of him….You have crowned him with glory and honor.” Every person is created by God; every person is important to Him. Why!? Because they bear His image, carry His glory, and where His crown. Glory and honor! Human flesh wrapped in the beauty of God, showered with esteem from heaven, lifted up from dust to be given meaning and purpose. Because of the Creator, the created has value. If He is of infinite worth, inestimable value, then those whom He made in His image are endowed with, infused with, that value. His is an inherent value; ours is derived.
Because of the Creator, the created has value.
This truth is the foundation of all biblical ethics and commands. From the first chapter of the bible, the foundation is laid in love. The value of every person is the basis for love and love is the basis for all true human relations and societal laws. Remove a human beings dignity and you open the door to atrocities, oppressions, injustices, and violence.
Our society, as a whole, has removed this foundation. There is no solid ground to build upon. But, as our Master Jesus, told us, “Not so among you!” We know this truth; we delight in this truth. Now we must be governed by this truth. We are glad to be valued by God; now He is calling us to see the same in every person we meet. Our eyes must see the glorious treasure inside each soul; our hearts must be drawn to their value; our words must voice their honor; our hands must protect their dignity; our lives must bring forth their purpose.
People sometimes ask me how to cultivate unity, or a diverse community, or an atmosphere of acceptance. It is this simple: I endeavor to value and add value to EVERY person I meet.
So if you have never heard, or you wonder, or its been awhile: you are VALUABLE! You matter to God and to me. You are created in the image of God. You are beautiful; fearfully and wonderfully made. Your days are written in God’s book. He thinks about you so much that his good intentions towards you are more than the sand of the seashore. You are glorious. You are not a product of random chance or natural selection or mutations. You are the artwork of God. The desire of His heart. The apple of His eye. You are worth more than Lebron James’ shoes or Mickey Mantle’s baseball card. You are worth the glory of your Creator.
Now go see it in others and speak it into their soul. Now create environments charged with honor, where every person is valued and welcomed.
The Gift of Love
Jesus is blessing us with His presence–filling us with hope, love, joy, and peace. He wants to heal and satisfy your soul with His love.
What sustains you in the hard times, in the waiting, in disappointments? Do you look to God or do you turn to something else that never satisfies. This Christmas, find the one thing that will sustain you and satisfy you–His love. Receive the gift of His presence, the gift of love.
Enjoy!
A Place On Top
In this series, we have been learning to walk with Jesus: to walk in His love for us and for others; to both receive and to give. We have been experiencing Jesus’ ministry, compassion, and forgiveness.
In this message, Jesus calls us to walk with Him. This message contains two powerful words from God for this season; I believe these words will strengthen and encourage you. Let the Lord speak to you as you listen.
Enjoy!
Moved By Compassion
Jesus was led by the Spirit, but He was also moved with compassion. Everything He did was in the power of the Spirit and done by faith; and everything He did was motivated, compelled, moved by a deep compassion for people.
As you listen to this message, you will discover how much God loves you and how He is moved with compassion towards you. And the example of Jesus will impact you to walk as He walked and be moved with compassion towards people.
Enjoy!
Measure of a Disciple
The measure of a disciple is the measure of love; the measure of Christlikeness; the measure of trustworthiness; the measure of fruitfulness. Everything Jesus did in His earthly ministry was done in faith by the power of the Spirit and always to serve people in love. The measure of a disciple is not faith, but love.
In this series we are learning to walk in love–both to receive Jesus’ love for us and to give it away to others. Hear how Jesus loves and walk in that love.
Enjoy!
Words that Change Everything-Part 4
Words that Change Everything
God created us with the ability to speak words that truly affect our lives and those around us. As people made in God’s image, we can speak words of life or words of death–its our choice. Jesus Himself modeled for us and taught us how to speak words of life. In this series, you will discover how you can speak words that change everything.
In this message, you will discover how God’s words of blessing over you cause supernatural things to happen. Listen and receive God’s blessing for your life.
Enjoy!
Part 4: Words of Blessing
Perfect Love
God loves YOU with a perfect love! Where other “loves” have left us hurt or empty, God’s love is totally different, completely perfect. His love is a HOLY LOVE.
When we allow this truth to change our heart, awakening faith, God’s perfect love will drive out fear and shame and produce confidence, joy and peace on the inside of us.
Listen to this message, Perfect Love, I shared with The Rock Corona campus about a year ago. I hope it blesses you!
What Jesus Wants
Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain….And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:24 and 12:32
Why did Jesus die? He didn’t want to be alone! Jesus is the “grain of wheat” or Seed that died, was buried, and in rising from the dead produces “much grain.” We were created FOR Jesus, to be His Daily Delight (Colossians 1:16 and Proverbs 8:31). He came to bring us out of darkness and into His light. He came to set us free from the bondage of sin and give us His righteousness. He came to ransom us from the power of death and give us eternal life with Himself. And that is exactly what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. Thank you God! Now, when you and I trust in Jesus, making him Lord, and receiving this FREE gift, we become His—alive, forgiven, and free.
And how many people (“grain”) does Jesus want? ALL PEOPLES! Jesus does not want to be alone; He wants “much grain”–a metaphor for all people to come to know Him and become like Him. Jesus wants His Father’s house filled with people from all different ethnicities and backgrounds. He loves that person at your work; He loves your neighbor, He loves your prodigal family member; He loves that person serving you at the store or restaurant. Jesus desires them to be His Daily Delight too! He is drawing you and He is drawing them to Himself.
Pastor David Turner 