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25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor… Ephesians 5:27 Jesus wants the church to be seen. "To be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in" C.S. Lewis 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. Matthew 23:5-7 THE AGE OF SELF-CONSTRUCTION We are conditioned to believe we have the power to decided who sees us, how they see us, why they see us, and when they see us… "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear." Tim Keller 27 so that he might present the church… Ephesians 5:27 “That HE might present the Church…” On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:1-4 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. John 5:19 IT’S NOT UP TO YOU TO BE SEEN 27 so that he might present the church to himself… Ephesians 5:27 “To HIMSELF…” 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others… Matthew 23:5-12 IT’S NOT FOR THEM TO SEE “In SPLENDOR.” 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27 At that time, then, Jesus made of water wine, and both then and now He ceases not to change our weak and unstable wills. For there are, yes, there are men who in nothing differ from water, so cold, and weak, and unsettled. But let us bring those of such disposition to the Lord, that He may change their will to the quality of wine, so that they be no longer washy, but have body, and be the cause of gladness in themselves and others. John Chrysostom IT’S NOT OVER YET

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-17 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-17 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word… Ephesians 5:25-17 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Sanctification: the process of becoming more like Jesus in word and deed, thought and action, heart and practice. 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Matthew 23:25-26 WE ARE WASHED BY THE ONE WHO LOVES US This high and holy Christ does not cringe at reaching out and touching dirty sinners and numbed sufferers. Such embrace is precisely what he loves to do. He cannot bear to hold back. We naturally think of Jesus touching us the way a boy reaches out to touch a slug for the first time—face screwed up, cautiously extending an arm, giving a yelp of disgust upon contact, and instantly withdrawing. Dane Ortlund Why is this Good News? WE CANNOT CLEAN OURSELVES HE SEES WHAT WE CAN’T SEE We take what we think are the tools of spiritual transformation into our own hands and try to sculpt ourselves into robust Christlike specimens. But spiritual transformation is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit. He is the Master Sculptor. Jerry Bridges WE ARE WASHED FROM ONE DEGREE TO ANOTHER PERFECTION ISN’T REQUIRED PATIENCE IS REQUIRED WE ARE WASHED IN ORDER TO GO WE AREN’T EXPECTED TO STAY “CLEAN” AT ALL TIMES 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.[a] 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them[b] in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:15-18

“1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Romans 4:1-5. Religion says earn. Gospel says given. “ …Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you, shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.” Matthew 23:13 1. We aren’t convinced of the gospel’s claims of our depravity; we think we could earn.2. We aren’t convinced of the gospel’s claims of God’s goodness; we think we have to earn.  Imputation: the act of attributing, charging, or crediting something to a person, source, or account. #1. Imputation of sin: the guilt/penalty of a human being’s sins are put on Jesus.  “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23 “We have all become like one who is unclean, and our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Isaiah 64:6 “4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…6 The Lord has hung on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4,6 #2. Imputation of righteousness: the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ is put on us. “…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 The glorious exchange stands to convince us salvation is not earned; it’s given! 1. We don’t trust God’s giving “God so loved the world he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16 “11 Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the righteous one, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore I will divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors, yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:11-12. “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” Ephesians 5:25 2. Question of ownership; whose righteousness is it? “1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Romans 4:1-5. Religion says earn. But the gospel says given. Response #1. Don’t divide the gospel: a. He put our sin on him b. He put his righteousness on us “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith and this not of your own doing, it is the gift of God. 9 Not a result of works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 Response #2. Receive what was given by rejoicing

LOVED. CONVERTING THE CHURCH - WK.01 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’s seat; 3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 6 They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them rabbi. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, the one in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. Matthew 23:1-10 ONE OF THE GREATEST OBSTACLES BETWEEN WORLD  AND THE CHURCH IS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE JESUS WE PROCLAIM AND THE JESUS WE PORTRAY. 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. Matthew 5:13 A Barna study found that “hypocrisy of religious people” was the top reason respondents gave for being reluctant to hold Christian beliefs. Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country[b] and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3 10 And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you. Exodus 34:10 THE MAJOR-PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH SHOWING 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, so that she may be holy and without blemish.  Ephesians 5:25-27 The Church isn’t here to show the world how to behave, but what it looks like to be loved by God. THE MAJOR-FLAW OF THE CHURCH IS PRETENDING 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others, but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. Matthew 23:4 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ἐξαγγέλλω exangéllō: to publish When people read your story, what are they seeing? The church is not full of strong people who used to be weak. The church is full of weak people who are being made strong through love. THE MAJOR-FIX FOR THE CHURCH IS BOASTING 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:5-10 “Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta The Church will become a window, not when we boast in our love for God, but when we learn to boast in God’s love for us.

WEEK 04 — INVEST –  “Buy the field.” — Jeremiah 32 + Jeremiah 31 Teaching Text: Jeremiah 31:33“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” At the end of my life, despite celebration or persecution, I served the Lord for His glory and not my own. Jeremiah 31:23-25,”23 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity,[c] the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: ‘The Lord bless you, you prosperous city, you sacred mountain.’ 24 People will live together in Judah and all its towns—farmers and those who move about with their flocks. 25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:26,”26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.” Joy isn’t based in circumstance but in God’s promise. Jeremiah 31:33“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” God promises His spirit within all believers. Jeremiah 32:8-10,”8 “Then, just as the Lord had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.’ “I knew that this was the word of the Lord; 9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver. 10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales.” Faith in God is not belief alone but will always be partnered with action. Jeremiah 32:42-44 “This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them. 43 Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.’ 44 Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes,[c] declares the Lord.” “Do not be ones who speak with their mouth but also enact belief with your body.” Hope is not a word we say but a promise from God we invest our life in.  “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading.” — Oswald Chambers Jeremiahs faith wasnt determined by current circumstances but instead of future promise. Where is your faith? The promise of God is not a life of ease but a life joined with the God of love for a future filled with hope. We are not people of circumstance we are people of faith in the One who reigns above it all. Stir up your faith with action. James 1:2-25,”22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” Action is partnered with redemption. Romans 8:28-30,”28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” ““The test of the life of a saint is not success, but faithfulness in human life as it actually is.” - Oswald Chambers. Redemption is for now and forever. We should be living like the resurrection life Jesus gave us is actually true.

“We are running honestly”    slides “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 Hitting the wall: a point late in a long race when a runner experiences a sudden and overwhelming increase in fatigue forcing the runner to deal with the temptation to stop.   The runner hasn’t necessarily lost their destination. The finish line is still exactly where it was when they began running. What has changed is how difficult the journey has become We run honestly an honest run is where we bring God our whole life 1) We can run honestly because that’s how Jesus ran. 2) We run honestly to Jesus by giving Jesus our whole life Jeremiah kept bringing Jeremiah to God “He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45 “15 O God, You know, remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for your sake I have suffered rebuke….17 I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of your hand…” Jeremiah 15:15,17 “They were naked and not ashamed.” Genesis 2:25 “They knew they were naked…they made coverings…and they hid themselves from the presence of God.” Genesis 3:7-8 When Jeremiah brought his whole self to God, God brought his whole self to Jeremiah. “I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; they will fight against you. But I am with you to save you and deliver you.” Jeremiah 15:20 “Pashhur the son of Immer, the priest who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that J prophesized these things.” Jeremiah 20:1 Magor-Missabib: terror on every side “For I heard many mocking, ‘fear on every side!’” Jeremiah 20:10 He runs honestly. Jeremiah keeps bringing Jeremiah to God.  Jeremiah brings his: o Embarrassment (“I am in derision daily. Everyone mocks me” Jeremiah 20:7)o Quit (“I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in this name.” Jeremiah 20:9)o Resolve (“I could not hold it in” Jeremiah 20:9)o Desire (“Let me see your vengeance on them.” Jeremiah 20:12) “14 Cursed be the day I was born! ...18 Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?” Jeremiah 20:14,18 “Jeremiah thought his problems could be over if he was never born. The problem was God called him before he was born or even conceived.” – David Guzik Bringing his whole life to God gave Jeremiah access to the truth of his whole lie with God. Before I formed you…I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I called you to be a prophet to the nations,” Jeremiah 1:5 “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 How to run to get the prize: - with endurance (don’t stop at the wall) by - looking to Jesus (honest running). We can run with endurance by looking to Jesus: 1) We can run honestly because that’s how Jesus ran. 2) We run honestly to Jesus by giving Jesus our whole life Jeremiah was willing to let God have access to his life which gave Jeremiah access to the life of Christ. none of us ever go through something that Christ himself did not willing face and go through to completion. We were made to run. That doesn’t mean our run won’t come with hurdles and weights and walls. But we can have hope that those hurdles don’t have to stop our run. We can run honestly! We can run because the same power that conquered the cross and the grave lives in us and we therefore are not alone in our race.  Christ is in you, the hope of glory! Run!! “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2.

Jeremiah 29:11–13 “11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Jeremiah 11:16 The Lord named you “A green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form”; With the noise of a great tumult He has set fire to it, And its branches are worthless. Jeremiah 12:1–3 1 Righteous are You, Lord, when I plead my case with You; Nevertheless I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? 2 You have planted them, they have also taken root; They grow, they have also produced fruit. You are near to their lips But far from their mind. 3 But You know me, Lord; You see me And examine my heart’s attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter, And set them apart for a day of slaughter!    Jeremiah 12:5 5 “If you have run with infantrymen and they have tired you out, How can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket by the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:7–8 7 “I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned My inheritance; I have handed the beloved of My soul Over to her enemies. 8 My inheritance has become to Me Like a lion in the forest; She has roared against Me; Therefore I have come to hate her.” Jeremiah 13:15–17 15 Listen and pay attention, do not be haughty, For the LORD has spoken. 16 Give glory to the LORD your God Before He brings darkness And before your feet stumble On the mountains in the dark, And while you are hoping for light He makes it into gloom, And turns it into thick darkness. 17 But if you do not listen to it, My soul will weep in secret for such pride; And my eyes will shed And stream down tears, Because the flock of the LORD has been taken captive. How of the world: Comparison  Why of the world: Competition  Philippians 2:1–8 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”  Hebrews 12:1b–2 1 let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:3 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  How Jesus Ran: Obedience  Why Jesus Ran: Compassion  The world's running form: How do I know how I'm doing? Comparison. Why do I keep running? Competition. Jesus' running form: How do I know where I'm going? Obedience. Why do I keep running? Compassion.

4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:4-8 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16 The Bible is not just an ancient book. It’s a timeless book. There is one thing in this life that no-one, not even Jesus, can do FOR YOU and that is to run the race that God has for YOU. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. Jeremiah 31:33 What does it look like to live a fully alive life with God when the world around you feels like it's falling apart?  2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross… Hebrews 12:1-2 4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:4-8 MY STORY BEGAN BEFORE I KNEW I WAS IN IT 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,Jeremiah 1:5 (Providence: God’s part) God knows the beginning to the end MY STORY REQUIRES EVERY DETAIL When God uses a person, He does not erase their personality – He wants to use that person’s sanctified personality.  David Guzik 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.[c] 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born,[d] and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[e] me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, Galatians 1:11-16 (Grace: God’s part) God is writing a good story MY STORY ISN’T WAITING FOR ME TO FEEL READY God doesn't call the version of you that finally gets it together. God calls you—and then spends a lifetime forming you. 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; Jeremiah 1:6-7 (Consecration: God’s part) God chose me to be in His story MY STORY INVITES ME TO RUN A RACE, NOT TO PREDICT THE FINISH “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:7-8 “You end up working with small starts and long finishes.” Eugene Peterson (Obedience: My part) I must choose to run 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

TEACHING TEXT: 1 Timothy 2,”2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” F.U.E.L. Faith “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1  “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would approach God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6  Unity John 17:23, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” Encounter Matthew 28:20” Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Liberty“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17  Prayer Warrior The practice of Prayer is the heart aligning with the will of the Father, which is the restoration of all things here on earth back into love and blessing under Him. THE PRAYER WARRIOR IS FUELED BY CONVICTION FOR GODS GLORY TO COVER THE EARTH. The warrior doesn't train their whole life to defend their living room; no, they go out and take ground, seek more battles, and fight on behalf of others in order to restore peace. Intercession – the act of pleading, praying, or intervening on behalf of another person. ” we are taking the things we know about God to be true and then pointing them back at the world and asking for Him in those areas”. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” — 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20  1 Timothy 2,”2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10 “Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.” — E. M. Bounds  “Come Holy Spirit” There is one goal in intercession: Work Hard in Prayer to see the Lord prevail. 2 Chronicles 7:14,”if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” You and the Lord are working together to bring His will to earth. Genesis 1:28,” God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Learn to love to work for the Lord in prayer. Young men and women of the faith are not spectators in his kingdom – once you have said yes to Jesus, He brings you fully in to participate in His work of creation restoration.  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 The greatest accomplishment in intercession is His presence coming into places and bringing transformation for His glory. 1 Corinthians 11:1,Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 “‘This people honors me with their lips,     but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me,     teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:8-9 LEARN TO TRUST JESUS IS THE TRUE NORTH OF PRAYER Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith… Colossians 2:7 The question isn’t just, “DO YOU PRAY?” It’s, “WHAT ARE YOU TRUSTING WHEN YOU PRAY?” TRUSTING MY PERSISTENCE Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:1-8 TRUSTING MY PERFORMANCE26 So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made. 27 At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud! Surely he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 Then they cried aloud, and, as was their custom, they cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out over them. 29 As midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice, no answer, and no response. 1 Kings 18:26-29 TRUSTING MY FATHER “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust and even licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord indeed is God; the Lord indeed is God.” 1 Kings 18:36-39 “Christians’ prayers are measured by weight, and not by length. Many of the most prevailing prayers have been as short as they were strong.” Charles Spurgeon 7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father in heaven,     may your name be revered as holy. 10    May your kingdom come.     May your will be done         on earth as it is in heaven. 11   Give us today our daily bread. 12  And forgive us our debts,         as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,         but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:7-13 “Your Kingdom Come…” - HIS PLANS WILL ALWAYS WIN “Give us…” - HIS PROVISION WILL ALWAYS COME “Forgive us…” - HIS PARDON WILL ALWAYS COVER “Rescue us…” - HIS PROTECTION WILL ALWAYS RESCUE

“Trust in Him at all times, you people, pour out your heart before Him, God is a refuge for us.” Psalms 62:8 “in every situation by prayer let your requests be known to God.” Phil 4:6 The reality is every meaningful relationship requires us to learn four things: how to be together (wk. 1), how to talk honestly (wk 2), how to trust deeply (wk 3), and how to work toward the same purpose (wk 4).  HONEST PRAYERS Honest: telling the truth; things that are real, genuine, sincere, open and frank about real thoughts or feelings. “Do not imagine that the Lord looks down with any pleasure upon the tens of thousands of forms of prayer…. which are presented to him without heart: such forms rather weary him than worship him… The God of truth can never accept an untruthful devotion…Alas many of our fellow men never pray; and many who think they pray are yet strangers to that sacred exercise. Perhaps you deny that you are thus guilty, for you have always said a prayer, and would not have gone to sleep at night if you had not done so, that I pray you, remember that you may have repeated holy words….and yet may have never prayed a prayer with your heart.”- Charles Spurgeon Honest prayers are prayers given to God by who you actually are. 1) the ritual of prayer > the relationship of prayer 2) we don’t fully trust we can be honest “To pretend to be other than we are before God is a hideous madness”- Charles Spurgeon The real sin, the real hypocrisy, is limiting our prayers but pretending God is getting our full heart.  | honest pray-ers | Honest prayers | Scripture ref.  | David | Vindication; forgiveness; praise | Ps 109:1-2,4,7-13; Ps 51; Ps 28 | Elijah | Overwhelmed and depressed | 1 Kings 19:4 | Jonah | Questioned God’s way | Jonah 4:1-3 | Father | Faith and doubt | Mark 9 | Jesus | Soul exceedingly sorrowful | Matthew 26:38-39 | Joshua | Bold request | Joshua 10:12 “1 Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me…4 But I give myself to prayer…” Psalms 109:1-2, 4 “7 Let his (the accuser) prayer become sin.8 Let his days be few and let another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. 10 Let his children continually be vagabonds, and beg…13 in the generation to come let their name be blotted out.” Psalms 109:7-13 “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalms 62:8 Honest prayers are prayers poured out Honest poured out prayers invite God to be a part of all of our life. He becomes the actual God of our life as we are honest and entrust our life to him 1) ritual>relationship2) we don’t fully trust we can be honest 1)prayers of relationship (intimacy) 2)expressions of faith Honest prayer is “God, here’s what I’m experiencing. Here’s what I want. Here’s what I’m afraid of. Here’s what I don’t understand. And I’m bringing it all to you.”- Sinclair Ferguson We serve a God who is not so small that he cannot handle the reality of who we are. He longs for relationship with us which includes being given access to our real prayers- whether they’re prayers of praise and happiness and prayers where we are dreaming and asking for bold things to the prayers of our deepest pains and questions and doubts.

19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8:19-21 1.) The Reason (The stakes are too low). We live in a world that requires us to learn the language of prayer because we live in God’s world. 16 For by[f] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:16-17 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:4-5 2.) The Pathway (The knowledge doesn’t translate to life) But if I try to set forth something of the reasonableness of all prayer, I beg my readers to remember that it is for the sake of action and not speculation; if prayer be anything at all, it is a thing to be done: what matter whether you agree with me or not, if you do not pray? George MacDonald Prayer is less a thing to understand, and more a thing to be done. 3.) Immersion (High stakes, totally practical) Immersion: foreign language instruction in which only the language being taught is used 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  Romans 8:26 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 There is a reality of being in which all things are easy and plain—oneness, that is, with the Lord of Life; to pray for this is the first thing; and to the point of this prayer every difficulty hedges and directs us.  George MacDonald LEARN HOW TO “BE” THROUGH PRAYER “The first purpose of prayer isn’t getting what we need from God—it’s learning to live with God.” 14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8:14-21 We learn to COMMUNE before we learn to COMMUNICATE  “God is with me” 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8:16-21 The paltry solitariness of a loaf was enough to hide the Lord from them, to make them unable to understand. George MacDonald We learn to RECEIVE before we learn to REQUEST  In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.” Mark 8:1-2 “God sees my need before I see my need.” We learn to LIVE before we learn to UNDERSTAND 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mark 8:16-21 “I learn to live with Him, not how to understand Him.”

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3 "Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees takes off his shoes— The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries." Elizabeth Barrett Browining “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3 O Lord, how manifold are your works!     In wisdom have you made them all;     the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide,     which teems with creatures innumerable,     living things both small and great. Psalm 104:24-25 Colorado Picture* Fish Picture* GOD IS NOT HIDING HIMSELF FROM YOU. THE LIFE OF WONDER Wonder: a feeling of awe or astonishment. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:2-3 Wonder is for the CHILDREN of God. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4 God is better than you think. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25 THE BARRIER TO WONDER 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” John 20:24-25 The barrier to wonder is a heart that cannot see beyond physical sight We are and remain such creeping Christians, because we look at ourselves and not at Christ; because we gaze at the marks of our own soiled feet, and the trail of our own defiled garments, instead of up at the snows of purity, whither the should of Christ is climbed. George Macdonald 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:26-27 THE BRIDGE TO WONDER The Bridge to Wonder is the eyes the heart being opened to see Jesus rightly. It is not His will that one of His little ones should perish and, therefore, He chases away unbelief, which is their deadliest foe. The Good Shepherd will leave the 99 to seek the one wanderer! If Thomas is the most unbelieving, Thomas shall have the most care! He is only one, but yet he is one, and the Lord Jesus will not lose one whom He has ordained to save! Charles Spurgeon 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27 THE RESPONSE TO WONDER 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  John 20:28 It had flashed upon the mind of Thomas that this august Person whom he had regarded as the Messiah was also God. He saw that the Man at whose feet he had sat was more than man and was assuredly God, and this amazed him so that he used broken speech. He does not say, “You are my Lord and my God,” as a man would say who is making a doctrinal statement, but he brings it out in fragments. He makes adoration of it. Charles Spurgeon 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

26 The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26-27     Teaching Text: 2 Cor 3:12-18, 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.     O God, O God, The plan which You had from the beginning, regarding Your Kimyals, which already existed in Your Spirit. The month that You had set, the day that You had set, has come to pass today. O my Father, my Father, the promise that You gave Simeon that he would see Jesus Christ and hold Him in his arms before he died. I also have been waiting under that same promise, O God. You looked at all the different languages and chose which ones will be put into Your Word. You thought that we should see Your Word in our language. Today, the day You had chosen for this to be fulfilled, has come to pass. O God, today You have placed Your Word into my hands, just like You promised. You have placed it here in our land. And for all this, O God, I give You praise. The truth is… Christ... IN. YOU. Not over there. Not one day. Not after you get your life together. Christ in you. The hope of glory. This is where striving begins to die.       Christianity doesn't begin with obtaining more of Christ. It begins by discovering that He has already given Himself to you completely.   2 Cor 3:12-18, 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.     "The gospel is the declaration that Jesus Christ has come to do for us what we could never do for ourselves." — Tim Keller.     Revelation 3:20,”20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”   To my hurt. (Sin & Pain) To my longing. (Searching for Purpose)   Matthew 6:19-21,”19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.     To my soul. (Desire for Perfect Love)   1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ”Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” - He holds our soul perfectly and fulfills our desire for soul care truly.      Genesis 1:1-5,”1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”       Hebrews 4:12-16,”12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”     2 Cor 3:17,” Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”     Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”       John 10:9-11,”9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”