“Good” Friday? North Wakers on How Jesus’s Death is Good
This day, we commemorate the day that our sin killed Jesus. His death hardly seems "good" -- so 15 North Wakers gave me their reasons on what's so Good about Good Friday. Dani Lynn Black: The death of Jesus is good because it reveals to us the love and kindness of our Father God, the glory that only He deserves, and a way to be heirs with Christ (children of the one and only God). Scott Brazil: The crushing of God's Son was good for believers who now receive peace with God instead. (Isaiah 53:5) Jason Burgess: [Jesus's death] Paved the
Sermon Resources: My Heart Christ’s Home and 3 Circles
Here are the 2 resources I mentioned in my sermon last Sunday (4/9/22). My Heart Christ’s Home— this is short story that’s a metaphor of sorts of the Christian life. Your life is likened to a house where Christ inhabits each room. 3 Circles: Sharing the Gospel — this is a 2 minute video on how to share the gospel of Jesus using the 3 circles. Review it and be prepared!
Oneness is the Light We Shine
No matter what culture you come from, there are things you do and say that tell a person what kind of person you may be. In some contexts, your last name tells people more about you than you would ever like them to know. In the States, it tends to be what you do for a living or what kind of car you drive that indicates your status or even personality. But what do you choose to tell people about yourself before you say anything else? Is it that you belong to Jesus and are one with his followers? Read
A Bullet Worth Refiring
Read: John 17:1-19 Do you take notes during the sermon? Do you jot down ideas or Scriptures that the Holy Spirit highlights to you? My journal is full of riveting one-liners that are fired off by whoever is preaching. I'll often find myself meditating on them, sharing them with friends, and even using them in the lyrics of a song I'm writing. Larry shot one off two weeks ago that Jesus re-emphasizes in our passage this week. Jesus has just finished teaching His disciples for the last time before He will be crucified; as He is praying, He says to the Father, "But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in
Battle Won
In the last few hours before the worst day of his life on earth, Jesus declared victory over the world.
Women Caring For Women
Women Caring For Women is a series designed to encourage and equip the women of North Wake to walk alongside one another through times of great distress and suffering and times of great rejoicing. We as the body of Christ are not designed to journey through this life alone. We need each other to uplift, encourage, rebuke, strengthen, and pray. Just as Moses’ arms were held up by Aaron and Hur (Exodus 17), so the women of North Wake are called to hold up one another. Romans 12:15 also encourages us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with
Abide in Christ
Read: John 15:1-17 When reading John 15 the one word we most likely associate with this passage is Abide or, more specifically, Abide in Christ. What image does that conjure up in your mind and heart? Do you find it comforting? Do you find it scary? Do you see freedom or do you see burden? Do you see something that others joyfully live in, but you have never experienced? As believers, we are called to abide in Christ. We are to remain, to dwell, to endure in Christ. But have you ever stopped to think about the fact that this
Help for the Hurting in Ukraine
War has hit Ukraine and as it rages on, many people suffer. When a world crisis happens, Christians are often the first on the scene. Christians move toward the crisis to help those who are suffering the most. There are many Christian organizations that are mobilizing to offer compassion and care for hurting Ukrainians. As you think about financially supporting their work, it's important to know that you can trust the organizations to which you are giving to effectively use your donation to help those who need it most. Below are a few links to Christian relief organizations that we, North Wake Church, have a
Meditation for Preparation for March 13
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” (John 13:33) I imagine the disciples’ faces. Sorrow. Disbelief. Fear. Jesus had been everything for them. He was the provider of food, the commander of storms, worker of miracles. He was teacher and friend. He knew their very hearts. How was it possible to live without Him? Then, in the next breath, Jesus offered hope. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you
Church as Temple: Diving Deeper
If you're eager to hear a bit more about the biblical theme of "The Church as Temple", here's a couple of resources that were helpful to me! The Bible Project "Temple" theme video. With their trademark creative animation, The Bible Project guys explore the temple theme in a short video. Their study notes are also insightful. "God Dwells Among Us" by G.K. Beale and Mitchell Kim. This book takes a much deeper dive into the biblical details and implications of what it means for the church to be God's temple. (Based on a more academic/technical work by G.K. Beale called "The Temple and the Church's
