Address the Mess
Move Towards the Mess
Chris Edmondson • Luke 10:25–37, James 1:2–4
Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. But that’s easier said than done. Which people qualify as neighbors, and which don’t? How far does our responsibility to others extend? If we make the effort to move toward the messes in other people’s lives, how inconvenient is too inconvenient? How unsafe is too unsafe? How dangerous is too dangerous? What are the limits to loving others as we love ourselves?
Messy-er
February 19, 2017 • Dr. Carlo Serrano • 1 Samuel 18:14–30, 1 Samuel 24:1–12
When you have a mess to address, first options aren’t usually the best options. Getting back at the person who wronged you, lashing out, taking risky gambles— first options often make messes messier. Doing the right thing is more difficult. Doing the right thing doesn’t offer quick, simple fixes. But it results in a story worth telling, a story that glorifies God. That’s because doing the right thing begins with following Jesus.
Accepting But Expecting
February 12, 2017 • Chris Edmondson • Philippians 1:3–11
We’ve all made messes in our lives. In fact, we know a mess when we see one because we are messes. It’s something we all have in common. One misconception is that the Christian life is all about avoiding messes. But that’s not true. If you dumb Christianity down to being about avoiding trouble, then your faith will be all about you—the foundation of another mess. Following Christ isn’t about avoiding something; it’s about becoming something.
Best Mess Ever
February 5, 2017 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 7:24–26, John 3:16–17, John 8:12
We’ve all made messes in our lives. In fact, we know a mess when we see one because we are messes. It’s something we all have in common. Our messes may bring us together, but they also make us feel separated from God. When we can’t even live up to our own standards, how can we live up to God’s standards? We assume our messes must disappoint or anger our heavenly Father. But the truth is, the mess that brings us together is the mess that brought God near.
The Mess in the Mirror
January 29, 2017 • Chris Edmondson • Romans 3:19–23
Whether we’re religious or not, we all have at least one thing in common; we’ve all made some messes in our lives. You’ve said things like, “I messed that up,” “I made a mess of that,” or, “My life is a mess.” We’ve all been in, are in, or are only one decision away from a mess. But there’s something you need to know: there’s a powerful connection between your messes and your relationship with God.