November 24, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 19:16–22
We pursue wealth and status because we believe they give us control and security. But Scripture shows us that they are false gods, eventually failing us. Jesus challenged the rich, young ruler to give up his wealth and follow Him. We are called to do the same thing for the same reason. So we can experience salvation as God’s gift through grace, not something we can strive to earn.
Where do you find your identity?
November 17, 2024 • Jason McNutt • John 4:1–30
Jesus not only challenged His closest followers, but He also reached across cultural divisions. John 4 is a remarkable story because He is speaking alone with a Samaritan woman of questionable reputation. He looks beyond the superficial social divisions to deal with heart matters. He is showing us that finding our identity in Him and not some group or tribe should motivate us to love anyone we encounter.
How do you respond to offense?
November 10, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 16:13–23
Jesus spoke challenging words to His closest disciples, including Peter. Like Peter, we should not fall away or resist because we are being challenged. Instead, we lean into the offense with the understanding that Jesus is exposing idolatry and leading us to grow in faith. We persist because offense is where God can do some of His deepest work in us.
Does Jesus offend you?
November 3, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Hebrews 4:11–12
If we only think of Jesus as gentle and merciful, we will miss how He uses offense to draw attention to our blind spots. How we react to Jesus’ confrontation will either lead to spiritual growth or spiritual atrophy. His intention is to show us the idols in our hearts that keep us from truly knowing Him. Reflection instead of rejection leads to our transformation.
Where do you seek affirmation?
October 27, 2024 • Jason McNutt • 2 Timothy 4:2–5
We sometimes react to being offended by seeking affirmation. However, affirmation for the sake of self-appeasement can be devoid of truth. Instead of seeking counsel from someone who tells us what we think we want to hear, we need to be confronted. Confrontation grounded in the Gospel’s declaration of who we are (sinners in need of a Savior) leads to transformation. Then, we do not become just a better version of ourselves, we are made into new creations and true followers of Jesus.
Where do you point the finger?
October 20, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Genesis 3:8–13
Rivalry and jealousy can cause us to take joy at another’s misfortune, especially when we view the other person as standing in the way of getting something we desire. Rather than examine the validity of our desires, we shift the blame to others. Jesus does not allow that. He exposes the fallacy of our desire, leading to reflection and repentance. The outcome is our spiritual transformation.
Where do your desires come from?
October 13, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Genesis 3:1–7
Culture tells us we should fulfill our hearts’ desires. Yet we rarely explore whether these are valid desires. Satan deceived Eve and Adam by getting them to think that gaining knowledge was something they wanted. Today our worldly desires are shaped by what we observe. Only by focusing on Jesus and grounding our desires in Him do we get a God-centered and authentic perspective of what our desires should be.
What is your greatest insecurity?
October 6, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Genesis 3:1–7
The Bible has many stories of deep personal insecurity leading to vulnerability. We see that in Adam and Eve. God had placed them in a garden that satisfied their every need. Yet they were vulnerable to Satan’s insinuation that God’s provision was incomplete. God’s greatness was eclipsed by their insecurity. As disciples of Jesus, we find freedom from insecurity by finding all-sufficient security in Jesus.
Why Are You So Easily Offended?
September 29, 2024 • Jason McNutt • 1 Peter 2:6–8, Luke 17:1–4, Leviticus 19:14, Ezekiel 14:3–5
“Being offended” is a prolific cultural sentiment. With all the effort made to avoid offensiveness, we ignore the fundamental question, “why is this happening?”. This is especially challenging for us as Jesus’ disciples. How do we share the Gospel which Scripture itself describes as fundamentally offensive. In this series, we will explore how understanding “why” can show us how to preach the Gospel with faithfulness and clarity.
