Foundations - Midway Community Church

Obey

March 24, 2024 • Marc • Luke 21:34–36

Freedom is an Illusion slave to sin or slave to righteousness Street Art why are you doing what you’re doing? you are obeying something popular opinion subliminal messages marketing department make unhealthy things seem cool pushing products, chasing eyes and wallets influencers pushing agendas politicians pushing new norms your parents who love you a God who wants you to thrive you are shapeable if you aren’t alert, awake, you will get dragged away Luke 21:34-36 be on guard: you are in a battle guard against something specific Jon the shooter eternity in mind - limited time your future is coming quickly purpose now be attentive in prayer for strength in prayer for resolve (commitment) stand in his presence: with confidence without regret

Freedom

March 17, 2024 • Marc • Galatians 5:1

Standing in grace, leads to walking in freedom admitting we are all in process but not giving the enemy a foothold or create comfortable mess with things that will lead you astray Luke 4:18 “set free those who are oppressed” freedom is more than fireworks a lot of people think freedom is doing whatever you want is there ever a situation where you can do whatever you want? No under the constitution under your parents authority biblically free from death and consequence of sin but you still aren’t in charge You are not good enough, powerful enough, strong enough wise enough let God be God humble yourself freedom is slavery to a God who loves and cares away from an enemy who destroys the writer of Psalm 199 got it: Psalm 119:45 power to choose him we still battle sin bitterness, control, anxiety, immorality, pride Galatians 5:1 The enemy wants to take away our ministry and potential to impact others there are battle lines, stronghold, difficult struggles how do we battle for freedom? freedom only comes in the nearness of Jesus 1) Christ’s work Freedom only comes through nearness to Christ in God is light, John 1 Light: illuminates and purifies Know the Truth then practice the truth Knowing about God vs Knowing God 2) know what he has done in Christ, your slavery to sin has ended in Christ you are free to chose Him to walk in His ways to treat people with Grace to be different some of you have never tried it Hot Kool Aid 3) stand firm > temptation to move, to fail, to shrink back, lose faith John Newton 4) understand what’s at stake unforced error the old ways remains - never dealt with the old ways return - season of carelessness the old ways have to be exposed and dealt with there may be a day coming up when you really struggle with faith, I see stories in these foundational years, missed opportunities to build good habits the truth has to trickle down to our heart sin grows and thrives on the darkness the enemy wants you to hide Romans 13:11-14

Relationship

March 10, 2024 • Marc • Hebrews 10:22–24

We have a desire to be known in community importance of strong support/ healthy relationships? loneliness is dangerous heart disease, depression, more dangerous than obesity, isolation God’s world confirms what God’s Word always says everything has the mark of community Adam and Eve multiply - family Abraham - nation my people - life in relationship with him and others Jesus connects with people, hundreds of followers equipped and prepared disciples - churches pop up Paul talks about the body of Christ heaven - every tribe and tongue looks around and see broken community war divorce, drama, pain suffering, messiness, racism sin destroys everything we were created for the gospel invades the bad news good news changes relationships the gospel is not merely personal - Hebrews 10:14- it’s been finished 18 we don’t need sacrifices, 19: because of the finished work - embrace the gospel over time Brothers, adopted into the family, all kids of backgrounds confidence feeedom liberty boldness 22-24 let us: drawn near Hold fast Stimulate and encourage Faith hope love We need each other for these things cannot do it alone see each other, talk to each other, The vehicle is the church we have to be committed to the body of Christ in church we gather for a purpose why? We preach the word because it’s profitable Study and submit We sing the word, the promises of God We pray together we celebrate new life some are building bad habits we cannot live out the Christian life without participating smaller pockets Live out the “one another” Love Serve forgive, honor, bear one another’s burdens more than just hanging out who are you helping follow Jesus? growth, accountability, prayer, support true for me my testimony Acts 2: devoted to study, prayer, worship, God was at work because the people realized they were created for community, called to community growing to be like Jesus - together 1 do I understand Gods design? 2 take a step: build new habits, do something together, be a good example for each other 1 Peter 2:9: we may proclaim called us embrace the gospel, pursue connection, watch God use that to transform us and the world around us

Moment

February 25, 2024 • Marc • John 3:16–19

Romans 5:1-2 embracing the Gospel at a point in time - receiving, recognizing, bow embracing over time - walking in him Justification by Faith - it’s done Sanctification, walking over time, transformed the exact moment: he is Lord and savior now not born that way (psalm 51:5) not enough to be in a church, Christian home have I put my faith in Christ alone? John 3:16-19 condemned vs not condemned overthrow hearts Save people from sin Gospel begins with God and His love get this point right Small miss in the starting point has a huge impact His grand scale; the creator heavens and earth, people with purpose every person we look at has value made for him why can’t you pick your own purpose, write your own story? you aren’t great enough! everything else will leave you empty something went wrong: bad news perish? because of sin active rebellion, thoughts and hearts what word do people use if they sin (mistake)? we know that isn’t strong enough sin recognizes the error was done in rebellion against God - against him Miss the mark of Gods perfection and as image bearers we misrepresent him started w/ Adam and Eve - cover up, just blame others, no responsibility Exodus 34:6-7: there will be punishment His love doesn’t cancel out his righteousness doesn’t hide from sin or cover it up he confronts sin and destroys sin forgives sin; it doesn’t define our relationship forgive and forget I choose to not let that wrong define me or my relationship with others - it’s not forgetting, it’s remembering that Christ, not sin, not the hurt,is in control Justified: it is finished you were born again - that’s done you moved from darkness to light you were lost, now found when you believed: are convinced of place confidence in are committed to know to be true entrust yourself to “whoever believes IN HIM” Christ, and who He says he is: fully God, not less the enemy worthy of worship - sought first worth following - set apart and Holy the example King and Lord, we submit to Him maybe you struggle with that young believer: I want to know more, I fall short but I do believe, help my unbelief > sanctification maturing believer, more like Christ - journey of Faith leads to deeper roots, fruitful ministry not believer: I don’t care; does my current attitude towards God represent my heart, if I’m honest justification itself is good news because of where it leads: hey your righteous, so what? you get to have fellowship with Jesus this is the Gospel: everlasting Life unreachable riches (Eph 3:8) Immeasurable riches joy no apathy > love the Light!