April 2, 2023 • Waymond Hampton • 1 Corinthians 10:31, John 17:18–21, John 5:18–20, Psalm 139:1–12, John 17:3
Waymond Hampton closes out our Laying it Down series by teaching on laying down compartmentalization. Our culture conditions us to break our lives into different "rooms" that don't tend to overlap one another, and this can cause us to live a disjointed spiritual life. As we apprentice to Jesus, though, the walls can come down and we can become attentive to God's voice in all situations, living a life of restored relationship with the Father, just as Jesus did.
Laying down money's power
March 26, 2023 • Bo Noonan • Acts 11:27–30, Proverbs 21:20, Psalm 50:10–12, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Luke 16:13
Bo Noonan teaches about laying down the power that money and possessions can have on us. According to God's word, money is not a neutral thing, but rather has power to do either good or harm. As we apprentice to Jesus, we learn to find purpose in the way we spend, save, and give in ways that build God's kingdom, rather than our own little kingdoms.
Laying down the need for approval
March 19, 2023 • Wes Swarthout • Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 5:16, Colossians 3:23–24, 1 Corinthians 9:24–25, Galatians 1:10
Wes Swarthout teaches about laying down our need for approval. Because of what Jesus has done, we can moved from seeking approval to accepting and living in the grace, love, mercy, and secure identity that comes from being hidden in the work of Jesus.
Laying down unforgiveness
March 12, 2023 • Bo Noonan • Matthew 18:21–35, Romans 12:18
Bo Noonan teaches on the difficult but necessary discipline of laying down unforgiveness. In Matthew 18, Jesus shares a parable of amazing significance in response to Peter's question, "How many times do I have to forgive my brother?" Forgiveness is an act of faith. Faith that God has forgiven us more than we understand, and faith that his justice will be justly served - whether we see it in our lifetime or not.
Laying down our story
February 26, 2023 • Andy & Alissa Cooley • John 21:25, Luke 17:11–19, Luke 9:20–24, John 1:1–3
Andy and Alissa Cooley kick off our series, Laying it Down, by helping us see the wonderful truth that laying down our story into the beautiful story of God brings ultimate security and joy. As we see more of who Jesus is and the story that he has been writing since the beginning of Creation, we find that our own story finds its ultimate purpose and meaning.
Laying down our desires through fasting
March 5, 2023 • Bo Noonan • 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Matthew 6:16–18, 1 Peter 2:11, Titus 2:11–14
Bo Noonan teaches about the spiritual discipline of fasting. Fasting is laying down our desires, wants, and even needs, in order to feast on God and his provision. It prepares us for life as we rely on our Father, rather than the things of the world. Laying down our own desires is a hallmark of following Jesus, the ultimate example of a life laid down.