“Oh Elohim, You’re the God who goes before me

And Prince of Peace, and my heart has found a home.”

“Elohim” by Noah Paul Harrison

We sang the song “Elohim,” and these words rang true because my heart has found a home in

Him. Thank you, Abba Father.

Seventeen people will be going to Africa tomorrow. Twelve from our church gathered on stage.

George Elias is leading the group, which will be helping with crusades and pastor training

sessions in Kenya and Uganda. Elder Ed Jarrell read Scripture and led off praying for them.

Elders Rose Necoechea, Richard Dinnen, and Bill Lorenz interceded for individuals as well as

prayed aloud for the group’s protection and impact. May God be glorified as they lift Him up!

FC’s mission is to culture like Christ, and FC's vision is Jesus. Last week we learned about

adapting, “Making the Shift,” metaphorically from the kitchen to the dining room. Jesus was

eating at a Pharisee’s home, and the people were closely watching Him to see when Jesus

would make a mistake so that they could use it to condemn Him. He was watching them to point

out where they were frozen/stuck and to tell them how they could be unstuck and grow in their

faith and relationship with the Lord.

This week in Luke 14 we see Jesus noticing that all “who had come to the dinner were trying

to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table…..” Luke 14:7 They were vying for the

best seats, however, Jesus warned them to not push for the honored seats but to find the lowest

place and sit there. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who

humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 (NLT) The heart of the message is humility

because the Lord’s kingdom is upside down to the world’s. For example, the first shall be last.

The critical blow to death was when Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Lower is the way

higher.

Other examples of the Lord’s kingdom’s way are evident in other verses.

“Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place

among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head

of the table than to be sent away in public disgrace.”

Proverbs 25:6-7 (NLT)

“…And all of you, serve each other in humility, for ‘God opposes

the proud but favors the humble.’ So humble yourselves under

the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will life you

up in honor.” 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NLT)

The world glamorizes pride, but pride leads to destruction. The Lord encourages us to be

humble, and Jesus modeled humility for us. He took a servant’s role and washed the disciples’

feet. He embodied servant-leadership and wore humility well.