The Faith of the Outsider
How God Uses Unlikely Heroes
The Bullseye
August 11, 2021 • John 10:14–18, 1 Timothy 2:1–7, Galatians 3:26–29, Colossians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 15:1–8
This message wraps up our class on the book "The Faith of the Outsider." We'll discuss how to put everything we've studied into practice, by making sure to take the Gospel to all people and stop drawing lines where God hasn't drawn them.
The Woman at the Well
August 4, 2021 • John 4:1–42
Jesus didn't play by the rules. Jews and Samaritans weren't supposed to associate with one another becuase of drama and fighting between them that went back hundreds of years. But in John 4, Jesus broke through those barriers to have a life-changing conversation with a woman who didn't exactly have the perfect past. Her story, and the dramatic transformation she experienced, is a reminder that God loves to use unlikely people in extraordinary ways.
Ruth
July 21, 2021
Ruth had a lot going against her. As a foreign widow from Moabite, she faced an uphill battle when she moved to Israel. With little to her name, she relied on the generosity of people like Boaz to find her way. Despite being from the people that was prohibited to come into the assembly of Israel, Ruth was nevertheless welcomed and included through the grace Boaz showed her. Her story teaches us that God lavishes his grace on us when we least deserve it.
Jonah
July 14, 2021
There's definitely insiders and outsiders in the book of Jonah. Jonah, an Israelite prophet, is a clear insider. He encounters from questionable characters like the sailors and the people of Nineveh, who are definitely outsiders. But like so many other stories from our series, it's the outsiders who seem to respond to God in a positive way while Jonah literally runs from God. This is yet another example of the way we have a lot to learn from the people we least expect to be right with God.
Cyrus
July 7, 2021
Wait, that guy? God called the king of the foreign, idolatrous nation Persia his anointed one (Messiah)? Isaiah 45 challenges us to stop putting God in a box by reminding us that God can use anyone and everyone to accomplish his mission. In this Bible Study, Bryan walks us through Isaiah 45:1-13 and shares more about why God chose Cyrus of all people to bring the exiles home and rebuild the Temple. We'll be posting the video to our app, website and social media platforms tonight at 6:30pm.
Rahab and Achan
June 16, 2021
Two stories from the book of Joshua illustrate a dramatic reversal of fortunes. Rahab, the ultimate outsider, shows more faith in God than many of the Israelites themselves. Because of her faith, she is invited to become an honored part of the community. Achan, the ultimate insider, is filled with pride and sins against God and the people of Israel. Because of his sin, he is cast out and sentenced to death. These stories contain a message of hope for the outsiders and a warning for the insiders, and they show us that it's not our past condition or present struggles, but our ongoing faithfulness, that determines our standing before God.
Tamar
June 9, 2021
By the middle of Genesis 38, Tamar was the ultimate outsider: A foreign, childless, banished widow. Her father-in-law Judah wasn't treating her fairly, and her prospects for the future were grim--to say the least. But God didn't lose sight of Tamar, and she wasn't about to fade into obscurity. Instead, she saw to it that the plan of God stayed on track through some rather unorthodox means. You're invited to hear more about how Tamar, an unlikely hero, kept God's people on track!
God's Chosen People
May 26, 2021
One of the most consistent themes in the Old Testament is that Israel was God's chosen people. When God appeared to Abram in Genesis 12, he promised that Abram would become the father of a nation that would one day bless the entire world. In order for this promise to become a reality, God called together one nation to be unique and set apart. But this "choosing" was not intended to exclude others, it was intended to one day bring everyone into a loving relationship with him. In this first part of a new class "The Faith of the Outsider," Bryan explores what it means to be chosen by God and the ministry God is calling us to. We invite you to join us every Wednesday at 6:30pm for this online class.