It takes advantage of people. 

It takes the Lord's name in vain. 

It takes matters into our own hands. 

It takes the blessing out of the blessing. 

But whatever deceit takes, God gives more through Jesus. 

The bitterness of trials can lead us to wrestle with trust (26:1-11).

The blessings of success can lead us to wrestle with strife (26:12-21)

The bitterness of problems can lead us to wrestle for praise (26:22-25)

The blessings of comfort can lead us to wrestle against compromise (26:26-35)

Our wants can lead us to wrestle with God's plan. 

Our wants can lead us to wrestle with God's provision.

Our wants can lead us to wrestle with our position. 

We wonder at the angels' proclamation of Jesus as Savior, Christ, and Lord.

We wonder with the angels at our privilege - to know Christ and his salvation in a way they can only long to look into.

The wonder of prophecy is that it's not implausible but impossible, not prediction but promise, not delay but design.

the only Son of God,

     begotten from the Father before all ages,

          God from God,

          Light from Light,

          true God from true God,

     begotten, not made;

     of the same essence as the Father.

     Through him all things were made.

     For us and for our salvation

          he came down from heaven;

          he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,

          and was made human.

          He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;

          he suffered and was buried.

          The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.

          He ascended to heaven

          and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

          He will come again with glory

          to judge the living and the dead.

          His kingdom will never end.

John tells us to know what God is like, we look to Jesus and to those who belong to Jesus. 

Bring your suffering to church that we might pray together

Bring your song to church that we might praise together

Bring your sickness to church that we might seek healing together

Bring your sin to church that we might seek forgiveness together

1. Hoping in stuff leads to the sins of idolatry, injustice, and indulgence while producing the miseries of elusive pleasure and eternal pain.
2. Hoping in Christ leads to growth in patience, peace, and perseverance while bringing us the joy of knowing all pain is temporary and ultimate pleasure is forever - Jesus is the treasure!

Jesus changes how we ask when we pray

Jesus changes what we expect when we pray

Jesus changes everything, including the trials we face. 

CONVICTION

CELEBRATION

CONSECRATION

When resistance tries to discourage us, we devote ourselves to God's call

When resistance tries to deceive us, we defend ourselves with God's truth

When resistance tries to distract us, we depend on God's power

On an effective team, everyone unites, everyone serves, and everyone matters. 

A BURDEN is a PROBLEM that awakens a PASSION that leads us to PRAY. 

The Lion is worthy to rule

The Lion is worthy to receive

Is He worthy? He is!

Who should participate in household worship? Everyone in our home.

Where should household worship happen? Anywhere it makes sense (it is wise to have a regular time and place)

What should be the content of household worship? Read, pray, sing

The cadence of weekly public worship is codified in creation, confirmed by command, and commended by Christ. 

The style of our worship reflects biblical priorities by aiming to be simple, consistent, contextualized, ordered, free, singable, and hospitable.

- Jesus

God saves sinners and sanctifies saints through his word. 

"Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ." (Romans 10:17)

Why?

Because God alone is Creator.

Because God alone is Worthy.

Because God alone is Redeemer. 

We know the content of the Gospel? But are we connected with the hope of the Gospel? 

The hope of the Gospel is forgiveness.

The hope of the Gospel is freedom.

The hope of the Gospel is forever.

The hope of the Gospel is forgiveness.

Creation explains the world as it should be. (Genesis 1)

Corruption explains what happened to the world. (Genesis 3)

Catastrophe and Confusion explain the world as it is. (Genesis 6-9, 11)

But there is hope for the world to be restored to what it should be! 

Next week we will consider Christ, his Cross, and the Consummation.

He teaches us to pray relationally, audaciously, openly, continually, and expectantly. 

- Jesus

It means the Gospel shapes our identity (as children of God)

It means the Gospel shapes our lives (as those who do our Father's will)

It means the Gospel shapes our relationships (as brothers and sisters in Christ)

The Good Shepherd calls the flock (and we must respond).

The Good Shepherd leads the flock (and we must follow).

The Good Shepherd keeps the flock (and we must rest). 

Our connection is intimate

Our connection is interdependent

Our connection is indispensable

Our connection is intentional

If resurrection is reality, the last will be first. 

If resurrection is reality, the dead will be alive.

If resurrection is reality, the world will be changed. 

In these final greetings, Paul models and commends at least seven characteristics of a church growing more deeply rooted in Christ:

Affection

Affirmation

Reconciliation

Communication

Hospitality

Unity

Service

He is our Savior and the Lord of all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities:

As husbands and wives

As children and parents

As workers and bosses

victory over the world

victory over  the flesh

victory over the devil

- struggling for one another's encouragement

- struggling for one another's belonging

- struggling for one another's assurance

- struggling for one another's good

Three essential parts of our mission: 

1. The cost of our mission: a ministry of suffering and stewardship
2. The content of our mission: a mystery of riches to be revealed
3. The culmination of our mission: a maturity in wisdom and work

The One who is above everything (Jesus) has done everything so you can have everything and overcome everything.

Pray for your church to grow full of wisdom (1:9)

Pray for your church to grow fruitful in works (1:10)

Pray for your church to grow fortified for the walk (1:11-12)

The root of the Gospel is Christ, as we receive and rest in him alone.

The fruit of the Gospel is change, as we are transformed by grace and bear fruit of faith, hope, and love.

Moving beyond intellectual agreement, this message challenges you to reflect: Is your relationship with Jesus just intellectual agreement with the facts? Or is it a transformative, life-enveloping faith? We discuss what it means to truly receive Jesus, emphasizing the difference between knowing about Him and personally knowing Him. This isn't just about salvation; it's about enriching the fabric of our daily lives with a genuine, relational faith. As we delve into this introduction to the series, we invite listeners to ask three simple but important questions of their own faith as a “root check” of their walk with God. Prepare to reassess your spiritual life with a heart open to embracing Jesus in every step you take.

- Jesus

- Jesus

But the beginning of this story is one of weariness, tragedy, and loss. We see in chapter 1 that our weariness comes from circumstances beyond our power and decisions within our power. But rest comes from the God of all power. 

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

In this passage, Jesus provides a model for how to invite others into your life through intentionality ("the next day again..."), curiosity ("what are you seeking?), and hospitality ("come and you will see"). 

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

John 1:35-39

Living without The Lord looks like seizing control of my life - my work, my world, through my worry - and with it vanity and anxiety.

Living with The Lord looks like surrendering control of my life - and receiving meaning and purpose, rest and peace.

Starting Point is our class for those exploring membership with Back Creek Church. In this series, we take a deeper dive into that content as a helpful refresh for our members and to help our guests know better who we are and why we exist. It all starts with the Gospel. 

Come and see! Come and worship! Go and tell!

Jesus may have been too weak to carry his cross, but he was strong enough to carry all our sin. 

Jesus may have been mocked as the "king of the Jews," but the response of nature to his death shows he is the King of creation.

Jesus may have mocked as one who claimed he could rebuild the temple in three days, but he was referring to his body (which is the fulfillment of the temple - Immanuel, God with us!), and that's just what he did.

Jesus may have been mocked as the "son of God" who couldn't deliver himself, but by receiving this punishment for sinners, he delivered his people. 

Jesus may have been crucified like a common criminal, but the instrument of his execution would become the worldwide symbol of his victory. 

Jesus may have cried out in forsakenness, but he is quoting Psalm 22, revealing his identity as the Davidic Messiah who would endure persecution yet would enjoy the presence and pleasure of God in his sacrifice.

Jesus may have died, but in doing so he gave eternal life to his people. 

And Sunday's coming...

Because they were deceived, the crowds rejected Jesus.

Because they were deceived, the crowds released Barabbas.

Because they were deceived the crowds received judgment.

Recognizing the reality of deception should help us in the way we see ourselves (as vulnerable to deception), the way we see our enemies (deceived by the devil, needing our compassion), and the way we see persecution itself, which often looks and feels like the devil is winning, when in reality it is an instrument Christ is using to build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail  against it!

Betrayal (Judas)

Abandonment (Disciples)

Denial (Peter)

Abstaining (Pilate)

Mocking (Soldiers)

Yet, ultimately we must realize that we are as responsible as these cowards for the persecution and death of Jesus - through which God has brought salvation to all who receive and rest in the risen Christ! 

Toward God, meekness bows the knee, bends the will, and believes the Word.

Toward others, meekness bears mistreatment, bridles the tongue, and binds anger.

Meekness imitates Jesus, overcoming evil with good.

The meek inherit the earth as they never presume on or demand from God, but recognizing that all is grace, they gladly receive what he provides - fertile soil or barren.

Ultimately, the meek (co-heirs w/ Christ!) will inherit the earth (and infinitely more) at the resurrection.

Meekness frees us from an enslaved life, attempting to earn for ourselves an inheritance we could never achieve or deserve, holding on with white knuckles and straining faces to its faint shadows in the accumulation of what we can scrape up for ourselves on the earth.

Meekness also allows us to “inherit the earth” in the sense of our mission. We take our rightful place as beggars who have received bread seeking to show other beggars where to find bread. Our confidence in sharing the good news is not in ourselves but in the God we can trust. He has made promises concerning the nations and his purposes will not fail. The knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Meekness frees us from fear (I’m far worse than whatever you might say or think of me, yet the Gospel says I'm infinitely loved) and meekness frees us from the pressure of having to convince and persuade or perfectly align our behavior with our message (though we strive for holiness by grace) - the word of Christ is the power of God for salvation, not my words or my ways.

"Lord give us grace that we, like them - the meek and lowly - on high may dwell with thee!"

Those who mourn see the HOLINESS of God. 

Those who mourn see the HORROR of sin. 

Those who mourn see the HOPELESSNESS of the world. 

But those who mourn see JESUS as he really is: the only true and lasting source of comfort in the universe! 

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

The poor in spirit renounce self-reliance and embrace Christ-reliance.

The poor in spirit renounce self-righteousness and receive Christ's righteousness.

The poor in spirit renounce self-rule and surrender to Christ's rule (receive the kingdom of heaven). 

Being blessed is about the disposition of God toward us. 

Being blessed is about the orientation of our lives around God and not the world.

Being blessed is about the anticipation of eternity. 

The problem is that none of us qualify to be "blessed." We do not faithfully orient our lives around God and His Word, so we cannot earn his pleased disposition or anticipate eternal life with him... unless we run to Jesus! It is in Christ that we are truly blessed. 

Like the shepherds, when we go, our worship and our message go with us. 

Like the wise men, we give our worship, our joy, and our gifts. 

We who believe are family, not because of natural descent or natural desire, but because of supernatural delivery. 

Yahweh Yireh provides the test(s) we need, the faith we need, and ultimately, the Substitute we need.

The name El Shaddai means "God Almighty" and reveals that God is able to reach us where we are, able to rewrite our stories, and able to redeem us forever.

The name Adonai reveals that God is the Lord who rules everything that is, owns everything we have, provides everything we need, and demands everything we are. 

In Moses's encounter with God in Exodus 3, the Lord reveals His covenant name, Yahweh, the self-existent, unchanging, and faithful God. 

Genesis 1 reveals God as Elohim, the transcendent, personal Creator of the universe. 

We submit to our shepherds (elders and ministers).

We submit to our siblings (fellow believers in Christ). 

We submit to our Savior (everything - our selves, our situations, our safety, and our sufferings)

Overseeing Willingly.

Serving Eagerly. 

Modeling Humbly. 

We trust God because God is good. And we do good because we trust God.

We steward our selves.

We steward our stuff.

We steward our service. 

All for the blessing of others, as an expression of our mission of hope.

We bless our enemies in our suffering.

We bless with the Gospel, which gives us hope in our suffering.

As children of God, we are called to holiness in the way we think.

As children of God, we are called to holiness in the way we live.

As children of God, we are called to holiness in the way we relate. 

Struggle: Fear (disciples huddled in a room afraid)

Response: Peace (the risen Christ comes and proclaims peace)

Struggle: Doubt (Thomas: "unless I see... I will never believe")

Response: Assurance (Jesus: "Put your finger here... do not disbelieve, but believe")

Struggle: Off Mission (disciples returning to their old way of life)

Response: Commission (provision of what they need and restoration of Peter the denier)

Wherever we are in life, it is almost certain that hard days are ahead. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes calls us to remember our Creator now so that we may have hope and meaning and even sweetness then.

The failure of human wisdom to figure it all out is actually a very good thing and a blessing, because it calls us into a trust relationship with God. 

Trust God for His provision. Obey God for your good. Trust God for your eternity. 

Wisdom in our perspective, character, lifestyle, work, and speech. 

Beautiful, Eternal, Generous, Sovereign Creator and Redeemer. 

The Preacher says, "A time to seek and a time to lose."

Jesus says, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

The Preacher says, "A time to be born and a time to die."

Jesus says, "Whoever believes in me shall never die."

The Preacher says, "A time to mourn and a time to dance."

Jesus says, "I will turn your mourning into dancing."

The Preacher says, "A time to weep and a time to laugh."

Jesus says: "There will be no more crying...anymore."

The Preacher says, "A time to keep and to cast away...to embrace and to refrain from embracing...to tear and to sew...to plant and to pluck up."

Jesus says, "whoever comes to me I will never cast out." He runs toward us with open arms like the father of the lost Son. Instead of ripping us to shreds in just judgment, He came to be ripped to shreds for our sake, tearing also the curtain in the temple, that He might sew together and restore that which was torn apart by sin and death; to be the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies and bears much fruit.

And this compels us to live what is *in* heaven *under* heaven:

The Preacher says, "A time to love and a time to hate."

Jesus says, "Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you."

The Preacher says, "A time for war and a time for peace."

Jesus says, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting."

The Preacher says, "A time to break down and a time to build up."

Jesus says through the Apostle: "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood..."

The Preacher says, "A time to keep silence and a time to speak."

Jesus says, "You will be my witnesses."

Searching for meaning in life, the Preacher pursued wisdom.

Searching for meaning in life, the Preacher pursued pleasure.

Searching for meaning in life, the Preacher pursued work. 

They all brought some value to the Preacher's life, but none satisfied his search for meaning. Only God can do that. If we make wisdom, pleasure, work, or anything else under the sun the pursuit of our lives, we will miss a life of true meaning and find ourselves striving after wind. 

But if we make God the pursuit of our work, our pleasure, our wisdom, our very lives, through relationship with Jesus Christ, EVERYTHING we do will be bursting at the seams with meaning!

While life under the sun offers impermanence, the hope of the Gospel is eternal life.

While life under the sun offers dissatisfaction, the hope of the Gospel is eternal joy.

While life under the sun offers repetition, the hope of the Gospel is being a new creation in Christ.

While life under the sun offers insignificance, the hope of the Gospel is that our lives count and will be recognized and rewarded by Jesus. 

Why according to Jesus should we not be anxious?

Because God is our Master.

Because God is our Provider.

Because God is our Father.

So teach us to number our days

   that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Return, O Lord! How long?

   Have pity on your servants!

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

   that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

   and for as many years as we have seen evil.

 Let your work be shown to your servants,

   and your glorious power to their children.

Let the favor  of the Lord our God be upon us,

   and establish the work of our hands upon us;

   yes, establish the work of our hands!

They waited with patience.

They waited with faith.

They waited with intimacy with God. 

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

The Old Testament anticipates the Son of God. 

The New Testament announces the Son of God.

You are adopted through the Son of God. 

But Joseph, like us, was a man of imperfect character who needed a Savior. Jesus is that Savior with perfect character. Joseph, like us, was a man of imperfect compassion who needed a Shepherd. Jesus is that Shepherd with perfect compassion. Joseph, like us, was a man of imperfect commitment who needed a Substitute. Jesus is that Substitute with perfect commitment to the plan of redemption. 

But according to God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7), being born wasn’t enough. It was necessary for the Messiah to be a son of David. But the Apostle Matthew’s genealogy doesn’t establish Jesus as the natural, biological son of David. Rather, it shows that Joseph, who is not Jesus’s biological father, is the descendant of the King. Jesus became the Son of David through adoption.

That we might be adopted by God, Jesus had to be adopted by Joseph.

This shows us 3 truths: 

1. God has a plan (and it's good!)
2. God keeps his promises (often in unlikely ways!)
3. Adoption is close to God's heart (and it should be to ours as well!)

Remember his provision.

Remember his power.

Remember his precepts.

Remember his presence.

Remember his praise. 

Give Thanks to the Lord!

Pray

Live

Witness

Because Jesus is Lord, His Kingdom is our primary citizenship (not that in our nation).

Because Jesus is Lord, His Church is our primary community (not our political compatriots or tribe).

Because Jesus is Lord, His Great Commands and Great Commission are our primary calling (not obtaining, maintaining, and wielding political power). 

Unity that brings joy comes from our new mind, new motivation, new model, and new mission in Christ.

How can we make Christ our all?

How can we die with joy?

How can we live with joy?

Paul finds joy in Christ as his suffering serves his evangelism.

Paul finds joy in Christ as his suffering serves his example.

Paul finds joy in Christ as his suffering serves Christ's ends.

Though we long to be together, we can find joy in our continued perseverance toward the goal. 

Though we long to be together, we can find joy in our continued partaking of God's grace.

Though we long to be together, we can find joy in our continued prayers for God's people.
 

To lament well, we need to be honest with God about what we want. (13:3-4)

To lament well, we need to be honest with ourselves about who God is and how he has dealt with us (13:5-6)

Because Christ is risen, we have hope that sin is defeated.

Because Christ is risen, we have hope that Satan is defeated.

Because Christ is risen, we have hope that death is defeated.

God is the Source of all nations. God is the Sovereign of all nations. God is the Savior of all nations. 

By grace, God saved, sustained, and sent Noah.

By grace, God saves, sustains, and sends us, too! 

1. In the midst of our rebellion, God pursues us. (3:8-13)
2. In the midst of our rebellion, God provides for us. (3:16-24)
3. In the midst of our rebellion, God promises to redeem us (3:14-15)

1. Denying God's Goodness (Genesis 3:1-5)
   - Denying God's Command (vs. 1, "Did God actually say...")
   - Denying God's Credibility (vs. 4, "You will not surely die...")
   - Denying God's Character (vs. 5, "He knows you will... be like God...")
2. Deceiving God's People (Genesis 3:6)
3. Distorting God's Gifts (Genesis 3:7-24)

Jesus is the Light of God whom the darkness has not, cannot, will not overcome.

Jesus is the love of God who brings home alienated prodigals, giving us the right to become children of God.

Jesus is the grace of God who removes our earned condemnation.

Jesus is the truth of God who frees us from the lies of the world and the enemy.

And though the wages of sin is death, they will not have the last word, because Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away our sin! 

"Why lies he in such mean estate, where ox and lamb are feeding?

Good Christian, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading

Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be born for me, for you

Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary."

Lord, let your love hover near

Don't let your sweet mercy pass over us

Let this blood cover over us here

- Andrew Peterson, "Passover Us," Behold the Lamb of God

We love our neighbors with humility when we realize the better story is not about us. Self-focus will make us haughty. Christ-focus will make us humble.

Our core values that drive our mission:

Real Hope - the struggle is real, but there is hope. 

Deep Connection - the Gospel creates an uncommon community.

Full Engagement - Back Creek Church is us, but it isn't about us.

Wide Reach - we love our neighbors and we love the nations.

When the risen Christ ascended to heaven, he did not leave us with a great CLUB to enjoy with likeminded people, a great COMFORT to magnify our own consumerism and preferences, a great CROWD that gathers for a production every weekend, or a great COALITION by which we might use political power to enforce change on the world.
He left us with a Great COMMISSION: Be disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. This is the mission of the Church and our church.

Proverbs 13:25, 14:30, 19:23, 3:5-8

How? Through relationship with God, following Jesus down the path of righteousness, and sharing the abundant life with others.

It all comes down to one thing, really: get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.

Emotions can be a great navigator but they are almost always a terrible driver.

F - feel your feelings (it is not healthy to ignore or suppress them)

E - engage your feelings (question them - what? why? how? who?)

E - express your feelings appropriately (to the Lord, to yourself, to others)

L - listen to the Word and the Spirit (emotions can show you where you are and how you got there, but let the Lord drive your life, by listening to his Word and the Holy Spirit)

S - submit your feelings to Christ (we tend to live in our own private emotional world, but if Jesus is Lord of our lives, he is Lord of our emotions as well - we need to invite and submit)

Jesus is uniquely qualified to be our Wonderful Counselor because he is God. Jesus is uniquely qualified to be our Wonderful Counselor because He is human. Trust Him. Accept His invitation. Listen to His Word and do what He says, knowing that He has already dealt with the problem that gives rise to every other problem in our lives and in this world through his life, death, and resurrection.

***Our apologies, there were some technical difficulties during this service which are heard on the recording.

The real hope of the Gospel creates deep connection among those who believe it and embrace it.