Vision: Celebrating Jesus

Vision: Celebrating Jesus - 5/21/17

This week Chuck focused primarily on the fourth part of the vision for Colossae: The form, purpose and dynamic of our Sunday gatherings as a prominent celebration of Jesus and the Story of God – that infuses us with energy and perspective for the rest of the week.  We admit that for the first several years of our congregation we tended to simplify and minimize the energy spent on Sundays, trying to keep our focus on Monday through Saturday.  But we want to put more energy into celebrating Jesus and the Story of God on Sundays. Hopefully you can see this in some of the recent changes to how things look here now. 

However, any time we look inside rather than outside we can easily become preoccupied with what we’re not doing right and Satan can quickly use the power of sin to bring shame and guilt.  But, if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as it says in Hebrews 12, then God will use that same sin to bring us to him. The fact that you have to work through a sin in your life is God ordained and evidence that God is leading you to him.  God is revealing your sins and disciplining us so that we can experience his life and share in his holiness. 

If we’re honest, when it comes to sin, most of us live with some sort of shame or guilt that can seize and warp our view of scripture and God.  When this is the case, faith becomes just another way of bettering ourselves so that God will accept us – making him out to be our moral manager.  Then my morals and behaviors become the focus and we make Christianity about us – working toward a perfection of our personal conduct.  But, when we see God as a self-giving, loving relationship then we’re invited into union with him today! 

In this, we allow the process of relationship to properly direct our love and celebrate what we’ve been freely given.  When our faith is about relationship, this is an exciting place to be because we’re freed from the slavery to deeds and free to live into and explore the grace of God that invites holiness and participation without shame or guilt.

Questions for Reflection: 

1.       Have you ever had the tendency to see God as your moral manager rather than a loving father with you along the way in your mistakes? If so, how could this have shaped your perspective of him?

2.       When you deal with sin in your life what is the normal sequence you go through in resolving it? How is God involved?

3.       Since our faith is about relationship with God, what do you now think personal holiness means?

Contributed by Sky Cady

Vision: Interdependent Love

5/14 - Vision: Interdependent Love

Sunday Derek walked us through the early church’s response to suffering and prosperity as outlined in Acts 2 and 4. The realization was that in both circumstances the church community sold their possessions and took care of one another. When times were good, the community within the church took care of each other. When times were bad, the community within the church took care of each other. 

One of the ‘ends’ that Colossae wants to strive for as a church is “interdependent community.” The necessary force that would drive a community to be so selfless in how they give of themselves is love. It’s an outpouring of love for one another that leads the early church to sacrifice their land, homes, possessions and money for the betterment of the community. And giving of themselves to one another was not dependent on their external circumstances or dependent on what they would get in return. It was solely a reflection of the selfless love they received from God.

Questions for reflection:

1. In what areas of your life can you grow in generosity? Do you hold too tightly to your time, money or possessions?

2. Are there needs in your life that you’re too prideful to ask help for? 

3. Do you only love when it’s convenient or do you sacrifice for others?

Contributed by Marcus Davis

Vision: Designed for Relationship

5/7/17 - Vision: Designed for Relationship 

God designed his church to function relationally. When we come to the book of Ephesians, Paul lays out some of the basic ways this can happen. In Ephesians chapters 1-3, Paul describes our identity in Christ and in chapters 4-6, Paul tells us how we are to “walk out our faith in everyday life.”  When we’re interacting within the Church, this “walking out our faith” has a communal, unity oriented, “building up,” and intentionally relational aspect.  As we see in Ephesians, God’s will for us reveals a beauty and a need to be involved with people who are different than us, because it’s this diversity that brings a maturity to the church, as each person builds the others up.  

The diversity within the body of Christ, living in community with each other, is God’s relational design for the church.  This diversity in community works itself out as God gifts people with different abilities, mindsets and graces in order to build up someone other than themselves.  Giving of ourselves, in the image of God is what we were designed to do. This means that we need to allow ourselves to need others, because we are God’s chosen means for someone else’s faith maturity.  When we realize we need others and are built up by others - that’s when we can begin to feel like we belong in God’s church.

Just about everything in us fights against God’s relational design for the church. There is in all of us to some degree a reluctance to be dependent on other people. This dependence can cause in us an insecurity in allowing others to know my needs, admitting that I’m not self-sufficient. Whether it’s shame, anxiety, anger or whatever - we may keep other people at arms length. We may feel that in doing so we maintain our sense of value and significance - because they may reject us if we get too close.  But when we love the way Jesus loves – allowing ourselves to be open before others, and allowing them to be who they are before us, then relational interdependence can begin to grow as God designed it. It’s our hope that we can grow as a church in relational interdependency and build each other up as the Lord uses our vulnerability in each others’ lives.

Questions:

1. Do you ever consider that you would be a catalyst for someone else becoming formed in the image of Christ? If so, how? If not, can you identify why you can’t see your contribution to the body of Christ? Possibly rooted in fear, shame or anger?

2. In Ephesians chapters 4-6 what sticks out to you as a key aspect of our relationships to one another?

3. What are we doing or could we do in our community group to walk out our faith in a communal, unity oriented, “building up,” and intentionally relational way?

Contributed by Sky Caddy

Vision: The Multiplying Church

4/30/2017 - Vision: The Multiplying Church

Acts 1

The story of the early church is one of joining with Jesus, by the power and leading of His Holy Spirit, in His ministry of restoring the world to Himself.  The church in that day spread the Good News of God’s redemptive work and love to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and beyond.  So too, we as the church nearly 2000 years later get to join with Jesus, and each other, in being witnesses of this Good News to each other and those around us. 

In Acts 1, we read of Jesus’ encounter with His apostles after His death on the cross for the sins of the world and His resurrection from the grave.  Jesus made clear to His apostles that one day God’s promise of restoring the whole world would be fully accomplished, but in the meantime they would be able to join in His work by “becoming His witnesses” in their immediate community of Jerusalem, then to other communities around them in Judea and Samaria and ultimately, “to the end of the earth.”In order to join with Jesus in this ministry, the apostles would need some things along the way to empower them (the Holy Spirit), to encourage and support each other (the church collectively), and to protect the mission and truth of Jesus as the church grew (church leadership).

At Colossae, we hold true to this same pattern.  Multiplication of disciples, communities and churches is part of God’s plan of restoring the world through Jesus.  It is necessary and healthy.  As Colossae has multiplied from a small house church to several communities and now to multiple congregations, structural changes to support this growth have been signs of progress, health and continued commitment to join with Jesus in the spread of His Good News.

In order to do this, it has been helpful to keep certain things centralized.  Congregations in Tigard, Hillsboro and Sherwood share a unified team of lay elders (volunteer, unpaid leadership) charged with protecting the mission and truth of Jesus and oversee a unified budget for the congregations.  Although they share a unified budget, it is noteworthy that all three congregations are self-sustaining.  

The goal, though, is to keep growing by staying small.  The church is composed of people in diverse stages of their faith, unique gifts and passions, and in different parts of our city.  Just as the church in the book of Acts spread to surrounding areas as a result of persecution and ultimately formed local congregations, we want to multiply throughout Portland and its western suburban communities.  We aim to do this by multiplying disciples, communities and ultimately congregations that bear witness to each other and our neighbors the Good News of Jesus.  All of this is in response to God’s love expressed to us through Jesus and only by His grace and the power of His Holy Spirit that now lives in us as the church.

Question

1. Why is it so important to maintain intimate, personal relationships and communities even as Colossae grows (to grow by staying small)? 

2. How can we as a diverse group of people support, serve and encourage one another better in a more intimate setting

3. What can we learn from the early church about growing as disciples, communities and congregations the bear witness to Jesus and His Good News?

Prayer

“Thank you for restoring hope and demonstrating Your love through Jesus.  Please give me the grace and power to join with You and Your church in sharing Your Good News.”

Contributed by Derek Glos

Luke: Grace as We Grow - Luke 9:28-50

Luke: Grace as We Grow

Luke 9:28-50  

 Much like the disciples that Jesus was dealing with in this passage, within the church, we are all in process and we don’t always connect the dots in everything Jesus said.  The disciples gave up everything to follow Jesus, they were in Jesus core circle of influence and while they had Jesus right in front of them, they still didn’t get who Jesus was and what he was about. When this happens, Jesus doesn’t ditch them or tell them to leave, but continues on his mission.

In Luke 9:28, Jesus is having a conversation with Moses and Elijah in a way that shows the natural and supernatural interacting in an extraordinary way.  Today we can see that this meeting represented the past and present mission of God coming together in the fulfillment of Jesus road to Jerusalem and death on the cross but it wasn’t that obvious to Peter.  As they were leaving, the astounded Peter wanted to savor the moment and set up camp for a while.  But God, kind of interrupts him and says, “This is my son, my Chosen One, listen to him.”  You’re out of your element Peter, refocus.  Sometime we may mystify the disciples and think they were superhuman because they sacrificed so much for years…. but in their process there is much they did not get.  In the same way, we need to realize that while we may know Jesus well, we still don’t understand all of his ways.

After this event, one can see how Jesus may have been getting a little frustrating with His disciples.  They don’t understand who Jesus really is and what is going to happen!  Jesus says, “Let these words SINK IN to your ears. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.”  What was happening was all right in front of their faces, but it didn't mean that they saw it.  Like pushing on a door that says pull, there are often things that are right in front of our faces, but we don’t see it.  In fact, right after he makes this statement, they start arguing about who’s gonna be in charge when he’s gone! They aren’t putting the pieces together that the kingdom of God is not about them.

As we relate to the disciples in these instances, it’s important to remember that in the church, we’re all in a process of getting to know Him.   God is working through all kinds of different people and channels and we’re a part of that – but only a part.  We need to remember that while we are not going to understand some things He is doing, it does not mean we’re not growing or not being faithful.  If you don’t understand Jesus in some ways, join the club.  It’s healthy to have a holy restlessness in our lives - that’s normal - in recognizing that some things are not as they should be. If you notice that you have a little ways to go, find some people here that you can learn from who are a little farther along than you. And thank God for walking with you through your process and ask him to encourage, convict and comfort you along the way.

Questions for Reflection:

1. In what areas of my life am I still in process?

2. What are some parts of scripture that just don’t make sense? (talk about them)

3. What about this passage makes you think deeper about who Jesus is and what he’s about?

Prayer: “God, I’m in process would you continue to form me into your likeness.”

Contributed by Sky Cady

Church is a "Mixed Bag" - Luke 8:1-21

Church is a "Mixed Bag" - Luke 8:1-21

Jesus spent time with all kinds of people and it wasn’t just the super-devoted ones he revealed himself to, it was like a mixed bag of people from all different walks of life and thought processes.  Just because they were around him didn’t mean that they were understanding or committed to what he said.  In the parable of the four soils, Jesus uses this parable to reveal that the seeds the sower sows, will fall on different types of soil. Jesus tells this to show the truth He is teaching is similar in that it will fall onto different hearts and ears and then each person will respond differently according to the soil of their hearts. 

If you're the first kind of soil, that falls on the path and is trampled underfoot and sees no need explore these things, then we’re just glad you’re here at church and we hope you’ll stay long enough to hear a little more and meet some good people.  If you’re the second kind of soil, that falls onto the rocks and withers because of no moisture and has no root, then we just wanna say we know life is hard, and if you stick around to listen to the words Jesus then He will make things clear and give you hope. If you’re the third kind of soil, that falls into the thorns and get's chocked and lets the pleasures of life become distracting, then we hope you can remember that pleasures can be a gift or a goal.  If they’re a gift they can be enjoyed sincerely, but when they become a goal they’ll lead to isolation and loneliness.  If you’re the fourth kind of soil, that falls onto good soil and produces fruit, then stay strong and remember thorns are always ready to grow and arrogance may be just two steps away – ready to blind you from your own rocks and thorns.  

Jesus is teaching here the importance that we need to recognize the Church is a "mixed bag" of people and everyone is on a varying continuum. It is essential that we aren't looking at other people and judging them for what soil they are, but rather make sure we have identified the soil of our own hearts. If we are found in the first 3 soils then it would be helpful for us to consider pursuing friendship with someone of good soil; steady, accepting, and present with you, and take care how you hear what Jesus is saying. When it comes to the church, it’s a mixed bag as well.  If we are healthy, within our community of the church it’s gonna be a mixed bag of soils. Jesus expected it and we should too. 

Questions for Reflection: 

1. How are you recognizing, receiving and accepting what Jesus says?

2. What kind of soil are you at present? What keeps you from being the next kind of soil?

3. What is happening in your life right now that relates to this passage?

Contributed by: Sky Cady

Pushing Religious Buttons - Luke 7:1-49

Thoughts from the message on 3/26/17

Pushing Religious Buttons - Luke 7:1-49 -

In Chapter 7, Luke is addressing a few simple snapshots within Jesus ministry. While they each have a unique message within the narrative, we see here that throughout this entire chapter, that Luke was trying to establish that Jesus ministry wasn’t to the religious of the day, but to those that were outside of the religious culture or to anyone who would listen and respond. These stories would have pushed the buttons of the religious leaders of the day, because their focus was on outward pious expressions and not on serving others.

Luke begins here, by showing us a non Jewish person, the Centurion, who was coming to Jesus in faith. Luke here points out something that was outside of the box, that a non Jewish individual recognizes who Jesus was, unlike the religious leaders who weren’t willing to admit in faith that Jesus had power over the physical world.

Jesus’ willingness to meet the needs of those that were hurting or poor or needy, steps over a line that had been written in the dirt by the religious leaders of the day. Their religion was focused on self protection and comfort rather than for those who were in places of need. In our day, we fight the same battles of self protection and comfort rather than meeting others needs. However, Jesus encourages us to lose our life in order the gain it, in other words following Him equals true life.

When the religious leaders separated themselves from those outside, they were robbing themselves of the ministry and true life that Jesus was desiring for them. It is important for us to remember that we aren’t here to only live a life of comfort and self protection, but as Jesus models for us, to go out and make sure to help others experience the true life in Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:  

1. Where have you removed yourself from experiencing the true life that Jesus offer and sought self protection and comfort instead?
2. If you had to chose one area, what would you turn over to God today in order to seek what He truly desires from Him?
3. What could you do as a group to join Jesus in serving others?

Contributed by: Geoff Leatherman