We have a Heavenly Father who desires to have an intimate relationship with us, a relationship in which we can be fully known with no fear of rejection. But what stops us? What are obstacles the hinder that relationship.
In this message we start to unpack some of the obstacles that hinder a close relationship with God.
Zach Williams performs "To the Table" live.
This video was played before Kevin’s Message.
We have a Heavenly Father who desires to have an intimate relationship with us, a relationship in which we can be fully known with no fear of rejection.
Scripture: John 15:5, John 5:19, Revelations 3:20, Genesis 1:26-28, Revelation 21:1-4
In this skit, packed with humor and depth, The Skit Guys dig into what the Serenity Prayer is all about. As one man prays the prayer, God challenges him to understand what the words actually mean, and to actually mean the words he says. This video was used prior to the interview.
We should remove every unnecessary barrier to the person and message of Jesus. It’s for the world. People should feel like the message is for them. The gospel is an invitation for everyone. That should be clear.
Scripture: Acts 15:1–2, 5, 7–8, 10–11, 19–21
Aftermath Part 3 - Discussion Questions
The apologetic of the early church was built on the resurrection.The Jewish flavor of early Christianity created an unhealthy, blended-model tradition, that almost derailed the entire enterprise. Things came to a head at the Jerusalem Counsel.
Scripture: Acts 9:1-6; 10-19; Acts 10 & 11; I Corinthians 5:12; Galatians 5:6
If you were raised on a version of Christianity that relied on the Bible as the foundation of faith, a version that was eventually dismantled by academia or the realities of life, maybe it’s time for you to change your mind about Jesus. Maybe it’s time for you to consider the version of Christianity that relies on the event of the resurrection of Jesus as its foundation. If you gave up your faith because of something about or in the Bible, maybe you gave up unnecessarily.
When you lose your fear of death, all fear is gone. The disciples’ hope was not in the Scriptures, but what they had seen and heard. The reason for our faith in Jesus—and thus our hope—is the resurrection. We must reclaim this hope for the sake of the generation that left faith and the next generation as well. So if you gave up on Christianity because of something in the Bible or something about the Bible, maybe it’s time to step back onto the firm foundation of our first- century friends, placing your confidence in the event that started it all.
The Bridge supports Tricia DeBoer who serves as a Missionary in Uganda working with the Acholi Tribe. On Sunday April 14th, Steve Brethour and Bill Scholfield traveled to Uganda to see first hand the work that Tricia is doing there as she serves in the Acholi Quarter and works with “I Live Again Uganda”, in Gulu. This is a report from that trip…
Jesus didn’t come to initiate Judaism 2.0. He came to offer something entirely new to the world: a new covenant that would forever change humankind’s relationship with God. And with that new covenant came a new ethic—one that insisted that the greatest choose the back of the line.
Scripture - John 11:57; 12:12; Luke 22:6; Matthew 22:15–16, 24–25, 33–40; John 13:34–35; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4–5; Philippians 2:5; Ephesians 5:1–2; John 13:34
The words “unlimited” and “unconditional” make us suspicious. Whether those words describe an insurance policy, cellphone agreement, we assume unlimited is really limited and unconditional has some conditions. That suspicion extends to our relationship with God. Unconditional love? Unlimited forgiveness? There must be a catch. But what if there isn’t?
Scripture - John 11:57; 12:12; Luke 22:6; Matthew 22:15–16, 24–25, 33–40; John 13:34–35; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4–5; Philippians 2:5; Ephesians 5:1–2; John 13:34
Jesus introduced the most powerful, transformational, and inspirational leadership principle on the planet. Every leader you respect practices it. The leaders you don’t respect don’t practice it. You can lead without it, but you won’t be a leader worth following unless you embrace it.
Scripture - John 11:46–48, 53–54; 12:9–12, 19; 13:4, 8, 13–17; Mark 10:32–38, 41–45
Jesus claimed to be greater than the temple. He made the temple obsolete. Most of his followers assumed his end game was to declare himself king. The more discerning among them sensed something else was going on. Jesus spoke with authority but refused to take charge. He wielded extraordinary power, but never for himself. What was he up to?
Zach Williams performs "To the Table" . This video was played at the end of Steve’s message.
Scripture - John 3:1–10, 14–15; John 3:16–17
Something in us is tempted to believe God loves his law more than his people. We’re tempted to prioritize rules over people. Maybe you left church because somebody prioritized the Bible over your divorced mother or gay brother. But Jesus came to offer us a life greater than keeping religious rules.
This video was played at the end of Kevin’s Message.
Scripture - Matthew 5:17; 7:28–29; 12:1–2; Mark 2:27; Matthew 12:6; Mark 13:1–4; 1 Corinthians 6:19
If you are not a particularly religious person or you used to be and walked away from that, I’m confident you have a good reason. After all, you are a reasonable person. As a reasonable person, I want to give you a reason to reconsider Jesus. Jesus came to introduce something brand-new… to the world, for the world.
Against all odds, a band of Jewish blasphemers were following a crucified teacher with…
No territory – No military – No sacred texts
Scripture - John 1:29; Luke 4:14–15; 7:16; 6:20; Matthew 5:13–14, 16–18, 21–22; 7:12, 28–29; 12:6; 28:18–20
When you read the Gospels, two things are abundantly clear. Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus. And being an unbeliever doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus. So, what does that mean for you?
Scripture - Luke 4:14–15, 40; Matthew 4:20,22; Luke 5:1–11; 1 Peter 2:23–24
“Might makes right” is the default setting for the world. Those with wealth and power write the rules, and they usually write them to favor themselves. That was true in Jesus’ time as well. But he came to turn everything upside down.
Jesus established a new, upside down kingdom. Power would be leveraged for the powerless. Wealth would be leveraged for those in need. Influence would be leveraged for those without a voice. The first would be last and the last would be first.
Scripture: Matthew 3:14; 4:1–10; Luke 4:13–14; Mark 10:45; Luke 9:25