Every Nation Under Heaven: Identity (2)

Talking about Identity in Christian circles has become so popular as to be cliche. We are so used to the term “in Christ” that we don’t hear it anymore. But frequently, Christian identity is treated as an individual or psychological category. We know we aren’t supposed to put any identity over that one. But how? The real question is this: if “in Christ” is our primary social identity, then how do we go about constructing a positive Christianity that reigns over our ethnic, national, political, and economic identities? We are going to need new values, new heroes, and a new hope. Check out our sermon on Hebrews 11 below!

Every Nation Under Heaven: Identity

The truth: if you believe in Jesus, Christian is your identity. Its like your last name- its paramount.

The trap: especially for majority culture Christians, it is difficult to live like this.

The transformation: the apostles were willing to do something to bridge the gap between what they were called, and how they lived.

Check out our sermon on Acts 6 and Galatians 3 below!

Every Nation Under Heaven: Unity

Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter. Police Brutality or Protecting the Peace. 1619 or 1776. In America, on race, it seems like we are forced into a constant Either/Or. Alone of every narrative, Christianity provides some hope of unity. Listen to our latest sermon, Every Nation Under Heaven: Unity, at the link below!

Wine and Prophets, Beer and Brotherhood

Summer Announcements

1. Fellowship: Over the summer, we are going to provide a couple fellowship groups, designed so that you can drop in and out anytime you are in town.

   1. Women: Join us for wine and a study of the minor prophets, Wednesday at 715 at Elizabeth Rick's house (98 Coffee Pointe Drive). Text her for the gate code (843-540-2653) when you get there

   2. Men: Beer and brotherhood. Bring your own beverage and lawn chair, and meet in Harrison Key's driveway on Thursday. A local music phenomenon will be playing from 7-8 in the garage. If bleeding ears is your cup of tea, join then; otherwise, come hang out from 8-10.

2. Worship: I'll send out an email later this week when we have a worship location nailed down for Sunday. We will meet at 10 am.

Every Nation Under Heaven: Pentecost

2000 years ago, God sent a message we still seem not to have received: He cares passionately about racial injustice and division, and he calls his people to care passionately about it too. For their own good. Check out the first sermon in our series on Race and Christianity below.

Sunday Worship (5.24.20)

When Yuri Gagarin went into space, he looked around and didn’t see God. When Buzz Aldrin went into space, he took communion? What accounts for the difference? Who are you more like?

On this Ascension Sunday, we remember that God is not in the business of justifying himself to us… he doesn’t submit to our rules, or offer all the explanations that we want. We submit to him- and that gives us the opportunity to respond to these difficult times with humility, courage, and compassion. Join us for digital worship by clicking here. Here is a link to the order of service to follow along.

Sunday Worship (5.17.20)

Quarantine is a strange time to think about joining a new church. Who knows what the future will bring? And yet… maybe that’s exactly the reason to think about doing it! What if this pandemic is an opportunity to recognize anew the truth of Jesus’ words: that we must “build our house on the rock.” How does worship train us to love God, love neighbor, and love our city? How do you remain faithful to ancient traditions while still speaking to contemporary culture? How do you become a close-knit family, but remain friendly to the neighborhood? Check the image below to check out a worship service at Christ the King! Click here for the order of service to follow along.

Relax! You Aren't That Important.

Readings

1. Old Testament: Leviticus 16:20-34

2. Psalm 62

3. Gospel: Matt. 6:7-15

4. New Testament: 1 Thess. 5:1-11

Devotional
In strange times like this, it is totally understandable that people would talk about the end of the world. Things are so new, different, scary, uncertain... there is a sense in which it is the end of A world, at least for awhile. Our old worlds have shrunk considerably, to the house we live in and the people we live with. And we start to realize that even that house, even those people and our relationships with them, only really fit together in the context of a world where we didn't have to be there all the time. So I understand the suspicion that its the end of the world. 

You are important to God, and he loves you and knows you better than you know yourself. But. But. But part of the reason we move from "my life is changing dramatically" to "its the end of the world" is because we overestimate our importance to the world, and to God's actions within it. And we are inclined to think then that God's care for us is only expressed in the circumstances of this world. 

So many of our readings today encourage us to take a deep breath and relax: because we are just not that important. God's plans and purposes are accomplished in history despite the constant "ending of the world." His care and concern for you is not contingent on this iteration of the world lasting forever (Psalm 62:2). Being oppressed in this world doesn't change his love for you (62:10); riches have nothing to do with it. "People of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. They are together lighter than a breath." (WOW).

So we do what 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 encourages us to do. We keep calm, and live sober, steadfast, holy lives. Because God cares for us and loves us... His World is not ending, even when this version of it seems like it is.

Hymn
A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Prayer
Pray Psalm 61 aloud.