Saturate Series Week 4 | Servants Who Give w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver + Saturday, October 20

Jesus is nearing the end. He knows it. He can feel the conspiracy closing in on Him and His adversaries are thirsty for blood ... His blood. I would have run. Instead, He takes off His robe and gets on His knees. The humility of it all. This is what real power does. Real power doesn't exploit. Real power doesn't dehumanize. Real power doesn't shame. Real power wraps a towel around its waist and washes feet. + AJ Sherrill

Homily Audio | Saturate 4 of 8: Servants Who Give

Homily Scriptures | Philippians 2:1-11

What a Beautiful Name
Hillsong United, 2016 A.D.

You were the Word at the beginning,
One With God the Lord Most High.
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ.

What a beautiful (wonderful) name it is,
What a beautiful (wonderful) name it is,
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a beautiful (wonderful) Name it is,
Nothing compares to this.
What a beautiful (wonderful) Name it is,
The Name of Jesus.

You didn't want heaven without us,
So Jesus, You brought heaven down.
My sin was great, Your love was greater,
What could separate us now.
("Wonderful" Chorus)

Death could not hold You,
The veil tore before You,
You silenced the boast of sin and grave!
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory,
For You are raised to life again!
You have no rival, You have no equal!
Now and forever, our God reigns!
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory,
Yours is the name above all names!

What a powerful name it is,
What a powerful name it is,
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King.
What a powerful Name it is,
Nothing can stand against.
What a powerful Name it is,
The Name of Jesus.

Before the Throne of God Above

Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1860 A.D.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great high Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands!
My name is written on His heart!
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free!
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with Himself I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood!
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Humble
Audrey Assad, 2013 A.D.

Humble and human,
Willing to bend You are.
Fashioned of flesh
And the fire of life You are.
Not too proud to wear our skin,
To know this weary world we're in,
Humble, humble Jesus.

Humble in sorrow,
You gladly carried Your cross
Never refusing Your life
To the weakest of us.
Not too proud to bear our sin,
To feel this brokenness we're in,
Humble, humble Jesus.

We bow our knees,
We must decrease,
You must increase,
We lift You high.

Humble in greatness,
Born in the likeness of man.
Name above all names,
Holding our world in Your hands.
Not too proud to dwell with us,
To live in us, to die for us,
Humble, humble Jesus.
(Chorus)

Offering
Ike Ndolo, 2013 A.D.

My hands shake with guilt and shame,
Still You love me, love me.
Your eyes are bright
And shine so full of mercy, mercy.

Jesus, Bread of Life, Bread for all.
This is my offering, this my everything,
The Son of God who bled and died
And rose again for me.

Your flesh You gave for all
So we could see You, see You.
Your blood poured for all
So we could know You, know You.
(Chorus)

Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Is. 6:5-8; Dan. 9:4-19; Neh. 1:5-10; Lk. 23:34

Call: Thank You, Jesus, our Servant King,
that You gave Your all for us so that we
can be saved and freed to serve with You.

Response: We confess that Your name
is the name above all names, Jesus,
in heaven and on earth.

Silent Personal Reflection and Confession

Call: Thank You that You have given us
Your Word and Your Spirit to serve others.
Now we pray as You taught us to pray:

Response: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil for Thine is the
Kingdom and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer seeking more from Jesus
Jesus, You claim to be the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
If what You claim is true,
please reveal to me who You are.
Give me an understanding of You
that is clear and convincing. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus
Jesus, grant that we may be filled
by You, the true Bread and Vine.
Be present with us, strengthen us,
and empower us to be Your witnesses
together as we seek first Your Kingdom
until You return and make all things new. Amen.

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Benediction 

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” + Matthew 28:19-20

Next sermon audio and liturgy: Saturate Series Week 5 | Ambassadors Who Go and Plead on Behalf of Christ and Neighbor

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Saturate Group | Multiply: A Disciplemaker's Privilege & Joy

Evangelism is more than getting people to change their individualized way of living or convincing them to convert to Christ. It is about inviting them to join God's family and to join forces with what God is doing in the world. + Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race

To strengthen Emmaus City's City Group participants to gather and go together in new missional communities to love our city, we are jumping into Saturate groups this fall that will go through the Saturate Field Guide for the next 2+ months. Here is a previous post in relation to this journey:

+ We Can't Do It Alone: Practice-Based Communities

Eight weeks is a long commitment – and this is a lot of new material with a lot of soul searching in a concentrated amount of time – but Saturate Groups' journeys, both individually and communally, can also be a bit fun when we let down our defenses and look for Spirit-fueled surprises in unexpected moments along the way. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship is famous for the title, but in his introduction he writes, “ ... Discipleship means joy. ... ”

... If we answer the call to discipleship, where will it lead us? What decisions and partings will it demand? To answer these questions we shall have to go to Him, for only He knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow Him, knows the journey's end. But we do know that it will be a road of boundless mercy. Discipleship means joy. ... 

Along with the Saturate Field Guide, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson provides much wisdom and reflection in relation to the cost and joy of following Jesus' lead as an African American woman in Jesus' Church in the mid-Atlantic region. Her book, Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose Through Intentional Discipleship, helps us understand more about the Kingdom work of making disciples; below is an excerpt from Chapter 4: Multiply the Kingdom and the Priesthood.

Intentional Discipleship is a Personal Positional Privilege and a Great Kingdom Responsibility

Like the faithful saints who have gone before us, we understand that this service of priesthood has been given to us as a gift for a specific purpose. In his revelation, the apostle John honors Jesus as the One "who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a Kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father – to Him be glory and power for ever and ever!" The priesthood includes all believers; we are all called to serve God and reveal His glory throughout the earth.

In the Old Testament, the priesthood was never simply about the individual priest's personal relationship and connection with God. The priests were always engaging God on behalf of God's chosen people. The priesthood is not only a personal positional privilege; it is also a great Kingdom responsibility.

Empower Disciples By Raising Understanding of Who We Are and the Expectations of What We Can Do

We would do well to study the priesthood of all believers and take seriously the responsibility we all have to equip and prepare God's children for works of service. People are lost and dying; the spiritual battle is real, and as disciples of Christ, we need all followers on the front lines. The priests of God must prepare the people of God and set them free on mission for God's Kingdom.

We empower by raising our understanding of who we are and our expectations of what we can do. If we are empowered to intentionally disciple, multiply, create, and live our lives on purpose for God, we will embrace the priesthood of all believers as the responsibility of all Christians. 

Yet because of our sinful hearts, we must be careful. God's authority is not given for the promotion of individual pursuits or to exert power over others. We should be humbled when we lead or serve others, recognizing that Christ is our ultimate authority and any influence we have is not about us – it is first about Christ and next about those He has called us to serve.

When we intentionally disciple in transformational communities, we proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. We understand the significance of our calling as the priesthood of God (1 Pet. 2:9) and as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-20). We are deliberate, innovative, and creative. 

Together we glorify God because we are loving, creative, conscious, diverse, and beautiful. Raising up, releasing, and then multiplying followers of Christ to grow and flourish in all parts of the world and in all areas of life is purposeful and intentional Kingdom work.

We Have the Freedom in Christ to be Exactly as God Created Us and to Complete the Work He has Prepared in Advance for Us to Do (Eph. 2:10)

Through intentional discipleship in a transformational community, we continually point people to Jesus and watch as the chains of Satan's kingdom are broken, and we are empowered to live victoriously as priests of God's Kingdom! For this freedom, Christ has come (John 10:10). But this work and commitment will not be easy. Daily, we must submit ourselves to God and discipline ourselves to persevere. What we do consistently over extended periods of time will result in lasting change. As priests in God's Kingdom, we have great responsibility:

When we see darkness, we make disciples who shine God's light. 

When we see evil, we make disciples who overcome evil with good. 

When we see oppression, we make disciples who practice biblical justice and offer hope. 

When we see the poor, we make disciples who invest time and give generously to liberate them. 

When we see hate, we make disciples who love. 

When we see risks, we make disciples who turn risks into opportunities. 

When we see children who are lost, we make disciples who disciple, mentor, and usher them into the presence of Christ. 

When we see doubters who say 'No,' we make disciples who say, 'In Jesus' name, yes we can!'

We must commit to the long haul, doing this work consistently until Christ returns, knowing that our Christian race is not given to the swift or strong but to those who endure until the end. With the hope of our eternal salvation, the finished work of Christ on the cross, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we press forward ... 

4 Theological Foundations That Fuel Our Commitment to a Transformational Community 

| 1 | Christ: Christ's finished work on the cross allows us to live as free and flourishing people. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to live as transformed servants, surrendered to God. God is the author of the entire story of Scripture, and He has given each of us a script or role to play in His grand narrative. God wants us to get involved and join in His work. Jesus said, "I have brought You (the Father) glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do" (John 17:4). Like Christ, we each have a choice to glorify God with our lives and through our work. We glorify God by agreeing with His desire to change the hearts and minds of people, and by discipling them to align their lives and will to His good vision for the world.

| 2 | Conviction: Together we can ponder, "What does the Bible actually say about making disciples?" and "How does the Church practice this conviction?" And together, we will allow the Scriptures to reveal our blind spots. Then, we will move forward with confidence and courage as we prepare our hearts for transformation by the Word, the Spirit, and the Church.

| 3 | Courage: Will we make disciples? This is a courageous question in light of what Jesus calls us to do. James also gives us a helpful warning: "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them" (4:17). We don't boldly declare to God, "I will not make disciples;" but we often simply crowd our lives with a lot of good things that become idols and leave no space for the very things God says must be a priority for all Christians – mainly, loving Him, loving our neighbors, and making disciples of Jesus Christ. It is not enough for us to know what the right things are; we need courage to do them. Sometimes our godly work assignments can be intimidating, but Dr. Halee Gray Scott reminds us that, "courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite fear."  

| 4 | Confidence: It is humbling to know God has written us into His story and wants to use us for His Kingdom purposes. It is also comforting to understand that in spite of our best efforts, "success" in discipleship does not depend on us. It is God alone who changes hearts, transforms lives, and brings us all into alignment with His vision for the world. He does this through the work of the Holy Spirit. By committing to discipleship, we avail ourselves to the transformation process. We can have great joy in living our lives for God's purposes. When our priorities are in order, our lives have clearer focus, and fulfillment in our lives on this earth can be a by-product of our obedience. A common saying goes, "Be the kind of woman who, when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the Devil says, 'Oh no, she's up.'" I don't wake up wondering whether my day is going to count or if my life matters, because my confidence lies in the person and finished work of Christ. My identity rests in Him, and for that reason, I have accepted the work He has assigned to me. You, too, can have this same confidence in living your life on mission for Christ, and you can start in discipleship in a transformational community for Christ's Kingdom purposes. 

+ Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose Through Intentional Discipleship

Please pray with me that Jesus will use this saturated time together with the Saturate Field Guide to make us disciplemakers:

+ who participate in this 2-month Saturate plan to shape Kingdom visions sustained by transformational communities, and 

+ who become sent disciplemakers with City Groups who go with Jesus to love and serve people in our city.

Next post: Saturate Group | Jazz-Shaped Faith: Tension & Transformation

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Saturate Series Week 3 | Foster into Family + Saturday, October 13

Family can be the source of some of the most transcendent human joy, and family can leave us crumpled up on the side of the road. Family can make us become who we are, and family can break our hearts. Why would this social arrangement have that much power, for good or for evil, over us? + Dr. Russell Moore

Homily Audio | Saturate 3 of 8: Family on Mission

Homily Scriptures | Acts 2:42-47

Discipleship Question: Have we understood the cost, preparation, perseverance, and joy of joining with our Father in fostering to adopt His lost daughters and sons into His family? Will we live with a theology of scarcity or theology of abundance?

Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Is. 6:5-8; Dan. 9:4-19; Neh. 1:5-10; Lk. 23:34

Call: Thank You, God our Father, for inviting us into Your abundant life of generosity and hospitality.

Response: May we receive Your abundant life and share it with others so that more will be welcomed home to Your family.

Silent Prayer

Call: Thank You that You have given us Your Word and Your Spirit to open our lives to others. Now we pray as You taught us to pray:

Response: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil 

for Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory now and forever. Amen.

Father Let Your Kingdom Come
Porters Gate Worship Project, 2017 A.D.

Hallelu! Hallelujah!
Father, let Your Kingdom come! (x4)

May the works of my hands
Bring You joy. (x4 + Chorus) 

May the words from my mouth
Speak Your peace. (x4 + Chorus)

You make all things new, You make all things new
In places we don't choose; You make all things new!
(Chorus)

This is Amazing Grace
Phil Wickham, 2013 A.D.

Who breaks the power
Of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty
And so much stronger?
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!
Who shakes the whole earth
With holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless
In awe and wonder?
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!

This is amazing grace,
This is unfailing love,
That You would take my place,
That You would bear my cross!
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free!
Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me!

Who brings our chaos
Back into order?
Who makes the orphan
A son and daughter?
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!
Who rules the nations
With truth and justice,
Shines like the sun in
All of its brilliance!
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!
(Chorus)

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave!

Yes Lord, Yes | In My Weakness
L. Keesecker & S. Robinson
1983 A.D., 1994 A.D.

I’ll say yes, Lord, yes
To Your will and to Your way!
I’ll say yes, Lord, yes
I will trust You and obey!
When Your Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I’ll agree,
And my answer will be
Yes Lord, yes!

In my weakness
You my God are strong.
In my trials, You are my song.
I fall on my knees, I can’t go on,
But in my weakness,
You my God are strong.

Grace Alone
The Modern Post, 2013 A.D.

I was an orphan lost at the Fall,
Running away when I'd hear Your call,
But Father, You worked Your will.
I had no righteousness of my own,
I had no right to draw near Your throne,
But Father, You loved me still.
And in love before You laid the world's foundation,
You predestined to adopt me as Your own.
You have raised me so high up above my station.
I'm a child of God by grace and grace alone.

You left Your home to seek out the lost,
You knew the great and terrible cost,
But Jesus, Your face was set.
I worked my fingers down to the bone,
Nothing I did could ever atone,
But Jesus, You paid my debt.
By Your blood, I have redemption and salvation,
Lord, You died that I might reap what You have sown;
And You rose that I might be a new creation,
I am born again by grace and grace alone.

I was in darkness all of my life,
I never knew the day from the night,
But Spirit, You made me see.
I swore I knew the way on my own,
Head full of rocks, a heart made of stone,
But Spirit, You moved in me.
At Your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened,
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone.
Called into a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
Heaven's citizen by grace and grace alone.

So I'll stand in faith by grace and grace alone!
I will run the race by grace and grace alone!
I will slay my sin by grace and grace alone!
I will reach the end by grace and grace alone!

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer seeking more from Jesus
Jesus, You claim to be the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
If what You claim is true,
please reveal to me who You are.
Give me an understanding of You
that is clear and convincing. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus
Jesus, grant that we may be filled
by You, the true Bread and Vine.
Be present with us, strengthen us,
and empower us to be Your witnesses
together as we seek first Your Kingdom
until You return and make all things new. Amen.

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Benediction 

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” + Matthew 28:19-20

Next sermon audio and liturgy: Saturate Series Week 4 | Servants Who Give w/ Pastor Tra'Vorus Weaver

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Saturate Group | We Can't Do It Alone: Practice in Community

How do we spur one another on toward remembering the Gospel, being faithful in learning from the Word and the Spirit, and being sent on Jesus' mission to redeem and restore together when intentional, consistent training can be trying, difficult, and test our perseverance?

To strengthen Emmaus City's City Group participants to gather and go together in new missional communities to love our city, we are jumping into Saturate groups this fall that will go through the Saturate Field Guide for the next 2+ months.

Eight weeks is a long commitment – and this is a lot of new material with a lot of soul searching in a concentrated amount of time – but Saturate Groups' journeys, both individually and communally, can also be a bit fun when we let down our defenses and look for Spirit-fueled surprises in unexpected moments along the way. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship is famous for the title, but in his introduction he writes, “ ... Discipleship means joy. ... ”

... If we answer the call to discipleship, where will it lead us? What decisions and partings will it demand? To answer these questions we shall have to go to Him, for only He knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow Him, knows the journey's end. But we do know that it will be a road of boundless mercy. Discipleship means joy. ... 

So how do we press on when we are saturated by the Saturate Field Guide in all that God is teaching us as our Father, Rabbi, Savior, and Friend? I think a story about Shauna Niequist that her husband, Aaron, shares in his book, The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning, provides a good comparison – instead of "non-runners," perhaps we fit into categories of "rare-readers" or "short-term only participants" or "timid practicers" – that can help us continue to push in to this concentrated time of focus, determination, and yes, a bit of fun, together that can produce practice-based faith in Jesus to make disciples as we participate in the Spirit-filled seeking of His Kingdom in our city.

And then, to close this post, I wanted to include how Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, in her powerful book, Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose Through Intentional Discipleship, complements the Saturate content by providing foundational commitments and theological foundations that are necessary for transformation along the good, purposeful road of discipleship with Jesus together.

Enjoy. :)

We Can't Do It Alone: Practice-Based Transformational Communities by Shauna and Aaron Niequist

A few years ago, my wife, Shauna, signed up for the Chicago Marathon. It was surprising because Shauna would be the first to declare herself "a passionate nonrunner." But she took the challenge and joined the World Vision running team. Nine months later, she ran 26.2 miles and conquered one of her life goals.

How did she move from being a passionate nonrunner to being someone who could finish the Chicago Marathon? She had the benefit of: 

+ a compelling vision, 

+ a clear plan, and 

+ a group of fellow runners.

Her vision to finish the marathon – both to achieve such a feat to raise money for clean water for kids, in partnership with World Vision – compelled her to rearrange her life around this difficult challenge. Without a compelling goal, there is no way she could have sustained such a high level of training for nine months. 

She also had a concrete plan. Many people throughout history have trained for marathons, and their collected wisdom offers a training schedule with a route to run every day. A passionate vision to run can get you on the trail, but only a time-tested plan can channel your passion toward constructive, lasting results. A vision without a plan begins with a bang but often fizzles out. Or it leads to injury.

Finally, Shauna had the support of a team of fellow runners. Every Saturday morning, the World Vision group met to do its "big run" together. Shauna told me later that not even one time did she wake up on a Saturday morning with a desire to run – and if it had been solely up to her, she probably would have hit the snooze button. But she knew her teammates would be there. She didn't want to let them down, and more importantly, she loved the connection with others who had committed to doing something difficult. The vision propelled her into a wise plan that was sustained in community.

Friends, this may be the most succinct way to describe a practice-based life: it is 

+ a Kingdom vision (going with Christ for the sake of the world) that propels us into 

+ a wise plan (spiritual practices that form a rule of life) that can be 

+ sustained only in community.

A small group often has to do with only belonging or only learning. We desire either a place to be known or a place to study the Scriptures. Both of these desires are good and needed. The problem is, I don't believe that either desire should be the goal of a community. The goal should be learning to be sent together with Christ for the sake of the world. This involves putting Jesus's words into practice. The goal should be obeying Jesus's words after we study them. 

Imagine joining a marathon runners' group that met once a week to talk about what it takes to train for a marathon but didn't run together. You'd share life updates, but the question of "How did your running go last week?" would come up only occasionally. That's because for this group, training for the big race is not the goal. Belonging to a running group is the goal.

I don't oppose belonging or learning, of course. I need to belong and to learn in deep and visceral ways. But they are the means to the end, never the end. One of my friends, Mindy Caliguire, often remarks, "Just because you are meeting with others doesn't mean you are in a transformational community." And the goal of any group (or church or life) is to be transformed into Christlikeness for the sake of the world. Being in community is a matter of life or death spiritually. But when the how gets disconnected from the why, it can lose the plot and lose the power. So with the why clearly in view, let us roll up our sleeves to explore the how of community. How do people form a practice-based community when gathered in a living room or around a dining-room table? They practice the way of Christ together, and they encourage one another to practice this way all week. The community is both means and a beautiful benefit, but we never mistake it for the highest goal. When we gather with a clear vision to learn how to be sent with Christ together, we then begin to discover the transformational power of the Holy Spirit.

+ Aaron Niequist, The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning

We Can't Do It Alone: 6 Foundational Commitments of Transformational Communities by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson

| 1 | Presence: Being present with God and present in community with other disciples is essential for our spiritual transformation.

| 2 | Discipline: Cultivating spiritual disciplines helps us recognize our spiritual poverty and desperate need for God.

| 3 | Mission: Understanding God's Kingdom mission gives us an urgency and intentionality to run our own spiritual race and to invite others to win on the journey of following Christ. 

| 4 | Community: Committing to safe and trusting relationships provides encouragement, accountability, and support. 

| 5 | Relationships: Transformation requires that we embrace people as God does and welcome diverse relationships that reflect true unity in the body of Christ.

| 6 | Love: Transformative discipleship is a continuous sacrificial and selfless act of love that shapes our character, clarifies our spiritual gifts, and affirms our purpose and calling.

The good news is that whether you are leading, following, or learning, God has provided relationships to help you live with Christ in view, with the power of the Holy Spirit inside you, and with great hope and anticipation for your future. The question is will you purpose to (1) evaluate your spiritual condition, (2) consider your commitment to God's Kingdom work, and (3) prioritize making disciples?

+ Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose Through Intentional Discipleship

Please pray with me that Jesus will use this saturated time together with the Saturate Field Guide to make us laborers:

+ who participate in this 2-month Saturate plan to shape Kingdom visions sustained by transformational communities, and 

+ who become sent disciplemakers with City Groups who go with Jesus to love and serve people in our city.

Next post: Saturate Group | Multiply: A Disciplemaker's Privilege & Joy

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Saturate Series Week 2 | Discipleship w/ Faith in Life, Hope with Community, & Love on Mission + Saturday, October 6

Slow down and don't miss this: Jesus's disciples had seen everything they needed to see. Jesus had taught them all He needed to teach them. And they had experienced all they needed to experience with Jesus! And yet, some were still doubting. This is good news for me (and us)! + Jeff Vanderstelt, Saturate: Being Disciples of Jesus in the Everyday Stuff of Life

Homily Audio | Saturate 2 of 8: Discipleship with Faith in Life, Hope with Community, and Love on Mission

Homily Scriptures | Luke 10:1-11, 17

Faith in Life: God's means of your restoration is others in your life who are committed to bringing your brokenness out into the open and bringing the Gospel of Jesus to bear on it. Jesus lived life with His disciples. He was close enough to really know them. The layers with which we've covered ourselves have to be pulled back, and we can't do that work alone. 

Hope with Community: We all need many people who love Jesus around us. You are meant to play a part in equipping and encouraging others. God intends for all of us to actively engage in disciple-making in light of our unique design so that we both do the work and equip others to do it. 

Love on Mission: Jesus called the disciples to join Him on the mission ("Follow Me"), and while they were on the mission with Him, He trained them to be disciple-makers. They listened, watched, and learned in the everyday stuff of life. He did not send them out alone; they went together.

Discipleship Question 1: Comfort? Security? Reputation? Which one has or could hinder you from discipleship now?

Discipleship Question 2: Will you pray the Lord will make us laborers? 

Discipleship Question 3: Who does the Lord want you to extend His peace to? Who will you eat with this week?

Come People of the Risen King
Stuart Townend, 2007 A.D.

Come people of the Risen King,
Who delight to bring Him praise.
Come all and tune your hearts to sing
To the Morning Star of grace.
From the shifting shadows of the earth
We will lift our eyes to Him,
Where steady arms of mercy reach
To gather children in.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice,
O Church of Christ, rejoice!

Come those whose joy is morning sun
And those weeping through the night.
Come those who tell of battles won,
And those struggling in the fight.
For His perfect love will never change,
And His mercies never cease,
But follow us through all our days
With the certain hope of peace.
(Chorus)

Come young and old from every land,
Men and women of the faith.
Come those with full or empty hands,
Find the riches of His grace.
Over all the world, His people sing,
Shore to shore we hear them call
The Truth that cries through every age;
"Our God is all in all!"
(Chorus)

In Tenderness He Sought Me
W. Spencer Walton, 1894 A.D.

In tenderness He sought me
Weary and sick with sin.
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again.
While angels in His presence sang,
Until the courts of heaven rang!

Oh, the love that sought me!
Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh the grace that brought me
To the fold of God!
Grace that brought me
To the fold of God! 

He died for me while I was sinning,
Needy and poor and blind.
He whispered to assure me,
"I've found thee; thou art Mine."
I never heard a sweeter voice,
It made my aching heart rejoice!
(Chorus)

Upon His grace I'll daily ponder
And sing anew His praise
With all adoring wonder,
His blessings I retrace.
It seems as if eternal days,
Are far too short to sing His praise!
(Chorus)

Establish the Work of Our Hands 

Porters Gate Worship Project, 2017 A.D.

If You don't build it, we labor in vain.
Without Your Spirit, we stand with no strength.
I know my life is passing away,
But the works of Your hands will remain. 

Let the favor of the LORD rest upon us.
Oh LORD, establish the work of our hands!
Oh LORD, establish the work of our hands!

Teach us to number the length of our days.
Pour out Your power, we'll pour out Your praise.
Teach us to run, to finish the race,
For only what's done in love will remain.
(Chorus)

Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!

This is Amazing Grace
Phil Wickham, 2013 A.D.

Who breaks the power
Of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty
And so much stronger?
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!
Who shakes the whole earth
With holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless
In awe and wonder?
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!

This is amazing grace,
This is unfailing love,
That You would take my place,
That You would bear my cross!
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free!
Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me!

Who brings our chaos
Back into order?
Who makes the orphan
A son and daughter?
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!
Who rules the nations
With truth and justice,
Shines like the sun in
All of its brilliance!
The King of Glory,
The King above all kings!
(Chorus)

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave!

Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Isaiah 6:5-8; Daniel 9:4-19; Nehemiah 1:5-10; Luke 23:34

Call: Thank You, Jesus, for inviting us to be
Your disciples who announce Your Kingdom.

Response: May we live in light of Your
Kingdom with faith and repentance, and
walk with You with faith, hope, and love.

Silent Personal Reflection and Confession

Call: Thank You that You have given us
Your Word and Your Spirit to walk in Your ways.
Now we pray as You taught us to pray:

Response: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil for Thine is the
Kingdom and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer seeking more from Jesus
Jesus, You claim to be the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
If what You claim is true,
please reveal to me who You are.
Give me an understanding of You
that is clear and convincing. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus
Jesus, grant that we may be filled
by You, the true Bread and Vine.
Be present with us, strengthen us,
and empower us to be Your witnesses
together as we seek first Your Kingdom
until You return and make all things new. Amen.

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Benediction 

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” + Matthew 28:19-20

Next sermon audio and liturgy: Saturate Series Week 3 | Family on Mission

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Saturate Groups | Who am I and How am I?: Questions to Help You Grow in Your Identity in Christ

Learning to be a follower of Jesus in Worcester, Massachusetts with others, resting and striving by grace to become more like Him

The questions below are helpful in revealing where my heart is and how I can continue to grow in speaking to and helping others with the strength that God provides. Perhaps these questions will help you in where you are at in your spiritual considerations about Jesus, too.

Questions that Help Me Consider How I Am Listening to Jesus and Following Him

GATHER AS CHILD IN THE FAMILY OF GOD | UP 

+ Do I share with God regularly my fears and desires? Do I share with others?

+ Who or what do I keep thinking or feeling about that I should pray for? Do I pray for them?

+ Am I living from rest and peace that God has given, or striving for rest and peace I feel like I have to earn? 

+ When do I most need to remember during my day that God provides my strength?  

+ Am I sleeping well (in good rest from God for good work for God and others, not out of exhaustion or desperation)?  

+ Am I eating and drinking well (receiving from God for nourishment, not for escape from life or comfort in fear)?  

+ Would others say that I express vulnerability and hope?

GO AS A SPIRIT-EMPOWERED WITNESS | OUT 

+ Do I have a hope for what God can do in my life and the lives of others? 

+ Am I dying to false ideas of “success,” and instead pursuing faithfulness with God to pursue others? 

+ Am I learning how to follow Jesus with the fruit of the Spirit's joy and patience?  

+ How do I "take risks" for the sake of Jesus being made known? 

+ Do I pray about sharing Jesus and His Gospel with others? 

+ How is my week open to being with friends who do and don’t know Jesus? 

GROW AS A SERVANT OF JESUS | IN 

+ Do I receive time and each day as a gift from God, or a curse to manage?  

+ Do I know how to rest and trust that God is moving when plans change, or am I more prone to fight for control? 

+ How would my friends describe my relationship with them? Am I open or distant?  

+ Would others describe me as a willing and eager servant? How often do I change my plans for them? 

+ Would others say I keep my word when I say I’m going to do something? 

+ How easy is it for me to trust people? How easy is it for others to trust me?  

+ Am I teaching others how to learn to trust and follow Jesus?

Peter wrote in his first letter to the family of God spread throughout various countries, "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11, NLT).

Trust that God has made you the way you are to bless others. He's provided all the resources of heaven for you to join Him in His work.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. + 2 Peter 1:2-3

Now go and see what He will do in you and through you. :)

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us