Destination Church Spokane Podcast

Herod wants him dead, so Joseph and Mary must flee with Jesus to Egypt. After his birth and subsequent dedication at the temple in Jerusalem, the first story we hear of Jesus' early life is one of an outsider. God is working a wonderful plan that will lead Jesus back into Israel and into the town of Nazareth. God is still preserving people who are outside the "system," preparing them in places like "Egypt" and "Nazareth." Can anything good come out of a place like Nazareth? That's what one of Jesus' own disciples said later when he found out where Jesus was from. God is using places like Nazareth to welcome His plan and purpose.

The Christmas story - the real Christmas story - is anything but a quiet, sanitary event. It's full of sight, sound, raw emotions, and all the smells of a 1st Century sheep town. From shepherds working the night shift where all heaven is breaking loose in the fields, to the Lamb of God lying in a manger, heaven's glory is stepping into the very real grit and grime of humanity. God has never been afraid to enter into our mess to bring heaven to earth. Note: In this week's podcast, most of the Scriptures (Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-25) were read prior to the message as a part of the Christmas Eve service at Destination Church.

John's gospel introduces Jesus as the one and only Son of God, the unique glory of the Father. He's not just a son of God being born into the world, but the Son, and there is none like Him. Full of grace and truth, He is the embodiment of the Father's character, and the truth of God's covenant faithfulness is revealed and fulfilled in Christ. Through Jesus, we are able to know God as He really is.

When Jesus took on human form it took a while for people to recognize Him as being God, and many never actually did. Today, it's as true as it was then that we need help recognizing and receiving God! Our fallen world still doesn't recognize it's maker, but it's only in recognizing and receiving Jesus that we become children of God. Since this has eternal implications, it's important that we know what it means to receive Jesus. It means to accept Jesus as who He truly is, to put our trust in Him, His character, and His promise. John writes in his gospel, "The word became flesh and dwelled among us." The powerful Creator of the universe was born into the world in vulnerability, interacting face to face with His creation, and giving astonishing dignity to humanity by becoming one of us. As we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus, we also recognize that those who believe are made one with Him, and can now be an extension of His love and care for our world, helping others recogniz

In John's Gospel he doesn't start the story with Jesus' birth, but takes us back even farther: "In the beginning was the Word..."  We are introduced to Jesus as this powerful Word, eons before His incarnation and even before creation itself. Before the beginning of time, Jesus was already there. He was with God, and, mysterious as it may seem, He also actually was God. In Jesus, the True Light of the world, is life, and darkness is dispelled before Him. Jesus, the very Word of creation, is even now releasing the "new creation" of His eternal life in and through us. Through Him, now we too are shining the light of His good news into our world.

"Confession is good for the soul," as they saying goes. In Nehemiah Chapter 9 we find all the Jewish people gathering together for a third time in the same month to pray and read scripture. Their gathering is marked by an openness toward God, this time with fasting rather than feasting, and grieving with one another over the sins of their people. They separate themselves from the worshipers of other gods, and worship their One True God with great honor and reverence, devoting significant time to confession, worship, prayer, and praise. Even now, in light of the New Covenant, investing significant time to confess, worship, pray, and praise the Lord our God together as His people is a healthy part of life together in Christ. The prayers in the second half of this recording give just a taste of how we can apply these disciplines today in our own church community.

We all are influencing someone, whether we realize it or not. As followers of Jesus, if we embrace this influence rather than run from it, then those who are looking to us will benefit. Wise influencers and leaders will also embrace being learners of God's Word. His Word breaks us out of our "normal" routines to refocus us on Christ, His provision, and His protection as we follow Him. In Nehemiah 8:13-18 we discover these truths in the context of the Festival of Shelters (Feast of Tabernacles), with much implication for us as an ends-of-the-earth, mobile people

God's culture is all about family, and of gathering that family together. The unity of the gathered church presents a beautiful image to the rest of the world. When the church gathers, we celebrate and enjoy one another, and we also intentionally gather to God's word, with time set aside to hear and understand what God is calling us to be and to do together. Ezra and Nehemiah gathered God's people on the Day of Atonement, and they realigned themselves to God's word. Like the Jewish people on that day, when we are reminded together of God's word and God's purpose, both genuine repentance and deep joy strengthen our hearts. Tears and celebration may both be appropriate, and there is room for both! Ultimately, we can be a rejoicing people as we understand God's word to us through Christ!

God's culture provides protection around God's people, over God's people, and among God's people. In Nehemiah 7 we discover that there are guards placed around the wall of the city, at the gates to defend from outside attack, and even people assigned to stand guard at their own homes. Who do we have guarding our own homes today? Who within the church is looking out for us and our best interests, and who are we looking out for? God's culture accounts for every one of His people. No one is overlooked, and no one need fall through the cracks. We were never called to be merely casual friends of the family, but well-rooted, full participants together. This is God's heart for His church.

How can we respond well when the devil tries to distract, intimidate, and cause us to lose our moral authority through private sin? In Nehemiah 6, we learn from this man of influence how to respond well to these three enemy tactics. God has commissioned us to a great work, and what God has commissioned, God will complete. With our eyes on Jesus, we can keep our hands engaged in the great work of God, and keep our focus on the finish that lies ahead.

As the story of Nehemiah continues, a matter of heart-wrenching social injustice surfaces during the massive building project. Many of the poor in Jerusalem and the surrounding area are struggling in a season of famine. To put food on the table, some of them have gone deeply in debt, even resorting to selling their own children into slavery. Others are all to happy to seize the advantage at the desperate expense of the poor. Nehemiah, representing the generous and compassionate justice of God, instructs that unjust debts be canceled, leads the way in righteous lending, and blesses the poor generously at his own expense. We see in Nehemiah a beautiful and powerful example of God's grace leading us beyond mere forgiveness of debts and into deeply sacrificial blessing. God's heart for us and for those around us is the same today as it was then: costly forgiveness, compassionate grace, and radical generosity.

Whatever happens, we must remember one thing: Don't stop building. There will be opposition; it may look like rage, like mocking, or even more organized threats. We may have to slow down, adjust strategies, and take extra precautions to guard what God has commissioned us to do. As we build, we pray. As we adjust, we pray. As we shore up our weak areas, we pray. As we respond to confusion, we pray to the God of truth and wisdom. Don't be surprised when fatigue comes, but... don't... stop... building. Encourage one another, and focus on the God who fights for His people.

In Nehemiah 3 we find so many groups of people coming together to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. They build multiple gates and towers, and many lengths of wall. Each part of the project matters,  each person matters, and each contribution matters! It takes teams, families, intentionality, and inclusivity to build wisely according to what God is building. Our willingness to work together in our common mission together will even enable our individual gifts to thrive. We are all significant and a part of God's good work.

We have a call to build, even though the work ahead will bring challenges. When God fills our hearts with His mission we can look on current devastation and be full of faith. When God is the one who has called us to build we can confidently stand up and take action! Rather than being stuck in passivity we can strengthen our hands for the great work ahead. God is the one who will prosper His purpose in His people, He provokes a prophetic response in us, and He protect the portion of His people. Through Christ we can shake off what hinders us, get up, and build together.

God opens doors at the right time. As we start Chapter 2 of Nehemiah, he has been praying for four months. What has he been praying for? - that he would be able to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild his home. When the king Nehemiah is serving asks him what is troubling him, Nehemiah is afraid but answers truthfully. The door to return is opening, and the king swings it wide open by not only giving Nehemiah permission to go home, but also supplying the mission! Like Nehemiah, God is with us when we step out in obedient faith! As we pray, we are also wise to plan and prepare, so that when God opens the door we are ready to walk through it. Never underestimate the power of God's grace in our lives as we pray, plan, prepare, and act in faith.

What do you do when you hear bad news? What about when you hear of a need that's too big for you to fix, or you have a giant-sized dream that seems impossible? When these things happen it could just be that God is about to move your heart! When He does move our hearts we are wise to remind ourselves of exactly who this God is who is moving us. God hears us, works powerfully in our own hearts, and invites us to remind Him of His promises as we call on Him in prayer. When God moves our hearts it's even okay to get specific in our requests! God loves hearing from His people, and He loves hearing from you.

Is it really true that in the church male and female both get to participate fully and freely? What about when it comes to teaching in the church? Is that role reserved only for men, or can women participate in this ministry as well? If it's true that both male and female are created as image-bearers of God, and both carry the same good news of Jesus Christ, then it's very important that we factor in the whole counsel of God as we answer these questions together. This week's teaching surveys multiple scriptures, taking us through Creation, the Fall, the Law, Jesus, Acts, and the ministry of Paul and the 1st Century church.

Fresh vision for the future of the kingdom of God and for the exaltation of Jesus Christ is the birthright of every Christian, from the newest and youngest to the oldest and most silver-haired! "But I feel so young." "But I'm far too old to be of much use." In the kingdom of God, old and young are fully included, and receive the same Holy Spirit. From Paul's challenge to Timothy not to be sidelined because of his youth (1 Timothy 4:12-15), to God's challenge to the prophet Ezekiel to prophesy life into the dry bones of his people (Ezekiel 37:1-6), the story of the people of God is one of every age category being included.  Keep dreaming!

While we may tend to disqualify ourselves or those around us, Jesus is the ultimate qualifier. He pours out His Spirit even on those our culture may consider the "least," takes our "not-enough," and makes it more than enough! While it's true that we could never merit enough on our own to partner with God in His plans, Jesus qualifies rich and poor, high and low, and uses all who will serve Him to bless the world around us.

If we really want to see positive culture change, there are a few things we need to know, things we see at the end of the book of Ezra. Culture shift will require follow-through on the decisions agreed upon in the moment, and God is fully committed to supporting the changes He asks us to make. Culture shift also requires fathering, people of influence taking responsibility together to facilitate the shift.  Since culture shift is a process, not just an event, influencers who can help walk out this process with us are vital! Finally, we need to know that God-honoring culture shift will face opposition. People will see things differently, and discussion will be needed. We then must follow Jesus forward together, building according to God's Word.