Upward Norfolk Podcast

We looked at the story of Jairus and discussed how his moments with Jesus mirrored the approach we are to take in order to thrive in our walk with God.

Jesus focused intently on ministering to people. He loved us deeply and He was willing to carry the burdens others. In fact, Jesus went on a ten-hour walk to Nain just to reach out to a widow who had lost her son – and bring solace to her grief. In doing this, Jesus met the woman where she was with compassion.

During his three-year earthly ministry, Jesus did a lot of public teaching, but He knew that these large-group settings were not as effective as conversation in small groups. To maximize his time on earth, Jesus poured into his disciples, expecting that they, in turn, would pour into the people in their immediate sphere of influence.

In the beginning of January we at Upward church have made it a priority to seek God first in fasting. We do this collectively as a church through 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting ,and as we begin the new year together, we faithfully seek God first, trusting in His power alone to create lasting impact in our lives, our church, and our world.

This past month, we have seen that Jesus is the personification of hope. The prophets predicted His birth, His life, and His death. They also looked far ahead into the future and predicted His reign. This week we’ll take a peek into the prophets' forecast of the future reign of Christ as King of the world He created.

To foretell someone’s death seems horrible and offensive—unless that someone’s death will bring life to the world. The prophet Isaiah predicted the virgin birth, the sinless life, and the atoning death of the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the personification of hope for all who receive Him; He is the Hope that was Foretold of. In tonight's teaching from the prophet Isaiah, we will take a deeper look over the prediction of the death of our great Sin-Bearer.

"If your hope is in people, politics, policies, or possessions, you will be constantly disappointed. The hope that God gave the world, foretold by the prophets, was and still is a single, unique person—Jesus Christ. Of all the predictions made about what He would be and do, many of them didn't fit all the misplaced expectations that people had of Him, but He would fulfill the commission His Father gave Him. Let’s look at four tasks Jesus would perform at His first coming as foretold by the prophet Isaiah."

During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.

Every day it seems like we have to contend with things, whether its a job opportunity, promotions, school, or making a sports team. But how do you handle the pressure when you have to contend for your faith, and you are asked the question "Why do you believe the bible?" how would answer this question that so many in the church have had to answer internally or to someone who is curiously inquiring of us.

Questions, We all have them, and many people have different answers for them. But as followers of Christ often we want to know what God has to say about so many of life's tough questions. During these season of Refuel, we as a church want to address these questions and much more that you may have about various topics, and how God wants us to be in this world but not of this world.

Worship is the fuel for our discipleship. At the very core of our existence, we are worshipers. Everyone worships, but not everyone worships truly.

As disciples of Jesus, we learn His teachings through the Scriptures and follow His commands through the power of the Holy Spirit.