New Beginnings Lutheran Church

Want to learn how to hear from Jesus? The practice of hearing from and recognizing Jesus in everyday life is what this message is all about.

Is seeing believing, or is believing seeing? Ha! For those with eyes to see, clearly Jesus is up to something. He is inviting you to notice, to believe, and to wrestle with what is unfolding all around you!

Perhaps you were at the last service Pastor Greg Finke shared the Word? With humor and great teaching, we were treated to a feast of insights. Once again, we get the privilege of learning from this gifted communicator.

“Remember that you have to die.” Some people die without ever having lived! But when you remember your mortality, it impacts how you will live. Lent begins, as always, with Ash Wednesday and we will don ashes in the shape of the cross to remember that Jesus died to give us life–and to show us how to live!

**AUDIO ONLY** Isn’t it nice to know that God’s best intentions are not thwarted by your worst inclinations? God has set certain outcomes in place from eternity and we have to marvel at how these come together in spite of us! Accompanying reading: Ruth 1-4 The Story, Chapter 9

What if your various body parts just did their own thing? One eye looks to the right, the other to the left; your fingers refuse to touch your thumbs; the left foot tries to trip the right! You’d be a mess! Good thing your head coordinates your body! Accompanying reading: Judges 2-4; 6-8; 13-16 The Story, Chapter 8

How do you know you’ve succeeded? Like Moses, God has given you something to do. Either you know what that is already or you don’t yet know what that is. This week you’ll find out what’s next for you and how to succeed! Accompanying reading: Joshua 1-2; 6; 8; 10-11; 23-24 The Story, Chapter 7

Why God does What He does is always the same, regardless of What God does, when it concerns us. How we see What God does depends on our perspective. Accompanying reading: Numbers 10-14; 20-21; 25; 27; Deuteronomy 1-2; 4; 6; 8-9; 29-32; 34 The Story, Chapter 6

History repeats itself, or so it seems. What was done in the past points to What was done ultimately. Who and Why remains the same, but When and Where changes. Accompanying reading: Exodus 1-7; 10-17 The Story, Chapter 4

If you think the characters in the story determine the plot, think again. Who, Why, What, Where, and When are under the control of the Author. We’re all written into The Story and the narrative is always larger than we can grasp! Accompanying reading: Genesis 37; 39; 41-48; 50 The Story, Chapter 3

Why did God choose Whom He did? Who you are as Subject relates very much to Who is the Object in the sentence. You are not both the Subject and the Object of the Verb, or are you? Accompanying reading: Genesis 12-13, 15-17; 21-22; 32-33; 35 Romans 4 Hebrews 11 The Story, Chapter 2

Who is much more important than How. Why is just as important, if not more, than What. If you want to know what I mean, tune in for the Creation account of Genesis! It sets the stage for The Story! Accompanying reading: Genesis 1-4, 6-9 The Story, Chapter 1

Faith comes from hearing the Word, and shows itself by living the Word. Doing what God says not only exercises our faith muscles, but prevents us from crashing! Jesus wants our obedient trust so that we can experience better lives.

Nobody can believe in Jesus for you, but you cannot believe in Jesus without other people. Key people play critical roles in your faith-life. We’re in this together! As we celebrate the coming of Jesus into our world and our lives, we will GROW in faith together! **Help us love our community during this service! ALL offerings received during this Christmas Eve-Eve service (in-person or online) will be donated to SafetyNet, a local organization that supports homeless children and families in the MVRIII School District.**

Life experiences can make us better or make us bitter. Faith serves as both a means and an end in every circumstance. Faith isn’t just being positive, but being positively confident in God’s presence and purpose.

Do you ever feel unsure of yourself? Duh. We all feel some degree of imposter syndrome─even if we get cocky sometimes. Yet what you feel you bring─or don’t bring─to the table is one thing. Getting to the table is what brings you greater faith.

How different would your life be if you didn’t give into doubts about God’s taking care of you? Every challenge and fear would be completely redefined! You would be in such a good way each and every day. Would you like to be more like this?

Do you want an amazing discovery? No gimmicks. Really. Would you like to hear how one of the hardest things you love to avoid is not only easy, but fun? Seriously! We’d throw in a free Ginsu knife, but that’s not necessary, ‘cause we’re not selling you on anything!

Who is my neighbor? One of the most famous parables was Jesus’ answer to the question. We do well to consider the question for ourselves, and Jesus’ unique response.

Want to see Jesus? I know where you can see Him and know Him as never before. Receiving eternal life depends not on what you know or what you do, but Who you know. Want to know Jesus?