It’s always an exciting day when we begin a new series, but Sunday was better than I could have imagined. The Sermon on the Mount has the potential to be life-changing for our church family. I had planned this series for 2020, but God had other plans as we made several pivots due to our COVID logjam.

My green bracelet I wear that says, “God’s in charge” reminds me that God is in control each day, and I believe the timing of this series is a great example. One year ago, I could never have imagined some of the ways we would be challenged as citizens of this country and as members of God’s family. We’re divided as a nation and as a church over politics, COVID mandates, masks, racial injustice, economic shortages, and issues of faith.

Several months ago, I had an “AHA” moment when I realized that instead of trying to talk people out of their deeply held opinions on how to solve the problems of our culture, God wanted us to focus on the teachings of Jesus. Jesus came into a world that was just as divided, fractured, and unjust as ours. His world was just as politically volatile, economically unfair, and racially charged as the world in which we find ourselves in today.

So, what did He have to say? Well, the Gospel of Matthew records Jesus’ words about how to live united – God’s way – in a world of conflict and division. Jesus begins with our attitude and the posture of our heart. That’s why I’ve been reflecting a lot on our last series – Journey with Jesus. I’m learning how to be His apprentice. As I follow Him, I learn His ways, and eventually, I begin to become more like Him.

Please understand that this is God’s goal for His church. He didn’t establish His church on Earth to become a political force or wield power over others. He established His church on Earth to spread the GOOD NEWS that there is a solution to our moral dilemma. It’s Him. As we journey together through this series, it’s my prayer that we will discover a way to live that makes much of Jesus. We want others to see Him by how we live as we respond to our age’s ignitors and agitators. I’m putting all my hope in this: If we lift Jesus up, people will see Him, and our world will be transformed. That is God’s way.

At the end of our time on Sunday (if you missed the service, please watch it soon) I asked us to make three affirmations as we begin part one of the Sermon on the Mount, which we are calling the Good Life. Let me call them back to your mind. We agreed to:

• Say “YES” to the way of Jesus – that’s what the entire sermon is – Jesus’ way to live for God’s Kingdom.
• Say “YES” to the family of God – that means to make an effort to get involved with God’s church by joining a Community Group and finding a place to serve.
• Say “YES” to the power of God – that means we realize that we are incapable of making a lasting difference in this world by seeking political or economic control.

On Fridays, I’ve been devoting time to pray for God’s people by asking Him to do a new thing in and through us. I’m praying for a new level of unity in mission and purpose, for a new passion for people separated from God and His church, for a new wave of involvement in serving and generosity, and for a new excitement and belief that God is moving. I want my prayers to be bold and audacious as I pray that God will bless us in our intimacy with Him and each other.

Serve Our Community is happening in a new way this year. We’re still going out to serve our schools and ministry partners as we always have. The big difference this year is that we’re extending it to two weekends, so we can best accommodate smaller service teams. We want everyone to be confident that we’re taking all the safety precautions we can. The dates are Saturday, April 24 and Saturday, May 1. You can look over the various service projects on our website and sign up now to make sure you get your top preference.

One of the best ways to get to know our church and God’s mission for us here in Western Nevada County is to participate in Growth Path. This is a series of engaging seminars that will help you know who we are and how you can find a place to call home as you grow to be more like Jesus. Our next Growth Path is May 16, 2:00-5:00pm. We have four different classes, 101 – 401, and a different pastor teaches each. You can register online or at church on Sunday.

On Sunday, we get to move from introduction to instruction on how to pursue and enjoy the Good Life. We’re going to listen as Jesus delivers the most important words of this sermon called the Beatitudes. This week we will cover “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” I’m calling it the “Beautiful Attitude of Humility.” Would you agree that we could use a little more humility in our world today? It begins when we admit that we are bankrupt spiritually and economically.

Folks, Jesus shows us a clear path to a life that is better than the one culture offers. He gives us His instruction on overcoming our world’s influences as we make a difference for Him. 

Here are the links you’ll need to be fully prepared for Sunday’s Service:

• Message Notes and Study Guide
• Weekly Spotify Playlist
• Children's Ministry
• Student Ministry 

Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,

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