A Powerful Touch - Hope Restored by Jesus the Healer

Upcoming Sermon Series

Mark 5:21-43

Focusing on one powerful healing encounter with Jesus through the eyes of the three people touched that day...

Jairus - The prominent parent in a predicament

A 12-year-old girl - A real-life sleeping beauty

A woman - 12 years a slave to suffering, seeking relief

Trusting God, Experiencing Joy

Treasure Hunters

Relentlessly Seeking Signs of God's Grace

 

  

Week 4 of our study of One Thousand Gifts focused on trusting God...a key component to the "Eucharisteo Life."  We were challenged to consider that 

 

• Trusting God is hard work, yet it is the path to joy.

• God, the master bridge-builder, is trustworthy.

 

Consider these connections between trust and joy in God's word:

 

• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)
• Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)
• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Lessons from Treasure Hunters

 

Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade (1989) 

 

Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to find joy

Indiana Jones needs to pass a test of trust to find the Holy Grail in order to save his father's life.  He steps into the unknown, trusting that he will not fall into the abyss.  Passing this step of faith moves him forward on his quest for the life-giving treasure.

 

 

 

Reflection Questions:

• What tests of faith have you faced recently?
• In what areas of life might you need to do the hard work of trusting God?
• How might trusting God help you experience joy?

 

Closing words................................................................................

Our 5th and final session included the following encouragement:

• Even in our brokenness, we can be the gift God gives to others.
• Never stop counting your gifts...or giving them to others. 

As you continue counting God's blessings of grace in your daily life, act toward others in such a way that your kindness and love will be a blessing to them...so that you might provide something for them to note on their list.

In so doing, you will not only be counting gifts but being the gift God gives to others.

Let's continue the Eucharisteo journey together!

Pastor Kurt

 

 

 

Our Journey..................................................................................................

 

During this season of Lent leading up to Easter, our congregation is engaging in a unique group learning experience.  We're soaking up the video teaching of Ann Voskamp, author of the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are (Zondervan, 2010).

 

The adventure is to live the New Testament Greek word for "thanksgiving," EUCHARISTEO.  Within this word is the Greek word for "grace," CHARIS...which is related to another key biblical word CHARA, which means "joy."  The equation we're testing out is this: grace + thanksgiving = joy

 

The daily practice of maintaining a gratitude journal helps us to 

 

1. Notice the gifts and signs of God's grace in our lives (God's blessings)
2. Be thankful for them, valuing them enough to record them and give thanks to God in prayer
3. Experience the joy that results from doing the first two steps

 

The not-yet-visible treasure may be closer than you think

Treasure Hunters
Relentlessly Seeking Signs of God's Grace



How's it going with your gratitude journal?  Last week we were challenged to consider that 

There are beautiful blessings ... even in the ugly messes of life.  

The act of thanksgiving (eucharisteo) can be a prelude to a miracle.

Consider God's word from Matthew 14:19-20 (NIV)...

¹⁹ Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.


Here's this week's "Lesson from Treasure Hunters" based on a treasure-hunting movie:

Lessons from Treasure Hunters

National Treasure (2004) 

The Not-Yet-Visible Treasure is Closer Than You Think

Part 1: Keep seeking the not-yet-visible treasure (no matter how others respond)

Ben Franklin Gates and his colleague Riley Poole meet Dr. Abigail Chase, telling her about their quest for treasure.  She thinks they’re crazy (treasure? invisible map?), but they keep searching.

Part 2: The treasure may be closer than you think - don't give up hope of finding it.

Ben, Riley, Dr. Chase, and Ben’s father come to what seems like the end of the line—no treasure to be found.  But what they don’t realize at the time is that the treasure they’ve been seeking is closer than they think, just on the other side of the wall that surrounds them.


Scripture Connection
Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)

Thanks for Their Gifts
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength....And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

The Secret of Contentment, empowered by Christ, will keep you from giving up hope during the times when the treasures of God's grace seem far away...yet that grace is always closer than we realize.


Our Journey..................................................................................................

During this season of Lent leading up to Easter, our congregation is engaging in a unique group learning experience.  We're soaking up the video teaching of Ann Voskamp, author of the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are (Zondervan, 2010).

The adventure is to live the New Testament Greek word for "thanksgiving," EUCHARISTEO.  Within this word is the Greek word for "grace," CHARIS...which is related to another key biblical word CHARA, which means "joy."  The equation we're testing out is this: grace + thanksgiving = joy

The daily practice of maintaining a gratitude journal helps us to 

1. Notice the gifts and signs of God's grace in our lives (God's blessings)
2. Be thankful for them, valuing them enough to record them and give thanks to God in prayer
3. Experience the joy that results from doing the first two steps

Don't Settle or Give Up...Keep Seeking the True Treasure

Treasure Hunters
Relentlessly Seeking Signs of God's Grace


How's it going with counting your blessings?

Encouragement from Ann Voskamp in last week's video presentation was in two simple words:

SLOW DOWN

Sometimes we're moving too fast through life to notice the good gifts God has given us.  Eucharisteo (thanksgiving) invites us to slow down and appreciate each moment.

Consider God's word from Psalm 46:10-11 (NIV)
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Slowing down, we have the time to recognize that the gifts of God's grace are valuable treasure.  We need to be intentional in seeking out these treasures in the midst of our lives, because we're likely to overlook them for one reason or another.  Here's this week's "Lesson from Treasure Hunters" based on a treasure-hunting movie:

Lessons from Treasure Hunters
The Goonies (1985)

Give Up…or Keep Seeking?
How not to settle for less than the real thing

Lesson 1: Don't Give Up the Adventure...Keep On Seeking the Treasure
On their underground adventure beneath Astoria, Oregon, seeking the treasure of the famous pirate One-Eyed Willy, the band of kids known as the Goonies encounter what at first looks like the treasure they’ve been seeking. It turns out to be coins piled up at the bottom of a local wishing well.



When a few kids are tempted to give up on the adventure and be pulled up out of the well, Mikey gives an inspirational speech convincing them to continue the treasure-hunting adventure...which turns out to be a very rewarding decision.  Note: Mikey is played by a young Sean Astin, who has made a career of inspirational movie speeches in classics such as Rudy (title character) and Lord of the Rings (Sam).



Lesson 2: Don't Settle for Less Than the Real Treasure
At the bottom of the wishing well the Goonies find false treasure.  Okay, pennies, nickels, and dimes have value, but these coins are not the epic & abundant treasure they're looking for.  How often do we settle for the world's view of treasure that keeps us from seeking the higher treasure of God's gracious intent for our lives?  As you count God's blessings and pray prayers of thanksgiving from your gratitude journal, train your eyes to see new dimensions of treasure along the lines of the key words in Philippians 4:8 (NIV) ...

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."


Our Journey.................................................
During this season of Lent leading up to Easter, our congregation is engaging in a unique group learning experience.  We're soaking up the video teaching of Ann Voskamp, author of the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are (Zondervan, 2010).

The adventure is to live the New Testament Greek word for "thanksgiving," EUCHARISTEO.  Within this word is the Greek word for "grace," CHARIS...which is related to another key biblical word CHARA, which means "joy."  The equation we're testing out is this: grace + thanksgiving = joy

The daily practice of maintaining a gratitude journal helps us to

1. Notice the gifts and signs of God's grace in our lives (God's blessings)
2. Be thankful for them, valuing them enough to record them and give thanks to God in prayer
3. Experience the joy that results from doing the first two steps