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The State of the Union (the unopened book) 22: 1-10 Israel had religion but an “unopened” Bible, what keep us from opening our own bibles? The Turn (Here’s a response that makes sense) 22: 11-20 Cleaning House and Celebration 23: 1-23 Building our lives in response to God’s Word ultimately leads to joy! 4 Practical Tips 1. Read through a whole book of Scripture for every season of time. 2. Bible devotional app: www.youversion.com 3. Scripture meditation is the “thumb” that allows you to hold the Bible. 4. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you read the Scripture.

“Come to the Waters” Isaiah 55:1-3; Matthew 5:6 Guest Speaker: Pastor Aaron Roy I. Who is invited? II. What is offered? III. How to get it?

I. Remember His Grace & Redemption 1. He came to save all people (v. 11) 2. He came to redeem us as His (v. 14) II. Look For His Promised Return • Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Peter 3:11-13 III. Live in light of the Gospel 1. The gospel trains us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives (v. 12) 2. The gospel compels us toward __________ ___________ (v. 14) Application:

For this Sunday we put another dimension of mentoring into practice, mentioning our youth and children about large group Sunday service. Most of the teams that make Sundays work had special helpers on their teams for the day. Scriptures: “One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4-5 “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority are called benefactors, But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.” Luke 22:24 See also Luke 9 :46-48 and Matt. 18 :1-5 Paul once said to Timothy “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1Tim 4:12 The Apostle Paul says “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” 1 Cor. 11:1

I. Wendy chose to stop speaking (Mandarin) because it would help her feel (accepted) at school. II. Acts 2:1-13 – Pentecost a. The (common) language the Jewish diaspora would have spoken was Aramaic b. The disciples were waiting in (Jerusalem) because of Jesus’ final promise/instructions to the disciples in Luke 24:46-49: i. Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in Jesus’ name to (all nations), beginning from (Jerusalem). ii. Jesus is sending upon you what the (Father) promised. iii. Stay here in the (city) until you have been clothed with (Power) from on high. III. Acts 2: 4 All of them were filled with the (Holy Spirit) and began to speak in other (languages), as the Spirit gave them ability. a. Why preach the good news in other (languages) instead of Aramaic? i. Language is a (doorway) into a culture’s heart. ii. (Translating) the gospel into a culture’s heart language allows for deeper (transform

Jesus might say: 1. You are not alone in your parenting. (Matthew 28:20; 11:28-30, Isaiah 54:13) Are you tired and frustrated? Ask God for His help. 2. Hurting people don’t have to hurt people. (1 John 1:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17) Are you confessing your sins to God for forgiveness? 3. Don’t exasperate your children. (Ephesians 6:4) Are your children talking with you? 4. Love your children by loving their mother even more, and ultimately love God the most. (Ephesians 5:25, Matthew 22:36-39) How is your marriage? 5. Live your life with the end in mind. Will your children see me (Jesus) in you? (John 13:35) How do you want to be remembered as a Dad?

"What is our message, again?" Gospel = good news “Jesus Christ, who He is and what He did.” “The life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and what it means for all of us.” “You are more sinful than you could ever dare imagine, and you are more loved and accepted than you could ever dare hope.” – Tim Keller Who is it for? Don’t just share with others how God fits into our story, but how we fit into God's story. The gospel. Not only are we saved by it, but we are also sustained by it.

Nikole Lim tells her story of life through God's compassion for others

“We serve a sent God. Mission is part of His nature.” (Pastor Les Yee at CLC Retreat) Jesus was a marketplace evangelist. He chose his disciples from the marketplace. He did most of His miracles in the marketplace. He demonstrated how the Kingdom of God works in the marketplace. Learning from Jesus’ encounter with Levi: 1. We can bring Jesus to our workplaces, as Jesus went to Levi’s workplace. (v.27) 2. We can build trust with people by living out our faith and telling our stories, as Jesus apparently did with Levi. (v.27-28) a. relationship b. respect 3. We can hang out with our co-workers, like Jesus did with Levi’s co-workers (tax collectors and “sinners”). (v.29-32)

The workshop was in the 2nd workshop slot. Pastor Dave is from a church in Dublin. Pastor Dave speaks on some of the things that block us from recognizing God as well as a couple of ways to know it is God and the Holy Spirit and not something else.

This is the workshop that followed Pastor Les' Saturday morning session. He and his wife, Christine, spoke on how they are living a missional life.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

The Christian Church rapidly grew on the basis of eyewitness stories of Jesus Christ, and many became believers even under horrendous persecution. Today our stories must be told to be obedient to Jesus’ command to be his witnesses. Jesus tells us, “You will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) How do you personally feel about that? Will you tell your story? From Peter’s experience of re-telling his story in Acts 11, we can glean that telling your story is good because: It’s your story. (Acts 11:4-5) The Holy Spirit can be received by others. (Acts 11:15) The community is built up. (Acts 11:18) Application: Tell your story in 90 seconds.

The Roman Centurion’s turning point: Compassion & Power • Would you consider getting to know Jesus yourself by reading the gospel of John? Mary’s turning point: Hope • What sort of hope did Mary find in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Peter’s turning point: Forgiveness • Can you relate to Peter as a man needing forgiveness? In what ways?

Jesus asks God to change the circumstances Pray the simple thing first. Remember that God can do anything. God said No to Jesus. Which means that God says No even to those He loves. Notice what Jesus doesn’t do when God says no. He does not give into our natural tendency of: fight or flight. Are there certain ways that you have been “walking away” from a pain that God is calling you to bear? Jesus accepted God’s will. He put His trust in God and bore the pain. His obedience gave us life and hope today, and ours will do the same for others (and ourselves). Four things that suffering does to us: • Builds resilience • Draws us closer in relationships • Changes our priorities • Develops compassion

Interactive Questions: How much is the life of a pet worth? How much is a human life worth? • Mary gave her priceless treasure to Jesus in response to God giving her His priceless treasure in His son. What would it look like for you to offer this to Jesus? • Once we give our priceless treasure to Jesus, don’t expect others to applaud.

Two questions • Is this passage saying that if we care for the needy that we can earn a place in heaven? • What was the motivation of these people who helped and what should ours be? As a church we are called to move from “planned compassion” towards “heart compassion”, embodying the heart of Jesus wherever we go. 3 Practical Points 1. You have to go and be there… 2. "Who here is in need?" 3. Be willing to be uncomfortable.

1. God gives us money (talents) to invest for Him. (Matthew 25:14-18) Are you putting “money to work” for God? 2. Everyone will be accountable. (Matthew 25:19) If you died tomorrow, how is your Spiritual Profit? (Matthew 6:20, treasures in heaven) 3. “Good seed” testify to His love. (Matthew 25:21, 23) “Bad seed” will end up in the fire. (Matthew 25:24-30) Are you “good seed” or “bad seed”? (Matthew 13:36-43)

What kind of life would you want to live where there are no regrets? Live each day with urgency (as if Jesus were coming tomorrow) and live each year with perseverance (because Jesus might take a really long time). Spiritual preparedness is not something that others can provide for you, every person needs their own oil. So my question for you today is this: what would it take for you not just to be fired up for God now, but fired up for the rest of your life? Wait Training Plan 1. Remember His grace. 2. Get inspired. 3. Drop something and pick up something.

Are You Ready? Wait Training Wait so you are ready at any moment (Matthew 24:36-51) Wait as if it might take a long time (Matthew 25:1-13) What steps must I take to become spiritually mature? Ongoing disciplines: New ones: Wait by actively increasing the Master’s assets (Matt 25:14-29) Wait by loving and serving those in need (Matt 25:1-46) How has God called me to make a difference for Christ? Resources (money, time, talents,story): To who? friends, family, work, church others