“We want you to have a chance to be immersed in why you do this ministry.”
“We have to have a place where people can ask questions.”
You won’t know how what you do will impact someone you won’t even remember.
You are all mustard seeds.
The hardest thing is you will never see the results.
The Ultimate Exodus: Finding Freedom from What Enslaves You – Danielle Strickland @djstrickland
Book: http://a.co/9pT3Cbx
“People were born to be free and they’re not.”
“Freedom is not just an outside job, it’s an inside job.”
If exploitation can reach girls, so can redemption and hope.
“80% of sex trafficking victims are from foster care.”
Rethink how we do church – Andy Stanley @AndyStanley
He’s not the real deal, he’s the real, real deal. Andy about Reggie.
Genuinely committed to the next generation. Reggie didn’t know it was going to be this, he just knew God wanted him to do it.
Does it ever get easier? Charles Stanley wanted to ask someone further down the road.
Vertical Morality: Peace with God based on keeping the peace with God. Is ___ a sin? Behind that questions is how close can we get to sin. Eye to the sky.
The old covenant/testament. Covenant with God and the nation, not individuals. The kings/prophets leadership would impact the whole nations favor with God.
Most of our OT is the story of the kings of Israel.
The Old covenant that birthed the Christ. Shapes the way we think about our relationship with God and this gives us a vertical morality. Cocoon/Butterfly Illustration.
John the baptist, get ready, get ready, get ready or you’re going to miss it. Then one day he said look! The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29. Not just something new, but something better. Flip phone vs. iPhone Illustration.
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. Galatians 4:4-5
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Jesus in John 13:35
New command: The golden role, platinum!
Who has the authority to add to the commands and give a new command? Only God.
John 13:35 Love one another.
Passover meal changed and became about Jesus. Do this in remembrance of me. That was huge. The old is old, it’s a brand new covenant.
Jesus introduced Horizontal Morality: Fellowship with God gauged
1 John 2:7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment–to love one another–is the same message you heard before.
It’s new to the world. It’s like the sun is rising and you are part of that sunrise.
Cast out all of the darkness.
If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. 1 John 2:9 – to diminish the value of another person, to diss.
God is really really really in love with people and you can’t dismiss people and be right with God.
Everyone you are eyeball to eyeball with is someone who Jesus dies for.
“Your love for God is demonstrated and authenticated by how we treat those around us.”
If we’re not careful-intentional, we’ll orient children and students toward obeying invisible God rather than loving visible people.
“The problem with Vertical Morality is the loopholes.”
Why should we tell the truth? Not the bible tells me to.
Because lying says to the person you are lying to, “You’re worthless” I’ll protect me at your expense. Lying hurts. Lying breaks the relationship.
Why should we be generous? OT. bring me your first fruit and I’ll protect you.
The reason we should be generous is because it helps people. God so loved the world He gave.
Why shouldn’t you talk bad about other people? Gossip. Paul never leverages the OT for conduct. He quotes it.
It diminished their significants and Christ died for them.
Why guys should not pressure girls sexually?
I don’t want to do anything that hurts you. I don’t want to do anything that would diminish your future relationships. I don’t want to be your regret. Honor her. There are no loopholes with honor.
If it’s not best for them, it’s a sin. As I have loved you, so you are to love one another.
All NT imperatives are applications of Jesus’ commandment.
Paul ties it all to how we are treated through Christ by our heavenly father.
Do our kids know this? Do our students know this? Do you know this?
Horizontal morality is less complicated, more demanding.
What does love require of me? – Andy Stanley
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12
If you mistreat one of my kids, don’t invite me to lunch. You can send me gifts and sing my praises but I’m not buying it. Do something for my children and you’ll be my friend forever. You don’t have to ask me to love you, I love you because I love them.
Is there anything that brings you more joy than watching our children love one another?
The best way to please your father in heaven is to honor the people around you.
