GARDEN CHURCH Podcast

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church

Bill Dogterom teaches about Soul Care and Life Stage Care

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church

Luke’s narrative tells the story of Jesus, the man who is God and His mission in the world. We will discover a new way to live offered by Jesus, a way that challenges other systems and powers, world-views and paradigms, a way that totally reorients our existence around the unfolding story of God and His love for this world. Luke is writing to give us an account about what actually happened he is careful, detailed and intentional as an expert storyteller. He doesn’t just want you to know what happened in the story of Jesus, he wants you to know what it means. Luke begins his Gospel not as the beginning to a new story, but as the continuation to a long story of God and Jesus is revealed in the birth narrative as the fulfillment of Israel and all of the Old Testament promises. What does it look like to live open to what God is doing at any moment? What is God inviting you into? How might you say yes to him and what he has for your life? There’s a rule in improv that applies to general living, it’s the number one rule to a successful improvisation scene- JUST SAY YES. Say yes, go with it, whatever opportunities, whatever is introduced, just go with it. So much of life with God is about saying yes to what he presents to you. Saying yes to Jesus will open up doors for new possibilities, even if those new possibilities are not what was hoped for, or expected. Jesus calls us to become disciples. We are to follow Jesus with our lives fully- to prefer him over anyone or thing in our life.

We all have expectations formed by our own desires, experiences, and culture. When those expectations become the framework by which we see God, our love for Him can turn to frustration and even rejection. In the story of the ten minas, Jesus reframes the false expectations placed on him by those who want Him to do their will, namely overthrow Rome. Instead, he tells a story of a nobleman who leaves to receive the authority for His kingdom and entrusts His money with ten servants. Those that know Him know what to do and experience incredible returns on their hard work and investment. But one servant chooses to use an excuse of bad expectations to not have to work. He shows that he does not know the nobleman and joins the fate of the citizens who hate the nobleman. This story was and is a clear statement that we cannot fit Jesus into our expectations, but can have our expectations shaped by knowing and serving Him. The fruit is incredible return for His kingdom, and the joy that comes with serving Him.

"Here as in Heaven." For more information visit : garden.church