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Most people, deep down, fear judgment and condemnation from God and others, because when we get honest with ourselves, we know something's not quite right. Yet instead of turning to God for help, naturally we run from God. We run from the only One who can heal us, change us, and give us life. This is the central message of faith in Christ - that God will take anyone willing, regardless of what they've done or how bad they've been or how much they've tried and failed. And he will move us from this sin-cycle of shame, condemnation, and death to this state of full acceptance as adopted children.

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Our distractions are legion. We are constantly bombarded with a myriad of media that vies for our attention. News, popular culture, family, work - they all have their time and place. But where does God fit into our modern lives? Where and when do we take a stand to choose to be focused - and to love?

Caught in the "mazes" and struggles of life, Jesus touched and changed the lives of so many. After their interactions with him, their lives would take on drastically different trajectories than before they had encountered Jesus.

Jesus taught with authority, yet he used stories and illustrations that permeated the minds of those who were listening. Jesus did not get caught up in theological ramblings, but told simple stories that have stood the test of time. In our approaches to know God, are we burying ourselves under the weight of data and theory while not experiencing the simplicity of God?s message?
Key Text: Mark 4:1-2

Jesus was a foodie! The most popular setting for Jesus and his interactions was at a table. Eating at a table is one of the most prominent metaphors in scripture. Additionally, at a table there is a social declaration that participants are equals.

Jesus was a commoner who grew up in meager accommodations. His appearance and simple approach to life identified with the masses. The very thing that was a factor in rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, was also what contributed to his mass appeal.

God can use many tools to empower recovery and restoration over our weaknesses.

Forrest Gump won 6 Academy awards in 1995 including best picture and best actor for Tom Hanks. This interesting movie is the origin of the popular phrase, ?Life?s like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you?re going to get.? This entertaining story has an eerie similarity to the story presented in the book of Hosea. We will explore this story as it pertains to the passionate, pursuant love of God. As a missional movement, our call is to be like God and be equally pursuant of loving relationships with others.

Selma tells the story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his leadership in Alabama as they fought for equal rights in a segregated south. This movie has come to us during a difficult time in our society when discussions about race tend to get swallowed up in politics and innuendo. As Christ followers, we have an obligation to walk in the direction of justice that might be unpopular and dangerous. Walking in the direction of justice was the ardent and prophetic call of Micah, and the mantle carried by Jesus in his ministry. Thus, as followers of Jesus in mission, walking in the way of justice becomes our responsibility.

This story was written by Victor Hugo and found international success as a long playing musical written by Andrew Lloyd Weber. There are also movie adaptations of the novel, most recently in 2012, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. The backdrop of this story is the French revolution, but at the forefront is a hero who has been redeemed and seeks to offer redemption to those he loves and to his enemies. How does a missional church multiply redemption?

This colorful movie continues to be a family favorite. While it would seem that it is simply a movie about an overabundance of sweets, underneath it is a story of one man's imagination to be significant in the lives of others. This quest can be compromised when one is overtaken in self-indulgent behavior. Our missional calling is one that is driven by the imagination of God who calls us to be a blessing to the world.

More and more we are taking note of the spiritual overtones portrayed in popular music and movies. In this sermon series, we will explore some spiritual themes in four movies. Hopefully this jump starts a more keen awareness of how God speaks through various forms including the theater. Also, we won?t lose sight of our missional calling and how these themes help us to understand our mission in God?s kingdom.

Jesus challenges us to do the right thing, to do what's in other's best interest.

To say 'amen' is to mentally assent or agree to a proclamation of truth. As a mission-outpost called to worship a Father, to bring his domain to the earth, to accept our unique preparation, to share our spiritual reality, to receive protection from the enemy and to be overwhelmed by the power and stature of God's ways, our most appropriate response is to no longer sit as passive bystanders, but to stand up and go be the hands and feet of Christ. This is the missional dispatch!

Trying to comprehend the dimensions of the kingdom of God starts with coming to grips that God is all powerful. He has entrusted with the task of expanding the kingdom by displaying his power in our world and in our communities. Our faithfulness to this empowering commission ultimately brings glory to God!

Becoming a mission-outpost in the form of various helps and ministries is not the end game. In the end, there are spiritual realities that spring up when we are the hands and feet of Christ. There is an expectation that the disciples of Christ will offer to others the same spiritual reality that God has offered to them. Forgiveness serves as but one spiritual reality, but it is, indeed, an important one.

Disciples are called to place an unwavering faith in God to provide their needs. This faith includes an understanding that God will give us everything we need in order to be a ?mission outpost?. The variety of gifts in our body is well documented. Do we believe that we have been equipped and will we go forward knowing we have all we need?

The church has not been called to escape to heaven to disperse blessings. We have been called to bless the earth with the blessing of God on the earth while we live on this earth. The church becomes a place where the Mission of God is incubated, birthed and launched in faith.

In this introduction, we explore the powerful and simple language of the invitation to be the children of God as well as the cue to worship. Out of a heart of full engagement with the Father can flow incredible ministry and practice in the Mission of God.