Sermon Recap: The Rule of Life, June 5

Why can't we just move from hearing to harvesting?

Good Afternoon Church Family. Hopefully you were able to join us yesterday either on campus or on YouTube for the start of this month's series: Rule of Life. Pastor Nate Levering ushered us into the reminder that in a world where everything is now-centered and now-demanded, we are called to the pattern of carefully waiting. Wouldn't it be so much easier to hear God's word and then pick the fruit of His goodness without having to endure any kind of processing or God-forbid, pruning? Perhaps but not necessarily.

If you have been responsible for any living being, whether it is an animal, a child or even a parent, what is something you've had to say? Four simple letters make up a word that the general human population cannot stand: w.a.i.t. Cue the eye rolls and humphs. I get it, but as the one who so often uses that word, I also know the value of it. So why would we assume God's wisdom over our lives would come quickly and without work on our end? Great question. You're one smart cookie!

Through the unforced rhythms of grace (thank you, Pastor Nate, for this phrase ... I will now take it and use it a lot), we have the ability to change our lifestyle by the not-always-so-simple act of listening. What happens when we listen? Well, for my children, when they actually listen, they learn. When they don't listen, they lack the proper knowledge needed and find themselves with a consequence or two, or four. For instance, I can say, "Go clean your room before you play outside". If they listen to me, they walk into their rooms and actually put dirty clothes in the bin, hang up the clean ones, throw garbage away and make their bed. If they don't listen and go outside anyway, leaving a mess in their wake, they will then hear the rantings of a frustrated mom while also having to clean and spend more time sitting on time out than playing with their friends or siblings. The time wasted not listening is longer and therefore, I'd argue, not the easier path to trudge. Similarly, when God calls us to quiet ourselves and be renewed by abiding in Him, and we walk out of the metaphorical door and onto our screens or the tasks awaiting our busy lives, we waste time backtracking with worry or fear or the lack of knowledge required to face what life throws our way. So I ask you, what is the better path?

Jesus calls us to abide in Him (Matthew 11 and John 15), and since I can bet that He knew what He was talking about, I'd say that's where the wisdom is and as a parent, I get it. As His child, I don't always want to listen, but I get it. So how do we assess the patterns in our lives in alignment to our abiding in Him? Another great question. You're on a roll! Here are 2 questions:
1. What priorities and patterns do you see in the life and teaching of Jesus?
2. What priorities and patterns would Jesus set if He were you?

For one of our congregation members, it was taking the time to read Scripture every morning. He began with the Old Testament and then specifically Proverbs, and then through the New Testament. Over years, he has read the Bible cover to cover and continues to read every day, leading his family in devotions and watching as his children follow suit. Amazing!

If you'd like to start small, join us! This summer, we are reading through the Psalms and Proverbs. Today's reading is Proverbs 1. Our 8@8's will align with the reading and we even have a nifty bookmark designed just for YOU that will help lead you through the summer. You can read along with us in the app, by selecting "Audio Bible" on the bottom panel, and then "Plan" on the small bottom liner and it will take you right to the specified reading.

Pastor Nate also referenced a couple of books. Here are the titles and links:

1. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

2. The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley

3. The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard

And as always, thank you for reading and recapping with us. If you have any questions or would like to speak to one of our incredible pastors, please contact the church office at 209-532-1381.