Elements City Church
Believe - week 15 (John 18) ONLINE ONLY
We are taking an extended dive into the gospel of John. In this gospel we witness the hands-on Jesus in all his splendor and radiance. John writes as one who is very close to Jesus and he goes to great length to record a full picture of the person and powerful work of Jesus: a human Christ to redeem us, a divine Christ to reveal God’s nature, and a powerful, Spirit-filled Christ to help us live godly lives. We want to lean into this incredible portrait of Christ painted in the gospel of John! We want to grow to know Jesus better, grow in the life He gives and grow in the life-mission He invites us into. John writes so that we would BELIEVE. *(see John 20:30-31)
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for joining us...
As we continue to navigate this Covid-19 situation - we're doing all we can to keep your family safe AND continue to connect as God's church. We need one another. Practice social distancing, but avoid social isolating. So join us online Sunday's at 5pm.
http://elementscitychurch.orgRaise your hand if you’ve ever made a mistake, failed at something; has there been a moment where you didn’t do what you should have done or did something that you know you shouldn’t have done.
Truth is: We all fail.
Truth is: We all fail.
Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days. As we continue our journey in the gospel of John, I want us to peer in on one of those MISTAKE MOMENTS that one of the disciples has – and what it can teach us & show us about Jesus…and about when we fail.
When you look through the life of Peter – the disciple; bold, strong…
Peter was one of the most intimate, trusted followers of Jesus.
When we see Peter throughout the gospel accounts of Jesus – Peter does so many things right!
Peter was one of the most intimate, trusted followers of Jesus.
When we see Peter throughout the gospel accounts of Jesus – Peter does so many things right!
Sometimes, just like Peter, we get things right!
But friends: sometimes, just like Peter, we most definitely get things wrong.
We fall short. We all fail.
But friends: sometimes, just like Peter, we most definitely get things wrong.
We fall short. We all fail.
The question in the moment of failing is: what then? When it falls apart, when we blow it, when we fail – what’s God’s response then…?
In that moment, Peter left Jesus’ presence – but I want to encourage us that because of what Jesus goes on to do on THE CROSS and through the resurrection – we’re invited to do the opposite. Not to flee, but to come humbly closer to our amazing Savior.
We are invited to run toward the ONE who offers grace, reconciliation and hope; because of Jesus – we no longer need to run and hide.
We are invited to run toward the ONE who offers grace, reconciliation and hope; because of Jesus – we no longer need to run and hide.
In our culture: there tends to be this drought of grace & storm of judgment.
Our culture almost breeds us to judge quickly; write up, write off & withhold the benefit of the doubt. We often have a hair trigger to be judge, jury and executioner when it comes to people’s reputations - making snap judgments on their character when they make a mistake.
= Many folks are NOT quick to extend grace, we’re actually quick to try and extinguish it.
Our culture almost breeds us to judge quickly; write up, write off & withhold the benefit of the doubt. We often have a hair trigger to be judge, jury and executioner when it comes to people’s reputations - making snap judgments on their character when they make a mistake.
= Many folks are NOT quick to extend grace, we’re actually quick to try and extinguish it.
Here’s a prayer for us:
“Lord, grow us in GRACE” - make us a people less prone to discard and disqualify and more like you; quick to forgive, quick with grace. May we reward repentance with restoration as you do. Give us hearts that flow with forgiveness for ourselves & for others that seek it. Let us be people that practice confession often, that return to quickly for reconciliation, and that live with your renewable hope.
“Lord, grow us in GRACE” - make us a people less prone to discard and disqualify and more like you; quick to forgive, quick with grace. May we reward repentance with restoration as you do. Give us hearts that flow with forgiveness for ourselves & for others that seek it. Let us be people that practice confession often, that return to quickly for reconciliation, and that live with your renewable hope.
*friends: our greatest moments of disappointment can often lead to the greatest divine encounters, if we will stay open to God and not run & hide. *when you & I fail, don’t close yourself off to Jesus - he didn’t just come to save us once, he’s a continual / eternal Savior...it's just WHO He is and WHAT He does.
In Christ, our identity is received, not achieved.
A true, irrevocable and foundational identity is delivered to us, through Christ, so it doesn’t go up or down based on our performance or the lack there of…we’re not left to wonder if we’re close to losing it, if we mess up.
We can know WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE at any moment. Whether it’s a moment where we SHINE or a moment in the shadows.
A true, irrevocable and foundational identity is delivered to us, through Christ, so it doesn’t go up or down based on our performance or the lack there of…we’re not left to wonder if we’re close to losing it, if we mess up.
We can know WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE at any moment. Whether it’s a moment where we SHINE or a moment in the shadows.
God’s amazing TRUTH is: You can’t “work your way” into God’s grace and you can't “behave your way” out of it.
==that’s what Peter would discover on the other side of the resurrection!
==that’s what Peter would discover on the other side of the resurrection!
Jesus shows us that God is a God of CORRECTION, not CONDEMNATION.
Romans 8:1 - no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
= Hebrews 12:5-12 talks about the Lord’s discipline as love.
Romans 8:1 - no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
= Hebrews 12:5-12 talks about the Lord’s discipline as love.
Mistakes, failures, mess-up moments should drive us to stay repentant, to practice confession and to cultivate humble hearts.
Repentance and Confession is NOT a one and done kinda’ thing. It’s a continual practice. It’s the rhythm of a grace filled life.
Repentance and Confession is NOT a one and done kinda’ thing. It’s a continual practice. It’s the rhythm of a grace filled life.
Sometimes, just like Peter, we get it right.
Sometimes, just like Peter, we get it wrong.
But ALL THE TIME: our Great Savior Jesus is with us, through it all.
Sometimes, just like Peter, we get it wrong.
But ALL THE TIME: our Great Savior Jesus is with us, through it all.
COMMUNION AT HOME
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Elements family: thank you for being a part of enabling us to BE the Church in our city especially in this moment. Your gifts help fuel the mission and capacity to share His love with all we can. You can give here, online or via our app...
http://elem.cc/giveAgain - if you need help or wanna help - visit www.elementscitychurch.org and let us know. We love you - you can also let us know of specific prayer requests via our app (prayer request tab). We're here FOR YOU and God is too! We'll see you back online NEXT SUNDAY ONLINE AT 5PM! We're continuing ONLINE through May - but stay tuned for updates on Elements Reopening Phase Plan...