Elements City Church
TOV series - week 4 - Nurturing Truth
We've all read and have sadly become accustomed to the revelations of abuse in our culture and in even our churches. These abuses can occur when we neglect to create a culture of goodness that resists evil and promotes healing, safety, and spiritual growth. This series draws from the acclaimed book, A Church Called TOV, to call us forward and give us a map for being the church that Jesus longs for, and a people he can leverage to make a difference. We long to create a culture of godly goodness in our organization and our spheres of influence. Join us in this adventure, friends.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for joining us!
Whether you're on-site or online, we are praying that tonight will be an encouragement to your soul. May God whisper to you and help you in taking your next steps in a journey with Him. If you're new, we'd love to have you fill out our connection card.
https://connect-card.com/yr4Y0g8VLBSqzKXeubjbRecap:
This series is based on the book, A Church Called TOV by Dr Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer. We highly recommend this book!
TOV means “good” in Hebrew.
We’ve all witnessed when 'good' is not the norm of a culture, an organization or a group of people and the great damage and pain that can occur when that plays out - the great harm it can do to relationships.
TOV is active (not a passive or set reality) -- which means it can grow or shrink.
This series is based on the book, A Church Called TOV by Dr Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer. We highly recommend this book!
TOV means “good” in Hebrew.
We’ve all witnessed when 'good' is not the norm of a culture, an organization or a group of people and the great damage and pain that can occur when that plays out - the great harm it can do to relationships.
TOV is active (not a passive or set reality) -- which means it can grow or shrink.
The Circle of Tov:
1. Nurture Empathy and Compassion
2. Nurture Grace
3. Nurture Putting People First
4. Nurture Truth Telling
5. Nurture Justice
6. Nurture Service
7. Nurture Christlikeness
[From A Church Called TOV]
1. Nurture Empathy and Compassion
2. Nurture Grace
3. Nurture Putting People First
4. Nurture Truth Telling
5. Nurture Justice
6. Nurture Service
7. Nurture Christlikeness
[From A Church Called TOV]
Truth matters.
Living in lies NEVER leads us or anyone else to healthy places.
Living in truth DOES direct us in the way of Jesus.
Living in lies NEVER leads us or anyone else to healthy places.
Living in truth DOES direct us in the way of Jesus.
The way of Christian living anchors around truth telling.
We are to speak the truth in love. - Ephesians 4:15
Paul tells us that love (agape love) doesn’t delight in evil, but it rejoices in truth. -1 Corinthians 13:6
Paul challenges people who exchanged the truth of God for false idolatry in the book of Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
-Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
-Psalm 15:1-2
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart
We are to speak the truth in love. - Ephesians 4:15
Paul tells us that love (agape love) doesn’t delight in evil, but it rejoices in truth. -1 Corinthians 13:6
Paul challenges people who exchanged the truth of God for false idolatry in the book of Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
-Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
-Psalm 15:1-2
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. —1 John 1:5-8
Walking in darkness is the opposite of truth telling.
=when a church or we as individuals choose false narratives in order to try and obscure truth, we are choosing darkness over light, and lies over the truth.
“the truth will set you free” -Jesus said… -John 8:32
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. —1 John 1:5-8
Walking in darkness is the opposite of truth telling.
=when a church or we as individuals choose false narratives in order to try and obscure truth, we are choosing darkness over light, and lies over the truth.
“the truth will set you free” -Jesus said… -John 8:32
Truth (in love) always leads to growth and freedom.
God desires that we face the truth - which may be challenging at times, but it’s there, face to face with the truth, where He can do the work that only he can do. It’s there where He can shape us, help us, transform us and bring healing and hope our way.
Day of Atonement - Leviticus chapter 16
-John 14:6
I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. (Jesus)
-John 14:6
I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. (Jesus)
we must choose not to skip God’s design and practice we see in Scripture - this rhythm of confession, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
A precious prayer of examen is Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
A precious prayer of examen is Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Thank you for partnering with us!
Thank you for enabling us to be the Church in our city! Your gifts help fuel the mission of Elements City Church, as well as our capacity to share His love with as many as we can. You help us bring the HOPE and LIGHT of Jesus to our city! You can give online at the link below or through the Elements app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/give/Thanks again for being with us tonight!
May you have a blessed week ahead, friends. May you be an agent of TOV in your sphere of influence with Jesus.
We hope to see you next Sunday -- if not before!
May you have a blessed week ahead, friends. May you be an agent of TOV in your sphere of influence with Jesus.
We hope to see you next Sunday -- if not before!