Teachings
The Trauma of Jesus' Upbringing | Matthew | Part 1 - Origins |
Matthew is drawing on the Old Testament prophecies to show how Jesus will fulfill the need for a Messiah to come and save and restore the people of Israel in a way we would hardly want or recognize.
Big idea:
Matthew is drawing on the Old Testament prophecies to show how Jesus will fulfill the need for a Messiah to come and save and restore the people of Israel in a way we would hardly want or recognize.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday evening, April 18th, 2021.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching are:
Matthew 2
The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus | Matthew | Part 1 - Origins |
Matthew shows us that Jesus is: the Messiah, “Yahweh Saves” and “God with Us,” as he comes to save his people (and the world) of their sin.
Big idea:
Matthew shows us that Jesus is: the Messiah, “Yahweh Saves” and “God with Us,” as he comes to save his people (and the world) of their sin.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday evening, April 11th, 2021.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching are:
Matthew 1
Holy Week 2021 | The Redemption of the King (Easter)
The resurrection of Jesus shows his power over sin and death, for the restoration and commission to those who follow Him.
Big idea:
The resurrection of Jesus shows his power over sin and death, for the restoration and commission to those who follow Him.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s gathering on Sunday evening, April 4th, 2021.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching are:
John 20-21
Holy Week 2021 | The Entry of the King
The Entry of the King is the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem during the “perfect storm” to reveal his heart for God the Father and the people of Jerusalem.
Big idea:
The Entry of the King is the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem during the “perfect storm” to reveal his heart for God the Father and the people of Jerusalem.
The following is a re-recorded teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, March 28th, 2021.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching are:
John 12
Mark 11
Zechariah 7
The Four Pillars | Contrast's Strategy
Contrast has four pillars of strategy to fulfill our mission—Sunday gatherings, CORE communities, Missional Communities, and missional living.
Big idea:
Contrast wants to lean into Sunday gatherings, CORE communities, Missional communities, and missional living. These are the four main pillars (big rocks) of our church.
The following is a unique vision casting Sunday, where our church spent several minutes reminding ourselves of the vision and strategy while praying through our methods to love people and lean into our mission as a church. This was on Sunday evening, March 21st, 2021.
Atonement | Vocabulary of Faith
Atonement is at the center of god’s answer to our sin and rebellion.
Big idea:
Atonement is at the center of god’s answer to our sin and rebellion, and if we take the time to slow down and examine what it means, then our relationship with God will surely deepen and we will have a great appreciation for who Jesus is.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, March 14th, 2021.
The biblical text used throughout the teaching are:
Leviticus 16:15-30
The Wall | Breaking Through the Dark Night of the Soul
Passing through “the wall (spiritual crisis)” is essential for growth, and a deeper understand of God and relationship with Him.
Big idea:
Passing through “the wall (spiritual crisis)” is essential for growth, and a deeper understand of God and relationship with Him.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, March 7th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
2 Corinthians 11
Matthew 26-27
Baewatch | Week 3 - The Gift of Marriage
God has given us the gift of marriage as an opportunity to symbolize his love for his people.
Big idea:
God has given us the gift of marriage as an opportunity to symbolize his love for his people.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, February 28th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
Genesis 1-3
Ephesians 5
Baewatch | Week 2 - The Gift of Singleness
God created humans with the opportunity for intimacy and attraction as an echo of his love within the Trinity.
Big idea:
God has given us the gift of singleness to steward for his mission and kingdom.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, February 14th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
1 Corinthians 7
Matthew 17
Baewatch | Week 1 - Intimacy and Attraction
God created humans with the opportunity for intimacy and attraction as an echo of his love within the Trinity.
Big idea:
God created humans with the opportunity for intimacy and attraction as an echo of his love within the Trinity.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, February 14th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
Gen 1-3
Song of Solomon (Songs) 1
Disruptive Discipleship | Week 5 - Generosity over Greed
Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice leads us to sacrifice and the removal of greed for generosity.
Big idea:
Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice leads us to sacrifice and the removal of greed for generosity.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, February 7th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
Luke 12:13-21 ; 16:13-15 ; 19:1-10
2 Corinthians 8:9
Disruptive Discipleship | Week 4 - Dependence over Deeds
Our deeds (works) will never amount to the importance and weight of dependence on Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Big idea:
Our deeds (works) will never amount to the importance and weight of dependence on Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, Jan 24th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
Ezra
Nehemiah
Ezekiel 26:22-32
Matthew 15:10-20
Disruptive Discipleship | Week 3 - Intentionality over Complacency
Following Jesus requires intentionality centered on a lifelong pursuit of growing, and becoming more like Him.
Big idea:
Following Jesus requires intentionality centered on a lifelong pursuit of growing, and becoming more like Him.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, Jan 24th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
Daniel 4
2 Samuel 11
Luke 19
Training
Disruptive Discipleship | Week 2 - Presence over Distraction
A mark of disruptive discipleship is a prioritized presence with Jesus that overflows into a presence with others.
Big idea:
A mark of disruptive discipleship is a prioritized presence with Jesus that overflows into a presence with others.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, Jan 17th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
Daniel 6
Luke 10
Luke 23
Training
Four Practices for unhurried your life:
*From Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Silence and Solitude
In Matthew 4, Jesus’ first step into ministry he goes and fasts for 40 days, is tempted by Satan. In this we see, not weakness, but strength. He was most strong at the end of that fast because he had been in the presence of God for so long.
Silence and Solitude reminds us of our true identity and calling before the world gets a chance to taint it.
Sabbath
If the Lord of the universe created the entire universe and then took a day off, your busy week is not an excuse to not Sabbath.
Walter Bruggeeman” People who keep Sabbath live all seven days differently.. “
Sabbath is:
Rest and worship (a day off is a “bastard Sabbath by Peterson).
Resistance (to the world of go, more, and hurry).
Simplicity
Less is truly more..
Inward reality seen in an outward lifestyle.
Slowing
“Cultivating patience by deliberately choosing to place ourselves in positions where we simply have to wait”
Practices for slowing
Turn your smart phone into a dumb phone.
Delete social media off your phone
Set times to be on social media
Keep phone off until after morning quiet time.
Journal
Take long vacations
Disruptive Discipleship | Week 1 - Resilience over Compromise
In a culture of compromise, followers of Jesus must lean into a disruptive discipleship that embodies resilience.
Big idea:
In a culture of compromise, followers of Jesus must lean into a disruptive discipleship that embodies resilience.
The following is a teaching for Contrast Church’s launch team gathering on Sunday evening, Jan 10th, 2021.
The biblical texts used throughout the teaching are:
Daniel 1
1 Peter 1-2
Luke 22
Training Notes:
5 Practices for Resilient followers of Jesus.
*From Faith for Exiles
Experience intimacy with Jesus
This is done powerfully with others (like CORE),
Asking big questions and finding the answers in Jesus,
Learn what it means to talk to God, but also listen and respond in conviction.
Develop the muscles of cultural discernment
Don’t live under a rock, anchor to the Bible and trust its convictions on you.
Don’t just engage, prepare to engaged.
Learn how to have theology with a cultural backbone.
Forge meaningful, intergenerational relationships.
Have a group of people that you love, but sometimes don’t like (they call you on your crap).
Have someone ahead of you, helping you navigate
Be someone who is worth being around, be vulnerable.
Train for vocational discipleship
Form a good theology of work and calling.
Find meaningful ways to engage in mission at your work.
Engage in Countercultural mission.
Curb entitlement and self-centeredness by serving
Don’t always put safety first.
Embody a Godly sexual ethic (more on that in a few weeks).
Lead with love