Embracing New Life: The Power of God's Love

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``The very image of suffering became the sign of their healing. Jesus says to Nicodemus, just as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. And in John's gospel, that phrase lifted means two things. It refers to the cross in humiliation, but it refers to the glory of God in the raising of his king. [00:14:56] (40 seconds)  #SufferingToGlory

You see, the cross that we see sometimes, we forget that the glory of God came through suffering. That it came through hard times and raised to new life still. The cross is not defeated. It becomes a throne. The place where humanity intended brokenness, God somehow receives glory. [00:15:36] (30 seconds)  #CrossTransformsBrokenness

And this is the paradox of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. What looks like loss becomes victory. What looks like weakness becomes strength. What looks like the end becomes the beginning. It's almost as if the reminder that we are limited only by the imagination and freedom of the Holy Spirit at work in us to bring something new around us, to bring new hope, new life, and a new way. That's who our Jesus is. [00:17:07] (38 seconds)  #ParadoxOfVictory

God does not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. We live in a culture overflowing with condemnation. Have you seen social media this week? We scroll through the news, we open social media, and we're quick to point out faults, to amplify failures, even to pile on shame. But Jesus shows us through this conversation with Nicodemus. Condemnation is not God's way. [00:21:32] (46 seconds)  #LiftToLiftOthers

Whether we agree or disagree, condemnation is not God's way. Othering. Othering. Othering. not God's way. Wounding is not God's way. God does not press us down. His love lifts us up. He does not shame us in the dark. He invites us and lifts us, lights the way to live freely in him. [00:22:20] (43 seconds)  #LivingLoveInCommunity

So if Jesus was lifted for the world, then what do you think our job is as his church? Could it be that we are called as a lifted up people to lift up people? Could it be not in pride but in love? Could it be that it means we live as visible signs of God's love? That when people look at us, they catch a glimpse of Christ? [00:23:25] (41 seconds)  #FruitOfTheSpiritLife

God's love raises a new way of life. One where we worship Jesus rather than react to circumstances. One where we obey God rather than chase control. One where we choose unity rather than feed division. One where we live generously rather than hoarding security. One where we build community rather than walk alone. [00:25:22] (50 seconds)  #LookUpForHealing

Here is what this scripture has taught us. Wherever we are in life, when we are ready to say yes to a new way of life in Jesus, just look up. Just look up. Look up to the one who will seek and save. The one whose way is love and transformation. [00:28:18] (30 seconds)

What I know is, is that God is not done yet. We say that a lot around here, mainly because most of us are still experiencing it. We know that God is not done, not only in this church, but God is not done in our lives. [00:29:04] (22 seconds)

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