Partnering

This year, our church family is examining the topic of “What God wants”. First, we studied the book of Micah to learn the context of our theme verse, Micah 6:8, where God gives us a glimpse into what is good in His eyes. We are “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.”

Next, we moved to the New Testament book of James. In this letter, that reads like a series of “tweets”, the half brother of Jesus demonstrates the practical nature of a faith that works. It is a vibrant faith lived out in a group of followers of Jesus. God has a lifestyle for us to enjoy and emulate to others.

Now, in the fall of 2018, we learn that God wants us to enjoy a life of partnership. We usually think of what God wants of us. While that is important, it may be better to consider what God has for us as the basis on which we do something for Him. So, in the next 3 months we will look at what God has for us and how that helps us do what He wants of us.

Imagine that you have a family business. You, your spouse, or siblings invest time, energy, and money into this endeavor. As your children reach the age where they can participate, they join you in the joys and opportunities of operating your own business. As they mature, they become full-fledged partners. Further growth and expansion are possible.

“What God Wants” is like that. He has embarked on a great endeavor by creating all things so that He might bless all of humanity through His mercy, grace, and love. As owner and Lord, He superintends all things. Since God enrolled Adam and Eve as stewards of the earth, He has been enlisting people into His expanding Kingdom work. He calls us to be partners in His family venture of gathering a people to be His own possession and spreading His loving and righteous reign on earth.

Our relationship with Jesus is an intimate one of mutual abiding. It is also a partnership in which we work together. According to John 15:15, because we are Jesus’ friends, we can know God’s business, or what He is doing. Our Lord calls us as His people into a partnership with Him and each other. “What God Wants” is for us to partner with Him in this family business, community project, and kingdom endeavor.

September through November we will engage the following ten aspects of partnering with God. Based on what He brings to the venture, we can have a meaningful life together!

Because God

  1. Is trustworthy, we can have confidence
  2. Reveals Himself, we can enjoy relationships
  3. Provides hope, we can have expectation
  4. Empowers us, we can be faithful
  5. Transforms people, we can be optimistic
  6. Loves, we can love God
  7. Shows mercy and grace, we can love others
  8. Advances His plan, we can live with purpose
  9. Will right everything, we expect a good ending
  10. Is making all things new, we can enjoy eternity

Where is Your Trust?


L. Hiebert
Matthew 6:25-33

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
-- Jeremiah 17:7-8

Getting Close Enough to See


L. Hiebert
1 John 1:1-7

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
-- Ephesians 5:8-10

God Provides Hope: Are You Living with Expectation?


L. Hiebert
Genesis 13:1-8

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
-- Psalms 5:3

Empowered to be Faithful


L. Hiebert
Matthew 25:14-30

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
-- 2 Corinthians 12:9

God is a Transformer!


L. Hiebert
Ephesians 4:11-16

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
-- Romans 8:28-29

God Loves: God is a Kind Lover


L. Hiebert
John 14:15-31

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
-- 1 John 4:9-10

Loving Each Other With God’s Love


L. Hiebert
1 John 4:7-21

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
-- Romans 13:8

God's Kingdom Rules


L. Hiebert
Matthew 5:1-12

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
-- Revelation 11:15

God Will Right Everything


L. Hiebert
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-- Romans 5:20-21

Making All Things New


L. Hiebert
Revelation 21:1-27

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
-- 2 Peter 3:13-14

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