Rhythms Of Grace Community Fellowship

 Because the law isn't the point - the law is a pointer that moves you in the direction of the person you were meant to be. Everything about Jesus's teaching here is about leading us to that moment where we finally stop thinking about the rules and we just start to coast on the momentum of grace.

 Romans 5
Because Jesus is alive in the world, you are not defined by your worst moment because the best of you is stronger. When you are ready to open your eyes to this new world, you will see this goodness that surrounds you the way that Paul does!

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, the question that faces us - is NOT - did you get it right? The question that faces us - Did we let God's story then - become our story now?

The ultimate picture of Hope derived from character is the fact that humanity nailed Jesus to a cross and before and after that - God still Hopes for us. God welcomes us through His grace and invites us towards more with His hope.

As we dive back in to Romans, may you see God's goodness that surrounds you always. May you come to detest all that tears you down. May you encounter this personal Jesus that brings God's grace to you, wherever you may stray!

 You are the salt of the earth.
You are here to make things taste better.
You are here to preserve what is already good within all things.
So, what does that mean?

Finally, after 20 chapters of waiting, the one on the throne actually speaks to us. This is what he says, " Behold I am making all things new", because this is the point of Revelation. It is Not the destruction of the earth; it is the renewal of all things.

These are not teachings! These are not telling us how to think about ourselves, not telling us what we should live up to. This is Jesus making a declaration about the world, that the world can be like this! Jesus is not teaching us about us, here. Jesus is telling us something about God.

John is not giving us details because then it would look like his world. Instead, he gave us images, ideas, narratives that would force you to think and reflect - to slow down and ask yourself this hard question. What do these beasts look like in my world? When I honestly and critically look at my politics, my religion, and my economics and I don't see Jesus, then I have some choices to make.

May you know yourself as God knows you today, as blessed and beloved, as welcomed and accepted, as invited into everything you might become if only you could begin to see yourself as beautifully as God sees you right now. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of God has come near to you!