New Story Church

The Birdwatcher, the Sower, & the Shema. Luke 8

Jesus told many stories, but there’s one story in particular that He seems to want us to hear first. In Matthew, Mark, & Luke, this story stands as a kind of entryway to the stories of Jesus. You must go through it if you hope to get inside. It's a story about a farmer sowing seeds, about Isaiah speaking to deaf people, and about how hearing has more to do with your heart than your ears.

Stumbling over the Parables of Jesus

The parables are those simple, confusing, humorous, cutting, encouraging, almost always unexpected and often irreverent little stories Jesus told. They are especially suited to worm their way into our hearts & minds. This week we are beginning a series on the parables of Jesus by asking that most basic question: Why? Why does Jesus speak in parables? Why does Jesus seem to think that parables, in particular, have the power to transform us from the inside out?

The Voice of God (and how to hear it)

Samuel heard it but didn’t recognize it. Gideon heard it but doubted it. Isaiah heard it and was fearful. John The Baptist heard it, and was affirmed. Saul heard it and it knocked him to the ground. What about you? Have you ever heard the voice of God?

If You Only Knew What Was Really Happening. Daniel 10-12

History matters. World history. Your personal history. The way you think about the past matters. In this final vision of Daniel, we get one last peek behind the veil of human history. There we see unseen forces at work in our past, the inevitable collapse of humanity apart from God, and the hope of resurrection. It's a vision that suggests if you only knew what was really happening, you'd be horrified... and yet not without hope.

The Road to Emmaus: He’s Walking Right Beside You. Luke 24

If Jesus is alive and with us, then why is it so hard to see Him in your life? This Easter, we are invited to go on a journey that may feel familiar. It's an ancient story about people, who - like us - struggle to see Jesus even when He's walking right beside us. Luke 24:13-35

The 70th "Seven." Daniel 9:20-27

In Daniel 9, God allows us to peek behind the curtain of human history in this mysterious vision of 70 "sevens." We get a glimpse of the aim and end history. In it, two things become astoundingly clear: One, the end is certain. God wins. If you are a child of God, you will prevail. And, two, the road to the end will likely be more brutal than you can even imagine. Both are true. If we can cling to faith while facing this brutal reality, then three is almost nothing we cannot overcome.

Five Things That Will Transform Your Relationship With God. Daniel 9:1-19

If the Book of Daniel is an apocalypse (or unveiling) of human history, then Daniel 9 is an apocalypse of Daniel’s heart. It is the unveiling of what is really going on in Daniel’s soul. It allows us to peek behind the curtain to see what’s really going on. And it is stunning. In this text, we discover five things that shape Daniel's relationship with God and could transform your relationship with Him too.

The Shadow of the Antichrist. Daniel 8

At one level, Daniel 8 is just about some historic events. It's just the story of some king who persecutes the People of God. That’s it. But, as the story unfolds, something changes. We’re no longer just talking about some man. We're talking about the spiritual forces behind the man, spiritual forces that are still at work in our world today. This is an uncomfortable text that forces us to ask some uncomfortable questions about how we see the world.

The Four Beasts, Antichrist, & the Story of Your Life. Daniel 7

In Daniel 7, we encounter something different. It’s a bit like Dorothy opening the door to Oz. Suddenly everything is in technicolor & bizarre. "We’re not in Kansas anymore." Daniel invites us to peak behind the curtain of human knowledge & see what can only be seen with eyes of faith. We are invited to hear the story of the end, the story of our world, the story our lives… as told by God.

Lions, Liars & Legends of Faith. Daniel 6

Some people believe that extraordinary men and women of God do extraordinary things in times of crises. That's not true. In times of crisis Godly men and women continue to persist in the extraordinary things they have been practicing all along. It’s only in times of dire crisis when those things become like weapons in the battle, with which they are highly skilled.

Death, Distraction, & the Fall of Babylon. Daniel 5

You are going to die. Everything you create/do/build/write will one day end up on the dust pile of history. This world in its present form is passing away. It's an uncomfortable and unfortunate fact. In the modern world, whole industries are devoted to distracting us from this fact. But the fact remains. In a world inebriated with things that won't last, Daniel chapter 5 is a slap in the face. In this story, Daniel urges us to sober up and consider our lives in light of the end of all things.

Before We Lose What Makes Us Human. Daniel 4

Apart from God, we will forget what it means to be human. Society will go insane. Our lives will become increasingly animalistic. We will dehumanize ourselves and one another. The philosophers of old saw this coming, we see this happening in our world, and, in Daniel 4, we see this dramatically play out in the life of Nebuchadnezzar. Yet, even in when we are at our worst, God's love pursues us still.

Standing When the Whole World Bows. Daniel 3

The pressure to bow to the spirit of the age is not new. The tools of manipulation, control, and intimidation might be new, but the story is an ancient one. In Daniel chapter 3, we hear the story of three exiles who are forced to choose between bowing or being burned alive. It's a story that forces us to ask: How do you stand when the whole world is bowing to pressure? And, perhaps more importantly, where is God when my life is burning down?

Anxiety, Bad Dreams, & Being on the Right Side of History. Daniel 2

He's wealthy and successful, but he can't sleep. He has the world's best security... but he's filled with anxiety. In Daniel chapter 2, we get an intimate look into the mind of one of the most powerful people in the history of the world. Through a dream, God reveals to Nebuchadnezzar (and to us) why we're so anxious, the aim of history, and how to get a good night's sleep.

Raising Kids in Babylon: Parenting Panel Discussion

We are in the midst of a cultural war, and our kids are at the frontlines. This week, we're pausing the Daniel series to host a panel discussion designed to help you practically wrestle with the question: How do we raise kids in Babylon? DISCLAIMER: While we can attest to the character of the panel participants, their views do not necessarily reflect the official position of GVF. They were intentionally selected because they reflect the spectrum of parenting decisions. You should prayerfully...

Where Do You Draw the Line? Daniel 1

If you live, dress, eat, talk, shop, work, and consume media just like everyone else, at what point do you become just like everyone else? In Daniel chapter 1, we watch as Daniel and his friends are sent off to the University of Babylon. There the Babylonians attempt to erase their identity as children of God and give them a new Babylonian identity. They reprogram them in the language, values, and gods of Babylon. But, when it comes to eating the king's food, Daniel refuses to participate. T...

The Book of Daniel: History, Prophecy, & Apocalypse.

The Book of Daniel is the story of a few 6th century Hebrew exiles, who are assimilated into the city and culture of Babylon, serve in the Babylonian government, and live among the Babylonians. And yet, they manage to keep their identity as the People of God. They live in the world but are not of the world. In this message, we begin to unravel how Daniel's life and visions help us make sense of what is happening in our lives and our world.

Redeem the Time. Ephesians 5:15-16

With Omicron & freezing rain changing up our plans this weekend, I thought it might me a good time to reflect on a phrase that has come up again and again in this past year: "redeem the time" (Eph 5:16).

Jellyfish Mentality. Luke 12

Brainless, heartless, slow jellyfish thrive in our oceans by simply going with the flow. All of their needs are provided for by the Oceanic Conveyor Belt. Similarly, in Luke chapter 12, Jesus reminds his disciples that their heavenly father will provide all they need if they put their trust in, and get their identity from God alone. What about you? Where do you get your security and find your identity?

All the Mistakes in the Genealogy of Jesus. Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew chapter 1 is a go-to text for people who want to prove that the Bible is full of errors. If you take this text literally, you can quickly see that there is literally something wrong with it. But is this a problem with what Matthew wrote or with the way we are reading it?

The Blessing on the Other Side of Brokenness. Genesis 32

This is one of the great stories about how people are transformed by a personal encounter with God. It's night. Jacob is all alone. He has come to a crossroads. God wrestles with him all night, but Jacob refuses to surrender. So, in order to bless Jacob, God breaks Jacob. He walks away limping... and blessed. If you listen carefully, perhaps you will find yourself in this story. 

The Things We Do When We Feel Unloved. Genesis 29-31

This week we come to a love story. In fact, this one might just qualify as the world's first rom-com. It's a crassly humorous story about all the hurtful, messed up, stupid, and ridiculous things people do when they feel unloved. It's the story of how God will form these unloved people into His Beloved People. It's our story.

Jacob's Ladder & the God Who Interrupts Our Lives. Genesis 28

Your life has just come crashing down. You’re completely alone in the world. Your relationships are all ruined. You're running from your past. You're not quite sure who you are any more. But, what happens next is about to change everything. This is Jacob's story, but maybe this is your story too. Or, maybe it will be. Either way, Jacob's ladder is a story worth hearing.

Nobody Wants to Live an Unblessed Life. Genesis 27

At first, it reads like a comedy. Jacob pretends to be someone he is not in order to receive a blessing he doesn't deserve. Then, it turns into a tragedy when we realize that this isn't just a story about Jacob. It's about us too. This text forces us to wrestle with the ways we seek to be blessed, the ways we have (or have not) experienced God’s blessing, and the ways we do (or do not) bless others. It speaks to that deep human longing to be blessed and the deeply flawed ways we seek this bl...

Jacob: A Man Named "Struggle" (Genesis 25)

Jacob's story doesn’t comfortably fit into a modern American sermon or a modern American life. And maybe that’s the point. In this passage, we meet Jacob, the man named "Struggle," who invites us to struggle with him and with his God. Genesis 25:19-34

Making Lemonade: The Journey. Philippians 4

As it turns out, the transformation of sour lemons into sweet lemonade can be a long and harrowing process.  The Apostle Paul discovered this while in a dire situation in a Roman prison;  he squeezed his circumstances into a letter of encouragement and hope to those he loved. The result was something beautiful. Paul's undying belief in God's providence would not only encourage the Philippians, but all Christ followers for the next couple of millennia to follow.

You Can't Imprison the Message: Philippians 1:12-18

When life gives you lemons...make lemonade!" The apostle Paul took this well known modern-day maxim to a whole new level when he wrote a letter of encouragement and joy to the people of Philippi from a dark, damp Roman prison. Are there any areas of your life that could use this kind of perspective? Join us as we investigate Philippians 1 to find out exactly how he did it, and how you can too! www.gvf.church/makelemonade

What, In The World, Does God Want?

In a world of 7.9 billion people, nearly 2 billion  have never heard of Jesus in a way to which they could respond in saving faith; what does God want? In a world where the vast majority of people are deeply desired by God yet desperately distant from God; what does God want? In my community, my family and my inner life; what does God want? In this message we explore 1 John 2:1-3 and see God’s heart, God‘s actions, and God’s invitation to partner with him to change the world. Get Jack Nelso...

Jesus and Technology: Part 2. Deuteronomy 6.

Has technology become too precious in your home? In this timely message, we discuss the glowing blue elephant in our homes: technology, and ask a very simple yet critical question: "does it consume more of your time, money and thoughts than God does?" If so, don't despair or start pouring water over your devices. We'll see that what we really need is perspective, wisdom and discernment, not fear or judgement.

Title: Six Questions You Need to Ask About the Technology You Use

We are living in the midst of a digital revolution. Technology is rapidly changing the way we think and behave and relate to one another. In this message, we introduce six questions that we need to ask of every technology we use. The questions revolve around how technologies affect: Attention, Limits, Engagement, Relationships, Time, and Space, which just happen to spell the word, ALERTS.

Six Questions You Need to Ask About the Technology You Use

We are living in the midst of a digital revolution. Technology is rapidly changing the way we think and behave and relate to one another. In this message, we introduce six questions that we need to ask of every technology we use. The questions revolve around how technologies affect: Attention, Limits, Engagement, Relationships, Time, and Space, which just happen to spell the word, ALERTS.

What We Want and What We Need

In exploring a story Jesus told about a father and his two sons, we'll discover some truths about what we want in our relationship with God, and what we really need.

Doubt & Belief in a Post-Christian World. Psalm 73

In our post-Christian world, doubt is an unavoidable part of the journey of faith. If we hope to become a church where life transformation is normal, then we have to get really, really comfortable admitting, discussing, processing, and working through our doubts. In this message, we'll look at the deconstruction and reconstruction of faith in an ancient worship leader named Asaph.

A Different Kind of Answer: The Way, the Vine, & the Trellis. John 14-15.

We want to become a church where life transformation is normal. When we ask Jesus how this is supposed to work in our post-Christian world, He gives us a different kind of answer. The kind of answer we might not suspect. In this message, we look at two simple, but profound, images Jesus has given us to navigate the complex realities of our modern, post-Christian world. Then, we talk about how we envision living this out at GVF over the next 3-5 years.

Something's Wrong Here: Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Era

Over the past few years, it has become increasingly obvious that something's wrong here. Our world has changed. The old assumptions about how to be your true self, find meaning, and live a good life are no longer reliable. The old way of doing church isn't working. We need a new vision. In this message, we begin a conversation about what it might look like to become a church where life transformation is normal.

Unity. Ephesians 4:1-6

Without love and grace, division in the body of Christ is inevitable. Today we hear about many non-Biblical issues tearing the church apart, and we know that a house divided cannot stand. Yet there is hope! Scripture offers several guideposts which can help us get back on track if we're willing to be obedient.

Sabbath: A Practical Guide to Finding Real Rest. (Matthew 12)

How do we move from learning about Sabbath to walking in the freedom, rest, and delight promised in Sabbath? In this message, we look at what it means to follow Jesus in His invitation, "Come to Me. You who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Click here to download a Sabbath worksheet for planning your Sabbath. 

Sabbath: Practicing Radical Kindness. Deuteronomy 5

In a world of division, loneliness, and social isolation, Sabbath is a place where you show radical grace, generosity, kindness, and love to others, especially those who are not like you. Not because they deserve it. Not because you agree with them. But simply because that’s how God loved you.

Sabbath: Killing the "gods" of America. Exodus 16

On Sabbath, we are invited to join God in mocking & killing the "gods" of this world. It may sound violent. It is. But God insists that the gods of consumerism & insatiable desire, the gods of achievement & creating your own value, the gods of numbing, distraction, & restlessness… they must die. Only when we realize that they have no power over us can we be truly free.

Sabbath: The One Thing That Changes Everything. Exodus 20

When God wants to lead us into the deep, rich, fullness of life with Him, He gives us nine ways to orient our hearts and one weekly practice: Sabbath. In this message, we explore why God singles out Sabbath as the one thing that we must do if we want to become a people who love God and love others.

Five Reasons Why It's So Hard to Find Real Rest (Sermon Excerpt)

Resting should be the easiest thing in the world, but it's not. In this sermon excerpt, we look at five major reasons why it's so hard to rest so that we can recognize these barriers in our own lives.

Why Is It So Hard to Rest? Exodus 5

Jesus invites us to rest. It sounds like the easiest thing in the world... until you actually try to do it. In this message, we explore the possibility that the chronic busyness that passes for normal in our world might be a symptom of a much deeper sickness, a form of spiritual slavery.

Groanings & Glory. Romans 8:18-30

We all experience the groanings of this world. We all long for something more in the midst of our struggles. Could it be that our groanings actually point us to the truth of God's glory?

Moses and the Humble Blue Jay

Sometimes the most important truths in life can't be perceived by the five senses. Moses knew this when he stared out at an impassable Red Sea, with the lives of 500,000 of God's chosen people on the line. His faith helped him see what wasn't there: a way out. Where do you need this type of faith in the unseen? Exodus 14.

Who Are You?

Beauty on a Battlefield

A beautiful scene emerges in the midst of chaos and loss as one man has a disruptive encounter with Jesus. Scripture text: Mark 5:1-20

A New (& Better) Way to Do Life. Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus doesn’t want to give us more to do or make our lives harder. He is inviting us to lay our burdens down, to experience freedom, and to step into a new (& better) way of life.

The Message Etched Upon Your Heart. Jeremiah 17

Jesus promises give us a "new heart." He does not just want to fix us up on the outside. He wants to write a message in our hearts, changing us from the inside out. But, in Jeremiah 17, we learn that before He can write His message, He has to address the messages that are already on our hearts.

That’s Not Who You Are Anymore. Romans 6

Becoming a follower of Jesus doesn't just change how you think. It changes who you are. According to the Apostle Paul, the old you, the one that ran from God & lived for yourself, is dead. The things that used to control you, they no longer lay claim to you. You are a new person with a new life.

Why Is Baptism so Important?

The earliest followers of Jesus describe baptism as a proof that God loves them, a motivation to radically change their lives, and a source of hope in the face of suffering. How does symbolically submerging someone under water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do that?