Living Stones Christian Church - East Bay

EEAAO: Jesus Plus | Col 2:1—3:4

Our suffering means victory instead of shame now, bc Jesus is the crucified God; we are sharing in his victory Worldly philosophies/values/habits press us to compromise our faith in Jesus the crucified God. But he triumphs and fulfills these the values/desires.

EEAAO: New Meaning of Suffering | Col 1:24-29

Our suffering means victory instead of shame now, bc Jesus is the crucified God; we are sharing in his victory

EEAAO: The Crucified God | Col 1:15-19

Jesus is creator, new creator, over all. But he's different, he's the crucified God

The Ascension | Lk 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-11

Why the (forgotten) ascension of Christ matters

Glory | Rom 8:18-30

Our present sufferings can't compare with our future glory - possible because of Jesus' resurrection

A Community for the Foster Children | Acts 16:16-34; Jas 1:27

Jesus invites his followers to bring a taste of heaven to earth! We get to be a part of what he is doing in the world in very tangible, powerful ways. We see how all throughout Acts that the Kingdom Movement of Jesus advances by the power of the Spirit, and we get to be a part of continuing that mission! What would it look like for God's people to step into the stories of children and families experiencing foster care? We would see glimpses of heaven invading earth with the life of God thro...

Street Ministry Month: A Community Free to Love | 1 Cor 10:23-33

Love is more important than freedom

Street Ministry Month: Serving Christ in the Unhoused | Mt 25:31-46

When we serve the poor, we serve Christ

Leaders of Christ's Community | 1 Tim 3:1-12; Lk 22:25-26

Leaders are called to have character and be like Christ; poignant in a culture of egalitarianism and the abuse of power

An Edifying Community | Eph 4:15, 29

The church is about building each other up in love and challenging truth

A Devoted Community | Heb 10:23-26

The church is a "covenant community" - sacrificilally devoted to being with and for each other

A Christ-Centered Community | 1 Cor 11:17-34

The church is about Christ, not consumeristic "me", not even the "best version of me"

A Community of Forgiveness | Mt 18:21-35

Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Hearing from God | 1 Kgs 19:1-18

What is God calling you to this year? How is God speaking to you? Does he have a new mission for you this year, or the continuation of an old mission? What step of faith do you need to take in response to what God is saying?

"Four Questions for the New Year | Jeremiah 29:4-14"

What if God has something surprising, challenging, purposeful—and ultimately GOOD for you this year? Key verse: "For I know the plans I have for you..."

Mary's Song (HOPING) | Lk 1:26-56

God lifts up and uses the lowly, because he lives among them too!

Zechariah's Song (HOPING) | Lk 1:5-25, 57-80 (story or song OK)

Believing in God's impossible promises

Hope

Forget Not His Benefits | Ps 103

Remembering God's provision

Good News for the Anxious | Prov 3:5-6; Isa 41:10

Good news for those with anxiety, stress, depression

Can I Know God Personally? | The 7 Big Questions

The entire reason Jesus came to earth was so that everyone who trusts in him can know God personally—the relationship we were born to enjoy.

Is Jesus Really God? | The 7 Big Questions

Because of His own testimony about Himself, Jesus is either God or a fraud. There is no logical middle ground. Jesus demonstrated His deity through prophecy, teaching, and the resurrection.

Is Christianity Too Narrow? | The 7 Big Questions

God provided a way for everyone to have peace. This is profoundly inclusive—not exclusive. Following Jesus is different from every other faith on earth in that He sacrificed to get to us, rather than us sacrificing to get to Him. Most religions boil down to humanity trying to reach God, but Christianity is God reaching humanity.

Why Does God Allow Pain & Suffering | The 7 Big Questions

Because God is greater than we are, we cannot fully understand or explain all of the problems we encounter. However, we can be certain of God’s perfect power, his perfect timing, his perfect purpose, and his perfect love.

Is There A God? | The 7 Big Questions

Evidence of God comes from creation, morality, intelligence, and love. Once we establish that there must be a God, we are ready to discover who God really is.

Does Life Have A Purpose? | The 7 Big Questions

Every person on Earth was created to know and love God personally. Life is meaningless without God, but God gives everything meaning.

Subversive Suburbanite: Neighborhood

Being Good Samaritan neighbors, light to our neighborhoods

Subversive Suburbanite: Treasures

Using our privilege for God's kingdom

Subversive Suburbanite: Community

A reconciled, uncomfortable, upside down community of differents

Subversive Suburbanite: Soul

Deep life of the soul and emotional health

Money: Hot Topics

Sex & Gospel: Hot Topics

Race & Gospel: Hot Topics

At My Father’s House | Lk 2

Reflections on the boy Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2), on adolescence as a time for differentiation and risk, and on Jesus relationships with his earthly & heavenly parents

The Lie of Freedom

Most people who consider themselves Christian will claim they are free. But are they? What does freedom actually mean? You might be surprised to discover that it probably isn’t what you think.

Antenna: Panel: How do you hear God's voice? (OR OBEDIENCE - cf John)

Teaching, plus panel with Christina & Eugene

Faith & Science

Science & Faith answer different questions. How a scientist reads/trusts the Bible

God Speaks: Discern | ??

How do we discern God's voice from a false voice? God's voice always leads us closer to the Lordship of Jesus. Consolation/Desolation. Wise counsel.

Antenna: God's Word | Lk 24:13-35

Habit of listening to God's already revealed voice. Notice the centrality of Scripture in sense Jesus' presence, burning. And it happened on the road, not at church!

Antenna: God's Voice | Jn 10:1-21

Antenna/radar up, like watchmen at night. Antenna up for "Kairos".

Antenna: Thirst | John 4

Do you thirst for God's voice?

The Glories of a Thorn | 2 Cor 12:7-10

God's strength is made perfect in weakness

Scary: The Sky is Falling | Ps 46

So much of politics, news, and gossip today is rooted in fear. But if we believe in God’s power and resurrection, even if things “fall apart”, we have nothing to fear.

Scary: Anxiety | Num 13:17—14:9; Isa 41:10

Anxiety is fear that cripples us from action. Trusting in God releases us from fear.

Where Jesus Shows Up | Jn 20-21

Jesus shows up in our sorrow, doubts, and shame

Story of Two People's Feet | Jn 12-13

Working: God at Work | Gen 1-3

How God is present at work and school - maybe use burning bush, or jesus at sea/fisherman?

Believing in Faith | Mk 9:24

Stepping into our Calling | Mt 25:14-30

How each of us has been created uniquely and with intention by God and have been given a mission to expand the kingdom of God in a way only we could do? Compare and contrast those who step courageously into the calling God has put on their lives with those who settle for a safe and ordinary existence. My hope is that it would encourage people to refuse to settle for less than everything that God wants to do in them and through them.

Working: As a Body | Eph 4:1-16; 1 Cor 12

How God is present when we serve one another with our gifts. God uses our work/service in the body to shape us for work at home/world