Marysville Nazarene

The second cup, the Cup of Deliverance, helps us deal with the issues (of body, of mind, and of spirit) that keep us from participating in the divine nature of Christ. But where the first cup, the Cup of Salvation, was instant, this second cup takes work. And 87% of those who profess to be Christians get stuck somewhere between the first cup and the second. They've been taken out "of Egypt," but the "Egypt" has not yet been taken out of them.

Our understanding of the four cups of the Passover changes how we approach and receive communion. We were created to participate in the divine.  The Biblical word for promise literally translates: "to make a future guarantee." God's promises have a purpose! And just as He brought the Israelites out from under the yoke of the Egyptians, we too have been promised salvation. We are His people--set apart. Therefore, drink from the first cup, believe and be saved!

We have talked about the gods of succcess, pleasure, entertainment, love, self... but perhaps the most dangerous idol of all is that of religion, or the church. Our strongholds become walls, walls become fences, and we become gatekeepers instead of greeters. Let us tear down the altars in our lives, the idols we serve, and let God out of the box!

Daniel 4 is one of the most unique chapters in the entire Bible. Written using "reverse chronology," we're shown the end of the story first, with the author (King Nebuchadnezzar) praising God before we get into the story and see his transformation from self-worshiper to worshiping the one true God unfold. And, if a king like Nebuchadnezzar can receive grace, we too can remove ourselves from the throne of our heart and turn our eyes toward heaven.

Luke 18:18-30 shares the Parable of the Rich Ruler, who was faced with a choice--he could serve God or money, and he could not choose both.  We often look to money to do the very things for us that God wants to do. Money itself isn't the problem. It's the love of money--the god of success--that is the problem. It's become our source of satisfaction, our measure of worth, our security, and we find ourselves resting our hope in money or success instead of God.  What are you holding on to that you need to let go of?

The gods of pleasure often begin as good gifts from the Lord God--food, entertainment, sex, relaxation, etc. These are good things God gave us out of his love, but too often we find ourselves living for these pleasures. They become what motivates us to get out of bed in the morning and go to work. They're what our relationships, our time, and our money often revolve around. Without even realizing it, we find that we're worshiping the gods of pleasure instead of the God who has given us such gifts. Instead of having a throne in our hearts where God reigns, we often have a loveseat, where God is expected to share the space with something--or someone--else. The gods of pleasure are a cheap imitation for what the Lord God has for us. They are at war within us, taking everything and giving nothing. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

We come together every week weary, tired, frustrated, discouraged, alone, wounded, and we search for answers to our symptoms believing they're the real issues we're facing. But over the next 7 weeks, we're going to look past the symptoms and get right to the disease, engaging the gods at war within our lives.  The beauty in this conversation is not about guilt, but about recognition. When we realize the war--the battles, the gods--we become aware of the separation between us and the one in whose image we are created, and can begin turning our hearts back to the ONE GOD who loves us unconditionally. 

From our 2022 Advent series, "An Unexpected Christmas."

From our 2022 Advent series, "An Unexpected Christmas."

From our 2022 Advent Series, "An Unexpected Christmas."

From our series, "The Blessed Life." It is at the Lord's table that we find the true source of thanksgiving. The eucharist, the sharing of communion, is the center of our attitude toward thanksgiving. Being thankful down to the core, and with complete disregard to self, can only be found in the center of our communion with Christ.  

From our series, "The Blessed Life." While God works in the pluses and minuses of life, He is a God of Multiplication. When we trust Him with our offerings (both financial and otherwise), by letting go and giving them back to Him, God multiplies those offerings and uses them to bless others. What is He asking you to let go of, to give, to be, or to do?  

From our series, "The Blessed Life." "Everything comes into order when God is first. When God is not first, life falls out of order." -- Pastor Robert Morris, The Principle of First