King's Cross Church South Bay

Faithfulness is not something that tends to draw our attention... until it is lost or violated. Then suddenly, it matters immensely to us. Our tendency to overlook ongoing faithfulness could be a flaw, but it also speaks to the nature of what faithfulness is. Mother Teresa said that love isn't genuine because it does the extraordinary. Rather, what we need is a love that doesn't get tired in doing the small, ordinary things. That's where the strength of faithfulness lies. So when Jesus says, "Well done, good and faithful servant," it is more often about the smallness of daily life rather than huge things. (It's the daily bread, not a single feast, that builds a household of love.) Yet even that sort of faithfulness often feels overwhelming for us, especially since we tend to mark our failures and overlook daily consistency. So what is preventing our awareness and appreciation of faithfulness? And how do we grow that kind of discipline and joy? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Faithfulness" (Matthew 25:14-30).

When I was a child, E.T. said, "Be good." It was Spielberg reflecting the cultural zeitgeist. We hear the same messaging all the time, even in candy commercials. 'Be a good person. Goodness is within you. Goodness comes back around to you. Humanity can collectively improve itself. Goodness is contagious.' And yet... that is not our lived experience. Goodness feels rare and hard won. And anyone who has genuinely tried to 'be good' in a sustained way generally finds it rather impossible. Is it really surprising that the call to "be a good person" often leads to feeling bad about ourselves? Notably, Jesus said the opposite: "no one is good but God." And far from being depressing, he meant that as incredibly encouraging news. After all, he came bringing "Good News" - but how does that 'good' news begin to transform bad people like me? And how might we actually grow in that goodness as a result? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Goodness" (Mark 10:17-31)

Patience. Some adults want to have it. No child wants to learn it. Candy? 'Now, please.' Nine days from now might as well be nine weeks. And nine weeks? Well, just ask a child how far away Christmas feels right now. As adults, a child's impatience might make us laugh - until we turn and face our own versions. Maybe it's lighthearted in the daily commute; maybe not. But it's certainly not funny as the stakes get higher. We received a prayer request this week for an infant child (of a friend of a church officer) who was rushed to the ER having unexplained seizures. No one envies that sort of waiting. ER waiting. NICU waiting. It unmoors us. No one there is casually debating whether patience is a stoic 'self-mastery' or the moral courage of 'calm persistence.' Instead, 'Please, God, please.' But if - as Scripture promises - God will wipe away all tears, then why is patience a hallmark of heaven? What makes patience a fruit of the Spirit and why is it worth cultivating? Clearly we all need it, but how is this good news for us? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Patience" (James 5:7-11)

This Sunday we continue our series on the Fruit of the Spirit with kindness. There's an old cliche, "Kill them kindness" - which tacitly admits the goal is not really to be kind but rather to conquer your opponent through the manipulation tactic of persistent niceness. (Think Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew.) But Jesus said, "Love your enemies." And then he went and died for them. Not to gain power over them, but to set them free. He didn't kill them with kindness; his kindness got him killed. So who wants to be kind like that? Virtually no one. Yet, for that reason, kindness to enemies (or even just strangers) often creates a crisis: "What's your real motive? Are you trying to take advantage of me? Where is this coming from?" There is a yearning for heaven underneath those questions that has learned cynicism through past disappointments. So how does Christ actually expect his followers to answer that, much less do that? Let's revisit David & Mephibosheth as we talk about "Life in the Spirit: Kindness" (2 Sam.9:1-13).  

"World peace. Peace through strength. Give peace a chance. Hold your peace. Disturbing the peace. No justice, no peace. Peace of mind. Peace and quiet. Live in peace. Rest in peace. Peace at last. A lasting peace. Inner peace. Eternal peace. Blessed are the peacemakers. The peace that passes all understanding." As much as humanity talks about peace, does anyone doubt our lives are full of conflict - most of which we do not want? Jesus said he brings a peace unlike any the world can offer. Paul said he knew the secret of this peace (even while in prison), but most Christians still struggle to find a practical, sustained peace. What is so distinctive about this peace and how can we grow in it daily? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Peace" (Philippians 4:4-12).

We were created for joy. From the time we could play as a child, we craved it. Toys, playgrounds, friends -- somehow remind us of the gift of existing. CS Lewis has said, "All joy reminds." It taps a desire for something long ago or what could be. No one ever says "I will take less joy in my life please." And yet... the way Jesus talks about joy often collides with how I think of joy. He tells his disciples he is leaving, but it will bring more joy. He talks of the pain of childbirth and its greater joy. He even argues with religious scholars about what makes heaven rejoice. If joy is so good and obvious, why is it so hard for us to get and keep? And why does Jesus feel the need to correct us so often on what actually brings lasting joy? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Joy" (Luke 15:1-10).

"Love God." "Love one another." "Love your enemies." "Love not just with words, but in action..." There are few more basic commands from Jesus than "love one another." But is there a more difficult one? Set aside dating apps or coworker drama. Why is this hard to do even with our closest friends and family - especially when it requires more than just "wishing them positivity"? The Scriptures present love with a particularity that includes both external actionables and internal desires. "Love your enemies" is not only a big idea, it is uncomfortably tangible. Why? Because the Bible is clear that love is not just a concept or subjective feeling. It is who He is. He pursues. He pays. He heals. But sometimes I don't like what that implies about me, much less that I should do that for others. Is there such a thing as an 'unloving Christian'? Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit: Love" (1 John 4:7-21). 

This week we begin our new series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said, "You will know my disciples by their fruit." Now that's a loaded thing to say. Think about Jesus' own disciples. Think even about the messes we see in the New Testament church. Forgive the pun, but the fruit looks more 'holey' than it looks holy. So what hope does that give us? Paul lists off nine traits as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. However, it's worth noting that he's writing the angriest of all his letters to a church that is riddled with holes. And yet he seems to think this will bring them joy. In other words, it can't simply be a checklist of what they are failing to do. He has a particular hope in mind, that is good news for both the ancient and modern church. Let's talk about "Life in the Spirit" (Gal.5:1,16-25)

What does the New Testament mean when it says all Christians are "members" of Christ's body? And why do we hear that idea so differently from the term "membership"? Even American Express has shifted their motto away from "Membership has its privileges." Who wants to be a 'member' anymore? We hear those terms and think almost solely bad things: arrogant exclusivity, membership dues, deeper commitments and demands, etc. So why does the Bible see it so oppositely? Let's talk about something that our society finds - at the very least - undesirable, yet the Scriptures compare to marital bliss. "Why Join the Local Church?" (1 Cor.12:12-27) And yes, we will be offering immediate ways to experience this joy firsthand. *winking emoji*

This week we come to the end of our series on worship in the Psalms - the benediction. It is the final blessing which sends us out of each worship service. Why do we do this? "The Lord bless you and keep you..." Years ago I had a pastor's daughter ask me: "what is a blessing anyway? Does anyone really know what that means?" It reminded me of how often Christians throw around religious terms without appreciating the depth of what is happening. For lack of clarity, it gets reduced to "have a great week, and we'll see you next time." Those words are forgotten the moment we walk out someone's door. How is the benediction different? There is a promise from God here that is meant to lead us out with joy and equip us for the journey. How do we get that? Let's talk about "Benediction" (Psalm 67).