encounter | acts 16:13-34

david von

Throughout the Bible events are recounted where people would have and encounter with God. Sometimes it would be through an angel, other times through a miraculous phenomenon, and yet others a tangible voice. No matter the way that God would present himself the result was always the same, radical life transformation!! Although these encounters are amazingly powerful in and of themselves God had one last encounter that would trump them all. God sent Jesus in the flesh, to be with his people, giving his very own life for them. God came to us, so that every single one of us could experience an encounter with him too. It doesn’t matter your walk of life, your economic status, or the amount of religion you have, Jesus came so that you could encounter Him. As a church our purpose and passion is that all would get to experience this great encounter because we know that once you do, your life will never be the same!!

Do you have a story of an initial encounter with God? What is it?
In what ways do you continue to encounter God in your life?

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who we are | david von

From the beginning at emmaus our dream has been to be a place where anyone could simply encounter Jesus, be

transformed by Jesus, and sent by Jesus. This is what our heart pounds for! The world we live in is a messy and broken

place, our lives are just as messy and broken and it is only through the work of Jesus Christ that any of that changes. so

rather then ignoring the realities or trying to put up a façade while we  “fake it till we make it” we choose to embrace the

mess and brokenness. While this seems refreshing to many it is important to realize it is often chaotic, disorganized, and

painful. Our dream is that people can take off the blinders, see the reality of their heart and life and be able to receive the

gracious transformative power of Jesus!!

 

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recalibrate pt 2 | eph. 2.17-22

david von

As we close in on our third year as a community I simultaneously am struck by 2 very different emotions. I can honestly say that I am filled with great awe of how faithful God has been to myself, my family, and our Emmaus Community. But there is also a nagging frustration that moves to disappointment at where I have fallen short and places our community lacks purpose and passion. As I have wrestled through this I am greatly encouraged by those around me and the Holy Spirit within me to know that God has a plan and He is faithful to complete it!!
Without sounding melodramatic I believe we are at a pivotal moment in our community’s development, we are in a season of God speaking, guiding, and moving us into a fuller picture of what His plans are for Emmaus. It has become clear that we need to make some slight course corrections to most fully respond to what God is calling us into as a community. From the beginning it was our prayer to be a place where people could simply encounter Jesus, be transformed by Jesus, and be sent by Jesus. This is still what my heart pounds for!! While we have seen this in pockets of our body we have also seen a church drifting without clear purpose and direction. My desire has always been to be as freeing as possible remaining as hands off as possible, giving room to the spirit. But I have begun to see more clearly my role in bringing stronger leadership and clarity to our church. With that in mind we want to dedicate the summer of 2013 to connecting with each other, listening to God, and acting on his direction. I am well aware that we will never arrive but we do desire to grow and mature, bringing more clarity, passion, and purpose so that all of those we connect with can experience the power of Jesus Christ!!

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recalibrate | eph 2.17-22

david von

As we close in on our third year as a community I simultaneously am struck by 2 very different emotions. I can honestly say that I am filled with great awe of how faithful God has been to myself, my family, and our Emmaus Community. But there is also a nagging frustration that moves to disappointment at where I have fallen short and places our community lacks purpose and passion. As I have wrestled through this I am greatly encouraged by those around me and the Holy Spirit within me to know that God has a plan and He is faithful to complete it!!
Without sounding melodramatic I believe we are at a pivotal moment in our community’s development, we are in a season of God speaking, guiding, and moving us into a fuller picture of what His plans are for Emmaus. It has become clear that we need to make some slight course corrections to most fully respond to what God is calling us into as a community. From the beginning it was our prayer to be a place where people could simply encounter Jesus, be transformed by Jesus, and be sent by Jesus. This is still what my heart pounds for!! While we have seen this in pockets of our body we have also seen a church drifting without clear purpose and direction. My desire has always been to be as freeing as possible remaining as hands off as possible, giving room to the spirit. But I have begun to see more clearly my role in bringing stronger leadership and clarity to our church. With that in mind we want to dedicate the summer of 2013 to connecting with each other, listening to God, and acting on his direction. I am well aware that we will never arrive but we do desire to grow and mature, bringing more clarity, passion, and purpose so that all of those we connect with can experience the power of Jesus Christ!!

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transformed pt. 2 | col 3.1-10

david von

After Jesus’ resurrection everything begins to change around the disciples but even more importantly everything in them begins to change as well. This Holy Spirit that has brought about the “new birth” is also bringing radical personal transformation. This is no small behavior modifications or an effort to try and live a better life. At their very core the disciples have become new people…as Paul puts it they are “new creations in Christ Jesus.” These disciples have become fully aware that what Jesus has done through his life, death, and resurrection not only gives them the desire to change it gives them the power to change as well. They begin to do away with anger, wrath, and slander. They start treating each other as God’s children rather than sexual objects to be used. They stop lying and cheating to get ahead and actually begin to prefer one another over themselves. All of this is a radical miracle made possible only by Jesus Christ. While it is exciting and fresh it can also be difficult and require some really hard work. But through it all God is at work on the inside of them shaping and forming them into his children.

How have you seen Christ’s transformative power at work in your life the past 6 months to year? (specific examples)
Where does God seem to be working trans formatively in your life most right now? How does the Gospel apply to that?

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transformation pt. 1 | col. 3.1-10

After Jesus’ resurrection everything begins to change around the disciples but even more importantly everything in them begins to change as well. This Holy Spirit that has brought about the “new birth” is also bringing radical personal transformation. This is no small behavior modifications or an effort to try and live a better life. At their very core the disciples have become new people…as Paul puts it they are “new creations in Christ Jesus.” These disciples have become fully aware that what Jesus has done through his life, death, and resurrection not only gives them the desire to change it gives them the power to change as well. They begin to do away with anger, wrath, and slander. They start treating each other as God’s children rather than sexual objects to be used. They stop lying and cheating to get ahead and actually begin to prefer one another over themselves. All of this is a radical miracle made possible only by Jesus Christ. While it is exciting and fresh it can also be difficult and require some really hard work. But through it all God is at work on the inside of them shaping and forming them into his children.

How have you seen Christ’s transformative power at work in your life the past 6 months to year? (specific examples)
Where does God seem to be working trans formatively in your life most right now? How does the Gospel apply to that?

Click below to listen to the message: 

 

justification | romans 4.24-25

Many people today feel that God is mad at them. Yet God himself has made a way by which you can know that he is not only not mad, but pleased with you! Justification is a biblical game changer, and today you’ll learn all about the life-changing truth contained in this one word!

What is justification and why do I need it?
What difference does knowing that I’m justified make in my life?

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salvation | 1 peter 1.3-5

david von

After Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit, men and women of all ages and all backgrounds began to experience an amazing phenomenon. Something was happening in their lives…deep within their souls. It was as if their spirits were being awaken to a new kind of life, a spiritual life, a much deeper, truer life. It was as if the very resurrection life of Christ came alive on the inside of them and to flow out of them. They called this phenomenon salvation and being born again. From that time forward many have received this very unique gift of new life. Even today in our generation the resurrected life of Jesus continues to save people now and for all eternity.

Evaluating your life by how you practically live it, where is your hope truly at?
When and how did you come to faith in Jesus Christ?

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everything changed | luke 24:36-49

david von

The resurrection of Jesus is the climatic event of Jesus earthly ministry that validates all he said and solidifies all he promises to do. The claim of his disciples that on the 3rd day Jesus rose from the dead is the most shocking and outlandish off that is written in the Bible. If false it proves Jesus was either a liar or a lunatic, but if true it means that Jesus was truly God in the flesh!! The implications are as powerful as they are endless!! This fact changes everything. His death is the complete and final sacrifice for sin and his life is the transformative power at work in each and everyone of his followers. We have been restored to a relationship with God and now the Holy Spirit resides with great power on the inside of each believer. This truly is good news. The rightful king has taken his throne and now pours out his living presence restoring all things.

Do you believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ?
 How does that change your life?

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power of the king | luke 24:13-35

david von

The miracle of all miracles, the fulfillment of all the prophecies, salvation completed once and for all!! One would think that immediately following the resurrection of the Messiah, after being dead for three full days, there would be great rejoicing, excitement, and celebration. But what we see amongst his followers is quite the opposite. God’s most powerful miracle yet is seemingly missed even by those closest to him. Their hope has turned to confusion, doubt, and even sadness. But as is always true with our savior He has an answer, He will draw near, and he will fill their hearts once again.

What does Christ’s resurrection mean to you?

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purpose of the king | luke 22:14-23

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Jesus gives his disciples and all of us possibly the most meaningful sacrament we have. For anyone who so desires it is the opportunity to partake of His broken body and His shed blood in our lives for the forgiveness of our sins. His passion to share this with them speaks to the power that it holds. We should embrace this reality everyday of our lives for this is what truly shapes us into his kingdom plan.

How have you seen Christ’s power in your life in the past?
​Where in your life do you need Jesus’ power right now?

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passion of the king | mark 11.12-18

david von

In the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple we see a bringing together of his meekness with his majesty, his power with his weakness. As his crucifixion draws near we see that Christ is both the Lamb that will be lead to slaughter and the Lion that excels in strength and triumph. With great passion Jesus demonstrates God’s desire that his purpose and plane is that people from every nation would not only be saved, but that we be transformed by his work on the cross and in the tomb.

Do you tend to see Jesus more as Lion or Lamb? Why?
​If Christ’s looks at your life like he did the fig tree would he see an appearance of fruit or actual fruit?

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