The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

The Call - Not to a Position but a Purpose

For many of us along the journey with Christ, our modern internalization of calling and purpose is often found swept up along with our generalized understanding of careers and positions. We tend towards deriving our calling or a sense of purpose from our careers, although through the lens of the gospels, our calling to Christ and for Christ hardly necessitates our jobs. Although we can mix up our notions of purpose and career,  the Fathers calling has been one and the same for generations of seekers and believers: to come and see who Jesus is and to invite others to a relationship with his son.

Shema

In the Bible, the Hebrew term Shema is often translated as "hear," but hearing is only the first part of the word's deeper meaning. To truly Shema means not only to hear, but also to recall, to internalize, and ultimately to take action. Clinging to and repeating the word of God is how we can understand it; truly understanding God's word is how we can then apply it to our lives; and applying God's word to our lives is what leads to the change we are looking for. Shema requires much effort, but the fruit of that effort is redemption from our cycles of brokenness and hopelessness. When we Shema, we abide in God and thereby delight in His Truth: that the life He has to offer is glorious and everlasting, that by His doing we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

Discipleship Made Simple: Two Non-Negotiables

This week, we look to the Bible for two non-negotiables in becoming better disciples. First, we must open ourselves to being taught and, overcoming any resistance to change, apply those teachings to our lives. Indeed, Peter did exactly this; when Jesus rebuked his attitude towards Jesus's washing of his feet, Peter immediately corrected his attitude. Secondly, we must let others into our lives, sharing our successes and struggles, even if it sometimes gets us hurt. In doing so, we follow Jesus's model with His disciples, who, despite Judas's hurtful betrayal, nevertheless grew together as a community. Only by keeping both a teachable heart and an open heart can we truly grow towards better discipleship.

Calling Made Simple: The Invitation to Come and See

Following up on last week’s sermon, another way the “call of God” can be ambiguous is when we assume our calling is an end rather than a means. Many of us conflate our calling with a vocation or a fulfillment of our own goals when we define it without the context of a relationship.
Simply put, calling instead is just an invitation to a greater relationship. When we view calling as a means of getting closer with Jesus, the fruits of the spirit flow out of entering into fellowship with God and each other.

The Call – A Familiar Voice

In Christianity, the topic of the “call of God” can be ambiguous and leave us confused about the unique direction to which the Father is leading each of us. It's when we investigate the recurring themes in our lives that we discover just what the Father's call for us may be. God reaches out to us in familiar ways that reveal our calling, and He qualifies us for this mission by the degree of our surrender to His voice. In doing so, He positions us for the glory of His Kingdom.

180 by 2030

The topic of family often opens a mixed bag of emotions. Thinking about our families - whether about our parents or about prospective children - can remind us of past brokenness, or trigger concern for securing a familial legacy and generational favor. At our annual Labor Day weekend retreat, Dr. Sammy presents a case for how we, transformed by the blood of Christ, can facilitate a blessing for generations a thousand times over. Regardless of the scandals that shroud our family histories, one generation's transformation can ripple on for generations after us.

Chronic: Getting Unstuck from Life Problems that Feel Episodic

Many of us, especially when problems arise, operate on assumptions that we take as fact. Just as the invalid at Bethesda clung to the pool of healing as his salvation, we cling to these lies because they are convenient and make us feel better. But this cannot get us far, and in fact can distract us from seeing the truth. Instead, we should turn not to lies, but to God's power, and with His help, take relevant actions to tackle the problems. In doing so, we allow Him change our lives.

 

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Why Kindness is Often Overlooked

Caught up in the demands of everyday life, we often overlook the kindness and joy already present all around us. We tend to distract ourselves by trying to fill our need for love with finite, worldly things, when instead we can look to a Father whose love for us is infinite and overflowing. God invites us to bring Him our deficits and depend on His glory to redeem them. God's kindness leads us to repentance, and it is in seeking Him that we find what we are really looking for: great joy and laughter.

#Blessed

We generally define blessings as parts of a successful life, such as material wealth or pedigree. By looking at blessings through a Christian lens, they are instead gifts from God, through which we can participate in the flourishing of creation. Through the story of Jacob wrestling with God, we learn we can curse ourselves by taking God's blessing in our own hands. But even if we mistrust God's abundance, God's blessings can still accomplish His plan through us.

A Friend Along the Journey in Christ: Weathering the Storms Together

As followers of Jesus, our effort to become more Christ-like is not a solitary pursuit, but an endeavor that is built and supported by community. In this lifetime, there are inevitable difficulties. How can we bear life’s problems together as friends along the journey? The community of God is drawn together by the Father to celebrate in jubilee, weather the storms, and encourage one another to stay on the path of being formed in the image of God.