http://bible.com/events/7134645

March 15

Drifting, Part 2: The Two Sides of Technology

Hebrews 12: 1 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The writer of Hebrews is calling for us to “throw off” two things set up as distinct:

o              “Everything that hinders” and

o              “Sin that so easily entangles”

“hinders” is onkos in Greek – or literally something that weighs us down. A burden that has the effect of dragging us down until it stops us

If we are called to throw off everything that hinders….What is it today that is hindering you? 

This series addresses three specific things that can hinder us 

The truth is technology is a neutral

-There is nothing about technology is inherently destructive or evil

-Technology is like any other other medium – paper, music, images

-It is neutral in that it can be used in positive ways and be extremely helpful, but it can also be destructive 

We begin to drift when we don’t possess technology, but when it possesses us. 

-The issue is not technology in and of itself, but rather how we use technology 

-It is critical to examine the role we allow it to play in our lives 

Two things that happen when technology causes us to drift

1. It changes us…

-Much of the technology being created today is being designed for distraction and addiction

-Biologically, something happens in our brain as we are actively engage in technology

-When it comes to technology, many of us are at least at the level of compulsion (“I have to look”), but many are at the level of addiction 

-Technology also impacts our perception of ourselves and others through constant comparison (social media) 

-We begin to drift when technology changes us from the inside out  

1. It consumes us…

-Technology is not just changing us internally, but it is also consuming our time, energy, outward habits, and practices 

-Our media has no clear “stopping cue” as we just keep scrolling, watching and consuming

-Unlimited access means we often have no margin, and don’t know when enough is enough

-We begin to drift when technology consumes our time, energy and focus 

Bottom Line:

We don’t have a technology problem, we have a worship problem. 

In Luke 12:34 Jesus said our hearts will follow after our treasures…

-Treasures are not just possessions and money, but also our attention 

-There is a restlessness in our hearts that God alone can will 

-Our problem ultimately isn’t technology, it’s that technology becomes what we turn to in place of God  

“The root problem is not technology. It is the gaps we are trying to fill in our hearts with technology.”

John Mark Comer 

We know our use of technology is healthy when…

…it doesn’t interfere with a lifestyle of worship 

…it isn’t an obstacle to learning the practice of silence and solitude  

…it prevents us from seeking God’s wisdom and guidance first 

…it is not a constant distraction (something we possess, not something that possesses us)

We know our use of technology is unhealthy when…

…we create no boundaries 

…we lack intentionality 

…we mindlessly consume, not aware of its impact on us

…we allow technology to numb, instead of allowing God to fill us 

What do we do? 

Focus….

-Pay attention to what’s happening in your heart and commit to reorienting your focus on worship 

Urgency….

-Intentionally pray, intentionally set boundaries, not out of legalism but out of a renewed desire to worship fully 

Other Verses & Resources to Consider: 

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 

Hebrews 2:1

“I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 7:35 

Excellent resource by John Mark Comer called “How to Unhurry”

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58431a7603596e3099e87531/t/5dcd82a34474a007a68a3b47/1573749412344/How+to+Un-Hurry+Workbook.pdf

http://bible.com/events/7130573
Hebrews 2:1
Understanding the Greek word “drift”
• It is NOT a falling away or sudden crash
• It is slippage, like sand slowly through our fingertips or something that slips past us unseen
• Drifting is not sudden, but subtle and gradual.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭
The background of Hebrews 1
•  Hebrews 2:1 is the first command in the book of Hebrews, but we must refer to Hebrews 1 for its context  
• Hebrews 1 is about recognizing who Jesus is as Creator and Sustainer and Owner and Ruler and Redeemer of the world
• This is much like John’s gospel begins….”In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God”

In summary, Hebrews 1 says that the Son of God (Jesus) is:
• the heir of all things (verse 2),
• the creator (world made through him) (verse 2)
• the radiance of God’s glory (verse 3)
• the exact representation of God’s nature (verse 3)
• the sustainer (he sustains all things by his power) (verse 3)
• the purification for sins (verse 3)
• at the right hand of God’s majesty (verse 3)
• greater than any angel (verse 4)
• worshipped by the angels (verse 6)
• the mighty God (verse 8)

Understanding Hebrews 1 gives us important context when it says “therefore” in Hebrews 2:1:

Two guiding principles in regards to drifting from Hebrews 2:1….

1. Focus matters…..
• We are all listening to something….Driven by something…In step with something….
•“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Augustine
•We are instructed to pay attention, tune in, and remember who Jesus is

2. Urgency matters….
• This is not a message of convenience, or a message of “when I’m in crisis, then do it”.
• We shouldn’t be fearful, but we should be urgent.

Bottom Line:
(In God’s design) If you’re standing still, you’re drifting

We must swim against the stream of sin, the stream of indifference, the stream of doing what everyone else does.  

Hebrews 12:1-2
We must keep our eyes on Jesus (focus)
We must run the race marked out for us (urgency)

The good news: our God passionately pursues every one of us, even those who are drifting.

http://bible.com/events/7077465

Vision Sunday – March 1

Our new mission together….
Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ.

Background of today’s Scripture
-Joshua is leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land
-This text is a moment sandwiched between these two great miracles
-Joshua 3-4 is the account of the parting of the Jordan River
-Joshua 5 is the account of victory over Jericho
-This is a pivotal moment in Joshua’s life and for the nation of Israel

Joshua 5:13-15
God is telling Joshua: “I haven’t come to be a part of your story, I have come to discover if you want to play a role in my story”

While this was true in Joshua’s life, it is true for us today
-You and I have been invited to play a role in His story
-It’s not about who is for me, it’s about who I am for
-“Leaving my mark is too small a thing to spend my life on” Andy Stanley
-Ultimately, if life is simply about what can I do, inviting God to bless what I’m doing, then it’s just not worth it  

Bottom Line:
God will do whatever He wants through an obedient church.

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 At the end of his life Joshua recognizes an incredible crossroads for the nation of Israel
-“Choose today who you will serve”
-“Will you ask God to bless what you do? Or will you choose to join God at work?”

The invitation to step out in obedience:
1. Go
2. Give
3. Serve

For more information on these specific steps, check out cotnaz.org/eastrock

http://bible.com/events/7065900

February 23

The Future is Now: The Call to Outreach

At HFCN we are committed to living lives of complete obedience to God. So we sense His love compelling us to worship Him wholeheartedly but, more than that, we will reach beyond our walls to welcome the outsider, the broken, the lost, the hopeless. Our work to bring hope to others through the person of Jesus Christ will make us relevant and valuable in our community.

NEW MISSION STATEMENT:
Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21
Remembering the call in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17:
• The love of Jesus compels us
• Jesus died for all and we are compelled to no longer live for ourselves
• We no longer live according to a worldly perspective
• We are transformed, new creations finding our identity in Christ
• All of this is rooted in obedience to God  

Paul goes on to remind us (two times):
• God reconciled us to himself through Christ
• God initiated the work of grace
• God initiated the work of forgiveness
• God initiated the work of redemption
• God invites us to the same ministry of reconciliation
• We are his ambassadors and representatives in the world  
• We are extensions of his grace, forgiveness and redemption

If this is true, then how do we get it so wrong?
• This is a call to rescue, a call to redemption, a call to reconciliation
• The church is often known as isolated, disconnected, disengaged
• There is an incredible call to experience Godly community, to gather, and to build one another up. But we are never called to do that at the detriment of the world around us.

If this is true, wouldn’t the church look different?
• Wouldn’t we be spending just as much time focused on those outside of the church than those within?
• Wouldn’t we be building relationships with those who are different than us? Who believe differently
• Wouldn’t we be showing up in the lives of hopeless people?

The bottom line:
The church that does not go is not the church.

• The call to be Christ’s representatives in the world (ambassadors) is the call to “go”
• Obedience leads to transformation in our lives, and as we are transformed we are compelled to go!  
• If we are not obedient in this way, then we are not who God has called us to be

John 17:20• Jesus is praying not just for believers, but for the future believers
• For Jesus, the source of future believers is our message

Other Texts for Further Study/Reflection:

“So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:18-20

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

“I’m not ashamed of the Good News. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well.”
Romans 1:16

http://bible.com/events/7061090
The Future is Now: Part 2 – The Call to Obedience

Who are we called to be?

At HFCN we are committed to living lives of complete obedience to God. So we sense His love compelling us to worship Him wholeheartedly but, more than that, we will reach beyond our walls to welcome the outsider, the broken, the lost, the hopeless. Our work to bring hope to others through the person of Jesus Christ will make us relevant and valuable in our community.

Last week: The Call to relevance
This week: The Call to obedience

Our new mission statement:
Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ.
Transformados por Dios para traer esperanza a otros a través de Cristo.

2 Corinthians 5:14-17 
He died so we might live through Him.  
…His death, His payment for our sins, gives us access to forgiveness instead of the penalty of death

He died so we might live for Him.
…we want to live our lives for His honor, for His glory, for His purposes

He died so we might live with Him.
…we experience His power at work in us and the promise of eternal life with Him

The bottom line:
The transforming work of God begins the moment we say yes.  
* God does the transforming work as we obey Him
* Disobedience has the power to stunt God’s transforming work
* Obedience and transformation go together. You don’t have one without the other.
* As we introduce this brand new mission statement, our first focus must be on obedience.  

“Transformation into Christlikeness is not going to happen unless we act…what transforms us is the will to obey Christ Jesus.“
Dallas Willard

“Christianity does not begin with our pursuit of Christ, but rather His pursuit of us. Christianity does not with an invitation we offer to Jesus, but an invitation Jesus offers to us.”
David Platt

* How will you respond to His invitation?
* We are a holiness church, meaning we believe that the power of God can transform us, to make us like Him, as we obey Him.

Texts for Further Study/Reflection:

John 14:15-17

‭‭James‬ ‭1:22‬

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15:22‬

‭‭John‬ ‭5:19-20‬‬‬

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:16-18‬