Sweet | Church on the EDGE

Allow me to extend my welcome to all of those joining us online, to our brothers and sisters at the Kendall campus, and to all of you here at the Gables campus. I greet you today in the name of the God who comes to us on bended knee (Psalm 116), hears our voices, and shows us grace. May the Lord be with us today as we receive from his word.

Father…

What does it look like for our lives and our church to live on the EDGE especially during these uncertain times? When I think about this question, my mind goes back to the first time I learned how to surf.

I invited a friend to learn with me. Neither one of us knew what we were doing. We drove to a local surf shop, rented some wetsuits and boards, got a couple pro tips, and then planned to arrive at the beach the next morning before dawn.

Let me tell you, there’s nothing more sobering in this life than walking into the cold, black, deep waters of the Pacific Ocean before the sun rises. It’s terrifying.

In fact, when we first walked out into the water, we didn’t go much deeper than our chest.

After a few minutes of splashing in the whitewater, we noticed another guy arrive on the beach. He was tall, probably in his 50s, and not wearing a rented wetsuit, which was a dead give away that he probably knew what he was doing, unlike us.

When he got into the water, we also noticed that he started paddling directly toward us. I looked at Ben and asked, “Do you know this guy?” He said, “No.”

Without any hesitation, he paddled right up to us, looked at us both dead in the eyes, and said, “Guys, the waves are this way.” Then, he turned his board and left.

We watched him paddle out toward the dark horizon for what seemed like forever. He looked like a speck from where we stood.

We watched him paddle into a wave, stand up, and then ride that wave all the way back to where we were standing in the whitewater.

It was incredible. Neither one of us had ever seen anyone ride a wave for as long as that man did.

I looked at Ben and said with a crackled voice, “Dude, the waves are that way,” and so with great fear and trepidation, we turned our boards toward the dark horizon and started paddling.

Neither one of us ever expected to go so far beyond our comfort zone on our first session, but it was like the edge of the break called to us. Terrified and all, we had to at least try what we just witnessed this stranger do! My fear told me that this was an impossible feat, but my mind said this was within my reach.

So we paddled - against all of our fear and instincts - and followed this stranger into the unknown.

We didn’t know what to expect, but you know what, after a few tries, we actually caught a wave and rode it all the way past where we were standing a few moments earlier. It was incredible. Additionally, we also saw a pod of porpoises swim just feet from us. It was breathtaking. As a man of words, I had no words.

Ben and I later discovered that the weather and sea conditions that morning created a rare wave event that the locals call Malibo, which causes sustained waves breaks for more than a quarter mile.

We experienced more than we could have ever thought or imagined because we overcame our fear and followed a leader who took us right up to the EDGE!

Simply stated: That’s life with Jesus. Christ’s Spirit provides us with the courage to do “more than we could ever ask or imagine” Ephesians 3:20 when we overcome our fear to follow him all the way to the EDGE.

Life on the EDGE leads us to adventure.

Life on the EDGE leads us to freedom.

When I rode Malibo, I felt a rush of freedom wash over me. On the one hand, I was at the mercy of this powerful force of nature. Yet, on the other hand, I was able to adjust and balance and experience the force of the wave without being overpowered by it.

I suppose that’s why people love to surf, but I also suppose that’s what happens when God’s Holy Spirit power touches our finite lives. His power fills us, yet doesn’t replace our sense of self. He takes away our pride, but not our personality. He removes our selfishness, but not our autonomy.

God provides His Spirit as a helper, but He doesn’t manipulate us to think or do whatever He wants us to think or do. Neither does God leave us completely by ourselves to our own devices.

True freedom is when God’s power and your life come together!

Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36. Free to live above the grind. Free to live weightless to the gravitational pull of sin. Free to move toward love. Free to do justice and show kindness.

Jesus said “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. But My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10

Fueled by Christ’s freedom alive in you!

I believe most of us didn’t choose the hardships that we experience in this life, but Jesus most certainly meets us in them and offers us the overflow of his living water freedom to bloom in the cracks.

Many of you know Death Valley. Nothing grows in Death Valley. Hence the name.

(Show Death Valley pic)

Every year, the southwest winds spread seeds and pollen all across the valley floor, which then settle into the hard, broken cracks of the dirt. On the rare occasions when rain falls, it gives life to the dormant seeds and produces a breathtaking phenomenon called a “Super Bloom.”

(Show 3 Super Bloom pics)

You didn’t choose the illness or to be downsized.

You certainly didn’t get married to later get divorced.

You didn’t choose to grow up fatherless, motherless.

You didn’t choose to live single.

But we can choose how to respond.

Jesus meets us precisely in the hard places and offers us the fresh, living waters of freedom to produce super blooms of spiritual fruit in our lives.

Jesus offers us the Freedom to experience the fruit of his Spirit alive in our lives, despite whatever circumstance when we live on the EDGE with Christ!

Now, when I say the EDGE, I mean living our lives in the same way that Jesus lived his: on the E - D - G - E.

Evangelism

Discipleship

Generosity

Empowerment

Jesus modeled each one of these characteristics in his ministry leadership and sacrifice.

In Evangelism: Jesus shared the wonderful, incredible Good News of his Father’s love for us.

In Discipleship: Jesus helped his followers grow in understanding and obedience to God’s good, life-producing Word.

In Generosity: Jesus poured out his life for us, teaching that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35.

In Empowerment: Jesus gave his followers the possibility to minister to others in his name! He said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, God gave us the power of His Spirit. That same Spirit who raised Jesus’s life from the dead and your life, too, now resides in you and empowers you to do even greater and unimaginable things for God’s kingdom.

Life on the EDGE leads us to adventure.

Life on the EDGE leads us to freedom.

God acted in freedom to set you free. He freely entered into our world as a human being. He freely went to the cross as a sacrifice for our sin. Through his sacrifice, Jesus made us one with our Heavenly Father and right in his eyes! And Jesus freely saved us by drawing near and adopting us as his very own.

Though we can’t do anything to earn God’s merciful freedom, we can certainly (stiff arm) resist it. One of the ways we do this is by either thinking too highly or too little of ourselves. One side is driven by pride; the other side is driven by shame.

Both sides, however, share a common denominator: fear.

Fear robs you of your God-given freedom.

It is the opposite of God. If God is the source of freedom, then fear originates from the one whom Jesus calls the “father of lies.”

In fact, the Bible encourages God’s people not to fear 365 times, one for every day of the year.

Do you think God’s trying to tell us something? :)

Yeah, Don’t fear! Our God is a God who is with us, and he’s reminding us everyday of every year. Fear and freedom cannot coexist together. It’s impossible, so choose freedom.

Let me encourage you to view fear as a signal. Rather than learning how to get along with it, see fear as a dashboard indicator of an area in your life that needs God’s power and healing. The next time you feel afraid, ask yourself the question:

What am I not releasing to God?

What do I want to control?

Why am I afraid to lose it?

Asking yourself these three simple questions may help you get to the root of your fear and address whatever pride and shame may be seeking to define you in place of how your Heavenly Father sees you through Christ: as his son or daughter.

Doing so may require you to confront some hard, sour places in your life. And that will take great courage. But with God’s Spirit alive in you, leading you to the EDGE, not only can you do it, but you must do it. You must let go of your fear. Don’t miss the promises of Christ’s rich and satisfying life because you want to remain in control and stay in the comfort zone.

Jesus said, “If you cling to your life [at least this life as you know it now, present with fear manifesting in shame and pride], you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me [and release your fear to receive freedom], you will find it.” Matthew 10:39

Release to receive.

During this past year and a half, with so much uncertainty and disruption, living on the EDGE seemed secondary to self-preservation, which is pride grounded in fear.

The church can’t live on the EDGE and in fear at the same time. It’s impossible. Paul wrote, God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 1 Timothy 1:7.

It appears that fear stole just as much, if not more, than the virus did. For some of you within our community, the virus stole your health and even the lives of some of your loved ones.

And our hearts grieve with you.

For others, though, fear stole your freedom.

John wrote, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love casts out all fear.” 1 John 4:18

Fear divides our sense of self and loyalties. It drives wedges between us and our relationships. It isolates us from each other and opens our ears to deceit.

When uncertainty presents itself, fear rises, but that’s not Jesus’ response. On the night that Judas betrayed him, Jesus did not choose fear or try to control the outcome of that situation. Rather, Jesus stayed on the EDGE and chose to extend His Father’s forgiveness.

He released his own self-preservation - even his own freedom - so that we could receive life forever with him.

His life spawned a super bloom of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5:22-23 that we now bear, as well, whenever we choose to release fear and receive Christ’s freedom.

Don’t splash in the whitewater and call that real life… when the real waves are that way, on the EDGE.

Release your fear to receive Christ’s freedom!

My fear tells me that setting aside my pride and dealing with my shame seems impossible.

Yet, when I dig deep for Christ’s holy courage, releasing my fear to receive his freedom, Jesus:

brings together what sin has divided.

buys back what sin has stolen.

restores what sin has broken.

heals what sin has wounded.

saves what sin has killed.

Through the sacrifice of his death and the victory of his resurrection, Jesus freed us from the life-grinder of fear and, instead, opened the opportunity for us to receive life abundant from our Heavenly Father.

Paul writes, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” What does Paul mean when he says “yoke of slavery?” I think he means quite simply: whatever steals your freedom. Don’t go back to it. Stand firm in your freedom! Fight for it! Don’t let the father of lies lead you astray from your freedom and return back to your fear.

Stay on the EDGE!

Friends, as we look ahead to the next year, learning from what we experienced this past year, how might we live on the EDGE together?

We overcome our fear and follow Jesus to the EDGE… together… as one body, Christ’s body, alive and pieced together in a mysteriously profound but tangible way expressed through each and every single one of you!

As Christ Journey Church, God’s Spirit empowers us to continue Christ’s redemptive, restorative work in the world.

What does this mean? We get to help right some wrongs. We get to offer some hope, like real deal Holyfield life change kinda hope! We get to lead people into some second chances and third chances and offer new beginnings where some people only see endings.

Our mission is to live on the EDGE of Evangelism, Discipleship, Generosity, and Empowerment in our neighborhoods, communities, Miami, South Florida, Antigua, and all around the world.

Jesus wants to show off his power through you!

As you release your fear to receive Christ’s freedom, Jesus promises to do even greater things through you, enacting his rule through the local church from the seat of his throne in heaven!

C’mon! Let’s go! Anybody ready to go?

In the same way that your heart does not exist apart from your body, for a Jesus follower, living on the EDGE cannot happen apart from your church. You need the church just as much as the church needs you!

You belong here. All of you. Those of you here at the Gables campus, you all at the Kendall campus, our brothers and sisters online, you all make up Christ’s body and each one of you matters for the mission, so stay connected and let’s invite some old friends back to the party! What do you say? More the merrier!

When the church rises to its potential, lives in freedom, and follows its Savior all the way to the EDGE, then it becomes transformed by God’s Spirit alive in it as Christ’s living hands and feet, walking where Jesus sends us, healing, ministering, teaching, and multiplying in his name, for his glory!

The church isn’t a building… or institution… Rather, the Church is… Christ Journey is… You are…

1. Salt of the Earth - Matthew 5:13

2. A Love Letter from Christ - 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

3. A Fishing Net - Mark 1:17

4. A Life Boat - Matthew 8:23

5. An Ark - Matthew 24:36-42

6. A Loaf of Living Bread - 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

7. Light of the World - Matthew 5:14

8. Branches of the True Vine - John 15

9. God’s planting 1 Corinthians 3:9

10. The Bride of Christ - 2 Corinthians 11

11. A Wedding Feast - Revelation 19:9

12. Choice Clothing - Galatians 3 - take that Jerry Lorenzo!

13. Citizens of Heaven - Philippians 3:20

14. Members of the Household of God - Ephesians 2:19

15. God’s Household - 1 Peter 4:17

16. Ambassadors of the King - 2 Corinthians 5:20

17. A Holy City 1 Peter 2:9

18. The People of God 1 Peter 2:10

19. A New Creation 2 Corinthians 5:17

20. Body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:12

And that’s just to name a few :)

God’s Word offers more than 80 images of the Church, none of which include institution, building, or organization.

The church is a movement, a living community in which you are needed!

When we choose life on the EDGE in freedom, then we become the living embodiment of what God’s Word describes as the church, a living expression of Love!

We aren’t overcome by fear. We’re the living Body of Christ - for goodness sake - which means you really are the only Jesus that some people may ever see.

We’re a family of adopted sons and daughters, princes and princesses of the true king! When one part of our community hurts, we all grieve. When another part of us rejoices, we all celebrate.

We help each other live on the EDGE by encouraging each other “To lead a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1) in Christ Jesus.

We don’t give up on each other.

We don’t leave when times get tough or when our feelings get hurt. We practice restorative leadership by seeking out crucial conversations and finding resolution.

We help each other.

We show up and show kindness for one another.

We don’t judge each other.

We listen to each other.

We make space for each other.

We make space for others.

And when there’s no more space to make, we find ways to make some more!

We disagree without dishonoring.

We forgive one another just as in Christ, God forgave us.

We share the Gospel together.

We serve on mission together.

We stand confident and committed to our absolutes.

And we love God and love one another as we love ourselves.

As a church on the EDGE, we will show the world, beginning in our own neighborhoods and workplaces, that Christ is alive because he is alive in us!

Our lives aren’t governed by fear but by the Spirit of the living God who leads us to the EDGE and calls us into a forever adventure with him.

Church, let’s paddle out to the EDGE! No fear!

Lord, our God…

Message Visuals

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10

(Show Death Valley pic)

(Show 5 Super Bloom pics)

E - D - G - E.

Evangelism

Discipleship

Generosity

Empowerment

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12

father of lies. John 8:44

What am I not releasing to God?

What do I want to control?

Why am I afraid to lose it?

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:39

Release to receive.

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 1 Timothy 1:7

Such love has no fear, because perfect love casts out all fear. 1 John 4:18

Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Releasing your fear to receive Christ’s freedom!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1