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Faith is a journey not a guilt trip

CHRISTMAS CHEER

12/28/2015

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Merry Christmas everyone!

What a wonderful time of the year to reflect on the greatest gift ever given! As you sit around the tree and pass gifts around, as you sit at the table and eat all that delicious food with loved ones, remember the most precious gift. The gift of Jesus Christ! God, in his infinite love and mercy, sends Jesus to live the life we could not live and die the death that we deserve. In Christ we can experience the forgiveness of our sins and redemption with the Father.

The truth is we are very blessed! So many gifts were handed out and received. And we are grateful to God and all the friends and family that were so generous in their gift giving.

As a church, we too wanted to be generous and give to some families who may not have had as many gifts under the tree this year. While we wish we could do so much more, that will not stop us from doing what we can. Two beautiful families in BedStuy were able to receive gifts from Swerve Church this Christmas. We will lead the way with irrational generosity because we truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive.

We wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year!
Swerve Church is a new church plant forming in Bushwick Brooklyn.
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WORSHIPOLOGY

12/28/2015

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Today we will discuss Worshipology. What is worship? How do we worship? As a church, what will be our posture of worship?

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WHAT IS WORSHIP?
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One of the definitions of “worship” from Merriam-Webster is “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem”.

I think this is an appropriate way to define “worship”. As Christians, we obviously view worship in light of someone we worship, God. But the truth is that in life there are many things fighting for our affections.

I think a good passage that really embodies this dilemma was written by Paul to the church of Rome. He expresses how people choose to reject the worship of God and instead worship other things.
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.


So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. {Romans 1:18-25}
So ultimately worship is the posture of our heart and is the result of our affections stirred towards God. He is worthy of our worship, devotion, and adoration.

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HOW DO WE WORSHIP?
Let me start off by saying that this in no way will be an extensive study on worship. The truth is that we can look all throughout the Bible and pull out many references all of which would prove to be extremely helpful in understanding and having a well rounded Biblical view of worship. Instead, I would like to use this time to give us a better understanding and to apply what I feel would be most beneficial to us a church.

Throughout the Bible there are many instances where we can see various forms of worship. I would like to point us to two.

Now let me, once again, reiterate how important it is for us to have our heart in the right place. Otherwise, worship simply becomes routine, traditional, and simply noise. Look at what God says through the prophet Isaiah:
The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. {Isaiah 29:13}
We want our worship to be genuine, birthed from an overflow of joy given to us through the redemption experienced by the grace of Jesus.

That being said, here are some ways we worship:

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WITH SONG & MUSIC
In general, whenever we talk about worship, the first person that usually comes to mind is David. He was an Old Testament character who was known for being a musician and songwriter. Much of the book of Psalms was written by him.
Come, let us sing to the lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. {Psalm 95:1-3}
Throughout the book of Psalms, this is a common theme. We see the psalmists encouraging the praise and worship of God through music and song. Along with prayer and the reading of God’s word, it has become an important part liturgy throughout church history. We see the encouragement of song and music as worship even throughout the New Testament.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. {Colossians 3:16}
As a church. we want to sing with all we have. We want the music to lift the hearts of the people and point them to Jesus.

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WITH HANDS RAISED
So what’s with the whole hand raising thing? Ever been to a church and everyone had their hands lifted up to the music? How do you react to that sight? There’s actually a strong biblical precedent for the act of lifting hands in worship. Ultimately it is a sign of surrender.

But let’s be honest. The church isn’t the only place you’ve seen the act of lifting hands. Think about the last basketball, football, or baseball game you saw or attended. What was everyone doing? What about concerts? Ever notice that everyone has their hands lifted high in a concert?

I think this is because it is an act of worship. Consciously or unconsciously we lift our hands in praise to whatever team or artist as an act of adoration.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. {Psalm 63:3-4}
Some men might have a problem lifting up hands in worship to God. Perhaps because they view it as something weak or “girly” to do. But allow these words from Paul to encourage you in this area:
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 
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{1 Timothy 2:8}
Men, see you hands lifted high in prayer and worship as a complete surrender and desperate cry for the strength of Christ.


WITH BENDED KNEES
The last thing we will look at is the worshipful and prayerful posture of being on our knees. This is something that is hard to describe, but there is something wonderfully humbling of falling prostrate on our knees. In this position, we are saying that we are low and God is highly exalted. Look at what the Psalmist says,
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. {Psalm 95:6-7}
WE KNEEL IN PURSUIT
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to [Jesus] and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” {Mark 10:17}

WE KNEEL IN REPENTANCE
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me — I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” {Luke 5:8 NLT}

WE KNEEL IN SUBMISSION
[Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond [his disciples], knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” {Luke 22:41-42}​​​​​​
Swerve Church is a new church plant forming in the community of Bushwick in Brooklyn in NYC.
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EVANGELOLOGY

12/22/2015

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Today we will discuss the importance of evangelism. What exactly is it? How do we go about sharing our faith? Is it necessary to whip out the megaphone and soapbox?

WHAT IS EVANGELISM?
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What do you think of when you hear the word evangelism? I used to cringe at the word. Growing up for me, evangelism meant an awkward confrontation with the world. It meant standing on a street corner and shouting for the world to hear. As a result, there weren’t many conversions. Instead there were a lot of awkward stares, fingers in ears, and calls to the cops.

So, then, what is evangelism? How do we go about doing it? To begin, let’s read the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians:
Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
 
​{1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NLT}

I think this passage is a great place to start. Paul here is telling us that evangelism involves “good news”. What is this good news? Well, it’s what we discussed in Gospelology. That is that God, in his great love and mercy sent us Jesus to pay for the price of our sins. Jesus resurrected on the third day conquering Satan, sin, and death granting us reconciliation with the Father.

And so evangelism revolves around getting this great message out. Why is this important? Well, it ties into the mission Jesus left with his disciples:
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” {Matthew 28:18-19 NLT}
BUT HOW?
So we understand why it is so important but how do we exactly go about sharing our faith? Have you ever heard the quote, “preach the gospel and when necessary use words”? What do you think is implied by that phrase?

It seems that in our day and age, words hold little value and what’s being implied here is that “actions speak louder than words.” And while I can truly appreciate the call to authentic Christian living, it’s not exactly biblical. Look at the following passage:
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. {Romans 10:13-14, 17 NLT}
According to this passage, it is clearly communicated that there must be words, speech and conversation involved in order to share the gospel. It is not simply about living a life impacted by the implications of the gospel, but a clear presentation of it.

So this is a good apologetic to the communication of the gospel. But still, how do we do it? Do we get the soapbox and megaphone? Should we approach the precinct and get sound permits so that we can set up shop on a busy street corner to preach to the passersby? Should we randomly approach people in the park?

Let me say that I am sure there are many gifted people to do the above. I’m also very sure that many have come to meet Jesus through someone who used the above methods.

I think ultimately the best question to ask is, what is most effective? What is the most effective way to be able to share our faith with someone? There are many ways to do this. One thing is clear. It is all of our jobs to share our faith and make disciples. 

IN RELATIONSHIP
Everyday we find ourselves with many people who are far from God. Many who have no relationship with Jesus. Many who have a misunderstanding of the gospel or who have been hurt by the church. These are people who we are connected to some way. For example, they are siblings, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, coworkers, neighbors, acquaintances, etc. Take a moment to think about how many people you are somehow relationally connected to.

I think that one of the best ways to share the gospel with someone is to be relationally invested in them. In relationship, people are able to know you and you know them. There is a certain level of comfortability. As you go about sharing your life with them, you can begin to open up and share your story of finding faith in Jesus.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. {2 Timothy 2:15 NIV}
This verse wrestles with the tension of living an explerary, God-honoring life and being able to handle the word of truth, in other words, the Bible and the gospel. I think it paints a great picture of how we can share our lives with others and share the gospel.

Be intentional about building these relationships. Pray for them. Pray for opportunities to be able to share the gospel with them. Look at what Paul says about those who were far from Jesus:
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 
​{Romans 10:1 NLT}
Pray and watch how God answers those prayers giving you opportunities to share your faith with those around you.

COME AND SEE
Now, again let me reiterize that there are many ways to go about sharing your faith. There are even many different tools and resources that will teach you how to go about sharing the gospel. The purpose of this study is not to give you a comprehensive list. Rather it is to give you some simple ways you can begin applying this today.

Another way we can take part in the life change of an individual is using the church as a resource. What a great place for someone who is far from God to come and hear the gospel preached. From your perspective, all you are doing is inviting them in to share and partake in your regular rhythm of life.

As a church, we are passionate about leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. We will do anything short of sin to reach people far from God. So when we get together as a group we definitely want to grow as believers. We want to encourage each other and fellowship. But we also want to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus. We want to tell people about Jesus. Our desire is to really experience God’s saving power and see life change.
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”


​“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip. {John 1:43-46}
Notice Philip’s response to Nathanael. Nathanael is obviously quite reluctant to quickly jump on the messiah train and begin following Jesus. Philip’s response is simply,”come and see”. It echoes what the Psalmist said:
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! {Psalm 34:8}
I’m not sure if Philip read Nathanael well and realized there would be no amount of convincing that would work. Instead he said, you gotta see it to believe it! He invited him to experience Jesus for himself.

What a good word for us. As we go about getting ready to launch out this new life giving, gospel centered church in Bushwick, we want to create an environment where people can come and encounter Jesus and see for themselves. We want them to taste and see that he is good!


CONCLUSION
How can you begin to look at your network of relationships as opportunities to intentionally invest in with the hopes of being able to share the gospel?

As a church, how can we prepare to have an awesome “encounter Jesus” experience for people who are far from God?
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BREAKFAST AT AFBES

12/9/2015

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We are constantly seeking out ways to show God's love in practical ways. We have a commitment to love our community, and seek out various ways to do just that. This week we were able to serve breakfast at a monthly gathering of parents at Achievement First Bushwick Elementary School. Breakfast consisted of a variety of bagels, doughnuts, coffee, hot chocolate, and juice.

The parents and staff were so excited and thankful to have the breakfast served. It was a privilege for us to be able to provide it for them. Thank you to those of you who give regularly to support the work being done in Bushwick. We are so grateful for your generosity! Because of you we can have opportunities such as this to love and serve our neighbors.

Swerve Church is a new church plant forming in the community of Bushwick in Brooklyn.
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HIS TOY STORE

12/9/2015

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What a phenomenal experience being able to partner with Hope For New York and serve with His Toy Store which invites families to come in and shop at no cost. After families choose a gift for their children, they're even given the opportunity to have their gifts wrapped absolutely free!

What was especially great was that each family was also gifted with either an english or spanish New Testament Bible.

Let me tell you about "Laura". She was invited through a local drug rehab center where she is currently residing. Laura mentioned how she hadn't seen her children in quite some time from being checked in to the rehab center. But there, she found herself kicking the drug habit and pursuing and learning even more by continuing an education in ministry. Laura will be traveling back upstate to spend Christmas with her two kids. But thankfully because of His Toy Store, she would not be empty handed. Instead she 
would be able to go to her children with two brand new, beautifully wrapped gifts.
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His Toy Store is an awesome way to practice our values. As a church we will love God, love people, and serve our community. Participating in this outreach was a great way to do just that. Beyond that, it's great to be able to partner with other churches and ministries such as Living Waters Fellowship. We truly believe we can do far more together than we ever could apart.

We want to say thank you to those of you who faithfully give to Swerve Church. Because of your generosity we are able to participate in outreaches just like this one. Next year we hope to mobilize even more volunteers to be able to serve at an even greater capacity.

We will lead the way with irrational generosity!

Swerve Church is a new church plant forming in the community of Bushwick in Brooklyn.
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SERVOLOGY

12/7/2015

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We know that we have been uniquely gifted to serve each other for the glory of Jesus. With this knowledge, how can we have a Biblical perspective on how we are to serve? What is the posture we are to have in our service? Why is this important to us as a church?



JESUS THE SERVANT
The first few places I want us to look in Scripture as we try to frame this topic help to show us Jesus as a servant. Ultimately, our best example for service comes from Jesus himself.

{Read Mark 10:35-45 NLT}

Here in this passage, John and James are having a discussion on who can sit next to Jesus in heaven. The other disciples are hearing this conversation and are becoming jealous. So Jesus uses this opportunity to teach them a valuable lesson in serving.

I think it’s important to note here that this similar type of attitude seems to fill a lot of our churches even until today. Many want that “seat of honor”. You see, James, John, and the other disciples hadn’t fully understood what Jesus was calling them to. In their day, the religious leaders, the Scribes, the Pharisees had a lot of weight in their culture. Today, within our church culture, there is a similar feeling. The persons in “leadership” are viewed as greater.

He even makes the reference, the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. In other words, what is popular in culture is to flex your authoritative muscles over those under you.

Instead, Jesus here shows them that the life he is calling them to is one of servanthood. Jesus himself would model this. Reread verse 45:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

How counter cultural! Even for today! And of course, Jesus here making a reference to the ultimate sacrifice that he would make on the cross {Gospelology}

This is the same message echoed in Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23. He calls them out and teaches on servanthood.

{Read Matthew 23:1-12}

Jesus has some harsh but truthful words for the religious leaders of his day. But ultimately the message is the same. The greatest is the one who serves.


WE ARE TO SERVE
In the passage we’re about to read, Jesus not only leads by example again, but also gives a mandate to serve others. This is where we come into the picture. As followers of Jesus, we too have the opportunity to serve others.

{Read John 13:3-17}
Jesus draws out these parallels. He says, slaves are not greater than their master...the messenger is not more important than the sender of the message. In other words, we are likewise to do what he modeled for us to do.


POSTURE OF SERVICE
This should help to center our hearts to an attitude of service. We should not only want to serve but be grateful that we have an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We have an opportunity to obey his commands.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. {Romans 12:9-13}

Look at the language and the picture being painted by Paul,

  • Authentic love.
  • Genuine affection.
  • Delight in showing honor to one another.
  • Work hard.
  • Serve the Lord enthusiastically.
  • Be ready to help.
  • Be eager to practice hospitality.

Our posture of service should be one of gratitude, enthusiasm, genuineness, authenticity, readiness, and love.

Is this your posture of service? Is this how you view service? How will this impact how you serve?


IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE
As a church, this has huge implications. First of all because our mission is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Have you ever been to a church where you didn’t feel welcomed? Where you weren’t served? Where the focus was inward instead of outward? How did that make you feel?

We want to be a church that follows the example of Jesus. We want people to feel welcomed. We don’t want to cause any type of obstacle preventing people from hearing and responding to the life changing and saving message of the gospel.

Secondly, we are a church that will love God, love people, and serve our community. We are in a very needy community. We want to do what we can to love and serve our neighbors.

Likewise globally we want to lead the way with irrational generosity and give to ministries and organizations that are serving some of the poorest places in the world. That’s why we give to and serve alongside of organizations like:

  • Samaritan’s Purse
  • Charity : Water
  • The Bowery Mission
  • The Legacy Center


CONCLUSION
In light of how God has uniquely gifted you, how can you best utilize your gifts to serve the church and our community thereby bringing glory to Jesus?

We serve primarily in three ways.
  • Time
  • Talent
  • Treasure

Next week we will continue our discussion with Givology. How can we honor God with our giving?

​Swerve church is a new church plant forming in the community of Bushwick in Brooklyn
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