Living Vertizontal

In our episode this week, our Advent theme is Love, and we will be looking at Zechariah’s song found in Luke 1:68-79. Together we discuss just how important it is for us to create margin in our lives, resting with the ever-present Jesus, allowing Him to fill us with His love and guide us into our lives.

This year, as a church, we are using the material from the Foundry Publishing entitled Changed in the Waiting to guide our Advent weeks. Each week there is a different reading and theme working towards the birth of Christ, the culmination of the first advent. In our episode this week, our theme is Hope, and we will be looking at a psalm of David found in Psalm 25:1-10. Together we discuss the interconnectedness of trust and hope, and how vital it is for true hope to place our trust in Jesus alone.

In our episode this week, we finish our journey through Colossians with a look at Colossians 4:2-18. In this set of verses, Paul provides some further instruction as well as his final greetings. Together we discuss how in continual prayer (connection/focus with Jesus), we can be prepared to make the most of every opportunity with those around us.

In our episode this week, we finish off Colossians 3 and start in chapter 4, looking at Colossians 3:18-4:1. In this set of verses, Paul works to restructure the typical household of Colossae around Christ, moving from patriarchy to Christ centered living. Together we discuss the relational and interactional transformation that can take place as we choose to focus on Jesus in every situation, regardless of the circumstance.

In this episode we move into Colossians 3:1-17. Within this passage, Paul discusses what it looks like to live a life in Christ. Together we discuss how important it is for us to understand that as Christ becomes our focus in life as Christians, though we may not necessarily change our environments and relationships in the world we live in, we actively work with Christ to put on the actions and behaviors of His kingdom.

In our episode this week, we finish off Colossians 2:16-23. In this passage Paul continues the conversation on the fullness of life in Christ by likening the law to a shadow and Christ to that which casts the shadow. Together we discuss the difference between focusing on laws or on Jesus. Laws may bring modification to our lives, but only Christ brings transformation to our lives. When we focus on Him, and help others to do the same, His kingdom comes into focus.

In our episode this week, we pick up in Colossians 2:6-15. Within this passage, Paul addresses the fullness of life in Christ. Together we discuss the idea of Jesus as Lord in our lives and just how pervasive that should be. When we identify Jesus as Lord, we commit to focus solely on Him over traditions and external influences, allowing Jesus to be the one who influences and guides us in all things.

In this episode, we continue on in Colossians, looking at chapter 1:24-2:5. Here Paul addresses his work with and for the church. Together we discuss the overwhelming reality of Christ in us, and the importance of remaining dependent on Him, rather than thinking we are the one to be depended on.

In this episode, we move into season 4 as we work through the book of Colossians, another letter from Paul. Today we are going to be looking at Colossians 1:1-23 which includes Paul’s introduction, greeting, thanksgiving, and initial remarks to the church at Colossae. Together we discuss faith, purpose, and holiness, and just how central Christ is for all of it.

In this episode, we finish our journey through Romans. It is a larger section, but we will be looking at Romans 16:1-27. Within this set of scripture, Paul offers greetings and summary points to the letter. Together we discuss how ordinary faithfulness to both Jesus and those around us reflects the extraordinary faith that Jesus is calling us to.

In this episode we finish off Romans 15, looking at Romans 15:23-33. Here, Paul explains the plans ahead of him, before he is able to visit Rome on the way to Spain. Together we discuss the missional directive on every follower of Christ and the importance of refusing to allow external circumstances from influencing the working out of this directive.

In this episode, we look at Romans 15:14-22. In this set of verses, Paul speaks of his overwhelming commitment to following God on mission to the Gentiles. Together we discuss the important role that we each play within the greater Body of Christ, as we grow in dependence on Jesus’ Spirit, reflecting His servant leader qualities.

In this episode we move into Romans 15, looking at verses 1 through 13. In this set of verses, Paul speaks to the responsibility of the believer to the other. Together we discuss what it looks like to live a life like Christ, a life of worship to God, overflowing to those around us, as well as the vital role of unity for both our worship and our witness in the world.

This week, we wrap up Romans 14, with a conversation on verses 13-23 continuing Paul’s conversation about allowing the Master to judge each servant while seeking unity in Christ. Together we discuss how what we do, and what we say in every situation has a Kingdom impact on some level, either in support of the Kingdom, or in opposition to it.

In this episode, we move into Romans 14:1-12 where Paul has a conversation about accepting the faith of those around you, allowing the Master to judge each servant. From this, we discuss the importance of focusing on Christ and trusting each other to focus on Christ.

This episode finishes out Romans 138-14, where Paul asserts that love fulfills the law and points to the nearness of our salvation. From this, we discuss the love that we owe to all in response to what Christ has done for us, and how that may look worked out in our daily lives.

This week, we turn to Romans 13:1-7 where Paul expands on his previous discussion about love in action to talk about the importance of submitting to governing authorities. From this, we discuss how actionism led by the Spirit can participate in the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God even now.

This week, move into Romans 12:9-21 where Paul expands on his understanding of what it looks like for love to be put in action. Together we discuss how a life of love led by the Spirit results in the purifying in-breaking of the Kingdom of God even now.

In our episode today, we move into Romans 12:1-8. In these few verses, Paul outlines our lives as worship in response to God’s mercy as well as the importance of humility amidst diversity. Together we discuss how a communal life of worship is directly related to the transformation that the Spirit brings to our lives.

This week, we examine Romans 11:25-36, in this set of verses, Paul addresses the eventual salvation of all of Israel. Together we discuss the importance of unity in Christ within the church for the sake of Kingdom impact.