Journey Community Church

The Narrow Road // Week 5: Vengeance & Love // Pastor Blaine Keene

“Personal insult will be the saint’s occasion for revealing the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.” -Oswald Chambers
 
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." -Matthew 5:38-42
 
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the most loving response in this situation?
2. Have you fully surrendered to receiving the love of a perfect heavenly Father? Do you need receive a fresh outpouring of God’s love today?
3. What is it you need to surrender that is hindering you from walking in the freedom and power of love for God, yourself and others – especially your enemies?
4. How is the Spirit of God in you prompting a creative, loving response to your enemy?

The Narrow Road // Week 4: Love, Sex, & Marriage // Pastor Blaine Keene

Jesus’ teaching elevates the sanctity of love, sex and marriage for men and women alike.
 
Matthew 5:27-32
 
Lust is a heart problem that requires heart solutions, which can only be found through our continual surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
 
“As long as lust is present, love cannot be. Lust is about consumption. Love is about communion. Lust is about taking. Love is about giving. Lust uses. Love honors. Lust diminishes the other. Love cherishes the other.” - Rich Villodas, The Narrow Path
 
“...God invented the first divorce recovery program. It's at a placecalled Calvary. The price for the course is one bloodstained cross–and Jesus paid it. He was the first to go through the program, and it's still in session...” John Ortberg, Insurmountable
 
“Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’  and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” -Matthew 19:4-6
 
Jesus’ vision for love, sex and marriage is a narrow road, but it is holy, beautiful, and better than anything this world has to offer.

The Narrow Road // Week 3: The Fulfillment of the Law // Pastor Blaine Keene

For Pharisees, the fulfillment of the law was about following the rules.For Jesus, the fulfillment of the law was about following him.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." -Matthew 5:23-24

The Narrow Road // Week 2: Salt & Light // Pastor Blaine Keene + Testimony by Ian Ramge

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

The Narrow Road // Week 1: The Beatitudes // Pastors Blaine & Tom Keene

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." -Matthew 5:3-12

Can I Get a Witness? // Week 6: We Are Witnesses // Pastor Blaine Keene

Bold Witnesses, compelled by love, represent God by being who they really are.
Reflection Questions:
How can I trust the perfect love of God to cast out the fears that are hindering my bold witness for Jesus?
What are the specific relationships or places where God is calling me to be a bold witness?
What specific step can I take this week to be a bold witness for Jesus?
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." -2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Can I Get a Witness? // Week 5: Faith Disciplines // Bob Hostetler

What does it look like to give God the best of us?
 
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." -Acts 2:42

Can I Get a Witness? // Week 4: Generous Disciples // Pastor Blaine Keene

Bold Witnesses live generously with their time, talents and treasures. Generosity overflows from lives changed by God’s grace. 
How is God inviting you to trust the generosity of God’s grace towardyou?
How is God inviting you to live generously with your time, talents andtreasure?
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them." -Acts 4:32-34

Can I Get a Witness? // Week 3: The Simple Gospel // Pastor Blaine Keene

What does it look like to share the gospel with the people around us? 
Keep it Simple: Tell the story of JESUS' crucifixion and resurrection.
Keep it Real: Tell the story of YOUR crucifixion and resurrection.
Keep it Current: Live a lifestyle of crucifixion and resurrection.
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” -Acts 2:38-39

Can I Get a Witness? // Week 2: Empowered Disciples // Lorie Spain

The Holy Spirit is the active, indwelling presence of God who enables Christians to live in obedience and victory each day. Our Bold Witness hinges on being filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. 
 
 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." -Acts 2:1-4