Recap from last week:  The man who was healed started the day hoping just to COPE.  What he received was a NEW LIFE.

Peter starts his sermon with a question to the people of Jerusalem: Why are you SURPRISED?

Peter’s question made two points:

• The man wasn’t healed by OUR POWER
• The man wasn’t healed by OUR GODLINESS

To show whose power did this healing, Peter connects Jesus to God’s work in the origin story of ISRAEL.

The people totally rejected Jesus!  But greater than their rejection was God’s PURPOSE and PLAN.

The man was healed through FAITH in the name of Jesus.  Peter describes two key truths about faith.

• The necessity of faith IN CHRIST.
• The reality that our faith comes THROUGH CHRIST.

Peter has given the evidence of who Jesus is! This evidence demands a RESPONSE,
and carries a PROMISE.

• Promise of FREEDOM from sin.
• Promise of being REFRESHED by God.
• Promise that God will RESTORE all things.

The blessing

Takeaway from today's message

• Our faith is rooted in the foundation of the PAST
• Our faith looks forward with great expectation to the FUTURE
• Our faith lives, it is vibrant, we are being refreshed and our lives restored in the PRESENT, in the midst of life as it really is!

• The APOSTLES TEACHING
• The FELLOWSHIP
• The BREAKING OF BREAD
• The PRAYERS

The disciples were DEVOTED to these activities.  These weren’t just high priorities, but the very heartbeat of community life. Why is this so important?

Another word for the “Apostles Teaching” is DOCTRINE.  What is our source of Christian doctrine today?  Why is it so important that we also are devoted to God’s Word?

The Greek word ‘Koinonia’ describes the unique and Spirit enabled FELLOWSHIP among believers.  
What are characteristics of this Christian Fellowship?

What is the connection between the phrase ‘Breaking of Bread’, and the observance of Communion?  Why was the simple concept of sharing a meal together so central to this first community of faith?

These first believers weren’t just people who prayed.  They were a COMMUNITY of PRAYER.

In verse 43, Luke tells us that people were filled with AWE at what was happening in this new Christian community.  Why?

Verses 44-45 have been controversial at times.  What does this passage NOT say?

The essential work of the Spirit described here is how the believers:

• KNEW each other.
• LOVED and CARED for each other.
• Were SACRIFICALLY generous toward each other.

How had the importance of the Temple changed since the resurrection of Jesus?  If God had left the Temple, where is His new dwelling place?

How does Luke describe the gatherings that took place in the believer’s homes?

How did the people of Jerusalem respond to this new community of faith?  

Who was responsible for the daily growth of people coming to faith in Christ?

Big takeaway’s from today's message

• Everything we see in Acts 2:42-47 is a work of the HOLY SPIRIT.  This is GOD at work!
• Our hope is not in the best that MAN can do, it is in what GOD can do. These first disciples believed this, and they devoted themselves accordingly.
• The life experience of these first followers of Christ existed wholly in the context of COMMUNITY.   There is no New Testament concept of being a Spirit filled follower of Christ apart from participation in the community of faith- whatever that community may look like.
• The devotion, radical generosity, and overflowing gladness permeating this community was a sight to behold, and it DREW PEOPLE TO GOD.
• As a consequence of all that was happening, the LORD added to their numbers daily.  The Kingdom grew!
• This is still how God will grow His Kingdom TODAY!

A note from Pastor Ethan:  If you didn't do so before the service, I encourage you to print out this study guide and write down some thoughts and questions this week!  I'm always happy to respond to your phone calls or emails regarding these lessons as we take this journey together.

• Acts 2:25-37
• Psalm 16:8-11
• Psalm 132:11
• Psalm 110:1

Read Psalm 16:8-11

• Why does Peter argue this Psalm is about the Messiah?  How does Jesus alone fulfill this prophecy?
• Describe the relationship the speaker in Psalm 16:8-11 has with The Lord.

In Acts 2:27, what is meant by the “Realm of the dead”?  In his message, Pastor Ethan asserted that the greatest ‘threat’ of death is not punishment in hell, but separation from the goodness, glory, and presence of God.  Do you agree?  Why or why not?  Why might this distinction be important?

Read Acts 2:29-36.  For each of the big points from Pastor Ethan’s message, reflect on why these are important- both to the people in the crowd that day, and to the church today.

• Jesus, as a descendant of David, is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 132:11
• In the crowd that day, there were widespread witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus.
• Jesus is exalted to the ‘right hand’ of the father
• Jesus is the means by which the Holy Spirit comes to believers, as the Father accomplishes His work through Jesus
• As a fulfillment of Psalm 110:1, Jesus is completely victorious
• Jesus is Lord!

Re-read Psalm 16:8-11.  As followers of Christ, how does this Psalm describe the hope and reality that is also true of us?

In Acts 2:37, Luke records that the people were ‘cut to the heart’.  How is God using this scripture in your heart, in your life?  If He is, how will you answer the question also in verse 37… “what shall I do?”

What's your biggest takeaway from today's message?
What's your biggest question from today's message?

A note from Pastor Ethan:  If you didn't do so before the service, I encourage you to print out this study guide and write down some thoughts and questions this week!  I'm always happy to respond to your phone calls or emails regarding these lessons as we take this journey together.

NOTE: As it is Memorial Day Weekend, the Monday night discussion group is not happening this week.

• Acts 2:14-24
• Ephesians 5:18
• Joel 2:28-31
• 1 Peter 1:3-21
• Hebrews 1:1-2
• Romans 6:8-11
• John 11:21-27

A note from Pastor Ethan:  If you didn't do so before the service, I encourage you to print out this study guide and write down some thoughts and questions this week!  I'm always happy to respond to your phone calls or emails regarding these lessons as we take this journey together.

ALSO- you are invited to join Pastor Ethan's Monday evening discipleship group via Zoom!  It is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., MST.  We will be discussing the above scripture and questions.  Click here to join the study on Zoom.  If you enter manually, the meeting ID is 436-316-735.

• Acts 2:1-13
• Isaiah 44:1-3
• Ezekiel 36:24-27
• Ezekiel 37:9-14
• John 3:8
• Hebrews 12:28-29
• Matthew 3:11

• What are the key ways God related to humanity, as we see in the Old Covenant?
• In the New Covenant, how have these changed?
• In the New Covenant, what is the principle way God now is present to His people?

• Our scripture opens in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. What are the important facts about that day?
• Jewish tradition (not directly linked in scripture) holds that Pentecost also celebrates the day God gave the Torah, or Mosaic Law, to the Israelites on Mt. Sinai. Why is this significant?

• The coming of the Holy Spirit is an event with roots in the Old Testament. Two examples are:
  • Isaiah 44:1-3, Ezekiel 36:24-27 
• What is the significance of God manifesting Himself, through His Spirit, as the ‘sound of rushing wind’ and ‘tongues of fire’? How do we see these ideas elsewhere in scripture?
  • Ezekiel 37:9-14, John 3:8, Hebrews 12:28-29, Matthew 3:11
• How is the ‘filling of the Spirit’ here in Acts chapter 2 distinct from the multiple places in the New Testament where we see a description, and the command, for believers to be ‘filled with the Spirit’?
• When the disciples were “filled with the spirit”, they spoke in “other tongues as the Spirit enabled them”. What is Luke describing here? What are common misconceptions about this unique event?

• What was the response of the crowd to the disciples speaking?
• What was the purpose of the Spirit speaking through the disciples in this way?
• What is the significance of the list of nations Luke provides?
• What is the best explanation for why some people in the crowd thought the disciples were drunk?

A note from Pastor Ethan:  If you didn't do so before the service, I encourage you to print out this study guide and write down some thoughts and questions this week!  I'm always happy to respond to your phone calls or emails regarding these lessons as we take this journey together.

ALSO- you are invited to join Pastor Ethan's Monday evening discipleship group via Zoom!  It is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., MST.  We will be discussing the above scripture and questions.  Click here to join the study on Zoom.  If you enter manually, the meeting ID is 436-316-735.

• John 17
• Acts 1:12-26

A note from Pastor Ethan:  If you didn't do so before the service, I encourage you to print out this study guide and write down some thoughts and questions this week!  I'm always happy to respond to your phone calls or emails regarding these lessons as we take this journey together.

ALSO- you are invited to join Pastor Ethan's Monday evening discipleship group via Zoom!  It is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., MST.  We will be discussing the above scripture and questions.  Click here to join the study on Zoom.  If you enter manually, the meeting ID is 436-316-735.

• John 14:5-20
• Acts 1:1-11

• What did Jesus say was the source of all He said and did?
• In verse 12, what do you think are the 'greater things' that Jesus said His disciples will continue to do?
• What does it mean to 'ask something in Jesus' name'?
• What is the connection between Jesus' source of living, and our source of living today?  

Part 2: Acts Background and Context

• Who is the primary 'protagonist' in Acts- the one doing the 'acting'?  Why is this such an important point?
• Regarding Acts as a history, Pastor Ethan asserted that Luke's occasional lack of detail speaks to the authenticity of the book, rather than detracts from it. Why would this be so?
• Why is it important to pay attention to the difference between 'descriptive' and 'prescriptive' teaching as we go through Acts?

Part 3: Read Acts 1:1-11

• In verses 1-3, Luke makes the strong point that Jesus was alive, and in fact was continuing His work through His disciples.  Why is this so important to Christianity?
• Pastor Ethan pointed out that in verse 4, the first 'act', or command for the apostles, was to wait.
  • What were the apostles waiting for?
  • How can waiting on God be a profound act of obedience?  Can you think of an example in your life?
  • Are there ways God is using these current days to teach you the importance of waiting with trust, patience, and peace?  How?
• Verse 8 is the 'thesis' statement of the entire book of Acts.
  • What 'power' is Jesus referring to that He associates with the Holy Spirit?  Write down your thoughts on this now, this will be a major theme as we go forward.
  • Is the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives today the same or different from the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the original apostles?
  • Put another way, how do we experience the power of the Holy Spirit today?  Again, we will cover this topic in-depth.
• What is the chief/essential task of being a 'witness' of God to the world around us?
• Pastor Ethan stated that the hope of this world is not what we can do, but what only God can do. Do you agree?  What is the difference?
• What is the big lesson for us from Jesus' ascension (and the words of the Angels) in verses 9-11?

What's your biggest takeaway from today's message?

What's your biggest question from today's message?

A note from Pastor Ethan:  If you didn't do so before the service, I encourage you to print out this study guide and write down some thoughts and questions this week!  I'm always happy to respond to your phone calls or emails regarding these lessons as we take this journey together.

ALSO- you are invited to join Pastor Ethan's Monday evening discipleship group via Zoom!  It is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., MST.  We will be discussing the above scripture and questions.  Click here to join the study on Zoom.  If you enter manually, the meeting ID is 436-316-735.

• Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” find empty tomb, encounter Jesus, go to tell men.
• Jesus instructs women to tell disciples to go to Galilee, that they will see him there.
• Plot of chief priests and Romans guards.
• Disciples go to Galilee, receive the Great Commission

• Mary and women find empty tomb.
• They see young man in white, who instructs tells them to tell disciples- and Peter- to go to Galilee where they will see Jesus.
• Women leave, afraid, and ‘said nothing to anyone.’
• Mark’s disputed ending: verses 9-20 often prefaced by “The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.”
  • Mary Magdalene tells disciples she saw Jesus, they don’t believe her.
  • Jesus appears to travelers on a road.
  • Jesus appears to disciples as they were eating, rebukes them for lack of faith and refusal to believe.
  • Mark’s somewhat controversial version of the Great Commission.
  • Jesus ascends into heaven.

• Women find empty tomb.
• Two angels appear, proclaim that Jesus is risen.
• Women report to the disciples who don’t believe them.
• Peter runs to tomb, sees linens, goes away ‘wondering.’
• Travelers encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus
• These men return to Jerusalem, report to disciples
• Jesus appears to the disciples, proclaims peace to them, eats in their presence, and opens their minds to the scriptures.
• Jesus tells disciples to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrives.
• Jesus leads disciples out to Bethany (Mount of Olives) where He ascends into heaven.

• Mary Magdalene finds empty tomb, reports to Peter and John.
• Peter, John, and Mary go to the tomb.  John believes, (implication is that Peter doesn’t) they go back to disciples
• Mary sees two angels in the tomb, encounters Jesus.
• Jesus instructs Mary to tell disciples that He will soon ascend to his father.
• First evening of the week, Jesus appears to disciples, implication is this happens in Jerusalem.
• Jesus proclaims peace to the disciples, then breathes on them to receive the holy spirit
• A week later, Jesus appears again at same house where he has encounter with Thomas
• Disciples go to Galilee, Peter leads them to return to fishing
  • Jesus calls to them from shore, miraculous catch of fish
  • Jesus eats with disciples
  • John records this was the third time Jesus had appeared to the disciples.
• Jesus reinstates Peter… “do you love me”

Scripture referenced in today’s service (Links are to Biblegateway.com)

Matthew 28:1-7
John 20:11-18
1 Corinthians 15:17-20
Ephesians 2:1-7
Colossians 3:1-17

Notes from Pastor Ethan’s talk

Consider Mary Magdelen's encounter with Jesus at the tomb.  What was it that gave Mary the hope, joy, and Life she never expected?  It wasn’t religion.  It wasn’t a holiday or memory of a past event.  It was Jesus Himself- present, resurrected, and alive!

Reality! When we celebrate Christ’s resurrection, a fundamental starting point is that this ACTUALLY HAPPENED!

• From a perspective of honest historical evaluation, the evidence for the authentic death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is overwhelming.  Possibly most compelling is how the first generation of believers firmly believed the resurrection to be true.  The resurrection of Jesus was the foundation of everything they believed.
• Not only did the first generation church firmly believe, teach, and proclaim Christs resurrection, they suffered and died for this belief.  Honest logic concludes many people would not have suffered and died for something they knew wasn’t true.  If the resurrection of Jesus was a hoax, this would have been known during the first generation of the church, when many eyewitnesses were still alive.
• If you look at the historic evidence, and most importantly study all the alternative explanations for the rise of the early church and what it believed, the best historic explanation is that Jesus Christ, being thoroughly dead and buried, was really raised to life on the third day with a renewed physical body, a new kind of body, which left an empty tomb behind it.  That is where all the evidence points.
• In the face of this, skeptics have essentially said for centuries.. “I don’t have a good explanation for what happened to cause the empty tomb, the appearances, and shape of early church, but I choose to maintain my belief that dead people don’t rise from the dead, and therefore conclude that something else happened, although I can’t tell you what it was.”  OK… but must be said that this position is based upon BELIEF, upon a CHOICE, and is not the inescapable conclusion of historic evidence, because the historic evidence overwhelmingly supports that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is a literal historic fact.

So, if Jesus resurrection is in fact a fact, then the New Testament it is also true in its proclamation that:

• The Gospel’s message of the cross is true.
• Since Christ is raised from the dead, we too- followers of Jesus- have entered into the reality and experience of Resurrection.  This is very often missed, but crucial to the hope of the Gospel!

The New Testament teaches that believers share in Christ’s resurrection.  Two big conclusions

• We possess the hope of future resurrection- the restoration of our bodies and an eternity in heaven.  This is a great hope of the New Testament.  BUT, this is not the believers ONLY experience of resurrection.
• An often untaught truth- that is essential to the message of the New Testament- is that the follower of Christ has already experienced spiritual resurrection.  Our physical death and resurrection will be a fulfillment of something that spiritually has already happened.

Because we have already been raised with Christ, this means there are things true of us now, as we are on the journey of becoming who we already are!

Practically, what does this look like, right now, today, in the midst of life as it really is? From Colossians chapter 3, verses 1-17

• As believers, because we have been raised with Christ, we have a new first place passion
• As believers, because we have been raised with Christ, we have a new identity
• As believers, because we have been raised with Christ, we have a new source of morality
• As believers, because we have been raised with Christ, we will be transformed not just in our behavior, but in our very countenance
• As believers, because we have been raised with Christ, we have a new peace
• As believers, because we have been raised with Christ, we have a new motivation

Resurrection! It’s not just for Easter- it is the very source of life, identity, morality, countenance, peace, and motivation for the follower of Christ.  Jesus called this the abundant life!

* Note: My comments on the evidence of Jesus' resurrection draw from the excellent work of N.T. Wright.

• If you are able, watch at a place you can set up one or two candles.
• Prepare communion cup and bread for each person.
• This is a contemplative worship service, do you best to find 40 minutes that will be uninterrupted.

REMEMBER- If you have trouble viewing, just lower the video resolution using the 'gear' in the lower right hand corner of the video!

Hey there everyone!  Check out this short video where I walk us through all the worship opportunities this Easter weekend!

Everything will be right here on this page.

• The link and password for the service will be posted HERE right after the Good Friday Service

• Welcome from the Ridenour's and Pastor Ethan
• 1:32- Opening Prayer: Greg Osteen
• 2:36- Worship in Song- The Glories of Calvary: Sarah Hopkins
• 6:32- Scripture reading: Psalm 8, Amy Reyes
• 7:30- Worship in Song- Christ is all: Sarah Hopkins
• 11:52- Prayer: Lin Grubbs
• 14:02- Scripture Reading, Matthew 6:9-13, John Cummins
• 14:56- The message: Pastor Ethan
• 43:52- Announcements: Pastor Nikki
• 47:35- Closing prayer: Pastor Ethan

• Have your Bible!  Pause the video to look up the scriptures and read them yourself, outloud if in a group.
• Take time to pray together.
• Talk about the message! What are your thoughts, your questions?
• As with last week, Pastor Ethan will be watching his email and text today. If you have a thought or question, shoot it to him, and he will do his best to respond.

A word about giving

We fully recognize how this current crisis will impact so many of us financially.  As everyone is saying, we truly are in this together. If God puts it on your heart to support Trinity financially during this time, you may do so by going to the 'give' tab on this website, or just cick here.

REMEMBER- If you have trouble viewing, just lower the video resolution using the 'gear' in the lower right hand corner of the video!

• Due to the nature of today's message, we don't have an 'audio only' version.  Our apologies!
• "Prayer Trail Guide" for Easter week.  Take advantage of this wonderful resource, compiled by our own Melinda Carlson
• Complete online ministry resources page
• Pastor Ethan's Vail Daily Article for Sunday, March 5th.

• Welcome from the basement: Pastor Ethan
• 4:05- Opening Prayer: Etta McCarthy
• 6:14- Worship in Song- Come behold the wondrous mystery : Sarah Hopkins
• 10:42- Scripture reading: Psalm 46:1-2, 10-11  Cyndi and Hanna Gershenoff
• 11:30- Worship in Song- Great is Thy faithfulness: Sarah Hopkins
• 14:32- Pastoral Prayer: Dr. Randy Simmonds
• 15:55- The message: Pastor Ethan
  • Scripture reading: Romans 8:5-6  Matt Wyatt
  • Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:1-3  Tim and Melinda Carlson
  • Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-4  Larry Dutmer
• 35:38- Announcements: Pastor Nikki
• 37:12- Closing prayer: Pastor Ethan

• Have your Bible!  Pause the video to look up the scriptures and read them yourself, outloud if in a group.
• Take time to pray together.
• Talk about the message! What are your thoughts, your questions?
• As with last week, Pastor Ethan will be watching his email and text today. If you have a thought or question, shoot it to him, and he will do his best to respond.

A word about giving

We fully recognize how this current crisis will impact so many of us financially.  As everyone is saying, we truly are in this together. If God puts it on your heart to support Trinity financially during this time, you may do so by going to the 'give' tab on this website, or just cick here.

• A connection to the underground church.  What would it be like if all we had was Jesus?
• "Hey, whatcha lookin at!"  It's not just a question a parent may ask a child, but one God asks us.  In our mind, our will, and emotions, what do we look to? Where do we 'fix our eyes' and 'set our mind'?
• 'Mindfulness' is good, but God just doesn't call us to be self aware.  We are called to other awareness, but most importantly, Christ awareness!
• In this time, as followers of Christ, we have a choice of where we set our mind!
• God calls us to fix our eyes upon the truth of WHO CHRIST IS, WHO WE ARE IN HIM, and how CHRIST HIMSELF is the very source from which we live, and experience His peace, hope, courage.
• Romans 8:5-6
  • The flesh is the strategy of living out of our own wisdom, our own strength, where we place ourselves at the center of life.  In uncertain times, what does our flesh desire, what does it fixate on?
    • It wants control.  It wants certainty, answers!
    • It wants to know what is going to happen.
    • Often, our flesh wants to blame.  It may want to get angry, or be afraid.
  • In contrast, what does the spirit of Christ in us desire?
    • Hope.  To trust that God is good, holds big picture
    • Wisdom. Courage. Forgiveness. Love.
    • In all things, to be thankful.
    • Obedience to God, his work, teaching us
    • To SEEK FIRST Him, His kingdom, His righteousness
• What do we grant authority to govern our hearts and minds?  If we look to Christ, the Spirit, as the authority of our minds, what direction will He give?
  • To throw off the sins that which hinders us, sin so easy entangle (Hebrews 12:1)
  • When we grieve, to grieve with hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
  • To forgive, even as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13)
  • To love each other deeply, from our heart. To be kind, patient, to listen, to LOVE (1 peter 1:22)
  • To live lives of rich generosity and overflowing joy, even in the mist of severe trial and extreme poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2)
  • Give comfort to the brokenhearted (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
  • To set aside pride, to surrender, and to come before the throne of grace with confidence to find help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16)
  • To do the will of God because we WANT TO, serving wholeheartedly, because we are serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6:6-8)
• Hebrews 12:1-3
  • To fix our eyes isn't a momentary glance, but a choice of ongoing focus.
  • What does it look like to 'consider Christ' in your life?
• Colossians 3:1-4
  • Truth! We have been raised with Christ! This is a done deal, a completed work of God.
  • Truth! Christ is seated at the right hand of God. In the greater spiritual reality in which we live, we are already there with him! Ephesians 2:6
  • Truth! We died. The old has gone, the new has come! We are inseparably linked with Christ in our Spirit.
  • Truth! Christ is our life! Today, right now.
• A few practical thoughts on what it looks like to set our mind on Christ.
  • Turn off what isn't healthy! You know of what I speak...
  • Develop spiritual habits. Personal prayer. Family prayer. Intentional reading, listening to scripture.  Seek out help here!
  • Cultivating healthy relationships with other believers.
  • When fear does arise, take that thought captive. Give it to God in honesty, and give thanks for how God is using this to work in your life.

The Bible Project:  One of our Beaver Creek families sent me a link to this awesome resource.  Explore it a bit.  This team makes simple animated vidoes exploring and explaning very important Biblical concepts, all through the lens of how all of scripture points to Jesus.  A great resource for a non-christian who may be interested in learning about the Bible.

Eagle County Mental Health Resource Portal.  This is a new effort of the Eagle County Behavioral Health Task Force.  A good place to start for virtually all of Eagle County's mental and behavioral health resources, including many current resources focusing on Covid-19.

• Try to allocate an hour, be able to think and listen without distractions (smile).  The video is 42 minutes long, including worship.
• Have your Bible!  Pause the video to look up the scriptures and read them yourself, outloud if in a group.
• Take time to pray together.
• Talk about the message! What are your thoughts, your questions?
• I (Pastor Ethan) will be watching my email and text today. If you have a thought or question, shoot it to me, and I'll do my best to respond, possibly here on the website.

• Matthew 6:25-24 is one of most famous passages in Matthews Gospel.  But what does Jesus mean when he tells us 'not to be anxious?'  In times of great difficulty, how is this even possible? 
• This passage is not a spiritual cliche or 'pie in the sky'!  Rather, Jesus gives us here a powerful principle and a powerful promise deeply relevant to us right now.
• What does Jesus mean by 'Worry' or 'Anxious'?  He isn't saying not to think or responsibly make plans.  Essentially, Jesus is saying "Don't live in fear about the temporary details and needs of your life."  But how?
• What Jesus ISN'T SAYING
  • That our needs aren't real or important.  They are.
  • That we have no role to play in our needs being met.  We do!
  • That as believers we will never face true need.  We will.  History teaches us that followers of Christ have faced disease, famine, and early death just as the rest of humanity.  Being a Christian, even a really, really faithful and obedient Christian, is not a promise of deliverance from hardship.
• In this passage, Jesus challenges us to consider what we look to for LIFE.  For peace, hope, identity, security, and contentment.
• We get anxious when we think we can't control the provision of our needs.  When something threatens our sense of control over our plans, our sense of normalcy, it scares us and leads to great stress.
• Jesus cuts to the core of this issue when He asks "Why are you anxious?"  Why indeed.
• For Jesus listeners, the threat of loss of food and clothing was as near as the next failed crop.  What we speak of as 'unprecedented' (loss of control over our circumstances) was a common occurance for Jesus' listeners.
• In light of the ever present threat of disruption of basic life necessities, Jesus speaks of a deeper need.  There is a deeper source of life than the pressing needs common to all humanity.
• Referencing the "Birds of the air," Jesus gives us a powerful principle:  There are times when natural disasters happen.  When people caused disasters happen, causing great disruption and suffering.  This isn’t a promise that we will never have need, but a PRINCIPLE that God knows our needs. God has created a world with resources for provision of those needs, and AS WE ARE ENGAGED IN WORKING TOWARD THOSE NEEDS, we must trust him with tomorrow, with the outcomes we cannot control. If our peace, hope, and wellness in life is depended upon our control of our needs and outcomes, we will be anxious.  This is living out of our 'flesh' with fear instead of trust.
• Verse 27.  Anxiety and worry is a lack of trust, and it never helps. Never.  In fact, worry and anxiety cloud our hearts and minds, as we all know.
• Verse 28-29. Consider beauty of nature:  Nature is complex, but profoundly simple. Nature is beautiful without trying to be beautiful.  It is content with what it is right now.  KEY- for all its seeming permanence, nature is temporary.
• So much of what makes us anxious, what we want to plan and control in a vain desire to manufacture our own peace and security, is temporary!
• Jesus is pointing us to a source of life that is not temporary! HImself!
• While we actively work toward meeting our needs, we do not predicate our life (hope, peace, security, identity) on our ability to meet those needs, or even if they are met.
• It is the natural human condition to worry and have anxiety about circumstances.  But In Christ, it is no longer natural for us!
• Our source, life, hope, peace, meaning, strength, courage... comes from not what is temporary, but what is eternal- GOD HIMSELF
  • In Christ, we have a new nature! (2 Cor 5:17)  This new nature is nothing less than Christ in us, as our life. In this new nature, we know that:
  • God knows our needs! He knows our situation! As we are engaged in the daily work of whatever life may bring, He calls us to trust Him with tomorrow, with what we can't control, and to seek Him first!
• The principle of seeking first. Let your mind be set not on the troubles of tomorrow, but on the presence of God right now. His Kingdom, His Righteousness.
• While we work for our needs, we trust God with outcome of those needs.  While we seek wisdom and make plans, we trust God with those plans.  If they change, we take the next step.  What will come will come.
• Jesus ends with what is most difficult for us, but also most practical and life giving. Releasing our worry, anxiety, and demand for control to God.  This is the gift of letting go, and trusting God with tomorrow, whatever tomorrow may bring.
• Important empahsis of scripture is the sacredness of the now.  We know God holds the future, we have hope of eternity, and yet we are called to live, and to trust, hope, in the now!  GOD IS THE GOD OF THE FUTURE, AND HE IS THE GOD OF RIGHT NOW!
• Think of this (I didn't say this in video)- you can't experience- and express-  peace, hope, love, joy... in the future.  You can only experience and express these gifts today!  This is a choice of where we set our minds.
• If everything we thought tomorrow would bring changes, we may stand firm in the Grace of God, because our life is rooted in that which does not change, Christ himself.

• T- saying THANKS out loud.. to God and to others.
• R- RELEASE what I can't control!  When I start to get worked up about something I ask myself “What in this can I control?” 99% of the time the answer is   “Nothing”....except to release it to God.
• U- I don’t UNDERSTAND!! And, I don’t have to UNDERSTAND! To understand is to feel in control. Powerlessness is my greatest treasure because I may then glimpse a perspective from God that otherwise I wouldn’t.
• S- Stay away from SHAME! God does not shame me because of my fears and anxiety. God wants to deliver us from anxiety, not condemn us because of our anxiety.
• T- TODAY....God is the God of today, the God of right now. One breath at a time, one step at a time, may we learn to TRUST!

• RIGHT NOW MEDIA!  If you haven't signed up for a RNM account through Trinity, email Nikki (nikki@trinityvail.com) and she will get you set up! It's free to you!
• Eagle County Offical COVID-9 infomration and response page.  Don't fall for the fears and rumors of social media.  Go to the source.
• If you prefer to listen to scripture, Sarah has signed our church up for a great app/website called DWELL.  Here's how to access
  • To create a Dwell account and join the group, go online and follow this group link: https://dwellapp.io/signup/with/LFRsom
  • Download the app: Are you downloading for iPhone or Android? Using your phone, click on the previous blue link associated with your phone type.  Also available in your smartphone App Store.  Follow link and create your login.
  • Sign in with I already have an account, using login you created.

• Ligonier.com free teaching resources.  Focusing on teaching of R.C. Sproul and others. A great, sound, resource.

• Great online Bible resources: Biblegateway and YouVersion (You can find these in your smartphone app stores)

• Great resource for Christian moms: Risen Motherhood (recommednation of Sarah)

Hey there everyone!

I plan to post these shorter videos as often as I am able through the week.  The content will vary, and I'm open to suggestions from you!  I encourage you to check this page every few days.  Check out what I posted today!

The links I referenced in the video are here:

Pandemic Love: What we can learn from the history of the church in times of great disease

C.S. Lewis on the Corona Virus

Anxiety, Waiting, and the Corona Virus

• Have your Bible!  Pause the video to look up the scriptures and read them yourself, outloud if in a group
• Take time to pray together
• Prepare communion, as we will receive this together near the end of the video

• Courage, Dear Heart!  For the history of the Church, this has been the whisper of God to so many who have gone through times of great uncertainty, and it is God’s voice to us today.
• Our hope, our peace, our courage is not a matter of WHAT IF, but a matter of WHAT IS.
• This is not the end of the world! If you are asking the question "Are these the end times", I really, really don't think so. Be careful with what you find on the internet. Moving on.
• As disciples of Jesus, COURAGE, HOPE, and PEACE are who we are, because COURAGE, HOPE, and PEACE is who God is!
  • Psalm 59:16-17
  • 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
• In Christ, we are not people of fear.
  • 2 Timothy 1:7
  • Romans 8:14-17
• In Christ, we are people who persevere.
  • James 1:2-4
  • Romans 5:1-4
• In Christ, we will always consider how our words and deeds impact others.
  • Philippians 2:1-4
• In Christ, in all we say in do, we will be kind.
  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • Colossians 3:12-13
• If you get caught up in worst case scenario thinking, consider these words of Paul...
  • 2 Corinthians 6:4-10
• Celebration of Communion
  • Luke 22:14-20