GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

The Jude Doxology
     ²⁴ Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Now…

Now, unto him…

This is his promise to you from Isaiah 43:1–3
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
      I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
      I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
      they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
      you will not be burned;
      the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
      the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”

Now, unto him…

Now unto him who is able…

Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling…

Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless…

Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
Acts 16:31

Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior…

Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.

Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

The second “Now unto Him”
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20–21

Small Group Questions

1. What do you enjoy the most about summer?
2. How do you emotionally respond to the turmoil in the world?
3. In a few words, describe your “Now”. What is the most pressing issue in your life today?
4. Read the Jude doxology out loud. What does the Holy Spirit emphasize to you?
5. How can you be an agent of peace in a chaotic world?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

WENDY POWELL, COMMUNITY OUTREACH PASTOR

is created in God’s image.
But humanity isn’t God’s family. is.

When we are born again, we are…

Born of the (John 3:3–8)

No longer bound by the power of and (Romans 8:1–4)

Given in God’s Kingdom that starts now (Romans 8:10–11)

(Romans 8:14–17), but many believers still live as

When you’re adopted, you get…

New family (new identity)

New family  (the primary context for growing up spiritually)

New family (becoming like Christ will make you stand out!)

Jesus’ new command: Love your new family members so they’ll know (John 13:34–5) 

Sermon on the Mount: Love even your enemies that you may be children
(Matthew 5:44–45) 

Great Commandment: Love God, love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30–31)

New family (Romans 8:5–9, 12–13)

When we disobey our perfect parent, we can expect:
      Disrespect
      Disconnection
      Discord
      Discipline

New delegated  (James 4:7)

Access to God’s power and resources in through the Holy Spirit

New family : The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20)

“Faithful presence names the reality that God is present in the world and that he uses a people who are tending to his presence to make himself concrete and real amid the world’s struggles and pain. When the church is this faithful presence, aware of God and others at the very same time, God’s kingdom becomes visible, and the world is invited to join God there. Faithful presence is not only essential for our lives as disciples, it’s how God has chosen to change the world.”  David Fitch, Author

(Romans 8:17)

Do you believe in Jesus but don’t yet belong to him?

Small Group Questions

1. When you think of adoption, what stories, people, or ideas first come to mind?
2. Reread Romans 8:1–17. Do you see any other aspects of the promise of adoption that are mentioned? What else is part of being in the family of God?
3. Take turns choosing a Scripture that was included in this week’s sermon outline, read it to the group, and then briefly share how that can be applied in your everyday life.
4. All of us are made in God’s image—created, intended/wanted, designed, and loved. When you think about all of that, what resonates or moves you?
5. Think of the person you struggle most to tolerate, let alone like. Now consider that they too are made in the image of God, created, intended, designed and loved by your heavenly Father. Reread James 3:9–10 and maybe end your time together praying for the grace to love your enemies.
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

“There are no .”

Defining the Wounds
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The Ripple Effect of Wounds
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.
.
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God, Your Father
He is the Father who is always (Psalm 68:5; John 14:18)
He is the Father of unconditional and (Romans 8:15; 1 John 3:1)
He is the Father who and (Matthew 6:25-34)
He is the Father who (Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 3:17)

Be present, provide, pronounce their love for us

God promises…

     Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

     So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31–33

God, Your Father declares…

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

     Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:3-5

So, what do we do with this?

1. Acknowledge and lament your pain
2. Renew your understanding of God the Father
3. Receive his love and adoption
4. Embrace healing by the Holy Spirit
5. Extend forgiveness
6. Live as a beloved child
7. Celebrate dads who got it right and their impact in your life!

Small Group Questions

1. What did you do to celebrate Father’s Day?
2. What was your relationship with your father like? What is your story?
3. Did any of the father wounds that Grant described touch a tender spot in your heart? Why?
4. Have you experienced any of the ripple effects listed in the outline?
5. Review the scriptures that Grant went over in the message. Which one helps heal a father wound in your life?
6. Which of the 7 practical steps do you need to take today?
7. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

God loves !

I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, 
the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland, 
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know, 
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this, 
that the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:18-20

I (Paul) planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field… 1 Corinthians 3:6-9a

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

The Promises of God

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17 

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Completing the Story

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people… Galatians 6:9-10a

Small Group Questions

1. Do you like to grow things? Why or why not?
2. What’s one spiritual lesson you can take from a garden or the process of growing seed?
3. How do you respond to the promises found in Proverbs 19:17 and Proverbs 22:9?
4. Read James 2 out loud. What principles from this passage apply to God’s call to feed the hungry?
5. What did you “sow” this week that you saw come back to you in a good way? What did you “sow” this week that came back to you in a negative way?
6. What do you need prayer for today?

 

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, 
for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

Luke 15:3-7
³ Then Jesus told them this parable: ⁴ “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

God never makes a promise that he .

jesus.net/ctk-audio-guides

2 Peter 1:3-8
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them, you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

      For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Based on God’s promises, he is calling us to add to our faith:

• kindness

Small Group Questions

1. What fills your heart with joy?
2. Read Hebrews 10:23. What is a promise of God that sustains you?
3. In transparency, is there a promise of God that feels unfulfilled to you? Would you be willing to share it with someone so that they could encourage you to remain faithful even in the questions?
4. Which of the virtues Peter lists is the easiest for you? Which one is the most challenging?
5. In what areas of your life do you need Jesus to restore calm?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

BRIAN BEHRENDS, CREATIVE PASTOR

We have this hope as an
anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19

The Problem
You can’t be hope-filled if you’re already
.

Replace with .

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11–12 (New King James Version)

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Replace with .

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (English Standard Version)

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.” James Clear (Atomic Habits)

Replace with .

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31–32

Lies don’t have to be true to cause damage,
they just have to be .

Do not despise these small beginnings,
for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
Zechariah 4:10 (New Living Translation)

Reflection Questions

• What’s one thing filling your life that you need to let go of?
• What’s one small practice you could start this week that would give you hope?

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever felt like you should have hope but just couldn’t access it? What do you think was getting in the way?
2. What’s a subtle lie our culture tells us about what we should be putting our hope in? How is God’s way different and why is it better?
3. What’s something you’ve unintentionally let shape your thoughts or emotions lately (social media, news, etc.)? How has it affected your hope?
4. What’s one truth from Scripture that has anchored you during a hard season? How did you hold onto it when hope felt hard to find?
5. With the idea of starting small, what’s one thing you could try this week that might lead to greater hope over time?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

ANGEL FINSRUD, CONNECTIONS PASTOR

Matthew 7:24–27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

When the storm comes, what matters most is what we .

Two things necessary to be like the wise builder:

1. We have to
2. Put them

When we tune into God’s words, we learn where we can confidently anchor our hope.

God’s and
(Psalm 25:3,5 & 21, Psalm 31:24, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 37:9, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 62:5, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 49:23, Micah 7:7, Matthew 12:21)

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4

“King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16–18

God’s
(Psalm 33:18 & 22, Psalm 130:7, Psalm 147:11, Lamentations 3:21-25, 2 Thessalonians 2:16)

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
     Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
     They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
     I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
     The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him…
Lamentations 3:21–25

God’s word — his
(Psalm 119:74, 81, 114, 147, Psalm 130:5, 1 Timothy 5:5, Titus 1:2, Titus 3:7, Hebrews 6:19)

If you want to build your life on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ,
you can’t just listen to good teaching. You have to .

Angel’s CaringBridge: ctk.link/angel

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever tried to learn something new in a high-pressure moment? How did that go?
2. Is there something you’ve put your hope in that led to disappointment? What was it?
3. What’s one thing you know to be true about God’s character based what you’ve read in scripture?
4. When it comes to God’s unfailing love for you, on a scale of 1-10, how easy is it for you to truly believe you are loved?
5. What is one thing you will do this week to put this learning into practice so you can build on a firm foundation?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

My personal plan to “hope-fill”

1. Be , not

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
     to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
     so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Proverbs 25:2-3

2. Stay

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

“Do not call conspiracy
     everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
     and do not dread it. Isaiah 8:12

3. Embrace

• hupomone – ὑπομονή

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11

4.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5–6

Shouts of joy and victory
     resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
     the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live,
     and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Psalm 118:15–17

A good person brings good things out of the good stored up in their heart, and an evil person brings evil things out of the evil stored up in their heart. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

The tongue has the power of life and death,
     and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

We’ve covered the how, but what about the why?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Small Group Questions

1. What seeds of hope have you seen this past week?
2. Have you ever learned a piece of wisdom from a TV show? What was the wisdom and how have you applied it to your life?
3. Which of the four practical applications from the message is the hardest for you? Why?
4. Do you know someone who embodies hupomone? Describe them and the role they have played in your life.
5. How are you intentionally filling your heart with hope this coming week?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

James 2:14–17
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Matthew 25:35, 40 — Our Mandate from Jesus
“‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…’
     ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

James 2:18-24
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
     Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
     You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

James calls us to get both oars in the water.

If your is dwindling, then you need to purposefully .

If your are dwindling, then you need to purposefully .

“Your Bible should be bound in shoe leather.”
DL Moody

James 2:25-26

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

If you want to “hope-fill” your heart, see where God is working and .

John 5:17, 19-20
“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working…”
     Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

Small Group Questions

1. Where do you see a sign of hope in Whatcom County?
2. How you do “hope-fill” when your heart gets discouraged?
3. What does it mean for you to put your faith in action?
4. Read the story of Rahab in Joshua 2. How does her faith in action change her world?
5. Where do you see God working and how can you join him there?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

JOSH LEASE, STUDENT MINISTRIES PASTOR

Romans 7:18-19
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

In and through Jesus:

We saved

We’re saved

We saved

“Salvation is God’s way of dealing with what is wrong with the world and with us.”
– Eugene Peterson

We Have Been Saved 
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4

The debt you couldn’t pay has been .

We Are Being Saved
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

And we all…are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16

If you’re lost, you cannot find yourself. You need to .

The true story of who we are is that we are !

We Will Be Saved
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12–13

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1–4

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4

What story are you living,
and is it the one Jesus is telling about you?

Small Group Questions

1. Besides the Bible what is one of your favorite storybooks?
2. What do you think about the idea that you’ve been saved, you’re being saved, and you will be saved? How do you understand salvation?
3. What are some ways God is redeeming and healing you even now? 
4. Who do you believe you are according to Jesus? What is the most true story about who you are?
5. Have you experienced God inviting you to live into the truth of who he says you are instead of lies? In what ways?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?