Table Talks tagged with ‘2014’

110 of 21 items

Self Control: Spoiled Fruit? (5/25/14)

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Galatians 5:22-26 We’ve been learning about sharing and bearing forth in our lives the fruit of the spirit for the past nine months. All of these important signs of the Spirit’s work in the world and in our lives are necessary parts of discipleship. Fruit is to be produced, enjoyed, and shared. Saying for instance, […]

Self Control: Who’s In Control?(5/18/14)

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Psalm 31:1-5 Self control, in many ways, is about releasing control. What does it mean to commit our spirits to God’s hands? More than just “giving up the ghost,” opening ourselves to the working of God in our lives is a positive affirmation and a powerful decision. God will guide us and will not forsake […]

Self Control: Be Transformed (5/11/14)

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Romans 12:1,2 ‘Really change,’ writes Paul, ‘physically and spiritually.’ What will you allow to control you – conforming to the world, or being transformed through God’s will? Sometimes our lives feel so out of control. Sometimes it seems we have no room or power to choose to do the right thing, to follow the right […]

Self Control: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (5/4/14)

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2 Samuel 11,12 There’s something about inertia. Things are easier to deal with at early stages. Often one bad decision leads to another, and more and more people are hurt. David’s sight led to desire, which led to violence, which led to death. What lessons do we learn from David’s life and decisions? How can […]

Gentleness: A Gentle Revolution (4/20/14 – Easter)

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Matthew 28:1-10 The world changes fundamentally at Easter. Death and violence, oppression and domination lose their power and meaning. As Christians, we are called to participate in the “gentle” revolution. We are con-fronted with news of the living Christ. We are asked to follow. We are sent to proclaim. And the proclaiming is in the […]

Gentleness: Out of This World (4/13/14)

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John 18:33-38a What sort of Lord do we serve? Will the standard questions and responses work? No. Jesus brings us a reign, an empire, with divine origins and ramifications. If it were of this world, says Jesus, there’d be physical confrontation. But it’s not. How are our lives reoriented when we worship a God and […]

Gentleness: Gentle Power (4/6/14)

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Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites us to a new understanding, a new way of life, a new way of being. It is gentle, welcoming, AND powerful. The gospel is not another burden to bear. Discipleship is challenging, but can lead us to newness. Once we see and know Jesus’ teachings and the direction of God’s love […]

Faithfulness: No Love, No Faith (3/30/14)

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1 Corinthians 13 ‘Haters’ need not apply. Without love, Paul tells us, faith amounts to nothing. Without love, the future is dismal and unsure. Faithfulness is expressed through love. Notice the kind of love Paul describes: it’s self-less; it gives; it’s joyful. How do we practice this kind of love? How can we encourage and […]

Faithfulness: Righteous! (3/23/14)

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Romans 5:1-11 Through Christ we are made right as a gift, and when we trust this we get right about righteousness, right? Try to earn God’s grace and you’re going about it all wrong. Say you have it, but refuse to live it, and you’re just not getting it. It’s free to you – use […]