DEAD
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience–among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind (Eph. 2:1-3).
Every year around Halloween, locals in our community gather for a Zombie Walk to raise money for the city food bank. Adults and children wear ripped clothing as costumes and paint their bodies to look like the undead. It’s a lighthearted event for a good cause, especially since zombies are just fiction.
Still, I wonder if the idea of being among the walking dead is so far- fetched. If you look at Scripture, God has a lot to say to us about being spiritually dead.
In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul explains that sin separates us from God and reminds you and me that we were once dead in our trespasses and sins. God’s Word is the standard for upright hearts, pure motives and appropriate conduct. Sin is missing the mark of that standard and drives a wedge in our relationship with Him. But God loved us so much that He freely gave us His Son so that we wouldn’t remain spiritually dead.
Romans 6:23 tells us: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Because of what Jesus did for us and our acceptance of Him as Lord and Savior, we’re no longer separated. We have been raised to life with Christ.
Still, zombies are all around us.
Lost and wayward children who don’t yet know Jesus as their Savior are found in every sphere of society--where we live, work, learn and play. Like us, these souls matter greatly to God. They don’t understand what it means to be spiritually dead because they don’t know the One who gives life. But we do because we were once like these spiritually dead souls.
Every follower of Jesus is called to make disciples. He has created each one of us as a unique masterpiece and has given us a mission field. He has called us to continue in Jesus’ work of seeking and saving the lost.
Now it’s time to think outside the box. What creative strategies and tactics could you use to begin a relationship with the spiritually dead where you live, work, learn and play?
SHIFT WORK
Discipleship is an ongoing, ever-evolving process. “Shift Work” is about making critical changes towards spiritual growth. We continually mature in Christ and as we do, our old self–our natural sin-filled self–sloughs off.
The First Shift we need to make is to change the way we think about
God and see Him everywhere we live, work, learn and play.
Read through these statements and questions and think about each one thoughtfully. In your journal or notebook, record any thoughts or scripture verses that speak to you.
Rob Wegner, teaching pastor at Westside Family Church in Kansas City, says, “As the Church, we should be obsessed with Jesus growing ever-larger in our minds and hearts.”
How obsessed with Jesus are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the most and 1 being the least:
What evidence would convict you of “being obsessed for Jesus”?
Ephesians 1:3 tells us we’re the recipients of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Write down all the spiritual blessings you’re aware of.
Jesus is more, and we are made for more. What areas of your life have more Jesus?
In what areas of your life do you need more Jesus?
How well are you doing at revealing the fullness of Jesus in every sphere of your life?
Thus far, what’s the biggest thing God has ever done for you? When you think of Christ’s Kingdom, what images come to mind?
What’s the thing you’re most afraid to do when it comes to serving God and why?
If you could go anywhere in the world to serve Christ, where would it be and why?
FILLED
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him, who fills all in all (Eph. 1:22-23).
One of the hottest toys in the ’80s was called Shrinky Dinks. They were thin sheets of plastic that could be colored and cut into shapes. Then they were placed on a baking sheet in a hot oven. Presto! In a few minutes, they would shrink down into thick little plastic pieces. We’d turn them into charms or tiny toys to trade with friends.
The only downside was that an adult needed to supervise the baking, although I will admit to breaking that rule. What can I say? I was hooked on them. In addition to being fun, I found they magically made me popular at school. I’d fill my pockets and use them to win friends and influence people.
But novelties wear off; newer and hotter things emerge on the market, and we turn our attention elsewhere. Back then, a popular saying was, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
Have you ever been guilty of treating God this way? We shrink Him down in our minds or take Him out when we’re trying to get something. We use Him as a lucky charm or as a way to win people, and cast Him aside when our scheme doesn’t work.
Trying to reduce God to make Him fit into our preconceived notions or plans is a colossal mistake. There is no minimizing Him. He’s everything. He’s too powerful to be manipulated or confined to the limitations of our human brains. Our inadequate presumptions certainly don’t change who God is. On the contrary, they make us utterly ineffective.
Pastor and author Rob Wegner refers to this attempt to reduce Jesus to fit our ideas or lifestyle as “Little Jesus” syndrome. But just like God is too big to be confined by our imagination, there’s nothing little about Jesus either.
He’s so big that God put all things under His control–all things in Heaven, on earth and under the earth. He fills everything, everywhere, with the fullness of Him as the supreme ruler of the universe. Totality is expressed in the word “fullness” that Paul uses.
And the Church, as His body, is under the headship of Christ. He is our sovereign leader, not a Shrinky Dink savior. When we’re in relationship with Him, He grows ever larger.
John the Baptist had the right perspective when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
What areas of your life reflect a “Little Jesus” syndrome? What keeps you from experiencing the fullness of Jesus?
ADOPTED
In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Eph. 1:5).
In New Testament times, adoption was practiced in a way that differs from our modern method. Learning about it greatly enhances our understanding of this scripture.
According to Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, “Roman law required that the adopter be a male and childless; the one to be adopted had to be an independent adult, able to agree to be adopted. In the eyes of the law, the adopted one became a new creature; he was regarded as being born again into the new family.”
In God’s great love, through Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family. We are His sons and daughters! This alone is an undeniable gift, but when we read through the first chapter of Ephesians, we learn there’s more... much more:
Everything given to Jesus is transferred to us.
God clearly has a will, purpose and plan for our lives that begins with a new identity. The first chapter of Ephesians gives us a list of all we gain:
We have every spiritual blessing (v. 3). We’re chosen (v. 4).
We’re His children (v. 5).
We’re redeemed (v. 7).
We’re forgiven (v. 7).
We’re part of His purpose for the world (v. 9). We’ve obtained an inheritance (v. 11).
We’re sealed with the Holy Spirit (v. 13).
That list takes my breath away. I encourage you to read through it again and really think about what each one means and how it plays out in your life.
We may never be rich in this life, but we’re loaded in Christ!
No wonder Paul was such a grateful guy. He was painfully aware of his own sin and putrid past (check out his story in Acts 9:1-31). Paul never forgot where he came from and who he’d been before meeting Jesus, but (and this is an important but), he also never dwelled there.
He was changed from a slaughterer to a son. He was called to be more, and so are we.
Christ has adopted you as His child. How does that change how you see Him and yourself?
ENLIGHTENED
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ (Eph. 1:16-19).
In the eighteenth century, a flame burned across Europe and changed the course of world history. It’s a period known as “The Enlightenment” or the “Age of Reason.” Historians say it was a time of intellectual and philosophical
growth in which reason reigned supreme as the basis for all legitimate thought.
Innovative ideas in the areas of scientific understanding and individual liberty sparked political change and, in some cases, revolution. Much of what we think today is influenced by this time period. For example, the ideas of democracy, personal rights to liberty and property. As with any movement, The Enlightenment had its pros and cons, but the end result was lasting impact.
In many ways, enlightenment looks like a spotlight being shined in darkness, fully exposing something you have never seen. This is what Paul wanted us to experience when he wrote, “...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.” He goes on to say that he wants us to open the eyes of our hearts so we fully know God.
Paul reminds us that God’s end goal for His Church (remember the Church is the people of God saved by the power of God for the purposes of God) is knowledge and revelation of Him–anticipating that we’ll understand the height and depth of the hope we’re called to; the riches of what we’ve inherited in Him; and the unfathomable power accessible to us. Let’s look at these three gifts more closely.
Hope, as defined in the Greek, is “looking forward with confidence
to that which is good and beneficial.” This isn’t the same as wishing for something, but knowing in the depths of our soul that God’s Word is true and He keeps His promises. We look forward with confidence.
Many of us today don’t expect to inherit much of anything from our earthly parents, but we do have an inheritance stored up in Heaven. The theme of inheritance runs throughout the Old and New Testaments. Let’s look at three scriptures from the Gospel of Matthew–these words come from Jesus Himself:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (v. 5:5);
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (v. 19:29);
Then the King will say to those on his right, Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (v. 25:34).
We serve the God of Heaven who appointed us a Savior, Jesus, and raised Him from the dead. His power toward us is immeasurable, and He wants us to know and understand the full extent of it. Multiple lifetimes of exploration wouldn’t begin to touch on the magnitude of this power.
We are not without resources. God gives us His Word for instruction and application. Entering into a personal relationship with His Son is the first key to unlocking understanding. Colossians 1:15 tells us: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
When we follow Him, we’re spiritually illuminated, and our destiny is discipleship.
Revolution isn’t possible until we change the way we think about Jesus.
What keeps you from seeing the hope you are called to, the riches of your inheritance and the power you have access to?
CHOSEN
He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him (Eph. 1:4).
As a kid, I wasn’t chosen for much of anything. There’s not an athletic bone in my body, so when it came time to pick teams in school, I was on the sidelines until the bitter end. Even in the things I did well (like spelling), teachers didn’t call on me often unless I frantically raised my hand. If I’m honest, those experiences undermined my confidence and made me feel insignificant.
I didn’t grow up knowing God. In fact, in my home Christ wasn’t mentioned in a positive way. Instead, I was raised to believe that hard work and self-determination were the pathways to success. I focused all my energy on making something of myself. Perhaps you can relate.
It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties after my father died that I began searching for Jesus. And let me tell you, it wasn’t an easy process. I had no one in my life to explain who Jesus was and all He had done. But God is faithful.
Let me pause here for a supernatural story. Though I didn’t have knowledge about God, I always believed there was a powerful force in the universe. When I was little, my great grandmother sent me some prayers in the mail. I’d memorized this popular bedtime one: “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. That was the extent of my God knowledge, and I said the prayer every night, just in case.”
The night of my father’s funeral, our family and close friends were gathered around the dining room table reminiscing about my dad. I asked them, “Where is he now?” No one could answer, and I was beside myself in grief and anger. I wanted so desperately to believe in Heaven; I wanted to know I’d see him again one day. In the silence of the room, I heard a voice in my head (not my voice) say, “Go find Jesus, and He’ll tell you where he is.”
There’s more to the story of course, but that voice sent me seeking. The Jesus I found met me in my grief and set me on the path of a new life.
It took a while to start reading the Bible. At first, I didn’t understand a thing in it. But hard work and determination paid off. Reading small sections of Scripture each day increased my knowledge and helped me make sense of my new spiritual life.
One verse, in particular, flipped my world upside down: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16).
Jesus’ words washed over me. All these years of thinking I was the seeker... when I wasn’t the seeker at all. God was. He was the One guiding me toward Him. I hadn’t “chosen” Jesus; He had chosen me.
He has chosen you, too.
In Ephesians 1:4, Paul tells us we were chosen in Him before God formed the earth. Let that sink in. As His Church, we are chosen by Jesus
to carry Christ’s fullness into every corner of culture and sphere of society. The Church is the people of God saved by the power of God for the purposes of God. It is all the people of God on everyday mission to fill everything in every way with the fullness of Jesus.
What a relief it is to know that though we still work hard, we don’t need to strive to make something of ourselves. He is the ultimate maker, and He wants so much more for us, His Church.
How does it feel knowing God chose you for His team?
Made for More Day 1
MADE FOR MORE DEVOTIONAL BY ERIKA RIZKALLAH
We’re able to see only a fraction of the stars and planets in our galaxy. Though people have tried, there are just too many to count. According to astronomers at Sky and Telescope magazine, roughly 9,000 stars can be viewed with the naked eye.
That number gets cut in half depending on atmospheric conditions, seasons and light pollution. The average New York City resident sees just seven stars, but the view for desert dwellers is vastly different.
However, viewing the stars and planets through binoculars and telescopes exponentially increases our abilities to see them. Trillions of galaxies illuminate the heavens and enable us to see the universe in an entirely new way.
As the creator of the earth, God has given us land and waters swarming with creatures and new species are constantly being discovered. The heavens, or what we call “outer space,” are completely filled with cosmic wonder. Constellations map out the sky and meteor showers put on dazzling light shows. This is how big our God is!
In the same way a loving parent creates a healthy and happy home, our Creator has provided the perfect environment for us out of His boundless love for us. We are a blessed people–children of the divine creator of the universe. A God who is so big he literally fills everything.
But He doesn’t stop with earthly blessings. He has also given us access to unimaginable spiritual blessings. Scripture tells us that we have access to every kind of blessing available. They originate from an unlimited and infinite God– given to us through Jesus.
In Christ, we discover we’re made for more than what we can imagine.
Our Heavenly Father who created the stars and breathes life into every living thing has mind-blowing things in store for us, His children–when we’re open to discovery. Like the stars in the sky, He designed each one of us uniquely for His great purposes. He has called us to illuminate our world for Christ and build up His body, the Church–to illuminate the mystery of more for ourselves and for others.
And here’s the really big idea: the Church is called for more because Jesus Himself is more. Look at what Paul says about Jesus in Ephesians 1:22:
“God placed all things under Jesus’ feet.”
Only Jesus can fill everything in every way. Not our efforts, our strategies, our plans, our spouses, our children, our jobs, our church.
Only Jesus.
How does knowing that you have access to every kind of spiritual blessing expand your knowledge of and love for God?
Made for More
This week we started a new chapter in the RLM story, AND a new sermon series! MADE for MORE will help us learn how to BE more, LOVE more, DO more, and GO more. Here's the video we shared to celebrate where the Lord has brought us and to remind us to keep on marching until the work is done. #madeformore #reallifetv #allin
Music: Soldier by Fleurie
Ground Breaking!
Praise Jesus for an amazing morning and a great gathering to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new building. Thank you so much to The Solomon Foundation for believing in our mission and vision; City of Meridian, and Mayor Tammy for building a community we are honored to serve; and Sletten Construction Company, the OEC Team, and NeUdesign architecture for all your hard work creating a space we can call home. It’s go time!! #allin#onepersonatatime #reallife
We're Moving!
We are moving out of the Outpost + Office!
In order to save money and help us get ready for the move into our building in the fall we are moving out of the Outpost+Office. A local businessman and friend to Real Life has offered his office space for us to use for free until we move into our building. This is a tremendous blessing as we start payments on our new building in July. This will help us reach our savings goals that we have planned out. With that being said, we need your help to get us moved out. We need to paint, clean and move out. If you are able to help on any of the following dates below, please use the following links to sign up!
June 15th @ 9am Painting Office
We're Hiring!
We are currently hiring a part time Worship Team Coach! This role includes rehearsal prep & coordination, leading rehearsals, leading and/or participating in planning and development meetings, leading and/or coordinating weekly services, and relational investment in team and leaders. If you think you would be a good fit for this role, check out the full job description HERE!
4.04.2019 - Planning & Zoning Commission Decision - New Site Plan Approved
Exciting news today! The P&Z commission approved our new site plan for our potential new property and our conditional use permit as been approved for us to move forward with the closing of this property! We are so excited about this next step! Thank you to so many of you who have prayed and supported the leadership through this process. Next up, we will be finalizing details to hopefully close on the building the middle of May. If that goes well, after our building plans are approved, renovation will be starting in the middle of summer. Lord willing, we could be in the building in the fall. Keep praying, keep inviting, keep being the church every day, not just on Sundays. The Lord has work for us to do in this community!!!
3.05.2019 - We Are All In!
On Sunday I announced some exciting and challenging news to those of you who were in attendance. For those that weren’t there I would like to update you. At our planning and zoning hearing on Thursday Feb 21st, we were told that even though we met code and executed what the city asked of us, the planning and zoning commission did not believe our parking plan was adequate. They offered us a continuance to try and come up with a secondary plan and suggested purchasing the lot to our south that is currently dirt and turn it into a parking lot for our use. Our next hearing is April 4thto present them another plan or to communicate that we will not be moving forward with the purchase of this building or land.
What did the elders decide?
After much prayer and deliberation we have decided to try and purchase the dirt lot to the south of the building that we are currently under contract for. We believe God wants us to take this next step for a couple of reasons. First, we discussed the financial implications of this with The Solomon Foundation and they have agreed to finance us for this extra expense. Secondly, we have sought wisdom from other pastors that have taken similar steps, they have encouraged us that this is a next step they believe we can take. Thirdly, no matter what future building we purchase, unless it is a church building, parking will most likely be an issue. This property has dirt that is not developed yet and can be utilized so that parking is never a concern moving forward. Lastly, there is a church here in the valley that is seriously considering and praying about helping us financially as a gift to help us take this next step. To see another church support another church is very inspiring and encouraging to us as an eldership and helps us us see what we think is God’s hand in this journey we are on.
How are we going to afford this?
As I discussed on Sunday, with the expected cost of the building, improvements and now purchase and upgrade of the land we need ten new families to start tithing. If we use the median household income for Meridian as a projected tithe amount ($525/month) that will cover the cost of the increase in building costs we will incur when we move in.
What are you asking?
We are asking you to pray about starting to tithe and make a commitment to support your church in this huge next step. This will enable us to put money away in savings now for future expenses, which will lead to greater overall budget health, and in addition it will help fund dream initiatives we have for our church in the next year. I’m looking forward to sharing those with you in detail on Sunday. When we move into the building those dollars will then go towards our increase in mortgage.
I don’t make that much money, what should I do?
Some of you may tithe (10%) and it may not be that much ($525/month) and others will tithe and it will be more than that amount. We are trusting that God will bring the adequate dollars to allow us to afford this building. Your willingness to trust God with your finances is the first step and we believe God is going to work out all the specifics for the amount needed.
Why a building?
When we started the year 2018 we prayed and from your feedback and what we sensed from the Holy Spirit we believed it was time for us to find a permanent home. We searched for nine months before believing that this was the building God wanted us to pursue. Through the collective gathering of our church, the people, this building could become the stake in the ground outpost from which ministry, worship and blessing extends to the rest of the community, just like our hearts and hands do through our own individual bodies. This building will not define us, but it can become a tremendous tool in helping further the vision & mission of our church. We exist to reach the world for Jesus, one person at a time. This building can be a great next step in seeing more people come to know Jesus and be discipled into the likeness of Jesus.
Lastly, I just want to say that I have been overwhelmed this week with God’s goodness and His work in your lives already with stories of people who are taking next steps. Some of you have decided to get rid of debt so that you can give more and some have already started to tithe from the encouraging and challenging words received in this sermon series. I want you to know that your humility that you have displayed in listening to God through us and trusting God with your finances has been inspiring, moving and soul stirring. When the church comes together in unity, God’s Kingdom and reigning power comes crashing down onto earth. Thank you for going with us on this journey.
If you have any questions, please don’t be afraid to email me or call me. Looking forward to seeing you next Sunday and as always, own the mission this week!
"One Person at a Time,"
Justin Jordan
Lead Pastor
2.21.2019 - Planning & Zoning Commission Decision - Continuance
Today was not the decision we wanted from the P&Z commission. However, they were gracious in offering us a continuance on our conditional use permit and not denying it. They have concerns about our parking situation even though we have parking agreements and street parking being opened up by ACHD. They have asked us to consider buying the lot to the south and turning it into a parking lot. We are in the process of discussing this as an eldership. Our next hearing is scheduled for April 4th to inform them of our decision of how we will proceed.
2.09.2019 - Sign's Up!
Today was an exciting next step as our sign went up in preparation for our Feb 21st hearing with Planning & Zoning to officially secure the building we have under contract. Please be praying that this hearing goes well so we can get the necessary permits to use this building as our place to connect together, laugh together, learn together and to worship together!!! #NextStep#PeopleofFaith #PeopleofSacrifice#PeopleonMission #PeopleofPrayer #RealLife
12.02.2018 - Artist Renderings
Here are the first artist renderings! Remember, changes will be made, but it is fun to see what “could be” with this new building.
Front lobby and connections table. (not pictured, a great coffee area!)
Auditorium/Multi-use space
One of FOUR lifer kids rooms!
12.02.2018 - Exciting times at Real Life!
I am writing you with exciting news to share. We have an officially agreed upon contract to purchase a building!!! This is the same building we put an offer on last month. This is an amazing next step for our church and I hope you are excited as I am right now. You might be asking what does this mean and what is our next step?
It means we now have 60 days to make sure that this building will be suitable for us and that we will be able to get it up to code so that we can occupy it. If that goes well, we will then have 30 days to close and then renovations will begin. We are guessing that renovations will take 2-3 months before we can occupy the building. If we don’t see the building working for us we will terminate the contract and move on to look for other buildings.
I want to be able to answer some questions for you, but please know I can’t answer all of them right now, as more information will be coming soon. In addition, I want to just sit in this spot right now with as much celebration as possible. God has been so good to us and has done so much. More details and answers will be coming soon as we learn and as we go.
Where is the building?
It is located in a perfect location right off the busiest street in Idaho, Eagle road. The address is 1098 N Hickory Ave, Meridian, ID. You may drive by it, but please do not peek in windows as there are businesses occupying the building currently and they also have abnormal hours at times and are serving special clients that cannot be disturbed. So please honor this.
How much did we purchase the building for?
We purchased the building for 1.1 million dollars. We are anticipating to remodel and furnish the building it is going to take an additional $250,000, but these numbers may go up or down depending on issues that arise.
How are we going to afford this?
We are financed through an amazing organization called the Solomon Foundation. They have approved us for the total amount of the building, remodel and furnishings. They are all about helping churches and are for the church unlike other organizations like a bank. They have looked at our finances and know that as we step out as people of sacrifice, faith and mission that we will be able to afford this loan. You can see their website here: www.thesolomonfoundation.org
They have worked with hundreds of churches in helping them take their next step and gained the trust of over 4,000 investors who have invested in the Kingdom. They just eclipsed 500 million in assets in seven short years of existence as an organization.
Doug Crozier, the CEO, has become a good friend and he has walked beside us through this journey and he believes in us. He has been involved in church financing for over 25 years. He has stretched and grown my faith personally. I’m thankful for him.
We have partnered with them because they are the best.
What do you want me to do with this information?
This is a time of celebration and it is important we all experience this together so please share with people in our church and please be praying for us. If the Lord desires for us to have the building, it will become very clear in the next 60 days. If he doesn't, he will provide another building to pursue. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but as I have said, miracles follow the plow.
If you have any questions, please don’t be afraid to email me or call me. Looking forward to seeing you next Sunday and as always, own the mission and bring a friend!
“One Person at a Time,”
Justin Jordan
Lead Pastor