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Showing posts from January, 2022

Following Jesus in a World That Hates Him

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by Bart Denny Central Text: John 15:18-25 We've come to part five of our series, The Upper Room Way , where we've been listening in on Jesus' parting words to His original disciples, and seeking to understand how they call us to counter-cultural living today. We all understand visible allegiance Sometimes it is a wedding ring. Sometimes it is a team jersey. Sometimes it is a company badge, a logo on a hat, a sign in the yard, or a bumper sticker on the back of a vehicle. Those things communicate something before you ever open your mouth. People see them and immediately make an assumption: You belong over there. You are with them. That is your side. Most of the time, that kind of allegiance doesn't cost you much. But some allegiances get expensive. Some loyalties change the room. Raise the temperature.  Some loyalties make people pull back.  Some loyalties make you stand out. That's where many Christians feel the tension. It's one thing to be associ...
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When Jesus Shuts Down a Church

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by Bart Denny I like to think of myself as a student of the root causes behind the death of local churches—and what it takes to breathe life back into a congregation on the brink of closure. Over the years, I’ve read dozens of books and articles exploring why churches die and how revitalization happens. And while every church that closes has its own story and unique circumstances, ultimately, there’s one overarching reason a church shuts its doors: Because Jesus does. That’s right. Surprisingly, the New Testament only mentions the closing of a church once. Just once. And it's not because of dwindling attendance, financial struggles, or changing neighborhoods. It’s because Jesus Himself threatens to remove their lampstand. We read about it in Revelation 2:1–7 (NASB 2020), where Jesus commands the Apostle John to write a sobering letter to the church in Ephesus: “I know your deeds… and that you cannot tolerate evil people... But I have this against you, that you have left your ...
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