The Model: Imitating Jesus

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Jesus is the model for our life and faith; we are to imitate him and other models of mature believers as they follow Him. In time, we should desire to become models for others.

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Faith in Uncertain Times

1 Thessalonians

We live in uncertain times. Wars rage, our nation is deeply divided, and as Christians, we find ourselves in a culture that is increasingly resistant to our faith. In the book of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul writes to a church that was also dealing with uncertain times. The Thessalonians lived in a world that was hostile to their faith, enduring persecution and even violence at times. As new believers, they also grappled with confusion about their doctrines and faced the divisive influence of individuals sowing discord among them. Yet, unlike most churches Paul wrote to, he offered the Thessalonians no correction, only encouragement and praise. The Thessalonians provide a great model to learn from as we seek to live our faith in these uncertain times.

Orchard Community Church
8180 Telephone Rd
Ventura CA 93004
www.OrchardVentura.org
Contact us at Info@OrchardVentura.org
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190

“Living into Everyday Glory” (Magi)
Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 19:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 3:18

The star the Magi saw was a reflection of Jesus’ birth, of the glory of God touching the earth. The Magi could have stayed home; instead, they went seeking after God’s Glory, and they weren’t disappointed. Will we seek after God’s glory too?

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Christmas Glory

This Advent and Christmas season, we’ll focus on the profound theme of God's glory. It can be challenging to define God's glory since it manifests in numerous ways throughout the Bible. It embodies the greatness and perfection of His character and attributes. [1] Additionally, God’s glory reveals His special presence in the world, evident in both creation and His redemptive acts. [2] We can also glorify God through our worship and praise. However, it was on that first Christmas that the ultimate expression of God's glory entered our world with the birth of Jesus. [3] Yet, Jesus came, not only to display God's glory but to invite us to embody and reflect it in our own lives. This may surprise us; we might think God's glory is reserved for exceptionally spiritual people, for extraordinary acts, or even for the realm of fantasy and escape, but we can experience and reflect God’s glory right here and now by following Jesus and living out God's call in our everyday lives. [4] In fact, Isaiah 43:7 says that we were created by God for His glory!

[1] Revell Bible Dictionary, 47; https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-glory-of-god/
[2] Revell, 47.
[3] Revell, 47; John 1:14
[4] Revell, 47; 2 Corinthians 3:18, John 15:8.

Orchard Community Church
8180 Telephone Rd
Ventura CA 93004
www.OrchardVentura.org
Contact us at Info@OrchardVentura.org
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190

Experiencing God’s Glory (Us)

On this Sunday, a few members of our Orchard family will share stories of how they have experienced God’s glory through His work in their lives, and together, we'll lift up prayers for the New Year.

Faith Stories Sunday
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Christmas Glory

This Advent and Christmas season, we’ll focus on the profound theme of God's glory. It can be challenging to define God's glory since it manifests in numerous ways throughout the Bible. It embodies the greatness and perfection of His character and attributes. [1] Additionally, God’s glory reveals His special presence in the world, evident in both creation and His redemptive acts. [2] We can also glorify God through our worship and praise. However, it was on that first Christmas that the ultimate expression of God's glory entered our world with the birth of Jesus. [3] Yet, Jesus came, not only to display God's glory but to invite us to embody and reflect it in our own lives. This may surprise us; we might think God's glory is reserved for exceptionally spiritual people, for extraordinary acts, or even for the realm of fantasy and escape, but we can experience and reflect God’s glory right here and now by following Jesus and living out God's call in our everyday lives. [4] In fact, Isaiah 43:7 says that we were created by God for His glory!

[1] Revell Bible Dictionary, 47; https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-glory-of-god/
[2] Revell, 47.
[3] Revell, 47; John 1:14
[4] Revell, 47; 2 Corinthians 3:18, John 15:8.

Orchard Community Church
8180 Telephone Rd
Ventura CA 93004
www.OrchardVentura.org
Contact us at Info@OrchardVentura.org
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190