Genesis Project Portland Genesis Project

We were created to do life in the context of relationship, and yet building community is a difficult thing because it requires work, intentionality, and commitment.

However, if we look at the effect that the Holy Spirit has on us, then we begin to see how God is calling us into a community of fellowship with one another. To live life walked out in the context of sharing common ground with one another.

As we continue our series in looking to the person of Jesus as a model of walking this life out, we see how Jesus had the utmost power and authority, and yet the way he exercised that is through service. When we go to the cross of Jesus, at the foot of it we see the towel, and when we receive his grace poured out we become transformed from within, and we get to live out the life he intended for us. A life of serving Jesus and serving others through his Spirit.

As we continue in our series following in the footsteps of the resurrected Jesus, we come to the practice of perseverance.

We often want immediacy - instant results, but the life of following Jesus means a life of slow, persistent relationship over the long-haul. And when we come to the narrative of Thomas, we see that throughout his time spent with Jesus, he was willing to boldly come to Jesus with his vulnerabilities, questions, and doubts.

After the resurrection Jesus begins to show up to his followers in a slow and relational way. He invites us into a life with him–following in his ways.

We are starting a new series about the spiritual practices, looking at the narratives surrounding the resurrection of Jesus. Today we start with the story of Jesus showing up to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The practices Jesus teaches us in this story is one of presence. Where we learn that as Jesus draws near to us, we are to draw near to him through meditation, scripture, and prayer.

Sometimes we try to preserve an old way of life, while Jesus is inviting us into a journey with him towards new life. On this Easter celebration, we walk through the fact that Jesus was resurrected, and all of his followers will one day become resurrected with him upon his return, but that meets us in the middle of today through his resurrected process. Because of him, we get to live new life.

Usually, during this time of year, we focus on Good Friday and skip over Saturday straight to Sunday, but what does God want to tell us on that long Sabbath day, where Jesus lay to rest?