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ALPHA CCN







SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019


CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OVER!




AN END, AND A BEGINNING...


I truly can't believe we've come to the end of this Alpha run!  The past 13 or
so weeks have been such an amazing journey together.  When I look back at the
many stories we've shared together, and the growth in faith and expectation I've
seen in all of you and myself, I'm humbled again by how Good God is, and
inspired fresh and new by the work of Jesus I see in all our lives.



NEXT STEPS


"What next?" you might ask.  "Is there a Beta?" 
While there isn't technically an "Alpha, Part 2", Part 2 is really what you make
of it.  You've experienced a taste of how good Christian fellowship can be when
we're on a journey of discovery together.  You've seen that Jesus is truly alive
and living through each of us who follow Him, and that we all have a story to
tell.

Deeper Fellowship.
You've tasted and seen.  If you haven't been a part of a deeply engaging faith
community which challenges you to go deeper in God's Word, and deeper in
community with Jesus and with others, I think Alpha has probably given you a
taste of what that can be like.  At Christ Church Nashville, there are a variety
of Sunday School classes, Wednesday night classes and groups, and community and
small groups that meet throughout the greater Nashville area.  You can browse
the possibilities on the CCN website.  Keep the journey going and plug into a
group that makes sense for you.  If I can assist or help in any way, please let
me know!

Alpha Beyond.
I'd like to challenge you to consider how you might help facilitate bringing
Alpha into places we wouldn't normally expect.  While the church is a great (and
safe) context for Alpha, there is such joy and excitement in seeing the "lights
come on" in people's eyes who may never darken the door of a church.  Did you
know that Alpha courses are conducted in places like dorms, work offices,
hospitals, prisons, community centers, and in many, many homes and
neighborhoods?

"Don't I have to be certified to run Alpha?"
Absolutely not :) . The only qualification is a deep and genuine love for Jesus,
and for people.   And, a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to just listen
to other people's questions and viewpoints.  We mentioned in one of our recent
discussions that "People want to belong before they believe".  You don't have to
have answers to all the questions... you don't even have to have answers to many
of the questions.

If you're interested and feel that spark of inspiration (mixed, no doubt, with
fear and uncertainty), let me encourage you to take a step of faith.  Let me
know if you're interested!  I'd be more than happy to meet with you, talk it
out, provide you any resources I can, and step with you on that adventure!

My personal vision would be to see a bunch of Alphas (small and large) spring up
all over the greater Nashville area, in homes, workplaces, YMCAs, libraries, you
name it!  I'd love to see a group of Alpha leaders emerge, growing together in
our spiritual conversation skills and in our confidence with those deeper
apologetic questions that often arise.  I'd love to see hundreds and thousands
of lives transformed by Jesus through Alpha... through me and you.

If that's inspiring to you, please let me know :)




Posted by Jeremy Long at 5:47 PM No comments:
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FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019


TEMPTATION SCRIPTURES




TEMPTATION SCRIPTURES


During our discussion on the "How Do I Resist Evil?" topic, we discussed
Christ's model for resisting temptation as recorded in Matthew 4.  Each time the
Enemy approaches Him, he tries to sow doubt and confusion, undermining Christ's
clear sense of identity as the Son of God, and enticing Him to take the easy
road to fulfill His mission, instead of the road of suffering and self-denial
which Jesus knew it would require.

Each time, Jesus simply rebuffs with "For it is written..." and then quotes a
passage from the Torah (Hebrew Scriptures).  His example to us is clear - we are
to rely solely and entirely upon the authority of His spoken Word in each moment
of temptation.

Below I've compiled a starter list of some common areas of temptation and
Scriptures I've found helpful to commit to memory, and to bring to bear in those
moments of temptation.  Trusting in the power of His Word, and speaking it with
authority in Christ's name, evaporates the lies of the Enemy.  But He doesn't
give up easily, we must continue to exercise that discipline in Christ's
authority.

You may have other Scriptures which have been powerful and significant in your
life.  Please share those with all of us in the comments below!




FEAR

 * "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and
   self-control." 
   2 Timothy 1:7
 * "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against
   us? ...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or
   distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
   ....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved
   us. 
   For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
   present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything
   else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in
   Christ Jesus our Lord."
   Romans 8:31,35,37-39 
 * "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation
   to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it
   the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,  as it is written,
   'The righteous shall live by faith.'"
   Romans 1:16-17


LUST AND IMPURITY

 * "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,
   along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." 
   2 Timothy 2:22
 * "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
   just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there
   is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
   things." 
   Philippians 4:8


RESENTMENT / VENGEFUL SPIRIT

 * "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return,
   and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he
   is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Be merciful, even as your Father is
   merciful."
   Luke 6:35-36
 * "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender
   heart, and a humble mind.  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for
   reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you
   may obtain a blessing."
   1 Peter 3:8-9


DESPAIR AND DISCOURAGEMENT

Note: It is not a sin to despair or to be discouraged, but dwelling there
without appropriating the promises of God can lead to sinful fixations,
behaviors, and outbursts at others.  These Scriptures are meant to encourage and
to help refocus your fixations.
 * "So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner
   self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is
   preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look
   not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the
   things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are
   eternal." 
   2 Corinthians 4:16-18
 * "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things
   above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on
   things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now
   hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you
   also will appear with him in glory."
   Colossians 3:1-2


COMPLAINING

 * "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and
   innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and
   twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world..."
   Philippians 2:14-15


LAZINESS OR SPIRITUAL SLOTHFULNESS

 * "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your
   hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of
   Jesus Christ.As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of
   your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in
   all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'
   1 Peter 1:13-16
 * "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
   roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith,
   knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your
   brotherhood throughout the world."
   1 Peter 5:8-9 


STINGINESS, INGRATITUDE, LACK OF GENEROSITY

 * "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and
   whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he
   has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves
   a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that
   having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every
   good work."
   2 Corinthians 9:6-8 


PRIDE OR ARROGANCE

 * "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No
   temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and
   he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation
   he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
   1 Corinthians 10:12-13 


Posted by Jeremy Long at 3:31 PM No comments:
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THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019


ALPHA AT CHRIST CHURCH NASHVILLE


Welcome to the unofficial Alpha at Christ Church Nashville Blog!  We'll be
posting follow-up resources and additional food for thought here following our
weekly discussions.  Welcome again and enjoy!

Posted by Jeremy Long at 6:02 AM No comments:
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