Radically In, Radically Out

“In 1972 92% of Americans said they were Christian, Pew reported, but by 2070 that number will drop to below 50%”
- Losing their Religion, The Guardian

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As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
- Matthew 4:18-20

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After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
- Luke 10:1-3

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For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
- Ephesians 2:10

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“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”  
- Luke 10:16-17

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However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
- Luke 10:20

Mixer

Do you think you could live without your smartphone (or other technology item) for 24 hours?

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Neighborly - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In the 2/3/23 entry, Date Nights Need Dinner Reservations, DJ shared that there is a difference between optimism and faith. What is the difference? Why do we have such a hard time having faith, or being faithful to God? Reflect this week on what the scriptures say are actual promises of God. Record the promises you can identify in your own life and note what this means to your faith.
2. In the 1/30/23 entry, Hospital For The Sick, Cristina reminds us that Jesus shared meals with outcasts, positioning himself between the religious leaders and the tax collectors and sinners. Why is this his way? So how do you answer this question: Where do you sit? Why do we/you resist this in-between space? Cristina reminds us that San Diego needs our love. Reflect on what changes you need to make in order to sit where Jesus sat.

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Sermon Questions

Scriptures: Matthew 4:18-20; Luke 10:1-3, 16-17, 20; Ephesians 2:10

1. A Pew report in the Guardian estimated that, by 2070, less than 50% of the U.S. population would identify as Christian, compared to 92% in 1972. What cultural factors do you think are affecting a reduction in Christian believers and a rise in non-believers in the U.S.? Why?
2. Pastor Jared touched on the following evangelical/discipleship postures. Which do you most resonate with and why?
   • Evacuation - all about getting more people to come to church; getting as many people to heaven as humanly possible
   • Activist - believes Christians should be in positions of power and influence
   • Relevant - relativism; the primary goal is to fit in with culture
   • Separatist - anti-culture and anything non-Christian
3. Read Matthew 4:18-20. How equipped do you feel to lead people to faith? How can you “go radically out” into the world (workplace, neighborhood, etc) to be a representative of Jesus?
4. Read Luke 10:16-17; 20. The fear of rejection can be an obstacle to sharing faith. What are Jesus’ instructions in verse 16? What is Jesus’ promise? Do these verses help lessen the fear associated with sharing your faith? Why or why not?
5. Pastor Jared gave us a call to action: Think of one person you can invite to church or pray for, how will you Go First & Go Fish?

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Serve

Youth Wellbeing | Sunday Project | Feb 26th
This is a family-friendly project to assemble Easter goodie bags and notes of encouragement for the Boys & Girls Club, Olive Crest, and Voices for Children.

Head  here to Serve in the Community.

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Pray

As we look at the attributes of God in our daily devotionals, sit with Him and know that He is bigger and greater than any of your struggles. Nothing is beyond His ability to fix and sustain, whether it is a problem to solve, a marriage to reconcile, a budget to stretch, a memory to heal, a sin to forgive.... Pray His divine power over anything you are facing today!

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)

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