Tangible Kingdom (Week 7 Day 3) “The List”

I know Hugh and Matt hate spiritual checklists. So do I, because we easily get legalistic about them. But they give a really good one in today’s reading. As we consider what it means to be an apprentice of Christ, each of the  areas listed are key. I love their challenge to turn our focus [...]

Tangible Kingdom (Week 6 Day 3) “Belong v.s. Behave”

Today’s reading reflects something that’s always been an organizational and structural priority at Austin New Church and is in unison with what we believe to be the natural “Missional Flow” of (1) engaging culture (2) forming community, then (3) creating structure. Our hope has been to keep our focus on creating an environment where people can… [...]

Tangible Kingdom (Week 6 Day 2) “Don’t Forget”

Sometimes we forget. Not only do we forget that this journey is more about God’s mission than it is about our work, we often get so caught up in how we’re doing that we forget others are watching. We often forget (or fail to realize) that they need to see God in us more than [...]

Tangible Kingdom (Week 3 Day 7) “Gospel of Hope”

As we’ve worked through the TK Primer each week, I continue to find that Day Seven’s reading comes at the perfect time. It’s refreshing to just sit down and prayerfully meditate on a scripture that is so applicable to our journey (and not be pressured to ask ourselves the “tough” questions). Today I’m reminded of [...]

Tangible Kingdom (Week 3 Day 6) “Hindrance to the Gospel”

Since we had Hugh Halter (co-author of Tangible Kingdom) visit with leaders  last Wednesday, we went ahead and did the discussion from week 2 in our Restore Community last night (Feel free to adjust your schedule as needed). It was a surprisingly appropriate discussion as we evaluated our own gathering and talked about how and [...]

ANC Sermon Notes: 06.28.09 – Acts 2:22-41

Acts – 2:22-41 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified [...]

Tangible Kingdom (Week 3 Day 1) “The Gospel”

During His earthly ministry, “the Kingdom” was a primary topic for Jesus. Even when discussing love, He often did it in a way to explain what the “Kingdom of God is like”. Yet many believers have no concept for what the Kingdom really is. And often there is little effort to understand it. In the [...]