OH %!@# PART 6: What Are You Looking At?

Sunday, August 11th, 2013
Ken Elsner, Lead Pastor

Have you ever believed in something so much that you were willing do whatever it takes to see it fulfilled? What would that look like? Would you be willing to walk away from a good, stable job for a riskier, but more fulfilling one? How about moving to another country? Could you walk away from a long term relationship because you know that it's toxic? How far could you go for what you believed in? How far would you go for what you were being called to? Could you walk away from your family because of your faith? Did you know that Jesus said in the Bible that he came to bring a sword, not peace? Did you know that he said that if you didn't leave everything for him, that he wouldn't know you? Pretty extreme stuff! Hard to hear

Part 6

OH %!@# PART 5: Are You Willing?

Sunday, August 11th, 2013
Ken Elsner, Lead Pastor

Have you ever believed in something so much that you were willing do whatever it takes to see it fulfilled? What would that look like? Would you be willing to walk away from a good, stable job for a riskier, but more fulfilling one? How about moving to another country? Could you walk away from a long term relationship because you know that it's toxic? How far could you go for what you believed in? How far would you go for what you were being called to? Could you walk away from your family because of your faith? Did you know that Jesus said in the Bible that he came to bring a sword, not peace? Did you know that he said that if you didn't leave everything for him, that he wouldn't know you? Pretty extreme stuff! Hard to hear.

Part 5

OH %!@# PART 4: Sell It All

August 4th, 2013
Ken Elsner, Lead Pastor

Do you own anything? TV? iPhone? Car? House? Clothes? Dishes? Dog? Cat? Probably some of these if not all of them. All of us have stuff that belongs to us, stuff we enjoy having. Does any of it own you? It rules your life. Your actions. Your thoughts. Hitting a nerve yet? There's a story in the Bible about a young, wealthy leader, who approaches Jesus about how to get to heaven. This young man had done most of things that his religion taught him to do. Jesus' response to this young man was disturbing. It was extreme. It made this young man go OH %!#@.

Part 4

OH %!@# PART 3: Enemy Territory

July 28th, 2013
Ken Elsner, Lead Pastor

Have you ever been hurt by someone? I mean, really hurt? Where the pain just lingers. The bitterness festers? You wonder if the scars will ever heal? One day Jesus was teaching and made a statement that rocked everyone. He said, "Love your enemies!"  Now think about that hurt. Think about the wound. Don't you just want to say "OH %!@#, Did Jesus Really Just Say That?" I know that I have ... many times. Here's the thing. Jesus knows us so well, that when he made that statement it was for our own good. That if we didn't love and forgive our enemies, that we could possibly waste our lives away in bitterness and resentment.  Pastor Mark Driscoll said it this way, "There is only one continuum when someone hurts us, forgiveness or bitterness." Where are you?

Part 3

OH %!@# PART 2: Do You Love Me?

July 14th, 2013
Jim Barnard

Have you ever felt stuck or felt like a storm cloud was over you, following you everywhere? When that feeling hits, we begin to ask God a bunch of questions... Maybe you're asking those questions right now. Jesus typically responds with a question. He's crafty that way. Join us this week at Aroma Church as Jesus asks us a question (and an answer) that makes us say... Oh %!@#.

Part 2

OH %!@# PART 1: Follow Me

July 7th, 2013
Ken Elsner, Lead Pastor

Did you ever play "Simon Says" as a kid? It was fun until you did something that Simon DIDN'T tell you to do. Then, you were out! Do ever feel like being a Christian is a lot like Simon Says? Instead, it's "Jesus Says." Jesus says, "Read your Bible." Jesus says, "Go to church." Jesus says, "Give money." Do you ever feel like there has to be more? Something more intentional? Well, you'd be right! Jesus did come for more than just a bunch of rules and regulations. Jesus came to change the world. To change how we think and live. So, for the summer we're going to look at some of Jesus' statements, that, if we're honest, have probably caused many of us to say "Oh %!@#, Did Jesus Really Just Say That?" 

Part 1

TAKE A STAND PART 4: Beauty From Ashes

June 30th, 2013
Ken Elsner, Lead Pastor
Everyone loves an underdog story. The ugly duckling turning into a beautiful swan. Families who struggle to care for themselves but helping others, getting new homes. The wild card team winning the championship. A little old nun serving the poorest of the poor in India. Someone going against the grain, against cultural norms, to make an impact on the world. We love the stories. We hunger for them. There's something about how it makes us feel. How it gives us hope.

Part 4