Dayspring Fellowship Podcasts

The Perfect Gift

The Perfect GiftMay 31, 2020
In each of the last few weeks, I’ve had the joy of giving a gift to one person (or family) who has filled out our online Communication Card. It’s been fun to delight people with a surprise they didn’t expect and to give them something that was chosen specifically for them. If you haven’t been completing the Communication Card, you might want to rethink that! You just might end up being our weekly recipient! I mean, who doesn’t want to get a gift?As we come to our study in 1 Corinthians this week, we’re in chapter 12. Paul continues to give instruction about how the body of Christ should function; and in this passage, he turns his attention to the topic of spiritual gifts. Unlike our weekly gift that goes to just one lucky “winner,” ALL who belong to the body of Christ, who choose to follow Jesus, have been given spiritual gifts. They’re gifts that have been carefully selected for each individual. They’re given for a purpose, and discovering what they are and then using them brings great joy and satisfaction!

Let Them Eat Cake

Let Them Eat CakeMay 24, 2020
Though legend has often attributed the phrase, “Let them eat cake,” to Marie Antoinette, it’s more likely those words were said about 100 years before her time by Marie-Therese, wife of Louis XIV. British author and biographer Antonia Fraser writes, “It was a callous and ignorant statement and she, Marie Antoinette, was neither.” The phrase references the plight of the poor during a time of famine in France when bread was in short supply and extraordinarily expensive, consuming up to 50% of a household’s income. It shows us just how disconnected she was from the challenges facing the poorest citizens in France at that time.As we continue in our study of 1 Corinthians this week, Paul has some words of correction for the believers in Corinth around their practice of communion. Originally, their remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross was part of a larger feast, commonly called a “love feast,” meant to be a blessing to those in need in the congregation. But the practice within the Corinthian congregation had become significantly lacking in love. Their “let them eat cake” attitude was hurting the unity and strength that communion was meant to build. Paul, fed up with their drift from the purpose of the love feast, issues a strong rebuke, urging them to remember the price paid for their redemption and that they are now, one body. 

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Head, Shoulders, Knees and ToesMother's DayMay 10, 2020
Happy Mother’s Day! Traditionally, on the second Sunday of May, we honor moms and all of the sacrifices they make (or have made) to love and care for their families well. Our celebrations or remembrances will most likely look a little different this year. But what a great opportunity to get creative as we affirm and bless the important women in our lives!  Moms, we appreciate you. Thank you for all that you are and all the ways you love and serve. You are a blessing, and we are grateful.Now, whether it’s the ongoing Covid crisis or the discovery that a new, invasive species of “Murder Hornets” has arrived in our part of the country, it seems the world is just moving from one crisis to the next, with no end in sight. In the swirl of “sky is falling” voices, it’s important to fix our eyes on the truth of God’s Word. This weekend, we’re looking forward to hearing from Pastor Michelle, as she brings a special message of encouragement…not just for moms, but for all of us!

The Freedom Trail

The Freedom TrailMessy Church - Loving Others Isn't EasyMay 3, 2020
Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1951, the Freedom Trail is a unique collection of locations and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution. A 2.5-mile red line, beginning at Boston Common, leads to 16 nationally significant historic sites and gives tourists the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of America’s founding fathers.Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been walking with the apostle Paul down a “freedom trail” of our own. We’ve considered how our freedom in Christ calls us to balance truth and grace. We’ve looked at how our freedom challenges us to balance our rights with our responsibilities. This week, as we look at1 Corinthians 10, we’ll look at two more “freedom trail markers.”Life as followers of Jesus looked very different from what the Corinthians were used to before embracing faith in Jesus. As the founding father of their faith, Paul guided them in how to walk out their new freedom. The principles we find in Paul’s writing equip us to use our freedom as believers, wisely.Even in this season where everything feels wonky, we are still called to walk out our freedom with wisdom. So, what does that mean, and what should it look like?

Give It Up

This Sunday, we’re looking at 1 Corinthians 9 in our series Messy Church. In this section of his letter, Paul challenges the Corinthian believers to stay focused, to keep the big picture in mind. Distraction and difficulty will threaten to pull them off course. But Paul reminds them to be disciplined and diligent, keeping the goal of the gospel as their target. His words to the Corinthian believers couldn’t be more appropriate for us.

"Meating" in the Middle

“Meating” in the MiddleApril 19, 2020
In case you’re not counting, it’s been 25 days since the governor of Oregon ordered the citizens of our state to stay home. Twenty-five days of disrupted schedules, disappearing toilet paper, and, for many, discontinued paychecks. It seems everything about our lives has been completely re-oriented around the Coronavirus. You don’t have to look very far to find advice on how to navigate this season or opinions on what our government should (or shouldn’t) do next. The clamor has created a swirl of confusion, frustration, and fear. How do we, as followers of Jesus, respond? We are in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians as we continue our series called Messy Church. In this passage, the apostle Paul is again responding to a question sent to him by believers in Corinth. Relatively young in their faith, they were intent on figuring out how their faith in Jesus impacted their daily lives. And, shocker, it appears there was a difference of opinion about what that should look like!Whether it’s government policies or drinking alcohol or selecting a movie to watch – even among Christians today, there is a variety of opinions. We get to do life together, and every decision impacts someone else. So how do we choose wisely?

He Lives

He Lives!April 12, 2020
If you had told me a year ago that we would not be gathering together this Easter; that churches all around the world would be empty on the day we celebrate our Risen Savior, I’m not sure I would have believed you. And yet, right now, this is our reality. In the last three weeks, life as we know it has turned upside down. Nothing is as we expected. And in a way, it’s almost fitting. Hang in there with me for a moment... You see, 2000 years ago the disciples of Jesus had a vision. They knew Jesus was the Messiah; and in their minds, they had expectations of how things were going to play out and what that would look like. And then suddenly, in the midst of a Passover dinner, Jesus tells them it’s not going to work out at all like they expected. Faster than they could process, their world turned upside down and their hearts turned inside out. The Master they followed, the Messiah they loved, was betrayed, judged, sentenced, crucified, and buried. He was gone. And so was their vision, and their hope. But behind the scenes, working in ways that they could not fathom, God was preparing to unleash a hope bigger than they could imagine, a rescue more powerful than they could dream. We will celebrate the resurrection of our Savior this Sunday in ways we never have before. Gathered around computer monitors or television screens or cell phones is not what any of us imagined or hoped for. And yet, what if God is doing something bigger behind the scenes that we can’t see? What if He is preparing to do something more powerful in our world than we can even imagine? Jesus lives! Hope has come! In homes all across our city, state, nation, and around the world, followers of Jesus WILL CELEBRATE the risen Christ this Easter. Just imagine…worship rising in my home and your home, in homes from coast to coast and continent to continent, as Jesus is exalted! The Holy Spirit unites us in a powerful way, even and perhaps especially, when we can’t be together! I’m excited about what God is doing, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Life Lessons #2: Contentment

Life Lessons #2: ContentmentMessy Church – Loving Others Isn’t EasyApril 5, 2020
You know…months ago when we were planning and preparing to begin livestreaming our services, I was really excited about being able to use technology in this way to reach people. And don’t get me wrong, I’m still excited about it and incredibly grateful that God has given us the resources to make videos, stream services, and connect with one another through the internet. But having to do everything this way is hard. Really hard. We all miss the personal interaction, our community, our “people.” I know you feel the same way. When the circumstances of life are hard, it’s easy to become frustrated, anxious, and discontent.   The passage we’re looking at in 1 Corinthians this week is very timely. We’re in the second half of chapter 7, and the apostle Paul is writing to the Corinthian believers about this very subject…contentment. We don’t know for sure what crisis they were facing, but Paul refers to challenging circumstances in verse 26. Today, we face a global crisis; and Paul’s words of encouragement are just as important for us, in these times, as they were when he wrote them.

Life Lessons #1: Marriage & Divorce

Life Lessons #1: Marriage and Divorce
Messy Church – Loving Others Isn’t Easy
March 29, 2020
 
There is definitely a lot of uncertainty and confusion filling our world right now. Every morning it seems there are new questions, new statistics, and new information. If you aren’t careful, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! Daily, we are navigating our way through new territory; and it can be difficult to know what the next right thing to do might be. It can feel like there are a lot more questions than answers.
 
The believers of the church at Corinth were navigating new territory of their own. Most of these young Christians had been converted from a pagan lifestyle to a new life, following the Way of Jesus. But figuring out what that looked like, practically speaking, in their day to day life was a challenge! They had lots of questions! Fortunately for them, and for us, the Apostle Paul had answers. And the principles that Paul laid out for the practical application of faith to daily life are as valuable and important for us, today, as they were for the Corinthians.

Let's Talk About Sex

Let's Talk About Sex Messy Church – Loving Others Isn’t Easy March 22, 2020
As we continue this Sunday in our study of 1 Corinthians, you might find yourself feeling really glad that we’re not gathering in person! We’re in the second half of 1 Corinthians chapter 6, and Paul is going to have THE TALK with his Corinthian kids. It’s time. Maybe past time, and Paul speaks boldly and directly to the church at Corinth about S-E-X. That’s right, we’re gonna talk about sex. See…I told ya, you might be glad to be watching from home this week! If you’re uncomfortable or embarrassed…well, you can be that way in the privacy of your own home! But don’t let discomfort distract you. Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian believers because who we are and how we live out our faith matters in EVERY area of our lives, including this one. And, his principles apply to more than just sex as well.