The “Jesus Before Christianity” series addresses the crucial need for clarity about what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ, beyond the label “Christian.”

“Jesus was still teaching when four people came up, carrying a man on a mat because he could not walk. But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So, they made a hole in the roof above him and let the man down in front of everyone. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven. “Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses were sitting there. They started wondering, “Why would he say such a thing? He must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.” I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So, Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.” The man got right up. He picked up his mat and went out while everyone watched in amazement. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!”

The “Jesus Before Christianity” series addresses the crucial need for clarity about what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ, beyond the label “Christian.”

“Jesus was still teaching when four people came up, carrying a man on a mat because he could not walk. But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So, they made a hole in the roof above him and let the man down in front of everyone. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven. “Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses were sitting there. They started wondering, “Why would he say such a thing? He must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.” I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So, Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.” The man got right up. He picked up his mat and went out while everyone watched in amazement. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!”

• God can do what God wants to do.

• God can forgive in ways that do not fit our categories.
• God can bless in ways that do not match our formulas.
• God can move in ways that do not align with our religious models.

Some of us have testimonies that do not match the “expected” biblical pattern, yet they are still profoundly biblical because they reveal the God who is sovereign, gracious, and free.

• Seeing all of Jesus keeps us from shrinking God down to our comfort zones.
• Seeing all of Jesus keeps us from policing how God moves.
• Seeing all of Jesus keeps us open to grace that arrives in unexpected ways.

The “Jesus Before Christianity” series addresses the crucial need for clarity about what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ, beyond the label “Christian.”

“Jesus replied that you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus is not lowering the importance of loving God; He is raising the importance of loving people.

• Vertical worship says, “God, You see me.”

• Vertical worship praises God’s mercy.

• Vertical worship honors God’s justice.

 Horizontal worship participates in that justice.

• Vertical worship thanks God for provision.

Horizontal worship calls us to become God’s provision for someone else.

• Vertical worship honors God’s presence.

Horizontal worship creates spaces where people experience that presence through us.

• Vertical worship honors God’s holiness.

• Vertical worship lifts praise.

Horizontal worship lifts people.

• Vertical worship celebrates who God is.

Horizontal worship reflects who God calls us to be.

• It gives people a framework for interpreting the world.
• It helps people connect faith to real life.
• It strengthens emotional, social, spiritual, and relational intelligence.
• It reduces harmful forms of religion.
• It equips people for public engagement.
• It protects the church from political manipulation.
• It encourages responsible citizenship.

1. We examine the headlines through Jesus’ ethic.

2. We evaluate rhetoric and policy through the teachings of Jesus.

4. We treat voting as an act of neighbor‑love.

5. We embody Jesus’ agenda in daily life.

6. We listen to the stories of people most affected by public and policy decisions.

7. We practice courageous conversations.

8. We support local efforts that protect human dignity.

9. We practice scripture‑centered reflection before political conversation

10. We build bridges across differences

11. We refuse to share harmful or unverified information

12. We make space for lament

13. We let vertical worship lead us to horizontal action

Horizontal worship protects us from a faith that feels holy but behaves harmfully. Worship is authentic when vertical and horizontal meet. It is when we adore God and attend to one another.

The “Jesus Before Christianity” series addresses the crucial need for clarity about what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ, beyond the label “Christian.”

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Something happens when God sees you.

Something happens when God steps into your story.

Something happens when God interrupts your assumption.

 The miracle he expected came but in a different form, through a different medium, with a different kind of authority.

God gives us eyes to notice what is right in front of us.

God gives us ears to hear the gentle nudges of grace.

God gives us intellect to discern opportunities that don’t sparkle but still save.

God gives us intuition to sense His presence in the ordinary rhythms of life.

• Something changes when you stop demanding signs and start receiving invitations.
• Something changes when you stop praying only for miracles and start thanking God for moments.
• Something changes when you realize God has been forming you long before He has been fixing you.
• Something changes when you stop chasing the spectacular and start honoring the subtle.
• Something changes when you stop demanding signs and start receiving invitations.
• Something changes when you stop praying only for miracles and start thanking God for moments.

The “Jesus Before Christianity” series addresses the crucial need for clarity about what it truly means to follow Jesus Christ, beyond the label “Christian.”

“When Jesus saw him lying there, knowing that he had already been there a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” The sick man said, ‘Sir, I do not have anyone who will help me. I need somebody who will put me into the pool. When the water starts to move, I try to get in. But someone else always gets in before me.’”

• People’s stories shape their responses.

• People’s histories shape their hopes.

• People’s experiences shape their expectations.

• Sometimes You’re Tired of Trying: Because the pressure to be first wears people out.
•  Maybe There Is Loneliness You Don’t Talk About: Because pressure isolates people—even in crowds.
•  My Story Is Too Heavy for a Simple Answer: Because pressure makes people feel they must justify why they aren’t “ahead.”
•  Tell Me How to Be Healed When I Don’t Know Where to Start: Because pressure convinces people that if they don’t start perfectly, they shouldn’t start at all.
•  At Times I Feel Stuck but Everyone Else Is Moving: Because pressure makes comparison feel like condemnation.