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This week, one campus talked about a seven-headed dragon. The other talked about situationships. Then the podcast crew went to a dungeon.

Yes, this is a church blog. Stay with us.

If you're looking for a Brooklyn MI church or a Jackson MI church where the Bible is taken seriously and laughing is allowed, welcome. Here's your quick catch-up from Heart O' The Lakes (HOTL).

Brooklyn Campus: "The Dragon, the Lamb, and the Lie"

 

 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-IazytrNuU

Pastor Cyle wrapped up the series with the great red dragon of Revelation 12. Not Smaug. He also explained the unicorns in the King James Bible:

"The unicorn was probably a goat that they saw sideways."

You're welcome.

Revelation is about hope

John wrote Revelation from Patmos to persecuted Christians (Revelation 1:9). It was meant to encourage them, not scare them.

"The whole purpose of the book is Jesus wins."

Lies are the dragon's real weapon

The dragon in Revelation 12:3 looks terrifying. But Revelation 12:9 calls him "that ancient serpent," which takes us back to Genesis 3:1: "Did God actually say...?"

"And his greatest weapon, it's not his strength, it's his deception."

Today, a lot of that deception comes through our phones.

"Cuz the dragon doesn't need to keep you out of church if he can keep the truth out of your life."

"Just because someone has a fan base and following doesn't mean they're telling you the truth."

The Lamb already won

Revelation 12:10 calls the devil "the accuser of our brothers." He's like the middle school friend who dares you, then tells on you. But Revelation 12:11 says believers "conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." He's frantic because "his time is short" (Revelation 12:12). That's why he makes war on God's people (12:17). Revelation 2:10 promises "the crown of life," and Revelation 20:10 shows how his story ends.

"I think we need to stop living as though a defeated enemy has the final word."

Jackson Campus: "Committed-ish"

 

 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCCb-vUcKCo

Someone asks, "Hey, do you have plans this weekend?" We say, "Let me check my calendar." What we mean is:

"That entirely depends on what you're about to ask me to do."

Boat ride? In. Moving a piano?

"I am so busy, like so so busy, I could not even."

Guilty.

Let your yes mean yes

Pastor Matt said our polite "maybe" often sounds like this:

"You matter just enough to earn the consideration but not enough to earn my commitment."

Jesus keeps it simple in Matthew 5:37: just say yes or no. An honest no, said with love, beats a made-up excuse. Romans 12:9–10 says, "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them."

"I am committed to the person, even if I'm not committed to the thing."

No situationships with God

Going to church but only reading the Bible on the screen? Only praying when the pastor's at the table? That might be a situationship.

"God has no desire to be in a situationship with you."

Revelation 3:15–16 says lukewarm faith gets spit out. Pastor Matt pointed out that the Greek word is closer to "vomit." Jesus calls us to love like he did (John 13:34) and to put others first (Philippians 2:1–4).

This week's challenge

"I will choose one person outside of my family to put first this week."

"I will avoid being a martyr when I do so."

Translation: skip the concert for your friend's party? Great. Don't spend the party talking about the concert.

HOTLcast: "In the Dungeon: When Faith Meets Doubt"

 

 

 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HYc-7c835k  Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/929683

The guys went back to an earlier stop in the Dungeons & Dragons series: John the Baptist in Herod's prison. In Matthew 11, John sends a question to Jesus. Basically: are you really the one?

Jesus doesn't scold him. He points to what is happening: the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised. Then he publicly honors John. Doubt doesn't disqualify you.

Faithful doesn't mean easy

"our faithfulness is not dependent on our circumstances."

Health, money, relationships, grief. We all land in a dungeon sometimes.

"Just because you're in a dungeon doesn't mean Jesus is not God."

Retire the coffee-mug theology

Pastor Matt pushed back on sayings that sound like scripture but aren't:

"God saves his toughest battles for his strongest warriors, or that God will never give you more than you can handle. None of that is biblical"

The "stuff that don't make sense" pile

One host keeps a mental pile of things he can't explain, and it sits in Jesus' hands:

"I just have to trust God with it."

Another suggested writing down what God has already done, so you remember it when you're anxious.

White-knuckling with Jesus

Pastor Cyle once drove a Ferrari at 140 mph on a Las Vegas racetrack. It was terrifying, but less so with an expert in the passenger seat.

"we're kind of white-knuckling with Jesus in the passenger seat."

"Sometimes life is just life-ing."

If you're in a dungeon: pray more, read your Bible more, and find wise people who have been through it.

Key Takeaways

  • Jesus wins. Revelation was written to give hope (Revelation 1:9; 12:11).
  • Watch for deception. It started with "Did God actually say...?" (Genesis 3:1). Notice what's shaping your beliefs.
  • The enemy is already defeated (Revelation 2:10; 12:12; 20:10).
  • Let your yes mean yes. An honest no is kinder than a fake maybe (Matthew 5:37; Romans 12:9–10).
  • God doesn't do situationships (Revelation 3:15–16).
  • Put one person first this week, no martyr act (John 13:34; Philippians 2:1–4).
  • Doubt doesn't disqualify you. Jesus met John's question with evidence and honor (Matthew 11).

Come Visit Us This Sunday (Both Campuses!)

Whether you're looking for a Lenawee County church near the Irish Hills or a Jackson County church, there's a seat for you at Heart O' The Lakes. We're here to love God passionately and love people genuinely. Kind of like family, just with more chili.

Brooklyn Campus 7031 Jefferson Rd., Brooklyn, MI 49230 Sundays at 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30 AM · (517) 592-8623

Jackson Campus 5225 Clinton Rd., Jackson, MI 49201 Sundays at 10:30 AM · (517) 784-5388

Watch online: Brooklyn · Jackson · HOTLcast playlist · HOTLcast audio

More at hotlstrong.com or admin@hotlstrong.com.

Committed, committed-ish, or just curious? Come as you are. We saved you a seat.