After their exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites were finally about to enter the Promised Land.  However, out of all those who originally left Egypt, only two would live to see the land they had journeyed so far to find. Even Moses did not make it, dying just before they crossed the Jordan River.

While only two of the original group completed the journey, we still see this story as one of the greatest promises kept in scripture. That fact tells us something about how God sees success. It also tells us something about how we should measure the future success of our faith journey. In so doing, we just might discover a new Promised Land for both ourselves and Middletown Christian.

 

We’ve created a discussion guide for group or individual use that you can download here: Finding the Promised Land Discussion Guide

This worship and small group series begins Sunday, February 6.

Worship Online or In-Person Here

Series Outline

February 6, 2022 // A Promise Kept?

Scriptures: Exodus 3:7-8, Deuteronomy 34

The church is changing, and everyone knows it. We wonder what the future will look like and some of us worry it will not be to our liking. But what if the future God has in store for the church is even better than what we know now? What if there is a Promised Land just waiting to be found, if only we are willing to go? Would you be willing to make the effort if you knew that, like Moses, you would not experience the success?

February 13, 2022 // Unthinkable!

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 7:6, Acts 10 – 11:18

This message tells the story of one of the most important events to take place in scripture and in the history of our faith. Without this story, the Christian church may not exist today, but it remains unfamiliar to many Christians. Join us for a message from scripture that has the power to shape the future of our church, if we will let it.

February 20, 2022 // Disputable Matters

Scriptures: Romans 14, Romans 10:9

Several years ago, a survey of people ages 16-29 showed that 87% of them viewed Christians as judgmental. 85% viewed Christians as hypocritical. Those stats offer an explanation of why the upcoming generation is leaving the church, never to return.

At the same time, 82% of those polled said that Christianity teaches good values and principles. They were not rejecting Christianity; they were rejecting Christians.

This sermon explores how we might better handle some of the disputable matters that lead Christians to appear judgmental and hypocritical. Doing so will lead us to a future promised land for the church in ways that might get us there sooner than we think.

February 27, 2022 // Facing Giants

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath is one of the most familiar stories from scriptures, often used as a metaphor for overcoming tremendous obstacles. But what if our understanding of this story is wrong?

In his book David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell offers a new interpretation of this ancient story that may forever change the way you interpret this story and what it means for our lives and for the church.