Illuminate Community Church

12/11/22 - The Eye of Faith - Genesis 48-49 - Pastor Jason Fritz

The Bible never ceases to amaze me. We find our faith’s inspiration from the real-life accounts of the men and women who have gone before us. Jacob is old and dying. His last work is to pass God’s promises of land and family to an unlikely pair of what some have called, "half-breed" grandchildren. Jacob will adopt Mannaseh and Ephraim as his own sons. One of them will have a descendant who will bring forth the Messiah, the forever king. 

 

Both boys are brought before Jacob. Certainly, the greatest privilege will fall upon Mannaseh, the older son who is placed under Jacob’s right hand of blessing. But no. Jacob crosses his hands and once again we see the younger take precedent over the older.

 

The crossing of hands tells us that God’s grace arrives in surprising ways. There may be some desire in your life that you want to put forward under God’s right hand and you are displeased because the right-hand passes over that onto something or someone else. It’s not that God doesn't understand, but rather he refuses to bless that which you will covet. He will give you all you need and the grace to live without what you most earnestly desire so you must be content to trust him.

 

God’s grace cannot be tamed. The shocking truth is that these boys are not even fully Hebrew and the younger will have the place of preeminence. God has his own principles that cannot be confined to conventional human wisdom. It took Jacob a lifetime to learn this lesson.

 

Joseph’s own faith was being tested. This meant that his sons were never going to live the high life of a noble position in Egypt. They are now placed into a lowly Hebrew shepherding family and have no chance of any great future as Egyptian royalty. What Joseph and Jacob could not fully see was the dramatic work God was going to do through these two young men. But Jacob and Joseph had faith to see it through and this is why they are listed in Hebrews chapter eleven as examples for us.

12/4/22 - Jesus Is A Better Joseph - Genesis 46-47 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Finally, the moment arrives. Father and son reunited after 20 years. What a sight for both. Joseph arrives in style. He would have been wearing the white linen of aristocracy, surrounded by an entourage while riding in one of his personal chariots. 

 

It’s an emotional reunion…As soon as Joseph appears before Jacob, the son throws his arms around his father and he weeps for a long time. Jacob said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.” -Genesis 46:29-30

 

It’s been a long, long time, so naturally the tears flow. The family looks on in amazement and joy. Both men are much older and both have had terrible pain and suffering. However, in this moment it all disappears and there is enough joy for dad to proclaim, “It doesn’t get any better than this, I can die right now a peaceful and happy man.” They will in fact have 17 years together. Jacob embraces Joseph not just as his son, but also as the one who has brought the entire family salvation from the famine.

 

Genesis points to Jesus.

Joseph’s story is a foreshadow of the salvation that is to come. Jesus was rejected by his own, just like Joseph. Jesus was sold for money, just like Joseph. Joseph would save his family and all of Egypt. Jesus will save the world. Jesus is a better Joseph.

 

The story of Jacob and his son Joseph is one of difficulties. But the steady underlying presence of God working in and through their lives has brought it to a beautiful conclusion. Rest assured; everything that comes to us in this life, whether we regard it as good or evil, is meant to prosper us. Those who regard God’s word as truth will ultimately prevail and experience blessing. Until then, let’s continue to take courage from those who have gone before us and remember Paul’s words in Romans 15:4.

 

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

11/27/22 - Thankful for... - Philippians 1:3-8 - Pastor Hudson Garcia

This week we will take a brief pause from our series in Genesis to reflect on the theme of thankfulness. Thanksgiving Day means different things for different people, but what I hope it allows us all to do is spend a few moments reflecting on our lives and all that we have to be thankful for. When Pastor Jason asked me to speak on this topic, I began to think about our church, and my mind instantaneously went to Philippians 1:3-8. 
 

In this passage, we find the apostle Paul in rare form. He is not trying to convince the church of profound doctrine through beautiful greek rhetoric, but rather, is expressing his heartfelt love and gratitude for the Philippian church. 
 

We find that the core of Paul’s thankfulness stems from the Philippians' partnership with him in the Gospel. Paul had an incredible resolve for the mission and life that God had called him to, which was taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Though Paul could have been content doing it all by himself, in Philippians 1:3-8, we see a tired, old, and beaten up Paul getting emotional over how nice it is to have a church family partnering alongside him.
 

When I reflect on the last year, I can relate to Paul. It has been a privilege to partner alongside this Illuminate Community Church family as we continue through the grace of God to take ground for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
 

I know that the holidays bring a bag of mixed emotions with all the different family dynamics that exist throughout our congregation. I hope that through the Word of God being preached, our hearts are stirred toward thankfulness for our church family, and our eyes are raised to exalt and glorify the head of the church body, Jesus Christ. 

11/20/22 - The Big Reveal - Genesis 44-45 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Trauma can be devastating. Everything within us wants to avoid the pain of going back to those hurtful memories and experiences. In our text this Sunday, Joseph is confronted with the reminder of abuse at the hands of his own brothers. Time has passed but deep wounds don't easily heal. Twenty years later these wounds quickly summon strong emotions that haven’t changed. However, Joseph's knowledge of God has dramatically changed. He knows that every event is naturally brought about by a supernatural God to fulfill His larger purposes - not the least of which is the reconciliation of his family. Two things brought healing… 1. The brother’s confession and sorrow over their wrongdoing and 2. Joseph’s ability to forgive, which was enabled by his knowledge of God’s providential care. 

In a painful conversation and for the first time Joseph hears how his brothers explained his absence to their father. They lied. "Wild animals tore him apart dad!" At the same time he sees a change of heart. Judah is now willingly volunteering his own life in deference to his father’s favoritism for the sons born to him by another woman. Judah will not leave Benjamin. Instead, Judah offers himself as replacement in order to spare his father the grief of another loss. Judah’s heartfelt expression melts the heart of Joseph.

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. -Genesis 45:1-2

Some wounds heal only because of the grace that comes directly from God. Even with the brother’s repentance, it still required Joseph to forgive. Without forgiveness there can be no reconciliation. On this side of the cross we can be reconciled to others because God reconciled us to himself through Jesus. 

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. -2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Could there be any greater ministry for our world today? To my fellow ambassadors…let us share the ministry of God’s reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Let us represent the foundation of our kingdom home as we forgive others.

11/13/22 - Hot Mercy - Genesis 43 - Pastor Jason Fritz

When Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy more food, he had no idea what was in store for the family. He did, however, ask God for a special measure of mercy upon them…and they needed it. The oldest son tried to make a power grab over his dad, the next two sons murdered an entire tribe out of hateful revenge and all of the boys were guilty of abusing their little brother Joseph. This family needs mercy. 

Mercy is not getting what you rightly deserve.

So you can understand the wisdom in dad’s prayer for his fractured family. Do you believe God answers prayer? Jacob's prayer was many years in the making and an untold number of family heartaches and pains were along the way. There’s no pain like family pain. God responds and the unity that will come about is unrivaled. Because of his faith in God, Joseph is said to have, "warm compassion” for the brothers who severely mistreated him. “Warm compassion” literally means “hot mercy.” 

Friends, don’t give up on your prayers for family restoration. You might feel that things are out of your control. They probably are. But one thing is within your power - God’s power to change anything and everything for his glory. It begins by recognizing the mercy you have received. From beginning to end, this chapter is drenched in kindness, compassion and forgiveness. I love how it points us to Jesus. He was the ultimate example of mercy. In Luke 23:34, He cries out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Who needs mercy from you? Maybe it’s someone that others find difficult. Maybe you need to value the relationship over that person’s false and unbiblical ideologies. There’s every possibility that mercy needs to flow from you toward someone who has wronged or offended you. This is exactly what flowed from Jesus to you.

11/6/22 - Godly Guilt and Godly Sorrow - Genesis 42 - Pastor Jason Fritz

What a crazy plot twist!!! After 13 years, Joseph will see his estranged brothers (and they will bow), yet they do not recognize him. 

A lot has happened. God has placed Joseph in a position of tremendous power. He could easily have his brothers killed for their abuse. What stops him? Joseph understands where his power comes from. When he interpreted Pharaoh's dream, he was quick to say, “Hey! Don’t give me credit, God is the one who gave me the ability to do this.” When dealing with his brothers, he comes right out and says it, “I fear God!” He doesn’t want to do God wrong by taking revenge. The first step toward the misuse of power is to forget the source from which your power comes and to overlook the responsibility it brings upon you.

He puts the brothers to the test...
 
Is Joseph toying with his brothers now? Is he the cat to their mouse? I don’t think so. I think he wants to find out if they have changed, so he turns up the heat. Additionally - who is not with them? Benjamin, the youngest. Joseph wants to know if they mistreated him too. They respond in fear saying they are eleven brothers and the youngest is at home with dad. Joseph replies, “If it is true, bring the youngest to me.” This conversation is happening through a translator. The brothers speak Hebrew and Joseph is speaking Egyptian as part of his disguise.

On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them. 
-Genesis 42:18-25

Remember, these brothers are hardened men. They know murder and adultery. But now something is happening in their hearts. You can’t bury your sins forever. The brothers make a confession that is tinged with sorrow. Joseph, understanding every word of it, is moved to emotion that he cannot control. This is a cry that remembers the pain. 

He is hearing an apology. 

They no longer call him “the dreamer.” They call him their brother and say, “We shouldn’t have done that to our brother. He was begging us to stop, and yet we continued to abuse him. We were wrong.” Joseph turns away and uncontrollably weeps. 

The admission that you have wronged another person is a crucial step in helping that person heal. It will also help you heal from the guilt you carry. Joseph will cry three more times in the next three chapters. His brothers display Godly fear and Godly sorrow. How do we know? Because it brings about Godly restoration.

I’m reminded of the two thieves on either side of Jesus. One orders Jesus to act and prove himself by screaming, “Save us!” Jesus actually was saving them, but not in the way he expected. The other thief confesses his wrongdoing and says to Jesus, “Wherever you are going, take me with you.” Which one is saved? The one who is repentant. There is a healthy form of guilt that invites God’s grace. This text is a great reminder of how our own guilt is covered by the grace of God through Jesus. Do you need to own a Godly sorrow that leads you to the discovery of God’s grace and mercy? If so, give in.

10/30/22 - Preparing For Greatness - Genesis 40-41 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This week we pick up where we left off in Genesis. If you remember, we were looking at the life of a young man named Joseph. He was the second youngest of twelve brothers. His father favored him and gave him a special coat to let everyone know. As a result, this made his brothers jealous. Further, when Joseph was just a teenager, he had a couple of dreams in which his family bows down to him. Little do they know this will actually take place years later, but for now the brothers are tired of him and sell the young man into slavery. By God’s design, Joseph ends up in the house of an influential man named Potiphar. While there, Potiphar's wife tries to seduce young Joseph but he refuses. She gets mad and falsely accuses him of sexual assault. Joseph is put in prison. It’s a riches to rags story. Joseph has done the right thing and now he’s in a dungeon. You might think he would become bitter after this experience. Instead, there is a tenderness within his heart. How is this possible? Well, during this ordeal with Potiphar’s wife, four times it is mentioned that God is with him. 

When you are doing the right thing, you can have assurance that God is with you - even when you suffer for doing what is right.

I am reminded of the most famous of all Psalms. Psalm 23 reminds us of God’s leading in our lives. He leads us through the dark valleys. It doesn’t say God leads us around them. There’s a big difference between "through" and “around." Why not around? One reason is because people are watching. They are watching to see what kind of impact God has on the lives of those who fully trust in him. The truest test is when a person suffers for doing what is right. Or when suddenly your life takes a dramatic turn. You’ve been downsized from your job, the cancer has returned, you have a family member that started on the right path, but has since taken a detour. These are the moments of crisis that show the world what kind of relationship God and his people have. Joseph’s young life has taken many spiritual twists and turns. With this most recent circumstance, his spiritual strength is about to tower over the other patriarchs we have read so far. There are huge challenges ahead for him. But Joseph has a clear sense that God is with him and in fact, God is preparing him for future greatness. What a great reminder for us!

10/23/22 - Possess Nothing, Steward Everything - Matthew 25:14-30 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Matthew 25 holds a story about you, me, and our future together. It is a parable told by Jesus about making the most of every spiritual opportunity God has given us. Now, it’s obvious that the master is Jesus. The long journey is his time in heaven where he is now seated at the right hand of the father, but one day he will return. Christians are the servants and we are now in upper management. Each of us has been handed a bag of coins. It was John Calvin who began to popularize the idea that the talent included your skills, gifts, abilities, wealth, all that you are and all that you have. 

We are not all the same. 

Some have opportunities not available to others. We don’t all have the exact same intelligence and we don’t all have the exact same skills. Some have a very deep understanding of the Bible because of their training. Others have had no formal Biblical training, yet they know the simplicity of the gospel. All of this is by God’s design and control. It is perfectly acceptable to be a one talent servant. It’s ok to be two, it’s ok to be five. God designates it and this is a picture of spiritual capacities and opportunities.

So what has God placed in your hands? 

Every time you read the Word or sit under solid Biblical preaching, you’ve just received a coin. Many people attending Illuminate can give a Biblical sermon better than many pastors I’ve met. God has given us money, intelligence, skills and experiences. He has given us his Spirit and his Word. We have been given things that most in this world do not have. Why is that? The parable tells us why - so that we can take what we have been given by God, turn it around and give it right back to him. He has entrusted to you what you are capable of managing. God is not giving a one talent person five talents. He is not giving a five person talent one talent. He gives what you are capable of because he knows you.
  
What does Jesus want us to learn from this story? It’s pretty simple really: with responsibility comes accountability. Each of us will be held accountable for what we have been given. In the end, we want to hear from Jesus, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master!” This Sunday we’ll explore what it means to hear these words from our Savior.

10/16/22 - Our Future Together - Plant, Water, Feed - Pastor Jason Fritz

I have a few trees in my backyard that have been there for a long time. I know this because I planted them myself 21 years ago. For the first couple of years, they didn’t seem to make much progress. But the consistent water, fertilizer, and sunlight have made them my favorite places to relax for one simple reason - shade from the heat. I often think of Illuminate in this way. We are the generation that has the unique opportunity to establish shade in the Valley of the Sun for many years to come - a work that will provide spiritual shade to those in need. Paul used a similar illustration to describe his ministry...

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
-1 Corinthians 3:6-8

Notice there are resources needed for this work: tree, water, laborers. God takes these resources and gives the gospel its growth.

Resources don’t always come free. The New Testament contains a letter from Paul to the church in Philippi. Paul planted, watered, and fed this church by bringing the gospel and making disciples. No doubt he personally led many of its attendees to Jesus. He’s writing from prison and he owns next to nothing. The church members heard about Paul’s condition, took a generous offering and sent it by way of a man named Epaphroditus. Paul was grateful and writes back, sending his heartfelt appreciation. The reason we have this New Testament letter is because of the financial generosity of the Philippian church.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:10

Let’s focus on a key word here. Do you have a guess as to what it might be? Content 

Please don’t miss the point Paul is making – generosity comes through contentment. I’m convinced that we are very bad at being content and it’s not easy because we are bombarded by messages telling us that we don’t yet possess what it takes to be happy. Coveting is a serious and pervasive human tendency that God specifically addresses in the Ten Commandments. The real danger of coveting is that it misdirects money toward things that God never intended for you to have. Instead, we are instructed to be "rich in good deeds”  and to “lay up treasure in heaven that nothing can destroy.” This week we will be challenged to consider how we can continue to plant, water, and feed the work of God that is Illuminate Community Church.

10/9/22 - People Matter to God - Luke 15:1-7 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Last week I shared about Illuminate’s humble beginnings, “Only God” moments, and where He is leading us into the future. We use three words to describe this. 

Bigger, Smaller, Deeper

Bigger refers to what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  In John chapter 12, Jesus gives us the method for growing His church.

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” - John 12:32 

We lift up Jesus at Illuminate - therefore, we expect the church to grow and by God’s grace, He is doing just that.

As we grow larger in number, we want to grow smaller in community by connecting people to life-changing groups. This is the place where you can know others and be known. As things get bigger, it's easier to remain anonymous. We don’t want that for you, so we encourage everyone to take the leap of faith and join a smaller gathering. The ultimate goal was given to us by Jesus. We are to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, that is - a disciple. This is what it means to go "deeper."

Now, it should be clearly stated that the reason for all of this is because people matter to God. We know this because Jesus came to the earth and died for humanity. Jesus paid a high price, which means people have the utmost value. If anyone claims to have the heartbeat of Jesus, then he or she must understand Jesus' purpose for coming to the earth. He lays it out for everyone to make it crystal clear. 

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." - Luke 19:10

The lost refers to those who don’t yet have a relationship with God. To be spiritually lost means not being a part of the family of God. A spiritually lost person has no personal relationship with God, no forgiveness of sins, and no grounding in spiritual truth. There is an innate spiritual longing in every human, but those who live apart from God are going to empty wells in order to meet this thirst. It’s like they are wandering the desert looking for water that will satisfy, but in the end, they are aimless. Jesus tells a series of parables about lost and found items to illustrate this point. This is the heart behind why we do what we do at Illuminate. People are important to God!