Thank you for listening to Cultivating Growth and this is kind of the very last episode, if you will, to kind of put a bow on all the things that we talked about from 2024. Last week, we talked about a couple of episodes that stood out to John and I from kind of the first half. of the year. We're going to do a very similar kind of thing with this episode, but kind of look and focus in on the second half of the year.

And so we had 48 episodes last year, and after the month of June we have 25 episodes. We'll pick out a few from there. And, uh, and kind of focus in on those. So let's get to it. 

Jeremy, last week, we talked about a few of the episodes that stood out to us from the first half of 2024. And so we're going to conclude that conversation this week. Now we're talking about a few more of the episodes from the second half of the year that stood out to us as well. And you made mention, uh, last week, uh, if, Anyone is new to the show and wants to go back and listen to some of these, those are all there for you.

Uh, you to listen to at your convenience and, uh, we appreciate you joining us for those who have throughout the year, as we've studied through all of these different topics together. As I was looking at the list, you mentioned 48 different topics that we covered over the course of 2024 and the second half of the year, there were a few that stood out to me, and we'll talk about some of these as we go, but one that I'll just begin with, and maybe it's because it's been so fresh on my mind is we talked about growing as a local church and here at Traders Point over the last trimester of 2024. 

Uh, you and I preached on the church and our theme here for, uh, that trimester was the Lord's Church and just growing in our understanding of what it is to be and what God's purpose and intent for the church is. And so spending some time talking about the appreciation that we have for the church and then how the church can grow is a really important conversation.

It's a really important conversation because the Lord's church as his body should be thriving. He has given us everything that we need to be growing and to have the impact in this world that he designed and created it to have. And so the responsibility then falls on our shoulders. to experience that growth, to stimulate that growth, to work towards that growth.

And so those conversations are always really important, and it's certainly one that we've been involved in for the last several months. You know, kind of a helpful piece when we were talking about that, you know, just a couple of months ago, you know, here on this podcast. You know, when we think about the Lord's Church, and you think about, you know, the church that maybe you're, that you're a member of,  um, There are a lot of things that happen collectively, right?

We talk about worship, uh, we, we, we take the Lord's Supper together, uh, we sing together. I mean, there's a lot of things that happen collectively,  but, you know, you made mention of the word responsibility and, you know, what makes the biggest difference a lot of ways is coming to that understanding, that realization that although collectively a lot of things happen,  There is still individual responsibility that I have.

I have, you know, individual responsibility to Christ, certainly as a member of his church, but I also have individual responsibility to everyone else who is a member. And when we are able to come to that realization, I mean, The New Testament is uber clear, you know, about that point over and over and over and lots of different ways and lots of different books with a lot of different analogies, you know, that kind of paint that picture that, yeah, there are things that happen collectively, but in a lot of ways,  in order to have that appreciation of being a member of the Lord's Church, we still have to carry that realization that I have individual responsibilities there.

And if now, then if everybody is, you know, living in that realization.  I mean, the, the church is on fire at that point. And that's exactly the way it should be. And you know, the, the image that's used in, in first Corinthians chapter 12 and Romans chapter 12 is, is that the local church is a body and each of us are members of that body.

And because of that, All parts are necessary in order for that body to function as it should. And that puts on me a responsibility to make sure I'm doing my part for that body to thrive and function as it should. You have a responsibility to do your part and every other member. Large or small, however big the congregation is, it doesn't matter.

Every other member has a responsibility to do his or her part so that that body can thrive and be what God intended for it to be. And so these conversations around the church really should encourage us. To take a look in the mirror and ask ourselves the question, am I doing my part at the local church that I'm a part of?

Am I, am I fulfilling my purpose there? Am I doing everything I can to help that church grow and to thrive? And if we're all asking that question and we're all working towards that objective, then what we're going to see is a local church that is growing and growing and growing. It's exactly what we see in the book of Acts.

I mean, you read certainly the first half of the book of Acts, and it is exactly what you see. Everybody certainly being there together, but working together. And that's the certainly, you know, the picture that God has for his church. Well, let's move on. We've got a couple others we want to hit on here before our time runs out.

Our time runs out. And as you and I were talking at the, the outset, we're going to group some of these together because thematically they, they obviously fit pretty well together. And I know you were talking about, uh, kind of the, the lessons that centered around growing in our relationship with God, and you'd highlighted several of those that kind of fit into that category.

So let's maybe talk for about that for just a few minutes before we wrap things up today. Yeah, I mean, in a lot of ways, the whole year has been about growing in our relationship with God, and certainly our relationship with one another. And in the second half of the year, you know, just, I don't, you know, just coincidence, or it just kind of worked out that way. 

We talked specifically about the cross a couple of different times. We closed the year just a few weeks ago with talking about the cross, and then talking about the resurrection and the importance of those things. And kind of as I was thinking about it,  the only reason that we're It's even possible to have a relationship with God.

Certainly the kind of relationship that we can have. That personal, intimate, behind the veil kind of relationship, if you will. That kind of relationship is only made possible by Christ, and is only made possible because of the cross and the resurrection. And so in a lot of ways it is that relationship that we're trying to grow in and get closer to God in, and And it's only made possible because of Jesus and what he's done for us.

Yeah. Those conversations about the cross and the resurrection specifically were really impactful for me and, and no matter how many times maybe I've read the, the crucifixion story or something like that. The accounts of Jesus's resurrection and all that he appeared to, uh, during that time period, no matter how many times you've read that, no matter how many times you've thought about that, it should always be impactful to us when we look at the accounts of Jesus's death and all that he went through.

And we remember the fact that all of that happened because of my sin, all of that happened because of the sin of every human being that's walked on this earth. He, he died for all of us. And that should have such an impact on us as those who are striving to follow him. And then to think about the fact that all of it would have been made pointless if he didn't raise from the dead.

And so when we see the resurrection take place, And all of the witnesses to that and the accounts of that, it really just fulfills the entire story, uh, and, and brings it all to the forefront of our minds. When we think about that, this is our savior who defeated death. Defeated Satan, took my sin on his shoulders.

It really, it's the culmination of everything we believe, everything we stand for, and everything that makes us who we are. And so it's a conversation that cannot be had enough because of its significance to us. Yeah, I mean, to me, in a lot of ways, it's the same. The book of Hebrews. I mean, in a lot of ways, the entirety of the book of Hebrews.

And, you know, certainly we won't turn over there and read all of that right now. But, you know, one of the big picture items that comes out of that book is the realization because of Jesus and his superior sacrifice, his superior life.  We can now approach God with confidence, and we can approach Him with boldness, and He is now accessible,  unlike any other time that He's ever been.

And it is solely because of Jesus and His work on the cross, and His resurrection. And I just, I'm with you, it's something that can't be talked about enough. I mean, it just simply cannot be, you know, talked about enough, because every time we talk about.  The importance of getting closer to God, it's only possible because of Jesus and what he's done.

You know, another one of these conversations that kind of fits into this grouping that I'd highlighted as well is growing in our desire for heaven. And you made mention of it, the only reason that that desire is even there and possible is because of Christ's sacrifice. And because of, of, of his willingness to leave heaven, come to earth, die on the cross for my sins, be raised from the dead.

That's why I have a hope of heaven. And so when I think about growing in that desire, I grow in my desire to be united with God and Jesus forever.  That, that's what heaven represents for us is a time where we can leave. The physical behind, leave the pain and the suffering of this world behind and live in his presence for all of eternity.

And that is all possible because of what he's done for us. And so the more and more that I grow to appreciate his death and the more and more I grow to appreciate his resurrection, then the more and more my desire for heaven is fueled. And that really should. be the case for all of us, as we're striving to have that relationship with God this side of eternity, we should want a relationship with Him now, so that we can have a relationship with Him forever, in Heaven.

And that's really where He's pushing us to, and leading us to, through these types of conversations. Well, it's a direct connection. Um, you know, connection that Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15. I mean, he's gonna directly connect the resurrection to eternity. I mean, he's gonna directly do that. And, you know, listen, we're sitting at the beginning of a year, right in January of 2025, and, you know, it's, you know, just mentally it's easy to think ahead, right?

You're thinking about goals, and you're setting those things. Well, for the Christian, the only goal is heaven. I mean, it's, it's Spending eternity with God that is the only goal and you're right it is only possible because of the sacrifice that God and his son made and Man, it was a powerful powerful episode and a strong conversation for sure Well, let's go ahead and wrap things up.

And again, we just want to Thank everyone for joining us over the last year as we've talked about growing in so many different ways as we seek to follow Christ. And clearly that was a theme that we had for 2024. And we've got some exciting, uh, things coming up. Things coming up in 2025. And so we hope you'll stick with us and join us, uh, over the con over the next several weeks.

Uh, next week, we'll give you a little bit more information about what 2025 will hold, and we're very excited about that. And, uh, we hope that you'll continue this journey with us. And so just as a way to wrap things up for our 2024 recap. It'll take you to 2 Peter chapter 3, where really this whole theme, and I mean, really the whole concept of this podcast came about in 2 Peter chapter 3, verses 17 and 18, and we'll leave you with these words.

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and forever. Amen. 

Thank you for listening this week. If you haven't already done so, we'd appreciate it if you would take just a second to subscribe to the podcast. Whatever platform you're listening, rate and review the show so we can continue to spread the good news of Jesus as widely and effectively as possible.

Thanks again for joining us this week, and we'll talk again next week.