All of us are shaped by different stories--the question is, which ones? As we kick off our Summer Stories series with the Parable of the Mustard Seed, we learn that God calls the most unlikely people to be a part of his Kindgom. So often we look to the wrong stories for healing and freedom, but this parable reminds us that even with all the baggage we might carry along with us, it's in the Kingdom of God that we can find true healing and freedom. Listen to this teaching to hear how you can experience this healing and freedom in your own life.

**This sermon was from our Church in the Park. Our apologies for the background noise!**

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Luke 13:18-19

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

At King's Cross Church, we are Sent on Mission. This means we believe we are called to make and multiply disciples, and we subscribe to the idea that it's not if we're called, but to whom and to where. This June had 5 Sundays which meant we were able to turn that last Sunday of the month into Formation Sunday, exploring one of the many spiritual disciplines that helps to form our faith. Listen to this teaching to learn some practical ways you can live life on mission exactly where you are!

Pardon the audio quality; it was a windy Church in the Park day!

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Matthew 28:1-7

1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

Sometimes it feels like everyone around us is prospering, but God is not for us. We see the heartache in our own lives and we wonder, "Does God really want good for me?" In this teaching, we see that God truly is for his people. He actively opposes those who rebel against him, and he actively upholds his promises to his people. If you are in Christ, God is for you.

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Exodus 11:1-10

11 The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.

4 So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”

10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.