What America Really Needs – Who We’re Becoming Together
Pastor Darryn Scheske | Sunday, September 21, 2025
Communion Scripture Reading
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid…the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” –Jesus, John 14:27, 30–31; 16:33
Gospel Reading
One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:25–37
What America Really Needs
Oppression Psychosis – “A siege mentality—persistent suspicion/defensiveness, anxiety and aggressiveness, intense in-group solidarity, and an exaggerated attachment to symbols.”
–Herbert A. Miller: The Oppression Psychosis and the Immigrant
“Neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering. –Carl Jung, Psychology and Religion.
“The Existential Vacuum—Sunday Neurosis —that kind of anxiety and depression which afflicts people who become aware of the lack of content in their lives when the rush of the busy week is over… depression, aggression and addiction.”
–Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25
Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” Luke 10:26
The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Luke 10:27 (Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18)
“Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” Luke 10:28
The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29
“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. Luke 10:31–34
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10: 36–37
The lawyer asked for a definition; Jesus instead offers a demonstration.
Will you go out into the real world, break the cycle, and love your neighbor, even your perceived enemy, as yourself? –Jesus
For the follower of Jesus, the goal of life must be to become like Jesus
“I imagine that the first question the priest and Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’” –Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love
How do I love in way that aligns with Scripture?
The Great Commandment
“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” –Jesus, Luke 10:27
The Great Commission
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” –Jesus, Matthew 28:19–20
“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” –Jesus, Matthew 22:40
The Great Commission
“…and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” –Jesus, Acts 1:8
Our Purpose (WHY We’re Here)
“To love people well, to lead people to Jesus, to launch people out to change the world.”
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar…” The love of God is not in them. 1 John 4:20
Our Values (WHO we are)
Who you are becoming is more important than what you are doing.
Humility
Unity
Generosity
Audacity
Curiosity
Tenacity
“The flesh can't cast out the flesh.” –Andrew Murray
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2, NLT
We lead people to take next steps on their spiritual journey. And everyone is on a spiritual journey. Let me show you…
Our Mission (WHAT we do)
-3 Religion Resisting | Serve Day, Surprise with Love
-2 Spiritually Awakening | ATM, Easter, Christmas,
-1 Actively Searching | Alpha Groups
1 Knowing God | Worship Services
2 Finding Freedom | Small Groups, Freedom
3 Discovering Purpose | Connection Experience
4 Making a Difference | Dream Team
5 Growing in Maturity | The Leader’s Journey
6 Training in Complexity
7 Living in Love
Being with Jesus is more important than doing stuff for Jesus.