Relationships are messy, and you may have a lot of questions. In this seminar Matt and Julia Bradner will answer 4 big questions about relationships.
2018 NYC Session 7 - A Marvelous Combo by Matt Bradner
Matt Bradner wrapped up New Year’s Conference with this last session. Some of our favorite combinations are the joining of a few good things to make one great thing. There is one particular combination that made Jesus marvel: a low view of self and a high view from others. This story can be found in Luke 7:1-10. Matt explained that this personal humility and public honor was a marvelous combo, one that Jesus marveled at.
Paul explained the qualifications for the overseers of the church in the same way that Luke described the centurion in the previous passage. He says in 1 Timothy 3:6-7:
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Bradner charged is his listeners to consider this combination as something to be pursued in their own lives: a low view of self and a high view from others. It is this combination that reflects the gospel and allows for us to be the force for good Bradner shared about previously.
2018 Session 6: The Great Commission by Matt Bradner
Matt Bradner discussed the prioritization of doing good: making disciples. The Great Commission tells us everything the basics of what we need to know about making disciples. Here it is in Matthew 28:18-20:
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Jesus tells us why, tells us what, and tells us why again. Why #1: all authority has been given to Jesus. What: Discipleship. Why #2: Jesus gives the promise of his presence. But that’s not all. There’s another why in verses 16-17:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
The same message is for those who doubt and those who worship.
2018 Session 5: A Force for Good by Matt Bradner
[note this talk’s first portion was corrupted and only the 2nd half is online]
Matt Bradner discussed different aims that we all have: do good, do bad, or do nothing. And doing nothing is not necessarily better than doing bad. God calls us to do good, to be a force for good in every area of your life for the rest of your life. Titus 3:4-8 says:
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
God says to devote themselves to good works, not just abstain from evil. Matt expressed the importance of doing good with everything you are: your mouth, your eyes, your hands, your heart and more. Be a force for good not to get salvation but because you have it.
2018 Session 4: God's Rightful and Delightful Authority by Matt Bradner
Matt Bradner, the second speaker at NYC, started off his time talking about how there are things in our lives that are holding us back from accepting Jesus and following him. Even those of us who have said that we want to follow Jesus, there are still things that get in the way of our walk with him. Jesus encountered 3 different people who some of us can relate to in Luke 9:57-62:
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Matt goes through each of these situations and describes each specific circumstance these people who approached Jesus were in at the time.
2018 Breakout: Gender
The Bible says that God created us male and female. What do our differences show us about God? We believe God's word paints a beautiful picture of gender that goes beyond cultural stereotypes and leads to freedom and flourishing for both men and women.
2018 Breakout: Laughing Out Loud and Other Things that Matter to God
Why all things matter when done in the name of Christ... especially the mundane. If God is only glorified when we're doing "spiritual stuff" why is it that we spend so much time in class, at work, going to parties, watching Netflix, and sleeping? If God already has all the glory he needs what does it mean to bring Him glory? We'll talk about what it really means to glorify God in all things.
2018 Breakout: The Campus and the World: Joining with God in His Global Mission
How is God at work around the world? What impact is the gospel having beyond our borders? How can college students be involved in this global movement now? Come be envisioned and inspired to join with God in his global mission.
2018 Breakout: Faith or Fact: Does God Exist?
Have you ever thought, "If God would just give me proof then I would believe"? Most of us have at some point. The bold claim of Christianity is that God has proven his existence through a historical person in historical events. Come hear how faith might not exclude evidence, but demand it.
2018 Breakout: What About the Old Testament
The Old Testament takes up nearly 75% of the Holy Bible, but many Christians find it difficult to understand and inapplicable to life as a Christian. Too often it is effectively ignored. Come hear an introduction to what the Old Testament says and how it applies to your life today.
2018 Breakout: Have You Ever Heard of 'Nomophobia'?
The average American checks their phone 80 times a day. Whether we realize it or not, our phones are radically impacting our lives. In this seminar we will seek to answer these two questions; How is your smartphone changing you? And should you be concerned?
2018 Breakout: Is Jesus Really Worth My Life?
Not only does Jesus claim to be God, He tells us that we must love Him above all else: our family, relationships, parties, as well as our dreams and ambitions. In this seminar we will answer two questions. 1. What does it mean for Jesus to be the Lord? 2. Is Jesus really worth my life?
2018 Breakout: Reading the Bible Supernaturally
Why is the Bible so important for Christians? Where should you even begin if you want to read it? Whether you are investigating Christianity or are a Christian, this seminar will help clarify what the Bible is, why it’s so essential for us if we want to know God, and how to start reading and understanding it.
2018 Breakout: Made to Multiply
God's plan of salvation includes using His people to spread His glory to all the world. Are you equipped for the task? This seminar will take a look at what a Christian needs to reproduce their life as they faithfully live out their calling to follow Jesus. Learn what it looks like to be a disciple maker who has an eternal impact for the Kingdom of God!
2018 Breakout: Identity Theft
Who am I? Most of us as women are asking that question. Am I my grades, my dating status, my dress size, my social media popularity, my failures or success?We all crave a sense of worth and want to matter in this life. In this seminar we will identify those things which we often look to to define us and then see how God defines our worth in Christ.
2018 Breakout: Evangelism: Transform Your Campus, Transform Your WorlD
Want to transform the World? Lucky for you God’s power is promised to EVERY person, big or small, who chooses to GO on mission. Come hear how creating an evangelistic culture on your campus could change not only your life but thousands upon thousands!
2018 Breakout: Singleness
Whether it’s the latest rom com, your instagram feed or even well-meaning friends and family, it can seem like your life doesn’t start until you’re in a relationship. As Christians, we know that the Bible considers singleness a gift, yet it can often feel lonely, hard, and painful. What does it look like to fight for contentment in a season of life that you didn’t ask for?
2018 Breakout: Anxiety
In this Seminar we will look at several of the common causes of Anxiety and then look at ways to help overcome and work through it.
2018 Breakout: Leading with a Limp
The story of God bruising the hip of Jacob is a powerful example of how God intends to "prepare" his people for leadership. This seminar will explore how the Biblical yet paradoxical leadership traits of meekness and weakness will be used by God to transform you into a powerful leader for the purposes of God in the world.
2018 Breakout: Fighting Sin
When faced with our sin we have two options: passivity or activity. Often, rather than waging war on our sin we negotiate how to live with it and ignore its destructive force in our lives. In this seminar we examine how to identify, fight, and defeat the sin that so easily ensnares us.