Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

“Systems That Help or Hurt”

Message from Sunday, March 8

John 5:5, Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.6, When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

A system is a structure of interacting parts that produces outcomes, good and bad.
Navigating systems requires:
Knowledge, patience, perseverance, willingness to adapt, and courage to challenge when necessary.

In this text, we see the convergence and collision of different systems:
1. The system of the man and the people at Bethesda.
2. The system of false hope
3. The system of how disabled people were treated
4. Religious systems
5. The system of Jesus & the Kingdom of God

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

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Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy

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STATEMENTS OF GOOD & BAD SYSTEMS

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"The Peril & Promise of Systems" is the second message in the series “Forward: The Only Direction God Is Moving,” Pastor Bryan Hudson, explores how systems influence human life—both positively and negatively—and how believers must understand, navigate, and sometimes challenge those systems while remaining anchored in the system of the Kingdom of God.

Three Levels of Forward Action
Heavenly Perspective
Psalm 103:19, The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

The Church’s Role
1 Corinthians 3:9, For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

Society and Justice
Jeremiah 22:3, Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”

Together these passages show that believers must be “heavenly minded and earthly good.” Our faith must translate into real-world service.

The sermon challenges a shallow form of Christianity focused only on religious activity. The church exists not merely to “have church” but to serve people and influence society.

True Christianity involves action:

Not only loving in word, but loving in deed
Not only praying, but acting
Not only preaching, but serving

Christ followers must move beyond simply attending church and instead become agents of transformation, helping people navigate and improve the systems that shape society.

Central Message:
While the world is governed by many systems, believers are called to navigate and/or challenge those systems while anchoring themselves in the system of the Kingdom of God. From that foundation, we can discern the peril of destructive systems and the promise of systems aligned with God’s justice, compassion, and truth, enabling them to move forward with wisdom and purpose.

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“Moving Forward”

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Message from Sunday, March 1

FORWARD: The Only Direction God is Moving

Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The greatest challenge to moving forward is the past and the present

Three perspectives:

THE PERIL OF THE PAST
THE PERIL OF THE PRESENT
THE PROMISE OF THE FUTURE

THE PERIL OF THE PAST
Successes, failures, mistakes, and even people who keep us looking back.

THE PERIL OF THE PRESENT
Allowing circumstances alone to define your reality.

The perils of the past and present can conspire to ruin your perception of the future
The most significant difference between you, your lived experience, and a crisis is what you think about it.

THE PROMISE OF THE FUTURE
The Promise of the future is your character in Christ and God’s promises.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Donate to New Covenant Church: https://cash.app/$newcovenantindy

Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy

DOWNLOAD SERMON SLIDES

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“FORWARD: The Only Direction God Is Moving” teaches that God’s movement is always forward, and believers must align their mindset, perception, and faith with that reality. Drawing from Hebrews 12:1–2, the message presents forward progress as a disciplined, enduring race that requires laying aside burdens and sin, focusing on one’s unique calling, and fixing one’s eyes on Jesus as the author and finisher of faith.

We want to guard against the peril of the past through regret or looking back and. We also want to avoid the peril of the present, when circumstances attempt to define our reality.

We move forward by focusing on the promise of the future which is grounded in God’s character and promises. True repentance is described as a change of mind that corrects distorted perception and repositions believers for growth. Ultimately, moving forward requires intentional alignment, resilience, obedience, and faith, trusting that God is leading toward redemptive purpose and destiny.

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Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy

Day 21 — Salvation Belongs to the Lord

Timely Message by Patricia Hudson from February 22

“Learning to Trust God With the Desires of My Heart"

Psalm 37:39–40, “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”

Key Thought: God is always our refuge and deliverer.

Prayer: I trust You, Lord.

As we conclude this 21-day devotional through Psalm 37, let us remember this is a wisdom psalm, not a lament. David is not “venting” or expressing frustrations. He contrasts the temporary flourishing of the wicked with God’s plan and provision for the righteous. Verses 39–40 serve as a summary of the entire psalm.

Some key themes we learned from Psalm 37:

• Do not fret because of evildoers (vv. 1–2)
• Trust in the Lord (v. 3)
• Delight in Him (v. 4)
• Commit your way to Him (v. 5)
• Wait patiently with expectation (v. 7)
• Meekness is not weakness (v. 11)
• The wicked will perish (vv. 9–22)
• God knows our days (vv. 18-19)
• Generosity Reveals the Heart (vv. 21-22)
• Our steps are ordered by the Lord (vv. 23–24)
• The righteous are upheld (vv. 23–24)
• God’s justice prevails (vv. 27-29)

David closes this psalm by reminding us who is in charge, what God will change, and where we are headed. Our identity and security are rooted in Christ. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord”
David emphasizes the true source of salvation: It is “from the Lord.” Salvation does not originate:

• From personal strategy
• From retaliation
• From political advantage
• From accumulated power

Systems, people, politicians, programs, and religions all promise some form of salvation—power to lift people to a better place in life. All of these may help in one way or another, but enduring salvation only comes from the Lord.

The Hebrew word for “salvation” means deliverance, rescue, victory. God’s salvation is both temporal and eternal, with benefits now and the blessing of a new reality after this life. We are not limited to only longing for the “sweet by and by.” God can grant some earthly heaven before heaven in the afterlife.

Do not underestimate God’s ability to empower victorious living while we are still living among all the perils of the wicked. Consider the words of the Apostle Peter: Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10–11)

The “entrance” is experiencing heaven on earth while on the way to God's heaven. Note the responsibility to “make your calling and election sure,” which simply means to lean into God and His kingdom.

We read in Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

New Testament Scriptures confirm God’s delivering nature:

Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work…”

“He is their strength in the time of trouble”
The Hebrew word for “strength” מmeans fortress, stronghold, and a place of protection. We don’t only focus on what God does, but who God is. He is not merely a rescuer; He is a refuge. We don’t have a transactional relationship with God by seeking “a blessing” when we need it. We live in a covenantal relationship with God, day by day.

“He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”

Remember:

• Salvation originates from God alone.
• God Himself is the refuge of the righteous.
• Trouble does not cancel covenant protection.
• Deliverance is certain, though timing may vary.
• Trust is the foundation of divine rescue and progress going forward.

Psalm 37 ends where it started: “Trust in the Lord.”

I trust that you were inspired, encouraged, and educated through this 21-day journey through Psalm 37! It was a joy preparing these lessons and having contributions from Patricia Hudson, Stacy Williams, and Pastor Lee Robb.

“Every good thing happens on a Firm Foundation!”

Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

New Covenant Church

Reflection question: What are some takeaways from this devotional that have become foundational to your life going forward?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

LINK TO ALL LESSONS IN THE DEVOTIONAL