Luke 15:1 - 10
In the second week of our Just Walk Across the Room series, we look at the need to live in 4 D.
Dare to believe - to overcome some of our cynicism and hopelessness because we haven't seen the power of God at work in people that we've been praying for and hoping that they will come to faith, we need to continue to have faith, trusting only in God. This means daring to believe that God will act in people's lives to bring them into relationship with him. Daring to believe that lost people matter to God. Daring to believe that small steps are important. Daring to believe that God wants to use us, regardless of how insecure or inadequate we think we are.
Develop friendships - Jesus spent time with people who were not yet his followers. It was the only way he could increase the number of people who heard his message and committed to him. As his followers we need to break out of our church circles and connect with people who are not yet Christians.
Discover stories - everyone has a story, by listening to other people we find out more about them, what is important to them, and we find things that we have in common. Listening to others respects them and deepens friendships.
Discern next steps - listening to the Spirit is crucial in any evangelism. Jesus promises to be with us always to tell us when to speak, act and walk, and when not to.
In John 21 Jesus questions Peter about his love for him. In this interplay, we learn that our love for Jesus is expressed in our love for others. The challenge that lies before us is to take care of Jesus' sheep who are lost.
When you think of living your life in 4D, which of these dimensions do you find the hardest?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Just walk across the room - The greatest gift
Luke 5:27 - 32
As we start our series called Just Walk Across the Room, we're reminded that God himself was the first room crosser. Throughout history, in the stories of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the Israelites God has come close to his people and acted so that they may live in a close and loving relationship with him. Whilst we continued to rejected him, he made the ultimate crossing of a room and entered our time and space as a human. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus is the greatest news that we can ever receive. Knowing that Christ has saved us and brings us new life, changes us now and forever and gives us the motivation to cross rooms and share our faiht withe others.
The metaphor to Just Walk Across the Room helps reminds us of how we can move from a circle of comfort where we're with our friends, to a place where we can contact others, connect with them in a deeper way and communicate the good news of Jesus with them. All the time praying that the inspiration of the Spirit will lead them to make a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
As we start our series called Just Walk Across the Room, we're reminded that God himself was the first room crosser. Throughout history, in the stories of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the Israelites God has come close to his people and acted so that they may live in a close and loving relationship with him. Whilst we continued to rejected him, he made the ultimate crossing of a room and entered our time and space as a human. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus is the greatest news that we can ever receive. Knowing that Christ has saved us and brings us new life, changes us now and forever and gives us the motivation to cross rooms and share our faiht withe others.
The metaphor to Just Walk Across the Room helps reminds us of how we can move from a circle of comfort where we're with our friends, to a place where we can contact others, connect with them in a deeper way and communicate the good news of Jesus with them. All the time praying that the inspiration of the Spirit will lead them to make a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Creating your legacy
Acts 20:17 - 24
As Paul leaves Asia on his way to Jerusalem and into the unknown, he takes time to say a final farewell to the Elders of the church in Ephesus. During his speech he reminds them of the life that he has lived among them. We are reminded that as we live our lives that we are creating our legacy. As inevitable as death and taxes, so too is our legacy, the question though is what type of legacy do we want to leave.
Paul's legacy is one of an alive and growing faith in Jesus Christ. One in which he served God where he was called, and one in which he proclaimed Jesus Christ and brought others into a living relationship with Jesus.
How are you creating a legacy for yourself? We can live our lives now in a way that frames the legacy that we will leave and have an impact on people for years to come, even into eternity.
As Paul leaves Asia on his way to Jerusalem and into the unknown, he takes time to say a final farewell to the Elders of the church in Ephesus. During his speech he reminds them of the life that he has lived among them. We are reminded that as we live our lives that we are creating our legacy. As inevitable as death and taxes, so too is our legacy, the question though is what type of legacy do we want to leave.
Paul's legacy is one of an alive and growing faith in Jesus Christ. One in which he served God where he was called, and one in which he proclaimed Jesus Christ and brought others into a living relationship with Jesus.
How are you creating a legacy for yourself? We can live our lives now in a way that frames the legacy that we will leave and have an impact on people for years to come, even into eternity.
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