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.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Resuced
Acts 12:1 - 19
The harsh reality of life is that many of us carry around within us things that trap and imprison us - addictions, emotional scars, behaviours, attitudes, temptations that we give into too often. We try and often/always succeed in hiding this undesirable part of our lives, but they keep us being less than God wants for us, and keep us imprisoned in guilt, shame and unsociable behaviour. But this is not the way life should be. Jesus came to “proclaim freedom to the prisoners” (Lk.4:18). This is more than the physical freedom that Peter experiences in Acts 12.
To achieve this freedom from the internal things that trap us, we first need to admit that we can't do it on our own. Peter's freedom came through the miraculous power of the Spirit, but was partnered by the church that "was earnestly praying to God for him" (v 5). Two things to reflect on, to find your own freedom, is there someone you can share with, a person who is trustworthy and mature, and can they and you commit to praying earnestly?
When Peter's release came, he went to the gathered believers who furthered his escape (v 17). Living in a broken world, means that the temptation and possibility of becoming re-imprisoned is always present. We need friends around us to help keep us free. Friends who will hold us accountable, point out blind spots, encourage and distract us. Who are these people for you?
Finally, we need to believe through action that God can release. The early church didn't do this, they argued with Rhoda that Peter couldn't be at the door. Too often we miss out on the power of God to rescue us because we think that it can't be done. Believe and see what he will do.
The harsh reality of life is that many of us carry around within us things that trap and imprison us - addictions, emotional scars, behaviours, attitudes, temptations that we give into too often. We try and often/always succeed in hiding this undesirable part of our lives, but they keep us being less than God wants for us, and keep us imprisoned in guilt, shame and unsociable behaviour. But this is not the way life should be. Jesus came to “proclaim freedom to the prisoners” (Lk.4:18). This is more than the physical freedom that Peter experiences in Acts 12.
To achieve this freedom from the internal things that trap us, we first need to admit that we can't do it on our own. Peter's freedom came through the miraculous power of the Spirit, but was partnered by the church that "was earnestly praying to God for him" (v 5). Two things to reflect on, to find your own freedom, is there someone you can share with, a person who is trustworthy and mature, and can they and you commit to praying earnestly?
When Peter's release came, he went to the gathered believers who furthered his escape (v 17). Living in a broken world, means that the temptation and possibility of becoming re-imprisoned is always present. We need friends around us to help keep us free. Friends who will hold us accountable, point out blind spots, encourage and distract us. Who are these people for you?
Finally, we need to believe through action that God can release. The early church didn't do this, they argued with Rhoda that Peter couldn't be at the door. Too often we miss out on the power of God to rescue us because we think that it can't be done. Believe and see what he will do.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Acting with boldness
Acts 4:23 - 31
The nanny state and its attendant decline in risk aversion is striking at the very core of what it means to be the church today. Rather than following in the footsteps of the early church and being bold in our willingness to speak out in the name of Jesus (see Acts 4 - 12 for example), we are being people who generally huddle within our church walls, trying to make ourselves as small, minimising the risks that could come our way when we speak about faith, or Christian values in our society.
The early church were able to be bold because they recognised that their number one priority was to be witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world. They let nothing get in the way of doing this (see Acts 4:19). Secondly, they prayed for boldness. They realised that the Holy Spirit could make them bold when they were not naturally bold (see Acts 4:29). Thirdly, they knew that the opposition that came their way was against God, and that they were part of his mission in this world (see Acts 4:25, 26).
Where do you start with being bold? What are the situations that you are in, where empowered by the Holy Spirit, you could speak God's truth and in doing so advance the work of his kingdom?
The nanny state and its attendant decline in risk aversion is striking at the very core of what it means to be the church today. Rather than following in the footsteps of the early church and being bold in our willingness to speak out in the name of Jesus (see Acts 4 - 12 for example), we are being people who generally huddle within our church walls, trying to make ourselves as small, minimising the risks that could come our way when we speak about faith, or Christian values in our society.
The early church were able to be bold because they recognised that their number one priority was to be witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world. They let nothing get in the way of doing this (see Acts 4:19). Secondly, they prayed for boldness. They realised that the Holy Spirit could make them bold when they were not naturally bold (see Acts 4:29). Thirdly, they knew that the opposition that came their way was against God, and that they were part of his mission in this world (see Acts 4:25, 26).
Where do you start with being bold? What are the situations that you are in, where empowered by the Holy Spirit, you could speak God's truth and in doing so advance the work of his kingdom?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Just walk across the room
Starting on 25 July our congregation is going to participate in a campaign called Just Walk Across the Room. For many of us, the whole idea of evangelism is a scary concept. It is intended that through this campaign we'll reduce our anxieties about faith sharing and start to realise that it can be as easy as just walking across the room to talk to another person. I hope that you will participate by being part of a week small group and worshipping each Sunday.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fully devoted
Acts 2:42 - 47
The picture that Luke gives us of the early church is one of people who were fully devoted to Christ and living his life. Amongst many other things, we see that the church was devoted to worship, community, spiritual growth, serving others and sharing faith with others.
These things have continued in the church down throughout the ages, and indeed are reflected in the four focus areas of our congregation's strategic map.
The question for you is not whether you do these things, but what is your level of devotion to them. Jesus commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Is that love evident in your life and the devotion you give to God?
The picture that Luke gives us of the early church is one of people who were fully devoted to Christ and living his life. Amongst many other things, we see that the church was devoted to worship, community, spiritual growth, serving others and sharing faith with others.
These things have continued in the church down throughout the ages, and indeed are reflected in the four focus areas of our congregation's strategic map.
The question for you is not whether you do these things, but what is your level of devotion to them. Jesus commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Is that love evident in your life and the devotion you give to God?
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