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Join us as we explore the urgency embedded in Jesus' command to make disciples and teach obedience, as this message challenges us to contemplate whether we view it as a compelling directive or merely an optional choice – prompting us to reflect on the true essence of discipleship and proactive engagement in spreading the teachings of Christ.
The word "come" might sound simple, yet its genuine commitment can be challenging to embrace in our journey of faith. We’re going to delve into the beautiful truth that Jesus personally invites each of us to join him. When we are supported and surrendered to the Holy Spirit, we're also entrusted with the mission to extend this invitation to others.
At some point, we all feel unqualified and ill-equipped to tell someone else about what Christ has done for us. We may think we don’t have the right words to say or can’t do what God is calling us to do. Well, that’s good because then we aren’t relying on our own strength, but on the Holy Spirit to work in and through our words and actions. God equips those who are called. Since He has called you to Himself, He is the one who will help you through.
We all have a message to tell. It’s what we’ve been calling “Our Story.” You have a different story that will capture the attention of some people while another person has their story that will intrigue others. Yet in each one of our stories is the certain fact that Jesus Christ came into our lives to transform us into His character. Who has heard your story? Who has yet to hear it? God calls us to go tell it from the mountains that Jesus Christ has come to seek and save that which was lost.
After the excitement of Easter Sunday, it’s easy to feel a bit lost or uncertain. We’ve celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but what comes next? What does it mean for us, as individuals and as a community of believers? We have a choice out of love for Jesus we can remain or we can go and tell others about what the Risen Christ has done in our lives.
Where would you be if your friend or relative didn’t ask you to come to church or attend a Christian event? Think about it. Your friend was most likely your friend first before asking you to hear about Jesus. How we seek people, how we listen, how we engage and invite can make all the difference. It can soften hearts to hear the good news of the love of God through Jesus Christ.
Our God is not only a pursuing God, he is a sending God. Jesus’ great commission is for his people to go and do likewise. To go and seek those who are lost and share their witness, their testimony of who Jesus is and what he has done in and through our lives. God calls us to be part of the rescue mission, the search party, the body of Christ to love those who are lost.
We begin a new series in this new year. It’s entitled, “The One.” This first we we think and talk about ourselves being the one who Jesus sees. Before we become passionate about sharing Christ with others, we have to become secure in the fact that He first loved us. We have to personalize His promises and to a heartfelt understanding that we are God’s dearly loved children.
How many of you want God to do something new in your life? *Raise your hand* Scripture reminds us that it takes faith, a small amount, a mustard size faith for the new to come, to change, but we must be willing to change. Making a fresh start begins by allowing God to do His will and way in and through us to make all things new. When we hold onto what we’ve always done, where we’ve always gone it doesn’t take faith. In fact we then are stuck in a rut. Let this Fresh Start Sunday become truly a fresh start walking with God, talking with God and allowing His to do some amazing new things through our faith in what He can and will do.
Our faith as Christ followers needs to overcome the turmoil and testing that comes at us each and every day. We are called to be bold. Bold in our witness of what Jesus has done in and through our lives even if we come under persecution, even if the rains come, even if the floods start rising, even if we are rejected. Scripture reminds us that “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). I know we all want to be liked but standing up for our faith is more important than ever.
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