December 14th, 2009
Written by Israel Filed under: Culture, Life, Spiritual Journey
I think that part of what Dani and I are called to do is to help others understand why we are doing what we are doing. I want others, both Christians and non-Christians, to come to share our passion and desire to see people believe in the One who is greater than themselves.
One of the things that Dani and I have been learning about is the idea that, as Christians, our involvement and relationships with other people go beyond pleasing ourselves. They go beyond staying in the city where our parents live. They go beyond the college where we graduated. They go beyond a two-week mission trip. We are not to be self-pleasing, self-aggrandizing, self-fulfilling. Our love for Jesus should be reflected in how we love our neighbor, not ourselves. (matthew 25:40-46, 1 john 2:3-6)
We are called
We are called to be fishers of men, people who seek out those who are hurting. Jesus pursued both the Jews and the Gentiles. There was no regret, no apathetic plea; it was whole-hearted. It was pure, and full of love. He wanted people who loved Him and loved others. One of the hardest things to learn in church culture today is this message, “If we say we love God yet hate a brother or sister, we are liars. For if we do not love a fellow believer, whom we have seen, we cannot love God, whom we have not seen.” 1 John 4:20
I’m including a talk by Todd Ahrend (The Traveling Team/On Facebook) that our home church had this last Sunday. It is about who God is, and about His passion for people. The title of the talk is “God is Missional.” In this sermon, you’ll hear God’s heart for all people throughout history. There is no easy way to put it, Jesus is missions minded, and, if you believe in His teachings, you are called to live a life that makes His name known. There is no easy path, no earthly resolution, no self-help solution. (1 john 2:15-17)
Sermon: God is Missional
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Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices.
psalm 37:7
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
psalm 46:10
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Tags: challenge, christian walk, Jesus' love, life changing, personal journey, process, transition
