11-09-08 Service – A Church on a Mission
Published on Nov 10th, 2008 |
Invest in what matters to God!
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I was so challenged by Tim Brown’s sermon on Sunday… especially by his statement that God is focused on the lost more than he is on believers and that I need to care about what He cares about. Well, as I’ve been trying to process this new idea, I read a scripture this morning that spoke directly to Tim’s point. It was 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
19 For although I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, in order to win (A) more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law [a] —to win those under the law. (B) 21 To those who are outside the law, (C) like one outside the law—not being outside God’s law, but under the law of Christ—to win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. (D) 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, that I may become a partner in its benefits. [b]
The apostle Paul himself said that he would do anything (not being outside God’s law) to win the lost! Isn’t that interesting? He understood the priorities of God.
If I could be so bold as to leave another comment about Tim Brown’s sermon… One of his main points was that we are to be a “Search and Rescue” kind of church. He referred to the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son. He said that more than anything, we should be concerned about the thing God is concerned about most- lost people. I’ve thought about it a lot and I think we have the “Rescue” part down pretty well. If someone comes to our church seeking, we will welcome them in and present them with the good news of Jesus Christ. But think about it- most people who are in need of a search and rescue team can’t approach their rescuers because they are somehow trapped. It’s the same with people who are lost in sin. The Bible describes sin as something that ‘entangles’ and ‘binds’ people. So I think the majority of people who are in need of Rescue will never walk through our doors. What happens when people are lost in the woods and no one searches for them? They die there. The stakes are so much higher for those who are lost in sin… eternal death.
We know the way out! Let’s get a search party together.
I agree with your assesment Johnna. I believe many churches and Christians expect the “lost” to find their way to to the church, but Jesus taught that his followers go out and actively search and find those who are disconnected from God. I had a great time with you all and pray for your church daily.