What keeps you from sharing Jesus' love with others? Sermon from January 25, 2008

At last weeks sermon we saw a video that asked a question, "If we saw a truck heading towards someone, even if they didn't believe that they were going to get hit, would we dive and tackle them to get out of the way?" The answer to that question is hopefully, "YES" Of course we would do such a thing. The question then was asked, "Why wouldn't we do the same about our beliefs about Jesus? Do we either hate the people around us that much or do we not really believe?" That question has haunted me since I saw this video the first time. I am sitting in a coffee shop right now typing this and I wonder, "Do I really believe that Jesus died for these people? Do I believe enough to go from person to person and share this truth with them? Or am I more concerned about their response?" I know for me my fear of other people's response often prevents me from acting, but should it? I was wondering, what is it that prevents you from being bold in sharing the truths of Jesus to those around you? I look forward to the thoughts.

Destination

We have so much to look forward towards here at Hope. I have found it helpful to keep my face pointed in the direction that I am heading--even in a stiff blowing north wind in the winter. The question that you may be asking is this...where are we going? This is such a great question. Where are we going? When going on a family vacation, knowing the destination allows you to decide if you want to go on the vacation and what you should bring. It is equally valuable to know our destination as a church and allow others to know if they want to join this journey with us and if they come, what they should bring.
First the destination. This never changes. Our destination is to BE THE CHURCH. The Church that Jesus established when He walked earth. The Church that Jesus poured His blood on the cross for. We are not a business. We are not a social club. We are clearly and unashamedly the Church. To be the Church means that we have a mission given to us by God. We have been enlisted in seeing the Kingdom of God come here on Earth, just like it is in heaven. Now this is where things begin to change. It is very difficult to define the specifics of what THE CHURCH looks like and even more what tools are needed to establish it. The tools actually begin to shift. While one tool is necessary for a certain opportunity to advance the Kingdom at a particular time, it may not be required later on. Our focus does not shift to the tools though. Our focus remains on the goal: The goal of being the Church and advancing God's Kingdom. When we strip everything away and focus on this goal we begin to move forward rather than being entangled by the tools that were meant to build The Church. Rather than be the church. This was a part of the corruption that was fought in the initial reformation by Luther against the established institution.
Now that you see the destination you can better decide if this is where you want to go. Christ calls in Matthew 11:28 for all people to come to Him who are weary and burdened and He will give us rest. This call to the people that are listening is the same call to us today. Those that want to go on the journey with us need to recognize their need for Christ. They need to realize that the path that we create on our own will only lead us to become more tired, more burdened. We do not have the answers. We do not always know the specifics to the journey. We simply know the destination and the one that has given us this mission--Jesus! Daily we are called to hear His voice; to discover if we are to veer to the left or the right or stay in the center, but always moving towards the final destination. It means we are all valuable in insuring we maintain our proper course. The Church has been called the body and the body needs every part functioning the way it was created to be successful.
Some may not desire to be a part of The Church here at Hope because of the tools that are being used at this particular time. That is okay. We understand. I also know that there are many people that desire to be a part of the greater goal that has been given to us at Hope-The Church, and the mission-The Kingdom Come. Everyone that calls themselves a follower of Christ though must use whatever they have to see this goal and mission accomplished. It is a journey. A journey that I am excited to be on and a journey that I am thankful to have you, my friends of Hope here in Grand Haven, working with me to see happen. May God be glorified through and in us!