Sun
Aug
23rd
2009
0

What if…

Some “What if” thoughts on Christians.

1. What if Christians did not conform to the world but were transformed by the renewing of their minds?

Then believers would be saturated with the truth of God’s Word and would not believe lies about themselves or the circumstances around them.

2. What if each believer tried to reach non-believers?

Then world-wide evangelism should take about a week.

3. What if Christians were confident in their identity in Christ?

We would not need the worlds affirmation to tell us whether we are beautiful, successful or acceptable.

4. What if Christians were known for what they are for instead of what they are against?

Then people outside of Christianity would not mistakenly know us by our political views or moral standards, but instead by our relationship with Jesus Christ. What we are for is Jesus and the furthering of His Kingdom.

5. What if Christians rallied together as one united body?

Jesus says that the world would know that the Father sent the Son and loves the world even as He loves His Son.

John 17:23 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

categories: What if...

Tue
Aug
18th
2009
0

Pick One

This past Sunday I challenged the people at Southbridge to pick one. That is to pick one person over the next twelve months that they are going to reach for Jesus and help grow in a relationship with Jesus (i.e. disciple). I also challenged the people who need to be discipled to pick one. By that I mean to pick one person who knows Jesus better than they do and humble themselves before that person and ask them to disciple them.

I know of one discipleship relationship that has started already as a result of this challenge and I know of several people who are being intentional about reaching someone in their life for Jesus. I have picked my person who I intend to be intentional about reaching for Jesus. I can imagine him sitting next to me (or more likely in front of me if I am preaching) at church in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. I picture his new relationship with Jesus making an eternal impact on his family too. Can you picture someone who is in your sphere of influence, a neighbor, co-worker, someone you come into contact with regularly who needs to start a relationship with Jesus? Pick one.

categories: Life Change, Missions/Outreach, Southbridge

Mon
Aug
17th
2009
1

Decisions or Disciples? (Part 2)

When someone trusts Jesus Christ as their Savior they are born again, they are spiritual babies. Babies do not know how to feed themselves, how to talk, how to walk, how to do basic things to survive. We can’t leave people who are spiritual babies and expect them to know how to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. In the Fall we are going to launch some new programs to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. That is great, but the problem is programs do not disciple people. People disciple people. We as a church will only be as good at making disciples as the people of Southbridge are at making disciples. So the question for us is not a programming question but a people question. The question is; are the people of Southrbidge making disciples?

categories: Growth, Life Change, Southbridge, Uncategorized

Sun
Aug
16th
2009
0

Decisions or Disciples? (Part 1)

The past several weeks we have seen several people trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. That is exciting, but it has me asking myself a question about Southbridge. Are we making disciples like we are commanded to (Matthew 28:16-20) or are people simply making decisions? Discipleship begins with a decision, but it does not end there. I wonder if churches across America are filled with people who have made decisions for Jesus Christ, but have failed to answer the call to be a disciple. The call to discipleship is a call to deny self and follow Jesus. How many people truly do this? If they don’t are they disciples or have they simply made a decision?

categories: Growth, Life Change, Southbridge

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