Get on Your Knees, 29 May 2022
Series—Alliance Core Values
Philippians 4:6-7
Series Big Idea: After a 2021 reveal of our First Alliance Core Values, this series is a presentation of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Core Values.
Big Idea: Prayer is the primary work of God’s people.
The year was 1988 and musician Bobby McFerrin hit big with a little ditty called Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Nobody in 1988 could imagine the amount of worry people in 2022 would be facing. Anxiety is running rampant. Mental health professionals have seemingly endless job security. Fear continues to rise over COVID, inflation, Ukraine, …and now monkeypox?! Wouldn’t it be great if we could simply stop worrying and become happy?
Our scripture text for today conveys a similar message, but one with much more power. Don’t worry…pray! That’s essentially what Paul said to the church in Philippi, a city in modern-day Greece.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6a, NLT)
That would be a great verse to memorize…or shall I say half of a verse. These words are on the wall of our bathroom at home. They comfort me—and sometimes convict me—in my moments of worry.
What about you? Are you prone to fear…or faith? Worry or prayer? Anxiety or petition?
Prayer is one of those things everyone knows is a good idea, but most find challenging. How many of you eat your veggies? Floss your teeth? Exercise?
Prayer is work. The city of Toledo logo says as much…to work is to pray. Sure, a quick prayer before a meal is simple, but how do we pray when life gets hard?
We’ve been going through a series on the core values of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, our global family. We have previously noted
- Lost people matter to God. He wants them found. Luke 19:10
- Everything we have belongs to God; we are His stewards. 1 Chronicles 29:14
- Completing the Great Commission will require the mobilization of every fully-devoted disciple. Matthew 28:19
- Knowing and obeying God’s Word is fundamental to all true success. Joshua 1:8
Today’s core value states
- Prayer is the primary work of God’s people. Philippians 4:6-7
I said it’s work, but that’s because all relationships are work. They require time. They involve effort. I’ve never met a couple that said, “We’ve had a great marriage for decades. We never really talk or do anything together, but we are so close!” Never. Marriage is hard work, but it’s worth it.
Friendship can be hard work, too. I was recently in a meeting with a good friend and he said and did some things which made me feel like my input was worthless. I was tempted to let it go, but it was really bothering me and I knew my friend was clueless about his actions. After an hour or two of prayer and planning, I confronted him as graciously as I could and lovingly confronted his behavior. He apologized, thanked me for drawing it to his attention, and we hugged. It was work, but it was so worth it.
By the way, the enemy loves to steal, kill, and destroy…especially relationships. Just look at our cancel culture today. If you really want to kick the enemy in the teeth, work on reconciling a broken relationship. Not all relationships are mendable, but if you speak the truth in love and experiencing restoration, it’s an amazing feeling! Relationships are work, but they’re worth it.
Prayer is work, but what really is prayer? I used to think it was talking to God, but it’s more than that. For years I thought it was talking with God, but it’s more than even that. I submit to you prayer is doing life with God. Marriage is not just talking to or with someone. It’s doing life with them. Life is what we do. It’s non-stop. Perhaps that’s why Paul wrote elsewhere,
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)
Pray continually. Talk with God continually. Do life with God continually. How?
There’s actually more to verse six in Philippians chapter four:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6, NLT)
Don’t worry. Pray. I wish I could tell you I’ve mastered this, but I’m a fellow pilgrim on the journey toward a worry-free life! I want to be in control…or think I’m in control! Many of the things I fear never even occur. What a waste of energy…energy that could’ve been spent praying for others or just being with the LORD.
How do we pray, then? We could do an entire sermon series on prayer. Countless books have been written on the subject. The scriptures are filled with examples (though most are rather short). We’ll scratch the surface today, but examining our text, it says, “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Of course, He knows already, but He loves to hear your voice. I think your voice is the most beautiful sound to Him. The next verse tells us what happens when we pray:
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7, NLT)
Who wants peace in their life? How many of you want God’s peace? This might be one of the few formulas in the Bible, but it’s clear. Prayer leads to peace. Our world needs more peace, doesn’t it? We try negotiation tactics, call on law enforcement, hire mediators, defend ourselves, …but there’s nothing like God and His peace.
Notice Philippians 4:7 says God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds. That’s God’s protective custody. How does that work? When we thank God, we’re reminded of His goodness, power, and thankfulness. Our problems often seem small once we realize God is great. Someone said, ““Kneeling to pray is what gives you the strength to stand.”
This should be obvious, but the power of prayer is not in the person praying, but the Person to whom they are praying. You can pray to a volleyball (Tom Hanks almost did in Castaway!) but nothing will change. I’m fascinated with the popularity of meditation in our society. It’s huge! Scripture is filled with encouragement to meditate, but the real issue is the object of our meditation…on nothing, ourselves, or God and His Word? The same is true for prayer. It’s about doing life with our Creator. Prayer is an alternative lifestyle! We simply need to work, take time, be present with God.
"Most Christians want to experience spiritual transformation. But many are frustrated by the limited progress of our spiritual self-improvement efforts. We find our praying burdened by a sense of obligation and failure. But prayer is not merely something we do; prayer is what God does in us. Prayer is not just communication with God; it is communion with God. As we open ourselves to him, God does the spiritual work of transformation in us." - David G. Benner
I think too many people think of prayer as a magic power to get God to do what we want…and then we get disappointed when He doesn’t serve us on demand. “Prayer,” said Robert Law, “is not getting man’s will done in heaven. It’s getting God’s will done on earth.” It’s all about a relationship. I think prayer is a lot like marriage.
I’m married to my wife. I’m always married to my wife, 24/7/365. I’m married without ceasing. It’s a state of being as well as a state of doing. I’m still married when I’m not with her. I obviously feel more connected when we’re having dinner together, but sometimes we connect via text, phone, or FaceTime. Sometimes we’re physically together but not even communicating, like when we watch a movie together or even when we take a drive in the car and say nothing. Marriage is all about communication, honesty, and experimentation…and so is prayer.
Obviously, prayer involves communication. Honesty is a given with God (uh, He knows everything!). And it’s important to experiment with prayer. I want to give you some tools to get you started.
ACTS. This is a popular acronym to guide your prayers. Begin with Adoration, praise, worship. Tell God how awesome He is! This is not to butter Him up, but to remind yourself who it is you’re talking with.
C is confession. Get real with God. Again, He knows it all. There can be great joy and freedom in confessing, agreeing with God how you’ve sinned, and being reminded of the joy of forgiveness.
T is thanksgiving. We spoke of this earlier. It’s not just an annual holiday! It should be a part of our rhythms to be grateful.
S stands for supplication or requests or petitions. Tell God what you want. Pray for others. Pray for yourself. He’s a good, good Father who loves to give gifts to His children…though not always when and how we desire. Daddy knows best!
Another prayer tool is a journal. Write out your prayers…on paper or a laptop. I hate to burst your bubble, but I don’t spend three hours each moment on my knees with my eyes closed in prayer. It would quickly become a nap! Some of my best times of prayer involve me essentially writing a letter to God. It keeps me focused…and I can go back and see how God responded to my prayers.
Praying with others is another thing I do. It’s harder to fall asleep praying when you are with others! We have Zoom Prayer every weekday from 9 AM to 9:30 AM. You’re all invited! It’s a great way to meet people and love well, praying prayers of blessing, hope, and healing over one another. Life Groups are another great forum for prayer.
Listening is another prayer tool. I know that might sound unusual, but we need to give God an opportunity to speak, too! What has God been saying to you? What are you going to do about it?
I’d be the first to admit I’ve never heard God speak audibly, but He does speak…through other people, circumstances, dreams, and sometimes an internal prompting. But the primary way God speaks is through the Bible. If you’re not reading it, don’t be surprised if you’re not hearing from God.
If we’re honest, sometimes we don’t want God to speak to us! Maybe we choose to live busy, noisy lives in hopes that He doesn’t speak! Such an attitude says a lot about our view of God. He’s a good, good Father who loves His children. Yes, He does discipline us, but He always has our best interest at heart. Really!
I realize a relationship with God can be challenging. After all, you can’t see Him, hear Him, or even text Him! But He has created you first and foremost for a love relationship with Him. Prayer is work. Relationships are work. They take time and effort. They’re don’t always feel warm and fuzzy! But they’re worth the effort.
Perhaps you’ve been told Christianity is just about praying a prayer so you can go to heaven when you die. If so, I’m deeply sorry! It’s a tragedy to think prayer is a one-time thing…or even something we do at bedtime or at meals as a ritual. It’s a rhythm of life!
“Jesus tells us to pray for daily bread, but we’d rather have a Costco relationship with God. We’d rather have stuff in bulk so as not to come back to God so often. But we can’t live without daily dependence.” – Rich Villodas
God wants to do life with you! The Creator of the universe wants to spend every moment of your life with you! How cool is that?! Will you make yourself available for Him? Will you get on your knees?
Prayer is the primary work of God’s people. Philippians 4:6-7
I want to offer one final tool before we close. It’s a free app called Lectio 365. I may have mentioned it before, but it’s a simple way to make room for God, to be fully present. It takes about ten minutes in the morning and about ten minutes at night to be still and listen to these guided prayers with scriptural meditations. It’s probably the best tool Heather and I have found to develop our spiritual life together. We use it most every day. They have an acronym, too…PRAY.
Pause to be still
Rejoice and reflect
Ask for God's help
Yield to His will
There’s so much that can be said about prayer—and so much has been said—but know it is work, but anything worth having is worth the investment. It is how we do life with God, and that relationship is at the core of the meaning of life.
Prayer is the primary work of God’s people. Philippians 4:6-7
“Don’t worry, be happy.” – Bobby McFerrin
“Pray and let God worry.” – Martin Luther
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Get in the Game, 15 May 2022
Series—Alliance Core Values
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:11-12
Series Big Idea: After a 2021 reveal of our First Alliance Core Values, this series is a presentation of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Core Values.
Big Idea: Completing the Great Commission will require the mobilization of every fully-devoted disciple.
How many of you like sports…any sports? There are two types of sports fans…those who watch and those who play. Which do you prefer?
Someone once said football is 22 people on the field who need rest and 22,000 people in the stands who need exercise!”
Tragically, many churches are a single pastor who needs rest and a congregation of people who need to get in the game! Not only is ministry a team sport, it was designed to involve everyone who claims to be a Christian. It’s not exclusively for professionals. In fact, as we’ve noted previously, it’s the task of the professionals to equip the saints.
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12, NLT)
Today we’re continuing our series on the Alliance Core Values, those foundational principles that our Christian & Missionary Alliance family values which we also believe describe Jesus’ values.
We began by saying,
Lost people matter to God. He wants them found.
Last week Pastor Mike reminded us that
Everything we have belongs to God; we are His stewards.
It’s not that ten percent belongs to God. Everything we have belongs to God, including all of our time, talents and treasures. Today’s core value states,
Completing the Great Commission will require the mobilization of every fully-devoted disciple.
There are some churchy words there, so I want to be crystal clear about what this means. Working backward, a disciple is a student, a follower, a protégé. Therefore, a fully-devoted disciple is someone devoted to following Jesus…what you might call a “real” Christian, not a CINO: Christian in name only.
Are you a disciple of Jesus? If not, I urge you to consider making Jesus the leader of your life. He is wiser, stronger, and loves you more than any celebrity, social media personality, or philosopher. I’m not a perfect disciple, but I’m seeking to build my life around the teachings and leadership of Jesus.
The Great Commission was read earlier in our scripture reading. It’s one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Jesus commissions his followers—his disciples—before ascending into heaven.
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18, NLT)
The Great Commission will be completed when there are disciples or followers of Jesus of all the nations. Jesus has all authority and he promises us his presence, which is fantastic. The key verbs are go and make. Make disciples. Reproduce the life of Jesus in others. Jesus passed the baton, to use a sports metaphor, to his disciples who have been passing it for generations to us. We don’t want to be the generation that drops the baton!
The Great Commission is the work involved in sharing good news and seeing men, women, and children of all the nations obey Jesus, follow Jesus…and that includes helping others obey and follow Jesus. This is not a command just for pastors. That would mean only about one percent would be engaged. The enemy would love that! No,
Completing the Great Commission will require the mobilization of every fully-devoted disciple.
If you are a disciple—a follower of Jesus—discipleship is your mission, your commission. It’s what life is all about…knowing God and making Him known. My primary role is to disciple our staff and leaders to disciple the rest of you to disciple others until every person on the planet has been invited to the party, has heard the good news, has been given a chance to follow or reject Jesus, his love, his death and resurrection.
We need you to get in the game! For too long, too many so-called Christians have been content to watch. Following Jesus is not a spectator sport! We need every fully-devoted disciple making disciples. I hope that means you!
We often talk about a triangle: Up, In, and Out. A disciple of Jesus has a relationship with God…up. They also have a relationship with others in the Church…in. There’s also an outward relationship with those Jesus called the lost…the unchurched, those who are not yet followers of Jesus. We have the privilege of sharing good news and introducing them to Jesus. Discipleship is helping people develop Up, In, and Out relationships.
The Great Commission is about making disciples…restoring God’s masterpieces. Every person you encounter this week is a broken masterpiece in need of restoration. That’s God’s work, yet we get to be a part of the process.
Jesus said,
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Let’s work backwards: the ends of the earth. This is what most people think of when they hear “missions” or “missionaries.” There are many ways to get in the game with global missions. We’ll look at seven today. The most obvious is to
Go
- Germany video
- Heather: Germany
- Explore next steps with the Alliance (CMAlliance.org/serve)
- Participate in an overseas trip with Envision (WeAreEnvision.org/trips)
We’re praying for God to call men and women and children from First Alliance to go. We want to be a sending church. There’s so much more you can do to get in the game with global missions. You can
Pray
- LIFE Conference
- Alliance International Workers
- The Lost
Mobilize
- Take the Perspectives.org course
- Join the Missions Committee
- Subscribe to Alliance Life magazine
- Participate in our Global Missions events
Send
- Give to the Great Commission Fund
- Give to FAC Missions which includes Faith Missions (our Samaria)
- Support special short-term trips
You can also reach people from around the world without a passport. You can…
Welcome
- Befriend an international in Toledo
- Volunteer at Water for Ishmael
- Engage with the Afghan Resettlement Team (ART)
Serve
- Home Missions partners (our Judea)
- We’re excited about sending the Pollocks this fall to launch Visible Church in Toledo.
Our Jerusalem is here…First Alliance. You can serve in many ways here at First Alliance.
- Leadership at First Alliance (Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses, Trustees)
- Volunteer with Kids Club United, or Alliance Youth
- Sports & Arts Camp
- Life Groups
- Dinner Church
- Celebrate Recovery
- Worship teams
- Masterpiece Mentors (NEW!)
- FreeShapeTest.com is a free tool to help you discover how you might best best able to serve. Please take it and share the results with us.
I have one final way you can get in the game, participating in the Great Commission.
Eat
The Great Commission is all about relationships. Ministry is all about relationships. God’s mission to seek and save the lost is all about relationships. Although we have a variety of activities at First Alliance, we never want to overload the calendar to prevent you from inviting a neighbor over for a BBQ, meeting a co-worker for coffee, or engaging with others in hobbies. We need to be present with others.
When was the last time you sat across the table with a non-Christian? I didn’t even say share your faith…just had a conversation! Months ago I talked about how Bowling Green Alliance is challenging their congregation to have meals with people…inside or outside of the church…in or out. It requires intentionality and I know some are more naturally suited to invite people to coffee or lunch, but eating and drinking are wonderful activities for conversation (and survival!). I want to challenge you—and myself—to have one conversation this week with someone over a drink or meal. Invite someone into your home, to Rustbelt or Black Kite Coffee, to grab breakfast at your favorite greasy spoon or even a trip to DQ or Mr. Freeze.
Completing the Great Commission will require the mobilization of every fully-devoted disciple.
It all begins with relationships. Conversations. Words…and deeds. Be present.
I love First Alliance Church. I love our global family, the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Missionary is our middle name! What is your next step in obeying Jesus, in fulfilling the Great Commission, in making disciples…here and around the world?
Don’t let the professionals have all of the fun! Get out of the stands and get in the game!
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Lost and Found, 1 May 2022
Series—Alliance Core Values
Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 15; 19:10; Romans 10:14-15
Series Big Idea: After a 2021 reveal of our First Alliance Core Values, this series is a presentation of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Core Values.
Big Idea: Lost People Matter to God. He Wants Them Found.
Have you ever been lost? I’m sure we have all had such an experience, whether it was as a child in a store, hiking in the woods, or even driving in a strange city. Think about one such moment. How did you feel? Anxious? Scared? Ready for an adventurous challenge?
How did you feel when you were no longer lost? Relieved? Happy? Overjoyed? Our theme today is lost and found.
Last year we introduced the newly-created core values of First Alliance Church. Today we begin a series presenting the core values of our Christian & Missionary Alliance family. Although the Alliance is not among the largest denominations in the US like the Catholics, Southern Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, or Presbyterians, it is a thriving, global movement guided by seven dynamic values which provide clarity and focus to our mission as followers of Jesus. These are not only the Alliance Core Values. I think they are values of Jesus.
Although they are presented in no particular order, our first core value states, “Lost people matter to God. He wants them found.”
Lost people are those who do not have a relationship with Jesus.
I confess I can’t imagine life without Jesus. I was raised in a Christian home and was introduced to Jesus as a child. I was told Jesus loved me, lived a perfect life, died to pay the penalty for my sins and failures, rose from the dead, and invites me to follow him, to love him, and to love others. A relationship with God is the essence of life’s meaning and purpose.
Some lost people don’t know they’re lost.
They think this life is all there is. They’ve heard he or she who dies with the most toys wins. What hope does this world offer? Suicide statistics show many are so desperate they can’t even tolerate this life (if you’re thinking about it, please tell somebody and call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255). I believe especially today people are searching for peace, for hope, for meaning, for purpose. If we’ve learned anything in the past two years, it’s that science can’t fix everything, politics can barely fix anything, evil is all around us, and nothing of this world is secure. Come to think of it, I think most people on the planet at least know humanity is lost!
All of us were lost at one time.
As I said, I was a child when I began my journey with Jesus. I can barely remember being “lost,” but I was. When we say “lost people matter to God,” it’s important to remember it’s not us versus them. We’re not looking down at “those people.” Because of the sins of our ancestors, Adam and Eve, we’re all born with a sin nature, a rebellious streak, selfish and prideful. We all need forgiveness. We all need mercy. We all need Jesus.
Saul persecuted Christians before his miraculous conversion. He wrote to the church in Ephesus,
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8)
There’s an old song that says,
I once was lost/but now I’m found/was blind but now I see
All of us were lost at one time.
The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were a group of religious people who criticized and condemned “those people,” unaware of their own sinful self-righteousness.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. (Matthew 23:25-26, NIV)
Our attitude toward the lost should never be judgment, but love. That’s how Jesus approached us.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, NIV)
Hallelujah!
It’s important to realize…
Some lost people don’t want to be found.
This is true for some kids lost in the woods and it’s true for the spiritually lost, too. Many have heard the “good news,” the gospel, and rejected it. There are those who simply want to live life their way, on their terms. They think they can control life…and do so effectively.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1, NIV)
Ouch! I don’t write the news…I just deliver it!
It’s not our job to convert people, to pressure or coerce or sell. Only the Holy Spirit can change a human heart, but He uses ordinary people to deliver the message.
The example of Saul—whose name was changed to Paul—is a reminder no person is beyond God’s reach. We can pray for those who are far from God in hopes that they will desire a relationship with God.
Perhaps the most important message I have for you today is…
It is a joy to seek and find the lost.
This was Jesus’ mission. It is found throughout the Bible, but especially in Luke chapter 15 where He teaches about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and most famously the lost or prodigal son. Jesus said of himself,
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10)
Obviously, our mission is not to die on a cross and rise from the dead, but it is to deliver good news, to offer a map to the lost, so to speak. You know the old adage you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. We can lead people to Jesus but we can’t make them follow him. We can’t force conversions. We can’t change a human heart. We can’t manipulate someone to surrender their lives and make Jesus the leader of their lives.
But we can make an introduction. We can extend an invitation. Then the ball’s in their court.
One of the most disturbing words for many Christians is “evangelism.” It comes from the Greek word euangelion, announcing good news. The word “angel” is inside the word. An angel is a messenger.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15, NIV)
At this point you might be thinking, “That’s the job of the pastor, the missionary, the professional Christian. I could never preach. I could never lead someone to Jesus. I don’t have the gift of evangelism. I’m not qualified to talk about Jesus.”
One of the great lies of the enemy is seeking the lost is only the work of clergy…pastors. If it’s up to clergy—and we are surrounded by Christians all day—the lost don’t stand a chance to be found! You are qualified. Jesus’ final words recorded by Matthew were to a group of men and women, none of whom to my knowledge were professional Christians. We call this the Great Commission:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus didn’t say make converts or “do evangelism.” He said make disciples, but the first step in discipleship is repenting and making Jesus LORD. That can only happen when someone is introduced to Jesus and invited to follow him.
What do you love? Your family? Your hobbies? Maybe sports or entertainment. Do you talk about those things? Sure. We talk about the things we love. It’s natural.
Do you love Jesus? Do you talk about Jesus? I know, we’re told to avoid talking about politics and religion…that doesn’t seem to stop people, does it…at least politics?
If you love Jesus, it should be natural to talk about Jesus. I want to give you a few tips (write them down):
1. Build relationships with non-Christians (the lost).
2. Pray for your friends (they are not projects!).
3. Share your story. Nobody can argue with it. It’s personal.
4. Listen to their story. Find ways to connect theirs to yours…and God’s
5. People in crisis are especially open to help from God. We are all in crisis!
6. Share the gospel, the good news, the love of God. Here are key points:
a. We were created for a purpose…to know our Creator
b. God is holy and perfect and our sin and failures destroyed the relationship
c. Jesus lived a perfect life and died to reconcile us to God
d. Jesus rose from the dead, offers forgiveness and new life to those who follow him
e. You can make Jesus the leader of your life
f. Trusting Jesus with your life and repenting—turning away—from your sin does not mean an easy life, but guarantees an exciting, satisfying, and eternal life filled with faith, love, hope, peace, and joy
7. Involve others, if desired, including our church leaders.
8. Don’t worry about having all of the answers. None of us does.
9. Be patient. It usually takes time for people to surrender to Jesus.
10. Have fun! You’re delivering good news! You’re introducing people to Jesus. You’re a potentially a part of changing their eternal destiny! What could be better?!
Let me say it again,
It is a joy to seek and find the lost.
It’s not an obligation. There’s no guilt or shame involved. It’s a privilege. I admit my list of non-Christian friends is short, but I love making new friends and I love talking about Jesus.
Don’t you like good news? Don’t you like it when people tell you good news? How would you feel about me if I gave you a website where you could download a free $100 gift card? Sorry, I don’t have one!
But I can give you something far better than a gift card…I can give you life…abundant…eternal! I can introduce you to the Author of joy, love, peace, and satisfaction. I can tell you about the meaning of life and announce you are loved and forgiven because Jesus died and rose from the dead to prove his love to you and he wants to lead your life. This isn’t about a magic prayer to simply go to heaven when you die. It’s about experiencing real life NOW!
Two weeks ago, we celebrated the resurrection. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Jesus is alive! He will one day return and every man, woman, and child will stand before God and declare their eternal destiny, either eternity with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection or eternity without God. He will honor our choice, our decision, made in this life.
Tragically, many have never heard the good news. Maybe they’ve never heard about Jesus…or maybe all they heard was religion and hypocrisy. We have the joy and privilege to share good news and introduce people not to religion or even church, but Jesus. The lost who have been found sing hallelujah, which means praise the LORD. Let’s do everything we can to make that chorus as loud as possible…for their sake and the sake of our LORD. Lost people matter to God. He wants them found.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.