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Sharing Christ – Pastor Chris Horsley

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Matthew 28:16-20–

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 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.”

The Great Commission, the last statement Jesus made in the book of Matthew.  If you have been in church for any length of time at all you have heard these verses and know that as followers of Christ it is important for us to share the love of Christ with others.

This command seems to be one of the most difficult for us to “do”.

What stops us?  It seems like it’s one major obstacle:

Fear?  We are afraid of what others will think of us?  We are afraid of rejection? We are afraid of awkward situations? These fears choke out our desire to share Christ with others?   We allow fear to rule the day, even though we know that we know that people NEED Jesus.

Really, it’s not fear, but pride.  We are worried more about us than them.  We are worried more about our self preservation than where this person will spend eternity.

Proverbs tells us that fear of man proves to be snare, and fearing what others think keeps us from obeying a command from God. This “snare” doesn’t just affect you but the person you could be sharing Christ with.

We know that Jesus commanded us to do this, but we often forget that He also empowered us to do it!

Acts 1:8; Hebrews 13:20-21

Remember, He is always with us!

The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become. — Henry Martyn

Maybe our relationship with God isn’t where it should be. Are we allowing pride to stifle our obedience to this command?  We know that His heart is for people to be in relationship with Him.  What are we doing to “make it happen”?

Let’s not over think evangelism. We get this notion it can only be done on a street corner, or in another country.

The missionary Jim Elliot says it this way:

“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.”  

Be aware of where you are.  We get so busy with our own lives not even thinking about those around us that we miss opportunities to share the love of Christ in word or deed with others when we live “with our head down.”

It can be as simple as inviting someone to church; helping a harried mom at the grocery store; a conversation at a coffee shop.  Let’s allow others to see Christ in us, and be forced to make a decision.

As you go today, look for opportunities to share the love of Christ and affect the life of someone else.

Let’s be the ministers of the Gospel that God wants us to be!!!

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Song: Good to Me

Artist: Audrey Assad

On the Road and In the Dark

Like Thomas’ story yesterday, today’s reading from Luke records an encounter between the resurrected Jesus and a couple of his disciples. I’d encourage you to take a moment and read the whole story (Luke 24:13-35), but here’s a little excerpt.

15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

Luke 24:15-21

It’s a story that taps into something Pastor David mentioned on Sunday: expectations.

You see it right there at the end: But we had hoped…(v 21).

They’d expected redemption for Israel – a Messiah who would set them free. Instead, they’d lived through a criminal conviction, a crucifixion, and an apparent grave robbery. The arc of their lives with Jesus is trending in the wrong direction. They’re confused and crushed. They don’t know what’s going on.

They’re on the road and in the dark.

But in this moment, Jesus shows up, walks with them, points to Scripture and says, essentially, “Trust me.” Trust my plans and purposes. I know that what you’re experiencing now doesn’t match your expectations, but trust me. Read the Scriptures. Lean in to what you know about me and my character…and trust me.

On the road and in the dark. That bit of road between the expectation of redemption and the promise of resurrection. That stretch of highway that takes us by cross and grave. And it’s in that space that Jesus says to us: trust me.

Perhaps you find yourself on that very stretch of road today. Reality just doesn’t match expectation. May the resurrection of Jesus – the promise that God’s purposes will win the day – fill you with hope and inspire you to trust Him.

Where is Jesus inviting you to trust Him today?

Celebration!

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For those who were in our first service for Easter and were unable to see the special video, this devotional is especially for you!

John 20:1-4 NLT
 
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
 
The stone wasn’t rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let the disciples in.  The stone was rolled away so they could see the empty tomb.  So the world could understand the great power of Jesus!
 


Oh no…FOMO! by Pastor Andy

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FOMO

Maybe you’ve heard of the acronym – FOMO? It stands for the phrase “Fear of Missing Out.” It speaks to the experiential nature of our culture. It’s the idea that something hasn’t truly happened unless it’s posted on Instagram\Facebook\Twitter.

Funny enough, research shows all the digital memory taking we do (photos, video, etc) actually leads to less memories. In our rush to FOMO and experience via social media we remember less.

“Did it really happen?”

This week, we are exploring four Gospel passages after the resurrection of Jesus. Today, we look at one where the question is asked, “Did it really happen?”

Doubting Thomas

John 20:24-29

24One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
26Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
28“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

No FOMO, Thomas literally missed out. He missed seeing Jesus, so he expressed doubt. Why? He wants an experience. Because of this, history labeled him as Doubting Thomas.

In his grace, Jesus doesn’t rebuke Thomas for his doubt, disappointment, questions. He merely addressed them. Better yet, he gives Thomas an experience. Take a look…what do you see? Now believe.

Experience Faith

There is a bit of a debate between Protestant and Catholic theologians. Did Thomas actually touch Jesus? Protestants believe no, it’s a “faith alone” issue (think Martin Luther’s reformations). Catholics argue yes, physical experience is crucial to connecting with Jesus.

No matter, this experience radically impacts Thomas in three ways.

1. Message

Thomas makes a deep, theological statement of faith. Jesus is more than Messiah, Savior, King. He is God. Without doubt, there can’t be equally strong faith. Thomas’ doubt led him to make this powerful statement of faith.

Doubt is a gateway to faith.

2. Missionary

Thomas took his faith and obeyed Jesus’ command to go. He went, shared the gospel, and made disciples. According to history, Thomas was the first missionary to India, establishing the church there. When Portugal discovered India in the 16th century, they found the church alive and well.

Resolved doubt transforms faith into action.

3. Martyr

Tradition tells us Thomas was thrown into a pit and stabbed with spears by the people he was evangelizing. His faith took him to a place of ultimate surrender.

Actions of faith develop legacy.

Doubt to Faith

We all deal with doubts.

  • Was it real?
  • Why did that happen?
  • Where was God when…?

Our fate lies in what we do with these doubts. Jesus asks us to take our doubts to him. He wants us to wait on him, so we can experience Jesus. It isn’t always quick. Thomas waited a week, which must have felt like an eternity.

If and when you doubt, take it to Jesus and wait. Don’t miss out on what God has for you – faith, action & legacy!