"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 28:19-20
Mission work is not all about doing extravagant things. A lot of what we are called to do doesn't require us to fly over one mission field to get to another. Sometimes we get so caught up in romanticizing mission work that we overlook the greatest mission fields in America: our own neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and grocery stores.
You can influence people for Christ right where you are, no matter where you are. Your neighbors and friends need Christ just as much as people across the globe. And you can be just as much of a missionary here as you can in Africa, South America, or Europe.
Jesus promised us that he will be with us always. And when we live according to his will, others will see Jesus in us and be influenced by the way we live our lives.
As you go through life, make it your daily mission to be that example of Christ for others. Because when they see the passion you have for Christ, your influence may help others discover what it means to be changed by him forever. And that is a Dangerous Mission!
Starting this Sunday, we are going to be talking about "Dangerous Mission." It all has to do with what God has called us a church to be and do. If you've ever wondered, "What is Whipple Creek all about?" You won't want to miss this next few weeks.
Wanting to Live Dangerously,
Brett
A Prayer for Today
Lord, prepare my heart to go out into the mission field of my own life and share your gospel. Use my life as an example for others to see how good you can be to them. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Living in the Dash Conclusion This Sunday
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Matthew 18:21-22
There are going to be times in life when people will hurt us so badly that we don't even want to think about forgiving them. But when we choose not to forgive, we are choosing to be attached to a bunch of anger, resentment, hurt and bitterness that will only weigh us down, like a big rock.
A lot of people read a verse like the one above and think, "I'm not going to let anybody get away with hurting me 77 times!" But Jesus was not being literal in his math. He was simply telling Peter how ridiculous to count how many times he forgave people. Forgiveness is designed to be immeasurable.
Christ wants us to experience the most out of life. And a person who is experiencing the most out of life doesn't allow themselves to be weighed down by the junk and funk of unforgiveness. Don't hold yourself back from experiencing life just because someone hurt you. Instead, ask God to help you experience the power of forgiveness. He wants you to live in the dash and have this life you are living to be full and overflowing.
This Sunday, we’re going to conclude the message series “Living in the Dash” and we are going to experience the Easter Resurrection. You may be thinking, “didn’t we just do that a few weeks ago?” The answer is “yes,” but we should be experiencing the Easter Resurrection everyday. After all, that is what Jesus came for, isn’t it?
So, come Sunday prepared for the resurrection. Dress for Easter, if you wish, in all the pastels and splendor of Easter. We’re going to be filled with worship, God’s Word and His wonder. Hopefully, you can change the rock that is holding you down for the rock of salvation so that you too can live this life to the full.
Living in the Dash,
Brett
A Prayer for Today
Lord, true forgiveness can only begin with you. Free my heart from the weight of unforgiveness. I want to experience the life-changing power of forgiveness through your son, Jesus, so that I can share that forgiveness with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Matthew 18:21-22
There are going to be times in life when people will hurt us so badly that we don't even want to think about forgiving them. But when we choose not to forgive, we are choosing to be attached to a bunch of anger, resentment, hurt and bitterness that will only weigh us down, like a big rock.
A lot of people read a verse like the one above and think, "I'm not going to let anybody get away with hurting me 77 times!" But Jesus was not being literal in his math. He was simply telling Peter how ridiculous to count how many times he forgave people. Forgiveness is designed to be immeasurable.
Christ wants us to experience the most out of life. And a person who is experiencing the most out of life doesn't allow themselves to be weighed down by the junk and funk of unforgiveness. Don't hold yourself back from experiencing life just because someone hurt you. Instead, ask God to help you experience the power of forgiveness. He wants you to live in the dash and have this life you are living to be full and overflowing.
This Sunday, we’re going to conclude the message series “Living in the Dash” and we are going to experience the Easter Resurrection. You may be thinking, “didn’t we just do that a few weeks ago?” The answer is “yes,” but we should be experiencing the Easter Resurrection everyday. After all, that is what Jesus came for, isn’t it?
So, come Sunday prepared for the resurrection. Dress for Easter, if you wish, in all the pastels and splendor of Easter. We’re going to be filled with worship, God’s Word and His wonder. Hopefully, you can change the rock that is holding you down for the rock of salvation so that you too can live this life to the full.
Living in the Dash,
Brett
A Prayer for Today
Lord, true forgiveness can only begin with you. Free my heart from the weight of unforgiveness. I want to experience the life-changing power of forgiveness through your son, Jesus, so that I can share that forgiveness with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Living Incarnationally in the Dash
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
One of the greatest things about being a Christ follower is that we are on the receiving end of the tangible and intangible blessings of God. But the best thing about being a Christ follower is that God has a “custom” plan for each of our lives. No two people have the exact same purpose in life.
God has different plans for each of us because there are specific things that he wants to do through us that no one else can do. God doesn't just bless us for our own enjoyment and satisfaction. He wants us to experience great things in our lives so that it can have a ripple affect in the lives of those around us.
If great things are happening in your life, people are going to notice. And if you are reflecting God's glory though those things, those people will begin to think, "What does she have that I don't?" or "Why does he always seems so happy?" They may even ask you about it, which opens up the perfect opportunity for you to tell them about your relationship with God.
God wants us to tap into the amazing plans that he has for our lives because it has the potential to benefit the world. He wants us to tell others about the hope and future that he has already promised us. Live what you believe and be the ripple affect that spreads the promise of God's plan to everyone around you.
A Prayer for Today
Lord, thank you for thinking enough of me to create such a great plan for my life. I pray that you will guide me in the right direction today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Jeremiah 29:11
One of the greatest things about being a Christ follower is that we are on the receiving end of the tangible and intangible blessings of God. But the best thing about being a Christ follower is that God has a “custom” plan for each of our lives. No two people have the exact same purpose in life.
God has different plans for each of us because there are specific things that he wants to do through us that no one else can do. God doesn't just bless us for our own enjoyment and satisfaction. He wants us to experience great things in our lives so that it can have a ripple affect in the lives of those around us.
If great things are happening in your life, people are going to notice. And if you are reflecting God's glory though those things, those people will begin to think, "What does she have that I don't?" or "Why does he always seems so happy?" They may even ask you about it, which opens up the perfect opportunity for you to tell them about your relationship with God.
God wants us to tap into the amazing plans that he has for our lives because it has the potential to benefit the world. He wants us to tell others about the hope and future that he has already promised us. Live what you believe and be the ripple affect that spreads the promise of God's plan to everyone around you.
A Prayer for Today
Lord, thank you for thinking enough of me to create such a great plan for my life. I pray that you will guide me in the right direction today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Living in the Dash:Buried Alive
This is the message I gave after returning from being with my father after he died.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Living in the Dash: Rock #1 that Holds Us Down-Anger
We come face-to-face with anger as often as any other feeling. And yet, anger is one of the most misunderstood and distorted of all human emotions. We all get angry, but do we really understand what anger is? This past Sunday, we tackled this subject head-on to not only learn where anger originates, but how to handle it. We learned there are two types of anger: sinful anger and justified anger.
Sinful anger is when our anger causes us to sin. Justified or righteous anger (or what I like to call righteous indignation) are things that anger us that also anger the heart of God. One kind of anger is good, one is wrong. We have to learn that when we deal with anger God’s way, it can actually help us discover a fulfilling life--a life that is lived in the "dash."
If you want to dig deeper into this topic, download the "Rock of Anger" Study Guider HERE.
This next Sunday, we're going to look at the Rock of Envy. I hope to see you all there.
Living in the Dash
Brett
PS check out Viddler for latest messages including our Easter Worship
Sinful anger is when our anger causes us to sin. Justified or righteous anger (or what I like to call righteous indignation) are things that anger us that also anger the heart of God. One kind of anger is good, one is wrong. We have to learn that when we deal with anger God’s way, it can actually help us discover a fulfilling life--a life that is lived in the "dash."
If you want to dig deeper into this topic, download the "Rock of Anger" Study Guider HERE.
This next Sunday, we're going to look at the Rock of Envy. I hope to see you all there.
Living in the Dash
Brett
PS check out Viddler for latest messages including our Easter Worship
Monday, March 31, 2008
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