Today's passage comes in the larger context of Paul's joy in the advance of the Gospel. Over the past couple of weeks we have seen Paul's joy as the gospel is advance by others - even those with bad motives, and Paul's hope and expectation that he would also advance the Gospel in his own body, whether he lived or died.As Paul thought about the possibility of his death, and never seeing his friends again, Paul writes that the one the thing he hopes to hear of the church of Phillipi is that they are standing firm, striving together for the faith of the Gospel. He desired to hear that these believers were united in their passion, drive, and desire for the advancement of the Gospel. Paul's joy in the face of death - in these verse is tied to the Philippian's advancement of the Gospel.
Today gave us a great opportunity to talk about New City's mission and vision as well. We talked about 2 models of church - Attractional and Missional and New City's desire to be a missional church - a church who knows and is engaged in the Gospel Mission of Jesus Christ.
(click here for more on attractional and missional churches).
1. What did you hear God saying through the message?
2. What does that mean?
3. What is God calling you to do? and/or Who is God calling you to be?
4. What would prevent you from doing or being that?
5. How can we help?
Today's message should be available on the media page of http://www.newcitydowntown.org/ Monday or Tuesday.
3 comments:
I am really excited about this. I want to see new and exciting things happening, I want to be out engaging our culture, not "entertaining the goats". I think you are right in that we have to, HAVE TO be intentional about it. I am so excited to hear more and can't wait to do more. I want to get out of the box and see radical things done to make radical changes in our community!
Like Amy, I am VERY excited about seeing what God is going to do as we seek to follow Him and the example we have of how He ministered while incarnated. It seems like we are sure to see fruit, as I don't believe that type of evangelism is extensively used in Macon - so as surely as my assessment is true, we will find unreached people! I'm eager for it. I think no one but God alone could anticipate the forms that NCCd ministry will take as we each are taking the gospel as we go, 24/7.
Now I know the sermon was not only about what characterizes our worship service, and was primarily about how it is that we ALL are to stand firm in the faith of the gospel (which does affect the style of worship since we are contextualizing the gospel with the worship services as well). BUT, I want to say something specific to the worship style thing.
It seems to me that we (Christians in the USA) get caught up in thinking that the style which our particular congregation is using to worship God is the ONLY true style there is. We think that the day/time has to be particular, the number of songs sung has to be this many, instruments to use, etc. And I'm just as guilty of that as anyone. And this is what the book "Celtic Christianity" pointed out was the mindset of the Romans when they wrote off an entire ethnic group of people because they were deemed "barbaric" and unreachable. And even after someone reached out to them anyway, the Roman Church tried to make them learn Latin just so they would conformed to the "right style."
But, it seems to me that the more we can get over that, and the more able we are to worship in any setting or style, the less likely we would be to have these idols of how church must be done stylistically. Further, the things that come between us and our brothers (maybe in another part of the world) who worship differently from us are going to be removed and the (one) body of Christ is more unified in love and diverse in stylistic cultural practice.
Keith mentioned that there will be negative stuff said about us both from the world and the religious establishment as we seek to truly take the gospel to the places where people are. I've already heard it. One person derided us when I was talking with some co-workers. He snydly called us the "rock 'n roll church" and said it as if the corporate worship of a real church couldn't be done with rock 'n roll style worship music.
Lord Jesus, help us to see where we have put man-made laws upon your church, and would you remove those through the power and fredom of the gospel, that your Name may be known by all peoples!
Thought I would share some of an e-mail I received after Sunday:
...just wanted to thank you for being faithful to the Lord's guidance in your sermon this morning. This is the second time this week God has connected my
quiet time with something throughout the day! (today, it was the missional church) How amazing is the God we serve! God used you this morning to further emphasize what He has been teaching me. I just wanted to encourage you in this journey of starting NCCd, and I praise God for using you and speaking His truths through you! Again, the God we serve never ceases to amaze me with His great power and love! Keep seeking and following after the Lord because He is already doing explosive things with NCCd, and I can't wait to see what's in store for His church in the days to come!
GOD is doing some great stuff!
I can't wait till next Sunday - OUR FIRST BAPTISM!
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