I am amazed at God. Continually in moments where we have needs, God has not only provided a way--but--an amazingly gifted person to lead or creatively readjust ministry at Hope Church. We have moved many separate ministries into new areas. For example, our prayer ministry is now led by our Elders who pray monthly for our congregational needs. "Gold Folks" became 55 +/-.
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As I closed Easter Sunday and locked up the doors, I felt a mixture of relief and also a great joy. He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! This truth comforts in the darkest parts of life, but also challenges when things are status quo. Living a life that is wrapped up in Easter is what being a Christian is all about.
Often, my sermons become challenging to myself. All the relief and joy had a tinge of self-analyzing. My entire sermon was on Mary Magdelene experiencing Jesus when she heard the Risen Lord say her name: Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). After many Sundays I am left hearing the echo of my own words. Do I know Jesus’ voice? How do I know I am following Him? I believe there is one true evidence of knowing Jesus’ voice: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. John 16 is a chapter that there wasn’t time to give attention to the theology of the Holy Spirit in this sermon series. But the Holy Spirit is the third part of God. It is literally a helper, a guide, a giver of gifts to those who have committed their hearts and lives to Jesus. There are hundreds of stories of people having their lives transformed and acting completely different when giving everything over to Jesus. Of people acting bizarrely when becoming a Christian. This is the initial work of the Spirit. But it is the Spirit that continues the relationship as the link between the believer and God and Jesus. In modern terms, the Holy Spirit is the GPS system that unites two different persons across great differences, and moves them closer and closer through a great journey. With different people, the journey is shorter or longer depending on life circumstances. But the Holy Spirit works! Do I know Jesus’ voice? The answer is a resounding, “YES!”. Just like Mary’s response, I can hear Jesus’ calling of my voice and I answer. It is the work of the Spirit that makes hearing possible. This year, it is my prayer that you as an individual and we as Hope Church become attuned to Jesus’ voice through the work of the Spirit. And be ready for a longer sermon series on the Spirit of God! I was talking to an anonymous pastor at an anonymous conference and was surprised as we were chatting about responsibilities how much he disliked Easter. The phrase that really got under my skin was when he said something to the effect, “Easter causes me so much work and stress, I’d just like to skip it this year”.
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After going through the book of Mark for the first three months of 2017, I'm excited to transition to the next sermon series. Not that I don't enjoy doing inductive Bible Study...I LOVE this last sermon series. However, now we are able to transition into a bit more applicable sermon series on Discipleship. It ties neatly in to the prior sermon series in Mark as Jesus chooses discipleship as the method to expand and grow his church. As we enter into this sermon series, it's important to analyze our preconceived notions about education and discipleship: #1) Classroom structure doesn't grow and expand the Kingdom the way Discipleship does. Take a class you offer each season of 10 people. This is how Hope has historically done discipleship. Now, take a group of three who commit to starting their own groups of three. Not only is discipleship more impactful--it GROWS the Kingdom quicker! |
YEAR 1 20 in classroom 3 in discipleship
YEAR 2 40 9
YEAR 3 60 27
YEAR 4 80 81
YEAR 5 100 243
#2) I've done small groups before. Discipleship isn't small groups: it is intentional, small--3 to 4 people--and focused on both learning scripture, holding one another accountable, and serving our church and community. Small groups are a step better than casual church attendance. But true transformation occurs through discipleship. Consider those moments where you grew beyond expectation; were they moments where you were in a giant group or with one or two people who walked alongside you in a season?
#3) But I go to church. Why more? Because Jesus shows this is the way to become more like him. You grow by transforming your thoughts and entire life into following HIM and then teaching others to follow HIM! Going to church doesn't make you "good" or give you a ticket into heaven. It is passionately transforming your life in all areas towards the one who gives true life!
Check out this youtube video that I didn't create, but thoroughly enjoy to gain the vision fo how a community focused on disicpleship looks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPktkFOFMo
YEAR 2 40 9
YEAR 3 60 27
YEAR 4 80 81
YEAR 5 100 243
#2) I've done small groups before. Discipleship isn't small groups: it is intentional, small--3 to 4 people--and focused on both learning scripture, holding one another accountable, and serving our church and community. Small groups are a step better than casual church attendance. But true transformation occurs through discipleship. Consider those moments where you grew beyond expectation; were they moments where you were in a giant group or with one or two people who walked alongside you in a season?
#3) But I go to church. Why more? Because Jesus shows this is the way to become more like him. You grow by transforming your thoughts and entire life into following HIM and then teaching others to follow HIM! Going to church doesn't make you "good" or give you a ticket into heaven. It is passionately transforming your life in all areas towards the one who gives true life!
Check out this youtube video that I didn't create, but thoroughly enjoy to gain the vision fo how a community focused on disicpleship looks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPktkFOFMo
Author
Scott Martin is pastor at Hope Community Church.
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