Involvement: Part Two/Two

Last month I went over the thought that everyone needs to find their true involvement and how we can potentially do this through “The full circle of our family where we “Love God (Connect), Love People (Grow & Discipleship), and Serve Daily” and how we can be sure that we are in line with what God expects. So what does God want from us as a Christian? Wow, I can go many different directions with that question. First of all, it is not easy, but praise Him for the name. “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:16”. A Christian is a follower, a disciple, someone striving to live a life like our Savior did, Christ-like. Oh how I desire to completely confuse people if they saw Jesus first and Mark second in me, how wonderful would that be? (Side bar—no I still am seen as Mark first then Jesus second though there are some moments that it happens.) So our place in this crazy mixed up world is to strive to live a life that Christ lives as we journey with each other.

Each of us needs to be striving daily to grow and be seen by others as He would be seen. How are we then seen by others? That is done by what we do: our service. Now you know why it is important to be involved, it helps others see who Christ truly is. In Psalm 139:14-15 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,” we are all created by Him and are wonderful. The application of all of this is for each of us to grow, and as we grow we are showing how amazing He is in us. You are created to be part of His church: growing, loving, and serving. “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8.

Becoming Christ-like is a hard process to completely achieve, though in Luke 6:46-49 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” We start off our relationship with a foundation on Him. The hole is dug (removing sin) and the foundation started to allow God in. As we build on this foundation we are keeping sin out and strengthening the relationship that we have with him. Basically we need to grow, discipleship. Just like a baby, as you grow and are able to do more and more for the kingdom of God. Growth happens through worshiping God, becoming involved in ABF’s, Salt-n-Light groups, personal studies, and a lot of prayer.

I know a lot of what I said is from basic verses and a simple process, but the reminder is that we often over think what God is expecting or that He is unattainable. Just like Christ, each of us needs to come along side each other at their level and journey with them. We so often want to wait until we achieve a great goal or until someone catches up to us. Remember Christ met people where they were at, showed them the way and helped them along their way. Oh if we all go and help someone in their journey realizing that someone may be coming down to us, true mentorship and discipleship at play. Yes we need to serve, and not wait until we get to a certain level before it happens. You are His and He is yours, live your life, and “Live it out LOUD for Him!” If someone needs you right now, are you going to reach for Him? What you are doing is extending His hand when you extend yours on His behalf. Let’s get excited as we reach for Him and remember that He was able to reach because of His birth. Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Love you all, seriously I do,

Mark Williams

Minister of Involvement

12/1 Hebrews 1-3

The writer starts the book of Hebrews with his theme of Jesus is greater than the angels.   Jesus is the heir of all things.   Jesus was with God when He created the universe and Jesus reflects the glory of God.  Jesus is greater that the angels for these reasons along plus he now sits at the right hand of God.

¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

In chapter 3 the theme is continued with Jesus is greater than Moses.  This would be a very weighty issue with the Hebrews of that time.  While Moses was declared faithful in God’s creation, Jesus is greater because he was with God during creation.

¹Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. ²He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. ³Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. ⁴For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ⁵Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. ⁶But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.