Pastor’s sermon was titled “Shift”. Anyone who has ever driven a manual (shift) car, knows that the learning experience is usually rough and bumpy before becoming smoothing out. Pastor noted that our worldly culture is shifting. Reaching our community is now one of the great challenges that faces every church, and very importantly our church. The tendency, as we move through our lives, is that we have less contact with unchurched. Many are further from God than ever before. The current culture has embraced relativism and subjectivism. (Relativism: the assumption that there is no certain truth. Subjectivism: each person determines right and wrong in their own eyes.)
Jesus points the way to effectively reach our community in John 13:1-15. We must first love unconditionally and serve selflessly. We can only reach others through relationships, which are done in circles, not rows (or pews).
The Point: Be intentionally and determined to connect relationally with our community by loving and serving.
This message made me think of this lovely song:
Make Me a Servant.
Verses for Today:Make Me a Servant.
John 13:12-15 NLT
12After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
Lord, help me be discerning of your specific direction in my life to love and serve others.
