Joining Jesus on His Mission

Posted by Tom Welch on February 23, 2010 under News | Be the First to Comment

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3D movies used to be relegated to the cheap horror and sci-fi genre’s of yesteryear. We’ve seen the goofy photos of people in theaters with the red/blue glasses on, waiting for the boogey man or a Martian to pop out of the screen. Now we are those goofy people with the special glasses on!  3D movies are all the rage and may be the future of cinema.

So if you have a 3D movie experience, why are you following a 2D Jesus?  If we r4ead the bible as passive observers, we only see Jesus in 2D. We read (or listen), but we remain uninvolved.  Jesus stays on the page and in the book.

But the real Jesus won’t stand for this. As we encounter him in Scripture, the Holy Spirit draws us in to the story and we become part of the drama.  We are called join Jesus on his mission!

Jesus is still on mission. His mission has not changed. We are called to look to see where he is moving, and join him on mission. Three truths become crucial:

1.     Jesus mission is defined in Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

2.     We are called to go on mission with Jesus to the poor, captive, blind, and broken. If you want to be on mission with Jesus you have to go where he is. Where is Jesus? He is with the poor, captive, blind, and broken.

3. But first we must understand that we are the poor, captive, blind, and broken that Jesus came to. The cross tells us that we are more sinful and broken than we could ever admit. And the cross tells us that we are more loved and cherished than we could ever hope!. The gospel first comes to us in our sin, guilt, brokenness, and bondage. Only then are we fit to share it with the world.

So have a 3D encounter with Christ. Break out of your 1D life and join him on his mission!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

The Mission on the Move

Posted by Tom Welch on February 11, 2010 under News | Be the First to Comment

::truth::

The Mission on the Move

If you want a quick guilt trip, compare your last 24 hours with Jesus first 24 hours in Luke 4:31-44. Let’s see: preach the good news – check! Deliver from demons – check! Heal the sick – check!  Jesus was definitely a man on a mission!

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New Stuff…

Posted by Tom Welch on February 5, 2010 under News | Be the First to Comment

New Mens Group!

Okay guys, it’s time to get serious and become a real “Band of Brothers”. We’re starting up a men’s group next Wednesday night (February 10^th) at Tom McCoy’s home at 7:00 PM.  We’ll meet each week for eight weeks for conversation and encouragement.

We’ll be looking at Chip Ingram’s series on spiritual warfare called “The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare.” We need to remember that we are in a battle and need to guard one another’s back.

Nothing fancy – bring yourself and a friend. And don’t come just because you need it. Come because we need you!

Here’s the details again:

Where: Tom McCoy’s home

When: Wednesday’s at 7:00 PM

What: Topic – Conversation – Encouragement

Bike Light Sunday

“Matthew’s Hope” homeless ministry has a new need: Bike lights for the homeless friends who don’t have them. This is for both safety reasons and financial reasons.

Many homeless people rely on their bike for their transportation to and from job sites, grocery stores, etc… But they are often stopped by the police and ticketed for “improper equipment” because they don’t have lights.

Well, the Winter Garden police have offered to carry bike light kits in their squad cars to give to the homeless people they stop!  They will also give them info on Matthew’s Hope where they can get a “hand-up”.

For $15 you can sponsor a bike light!  We’ll be receiving an offering this Sunday. Make a separate check out to ‘Next Community Church*” or cash will do!

Thanks for making a difference!

*”Matthew’s Hope” is awaiting their non-profit status.