Elements City Church
...life with Jesus leads to a changed life. A look at 1 Peter and some key markers that are to mark the life of followers of Jesus. Peter is encouraging us to stand strong and stay faithful. To understand WHO we are before God and all we've been given in Christ. He reminding us of the change that has occurred as we trust in Jesus and the change God's still doing, so we can be influencers and agents of change in our world.
There are certain things that mark us – and we’re tagged as being that type or kind of person. Maybe you've been tagged a hard worker, loyal, happy-go-lucky person, smart or other label. There's some spiritual markers that are to mark our lives as we follow Jesus.
Tonight: changed community
Truth: It is impossible to follow Jesus and NOT be changed in the process.
Quote: (N.T. Wright)
“The point of following Jesus isn't simply so that we can be sure of going to a better place than this after we die. Our future beyond death is enormously important, but the nature of the Christian hope is such that it plays back into the present life. We're called, here and now, to be instruments of God's new creation, …which has already been launched by Jesus and of which Jesus's followers are supposed to be not simply beneficiaries but also agents.”
-As followers of Jesus we’re agents for God, advocates and influencers for godly transformation and God’s good within our world.
1 Peter 3:8-17 NIV
Life as a follower of Jesus is about more than just ‘carving out a good life’ for us – it’s about being on mission for God and his good in our world! Jesus’ last words to his disciples are to be our first priority – living on mission. *see the “Great Commission” – Matthew 28:18-20
Q) When people bump into you – interact with you – are they experiencing a little bit of what it’s like to bump into Jesus?
Quote: "Being public about your faith simply means not hiding the
wellspring of your life, not hiding who you truly are." –Timothy Keller
The church is not a location with an address. It is the family of God living on a mission for Him. (inviting people home to Jesus)
-Our aim is to live in a way, consistently, where we earn the right to be heard.
-We earn the right to INVITE people closer to Jesus, to us, to church
-Where people notice a difference in our lives and the HOPE we have.
-Where we don’t shout at people - ‘this is the way’ – we come along side people and point them toward a better way…and life with God.
-We don’t aim to win arguments and yet alienate people; but we aim to woo people toward the very Savior that has rescued us.
"Rescued people, rescue people."
Disciples / followers of Jesus aren’t meant to simply blend into culture, but they’re to impact their culture. Live passionately involved so to leverage your life for God and His good!
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
A God-changed people bring godly change wherever they go. We’re called to be SALT & LIGHT - in a dull and darkening world.
Quote: “Don’t shine so that others can see you.
Shine so that through you, others can see HIM.” - C.S. Lewis
We don’t take a nap on God, we’re to take action for God. (agents for God)
*Reminder: ‘Comfortable Christianity’ wasn’t the primary goal set forth by the crucified & resurrected Christ. Comfort wasn’t His main aim, when he established the movement of His church to carry his message of HOPE to a watching, broken, thirsty and needy world.
Friends, if and when comfort becomes our primary focus – our hearts have drifted from the mission Jesus modeled and commands from us.
The movement of Jesus is never about ‘come and chill’…
– it was always about Go, Be, & Do… (Mt. 28)
Go into the world, Be my witnesses, Do GOOD, BE FOR people in my love. The movement of Jesus is an action movie, not a romantic comedy.
We don’t simply gathering as the Church.
We scatter to BE the Church.
God’s life-giving grace is what I need, what you need – it’s what this city needs. And the best delivery vehicle according to Jesus: is the local Church!
Quote:
“Show me a church where there is love, and I will show you a church that is a power in the community.” -Dwight L. Moody
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
Bottom Line:
a God-changed life will infuse godly change into the community around you.
-Everybody needs to participate in being a kingdom influencer (Christianity is not a spectator sport; everyone has a role to play and contribution to make) and not think ‘it’s somebody else job’ … we're all enfolded into God's Kingdom work. We're all gifted. We've all be blessed to BE a blessing!
NEED PRAYER? ....we've got some of our prayer team and pastors available following service to pray with you. Or you can text the word "prayer" to our phone number: #520-300-9001 to submit your prayer request or submit one via our new app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.