Wed. Night Impact

Last night I spoke about connecting with others. I used the idea of cell phones again and how their job is to connect one person to another. I started with Gen. 2:18 where God says that it is not good for man to be alone. We have a fundamental need for relationship. So, how are we to connect with each other.

First, we have to have people who will build us up closer to God in our lives. We have to have friends that we can talk to about our faith. We have to have people that will build us up and bring us closer to God, and likewise, we will help build them up and draw them closer to God. I think that often times we think about our relationship with God as personal. If we tell somebody too much they will judge us or think we aren't as close to God. If we discuss sin and doubts, or even question some things, people will think we are less of a Christian. This has got to stop. It should be o.k. to talk to others about our relationship to Jesus; the good things and the doubts and struggles.

Second, we need to have relationships that we can tell the truth of Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus says, "Go, make disciples." How can we make disciples if we stay in a little holy huddle bubble. These relationships will be with friends or family. And these relationships aren't something that needs to be feared, but embraced. Then we can begin to make a positive impact in a life. We can begin to change perceptions of how non-Believers see Believers.

Third, we need to serve those who are hurting. We need to take care of the orphans, the widows, the down and out. We need to help those who are hungry, thirsty, and sad. This is something that God is concerned about throughout the Bible. In Deuteronomy 24:19 it talks about taking care of the poor. In Matthew 25, it says if you take care of the least of people, then you have taken care of Jesus. Again and again this theme is talked about in the Bible. Again, if we never reach out to connect with others, we won't be able to fulfill this purpose from God.

The coolest part of the message, since we compared it all to cell phones, is that I put a few questions up on the screen and let the kids pull out their cell phones and text answers. Sharlette was in the back with my phone, and she typed the answers onto the screen as they came up. Unfortunately, we ran short on time and the last 2 questions didn't have much time to be answered by the kids. I think I will try this again sometime, but only use one or two questions instead of 4.