MY FRIENDS, “OUR GOAL, NOT ONLY TO GET THE COMMUNITY INTO THE CHURCH, BUT TO GET THE CHURCH INTO THE COMMUNITY”

Jan. 8 2015

MY FRIENDS, “OUR GOAL, NOT ONLY TO GET THE COMMUNITY INTO THE CHURCH, BUT TO GET THE CHURCH INTO THE COMMUNITY”

And friends, sometimes, that is one member at a time. When someone ask me what is the address of your church, on paper it reads 800 Youngs Lane, Nashville Tn. 37207 but in the eyes of God it should read, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

That text tells me the churches address is at the work place, at home, in my neighborhood, at school, at the restaurant, at the mall, at the theater, at the super bowl party, wherever we go, and whatever we do, our God must be at the forefront.

In addition, He has asked His Heirs and co heirs with His Son Jesus Christ too “sound the battle cry, as we See the foe is nigh; Raising our standard high for the Lord; then we must, Gird our armor on, standing firm every one; Resting our cause upon His holy Word.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner, Ready, steady, pass the word along; Onward, forward, shout aloud, “Hosanna!” Christ is Captain of the mighty throng. And then When the battle’s done, and the vict’ry’s won, May we wear the crown before Thy face.”

Every activity of our life must be about the mission of telling the world the good news of our Savior’s soon return and what everyone must do, to be saved . “Where the kingdom of God meets the kingdom of the world. [That my friends] is where the real battle is taking place.

Mislocating the battle has led the church to a major tactical error. If the battle is inside the church, than the front line duty can be assigned only to a few highly trained specialists” (Peel, Larimore, going public with your faith pp 40) As members, we can always sit in the pews and complain about what the church is not doing.

But if we are a member of the body of believers, then God is calling you to make a difference, He is calling you to represent Him to the world in whatever capacity His Spirit has impressed upon you, He is calling you to move forward and serve.

So the secret to every Christian’s success as to his or her mandate from God will be found in the harmonious and daily workings of every situation and circumstances of our life, in conjunction with “His will be done.”

Remember success as a Christian is not Him asking us to devote ourselves to His cause, but for our commitment to be, not our will but his will be done. Every excuse in word, deed and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness not to continue witnessing for Christ was challenged and answered at Calvary.

“The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer.

No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.” (E.G. White, Help om Daily Living pp 470)

And as Christians, we all need to come to terms with the actuality that Satan still exists and he is as strong as ever. But my friends the story does not and cannot end there. But through Christ, he whose heart is fixed to serve God must always find the opportunity “by whatever means is necessary” through the Spirit of God to be a soldier and a witness for Him.

Consistent with this, the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary by being a humble servant to others as we carry out Christ mandate and get the church into the community as we tell the world of His love, grace, and mercy and soon return.

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY