B.L.E.S.S.
Blessing the Generations
Friends, I can hardly believe we are only two Sundays away from transitioning "from one call to the next" and from one generation to the next. I am at once filled with gratitude for how you have received this season, and grieving the inevitable changes this will bring. I have so loved being your pastor! And yet, the Lord has led us to this place in such a profound and obvious way. How can we not be grateful?
These last two Sundays give us a unique and beautiful opportunity to be strengthened, encouraged and empowered by the Holy Spirit for the journey. This Sunday, we will take time to listen in on Paul's conversation with a young pastor named Timothy and learn from an apostle how to set the next generation up for spiritual success.
B.L.E.S.S. Commitment
I have so enjoyed our journey together through our B.L.E.S.S. series. I hope it has been rich for you on both theological and practical levels. What if the missional life is the good life? In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 disciples who proclaim the Kingdom of God and see people experience freedom that only the Lord can provide. And they returned with Joy. What is more, they begin to experience Jesus’ joy. So, what if the invitation to B.L.E.S.S. is really an invitation to experience the good life? What if stretching toward Kingdom mission is a lifestyle that brings us into the very joy of God?
Story
Every Christ follower has a story with Jesus. Reflecting on God's work in our lives can deepen our relationship with Him and help us see His faithfulness. Sharing our stories can introduce others to Jesus or grow their faith in Him too. This Sunday, we're going to talk about some of the ways we struggle to share our stories, and how God can use our stories to be a blessing to others. We'll also talk about a beautiful opportunity to share our stories together, and you won't want to miss it!
Serve
This week's message will feel a bit like preaching to the choir. Mosaic people serve better than most. You guys have an amazing ability to show up again and again with food, hugs, compassion, prayer, and whatever else is needed so that others sense themselves loved and closer to Jesus. Thank you for being that kind of community that loves to serve more than being served. As we continue to talk about how to BLESS others, you have a head-start on what it looks like to serve in practical ways. So come on Sunday and let's celebrate the ways we can (and do!) serve the way Jesus served.
Eat
Shakespeare once asked, “What’s in a name?” This week we ask, “What’s in a meal?” Sharing a meal was a sign of friendship in the ancient world. In many ways Jesus saw it as a sign of His Kingdom. When done with the right heart, sharing a meal creates space for God to work. It also gives people a taste of the life to come. So, this week, we will look at how Jesus used the dinner table to give of himself and invite people into the good life.
Listen
Jesus was and is a really good listener. Consequently, Jesus' miracles were almost always preceded by a conversation. That means the answer to the question “What would Jesus do?” is often, He would take time to really listen to people. So, what if listening to a person gives God the opportunity to show us what He is doing in that person's life? What if it is part of the way we become conduits of God’s grace? What if learning to listen well is part of how we bless those in our circles of engagement?
Begin with Prayer
Prayer is hard for do-ers (can I get an Amen?)! It feels like we aren't "doing" at all. And yet, maybe the most counter-intuitive thing we do, when we want to serve like Jesus, is to do a thing that feels like doing nothing at all. If we want to love our neighbors in a way that changes the world, all the spiritual wisdom encourages us to begin with prayer, so this week that's where we'll start. We'll start with what it looks like to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and go where he sends.
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