Our message series, Engaging With Purpose, is inspired by Michael Frosts’ book, Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People. Christianity is a surprising religion. It has changed the world in remarkable ways throughout history simply through Christians living out their faith. Yet more recently, we’ve become afraid of a habituated Christianity, thinking that routines will rob our faith of its vitality. The net effect is that we’ve replaced the habits that surprise the world with habits that mimic the world―and both we and the world suffer for it. How do we revitalize our faith so we will desire to spread the gospel organically, graciously, and surprisingly?

 

ENGAGING WITH PURPOSE

Message by Joshua Mutter – January 12, 2020

LIVING QUESTIONABLE LIVES

Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people…

Colossians 4:2-6 NIV Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Titus 2:1-10 NIV You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.

WHAT KIND OF LIFE WILL EVOKE QUESTIONS TODAY?

 

TO FULFILL OUR JOB TO SHARE JESUS,
TWO THINGS NEED TO HAPPEN:

1. We need to be propelled outward into the lives of our neighbours

2. We need to be propelled upward into deeper intimacy with Jesus

“We need to become a godly, intriguing, socially adventurous, joyous presence in the lives of others.” Michael Frost, author of Surprise the World

 

FIVE HABITS (B.E.L.L.S.)

1. BLESS – I will bless three people this week, at least one of whom is not a member of our church.

2. EAT – I will eat with three people this week, at least one of whom is not a member of our church.

3. LISTEN – I will spend at least one period of the week listening for the Spirit’s voice.

4. LEARN – I will spend at least one period of the week learning Christ.

5. SENT – I will journal throughout the week about all the ways I alerted others to the universal reign of God through Christ.

 

HABITS TO VALUES

BLESS leads to GENEROUS

EAT leads to HOSPITABLE

LISTEN leads to SPIRIT-LED

LEARN leads to CHRISTLIKE

SENT leads to MISSIONAL

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