To boldly proclaim the transforming love of Christ through acts of mercy and grace – so that we can bring them to Christ.
As we draw closer to beginning the pastoral search process and the transition team continues to seek God’s direction and heart for a clear mission and vision for SFNAZ I want to share with you a devotion I have shared with both the transition team and the church board.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “… I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ. 20 When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. 23 I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.” 1 Cor 9:19-23 NLT
These two paragraphs, written by Paul, thousands of years ago, may very well capture the heart of what I believe is to be the mission of His church, whether it’s here at SFNAZ or wherever the cross of Christ is preached, and Believers strive to live it out.
I believe Paul is instructing the church to never lose sight of who we are in Christ, individually or corporately, and yet, at the same time, become a servant of everyone, fit in with them as much as we can, and try to find common ground with everyone so that we might bring them to Christ.
That means His church, you, and I will have to live on mission for Jesus. We will have to spend time with those still far from Christ, beginning with our neighbors and folks we already are acquainted with. Rather than a “Hello, are you?”, we need to take the time to get to know them, and seek to understand their beliefs and perspectives on life, so that, at just the right time we can introduce Jesus into the conversation. Never losing sight that some plant His seeds of truth, some water, and some harvest where they have never planted or watered. The harvest is ALWAYS up to Jesus because only the Holy Spirit of Almighty God can transform a heart and change a life!
Peace be with you church.
Pastor John