If someone asked you to describe yourself, how would you begin?
Your name, age, where you live, academic achievements, vocation …
Why does it matter?
How you see yourself and what you consider important will have an impact on every aspect of your life!
Listen to how the bible describes believers:
Romans 1:6
And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
We belong to Christ!!
That’s our identity.
And He wants to take us on a journey.
Here’s the good news: He’s not looking for gold vessels, He’s not looking for silver vessels, He’s looking for Willing vessels!
You can be marred, you can be broken, you may have been cast aside; but if you are willing, you can make the journey!
He has the right to call you to take the journey because we are not our own; we’ve been bought with a price.
We need to examine the notion that all we have to do is accept Jesus as Savior, get baptized, maybe join a church and we’re golden.
I believe in those things; however, they are an entrance to His kingdom, not the end all!
If our faith isn’t having an impact on how we live our lives, it’s not faith; it’s just a theory.
I often wonder if the message of the gospel has become so common that it no longer causes us to shudder in awe of its magnificence?
There’s a term for that. When something is abundant, it is considered less valuable.
If we are not living or at least attempting to live for Jesus in time, why would we imagine that we are going to rule with Him in eternity?
WE CANNOT CONTINUALLY PRACTICE UNGODLY BEHAVIOR AND IMAGINE THAT WE BELONG TO JESUS!
But God is a God of love. He is also a God of justice. I can guarantee that God will not be mocked.
And if you willfully continue in sin after you have come to the knowledge of the truth … it will not end well for you!
I think I read that somewhere in the bible.
The question then becomes: what does Jesus expect of us?
Early in His ministry Jesus gives us insight into what the role of the Church would be.
Matthew 6:9-10a
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done ON EARTH …
THIS IS OUR ASSIGNMENT!
We need to consider what the role of the church should be in real time.
Not what it was like a generation ago. Not even what it was like ten years ago. What should it be in this current environment?
Once we change how we view the role of the church, the culture within the church will change.
Then and only then will we witness a culture shift in our communities.
If we have a willingness to change, we increase our opportunity to thrive.
Not everyone will embrace the change.
That’s not new. Religious people are highly resistant to change.
Jesus implied a change to the Jewish leaders at Nazareth and they tried to kill Him. So he went to Capernaum and performed deliverances and healings of every kind of disease.
Shortly after when the Jewish leaders accused Him, He comes across a Samaritan woman who perceives that He is a prophet, so she receives the prophet’s reward intended for Nazareth. Then He makes this declaration: “I’m the Messiah.” To a woman, outside the camp!
However, those that do will experience a whole new sense of purpose and energy. And God will equip and anoint you beyond your wildest dreams.
Near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He gives these instructions to His disciples:
Matthew 28:19-20a
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
Make disciples. Teach disciples.
If we are going to make disciples, we must first become disciples.
How does that work?
You begin by applying the concept: I BELONG TO JESUS!
This is a process.
You belong to Jesus at the kitchen table; you belong to Jesus at your place of work/business; you even belong to Jesus at WalMart!
On the more practical application, you just learn to say yes.
expound
Remember, this teaching began with the statement:
HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU CONSIDER IMPORTANT WILL IMPACT EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE!
Will you begin to embrace a lifestyle that confirms that you belong to Jesus?