Hope and Healing in Jesus Christ

My good friend Kevin asked me this question, this morning, "If God brought the city to your doorstep, what would you want them to have?" (*Kevin always has the best questions!)

What we often offer is good advice, catchy music, opportunities to serve, opportunities to belong. We give them sermons, prayers and the occassional potluck but we miss out giving the one thing that no other institution can, Jesus himself.

In the coming months, I am going to review the values of Harvest and explore where we can value the presence of Jesus, above all else, in the the things we do and say. We are the body of Christ and should be able to regularly provide encounters with Jesus. Onward!

Sunday marked our third message in our Abide series that reiterated Jesus' command to his people to make disciples of all nations. Making disciples is what we are mandated to do; it is not optional.

What is a disciple? Anyone who has placed their faith in Christ and commits to live with Him in order to live like Him.

How do we become disciples?

• Make our individual confession of Christ public in the waters of baptism
• Submit ourselves to being taught the commandments of Jesus.
• Live obediently to the commandments of Jesus
• Make disciples

How do we make disciples?

• Be a Christ's apprentice - Love God, Love People, Proclaim the Gospel
• Proclaim the gospel in your present context in your words and in your normal living.
• Lead those who have professed Christ to baptism
• invest in Christlike relationships with people and teach them how live as if Christ was living in their shoes

John 6:16-21

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

I hope this story encourages you today as you face whatever "sea" you are rowing across, whatever strain you are enduring. Here are some truths to take in.

1. Jesus is on his way
2. Jesus wants to be with you
3. Jesus relieves your fear
4. Jesus gets you where you need to go

Philosopher Dallas Willard once penned, "In the spiritual life, one never rests on one's laurels." In your walk with Christ, would you describe it as always progressing (semper proficiens) or slack? How do you take Jesus' command to follow Him, to commit your life to observing all He commanded?