In a not-so-distant life, we would black out or blur faces in photos to protect the identity of our teammates. I’ve been out of Special Operations for quite a while, and it was really just getting started when I left. I was never really that important to worry about it, but the point still stands. Some of the people I worked with were, and for what we did for National Security, during a time of war, I get it. Never would I have guessed that getting filmed preaching the Gospel in the US would get you in that same situation, but that is what we had at this week’s service. A blacked-out audio-only message to protect the identity of the speaker. Would you be so bold as to risk your life to spread the Gospel? That is what we are called to do. I can confess that since I was out of town this Sunday, I considered skipping. First, it was the message, but then I thought, I really should just listen to it on the drive home. But since we were not meeting for our weekly Community Group, I could probably skip preparing for the discussion and writing about it. But then I listened. We are each called to spread his word, and it starts with our neighbor. Each should do their part, and since I committed to writing these each week, maybe this is mine? I will admit, the more I actually write about faith, the more comfortable it is. Besides, this isn’t nearly as bad as when I began ‘leading’ our group and was ‘forced’ to pray out loud in front of others! We are all called to get out of our comfort zones for Jesus, and this week’s message was pretty inspiring.
If you didn’t get a chance to watch, you can listen below.
(For more on my faith journey, you can click the Faith Category on the Home Page sidebar. And as a reminder, the framework for this post is the discussion guide provided by our church about this Sunday’s service. As the discussion facilitator, I ask the questions, and in this post, you provide the answers.)
Editor’s Note: When you see ‘Note’ below, these are not entirely my words but are largely derived from my Life Application Study Bible’s note section. I cannot take credit for them and am not that smart.
We the Church
Romans 10:9-15 (NLT)
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[a] 12 Jew and Gentile[b] are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[c]
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”[d]
Note: Salvation is as close as your own lips and heart. It is not complicated; if we believe in our hearts and say with our mouths that Christ is the risen Lord, we will be saved. In telling others about Christ, we must include more than being a good example. We have to explain the what and the how of the gospel. We must take God’s great message of salvation to others.
- When you hear that there are people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, what stirs in your heart? How can we, as a local church and as individuals, be an encouragement to believers in places where following Christ comes with real risk?
Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Note: God gave Jesus the authority over heaven and earth. We are to go. It is not an option. The Holy Spirit is with us. Every day is a mission.
Four truths:
- Accomplished under Jesus’ authority.
- The great commission requires us to go to all places. Get out of our comfort zone. Not when it’s convenient. No excuses. The church doesn’t move toward comfort; it moves toward need. On discipleship – Into whose life are you investing in?
- Pour into others so they can grow in Christ.
- Fulfilled with Jesus’ presence. We don’t have to do it alone. It is about Christ working through us. – Promise, Privilege, Protection, Peace
We are all called to share the good news.
- In what ways can we live out the Great Commission in the places where we live, work, and play?
- How does remembering that Jesus is sovereign — and that it’s His work, not ours — give you confidence or relieve pressure when sharing your faith? Have you ever struggled with discouragement when someone didn’t respond the way you hoped?
John 8:31-32 (NLT)
Jesus and Abraham
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Note: Jesus is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from the deception of Satan. Jesus gives us not the freedom to do what we want, but the freedom to follow God.
Here is a link to this week’s service: