2025-08-10 GOD'S PERFECT DESIGN

Discovering God's Design:

Embracing Our Mission and Purpose

Ever wonder if there's a greater purpose to your life? As followers of Christ, we are called to live with intention, embracing the mission Jesus left us. In a world filled with distractions, it's easy to lose sight of this divine calling. But what if we could rediscover God's design for our lives and become active participants in His grand plan?

The Great Commission: Our Shared Mission

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives His disciples a powerful mandate known as the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." These words are not just historical instructions; they are a living mission for every believer today.

Imagine being part of a movement where each of us shares the Gospel with just a few people. The early church was built on the efforts of ordinary individuals who loved Jesus and obeyed His call. Acts 4:13 reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, to spread His message of hope.

Living as Gospel Outposts

We are called to be God's representatives in a world that often opposes Him. Our homes, workplaces, and communities should become "gospel outposts," places where the love and truth of Christ are evident. This mission isn't reserved for pastors or church leaders alone; it's a collective effort.

Consider this: What if each of us reached out to just ten people with the message of Jesus? The impact would be transformative. God has placed us in our unique contexts for a reason, and He equips us to be His witnesses, as stated in Acts 1:8.

God's Perfect Design for Our Lives

Genesis 1 and 2 reveal God's perfect design for creation and humanity. We see a world as God intended it to be—a world of harmony and purpose. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God has set eternity in our hearts, a longing for a world that is fully satisfying.

God's design encompasses every aspect of our lives. He created us in His image, loves us deeply, and has a plan for our relationships, work, rest, and even our families. In a culture that often challenges these truths, we are called to uphold God's design with grace and love.

Practical Steps to Embrace Our Mission

1. Pray Intentionally: Use a prayer card to list people you want to pray for, especially those who may be far from God. Ask for opportunities to share the Gospel with them.

2. Engage in Conversations: Learn to share your faith in a conversational and relational way. The "Three Circles" method is a simple tool to explain God's design, our brokenness, and the hope found in Jesus.

3. Live Out Your Faith: Let your life be a testament to God's love and grace. Whether at work, school, or home, carry the Gospel with you and be ready to share it.

A Call to Action

Are you ready to embrace your role in God's mission? Reflect on your life and consider how you can be a beacon of hope to those around you. If you find yourself in a place of brokenness, know that Jesus offers healing and restoration. Turn to Him and experience the fullness of life He promises.

A Prayer for Our Journey

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect design and the mission You've entrusted to us. Help us to live as Your ambassadors, sharing the hope of Jesus with those around us. Give us courage and wisdom to speak Your truth in love. May our lives reflect Your glory and draw others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

As we journey together, let's commit to being active participants in God's mission, bringing His love and light to a world in need.

2025-08-03 Set Apart: Living in the Holiness of God

Discovering Holiness: Embracing God's Presence in Everyday Life

Ever find yourself in awe of a breathtaking sunrise or a majestic mountain view, feeling a sense of something greater? These moments can be glimpses of God's holiness, inviting us to pause and reflect on His presence in our lives. In our recent sermon series, "Taste and See," we explored the profound nature of God's holiness and how it calls us to live set apart, reflecting His character in our daily lives.

The Awe of God's Holiness

Imagine standing on a mountain, surrounded by the grandeur of nature, as the first light of dawn breaks over the horizon. It's a moment that can leave you feeling small and exposed, yet deeply connected to something sacred. This is a shadow of what it means to encounter the holiness of God. In the Bible, figures like Isaiah and Moses experienced this awe firsthand. Isaiah, upon seeing the Lord, exclaimed, "Woe is me!" recognizing his own unworthiness in the presence of a holy God.

God's holiness is not just about His power or wisdom; it's about His complete otherness. He is distinct, unique, and incorruptibly pure. This holiness is not meant to push us away but to draw us closer, creating sacred spaces where we can encounter His presence.

Sacred Spaces: Where God Meets Us

Throughout history, God has chosen to dwell among His people, transforming ordinary places into sacred spaces. From the burning bush where Moses stood on holy ground to the temple where God's presence resided, these spaces remind us that God desires to be near us. Today, through Jesus, God has come even closer, dwelling within us through His Spirit.

As believers, we are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, living lives that reflect God's holiness. This means treating our bodies and our relationships as sacred spaces, honoring God in our daily choices and interactions. It's about recognizing that we are not common but set apart for a divine purpose.

Living a Holy Life: Practical Steps

So, how do we live out this call to holiness? It begins with recognizing our position in Christ. Through faith, we are made holy, seen by God as righteous because of Jesus' sacrifice. But holiness is also a journey of becoming more like Christ in our attitudes and actions.

1. Embrace Reverence: Worship God in spirit and truth, not just on Sundays but as a way of life. Let your daily choices reflect a heart of honor and obedience to the Lord.

2. Surrender Daily: Yield to the Holy Spirit's guidance in every decision. It's not about trying harder but surrendering deeper, allowing Christ to live through you.

3. Reflect God's Nature: Let your speech, attitudes, and actions be shaped by God's holiness. Consider how you can show love, patience, and kindness in your interactions with others.

A Call to Action

As we journey together in faith, let's commit to living set apart, awed by God's presence and empowered by His Spirit. Take a moment each day to pray, "Lord, help me live set apart, awed by Your presence, empowered by Your Spirit, and shaped by Your holiness."

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your holiness and grace. Help us to live lives that reflect Your character, set apart for Your purposes. May Your Spirit guide us in every decision, and may our lives be a testament to Your love and holiness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

By embracing God's holiness, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with Him, experiencing His presence in every aspect of our lives. Let's walk this journey together, living as a holy people with and for a holy God.