Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In
you all the nations shall be blessed.”
Continuing Pastor Willie Nolte's message: The Gospel, as delivered by and lived out through
the church, literally changed the world! Jesus brought and dropped the church
into a completely “Godless” world and the world was changed by Christianity.
Time is literally measured by the Savior of the World. Our citizenship is in
Heaven, but we are called to stay and be “on mission” for the lost. But, in
America today, the church is in trouble. Why? Because the American church is
not on God’s mission to seek and save the lost. If a church or Christian can
exist without being noticed or anyone knowing, then they are not on mission.
80% of churches in America are in decline. The un-church, the de-churched and
the ex-churched combined would equal the fourth largest nation in the world.
But, what should a church do? Make mission-driven decisions and take off the
shelf the things that keep people away from church …get back on mission. There
are people who are lost and trying, but are separated by sin. In their hearts,
they know that something is missing ... it’s that Christ-shaped hole in their
life. God is on mission to make pathways home to find their way.
Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt
loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to
be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a
lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who
are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Like in the new Disney movie “Finding Dory:, start
laying out shells that lead people home. Shine light and season people with the
spice of life in Christ. Light dispels darkness completely. Just go into a
cavern where no light can reach to where you cannot see your hand in front of
your face, but strike one match and the whole room is lite for all to see. Live,
think and teach to be light in a dark world of sin and unbelief and watch what
happens. Be likes stars in universe holding out the Word of Life. Practice
grace and mercy. Invest and invite. Ask others to come see what it is all about
for themselves. Focus not on people in church, but the church in the people. We
are a part of this neighborhood and community and want to make a difference.
But, be very clear about salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to
Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in
Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them,
and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on
Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to
be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Pray for personal revival; that people are led to a
personal encounter with Jesus Christ for sin forgiven and lives changed today,
and eternity in Heaven tomorrow.
In Christ, Brian
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