Tuesday 23 February 2010

Martongate Community Church

During Lent here at Martongate our sermon theme is what is, and how do we become Disciples of Jesus Christ. Whilst at the 6-00pm service at Christ Church a few months ago I was thinking about the difference between Passive believers in Jesus and disciples of Jesus when into my thoughts was that to get from a Believer (passive) to a Disciple we have to go from a B to a D which means passing through C, and therefore to get from a Believer (passive) to a Disciple the steps could begin with a C.

So by the end of the service I had in place that some of the steps should include the Cross of Jesus, the Character of Jesus, the Compassion of Jesus and we may need to take a different angle on the Church of Jesus if we are to become true disciples and serve.
Cross of Jesus (Spiritual Maturity)

The Cross of Jesus is a stumbling block to many, because it is about letting go of our own needs and trusting in Jesus for everything. Jesus says in Luke ch 14 v 27 ‘If you do not carry your own cross and follow me you cannot be my disciple’, and in John ch 12 v 24 ‘I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone, but its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harness of new lives.’ These are just two of the many references that Jesus makes to the cross. It is pivotal to our walk with him, yes it means Change, yes it means being Convicted of our own frailty and sins, yes it means Comittment, yes it means a Conversion takes place as you lay it all at the foot of the cross, yes it means Challenge.
Character (Life to life support)

But without the process of accepting the Cross of Jesus into our lives we cannot see how we can become more like the character of Jesus, 2 Corinthians ch 3 v 18 So all who have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord, Mother Teresa said “ We must become holy not because we want to feel holy but because Christ must be able to live His life fully in us”. We sometimes need a helping hand going through this area as we come to terms with our new life and that is why the mentoring scheme at Christ Church is so helpful.
Compassion (Mission)

The Greek word for Compassion is Splancthna, which means not heart but bowels, so when it says in Matthew ch9 v 36 ‘When He (Jesus) saw the crowds he had compassion on them because they were confused without a shepherd’. Jesus saw his mission and the compassion deep down in His very gut made Him weep for the lost, this is at the heart of mission
Church of Jesus (outreach)

The church of Jesus, doesn’t occur only on Sunday, God is not separate from the Church neither is the Church separate from the world we live in, rather God, Church, World are all linked into each other as the Cross of Jesus, the character of Jesus and the compassion of Jesus, formulate our lives where nobody can see the join, where everything overlaps, which eventually will lead us into becoming true disciples of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Roger


Mums & Tots meet in Bridlington North Library on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 9.15 to 11.45 a.m. This is a Social get together for mums with soft play for pre-school children.

Signpost meets on the 4th Friday of the month at Bridlington North Library from 1.30 to 3p.m.. All Senior Citizens are welcome to call in to reminisce, chat or seek help.

The Mens Fellowship meets every other Wednesday (10th & 24th March). All retired men who live in the Martongate Area or attend Martongate Church are more than welcome. For further information contact Roger through Christ Church.

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