There is a lot of hurt out there. There is a lot of misunderstanding out there. Especially our generation. This world looks nothing like it should. We should do something about that.
This is Joppa's mission statement:
Joppa is a young adult ministry committed to building healthy relationships with God and others by creating community and encouraging Christ-likedness through the teaching of biblical truth, prayer, discipleship, small groups and community involvement.
My question: Are we doing this to the best of our ability? Are we living in this world while thinking about the next?
If the Kingdom of God is really at hand, what are we waiting for? If the harvest is plentiful, what are the workers doing? What are you living for?
If the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us, why don’t we see more change around us in society?
We are the body of Christ. We are the church. We have to be more than religious people who do religious things on religious days. We are the body of Christ. It’s not something we do. It’s something we are.
In reality, the church is a group of people who agree on the reality of Jesus: That he’s the righteous king that makes all things right with God again. That he’s the sacrifice that has dealt fully with our sins so that we can be secure with God for all eternity. We are to yield our lives for his purpose. This is the church. The church is the people. This is such a big deal, and we’re called to share this.
This world is broken. We are broken. The people around us are broken. I can identify with the end of the book of Jonah.
The leadership of a ministry is not just there to serve your needs. Ephesians 4:11-13: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Leadership of a ministry is to equip you to go out and apply. You are an active participant, not just a spectator who is consuming resources. You are called to grow up in Christ and be the church. The call goes on in Ephesians 4:14-16: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Going to church or to YATEC or to Joppa isn’t the same as belonging to a community. Who do you DO LIFE with? Don’t mistake attendance for involvement and belonging. Events like YATEC or Sunday mornings are just pit stops to inspire you and others and check in…not to be the lone source of your Gospel growth. It’s not just come and hear…IT’S GO AND TELL! These meetings are supplemental, NOT primary!
We need to experience God’s love and then extend it.
We share life when we’re plugged in.
Who is teaching you about the Bible? Who are you trying to tell about Jesus? We should be actively pursuing a greater love for Jesus in each other. We should want to see Jesus use us, and we should want to see Jesus use others. We can’t just outsource this to pastors or paid clergy.
Are we doing this in our community? Acts 17
The church can walk beside us when we hurt. Can pick us up when we fall. Correct us when we stray. Advise us when we're lost. The church isn't God, but it is God's people. His people mess up. His people are prone to wander. His people are often his instruments to teach patience and forgiveness. As we love the community and the world around us, we show people that our God is a loving God.
Are we doing this in our household, in our churches, in our community? Are we after healing? Are we after God’s heart for us and for others? This our responsibility to give others the opportunity to respond to the Gospel of Jesus.
Is this easy? Is this costly?
Hebrews 10:23-25
Don’t do this alone. Grow together.
Joppa is a young adult ministry committed to building healthy relationships with God and others by creating community and encouraging Christ-likedness through the teaching of biblical truth, prayer, discipleship, small groups and community involvement.
My question: Are we doing this to the best of our ability? Are we living in this world while thinking about the next?
If the Kingdom of God is really at hand, what are we waiting for? If the harvest is plentiful, what are the workers doing? What are you living for?
If the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us, why don’t we see more change around us in society?
We are the body of Christ. We are the church. We have to be more than religious people who do religious things on religious days. We are the body of Christ. It’s not something we do. It’s something we are.
In reality, the church is a group of people who agree on the reality of Jesus: That he’s the righteous king that makes all things right with God again. That he’s the sacrifice that has dealt fully with our sins so that we can be secure with God for all eternity. We are to yield our lives for his purpose. This is the church. The church is the people. This is such a big deal, and we’re called to share this.
This world is broken. We are broken. The people around us are broken. I can identify with the end of the book of Jonah.
The leadership of a ministry is not just there to serve your needs. Ephesians 4:11-13: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Leadership of a ministry is to equip you to go out and apply. You are an active participant, not just a spectator who is consuming resources. You are called to grow up in Christ and be the church. The call goes on in Ephesians 4:14-16: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Going to church or to YATEC or to Joppa isn’t the same as belonging to a community. Who do you DO LIFE with? Don’t mistake attendance for involvement and belonging. Events like YATEC or Sunday mornings are just pit stops to inspire you and others and check in…not to be the lone source of your Gospel growth. It’s not just come and hear…IT’S GO AND TELL! These meetings are supplemental, NOT primary!
We need to experience God’s love and then extend it.
We share life when we’re plugged in.
Who is teaching you about the Bible? Who are you trying to tell about Jesus? We should be actively pursuing a greater love for Jesus in each other. We should want to see Jesus use us, and we should want to see Jesus use others. We can’t just outsource this to pastors or paid clergy.
Are we doing this in our community? Acts 17
The church can walk beside us when we hurt. Can pick us up when we fall. Correct us when we stray. Advise us when we're lost. The church isn't God, but it is God's people. His people mess up. His people are prone to wander. His people are often his instruments to teach patience and forgiveness. As we love the community and the world around us, we show people that our God is a loving God.
Are we doing this in our household, in our churches, in our community? Are we after healing? Are we after God’s heart for us and for others? This our responsibility to give others the opportunity to respond to the Gospel of Jesus.
Is this easy? Is this costly?
Hebrews 10:23-25
Don’t do this alone. Grow together.
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