It is the time of year when you run as fast as you possibly can, as long as you can.
There are moments in life that become defining moments. We often do not recognize them at the time. Some of them we do. Do you remember the day you left for college. We load our stuff into our car and good bye to the town that has been home for so many years. The emotions of a day like that are hard to describe. Excitement. Fear. Sadness. Anxiety. Hope.
I have recently been reliving these emotions. Not because I am going back to school, but because as we head into fall this year, it feels like we are leaving the familiar, and entering into a defining moment for the EDGE. I want to invite you to share this moment with me.
God has laid before us an outstanding opportunity. I am sure you, like me, want to make the most of it.
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The Calling of the First Disciples
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.
21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
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They were busy
Jesus had a different plan, and called them
Come and follow me - What did this mean to them?
Left the business
Left their homes
Became a walking, talking, full time Jesus followers.
Now - the hard part is to discern, what does it mean when Jesus calls us.
Should we leave businesses?
Should we leave our homes?
How do we become walking, talking, full time followers of Jesus?
I would like to suggest in our setting that it means a few specific actions. 3 * 2 * B
1) It means coming to church
people all over the world are persecuted and attacked for going to church, and yet they continue to go.
2) It means getting in a small group
Relationships: A small group gives you the opportunity to get to know people at a more intimate level. Sunday mornings are an awesome time to worship with the whole family of God, hear a sermon, engage in corporate vision, but a small group gives you a chance to build deeper friendships.
Learning the Word of God: Sunday’s sermon is a great time to get a broad teaching of the Word of God. However, small groups provide time for one on one discussion. Your group can provide a time to clarify answers to questions from Sunday’s sermon.
Opportunity to Serve Others: One of the greatest joys of being in a small group is the chance to bear others burdens, serve their needs, and step out beyond your own issues.
Place to invite friends: A small group is a natural place to invite friends and family. Sometimes people are more comfortable going to a small group then attending a Sunday morning service.
Place to Pray and Share your needs: A gathering of a few people is a natural environment for prayer. A big part of prayer is conservation with God and small groups provide the perfect environment for communing with God.
Engage in worship: Gathering in a small group allows you to experience worship at a very intimate level.
Follow the New Testament pattern: Acts 2:42-47 gives us a blueprint of what the early church was passionately committed to. The early Christ Followers gathered in homes, shared meals, read the Word, prayed, and worshipped. When you participate in a small group you are following the New Testament pattern.
3) It means serving in some way - at church, in your neighborhood
This church is only as strong as its volunteers. Every week we have 15-20 people who make this happen. If you served in some capacity of the last month, would you please stand. These are the people who are making The EDGE Colorado happen.
Top five ways to serve:
Nursery/Childrens workers
Greeters
Hospitality
Jr High Leaders
Small Group leaders/hosts
Short term commitments
Summerset festival
Workday
Finally today, I want to give you a picture of where we are going
1) We will become that "excellent restaurant" that everyone loves, but no one can find.
2) We will become a beacon of light to southwest Denver, showing the way as we continue to speak the truth in love.
3) Home - for some a home away from home, for others, the home they never had.
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