Gospel-Centred Living

After a discussion on the article Simplified Missional Living the general feeling is that living with a mission-mind isn’t a typical mindset that we have as we go through our habitual week. Some ideas sound too foreign while others seem so simple we wondered why we didn’t think about it sooner. Perhaps the question to ask first is what is ‘missional living‘? It is a buzzword that is rapidly adopted by many Christians. It simply means to live a lifestyle with the intention to share the gospel message. The understanding is that all Christians should be involved in the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

Is a reason why we don’t actively participate in missional living because we don’t have that same understanding?

Recently we were reminded in Genesis 1 & 2 and Revelations 4:11 that all of creation spells out the glory of God. But as we take a look around in our society, we see that God is not honoured. Instead, we see the idolatry of man-made things all around us. Since we know who is the true and living God, is this one of the several reasons why we should seek to lead our friends to Christ?

The article isn’t titled Simplified for no reason. It lists some clear and simple ways for Christians to make opportunity to engage with others to tell the gospel. While we may not feel comfortable with some of the ideas, the basic principle is there. Make every opportunity to not only be personal witness of Christ but to spread the gospel.

Sharing the gospel isn’t just reserved for evangelistic events organised by the church. Why not reflect on your week and see what new connections you can make. Coming up… is an opportunity for the group to engage in the community to help promote our church. Stay tuned!

Parable of the Sower

I found Sunday’s sermon really challenging, “other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain” Mark 4:7 that is “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things” Mark 4:18-19 chokes the word. I fall in this category. Do you?

In the midst of our busyness, where do you place the word of God?

Suggestions

• Read the bible – can I read this with you?
• Twitter – http://twitter.com/brunchies/ – I filter and post worthwhile reading items
• Brunchie’s Blog – https://brunchies.wordpress.com/ – those with more time, contribution welcome

How can I pray for you personally?

In Christ,
ming

“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”
Romans 8:7

A chance to grow in grace

The Quiet Time is not a Performance, it is a chance to grow in grace. Read it on The Quiet Time Performance by Tim Challies.

Recently, I’ve been reminded that our Christian life is not about performance but it is all about grace. We don’t do things to earn a place in heaven. Christ has done it once for all by God’s grace. Instead, we ought to grow in this grace and out of His grace do we do the things that bring glory to him. For example, I meditate on his word and I pray because of His grace.

Lovin’ it

‘If I had the money, I would send every Christian to this course’ – this was the comment made by one of my classmates at the ‘Introduction to the Bible’ PTC course and I have to say I agree with her 100%.

It is a bit silly to say, but it’s only until the end of the course that I realised I never really got the bible. I might have read and heard plenty of sermons on the bible, but I never knew there was a central message, let alone knew what it was! And the Old Testament… well they were just some very cryptic lyrical whose meaning would only be apparent between the author and God.

And so I avoided the Bible, not only because I didn’t understand, but I didn’t enjoy reading it.

But, I enjoyed this course. I looked forward to reading the material every week and even read beyond the requirement material to get a better understanding of the historical developments in the bible. And, finally I can say I get it. I get that there is a central theme to the bible and from beginning to the end, it’s just one big plan of God’s to reverse the effects of sin planted in Genesis and to restore people to himself. And all the events and people like, Moses, Abraham, David, Solomon, even Christ were just instruments to bring this goal to fruition. How simple!

So it is also my prayer that every Christian and even non-Christian will get to understand the entirety of this message in their life time. That the bible is not only about Jesus, or resurrection or sin, but it is simply God’s unrelenting way to bring us back to Him, so we may once again live in the way we are designed to and enjoy the blessings that are only available through Him.

Mel

99 Balloons – A story of thankfulness to God

In light of recent news, 99 Balloons is a moving video that reminds us about the sovereignty of God in suffering. Watch how a couple put their trust and hope in God in the midst of tragedy.

99 Balloons from Igniter Media on Vimeo.