Jesus and Lifestyle Changes

This was the introduction to my sermon last week. This was the last week of our series was called "Revolution".

Jesus came and brought a revolution, a revolution not just of ideas but of an ideology. He brought not just a different way of living; He said this is the only way to truly live. He didn’t bring a way to get to God; He said He was the only way to get to God. He didn’t just say here is how to live in this world, He said if you follow me you will no longer be of this world. He brought a way that didn’t end with death but conquered death. He made eternity reachable. He brought a revolution.

In the words of Dorothy Sayers:
"To do them justice, the people who crucified Jesus did not do so because he was a bore. Quite the contrary; he was too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have declawed the lion of Judah and made him a housecat for pale priests and pious old ladies."

Christianity has the most radical, dangerous, message of life, calling us to a radical, dangerous, daring earth-shattering life, but too many of us live a life of hum-drum, safe and tedious days. Is that really the call of Jesus? Not according to the Bible I read.

New Worship Service

this is our newest worship service, or experience. We're beginning it this Sunday, April 22, at 6PM. The worship service came out of a desire to reach people in our area (primarily young adult) that are more of the artistic type. Here is the info:

The Aftermath is a place for the misunderstood, the extremely understood, the miscreant, and the goody-two-shoes. The Aftermath is not your grandma’s church service. It is a worship experience that strives to be different, a different type of church service; a place for those who have never felt as if they belonged and those who have always belonged. Each week, we will look at Christ's words in different ways from the mold of many other churches. Every service a new band will lead worship, each week we will find new ways to experience Christ's Glory in new and old ways. The Aftermath Staff is excited to delve into this new type of evolving ministry that LOOKS AT THE SAME GOD AND THE SAME TRUTH IN NEW WAYS. We want to be culturally relevant and keep Christ the forefront of our lives.

Jesus and Revolution

I like this quote from a book called, "The Barbarian Way". I'm continuing a series at church on change and being a revolutionary. I am frustrated with the way the Church (the body of Christ) has portrayed Jesus and the radical message of salvation. To experience all that we can in our relationship to Jesus, it will involve a radical change of who we are and what we do. Most (American) Christians never get beyond "I'm saved."

He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and follow Him into the unknown. And if it means a life of suffering, hardship, and disappointment, it will be worth it because following Jesus Christ is more powerful and more fulfilling than living with everything in the worlds minus Him. Erwin McManus