My family is enjoying some sweet time with my parents (who are pretty incredible people, if I say so myself). So, in today's devotion I am going to give you some thoughts from Perry Noble of NewSpring Church. Thats so I can join my family for a little extra time this afternoon PLUS give you some sweet thoughts about life, living and the church. This rocks, y'all. Enjoy!
(copied from two posts on Perry Noble's blog)
I have been asked before, "Why do you do what you do?" It's simple–I am CONSUMED with a vision that God has placed inside of me. Understand that NewSpring was NOT my idea–heck, at one time I hated church; however, God rearranged everything in my life–and once I surrendered my dreams and submitted to His…He set me on fire!!!
Many nights I lay awake in bed and think about it–I talk about it with every person I can–HIS church, HIS bride…and I want her to be radiant and shine, not sit in some closet and stay silent. I dream of a church that…
#1 - "Sinners" Love & Religious People Hate.
Where in the world did I get an idea like that? Simple–JESUS...
But "sinners," the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the lepers–those people LOVED Him. He was actually looked down upon by the religious group for hanging out with "those people," but that never stopped Him. ( Matthew 9:9-13)
I want a church like that–where broken people, people who feel hopeless, people who KNOW they don't have it all together, people who don't even know the difference between the OT & the NT…I want a place for them…and we have it in NewSpring.
I am sick and tired of people who don't know Christ being excluded and those who do know Him pretending that their poop does not stink! In many cases I have met Christians who are more screwed up that those outside of the kingdom! (And in many cases, once that is discovered in a church, they are thrown out!)
One time someone made a comment trying to tear us down that actually pumped me up–they said, "Yeah–NewSpring is that church where the sinners go!"
I understand that the way we do church is offensive to some…and I am fine with that. As my friend Mark Batterson says–we need to choose who we offend…and given that choice, I will offend the Pharisee to reach the "sinner" every time.
Oh yeah…one more thing…Jesus only once directly answered a question that the Pharisees had for him–that is why some of you who hate me and read this site every day (which I really don't understand…but hey, it's your life) and then send an e-mail never get a response…we're too busy trying to reach people for Christ! AND…if you are the person I described above…seriously, I love you!!!
#2 - Where Life Change Takes Place
...but the bottom line with any church in my mind is life change. Jesus changes lives…and if lives are not being changed in a church then maybe it is because Jesus is not there–just a thought.
I want to see people meet Jesus. I want to see addicts set free. I want to see marriages restored. I want to see people fall in love with God's Word. I want to see people get their finances in order. I want to see singles marry the right person…and STAY married. I want to see children raised by BOTH parents! I want to see the church be the church!!!
More about this tomorrow…
#3 - Where People Understand The Message.
...It is our passion at NewSpring to make sure that if people are going to give up an hour of their time that it is worth it…that they understand the message…that they can walk away with points of application. And this takes WORK…it does not just "fall into place." We trust the Holy Spirit…but we believe that He is at work through preparation just as much as He is through spontaneity.
If people are hearing the message but do not understand what in the heck is going on…then my fear is that the applause of heaven may not be heard because lost people are not receiving Christ simply because the church has made it too difficult to understand the most simple message in history.
#4 - That Impacts The Community!
I want to see this community turned upside down for Christ! Someone once asked me how much money we give to missions…my reply was, "every single dime that comes into NewSpring is spent on missions.
Don't get me wrong–I am concerned about the kids who are starving in the world–but what about the kids that are starving here in
#5 - That Grows.
I won't go into this too much…this is actually a point in my message for this Sunday. (I caught myself jumping up and down while going through the message in my office on Monday…this is one of those message where I am afraid I might pass out!!! Warning: this message will either fire you up OR make you mad!!!)
There is MUCH debate on whether a church should remain small or grow…and I just don't see why there IS debate after reading Scripture.
Look at the Gospels…they mention the "crowds" being around Jesus more than 100 times. What do I get out of this? Simple–when Jesus shows up then crowds are attracted…and once again, maybe the reason some churches do not grow is because Jesus is not there. Once again, just a thought.
I always laugh when someone asks me about Jesus losing followers as well. That did happen–ONCE–in John chapter six…and it wasn't because He wanted some small intimate Bible study so that the finer points of theology might be discussed…it was after He told the crowd that they needed to eat His flesh and drink His blood (foreshadowing of the Lord's Supper) - and people left because of the commitment required…not because Jesus hated them!!!
People matter to God…and they should matter to HIS church!!!
Folks…this is the dream that the Lord has given me. It is where we are heading as a body! There is a lot here that I did not include. AND…I would say to pastors and people from other churches that you have to seek the Lord and find out His dream for your church…don't waste your time attacking ours–remember, we love you–but you will be ignored!!!
Thats awesome!
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