~~I AM SENT~~

Our family has been attending Church of the Nations (COTN) for about 8 years now. Pastor Mel Holmes has been the Senior Pastor since we have been at COTN. He is an incredibly gifted teacher and a very humble man. We respect his leadership over us and are so thankful for a man that prays and hears from God. There is alot going on at our church; one of the most exciting things being the fact that we are building a new sanctuary which is going to sit adjacent to our current sanctuary/family center. Pastor Mel has been sharing with us the importance of knowing who we are corporately, as a body, and also who we are individually, so we can impact the people around us.

Yesterday, Sunday, May 20, 2007, was, I believe, a particularly important day for our church. Pastor Mel preached yesterday morning on being sent. Well, most believers automatically think of the well known verses in Matt. 28 that we refer to as the Great Commission. "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things, and remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." I think the interesting point that Pastor Mel made was that we usually see this as a missions project. I will have to say that is the context for which I have pretty much taken this passage. But it's not just for missionaries and those going to foreign lands. The word "nations" there is actually referring to all kinds of people. The point being, Jesus was telling them to get out of their comfort zone and sphere and share the love and forgiveness of Christ to all people that you are exposed to. We all have people that we're connected to, people with which we have a common experience and a common "language". THESE are the people that I, Debbie, am sent to. WOW! I don't know why, but that seems so huge to me.

Now, what does all that have to do with building a new church? Well, for me, it means that if I am accepting the fact that I am sent, not waiting for Him to send me somewhere, but just realizing I am already sent and walking in that and sharing His love and life changing message with those around me, then our church won't need programs, contests, parades, etc... to grow. Our church will grow because people will be drawn to Him. Don't get me wrong here, I am not saying that programs, contests, etc... are wrong. I just think people really don't want those things deep down. We think we want those things, because that is what our culture pushes at us. Keep their senses occupied, appeal to their pleasures, entertain them, give them diversions. When what people are really seeking is a deep connection to something bigger than themselves. What they're really seeking is Jesus Christ!! How did the early church grow? They had seen Jesus, they knew His life changing message first hand. Acts 2:44-47 says this: "And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing all proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all people. And the Lord added to their number, day by day, those who were being saved." A couple of things stand out in that verse to me. Churches are composed of people who have something in common. Not just the fact that we all worship God, but why do certain people go to one church and others to another church? Because we have things in common. That's the key - if I reach out to those around me that I have something in common with, and share Christ with them, they will be drawn to Him as well. Also, they sold their things and distributed to those in need. The key here being people's needs. We are all needy, not just materially, but in many ways (emotionally, physically, spiritually). If I'm really showing love to others, I will be filling the voids that are out there in people's lives. And if I'm REALLY loving them, I'm not going to be afraid to help them if they need help. What is the result of this? They shared all they had, received it all with a grateful heart and the Lord added to their number because people were getting saved. HALLELUJAH!!

So, who am I sent to? Well, we'll have to save that for another post.