It’ s 9:15pm on Monday night. I was just reflecting on yesterday’s message and praying about Dardenne Prairie Church. It occurred to me that I have been leaving out something critical every week…
Since January you have heard me conclude every service by saying, “Look around and notice who’s missing. Check in on each other. Take care of one another. Make some calls.”
I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit that I have been doing you, our church, our community, and God a disservice. The Spirit has moved me that I have been leaving out something that is critical to us really being and doing what Jesus intends for us as Christ followers. I should be saying the following:
“Look around and notice who’s missing. Check in on each other. Take care of one another. Make some calls. And recognize that among those who are missing are the people you know who need Christ. It is each of our responsibility to say something to them about our relationship with Christ and invite them into a relationship with Him, as well.”
I had been reading Romans 10 earlier this evening. I think this why, in my prayer, God convicted me to write you.
Romans 10:5- 15 (NIV)
5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: “The man who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
You and I have been sent by God to preach/proclaim the Good News to Dardenne Prairie, OFallon, and St Charles County! They will not hear unless we speak.
As you read this, know that I am praying what Jesus called us to pray in Matthew 9.
Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
May God pour his anointing on each us this week as we, like Christ, recognize our friends are “harassed and helpless” and need the healing power and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Our community can and will be transformed.
