Monday, August 31, 2009

The Gospel in our Trials

The reality of life is sometimes things are hard. It's a false gospel that says being a Christian is easy and that God desires that you be healthy, wealthy and trouble free.

Mystery is two weeks into our study of James and already James, in just the second verse, brings up the subject of trials. It was an issue in the lives of the early church and it's still an issue today. Life in Christ is still life. Anything that happens to a person can still happen to a Christian. THe question is not "if" Trials will come but "When and in what form". The better question for us is how are we as Christ Followers to respond to suffering and difficulty?

First we need to expect trials. They will come. Second we need to not evade or escape difficulty, but rather embrace them and ask ourselves what is God teaching me about himself, my sin and the gospel in this? God takes us through things more than around them.

Our world would have us believe trials are bad, but the gospel, while not giving us exact answers, does give us the tools to respond to suffering. Trails according to James yields spiritual maturity. He calls it "steadfastness" or "Stand-Fast-Ness". The ability to endure and grow through persevering.

What are the rewards of standing fast in suffering and difficulty. James gives a few in verse 2-4.
One Trials reveal and test our faith in God. Jesus wants us to know and acknowledge who we worship, live and hope in cause it has great consequences. Only Jesus can forgive sin and give life, so we want to know if it's Jesus we are loving and serving. Next Trials Refine our Faith. God is out to complete us in him and trials show our needs and build us up in the gospel. Refining is a process of progressive strengthening of our confidence in Christ. Lastly trials Realign our hearts. They are designed to move our eyes off ourselves and onto others. To turn our trust to God and nothing else, to turn our attention to the Cross of Christ and all that he accomplished for sinners in his life, death, burial and resurrection. Finally trials move our minds to have an eternal perspective on things. The kingdom of God is now, but it is also not yet. We need to consider our future in Jesus. It may seem rough now, but it will not be like this forever. Jesus will renew and restore all things. That is good news.

If we learn to live well in our trials, trusting Jesus and growing in the gospel there is peace and joy to be had in this world, even in the midst of difficulties, struggles an suffering.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising bthe shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Heb. 12:1-2

Saturday, August 29, 2009

ReDesign

Have you check out mysterychurch.com lately? new stuff abounds. New color scheme and new links. Check it out.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Living Sent

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” - John 17:18

The church exists to fulfill the mission of the Christ. As he was sent into the world, so we are sent. What does this mean? It means we are sent to rescue the lost. First and foremost we want to show people Jesus and see them come to love him. We are sent to make disciples. Jesus command modeled his method. He did not say go make converts to a religious system, rather go make disciples. We call people to come see Jesus, then to follow and remain in him. Making disciples is the means of fulfilling the mission. Call people to trust Jesus person and work, to obey his teachings, to be baptized and join his church on mission. It’s in him we find life and on mission that we find our meaning in life. We were made to worship God and witness of the gospel flows from hearts worshipping Jesus.

Being on mission will also require being in the world. We can’t hide in our Christian ghettos. Do we really need another Christian version of anything (Christian gas station, car lot or hair salon) or do we simply need Christians living and working in the city, for the good of the city. The church is called to gather, but we are also commanded to scatter, to fan out into dark places bringing the light of the gospel to bear. Think of everyday, everywhere and everyone as an opportunity to worship Jesus. Who came for you, saves you for himself and sends you for his glory and your good.

Lastly we are sent in community. God the Father sent God the Son who sent God the Spirit. Jesus prayed we would be like them, working together for God’s glory in harmony and in community. Discipleship and mission is a community project. Don’t think invitations and events, think community and involvement. Christian is a verb more than it’s a noun.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Pure Religion - New Series in James

Mystery is starting a new teaching series this Sunday August 23rd through the book of James. How does the gospel work itself out in our lives? Whats the difference between looking Christian and being a Christ Follower. Is religion dangerous? How? We will be spending the next several months in the book of James looking at a life shaped by the gospel. Join us 10am Sundays downtown and then during the week at one of our community groups to explore James in more detail.

Monday, August 17, 2009

ARTWALK THIS WEEK

Come learn about and love Joplin. Experience art, music, people, food and so much more. This Thursday 5:30-8:30 Main St. in Downtown Joplin. Check out the Galleries hosted by Mystery and the many more local artists featured throughout the Main St. galleries.We are in need of people to help set up this Wednesday evening at 5:30. If you can come serve the artists we would appreciate it. Also we need people from Mystery to help Thursday the night of the even. Thee is something for everyone, hosting, clean up, food...you name it we could use it. Work a couple hours, meet new people and walk the rest of main street. Excellent Missional Opportunity for the whole family or for you and your friends.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Evidence of Abiding Pt 2

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." - John 15:8

Five ways you know you are abiding in Christ - Living as his disciple (John 15:1-17)

1. Living a Life of Obedience v.10
Are you lead by His Word
Are you living in accordance with His Will
Are you walking in His Way of living

2. Living a Life of Dependence v.7, 16
In Me…My Word, My Love, My Commands
Is you life marked by desperate and dependent prayer?
Are your prayers God glorifying, Christ Focused and Mission minded?
Is your life lived confident in and dependent upon the Spirit of God working in you?

3. Living a Life of Love
Are you loving God and people?
Are you loving people as God loved the world, sending his treasured son?
Are you loving the church as Jesus loved his church?
Are you loving others as Christ loved you?

4. A Life Lived in Community v.12
Are you known by and knowing those in your church?
Do you meet regularly with other Christians involved in the same local church?
Are you praying and playing with each other outside organized church times?

5. Life Lived on Mission v.16
Has anyone seen Jesus reflected in you this week?
Are you not only living as a disciple but making disciples?
Are you sharing the gospel verbally as well as visually in your life?

Ask your self these questions. Analyze your life honestly. Repent of any area not in line with the gospel. Allow God to prune you so that your life bears much fruit. Pray for God to make your life more and more in line with the gospel and more and more looking like Jesus'. For his glory, your joy and the good of those around you.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Evidence of Abiding Pt 1

Many people think that becoming a Christian is the same thing as being a Christian. We tend to see following Jesus as a one time event rather than a constant and continual lifestyle. To truly be a disciple, or Christ Follower, we have to following Jesus daily. Following him means we have had our eyes and hearts opened by the Spirit of God to see Jesus as he is - God, Savior and King. It means to respond to the Spirit by following Jesus faithfully. It means receiving a new identity (his) but it's also LIVING in this new identity each and every minute of each and every day. Jesus calls it "Abiding" in John 15. The word means to remain in, survive by, or exist. Thats pretty powerful. Not only does Jesus offer life, but he is life and to truly live we must remain in him. It's daily trust in his daily truth. Are you right now living in the reality of who Jesus is, what he has done and who you are in him? Are you relying on his identity and responding out of it in each and every decision? That's what it is to abide...to exist in Christ.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Fall Community Groups

It's that time of year again! The fall is coming. Schedules are getting tighter, school is starting and people are coming back to town and settling down from vacations and travels. It's exciting for a church and also very busy. The best part is that Mystery's Gospel Communities start back up. The last week of August our Community Groups reform and begin gathering together to laugh, share, care, study and pray with one another. Community Groups are where growth and relationships happen at there best.
We have double the number of groups this fall to six! We have groups from north to south Joplin and into Webb City. There is one for everyone and our goal is to see anyone and everyone that calls Mystery home connected and committed to a Community Group. It's the gospel, it's family, it's vital as well as enjoyable.
We've got lots planned for the fall through our groups including missional involvement in the city, serving the church, our neighbors and those in need. Also we will be studying through the book of James together during the week as well as teaching through it on Sundays.
Everyone is welcome. Find and sign up for a group at our Sunday Morning gathering. It could be the best thing you did this year.