We just started a new series entitled Love Your City, Change The World. I believe the best way to love and reach our city is to understand the church and to love the church. God has always worked through his people. Jesus always worked through His followers. Jesus started the church, loves the church, and works through the church.
When functioning properly, the church is the tool God designed to reach the world and change the world through the power of the gospel.
In Matthew 16, Jesus went to Caesarea Philippi which was full of messy people far from God. When Jesus went there it took him a week to get there from where he started. It was an uphill walk. Any time Jesus goes to a particular geographical location we should take note. The nick name of this city was the gates of hell.
I love the fact that Jesus went there. Jesus does not run from messy people, rather he runs to them. We have told our culture when you become like us you can be a part of us.
5 Things To Remember In Reaching Messy People
#1 Messy People Need God
Maybe that is you now or maybe you can remember when you first realized you needed God. I praise God we have created an environment for messy people. In fact I am a messy people.
Jesus got a conversation started about himself in an environment for messy people and we should do the same.
#2 God Loves Messy People
Jesus said He came to earth for those far from God. Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” He loves everyone including you.
#3 Messy People Are Reachable
When we reach those people no other church wants and they get saved, they are the ones every other church would die to have. God's grace is for everyone and anyone who calls on the name of Jesus can be saved.
#4 Don't forget what it was like to be lost
Don't forget what it was like to be saved, healed, your marriage restored, your children come home, or your emotions healed. We must never forget what God has done for us and remember He wants to do that for others. One reason some church people don’t love messy people, is that they are not at a point in their relationship with Jesus that they know how messy they really are themselves.
#5 God Uses The Church To Reach Them
Jesus told Peter that he, Jesus, would build his church. From that time in Caesarea Philippi till we see Peter in the upper room ,Peter began to grasp the mission of Jesus. We are His hands and feet. We must never get so inwardly focused that we forget the mission He has given us. Through the church Jesus provides hope for the world. Through the church, Jesus expresses His heart for the world. Through the church, Jesus provides healing for the world.
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