What is our message, and are we conveying it?
Questions & Answers, with Trevor Withers, 19th Feb 06
Listening to each other
The Bible was written to communities of believers, but we today think of it as written to us as individuals. We need to read it in the context of community.
The questions we explore this morning will not be answered by Trevor, but we will discuss them as a community.
We journey together, learning together, discovering the kingdom together. Today we need to really listen to, and hear, each other.
Eph 4 v 11 we are given to each other as the body of Christ.
Question
Jesus said he came to preach good new to the poor, freedom for the oppressed (Luke 4). In this day of multifaith services, relativism (ie non absolute truth), and consumerism, is the Network Church giving the whole message to our friends and neighbours, and what is that message.
It's about Jesus
The message is about new life in Jesus and relationship being restored. Answers to who am I, what am I here for, where am I going. Jesus died for us, and makes a real difference to our everyday life. Central to our answer is that God loves people. But in this society we need to explain what that love is.
The Gospel is Jesus. 'Share the Gospel, and if necessary use words' (St Francis of Assisi). We need to live as Jesus lived. I have time to be a Christian, but do I have time to be like Jesus. What did Jesus value, therefore what should I value, and how do I live out those values.
The Luke 4 passage refers back to Isaiah 61 where there is more explanation.
It's about God's love
We probably do have answers to the key questions of our friends and neighbours, but the challenge is do I know I am loved by God and can I demonstrate his love to others. It's a journey we are all on. 1 Cor 13 about love was written to a community to tell them about how to love in community. Notice that it's between chapter 12 about spiritual gifts and the body, and chapter 14 about prophesy, tongues and worship.
Social justice, God's concern for the poor. The Full Gospel includes helping those in need and desperation, whether it's people in St Albans or overseas. We're in a global village, how we live affects people halfway round the world. Where we buy our goods, whether we buy fairtrade, that's the tip of the iceberg. Lobbying our MP about domestic legislation.
Ponder what we've discussed and ask God if there is one thing that has stirred your heart that he would like you to take away from this morning. | 
