What are our distinctive features?
10th September with Trevor Withers
We had the privilege today of praying for Tina who is going to spend a week in Albania as part of her seeking what God wants her to do next. We were also able to spend some time praying for Alex, Tim Foulger, Matt Withers and Kirsty who are all leaving for university this Autumn.
Therefore we just had time at the end of the meeting to consider the following question:
What are the distinctives of being disciples of Jesus that set us apart?
Answers from the congregation included the following:
Putting people first
Walking in broken-ness
Loving one another John 13 v 34-35
Love for others
Challenging the boundaries, breaking down walls
Despite our fearful situations, we have the love joy peace etc of Jesus living in us
We are spiritually alive – we have 24/7 access to the source of true life. Despite emotions which may tell us otherwise, we are alive and will stay alive in Christ
Disciplined ambition – our ambition is put to the cross, there is a focus and a vision because Jesus gives us vision
Passion for seeing change through God's eyes in people
Love for our enemies – not like other religions
We are different and the world doesn't often now why, but we are. We need to communicate effectively to allay misunderstanding
We are forgiven ad we know it, and are capable of true forgiveness through God's empowering
Final thought from Trevor:
Ask God whether we look like this to someone looking at us. It's a challenge to demonstrate something of the kingdom of God, to demonstrate that we're followers of Jesus. | 
