I Have Decided

The fall colors are beginning to peak and on a sunny morning like today the reds, oranges and yellows are especially vibrant. Brad welcomed us warmly, which happens no matter the weather.

Announcements
1. There is a shoe drive to collect shoes for the homeless, especially men's shoes of any size.
2. Brook has scheduled a cleaning day for Wednesday to organize the storage room.
3. New flooring will arrive before long, to be installed around the first week of November. It's possible things will be in disarray so that we may have to be creative about where we worship one or two weekends at that time.

The trio helped us transition to worship by singing, "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place." The congregation joined to sing several songs and hymns before an offering was taken while the trio sang "Make Me A Servant."

A time of prayer preceded the message.

I Have Decided

We looked at the book of Nehemiah again this morning. Brad began by talking about the implications of Jesus' invitation: "Follow Me." Those two words have changed human history, globally and individually, by people who followed these two words, from the early disciples to the present.

Everything is wrapped up in those two words. "Follow Me."

When Jesus says that, He's really saying, "I just want you to trust Me in everything. I want you to obey Me fully. No exceptions." This is not a preference, but a commitment.

The reason Pastor Brad is here at New Life Covenant is summed up in this concise call to surrender. The ball is in our court, to decide. Following Jesus is a decision. It is intentional.

Which brings us back to Nehemiah. Last week we discussed how the people built the wall, but at this point they were still living in a land run by foreign authority. And the people gathered, seeking God's guidance. They looked to Ezra to read God's book to them. The people listened as Ezra read from the Torah from daybreak till noon. (Nehemiah 8)

Beginning with Genesis they learn how the world came into being, how the world became broken, how God had purposes, a mission and a people. Ezra continued to read about Moses, and the giving of the Law, and how people are supposed to live.

And as the story went on, they learned how much they had missed it, how generations lost their way, living shallow meaningless lives when they had been called to so much more, and they're hearts were broken, and they wept.

But the leaders said, "Wait, enough crying. Because God has a purpose for you." And then the significant words in verse 10: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

This is followed by more reading from the Book, and three further hours of worship, they confess their sins together and repented. Here's the culmination, in verse 38: “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."

Our commitment is more important than anything. It is not legalistic. It is not self-righteous. It's something inside them. This day commitment becomes a turning point in the history of Israel.

Then one day Jesus comes. And He explains the meaning of all these things. And what He shows them and us is that the Laws of God are not intended to make us a group of people who keep a bunch of impossible rules, but rather people whose lives exhibit this from the heart.

This isn't something nebulous out there somewhere. This is practical in the moment, here and now. Love one another.

It's not about "I'll pray when I need something," or "I'll study God's word when it is convenient."

Jesus is able to help us become all He wants us to be. He is patient, and willing. And He calls you. He is Lord of all and He invites you...."Follow Me.

A Conversation

"Good morning!" Brad welcomed us, and then said that this morning he will deviate from the planned message to continue a discussion that had taken place in Sunday school previous to the service. The parking lot was filling up quite early as there were many here for Kristina and Jon Vanderscheuren's baby shower after the service.

Announcements
~ Walt thanked everyone who has done so much work in the new building. The outside doors are now installed which enables them to lock the doors. Currently they are putting up the tongue-and-groove ceiling. Other projects will be coming up soon.
~ Walt also noted that on Friday the 23rd all who would like to be involved in celebrating Brad and Brooke's anniversary January 23 at the Pickwick. Contact Walt for details.

Darlene ushered us into worship by playing Great Is Thy Faithfulness. After a time of singing, the offering was taken and a time of prayer ensued.

A Conversation

We want to be a community of people seeking to grow, deeper in
Christ and broader in mission. We want to do this in an embracing way.

Brad shared how when he was young there was a joyful, passionate community devoted to water skiing. They loved being in the water. They supported one another and encouraged one another. Always pushing them forward with a spirit of gladness. That is what I would like to see happen here.

After many conversations with people here this week, he felt a desire to discuss how to move us to a greater life experience through Christ. We're in this together.

Brad asked, "What words would you use to describe someone else's spiritual life?" No one answered, so Brad shared the one thing Jesus said that mattered: "Follow Me."

It's not about being perfect. No one can be perfect. And you can't compare to others. It's all just simply following Jesus.

We read Luke 5:1-11 and discussed the meaning of being a follower. There is a difference between a follower and a fan or admirer.

Brad asked us, "What is the difference?" Different people spoke up.  Trust. Willingness to be inconvenienced for the Gospel. Cheering versus doing.

The disciples, when they encountered Jesus, were asked to leave everything... and they did. Could you do that?

One reason people don't make a deeper commitment to their faith is that they have questions. This is O.K., but if you go your whole life without actually making an effort to have your questions answered, then what? Brad's desire is to see us spur one another on and not allow us to stagnate.

The passage begins with Peter, a fisherman, washing his nets after a night on the lake. Jesus then urges Peter to put the boat out into the deep water and let down his nets. Peter obeys and there are so many fish he needs help from some other fisherman to pull them in.

How do you apply this to your life? In this instance Peter was always fishing, but it turned out differently when Peter did it Jesus' way. Perhaps it could be the way we handle money. Or things. Or relationships.

Until you trust enough to bring Him into your daily life, you will never experience that abundance He longs to give us.

Ultimately Jesus invited Peter to be a fisher of men. Leaving everything was not so difficult because he was already in the habit of obeying.

How is your walk?

We're on a journey together to discover what it means to follow Jesus.