Happy New Year and prepare to make an impact for God!
I have always loved seeing people give themselves to a cause, team, group, or event 100%. Most often the more people that invest 100%,, the greater the outcome and great the impact. That was so true of the early church and first century believers that were so passionate about Jesus that they gave themselves 100% to Him and other Jesus followers. These beievers made such an impact in their cities, villages and world that they were viewed as a threat (Acts 17:6-7).
These followers of Jesus did not make a radical impact in their world by marching on the government, buiding billboards, wearing logo wear clothes like many try today. Instead they lived a life that was so counter-cultural, so committed to their real King Jesus... others took notice. Real people, really changing and really living a bold life for God, even at the risk of life, career, and more.
This is what the early church was and why it made suich an impact.
This is what the church and Jesus followers are called to be still today.
This is what I dream the community of Journey church to become.
If you read this and are apart of Journey, prepare for a year focused on the idea of being "People of impact". Prepare to rise up, risk more, love more and change more. Not out of guilt... but out of a deeper love, devotion, commitment to our King Jesus.
If you are not apart of a church, tribe, group like that and you what to make an impact for Jesus as the early church did... we invite you to join with us on this amazing series. There are practical life lessons that bwe can apply to ourselves today, that made a big differnce 2,000 years ago.
PREPARE FOR IMPACT.... it's all or nothing in 2007!
Generis
About Me
- Rich
- Rich Bontrager serves as the lead Pastor of Journey Church in Rochester, MN, which is focused at reaching young adults. Rich is church planter at heart and has a dream of seeing more churches planted along Interstate I-90 (MN & Iowa). In 2009 Journey planted the Crux Church in Faribualt, MN and in the fall of 2011 Journey will give birth to it’s second daughter church in Stewertville, MN. Rich loves to travel and speak with young adults about boldly making an impact in the world today for Christ. In 2010 Journey opened up the Uturn Coffeehouse & Event Center. Rich and his wife Cyndi, have three daughters Abbi, Sarah and Hannah.
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I am looking forward to this series. This is an issue that I have been contemplating for sometime. I am tired of sitting on the sidelines and want to get into the game. I long for God to use me for His glory and hope for that priviledge in 2007
This series has certainly made an impact in my life. God has allowed me to finally let go of some issues that I have been having and uncover some deep imbedded feelings out.
This week we began with one of newest Bible hereos... Jason. Part of the reason I'm drawn this life story is because he's not one of the "Bible great heroes" that we hear about year after year. Jason sounds like a normal person that was impacted deeply by the message of Jesus Christ as it was shared by Paul and Silas.
Jason was a high impact guy becsuse of several key things. Thinks that I see relevant to our world today. Relevant in that following Jasons example may help me personally (and Journey) have a bigger impact here in Rochester.
Jason type Jesus followers invest...
Their home - personal life
Their reputation - 24 / 7 Jesus follower
Their finances - "bailed out church"
Swith alliegince to a new King... Jesus.
There are so many life lessons, challeges presented in Acts 17:1-9. one of the big was is, "am I a threat to this city, a threat because I have sworn allegience to another King (Jesus)?"
Is such a thing as being too sold out, too invested to committed to God? I don't think so. Yet, in America... living like Jason seems so out of reach.
Prepare for impact continues... Are you a Jason?
Are you a threat to this city by how you live, the home that you open up? Jason's of Rochester, are you ready to stand up and be counted?
IMPACT
Counter-Cultural Community... sounds like a bunch of crazy people eith running from the world or trying to over throw it. Yet through the scriptures God has tried to teach his people (disciples) to be " in the world,. but not of the world."
Being a counter-cultural person is one thing and something Jesus followers should try to live out in their own "world". But being a CC Community together is a lot tougher. Creating unity, stepping out together and having an impact is not easy. Yet as the first century churches found out... it cam have a big impact on a city, region and even a nation.
This week the question - "What god have I turned from to follow Jesus haunts me." Turning to Jesus is great, awesome. But what have a turned from, turned off, rejected, left behind to really follow him. If I can recognize that, will others see it? Will others want to know why I have turned and how I live CC to the world? I hope and pray that a growing church community that can be reality of all of us.
STRONG FAITH.... was the topic this week on our on going discussion of becoming a people / church of impact. This week we ask the question are you (I) an encourager?
I find it amazing that the Apostle Paul sent young Timothy on a mission of encouragement to the early church in Thessalonica. Yet, Timothy reported that their faith was STRONG. Then that report encouraged Paul and Silas!
Encouragement can be a powerful tool in the growth of a church / people. Yet, most of us have experienced very critical churches and believers. And we wonder why people shy away from God, faith and church.
Are you an encourager?
If you can answer "YES" you can play a major role in helping others grow, stand -firm and make an impact for God.
ELECTRIC FLOWERS - words and music by Rick
"a prayer for Strength in times of temptation"
D/F# (2 bars) G (2 bars) D/F# (2 bars) A alternate A,D
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||:----3-3-----3-3-:||:----3-3-----3-3-:||:----3-3-----3-3-:||----2-2-2-2-2---|2---x-----------||
|| ----2-2-----2-2- || ----0-0-----0-0- || ----2-2-----2-2- ||----2-2-2-2-2---|2---x-----------||
|| 0---0-0-----0-0- || 0---0-0-----0-0- || 0---0-0-----0-0- ||----2-2-2-2-2---|2---x-----------||
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D/F#
I am yours in the evening
G
I am yours through the night
D/F#
You're the breath of the morning
A
The everlasting light
D/F#
I will live within your Faith
G
there's room to breathe within your Hope
D/F#
I will shine with your Love
A D
testi-fying to the light
D/F# G D/F# A D
and I pray ...
Lord, you gave us the spirit and this body for the fight
and intend us to fol-low through our earthly night
We have chosen our direction keep us safe till its light
when the neon lights are calling and it isn't right
When I think of all the friends that I've lost along the way
chasing electric flowers till the break of day
Still I know that they'd repent if they only knew
you are strong through our weakness in the early morning dew
repeat chorus
What an impact we CAN have by "testifying to the light". But, as you said, that takes energy and courage. Wow - when I think of what I have received already from Journey (through Journey, from GOD actually) it energizes me to make it through our "earthly night".
Peace on your Journey my friends -- Rick
Sunday we looked at HOLINESS and HONOR as we continued our discussions on becoming people / a church of IMPACT.
In Chapter 4 of Thessalonians Paul challenges and encourages that early group of believers to "love even more". Is there even more inside of me than I realize? Can the church have even more of an impact than we realize... if we don't settle back in to living a safe life.
I have to believe that yes, there is much, much more in us... if we keep that in fromt of us and raise the standard of holiness and honor as it was first intended to be. Who knows what God may do through us and with us.
JASON II was our discussio this week at our Sunday morning gathering. I have to admit that I planned this series of discussion out with another idea in mind as I looked at Chapter 5 of 1 Thessalonias.
But the more I studied, read, re-read, looked at commentaries and reflected on what may have been causing Apostle Paul to write to this young church plant a new idea emerged and man was it evert timely and practical for me / us.
To be a church pf Jasons and make a big impact Paul gives some very practical advice on how to stay on mission and not fall on the landmines that come when a church grows and church planting in general. The clarity of Paul's words simply amazing. If you're at Journey and read this, if your at another church plant and are feeling drained, laziness is moving in, ikf you feel that there is a growing gap between leadership and the church community, if vision and purpose are drifting. If you're hearing people say, "enough is enough, let's not try so hard." I the words and passion of the Apostle Paul " I URGE YOU" to read and re-read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24.
As you read these words, picture "Saving Private Ryan". A palatoon on mission, warn, hurting, not fully believing in the idea that all of this is worth ONE MAN. Yet, they press on, pick each other up... because they have a misson and a leader that will not stop... no matter the cost.
I pray, that Journey, every church planter raises up Jasons that never stop, that never let anyone stand alone and stay on mission and purpose. Because each "private ryan" in our lives matters greatly to God and therefore matters greatly to us!
IMPACT
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