JULY SERIES
What is the most important thing in life? What exactly are we supposed to be doing and believing? What are the essentials of the Christ-following-life? For many, the question is not what they believe, but why, and how they believe. Yet, if you're a follower of Christ, you are part of a revolution. It's a revolution centered on a love story of GOOD NEWS. A story that begins in Genesis, and continues today. As followers of Jesus, it's vital to continually uncover and re-discover the Genesis Project. Whether you're a seasoned "Christian" or someone with genuine questions about faith, The Genesis Project will invite you to jump into a revolution that will turn your world upside down. More than that, you'll play a part in turning the world upside down.
-July 4th: theREVOLUTION (Gospel) - "And the WORD became flesh and walked among us." John 1:14
At the heart of the Christian life is the Good News - the Gospel. The Good News, takes shape in us when we understand that the bad news it overcame. The beginning is never the end. God stepped into human history, took on flesh and bones, walked the earth, was murdered on a tree, and rose on the third day. The Good News is that His death brought us life. His resurrection made us new.
-July 11th: theJOURNEY (Discipleship) - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and FOLLOW me." Matthew 16:24
When Jesus said, “follow me,” He didn’t mean it metaphorically – He meant it literally. Jesus followers left their homes, families, and careers to walk and learn from Him. They literally went on a journey, never leaving His side for fear of missing a teachable moment. Their life was devoted to learning and living the way of their teacher. At one point, Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must deny yourself and follow me.” In one statement, Jesus summed up the apex of being His disciple.
-July 18th: theMESSAGE (Reality) - "Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the GOOD NEWS of God."The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the GOOD NEWS!"
Jesus didn't come to start a new religion. He wasn't content with giving people a new belief system to replace their old one. He came with a message. He brought a message of change - radical, all encompassing change. He brought an entirely new way of life; a totally new reality which was centered on love. It was this new reality the he referred to as the Kingdom of God. On one occasion, he encouraged his followers to pray God's Kingdom; His reality come down to earth.
-July 25th: theMISSION (Mission) - "Therefore GO and make DISCIPLES of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" Matthew 28:19-20
A message without mission is stagnant. Because of this, Jesus expressed His message through mission. The depth of His message is witnessed not just in what it does for us, but what it compels us to do for others - the world. He challenged, and continues to challenge His followers to carry his transformational message of faith, love and hope to as many people within our reach. We are called to preach, not just with our voice, but through our ever day, moment by moment lives.
|
