My Epic Journey

Last night was our first session at the GCC Pastor’s Conference in St. Louis.  Tom Short spoke.  Here is his outline:

5 Signs We May Be Ashamed of the Gospel

Text:  Romans 1.14-16

#1.  If we feel that what we offer is not of real value.

#2.  If we don’t know how to handle our faith in a relativistic, pluralistic, post-modern, multi-cultural society.

#3.  If we are afraid because the Gospel condemns men as sinners.

#4.  If we are afraid to called “hell-fire and brimstone preachers”

#5.  If we are fearful to take the Gospel into the public square.

It was a great challenge to what we are called to do as Great Commission Christians–and that is preach the Gospel with passion and fervency.

Three sets of three words that will change your life.

1.  I love you!

2.  I forgive you!

3.  I accept you!

These three sets of three words have catastrophic consequences in your life.

Spiritually when spoken by God as we turn our heart over to Him.  He takes our life and makes us part of Him.  Nothing can ever separate us from that (Romans 8:38-39)

Humanly speaking, these words can and do change any earthly relationship.  Be it between a husband-wife or parent-child, no other words are as powerful to break down barriers in relationships.

In a world that is fairly hostile, may these words be readily on our lips as we continue to become more like Christ (Ephesians 4.32).

Today, we started a new series titled, DIRECTIONS:  Going wherever God leads us.

We started with Romans 12.1-2 and asked these questions:

What is true worship?

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

What does this look like practically in my world?

We started and ended with a fairly poignant story.

A chicken and a pig went for a walk around the farm. As they passed the farmer’s window they noticed a wonderful breakfast prepared for the farmer and his wife sitting on the breakfast table. As they peeked closer they noticed bacon and eggs on the plates.

The pig and chicken were silent for a moment as they took in the impact of what they saw. Finally, looking at the eggs and prideful of her contribution, the chicken said, “now that was a sacrifice!”

The pig looked at the bacon on the plate and finally turned to the chicken and said, “Yes, for you it is a sacrifice. But for us it is total commitment!”

We asked the question, spiritually speaking, are you a chicken or a pig?

I was just wondering, how would you answer?