Our House (Week 3) - Jan. 23, 2022 - Andy Turner

“Go and do likewise.” Andy continues in week 3 of our series, “Our House,” with a reminder of the command from Jesus to show mercy and love to those around us. How can we reach those around us who are struggling? How should the church react to the brokenness and hurt in the world around us? Listen to this week’s message to hear more about how Jesus-followers can be agents of hope and not “me-centered” Christians. “A me-centered church is a dangerous church… but not in the good way. It’s impossible to have a me-centered faith as a me-centered Christian while living the life that Jesus desires for us to live. Those things can’t coexist.” “Me-centered Christians will always struggle to reach people who are far from Jesus.” “This is the command of Jesus – to love one another as he has loved us. This is not just a suggestion.” “It is impossible for us as Jesus-followers to stay away from brokenness today. We don’t have the option of just crossing over to the other side of the street and continuing to go on.” “Because of the hope of Jesus Christ, it should never be our intention to get away from the brokenness of the world. It should always be our intention to run to it. You look at everything – the pain, the suffering, the questions and doubts and loneliness – look at all of it and understand that because of Jesus, nobody is better than anyone else. When it comes to the cross, we all stand on level ground. We are all sinners in desperate need of amazing grace.” “So often, our tendency when we see pain and brokenness and hurt, is to come up with all the reasons why we should not engage. May it be true for us that whenever the world sees us coming, that they see agents of hope.” “Because of Jesus, we believe that ALL people can be reconciled to a holy God. And if all people can be reconciled to God, by all means we can be reconciled to each other. All of this is possible because of the cross.” “Every single pain we see in this world, Jesus is the answer. He’s the answer for it all. You know how that answer gets to the broken? Whenever we decide to engage brokenness instead of passing by on the other side of the street.” “Even in the midst of our brokenness, can we keep our eyes focused on Jesus? Can we take that hope everywhere we go and to everyone we encounter? May we do more than simply listen to the Word and so deceive ourselves. May we do what it says.”