2019 Session 4: The World Loves Love

Mack finished his time with us this evening talking about obeying Christ from a passage in John 14, titled “I Am the Way and the Truth, and the Life”:“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”[c] 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.” He explained where Jesus discusses the importance of obedience and how Jesus links obedience to love. He lists a few ways for why we should obey Christ. In addition to this, he listed some critical things needed to live an obedient life. Obedience of God’s Word and to the Gospel is part of an obedient life. To say the Gospel takes but a minute, to learn it takes a lifetime.  Another passage Mack used was 2 Corinthians 5 to give a little detail on the opportunity given to God’s people. He has allowed us and called us to be ambassadors for Him. Being ambassadors for Christ calls us to be bold with the Gospel. Ambassadors, followers of Christ are called to other things as well. These are surrounded by being a part of a community of believers. We must; be a part of the church, know the church, and love other churches. The church being Christ’s body as a whole, including all its members. On way, Mack explains being a part of the church is to do as Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, to build up others. Knowing the church means to allow the church to speak into your life and to understand the importance of having people pour into you as a member. In conclusion, Mack states the kind of church we as Christians ought to want. That being a certain kind of church, not one that is American or African or Asian, but one that teaches Jesus’ Gospel. This Gospel centered community must be a community we live in for our lifetime, for the long haul, not just while in college and while you are a part of Campus Outreach.