For Such a Time as This!

We have been going through the great story of Esther at our Tuesday Night Gatherings at Roots Coffeehouse. Last night we were in the fourth chapter of the story.

Esther has been named the new queen of Persia by King Xerxes and all seems well. Except now the King has named Haman prime minister of all the land and the people are required to bow to him. Esther's uncle Mordecai refuses. Haman notices and is now crazy mad. He wants Mordecai killed. But then he finds out that Mordecai is a Jew so now he wants all of the Jews killed.

Persia at that time had 35 million living there and was roughly as large as the continental United States. There are hundreds of thousands of Jews living amongst the peoples. The decree goes out to kill them all in 12 months. The country is in an uproar.

These people have intermarried with the Persians and are friends and neighbors and business people in the society. Naturally, Mordecai asks Queen Esther to talk to the king. The problem is she can not just go talk to him. Tradition held that the King must summon you or you could die for just walking in on him. Esther is scared. I would be too.

But then Mordecai tells her those famous words, 'Don't think you will escape death by being in the palace. You can not do nothing. And besides, who knows if you are here 'for such a time as this''.

We all have such a time as this moments. Moments when we can not see more than one step ahead and we are scared. I want to challenge you right now to look at how GOD has worked in your life to bring you to such a time as this. Do you think that HE would leave you now?

GOD has worked in our lives

to place us exactly where he wants at just the right time.

My challenge to you is to boldly take that next step and to trust that GOD will be there just as HE has been with you in the past. No, life will not be easy. We are never promised 'easy'. But what we are promised is that GOD will be there. HE has things for us to do that we can not even imagine. Be bold for Jesus.

Take that step.
Talk to that person.
Do a little more.
Give a little more.
Trust HIM a little more.

Ephesians 3:20-21 tells us, 'Now to HIM that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto HIM be glory in the church by JESUS CHRIST through all ages...'

May you be blessed as you live for our LORD!

Thoughts on the Verge Conference

Wow!



Nansii and I had the great opportunity to attend 'Verge 2010' in Austin this past weekend. Big thanks to the EFCA for sending us!



Verge 2010 - Missional Community Conference - over 2000 Church leaders from all over committed to be the church that JESUS wants. http://www.verge2010.org/



Many things may come to mind when you see 'missional' and 'community'. Sounds kind of weird - maybe even 'new age-y'. Before we better illustrate these concepts, let me take a few words to reiterate where I am at on the whole 'church thing'.



I have felt for a long time that church in America has been broken. We have attended small churches, we have attended large churches and the problems seem the same. America is filled with 'spectator christians'. What is a spectator christian? It is someone who attends a church, even regularly, and that is it. There is no involvement besides just showing up. It's like all you have to do is punch the Sunday morning time clock and you are good to go.



Don't get me wrong, I am not jumping on the people in the pews. It is the fault of church leaders who have created a machine that draws people in and that's it.



Willow Creek Church recently released a report called 'The Reveal Study'. What that study showed was that Willow Creek - the leader of the 'seeker-sensitive movement' - is not doing a good job. They have programs and events for everyone and are touching thousands of lives but few people are actually growing in their faith. This is not unique to them. I believe that this is the current norm across America.



When we read the story of the church in the Bible we do not see 'spectator church', we see 'participant church'. Everyone is supposed to be involved.



The great commission - Matthew 28.19-20 - to go and make disciples is a command for everybody, these are Jesus' last words to all of us.



The great commandment - Matthew 22.37-39 - to love GOD with everything you have and to love people like you love yourself - this is Jesus' teaching for everyone.



We can not be a spectator and make disciples or love GOD and people.



We must get in the game.

We must get our hands dirty.

This is going to be work.

But it is work that is more satisfying than anything that we have ever done.

What is 'Missional Living'? It is 'sent' living. We have been commissioned by JESUS to go - to be the church to the world around us. The idea of 'Missional Community' is the idea of being invested in the lives and partnered together with a group of like-minded people, doing church together.



HomeTown Community Church is founded on this essential teaching.

Love JESUS - Love People - Serve the Community

We are committed to creating communities of people on the journey toward Jesus doing life together. Helping each other to be the church and making a difference in the world around us.

Remember Jesus said to 'Let your light so shine before men that they would see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven!'

If any of this resonates with your spirit we invite you to join us on this greatest journey. It will not be easy - but it could be the best thing you ever do.

If you are local to North Texas - join us at Roots Coffeehouse, Tuesdays at 7pm - http://www.rootscoffeehouse.com/ .

If you want to help start a group in your home - we would love to help you. Shoot me an email - bryan@htcchurch.com

My hope is that this challenges you to re-think church.