What is keeping you from taking the next step of faith? Taking a step of faith is simple (God tells us what to do), peaceful (obedience brings peace), and necessary (we must step out in faith in order to mature). So why don’t we do it? Maybe it is because we have listened to the lie that taking a step of faith is difficult and disturbing, therefore we neglect it to the detriment of our maturity. If every one of us would take one step forward in faith, we would see a transformation in our lives and in the lives around us by the power of Christ. Over the past few weeks we discussed what we are to be doing: Bringing the Love of Christ to a hurting world. We also discussed why we carry out this mission: we value love, healing, and order. This morning we shall discuss how we carry out this mission. Consider:
- Make Worship a Priority. Yes, attending at least one worship service per week is not a requirement to get into heaven. But, do not use that as an excuse to skip our worship gatherings. While you can worship God at the lake alone, God does not want you to neglect to worship Him at the church as the Church. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to “stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Therefore, let us think less about a requirement to attend a service and more about the love of worshipping God and encouraging one another. But this is not just a matter for Sunday. Let us make the worship of God a priority in our life every day. Every day must be a day of worship because every day God is worthy of worship. When worship is a priority each day, worship is a priority on Sunday. The worship service on the first day of the week is just an expression of the worship of God each day of the week. Do you need to make worship a priority?
- Make Relationships a Priority. Your relationship with Jesus Christ is personal but not private. We do not hide our faith, but we are to be ambassadors for Christ everywhere we go. As Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, we are made for relationships that magnify Christ and encourage one another. We do this at First Baptist through Small Groups. Small Groups are considered small in relation to the large group gathering of a worship service. The large group gathering has many benefits but building relationships is not one of them. Small groups are where relationships are formed and loving accountability takes place.
- Grow Groups are one type of Small Group. These groups meet to study the Bible, encourage one another, and lovingly hold one another accountable to pursuing holiness. Our most popular Grow Groups meet on Sunday morning as Sunday School. We also have groups that meet other days of the week. If you are not in a Grow Group, will you take the next step of faith and join?
- Ministry Teams are another type of Small Group. The primary purpose of these groups are to meet specific needs in the church and outside the church. Whether it is in Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Women’s Ministry, or Men’s Ministry; these teams are seeking to be a blessing to others through their service. If you are not on a Ministry Team, will you take the next step of faith and join?
Maybe your next step is to become a Christian? Will you come forward and commit your life to Christ? Maybe your next step is to join this church, come forward and speak with Pastor Jeremy about membership at First Baptist. Regardless of what your next step is; will you step in faith?
First Baptist Scott City, MO 