Loading... Please wait...Message: Maintaining the Membership by Randy Roberts
Part 4 - (Tales from) The League of Extraordinary Disciples
Pastoral Welcome: Shirley Ponder
Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:9–13, TNIV Donauvin Krause
PASTOR'S PAGE Would you be surprised if the lead singer of an immensely popular rock band spoke truth to you about the way of life in following Jesus? Then get ready to be surprised. Bono, lead singer of the rock group U2 says the following: Your nature is a hard thing to change; it takes time…. I have heard of people who have life-changing, miraculous turnarounds, people set free from addiction after a single prayer, relationships saved where both parties “let go, and let God.” But it was not like that for me. For all that “I was lost, I am found,” it is probably more accurate to say, “I was really lost. I’m a little less so at the moment.” And then a little less and a little less again. That to me is the spiritual life. The slow reworking and rebooting the computer at regular intervals, reading the small print of the service manual. It has slowly rebuilt me in a better image. It has taken years, though, and it is not over yet. When Jesus says to us, “Follow me,” I think he means that it is as we follow him that we are changed. Transformation does not happen in its entirety at either the beginning or the end of the journey. It happens somewhat all along the way. It happens at the beginning of the journey, when we first respond to the call of Jesus to follow him. It certainly happens at the end of the journey, when we will be changed in a moment—in the twinkling of an eye. But it also happens each and every day along the way as we choose to respond to the daily call of Christ to follow him. Because of that, following Jesus—walking with him each and every day—is a vital and life-giving experience. Listen carefully today for the divine voice which bids you, “Follow me.” It will change you life … every day.
Randy Roberts
Senior Pastor
MEDITATION The really good news for humanity is that Jesus is now taking students in the master class of life. – Dallas Willard