God designed us for not just himself, but each other. Not just to serve each other, but to enjoy, protect, nourish and love each other amidst community.
So when Jesus - our friend, saviour and Lord - says, "Love your neighbour as yourself", it's not simply a moral obligation for a healthy society of "nice people".
Your neighbours need your love. You may need the love of your neighbours.
Your church needs your love. You may need the love of your church.
In the last week, Martine and I have spent time with pastors on the Gold Coast, friends in our street, church planters on the Sunshine Coast and underprivileged people in Brisbane's suburbs. One common denominator that stands out about people across the broader community is that many of them are lonely. Even those who may not feel alone are often living alone.
This is why one of our three rhythms, inviting people into your life, is so critical to our church's health and God's mission. It's not simply "connecting" and making friends, but an integral part of imitating Jesus' life and love for our world!
I realise there are many reasons why this rhythm isn't front-and-centre in our lives, but the reason I keep talking about it is that Jesus commanded it, modelled it and said it was to be critical to his mission for us.
Secondly, in my life and pastoral experience, inviting people into your life out of love is a key step that unlocks a deeper, richer spiritual vitality that only comes through sacrificial obedience to Jesus. Not only that, but it makes everything else in faith more fun doing it together with new friends!
Why not find a simple way to invite someone new into your life? A call, text or conversation is all it takes to kick things off. As you do so, you're fulfilling your calling and living out your God-given design for community.
See you Sunday as we gather again to encourage each other on the journey!
Dan
P.S. If your faith needs some encouragement, scroll to the bottom to find an encouraging video outlining simple ways you might see your faith 'come alive' again.
Coming Up
May
Sun 12 May 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 19 May 3pm Moffat Gathering - get baptised!
Sun 26 May 3pm Moffat Gathering
June
Sun 02 June 3pm Worship Gathering - Bob's Farm, North Maleny
Sun 09 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 16 June 3pm Moffat Gathering - Jersey's baptism! Join her?
Sun 23 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 30 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $16,285
Last month's expenses: $9,189
Balance: $46,595
Giving Kitty Oct-Mar: $5,000
Giving out Oct-Mar: $2,280
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started with giving to Open Road to meet needs as a church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
BONUS: Persevering in faith
30 million Americans have left their faith in recent decades. Below, John Bevere encourages us to stoke our faith so that it outlasts the challenges we face.
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