As believers who have freely received grace, mercy, redemption, and so much more...we are called to give it to others freely. We share the kingdom. It’s what we do, and it’s who we are! And one of the reasons I can make such a definitive statement is because Jesus gave us a beautiful picture of this in the New Testament. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet. 

Matthew 22:1-14

At the very beginning of the parable, Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son”… The illustration describes how the original invitations were rejected and that the king eventually instructs his servants to go and invite anyone they find to the banquet.

I love how Jesus points out that “the banquet is ready,” which evokes images of warm food and all kinds of appetizers in my mind. And side dishes… an elaborate feast fit for a king just waiting for folks to come and enjoy it.

For most of us, the family table is where time is spent with one another. It’s where new friendships are formed, and old friendships are continued.

Essentially, the table is a place where relationships develop. The table is a picture of shared fellowship with others. It’s where we both get to know and allow ourselves to be known. The table is where relationships develop. It’s where we turn away from the disconnected dissonance the world offers and drink deeply of divine fellowship with fellow citizens.

It’s where we are most fully KNOWN.

Theologian and author J.I. Packer says;

"The Greek word for fellowship comes from a common or shared root. So fellowship means common participation in something either by giving what you have to the other person or receiving what they have. Give and take is the essence of fellowship, and give and take must be the way of fellowship in everyday life of the body of Christ." Christian fellowship is two-dimensional, and it has to be vertical before it can be horizontal. 

Knowing and being known are two of our deepest needs as relational beings. The communal nature of our faith wasn't an accident; in fact, it was designed this way with great intention and purpose. We were created for life-giving relationships and fellowship with one another. We are better together, and that's the way God intended it! 

Yet we desire to be more connected digitally while being more lonely physically than ever before. Digital personas are just as showy as they are shallow. We're made to thrive in fellowship with others. And yet the world tells us all the time that the best way to live is only for ourselves. Cutting yourself off from others is the safe way to live, the simple way to live, and yet the worldly way to live. Get what's yours, and don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. But this is not Jesus' way of living.

A famous African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

In today's society, we fight the urge to "FIT IN" with the world, and now we desire to be more connected digitally...and more lonely physically than ever before. And in this fast-paced, disconnected digital world we live in, it’s easy to have all the followers, connections, and fans but still feel utterly alone in the physical world. You see, we are designed for more than relational conflict. We are the image & likeness of the triune God; for the community, fellowship, and kingdom-centered relationships. Knowing and being known are two of our deepest needs as relational human beings. 

Depending on who you ask or what article you’re reading, America faces an “epidemic of loneliness.” Again, the statistics vary, but about half of the population experiences significant loneliness when surveyed. The numbers are regularly higher among young people and the elderly, and obviously, the global pandemic affected everyone, worsening an ever-increasing problem of loneliness! The good news is that we serve an all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing creator God, Elohim, who knows us more deeply than anyone. He created humanity to be and do more,  as relational human beings born into families and wired for fellowship. 

 Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? Galatians 4:8-9

Idolatry is a one-way dead-end road. God knows you; Idols don’t know you because Idolatry is a one-way relationship. And you can’t even call it a relationship because a relationship implies reciprocation and interaction. And yet still, all of us choose to see how far down it goes at some point or another. But there comes a moment when we realize just how far gone we are, just how dark the road of idolatry has become, and we turn back to God. We look to re-establish our connection and commit or recommit ourselves to an actual relationship with the creator of the cosmos, God. 

When we come to know and understand God, we realize, as Paul identifies in our Galatians passage, that God already knows us. He knew us from the beginning, and He knows everything about our lives… nothing is hidden from Him. (cf. back to Psalm 139) He’s there when we sleep and when we rise. He’s there in the pain and the triumph. He’s always watching over us. 

Knowing and being known are two of our deepest needs as relational beings to know and be known. And in this fast-paced, disconnected digital world we live in, it's easy to have all the followers, connections, and fans but still feel completely alone. In the Chameleon Chapter, we were fighting the urge to "FIT IN" with the world, and now we desire to be more connected digitally...and more lonely physically than ever before. Digital personas are as showy as they are shallow. You see, we are made for more than relational conflict. We are the image & likeness of the triune God; for the community, fellowship, and kingdom-centered relationships. 

When was the last time you were called wonderful?

When was the last time you felt deeply - personally known by another?

"You are fully known, loved, and forgiven" can quickly become distorted as it makes its way through life's chaos and distortion. Every day is another opportunity to hear mixed, destructive, and confusing messaging about who you are. There is a genuine enemy who wants nothing more than to steal, kill, and destroy every good thing God has placed in your life. I'd venture to guess that it's been a long time since someone called you extraordinary. It's probably been an even longer time since someone's called you marvelous. These words matter and are worth listening to and believing today because of Jehovah God's sources. Despite anything else you may have heard or come to believe, you are wonderful, marvelous, and beautiful. I love these words because when David wrote Psalm 139, he understood God enough to recognize how God sees His creation. And David further understood that this applied to him personally.

Your listening to Season 4 of our mini-series WHO R U? Episode 4 of The Chamelon Chapter- Imitate Christ. 

      Today, we are continuing our mini-series, “Who Are You,” which is all about knowing your identity and standing out among non-believers rather than fitting in with them. As we draw this chapter to a close, we’re going to be talking about one of the most powerful forces, if not the most potent force in the universe; Love. As believers and followers of Christ, we are to imitate Christ, and this includes learning to love as Christ loved. 

God’s love is unconditional, unconventional, and unbelievable! His passion and commitment never change. As well, God’s love is intentional, sacrificial, and powerful. And so, these three critical aspects of God’s love cannot be missed and must be implemented and imitated in our daily lives. So, this is why we can trust His love… We know it will be the same tomorrow, next week, and the following year. 

John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

Loving others is such a shock to the world and by doing so, people will know you are a disciple of Christ. Or at the very least, they will know you ascribe to the principles and characteristics of a different kingdom. Another way to look at this is to say, If you love others, you will stand out. 

Big Idea - The only imitation we should be striving for in our life is to imitate Jesus. This means we look like Him in how He loved others. This love was unbelievable to those on the receiving end. This love was unconditional and not based on performance. This love was self-sacrificial and not selfish. The only urge we should give into is the urge to be more like Jesus.

Be more like Christ and less like you!

Your listening to Season 4 of our mini-series WHO R U? Episode 4 of The Chamelon Chapter- Imitate Christ. 

      Today, we are continuing our mini-series, “Who Are You,” which is all about knowing your identity and standing out among non-believers rather than fitting in with them. As we draw this chapter to a close, we’re going to be talking about one of the most powerful forces, if not the most potent force in the universe; Love. As believers and followers of Christ, we are to imitate Christ, and this includes learning to love as Christ loved. 

God’s love is unconditional, unconventional, and unbelievable! His passion and commitment never change. As well, God’s love is intentional, sacrificial, and powerful. And so, these three critical aspects of God’s love cannot be missed and must be implemented and imitated in our daily lives. So, this is why we can trust His love… We know it will be the same tomorrow, next week, and the following year. 

John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

Loving others is such a shock to the world and by doing so, people will know you are a disciple of Christ. Or at the very least, they will know you ascribe to the principles and characteristics of a different kingdom. Another way to look at this is to say, If you love others, you will stand out. 

Big Idea - The only imitation we should be striving for in our life is to imitate Jesus. This means we look like Him in how He loved others. This love was unbelievable to those on the receiving end. This love was unconditional and not based on performance. This love was self-sacrificial and not selfish. The only urge we should give into is the urge to be more like Jesus.

Be more like Christ and less like you!

Your listening to Season 4 of our mini-series WHO R U? Episode 3 of The Chamelon Chapter- You Are Gods’ Ambassador.

We have been in this mini-series called “Who Are You?”And in the Chameleon chapter, we have spent some time looking into scripture and learning what it looks like to stand out on behalf of Christ. In the last episode, we discovered that God decided to choose us, call us out of the darkness around us, and bring us into His glorious light so that we could stay there and bask in the radiant glow of Christ all by ourselves, not. Instead, to reach those who are still stuck in the darkness, he has saved us, not just for our benefit but also for the benefit of others that we might be “ambassadors” of the highest King and bring glory to His name.

The website JobHero submits this as the job description of an ambassador:

“Ambassadors represent the policies and interests of their home countries worldwide. And this is the highest-ranking diplomatic position, requiring the ambassador to attend and host events with foreign leaders and representatives while promoting their home nation’s policies abroad. An ambassador typically lives in a foreign country for an extended period and has varied day-to-day duties.”

Faith Partners, if you do not receive anything else God desires to say today on this faith walk, know this: that He has called us to be AMBASSADORS for Christ! We have the highest position on earth. Only for an extended period, representing the interests of the King of kings to all the nations. What a fantastic assignment and calling.

Your listening to Season 4 of our mini-series WHO R U? Episode 3 of The Chamelon Chapter- You Are Gods’ Ambassador.

We have been in this mini-series called “Who Are You?”And in the Chameleon chapter, we have spent some time looking into scripture and learning what it looks like to stand out on behalf of Christ. In the last episode, we discovered that God decided to choose us, call us out of the darkness around us, and bring us into His glorious light so that we could stay there and bask in the radiant glow of Christ all by ourselves, not. Instead, to reach those who are still stuck in the darkness, he has saved us, not just for our benefit but also for the benefit of others that we might be “ambassadors” of the highest King and bring glory to His name.

The website JobHero submits this as the job description of an ambassador:

“Ambassadors represent the policies and interests of their home countries worldwide. And this is the highest-ranking diplomatic position, requiring the ambassador to attend and host events with foreign leaders and representatives while promoting their home nation’s policies abroad. An ambassador typically lives in a foreign country for an extended period and has varied day-to-day duties.”

Faith Partners, if you do not receive anything else God desires to say today on this faith walk, know this: that He has called us to be AMBASSADORS for Christ! We have the highest position on earth. Only for an extended period, representing the interests of the King of kings to all the nations. What a fantastic assignment and calling.

The chameleon is the master of disguise. No matter what environment you place the reptile in, it will change its color to disguise itself to blend or fit in. One of the fundamental aspects of being a Christian is that we are supposed to be easily identifiable when placed against the backdrop of the world. But many of us are like the chameleon. We blend in and conform than standing out in the crowd.

YOU ARE CHOSEN

Today, we are continuing our mini-series, “Who Are You,” which is all about knowing your identity and transitioning to standing out for Christ, rather than fitting in and conforming to society. We discussed the difference between conforming to the world around us and being transformed as God defines it in the last episode. Once we choose to be transformed by God, we allow God to use us for His purposes. 

Within the passage of 1st Peter chapter 2, verses 9 through 12. I believe there are three things in particular that Peter is trying to do:

1) Remind Us

2) Challenge Us

3) Strengthen Us

If we can receive each of these things for ourselves today, we will understand the significance of God choosing to use us.  We will be spurred to achieve more extraordinary things in our walk with Christ than ever before.

Peter makes it clear: God does not simply choose us strictly for our benefit, but ultimately to benefit others around us. Maybe we have been keeping the seed of salvation all to ourselves. Perhaps it’s time to expand our comfort zones a bit and share the good news of redemption with others. The truth is, there are people in your daily life, maybe even in your inner circle, that do not know there is a God who loves them and would choose to use them for a higher purpose than anything this world could offer them. They are watching you as you walk the path of faith. They are observing your responses and your reactions to suffering, adversities, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.

Let your life preach such a powerful message that those close to you have no other option but to praise God in heaven. Who comes to mind when you think of those close to you? Who do you think might need to hear the good news of Christ? What can you do right now, in word or deed, to proclaim the good news to those around you? As you consider this challenge, remember; You are chosen and redeemed.

You are an ambassador of Christ, a messenger of the most fantastic news the cosmos has ever known. And the same God who raised Christ from the dead will raise you in your time of need. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

You Are Chosen!

The chameleon is the master of disguise. No matter what environment you place the reptile in, it will change its color to disguise itself to blend or fit in. One of the fundamental aspects of being a Christian is that we are supposed to be easily identifiable when placed against the backdrop of the world. But many of us are like the chameleon. We blend in and conform than standing out in the crowd.

YOU ARE CHOSEN

Today, we are continuing our mini-series, “Who Are You,” which is all about knowing your identity and transitioning to standing out for Christ, rather than fitting in and conforming to society. We discussed the difference between conforming to the world around us and being transformed as God defines it in the last episode. Once we choose to be transformed by God, we allow God to use us for His purposes. 

Within the passage of 1st Peter chapter 2, verses 9 through 12. I believe there are three things in particular that Peter is trying to do:

1) Remind Us

2) Challenge Us

3) Strengthen Us

If we can receive each of these things for ourselves today, we will understand the significance of God choosing to use us.  We will be spurred to achieve more extraordinary things in our walk with Christ than ever before.

Peter makes it clear: God does not simply choose us strictly for our benefit, but ultimately to benefit others around us. Maybe we have been keeping the seed of salvation all to ourselves. Perhaps it’s time to expand our comfort zones a bit and share the good news of redemption with others. The truth is, there are people in your daily life, maybe even in your inner circle, that do not know there is a God who loves them and would choose to use them for a higher purpose than anything this world could offer them. They are watching you as you walk the path of faith. They are observing your responses and your reactions to suffering, adversities, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.

Let your life preach such a powerful message that those close to you have no other option but to praise God in heaven. Who comes to mind when you think of those close to you? Who do you think might need to hear the good news of Christ? What can you do right now, in word or deed, to proclaim the good news to those around you? As you consider this challenge, remember; You are chosen and redeemed.

You are an ambassador of Christ, a messenger of the most fantastic news the cosmos has ever known. And the same God who raised Christ from the dead will raise you in your time of need. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

You Are Chosen!