MCC Podcast

What is something that someone has done to serve you that has impacted your life?

I remember serving as a counselor at a high school week of camp and we reenacted the stages of the cross which includes scenes from the night before Jesus was crucified. The scene where I portrayed Jesus was where He washed the disciples’ feet. I wasn’t sure how they would respond. I wasn’t sure how I would respond. But as I moved from student to student to wash their feet, most were nervous. But as I spoke the words of Jesus to them while I washed their feet, a change began to occur. And not just in them. Serving changes not just those being served, but those serving.

Steve Sjogren said, “God's love must be communicated from person to person, not just from page to person…Deeds of love allow us to sneak into the hearts of those we serve.”  This week we are going to be looking at how to live that out in real life.

We are asking the question, “What if?”

What if we discipled?

What if we served?

What if we prayed?

If we did those things we believe that our church, and the world around us. Specifically, the places that we have influence could be transformed. We are looking ahead to the not yet shaped future and thinking about what we can do today to transform that image in all the ways that we have control.

We know that we don’t have complete control over the future, but we also know that we aren’t completely victims to an unwritten future that will fall on us. That to some degree if we make the right choices, and lean in on the right things, we can move in the right direction. Of course, we will have to react to surprises, of course, things that can’t be predicted will happen, but how we react and respond will be directed by our resolve to trust God and go together in what might be tough and at times uncomfortable direction.

Our definition of a disciple comes out of Matthew 4:19. If you missed last week's message go back and listen to that one first. Our student Pastor Eric Craft did a great job with the background on the story as well as helping us come face to face with the decision of whether we will choose to follow Jesus. In that verse, Jesus said, “Follow Me and I will…”

That leaves us hanging. If we choose to follow, what will Jesus do? That's what we talk about in this message.

I remember sitting next to my best friend one evening and saying “ I think I should go kayaking.” And him seizing that opportunity, knowing that moments, where I do outdoorsy things, don’t come often immediately pulled out his phone and rented kayaks. And so that weekend he and I went out to Ceasers Creek and began to kayak and for the first ten minutes, I was fine, until I tipped the kayak over. And then I was fine again until about ten minutes later I topped the kayak again. And while I hated tipping over the kayak I was glad I went. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and forced to deal with something new and because of that, I grew. As we start the new year we are going to be taking a look at the story of Peter when Jesus calls him out of the boat to go and be a fisher of men. Peter could have stayed in his boat, lived his life, and played it safe. But it was when he stepped out of the boat and stepped into what God was calling him to his life began to change. The same is for you and me. When we step out and step into what God is doing and allow him to change our lives he will begin to do things through us and in us that we can’t even imagine.

Mike Tuttle speaking, Be: series: July 26, 2020

Rich McKinley speaking, Be: series: July 19, 2020

Adam Leopard speaking, Be: series: July 12, 2020

Mike Tuttle speaking, Be: series: July 5, 2020

Mike Tuttle speaking, Live Generous series: June 28, 2020

Mike Tuttle speaking: Live Generous series: June 21. 2020