Salt holds its most impact once it leaves the saltshaker.
Joining us all the way from Collective Church in Malaysia, in this special message we held the honor of welcoming our friend, Pastor Kevin Loo, and his family to Seattle. As we have been recently studying the Book of John, Pastor Kevin beautifully continued the conversation.
At the turning point of Jesus preparing for his departure, we are reminded of disciples who, to be described most honestly, were panicking. At one point these same disciples were excited about this King, who would bring deliverance to them and their people. Now, not only had they realized that the kingdom wouldn't materialize how they had imagined, but this King was now leaving. These men had traded everything to follow Jesus. They expected life to move quickly, but the greater picture was different.
Within this moment, Jesus talked to the Father.
Teaching from John 17:13-18, Pastor Kevin shared and elaborated on the power this passage had on Jesus' twelve disciples and now the calling it has for Christ-followers today.
Jesus described us as being in the world but not of the world. He saw the hatred brought upon those who chose to live at different standards, specifically Kingdom standards. Amidst the panic and questions his disciples were having, Jesus understood all the challenges it would bring to follow Him. Pastor Kevin reflected that living centered on love, generosity, and holiness runs contrary to the self-centered, materialistic values of dominant culture. When we lean into scripture we see life through giving more than receiving, going the extra mile, and loving our enemies. The words Jesus spoke and the standards God holds for us run counter-intuitive to the world around us. We are in the world but not of the world.
But the conversation doesn't end here. We being in the world but not of the world is only two-thirds of the story.
In this message of empowerment, we were reminded that in the same prayer found in John 17, Jesus sends us. He prays for us not to be taken out of the world but to be protected. The baton was passed to us. With the love and life-changing beauty Jesus has brought to our lives, we are now called to step into our everyday lives with empowerment. Just like salt, we are meant to go and marinate society and all forms of life. That being said, we are challenged to go beyond our usual patterns. As described by Pastor Kevin, "It is quite useless if Christians only hang out with Christians." Salt holds its most impact once it leaves the saltshaker.
Onechurch will be a blessing for Seattle. God always proves to be faithful.
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