The Bridge RSM

We can choose to go about our lives as is. We can choose to just try and be a good person and act kindly and live our lives in our own strength. But Jesus told us that it would be better for us if He went away for a very specific reason. That reason was the promise that His Holy Spirit would come and give us the power to live supernatural lives. We don't have to live this life in our own strength because He has offered His. The question is this: Do you want and are you ready for the God of the universe to fill you and help you live the life He is calling you to?

Tools have their purposes. You could use a screwdriver as a hammer, but it wouldn't be nearly as affective at that as it is at driving screws. More importantly, it's not available to fulfill its true purpose while its being used inconsistently with its design. Likewise, we've been made by a Creator with design and purpose. We get to choose to either misuse and abuse the way God has crafted us or make ourselves available to the Master. It's then that He can use us the way He truly intended to fulfill His work.

We all have gifts and talents. More than that, we all have a story. Last week we talked about how we are vessels made to be filled. Part of that filling is the things that we're good at, but part of that filling is simply our story. It's the word of our testimony. It's the places that we've failed and been hurt. As vessels made for honorable use by the Father we are also made to be emptied; to be poured out. We are made to share those stories and experiences and use our gifts and talents to bless others. That is honorable use for His Kingdom: when we use what we've been given to bless others and point them to Jesus.

Pastor Ryan continues our series in 2 Timothy with a look at what we, as vessels, are filled with when we proclaim and follow Jesus. It's things that the Spirit is doing in and through us that change who we are from the inside into Kingdom people, equipped for the work of the saints.

Pastor Cami opens our new series and theme for 2021 of being ready. "Ready for Every Good Work" requires a posture of openness to the things of God and a willingness to allow His Spirit to work in us and cleanse the dishonorable things from our lives. We choose to position ourselves as vessels of honor, ready to do the work of the Kingdom when His voice calls on us.

Pastor Mike teaches through Psalm 73 and traces the train of thought that the psalmist, Asaph, takes. Asaph looks around and sees the wicked seemingly winning at life. Ecclesiastes says "there's nothing new under the sun" and often we look around and see the same thing. Asaph is troubled by this and walks through his emotions as he processes the unfairness of the world at this stage, but when he turns to God and puts his trust in Him he is comforted. Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble, but take heart because He has overcome the world.

The culmination of the #unphased series looks at what it means to live in context of eternity. There are constant worldly pressures to live for immediate gratification, the good job, the big house. But the way of Jesus demands that we set aside our idea of what 'the good life' is and turn to God for His plan and purposes for our life. Living for eternity means discovering the specific call God has on our individual lives and pursuing that calling with our every fiber.

Competency number seven on our list of eight competencies that we believe every follower of Jesus needs to develop in their pursuit of a Godly life is living a life that is fearlessly generous. What does it look like for you to trust God completely with your finances? What does it mean to know that He is our shepherd and because of Him we shall not want? What does it mean for you to be fearlessly generous?

Pastor Ryan picks up our survey through the eight competencies that we believe every follower of Jesus must develop to bridge the gap between who they are and who they are created to be. Competency number six deals with how we engage each other in love, and what Jesus' love looked like in a practical sense.

Pastor Ryan returns to our series through the eight key Kingdom competencies that we believe are critical to every follower of Jesus hearing "Well done" when they stand one day before the throne of God. This week he looks at the early church and what it looks like to practically and confidently minister in the empowerment and gifts of the Holy Spirit.