Tuesday, October 5, 2010 40 Days of Prayer & Impact: 5 Days to Launch

It's getting so close! I can't believe there are only FIVE DAYS before the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10. As we have been counting down 40 Days of Prayer & Impact, we have been hoping to prepare you to impact our community in a tangible way.

There are only a few days for you to join in with what God is doing through an amazing group of people. First, pray with us. Then, let's intentionally take an active part in seeing the spiritual landscape of our community changed even BEFORE the grand opening.

Jesus Building His Church

Today, we are looking at Matthew 16:18 ...

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

While there is much to unpack in this one verse, let's focus on Jesus' statement, "I will build my church." Too often when taking on an endeavor like starting a new church from scratch like we have done with Encounter, we place all the work on ourselves. If you are like me, I tend to think "I must do more to see this successful."

We learn two important truths from Jesus' words here. First, it is not us but Jesus that builds His church. Second, it is His church not ours.

Our tendency to succumb to the world's notions of work-ethic, sabotage us from what truly matters. It's not so much what we do, but who we are that matters. We are human be-ings, not human do-ings. When we are surrendered to Jesus, He is transforming us into the person He created us to be — and the natural outgrowth, the natural "fruit" of our being becomes focused on pleasing God.

Jesus said "I will build my church."

TODAY'S PRAYER

Today's prayer is to surrender to Jesus. It is not a once-in-a-lifetime event but rather a daily, if not moment-by-moment requirement. We still have a tendency to do things our own way. We stop listening to what God is saying inside us through His Spirit. We take things into our own hands, and what we attempt becomes ours instead of His. We hold so tightly that we begin building our kingdom instead of His Kingdom. Ask God to help you surrender moment-by-moment so that He will build His church through you.

TODAY'S IMPACT

As you interact with those in your sphere of influence today — fellow students, coworkers, friends, and family — allow them to see that your efforts are not for you. And as you show them that "the Kingdom has come near," allow them to see that you are building His Kingdom in your life, not your own.

Your impact today is to serve another. Not as you would serve, but as Jesus would have you serve. Ask Jesus what needs to be addressed in their life, and then address those needs. As you do this, you and others will witness Jesus building His church.

You are invited to confirm what you have been hearing about Encounter Church. Come and bring some friends to the Encounter Grand Opening this Sunday at 5:30pm. Bring your kids to the Downtown Helena Kids Fall Fest this Saturday from 10am-2pm. We invite to explore this new Encounter Church, a church that Jesus is building.