I want to continue off my last post and talk about the gospel and discipleship. The gospel is something that affects not only our salvation, but every part of our lives. We had a speaker named Tim Klassen a few weeks back who talked about this. He challenged us to ask ourselves, what are the implications of this gospel on my life? This is the “What now” part of the question. If we’ve gotten through the why and the how, the question that remains is what now? What do we do with this good news once we’ve received it?
Tim said one thing that really stood out to me. He said “I’m not trying to live a legalistic life, I’m just trying to live out this life Christ has already given me.” This really struck me. The battle’s already been won. What Christ did on the cross is enough. It is finished. He has already paid the price to give me new life - all I have to do is accept it and live it out.
So what does that mean, to live out this life that Christ has already given me? That’s where discipleship comes in. Discipleship is the process of being taught and guided by mature Christians, to make you a more Christ-like follower of Jesus. There are two scripture passages that have helped me to understand the process of discipleship. The first is Luke 6:48: “he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock...” This is the first part of gospel-centred discipleship. The cross, who Christ is, needs to be the foundation at the core of everything we do. You have to be intentional about the foundation you lay. The foundation needs to be deep. God’s promises, his truth, and his commandments need to be so deeply rooted in your heart that they are a strong foundation in trial and temptation. And here’s the important part: it doesn’t matter how great your foundation is, unless it’s rock, it will not stand. If will build our lives on anything other than Jesus Christ, we will not stand. Pressures, trials, and temptations will come, and if we are not firmly rooted in Christ, we will not stand.
The second passage is Ezra 7:10: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” There is a pattern here of study, do, and teach. Ezra studied the Law of the Lord, then he did it, and then he taught it. This is very much like the pattern of discipleship; with other believers we study the word, we do it, and then we teach it. We can’t teach before we study. This is where community, where other believers come in. One thing we are told frequently on TREK is that wherever you are in your walk with Jesus, you need to be discipled by godly Christians who are more mature, or have more experience than you, you need to have people who are in the same place as you spiritually, who you encourage and who encourage you, and you need to have people who you are discipling, and teaching to be more like Jesus.
The gospel, the saving message of Jesus Christ, needs to permeate every aspect of our lives. It’s all about him. In our living, in our dying, everything needs to reflect him. His love, his grace, his mercy, his faithfulness. As I prepare to leave for Portugal next Wednesday, this message is close to my heart. Pray for opportunities for us to disciple others, for us to come alongside the Portuguese church and encourage and spur them on in their walk with God. I look forward to sharing Christ, and to hear, see, and experience what God is doing in the church there. We will be having a commissioning service on Thursday, November 1st at 7:00pm in the Columbia Bible College Chapel. If you are in the area, I would love for you to come, hear a little more from us, meet my team, and be a part of sending us off!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for focus in these final days of training.
- Pray for safety as we travel November 7th.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Please pray for God to continue to provide me with financial support. I currently have approximately $7400 still to raise.*
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Why, How, and What Now?
I have a message. It’s not my message - it’s way bigger than that. It’s a message that changes lives. It’s a message that changed the world. We all need something, and someone came and provided it. We all need saving. A Saviour came. But why? How? And since he came, what now?
Why?
Why do we need salvation? Why do we need God? Why do we need Jesus? Why does any of this matter?
God created people to be in relationship and in community with him. But because we have sinned, because we have rebelled against God, we cannot be together with him. God by his nature is holy, just, and good - and because of that we, in our sin, cannot be with him. But God loved us so much, that he wanted to make a way for us to be with him.
How?
So if our sin, our rebellion, separates us from God, how does he make a way for us to be with him?
Jesus. That’s what it all comes down to - it’s all about Jesus. God sent his only Son, Jesus - who was completely sinless, to earth, to share with the world the good news that we can be saved, and to die for us, paying the price for our sins that we deserved to pay. He came to pay our debt, and to tell the world the good news that He made a way that we can be saved.
But it didn’t stop at death. God raised Jesus from the dead three days later and because of that not only are our sins forgiven but we can have new life, and no longer have to be separated from God. Jesus took our place, and because of that we can spend eternity together with God. That’s the how. That’s the good news. That’s the gospel.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:16-21
What now?
So what now? How do we respond to this message? What do we do with this news?
Romans 10:9 says that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And in vs.13 “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ ” Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Anyone who calls on Jesus, who acknowledges him as Lord, will be saved. Believe that in your heart. Confess it with your mouth - say it loud! If you want to respond to this message and accept Jesus, you can pray something like this:
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and now declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. I accept him and submit to him as Lord of my life. Lord Jesus, I ask you to come and fill me with your presence and empower me with your Holy Spirit. Lord, please forgive me for all the things I have said, done or believed that are wrong in your eyes and that has kept me from knowing your love and truth. Thank you for dying to save me, and thank you for being Lord of my life. Search my heart and teach me to live according to your truth. I love you and I worship you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- Jesus loves you.
- Salvation comes through Christ alone.
- What Jesus did on the cross is enough. There is nothing the cross can’t cover.
This is the message that I want to live to share. This is why I’m spending a year of my life in this program called TREK. This is why the world can have any hope at all. This message is what it all comes down to. It’s not my message, it’s Jesus’ message - but if, for my fleeting lifetime, I can be a part of sharing it, that’s all that really matters. You’ve heard the why and the how, so I challenge you, what now?
Why?
Why do we need salvation? Why do we need God? Why do we need Jesus? Why does any of this matter?
God created people to be in relationship and in community with him. But because we have sinned, because we have rebelled against God, we cannot be together with him. God by his nature is holy, just, and good - and because of that we, in our sin, cannot be with him. But God loved us so much, that he wanted to make a way for us to be with him.
How?
So if our sin, our rebellion, separates us from God, how does he make a way for us to be with him?
Jesus. That’s what it all comes down to - it’s all about Jesus. God sent his only Son, Jesus - who was completely sinless, to earth, to share with the world the good news that we can be saved, and to die for us, paying the price for our sins that we deserved to pay. He came to pay our debt, and to tell the world the good news that He made a way that we can be saved.
But it didn’t stop at death. God raised Jesus from the dead three days later and because of that not only are our sins forgiven but we can have new life, and no longer have to be separated from God. Jesus took our place, and because of that we can spend eternity together with God. That’s the how. That’s the good news. That’s the gospel.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:16-21
What now?
So what now? How do we respond to this message? What do we do with this news?
Romans 10:9 says that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And in vs.13 “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ ” Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Anyone who calls on Jesus, who acknowledges him as Lord, will be saved. Believe that in your heart. Confess it with your mouth - say it loud! If you want to respond to this message and accept Jesus, you can pray something like this:
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and now declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. I accept him and submit to him as Lord of my life. Lord Jesus, I ask you to come and fill me with your presence and empower me with your Holy Spirit. Lord, please forgive me for all the things I have said, done or believed that are wrong in your eyes and that has kept me from knowing your love and truth. Thank you for dying to save me, and thank you for being Lord of my life. Search my heart and teach me to live according to your truth. I love you and I worship you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- Jesus loves you.
- Salvation comes through Christ alone.
- What Jesus did on the cross is enough. There is nothing the cross can’t cover.
This is the message that I want to live to share. This is why I’m spending a year of my life in this program called TREK. This is why the world can have any hope at all. This message is what it all comes down to. It’s not my message, it’s Jesus’ message - but if, for my fleeting lifetime, I can be a part of sharing it, that’s all that really matters. You’ve heard the why and the how, so I challenge you, what now?
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
3 Weeks Left
It feels like time absolutely flies by during training! It’s hard to believe that we’re already in week six, with only three weeks left until we fly out for Portugal. Our team will be leaving for Portugal on November 7th, where we will connect with missionaries Otto and Marjorie Ekk. I’m so excited to get going, but I’m also really enjoying and learning so much in this stage of training.
Last week our topic for sessions was evangelism. We had three different speakers: Paul Chamberlain, Sam Dick, and Phil Harris, who all brought unique and different approaches to evangelism. This is a topic that God has really been pressing on my heart lately, so I went into the week very excited and with high expectations. I was not disappointed. I loved the different approaches and insights that each speaker brought. Paul Chamberlain taught us a very apologetic focused form of evangelism. We discussed answers to common questions people have, authority of scripture, authenticity of the canon, and all sorts of fun, academic, intellectual aspects of sharing the gospel. I absolutely loved it - I love engaging my mind in that way, and I felt like my brain received and adequate work out. Sam took us through different values of evangelism, and Phil Harris took a more decision/commitment based approach. Each varied greatly, but together I think they all complement each other.
As the date of our departure draws closer and closer, I grow in both anticipation and nervousness. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me in these next months, and the things he wants to do through me. I can’t wait to see him at work in another country. Please continue praying for my team and I, that God would be preparing our hearts for the plans he has for us. In order for me to leave in three weeks with my team, I still need to raise $7,700. Please pray that God would provide for me, and also thank him for all the ways he has already provided for me. God is so good, and he is faithful. Right now, I am asking God for 85 people to commit to $10 a month for the next nine months.
Other Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for me in these final weeks of training, that I would be able to balance my time well, as I often feel pulled in many directions, and struggle to maintain all of my responsibilities.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Pray for Otto and Marjorie Ekk, and Joe and Paula Arrais, who we will be working with. Thank God for the way they have served him faithfully, and pray that he will continue to walk with and direct them.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide me with full financial support. I currently have approximately $7700 still to raise.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Last week our topic for sessions was evangelism. We had three different speakers: Paul Chamberlain, Sam Dick, and Phil Harris, who all brought unique and different approaches to evangelism. This is a topic that God has really been pressing on my heart lately, so I went into the week very excited and with high expectations. I was not disappointed. I loved the different approaches and insights that each speaker brought. Paul Chamberlain taught us a very apologetic focused form of evangelism. We discussed answers to common questions people have, authority of scripture, authenticity of the canon, and all sorts of fun, academic, intellectual aspects of sharing the gospel. I absolutely loved it - I love engaging my mind in that way, and I felt like my brain received and adequate work out. Sam took us through different values of evangelism, and Phil Harris took a more decision/commitment based approach. Each varied greatly, but together I think they all complement each other.
As the date of our departure draws closer and closer, I grow in both anticipation and nervousness. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me in these next months, and the things he wants to do through me. I can’t wait to see him at work in another country. Please continue praying for my team and I, that God would be preparing our hearts for the plans he has for us. In order for me to leave in three weeks with my team, I still need to raise $7,700. Please pray that God would provide for me, and also thank him for all the ways he has already provided for me. God is so good, and he is faithful. Right now, I am asking God for 85 people to commit to $10 a month for the next nine months.
Other Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for me in these final weeks of training, that I would be able to balance my time well, as I often feel pulled in many directions, and struggle to maintain all of my responsibilities.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Pray for Otto and Marjorie Ekk, and Joe and Paula Arrais, who we will be working with. Thank God for the way they have served him faithfully, and pray that he will continue to walk with and direct them.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide me with full financial support. I currently have approximately $7700 still to raise.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
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