Sunday Rewind 3.25.07

Today we finished our series titled "Five to Thrive". Over the past five weeks, we've looked at five critical behaviors needed to be healthy, growing, reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ. They are:

• Corporate Worship
• Personal Spiritual Disciplines
• Small Group Participation
• Ministry Involvement
• Relationships with PreChristians

Our topic today focused on that last item and centered on Matthew 5:13-16 in which Jesus calls us to be open with others because by "opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God".

Being open isn't easy. It flies in the face of a culture that teaches us to wear masks. It risks being taken advantage of or rejected. Nevertheless, Jesus says that we are to be open with others because by "opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God".

When we are willing to be known, it models to the world that God wants to be known. When we are willing to build relationships, it models to the world that God wants relationships. When we graciously accept others as they are, it models that God graciously accepts anyone who comes to Him. So Jesus calls us to open with others because by "opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God". And when people open up to Him, lives are changed forever.

Do you really want to build relationships with PreChristians? Try these tips:

• Walk as Jesus walked - with genuine love and concern for people.
• Pray diligently - that God would give you opportunities to meet needs.
• Meet needs - and never underestimate the grace of a helping hand
• Be prepared - to tell two stories: your's and Jesus'

Jesus calls us to open with others because by "opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God".

Will we?