This week we’re exploring this idea of “people of peace”.  Jesus sent his followers to various towns, and asked them find people of peace and go deeply in relationship with them, and not to go from house to house.  This was selective by design, and Jesus is okay with that.  Jesus focused on his 12 disciples, and sometimes even smaller groups, through much of his ministry.  Here he sends 72, not 72000.

Jesus sends them to focus on one family in each town.  Go deep into relationship with them.  He even says, if things don’t work out, move on.

But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. (Luke 10:10-12)

There can be all sorts of reasons why someone doesn’t want a close relationship with a follower of Jesus.  The authors of “The Art of Neighbouring” suggest they may be:

  • Too busy
  • Wary of certain people
  • Already relationally full
  • At a different stage of life
  • Afraid of exposure

They may not be your person of peace.  Not now, or ever.  They may be someone else’s person of peace!   But if they welcome you, are hospitable and friendly, invest in them, and they will invest in you.

Sometimes it’s obvious, but if it is not obvious, pray, and just dive in, meet people, see who pops up as generous, caring, patient, and hospitable.

Question: Who do you think might be a person of peace in your neighbourhood?

Ryan Sim - January 23, 2014

Thursday - Act On It - Reset: Goals

In this series, we’re trying to wrestle with how significantly Jesus changes a life. Jesus himself described it as someone starting over, being born again. One of the first Christian leaders, Paul, said it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This might make it sound like a one time thing, but it’s actually just the beginning of constant transformation. Here’s how Paul put it in Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.“ Like when a baby is born, all kinds of development suddenly kickstarts – breathing air, feeding by mouth, seeing unfiltered light, and more. No longer in the womb, a baby’s mind and body start transforming to adapt to a new world. In coming to earth as Jesus, then dying and rising again to destroy death’s power over humanity, God has reset the world. We can be born afresh into a new world – the kingdom of God. If you’ve never accepted his offer to reset your life, to make you a new creation, then it’s quite simple. Tell Jesus, then tell someone else. Start by telling Jesus. Simply pray, and ask him to let you start over. Apologize for all the things you’ve said, done and thought to turn away from him, and tell Jesus you want to turn back to him. Then tell others. First, let me know, and another Christian in your life who can support you. Then, tell the world, by being baptized. We are about to celebrate Redeemer Church / Redeem the Commute’s first baptism on February 8th, and we’d love for you to be next. This is the way to show on the outside what God is already doing on the inside. Then follow this series to learn how Jesus intends to transform each area of our lives. How we adapt to the kingdom of God, even in the midst of a world where others haven’t. We’ll look at these key areas of life: Reset Goals (this week) Reset Time Reset Money Reset Work Reset Body & Food Reset Sex & Marriage Reset Family Reset Compassion Reset Nature Reset Divisions Reset Death Challenge: Complete a Life Plan for 2014. http://www.brianhowardblog.com/how-to-write-a-life-plan/ Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community - so check out today's reading here.

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