Weekly Tip #10, Spring 2016
Hebrews 12:1-2 is a powerful pair of verses, which calls all believers, to live boldly for Christ and for eternity.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
In Hebrews chapter 11, the writer describes how many believers in God lived by faith, many giving their lives to follow Him. They did not witness the Messiah coming to earth but they still followed God and His Word all the way to the end.
God is calling all of us to put away sin and run with endurance the life of faith (race) marked out for us. The word for run means “by a metaphor taken from runners in a race, to exert one’s self, strive hard.”[1] Endurance meaning, “to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ.”[2]
God is calling us to stay on course with the life of faith and not turn back. We are to endure and stand strong in our faith despite the difficulties you may be facing. Ask God to help you to be strong and to joyfully work towards His kingdom in whatever stage of life you are in right now.
Easter Week – He Is Alive
Next week is one of the most important weeks in our Christian faith. It remembers one of the most important events in all of history – the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No one has ever been able to disprove the resurrection of Christ in the last 2,000 years. That is because Jesus is alive.
Take some time to talk about this event in your weekly meeting this week or next. Also, have an evangelistic outreach in your ministry location. Ask people, “Why do you think Jesus died on the cross?” Use that question to engage them in the gospel message by possibly sharing the “Knowing God Personally” (KGP) booklet or your personal testimony. Go for it!
Here are some ideas: Go to this site and specifically look at the section called “Videos – Resurrection Factor”, Part 1-5, by Josh McDowell. This could provide some good options for your weekly meeting. For some good notes if you want to do a presentation, you can check out Josh’s article here.
Cru Summer Missions
Be mindful that the Cru Summer Missions application process is actively going on right now. There is still plenty of room. Begin to talk about it, show the promo video clips in your weekly meetings, and encourage people to go. The missions opportunities are different in their length of time as well as locations all over the U.S. and around the world. Your life may never be the same after a Cru Summer Missions trip. Check it out here
Talk to you next week,
Ben with Cru
[1] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, TDNT Volume 8, Page 226
[2] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, TDNT Volume 4, Page 581