Sermon Series Summary
We are living amidst a seismic cultural shift. We are drowning in entertainment, 24/7 news, and constant accessibility and noise. In this post-truth, post-Christian, and post-everything world of ours – what does it look like to be the church in this context. The temptation is to retreat, to huddle up and live in our bubbles. To draw lines. To decide who is “in” and who is “out.” In this series we want to go back to the beginning of what mission looks like when the whole world is against you. What we know about the New Testament is that it’s a document that records the mission of Jesus being lived out through everyday, ordinary men and women. Something about these people won over hundreds and thousands of people and this 1st century obscure movement has transformed 2,000 years of human history.
This series is about discovering a new way of being in hopes that we would win-some of the people in our spheres of influence to experience the love, freedom, truth and friendship that we can only found in Jesus. The shocking message of the New Testament is that Jesus calls ALL of his followers to be missionaries of the greatest love story ever told. The same God who sends some to the Sudan has sent us to be the best friend the city of Columbus has ever known. We do this by becoming the best friend our neighbors have ever known. Right where we Work, Live, and Play. God has invited us to be the most barbecue grilling, storytelling, fence hopping, meal sharing, risk taking, community dreaming, injustice fighting, party throwing, wall breaking, story celebrating people in our city. Because there’s nothing more satisfying to the human soul than friendship with Jesus, we are relentless in telling our city about the love and grace of Jesus in the context of loving and graceful no-strings attached friendships.
Sermon Companion Studies
Series Outline:
| Date | Text | Title | Summary | Call to Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/24 | 1 Corinthians 9 | Winsome: A New Way of Being | A New Way of Being: Christians are to live winsome lives so that we might “win some” for Christ. Paul shares with us the missionary secret to the winsome life. | This week, we want you to begin thinking like a missionary to your family, your workplace, and your neighbors. |
| 5/1 | Matthew 15:29-38 Mark 6:32-44 | Winsome: See | See Living winsome lives begins with a change of heart. We can only see people when we gain God’s heart for the world, and see with his eyes of compassion. | This week, we want you to change the story that you tell yourself about “those people”, those who are your enemies, outsiders, and sinners—tell yourself a story about them that cultivates compassion in your heart toward them. |
| 5/8 | Prov 18:21, James 3 | Winsome: Speak | Speak Words matter more than we realize, especially words spoken as a blessing. | This week, bless three people through three ways that “strengthen” others: words of affirmation, acts of kindness, or gifts. |
| 5/15 | Phil 2, James 1:19, John 4 | Winsome: Ask | Ask Jesus asks 307 questions in the gospels. He was asked 183, and he only answered only 3 of them. He asked questions like: What do you want me to do for you? What are you looking for? When did you begin to lose your faith? If we are going to learn to share the Good News of the Gospel, we have to be people who learn to ask good questions, to answer fewer questions, and to create curiosity about God. | This week, we want you to ask someone one of three curious questions. |
| 5/22 | 1 Thes 4 | Winsome: Serve | Serve Serving others with no strings attached is so unique. People expect to be obligated to give something in return, but when we serve freely, and DO something, it surprises people and makes them curious as to why. | We want you to find a meaningful place to serve in our community where you give back with no strings attached. |
