Ottawa Church of Christ Sermon Podcast Ottawa Church of Christ Sermon Podcast

We all need to grow in our understanding of God’s process of formation. We want growth to be easy. But that’s not the reality we see in any part of creation, including our own souls. When God wants to grow us (and he does!), he takes us into the wilderness to be formed into people who can accomplish his will. This message should encourage us to be more open to the way that God works as we join Israel in their wilderness sojourn.

“I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.” – 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

 

In the Great Commission we are tasked with making disciples and baptizing them. The Exodus powerfully shows that this has always been God’s plan. But just as there is much more to the Exodus story than moving through the parted waters, there is much more to the Great Commission. The freedom that comes from piercing the waters of baptism should be celebrated as the Spirit-enabled beginning of an incredible journey marked by learning to obey all that Jesus taught. As leaders, so much of our work must be devoted to the wandering wilderness life that follows baptism for each of our congregants. 

 

Almost immediately after Moses and Miriam’s songs ended and the timbrels were put away, the complaining began. God’s people needed food, water, and shelter. The saga that unfolds in the remainder of the Torah shows us the importance of taking care of God’s flock. Moses’ masterclass on leadership is a real and honest look at what it means to be a spiritual leader.

 

This is a great moment to step back and assess the resources we have devoted to helping people take their next steps after baptism or membership in our ministries.

 

What kinds of Bible studies do you have available for new Christians?

 

What events or activities do you have on the calendar to integrate and acclimate new people to the fellowship?

 

What people have been tasked with taking care of those who’ve just crossed the sea? How is your church structured to begin the process of teaching to “obey everything?”

 

‘Formation’ might not be a word we use every day – but it is something that God is doing in our lives every day whether we realize it or not. Formation means that God has big plans for our lives, but he needs to mold us or form us into the kind of person who can accomplish his will.

As we look into what our vision is for the church, we must ask ourselves who are we and where are we going? We get many of our answers to these questions in the book of Matthew where Jesus tells us that sight/vision is more than just physical – there is also spiritual sight. We are reminded that, while we must “go and make disciples of all nations,” church is not just about getting more people into the church but about transforming lives through love. If we are going to reach out and help our city as a church community, we must have eyes that see.

As we embark on this bold dream to see the Glory of God in the city of Ottawa please join us as God partners with us to make him known in this nation. “Eyes that see” is more than just a sermon; it’s an upward call to align our daily lives with the greater plan that God has laid out for us.

Using our own lives as well as the lives of biblical characters such as Simon Peter as examples, we are reminded that God never fails and that he is willing and able to do all things. We are reminded that we are all following someone/something and that others are following us. Therefore, if we want to live in the kingdom ever after, we need to stand firm in Jesus and declare, “I will follow you.”

In the inspiring Easter sermon titled “I Will Follow You,” David Jung  delves into the profound essence of faith and devotion, particularly focusing on the journey of following Christ. Drawing from the poignant narrative of Easter, which encapsulates the crucifixion, death, and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will explore the transformative power of unconditional faith. Get ready to have be challenged as we reflect on the depth of their commitment to follow Jesus, emphasizing that this journey transcends mere words and demands action, sacrifice, and unwavering trust in God’s plan.