All believers have had some personal experience with Jesus. We were touched and our Spirits were restored. Our physical or mental health may have also been restored. Beyond Church is where your God given skills make room for Jesus to change your city. “Beyond Church” is the next message in our “Change Your City” series.
Mark 1
29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. 32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.
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The thing that stands out in this story is that Peters mother-in-law was touched by Jesus then immediately serves Him.
Most of us today wrestle with what’s my kingdom contribution? What is my skill? What is my purpose? How am I serving the King of Kings? How am I impacting the Kingdom Of God?
Peters mother-in-law made a meal for Jesus and everyone there. I think the miracle and meal together unlocked vs 32.
Most of us have already been touched by Jesus. We just need to start walking in our skills, gifting, purpose… so that our City is Changed.
__Identifying Your kingdom contribution, Skill, Purpose__
Based on Peter’s mother in law here are some basic attributes of turning your skill into a purpose.
- It Unifies – It brings people together, it isn’t divisive.
- It’s seasonal.
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- The meal was for that precise moment.
- It will happen again. Most people do something once then and think its over.
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- It strengthens – it was food to give nourishment to sustain what came next. It will build people up or strengthen them.
- It’s your skill – your kingdom contribution will look like you
- There is room for Jesus.
Doing Life Together –
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
The message translation
Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit.
Talk about what this verse is speaking to you. Are you using the gifts God gave you beyond church? Talk about a gift you have and encourage the person you talk with.
Mark 1: 32-34 32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.
Why after sunset?
In Bible times, the new day started when the sun went down. So if the sabbath was Sunday, they waited till first thing Monday to bring their friends and family to Jesus. Because on the sabbath it was the law to rest.
- REST is NOT RECOVERING from what was…. but actually PREPARING for what’s to come.
- Church is for hearing Jesus and learning what we should be acting on this coming week.
Your skills will make room for Jesus to heal and save people through the week; but you need to understand the significance of Church preparing you for the mission of “Beyond Church”.
35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”
Your city will be changed if you posture yourself like Jesus:
- Prioritize relationships – God first, people second
- pray before doing
- know your mission – you are here to bring Jesus to others in all the towns in your city.
NEXT STEPS – Go beyond Church this week. Start your Monday in prayer for direction like Jesus. Then use your skills for others like Peter’s mother in law. Lets change our city.