Beyond: Reaching Beyond Ourselves

Sometimes it can be amazing to hear stories about all that Jesus has done in people's lives. What's really great is that these stories are not uncommon. Why is that? It's because, no matter your situation, Jesus Changes Everything. Jesus' impact on our lives is the reason why we must be driven to obey his command to share with others what he has done.

Text: Romans 10:9-15

Following Jesus changes your mind, your heart, and your mouth.

Paul explains in verse 10 the fundamentals of a faith that brings eternal life, and that faith is going to change you. For example, believing something in your heart involves your mind, but it goes beyond mere mental assent to some historical facts and moves into something that becomes the core of who you are.

People who begin to follow Jesus find that things in their lives--even their own selves--change!

Jesus Changes Everything

This is why we’re so profoundly moved by him, why we meet together, why give time and money and effort, why we should desire to tell others about him. 

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done: Jesus died because he loves you and wants to bring you into an eternal, life- giving relationship with him.”

If the Good News of Jesus is meant for everyone, how can they respond if they don’t hear it? 

You need to get the message out there

Through supporting missionaries or responding to the call to missions yourself

By sharing the love of Jesus and your story of how he has changed you with others.

Action Step:

Commit to share your faith or offer to pray for 1 unchurched person a week.

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Holding on to Intimacy

Whether you are married, engaged, dating, or single, it does not change the fact that you have been designed for intimacy. It also does not change the fact that intimacy can be slippery: here one moment and gone the next. Yet, intimacy in our human relationships and in our relationship with God is something that we can fight for and grow.

Intimacy is Fleeting

Song of Solomon 5:2-6 uses poetic language to describe a scene in which a recently married woman has a dream about her husband. But what starts out a desire-filled scene breaks down and suddenly there is emptiness. No matter the relationship--with your spouse or with God--intimacy will wax and wane.

Holding on to intimacy requires self-sacrifice.

in Song of Solomon 5:7, the woman runs out into the streets at night to find her beloved, but the streets are not safe and she is violated by the nigh watchmen for her troubles. Still, she does not give up on finding the intimacy she once had with her husband.

What are you willing to give up to hold on to intimacy? What is crowding out the space you need to dedicate to pursuing your relationship with your spouse and/or with God?

Holding on to intimacy may require outside help--before it is too late.

Song of Solomon 5:8. If you need help, get it NOW. Too many people wait until things are really bad before finding outside help. Too many couples come to their pastor or counsellor for help as a last-ditch effort and usually it will fail. If they would just come earlier, they might actually be able to turn the relationship around.

Intimacy requires seeing the other as a singular individual worthy of your devoted attention.

Song of Solomon 6:2-9. The beloved has access to all kinds of women to fulfill his sexual desires if that is what he had wished; however, he desires this singular woman: his wife. She is worthy of his attention. Likewise, God is worthy of your attention.

Holding on to intimacy requires letting go of something else.

What will you give up to hold on to intimacy in your relationships?

Fight to hold on to intimacy!

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