We just began a new series called “Something’s Happening.” In this series we are looking at the events that took place as Jesus’ ministry began. We are focusing on the extraordinary events that began to take place at this time. The people knew something was happening, they just didn’t know exactly what.
We introduced this series with John the Baptist coming on the scene. What we find interesting about John the Baptist is how this man, who basically lived his entire life in the wilderness and away from others, was attracting so much attention. John was baptizing people in the Jordan River, in the wilderness, and soon crowds of people began to come to him to hear him preach and then get baptized.
Today we hear a lot about how the church needs to go outside the church walls and go to where the people are, because people are no longer going to church. True, there is good reason for doing so. Still, people were going out into the desert to hear John; John was not going to the people. So, just maybe it doesn’t have as much to do with the location as it does with the message.
You see, John was preaching a very simple message: “Repent, for the kingdom heaven is near.” His ministry was to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. This was his message.
John didn’t bog them down with a large to-do list. He also didn’t give them a message of health, wealth and prosperity. He didn’t paint a rosy picture of how everything was going to be great, i.e. “All you have to do is have faith.” It doesn’t even seem that John was trying to attract a crowd… but something was definitely happening.
John’s message was one of warning and preparation. It was direct and to the point, not your typical “three points and a poem.” It was heartfelt and passionate. He knew his mission, and nothing was going to deter him.
God was at work then, and God is at work now. Something is happening! We want to be a part of that. John’s message to the people of repentance simply meant God was moving, and the people needed to turn to Him and away from the things that separated themselves from Him.
Here at Radiant Church, we want to be a part of what God is doing in the world. Like John, our message is simple and straightforward: We want to see people turn to God and be a part of what He is doing.
God is moving. Let’s move with Him.
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