8-28-16 Embrace
[God and You]
How does God embrace you?
God continues to reach out to you
God TABERNACLED – Jesus became flesh and dwelt with us
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.– John 1:14 [NLT]
How do you embrace God?
Accept Jesus
“For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.’ Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”– Romans 10:10-13 [NLT]
Embrace God’s Word
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”– 2 Timothy 3:16 [NLT]
[DRCC and You]
How does DRCC (as the church) embrace you?
Love you as part of family– Ephesians 2:19– Household of God
Listen to you. Lead you in worship. Teach you. Fellowship with you. Serve you. Do life with YOU!
Ask: Who is being excluded?
We are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)
Accept others as Christ has accepted you (Romans 15:7)
We must Embrace you so that we can Encourage, Equip, and Empower
We must focus on YOU the individual
Not what you can do for the church, not the programs
Embracing doesn’t mean enabling. We want THE BEST FOR YOU!!
Family Connections: Accountability Partner, Mentor, Prayer Warrior
How do you embrace DRCC (the church)?
Pray– pray for DRCC, for the disciples, for the pastors, for the different ministries – even if you aren’t involved in each of these ministries, it should be on your heart to pray for EVERY ONE.
Take In– Be invested in the church – attend (as often as you can), be on time, be ready to hear the Word, be ready to worship – be ready to receive from DRCC. COME WITH AN OPEN HEART.
Pour Out– Give of yourself (your time, your talent, your treasure), Serve at the church. Be all in. POUR OUT YOUR HEART.
[You, DRCC, and the Community]
How do you (as a member of the body of Christ, as a disciple of DRCC) embrace the community?
Embrace the sinners, not the sin
Non-Exclusive– John 3:16 – Whosoever
Jesus showed compassion to all people
Embrace even those who won’t embrace back
Non-Judgmental & Transparent
Build a relationship – this is the first E because you cannot do anything else until you first embrace (show compassion)
Flexible / Adaptable
You must be flexible. Everyone is different. Listen for the Spirit’s leading and then follow the Spirit’s leading.
Reach Out
Outreach is not a program, it’s a lifestyle
Embracing the community means getting out in the community
You cannot embrace by staying inside
You must be intentional. Don’t live focused inward – take the opportunities right in front of you. Ephesians 5:16
Tania Gutekunst 