Invitation to a changed life

New rhythms

of life

The invitations are in our hands…

To draw nearerTo give away

Luke 4: 40 - 44

40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of illness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and

when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’ 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Where does church fit in?

Church: …you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. 1 Peter 2:5

Sunday mornings: …an incredibly safe place to come and hear the dangerous message of Jesus.

There is a longing in us to see the spiritual landscape of Bury St Edmunds change.People coming to faith in JesusHealingDeliveranceOutpouring of loveEvidence of the

power of God

How did Jesus go about this?

Giving himself to the peoplemeant giving himselfto God first.

It was easy to like Jesus. The people were looking for him. v42WHY? Acts 10:36-8

He went around doing good. HOW..? …because God was with him.

Jesus’ life has a rhythm.At sunset v40; at daybreak v42Jesus is inviting us into this rhythm of life. An invitation to draw near.

The way in is the way on…We come to God through Jesus’ love, acceptance and forgiveness.Our drift is to know about him but not know him. We can easily slip back from relationship to religion.

Without time with Jesus we quickly become•empty in our compassion•fake in our representation of Jesus•judge not witnessBefore we can meet with people we need to meet with Jesus.

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. v42What can we learn from Jesus?Developing our own hidden life is vital for us…

Affirmation and acceptance

God to Jesus at his baptism:This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. 3:22

Love and compassion

His love rubs off on us.As we spend time with him our lives become a reflection of him.

Dealing with our sin

Sin wrecks love.Jesus invites us to draw close – not run away.Our good works can quickly become a cover for a crazy life.

Priorities in our life

They tried to keep him from leaving them. v42Walking in his footsteps brings perspective.

Maintaining momentum

‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’ John 4:34

v44 and he kept on…

How’s the rhythm of your life today?

Jesus’ invitation is to a solitary place…

Invitation to a

 changed life Next week:A purpose to 

live