BRIDGE BUILDERS
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16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach—and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.
19 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.
There are many different kinds of bridges in the world.
Some are wooden,
some are stone,
and others are fabricated of steel.
Some are small
some are massive,
but they all function basically the same way.
They span chasms and valleys and large bodies of water
They make it possible for someone to pass from point 'A' to point 'B' on the other side.
IN MY SHORT LIFE, LOL BECAUSE IM VERY YOUNG….
I have been absolutely amazed AT SOME OF THE BRIDGES
(LONGEST BRIDGE IN THE WORLD)
DANYANG-KUNSHAN GRAND BRIDGE
OVER 102 MILES LONG
It was completed in 2010 and opened in 2011.
Employing 10,000 people,
construction took four years and cost about $8.5 billion.
THINK ABOUT THAT....
The planning,
THE expense,
THE great effort that went into the construction of that bridge
boggles my mind.
And yet IT WAS constructed…
and WAS built…
why?
BECAUSE OF THE NEED
THE NEED TO CONNECT TWO POINTS
THE NEED TO CONNECT TWO PLACE
THERE WAS A DIVIDE
AND THE VISION WAS SEEN FOR THE NEED
THE NEED FOR CONNECTION
The builders were motivated by the need!
I WANT TO apply this to US IN THIS BODY.
In our community there are people all around us who are on the other side OF THIS GIANT DARK GAP/VOID
THEY NEED A BRIDGE....
WHO PASTOR CHRIS.....WHO
1. Who Needs a Bridge
A. The lost need a bridge.
This is perhaps the easiest for us to understand.
We know that the Bible declares Ro. 3:23
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
We also understand the Scripture teaches that the lost have been blinded to the truth of God's Word.
3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
(EXPLAIN)
B. The disconnected believer needs a bridge.
12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.
There are many reasons why a believer might be disconnected from a local church.
1. MAYBE THEY JUST MOVED TO THE AREA AND HAVE BEEN SLOW TO FIND a new church.
2. Perhaps there are those who have come to a knowledge of Christ,
but have never been taught the importance of the local church in their lives.
3. MAYBE THEY ARE STILL WATCHING IN THEIR PJ’S FROM HOME.....
THEY NEVER EXITED FROM THE SEASON OF COVID
AND NOW THEY CAN’T SEEM TO SEE THE NEED TO ACTUALLY GO TO CHURCH
Regardless of the reason, they are disconnected
and THEY need a bridge.
18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
DID YOU KNOW THAT RECONCILING IS A MINISTRY????
WHAT IS THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
AS A CHRISTIAN...
ONCE WE HAVE BEEN RECONCILED WITH CHRIST
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION…MEANING
WE ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR RECONCILING WITH OTHERS
IT’S A LIFESTYLE OF LOVE AND GRACE
IT’S HELPING NON-BELIEVERS RECONCILE WITH GOD
IT’S HELPING BELIEVERS RECONCILE WITH ONE ANOTHER
IT’S SEEKING RECONCILIATION WITH GOD’S CHILDREN
IT’S APOLOGIZING
ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS
IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SEEK REPAIR FOR RELATIONSHIPS
THIS IS A MINISTRY GIVEN TO YOU BY GOD
OH COME ONE....SOMEONE DOESN’T LIKE THAT
THAT’S OK....I’M JUST THE MESSENGER....LOL
C. The hurting church member needs a bridge.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (CSB)
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
We live in the real world, not a fantasy land.
In the real world, people get hurt (whether intentional or not)
Sometimes that hurt keeps them from moving forward…
That hurt becomes a GAP OR DIVIDE that must be crossed.
OH COME ON…SOME BODY NEEDS HELP THIS MORNING
They need a bridge to help them get over it
A BRIDGE TO HELP THEM get on with their life of service to Christ.
10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.
2. The Call...... to be Bridge Builders.
A. Our motivation FOR BUILDING BRIDGES = COMES FROM RECOGNIZING A NEED
18 Without revelation people run wild,
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.
"Where there is no vision, the people perish:"
If we don't SEE the need,
we will never build bridges!
IN FACT......We may END up building barriers instead.
OH COME ON....
If the gospel is real, then the DIVIDE is real!
THE SEPARATION IS REAL
There is a great DIVIDE between darkness and light…between eternal life and eternal death.
There is a great DIVIDE between fulfilling our God-given purpose as believers,
and just existing.
A GAP....Between having life and....
having it more abundantly!
B. Consider Paul's motivation. 1 Co. 9:16
"…Woe is me if I DO NOT PREACH THE gospel."
Paul saw the need…and was moved to action.
OH MY LORD…THIS IS GOOD
This is the definition of compassion.
Compassion didn't begin with the Apostle Paul,
it was demonstrated by God giving His Son Jesus IN OUR PLACE
It was demonstrated in the life of Jesus.....CHOOSING TO GIVE Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.
OH COME ON SOMEBODY.....
WE HAVE TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR THE LOST
COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHO ARE HURTING AND DISCONNECTED
EVEN OTHER CHRISTIANS.....IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT YOU AND YOURS
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ONE ANOTHER
A RESPONSIBILITY TO BRIDGE THE GAP
CAN SOMEBODY SAY AMEN IF YOU AGREE
Compassion will move us to be bridge builders;
and the lack OF COMPASSION will result in US doing nothing!
WRITE THIS DOWN....
Our ability is our availability
We are reminded that we can do ALL things…through Christ.
Do we believe it?
Do we live like we believe it?
In order to build a bridge, there must be solid contact made.
I am afraid that SOME OF US have forgotten what it is to be lost…
What it means to be disconnected or hurting…
We cannot expect them to build a bridge to us!
We must go to them!
THIS IS HE COMMANDS US TO DO
.....WORSHIP TEAM COME.......
3. Bridge Builders Must Change Themselves Before They Can Build Any Bridges.
What must not change to be a Bridge Builder?
THE GOSPEL....
Some have suggested that we must change our doctrine!
if we water down the gospel message in hopes of reaching more people...
we may successfully see a greater response,
but to what benefit?
It is the gospel…
the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ…that is the power of God unto salvation.
Methods may change, but the Message must never change!
LOOK AT THE TEXT THIS MORNING…VS.19-22
(CHRIS - SKIP THIS READING)
19 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.
Paul said he was willing to be all things to all men…why?
That he might be used of God to see SOME saved.
He was willing to make whatever changes were necessary
We must develop a servant spirit.
We must be totally real - no Pharisees allowed!
We must put aside our personal preferences that we might reach OTHERS
We must be willing to make a sacrifice to build a bridge.
A popular word around Christian circles is the word 'Outreach'
For us to have a ministry that reaches out,
SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER THE CALL
PASTOR, THAT’S NOT ME, I CAN’T DO THAT…
IS THERE ANYBODY THANKFUL FOR THE ONE WHO REACHED OUT....TO YOU???
OH COME ON.....
Paul made it clear that this wasn't optional!
16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
CHURCH SOMEONE NEEDS YOU TO BUILD A BRIDGE
THERE IS SOMEONE WHO LIFE YOU COULD CHANGE
JUST BY BEING OBEDIENT TO THE CALL
JUST BY BEING LESS FOCUSED ON YOUR OWN PROBLEMS
AND BEING MORE AWARE OF THOSE AROUND YOU
WHEN YOU ASK SOMEONE HOW THEIR DOING....
LISTEN TO THEM
HAVE COMPASSION
WELL PASTOR… I JUST CAN’T SEEM TO FIND THAT CARE OR COMPASSION WITHIN MYSELF
SOMETHING IS WRONG
IF YOU CAN’T FIND TIME TO...
LISTEN TO.....
CARE FOR
OR LOVE OTHERS.....
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOUR HEART
YOU NEED TO SEEK THAT COMPASSION
ASK GOD TO HELP YOU SEE
ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU A VISION FOR OTHERS
......STAND TO YOUR FEET......
THERE ARE Many WHO Need A Bridge
CHURCH....
We Are Called To Be Bridge Builders
Are YOU Willing To Change
I WANT TO OPEN THESE ALTARS THIS MORNING
IF YOUR READY TO BE A BRIDGE BUILDER
IF YOUR READY TO ANSWER THAT CALL
WOULD YOU COME TODAY
ASK GOD FOR THE COMPASSION FOR OTHERS
ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU VISION FOR LOST SOULS TODAY