Called to Be Bridge Builders

Introduction • A bridges is important; it allows passage where without it, travel is not possible or it is more difficult ◦ Bridges allow us to go from point A on this side, to point B on that side, without having to negotiate a busy road, a deep gorge or ravine, or a river • Jesus was a bridge builder... Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. NIV ◦ There is a chasm that lies between us and God... In order to build a relationship with fallen humanity, Christ didn’t build a WALL – He built a BRIDGE. It was called the INCARNATION. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. NIV Luke 2:10-11 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. NIV • He went to the cross for you and for me... and at the very moment he died on the cross, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom Matthew 27:50-51 50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split. • He built a bridge to span the chasm that exists between us and God • As followers of Jesus our chief aim is to be like Jesus; that means we are to be bridge builders too If we are to be an authentic biblical community that makes disciples, then we need to BUILD BRIDGES. A bridge is a STRUCTURE carrying a pathway or roadway over a DEPRESSION or OBSTACLE. • Jesus built a bridge to carry people over the obstruction of sin; we need to build bridges with others so they can meet Jesus. We build a bridge in order to point people to the bridge! • Who do we need to build bridges to? ◦ The lost... these are the lost people that need Jesus... how do we connect with them? ◦ The disconnected... these are folks who may have some sort of connection to Jesus but they aren’t really connected to the body of Christ ◦ The disillusioned... these are folks who have had an experience with the church at some point in the past but were hurt by something that was said or something that was done SERIES FOCUS VERSE Luke 14:23 Then the master told his servant, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full." NIV • Any bridge that we build must be a two-way bridge... a bridge that allows traffic in both directions ◦ It says, “Go out...” but it also says, “compel them to come in” as well • I’d like to consider how you would answer two questions through the remainder of this message: ◦ First... “How willing am I to actually go out?” ◦ Second... “What am I doing to actually make a way for people to come in?” Luke 14:12-24 - the CALL to be a builder • We are called to be bridge builders... ◦ Look how many times the master sent his servants out... maybe they were returning with the idea that, “Well, we did what you said and they still didn’t come” ◦ Another thing: we will encounter people who will have excuses... our responsibility is to give the invitation and not to convince them why their excuse is not good enough • What kind of Bridge Builder will you be in 2020? ◦ What are you going to do in this upcoming year to build some bridges with some people? ◦ Are you willing to actually go out and what are you going to do to help others come in? Luke 14:25-35 - the QUALIFICATION to be a builder • What qualifications are there for us to be the kind of bridge builders that Jesus wants? Listen to what He says... ◦ Jesus says we must “hate” some things then he lists people that we love. What exactly is He saying? Simply this: Jesus must hold the supreme priority in our lives... He holds the #1 place ◦ He says that we must carry a cross... there is going to be some pain that comes with following Jesus... “All the time?” No... but it may happen John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV ◦ He says we need to consider the cost of following Him... it’s going to take everything ◦ Finally, “Stay salty...” Keep following him... keep finding our life in Him... keep growing... The health of the Church is in direct proportion to the health of each individual Christian. If the Church is to grow and be healthy, the individual Christians comprising the Church must grow spiritually. Only a dynamically healthy Church can ever hope to fulfill the commission of Christ ~ A.W. Tozer • How prepared are you to be a bridge builder? ◦ What are you doing to help you keep following Him? What are you doing to find life in Jesus... what are you doing to stay salty? • I want to challenge you as we prepare to enter 2020 in three areas: ◦ First: stay engaged with the community... hang out with God’s people... take advantage of the things we do together as a church... community groups... do ministry together ◦ Second: Prayer... make prayer a greater priority in your life this year... Tuesday prayer meetings... sign up for the prayer room... write out your prayers... journal ◦ Third: Have a plan to stay in the word... make a commitment and stick to it! My Plan • How does one go from point A on this side to point B on that side? ◦ We are called to build bridges... bridges that travel two-ways... for us to go out and compel others to come in... • Prayerfully consider how you would answer each of these questions: Priority: What area of my life needs to be a greater priority? Foundation: What are the foundation areas I am going to focus on strengthening?