We are #3

WE ARE #3

Aug. 15, 2021

10 AM at OGE

Jamey Mills

We are… about people

Northside… My name is Jamey Mills and I am the lead pastor here at Northside Church.

Excited to be here with you all this morning…

We are in the 3rd week of a sermon series we have been calling WE are…

Week one we looked at how we are church planters; If northside is a church plant what does that make you? Church planters. A reminder that it will take all of us to impact this community the way we pray God will.

Last week we talked about how we are ON MISSION. Which means living out this underlying motivation and purpose of seeing the love and grace of God… the fullness and freedom of the life He desires to move forward in the world around is a way that informs and seasons and informs everything we do.

We were able to bring together as a church about $3300 to send to waffle and val… our missionaries in Uganda. Pretty cool… and so you now… out of our offerings, we are able to send them $200 a month as well.

The whole idea of this series is to sort of get us back in that church planting frame of mind… we launched… 5 weeks later… COVID… and it just seems like it goes on and on…

** Maybe talk about being on a mission and what that means in terms of masks…

Which at least to me... seems like it could be a tough adjustment after the last year and a half or so. Though… over and over… Northside seems up for the challenge.

And we are just getting back into the school and hopefully aiming at relaunching on Sept. 12th… we are rebuilding so many of those things we had hoped to have running back then.

Today I want to talk about this… How We Are… about people

As I was studying, I came across several authors that suggested that

God uses this phrase “I AM” to describe Himself over 300 times in scripture.

That seems really high to me, I didnt count, but I do know He uses it fairly often… From Gen to Rev.

And… it’s a far more powerful statement that we often realize… When He says I AM…

He is saying… I… and I alone… AM. He is other… greater… stronger… above… creator… sustainer… I AM… the source and truth and authority and power...

I AM … is a drop the mic… kind of thing. I AM… is like earth shaking… sea splitting language.

“I AM” is like God speaking His presence into the most godless of situations.

… it’s the miracle that God does in our lives… His presence in our lives... I AM… in me. It's HUGE.

And it's incredible to me… that the most repeated promise in all of scripture is… I AM… is with you. I am with you…

I am… with you… is huge.

He has spoken that promise to His people, His church, many who were close to Him, some who were far from Him… It’s a powerful promise from the God of all creation that should change the way we see the world…

It sort of reminds me of growing up… I had the brain and mouth of a 250 # powerlifter in the body of a 4”11’ twirp. I remember getting into fights in my front yard, knowing my dad was watching… made me twice as cocky… because even if I lost… I sorta won. I could stop crying… they’d get in trouble… I might get ice cream. Knowing my dad was there mattered.

I am with you…

Let's look at the time Jesus used that phrase…

Matthew 28:16–20 NLT

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16–20 (NLT)

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The disciples were headed to this divine appointment… Jesus told them to meet up with them here after the resurrection… and they did. When they saw Him… their reaction was worship… and because of the cross and the resurrection… because of all that Jesus did… some didn't know what to think. Who would? They knew to worship.

The truth is everything had changed… and they knew it.

Jesus said ALL not some but ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him… Jesus is saying that HE is… I AM...

He was saying I AM… not I was… but I AM with you…

I AM… the sea splitting, earth shaking, creation forming… identity and power of God almighty is with you. Do you believe that?

If you do… and it doesn't change things… there is a great chance our view of God and His mission is far too small.

In all seriousness… my own battle to grasp that and lean into that… to live it.. Is what eventually led Brandi and I to plant Northside.

Understanding and believing the reality of God with us… changes things.

And it's easy to hear that and internalize it… to miss it. To never come to the place where it empowers the way you live, the way you think… or impacts things like your schedule. It’s like keeping the most incredible truth… in the passenger seat or back seat… or maybe even not in the car instead of allowing it to drive us.

Not familiar with Him, but RT France said this…

The promise of God’s presence often accompanied his call to service in the Old Testament; it is not so much a cosy reassurance as a necessary equipment for mission.

It’s not just a comfort… it’s a call and empowerment to mission. It is necessary equipment for the mission… the purpose... to live out the full, free, and purposeful life God has for each and every one of us.

That passage is called the great commission… the purpose… the great mission that stands before all who are truly in Christ… and within it we realize that His mission requires sacrifice… and is largely… about people. People coming to know the reality of His love, grace, and truth… and that He uses people like us… in that process.

Being about people… is something that Jesus clearly modeled.

, in fact… if you honestly look at the life of Christ… you’d have to come to the conclusion that Jesus was authentically… about people… and investing in what was best for them with an eternal perspective.

Not just in some kind of fluffy… I support you go out and do whatever you want kind of a way… but in a love you enough to continually serve you toward and point you in the right and godly direction… to lovingly and directly confront sin in your life… not because I think you horrible… but because i know you are more than what you're experiencing.

Over and over again… we see Jesus with people from every walk of life… fishermen, doctors, the educated, the uneducated, tax collectors, the sick, the blind, the lame, prostitutes… the politicians… Jesus was about people… even people that didn't appear to deserve it… which was all… frankly… all of them.

Not just clean people… not just people that agreed with Him… not just people who could pay for things or who would pray for things…

Jesus seemed to have a special place in His heart for the hurting, lost and alone.

And my ministry experience has taught me that those people… are everywhere… no matter the financial position, education, family set up, age, race, gender… no matter what role they play in society… The hurting, lost and alone… are everywhere.

In fact I’ve found that some of those people we often think have it most together… are… in fact… as hurting, lost and alone as anyone ever has been… and… they often feel like they can’t admit it or talk to anyone about it… because they’d lose it all.

Jesus is for the hurting, the lost and the alone… that's wonderful news because ultimately what we hear in that is that Jesus is for… ME. and for YOU.. and for every single person you will interact with today… tomorrow… and beyond.

And no matter what you have heard… I personally don’t believe that Jesus magically makes hurt or temptation or struggle go away… or the consequences of sin… still hurts others and myself… and it still causes distance in my relationship with God… in my own heart. People still hurt me… I still get sick…

The promise of God’s presence is not the promise to remove pain and heartache… it’s the promise to bring comfort within them… and purpose… to walk through it with you… and work with you through it… and to empower the mission of God in your life.

Jesus is about people… and in the great commission… He promises the necessary resources… His presence… so that we can truly be about people too. It is part… a big part of what it means to really “follow” Jesus.

We just finished up a series on Proverbs… and I have been holding up on this passage for today…

Proverbs 3:27–30 NLT

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.

Proverbs 3:27–30 (NLT)

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it

when it’s in your power to help them.

28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,

“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,

for those who live nearby trust you.

30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,

when no one has done you harm.

3 Powerful truths from Proverbs 3

Don’t withhold good from those who deserve it. Who deserves it?

Don’t wait, but make the most of every opportunity.

Believe the best about others. See them and treat them as if Jesus really died for them too.

Vs 27 Don’t without good…

Don’t withhold good from those who deserve it… if you look at Jesus' life and used His standard… who would you say deserved it?

It reminds me of something Jesus said… He was talking about praying for those who persecute you because of your faith… and he said… in praying for them…

Matthew 5:45–47 NLT

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Matthew 5:45–47 (NLT)

45 You will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Don’t withhold good… requires us to define what’s good…

I don’t think it means what our culture often thinks it means… but I would say… don’t without what is good, pure, honest, true, helpful, and right…

I think it means being a genuine encouragement… and embracing the reality that God desires to use you to encourage people toward the reality of His love, grace and purpose for their lives.

I think of friendship… I think of time… I think of invitations to church… I think of backyard BBQ… I think of hope and prayer… I think of real encouragement toward God’s very best.

If you can help… you should help.

Vs. 28 Don’t wait.

Don’t wait… the time to invite and pray… the time to encourage is now.

Don’t say come back tomorrow…

2 Timothy 2 talks about being patient and gentle as we teach or encourage people toward truth… not abrasive and judgemental. So even though there is an urgency to the mission… to the gospel… There is also a gentleness and patience… that matters.

One of the biggest mistakes I often make is… LISTENING. Do you want to know how and where to encourage people toward Jesus? Really listen to them and value them.

Nothing makes room in the lives of others like listening and honestly seeing them.

And personally… If I am going to err… I’llerr on the side of Jesus. Meaning… I am going to look for opportunities… and invest in them the best way I can.

EPH 5 talks about living wisely around those who don’t know God… not giving them a reason to walk away… Making the most of every opportunity.

1 Peter 3 talks about how part of what it means to know Jesus as the Lord of your life is being ready to explain to those around you why you’ve place your hope in Him.

Vs. 29-30 Talks about not plotting harm…

I think it means actively seeing the best, believing the best, and even desiring the best for those God has purposefully placed around you.

Are you active with those things… when it comes to the people God has placed in and around your life? I’m not talking poorly… I’m not wishing bad things… I am active in the exact opposite of those things.

Seeing people and treating people as if Jesus really did die for them too.

Years ago… there was a story about a teacher with two andy’s… who couldn’t be further apart… One was a straight A student and a real encouragement to thsoe around him, the other… no do much.

As the time for P and T conference rolled around, the teacher mistook them. She went on to tell the struggling boy's parents what a blessing he was to have in class… that he was kind and worked hard… and made the school a better place… and that she wished the other students were more like him....

The parents went home and told him what the teacher had said… he couldn’t believe it… over the next few days… and weeks and months… the young man began to believe what this teacher had accidentally said about him… and he actually because the person she described.

Its a powerful thing when we dare to see what Jesus sees in people.

Although… it would have really sucked to be that other Andy.

We are about people… Church planters, living on mission, who are about people.

And I want to encourage you to consider a few things…

Pray for people by name.

Invite them to Church and connect with them there.

Invite them into your life.

Pray for people by name… 3-5 people and look for ways to actively see and invest in the God best for them… 3x5 card where you will see it often. Even now… write it out…

Consider inviting them to Church… sit with them. Take them out to lunch…

I get it that the Church isn't perfect… but in all seriousness the most important factor is you… and your willingness to listen and talk.

Ask them over for dinner or out to dinner.

Not to preach… but to get to know them.

Consider inviting people to the Luau… I can’t tell you how many stories I know of people who came to know Jesus because of a meaningful invitation… just like this one.

Sometimes we plant… sometimes we water… but God makes it grow.

Let's be faithful with what it is God commissions us and prepares for us to do.

The minute the church loses sight of our need to care for, reach out to, serve those who are far from God or who may not know Him… things start to turn sideways and we begin to lose our way.

I want you to know… that the mission of God will be what directs the steps and agenda of Northside… and not the comfort of humanity.

We are about people… and the only way that will be true and continue to be true… is if the people who call Northside home… gets it. Invests in it… and lives it out.

Pray