Building Bridges for the Gospel

Thrust: To reach greater heights in our community, we must bridge the gaps of the Church and community to share the gospel.

Introduction:

When Kim and I lived in Kanas City, we took many trips to see her family in Arkansas. The fastest way to get there was through the Arkansas mountains on highway 71. The road was very dangerous. It was windy and narrow as you you would go down the side of one mountain and come up the side of another. There was a sign as you entered the mountains that said 901 lives lost on the the mountain this year. Be careful.

And just about the time we moved to Texas, they began building bridges from mountain to mountain. Some of these bridges were massive that they when from mountain side to mountain side. The turned the highway into an interstate and the death toll dropped dramatically because they took the time to build a bridge.

In war, one of the first things the enemy will try to do is take out bridges. Bridges provide easy access for people and supplies to remote or hard-to-reach areas.

This morning, as we continue our climb series I want to talk about building bridges in our community for the gospel.

Our Core Values at Reliant:

Bible Believer

Disciple Maker

God Pleaser

Community Engager

Kingdom Builder

The climb initiative focuses on Reliant members outside the walls of the church which is our community engagement.

What does it mean to be a bridge builder?

A bridge builder knows how to close the gap between community, culture, and the church to make a way for people to easily come to Christ.

Building bridges to restore brokenness

Galatians 6:1 ESV

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Sin destroys the bridges to God

Jesus is the ultimate bridge builder back to God

Colossians 2:13–14 ESV

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Bridge builders stand in the gap.

Ezekiel 22:29–31 ESV

29 The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. 30 And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. 31 Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.”

We have been chose to stand in the gap for our community. If not us then who?

As we stand in the gap we pray for other to stand with us as we build bridges for the broken back to God.

Building bridges to remove burdens

Galatians 6:2 ESV

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The Burden of Love

The love of Christ compels us to love others.

We must build bridges for others the way the bridge was built for you.

1 John 4:11 ESV

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

The Burden of sowing and reaping

Galatians 6:6–9 ESV

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Paul gives a warning to all bridge builders. There is a danger of becoming weary in well doing.

How do we keep from getting weary as we fill the gap and build bridges for others?

Keep you eyes on the prize. You are bringing hope where there is no hope.

Build with others. We always build better together.

Keep going.

Building bridges to reveal God's goodness

Galatians 6:10 ESV

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Doing good is the manifestation of God.

Jesus said to the rich young ruler, “There is none good but God.”

When we do good to others we reveal the divine nature of God.

Doing good is the selfless act of sacrifice.

Do good to get is manipulation.

Do good for yourself is self-gratification.

Do good for others is revelation.

Next Steps:

Learn to build bridges through Discipleship.

Find a gap (a place to serve) in the community and be the bridge that leads people back to Christ. 

Be fully invested in the project so we can all build bridges together.

Small Group Questions:

Brainstorm some ideas in the group of how you can build a bridge by doing good in our community both personally and as a group.

Take a group inventory of what you are already doing in the community. Talk about ways to begin building bridges in those established arenas.

Plan a group event that would show the love of Christ to someone in our community.