A New Chapter

Today is a day of celebration, memory and also a day of transition for NHCC!

But today is also like reading the final sentences of a chapter in a book and next week begins a new chapter in the story that is New Horizons Christian Church.

The next chapter is short, but so important in the NHCC story.

It’s like our stories too. 

Ups and downs, changes good and bad, put through it all we see one constant ... The faithfulness of God!

It’s not that we haven’t asked the question why, and you may have asked that question this morning.

But if the change is led by God, we can be at peace in the midst of change. Even though it’s hard.

The bible is full of change. Beginning in Chapter one of Genesis and ending in Chapter 22 of Revelation.

Christianity = CHANGE 

Our LIVES + Jesus = CHANGED life

Change is a part of life, whether you are single, married without kids/with kids, grandparent and so on.  

Churches are similar.  Churches can never change to message of the gospel, but the can change their methods.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul experienced and understood what can happen in a changed life.

Why?  So that he might win more men/women to Christ.

1. To the JEWS I became like a JEW

Paul knew what it was like to be a Jew!

Even to the point of killing for the faith.

But Paul’s standard changed, his standard was Christ not the law.

And that is a believer’s standard. But as you look around during our time it seems that standard has changed. If you’ve come from a different faith background and you see and hear what is taught here, you are going to see differences and sometime significant differences. 

But what I hope you see and hear her is Jesus is the only way and the Bible as the measuring tool. Not I believe it is this or that but let’s look at the Bible and see what it says.

2. To those not having the LAW I became like one not having the LAW

Please don’t hear Paul saying, now I can do whatever I want.

Paul made himself look like those who did not know Christ without living against who Jesus told us to live.

He lived is such a way that other who don’t know Christ felt compelled to be around him. 

I think sometimes this is the hardest one. Living as an example and not demand that others (those who don’t know Christ) live like a Christian and not understand why they don’t.

Do we look at what is happens and wonder why or do we look and say to ourselves and say if there was a Christian influence would it be different. 

3. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak

Our biggest challenge is always staying on track, Keeping the main thing the main thing.

Keep centered on Jesus, the bible as our guide. And loves others as ourselves. 

Paul states his motivation and a challenge for us.

 . . . I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel. . . 

See the word “This” It is usually translated “all things.”  I do all things for the sake of the gospel. 

For Paul the gospel was an all-consuming passion. For others to come to Christ was his passion.

 

1 Cor. 10:24 ... No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 

Gal 6:2 ... Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal. 6:10 ... Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Phil. 2:3,4 ... Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.