Today is one of my favorite Sundays in the year.  It's take it to the streets Sunday!  Instead of me having to preach a whole sermon I get to talk about being the sermon. Take it to the streets Sunday is about going into the community and doing random acts of kindness instead of sitting and listening to a sermon.

I was having lunch with someone this week at Dairy Queen and I was explaining the idea of what it means to be a good steward of our time, talents, treasures, and for lack of a better "T" word... trees.  As I was trying to explain to her what it meant to be a good steward she came up with a brilliant idea and said that serving on take it to the streets Sunday is being a good steward of our time and talents.  I thought that was brilliant.  Thanks Michelle

I think Michelle got it because we had just read from Matthew 25: 35-45, where at the end of this passage Jesus says to all of us, "Whatever you have done for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done for me".

Matthew 25:34-40 (New Living Translation)

 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Tell me what you think of this passage? What is Jesus saying to you?

I just started reading this book and find it very fascinating.  As I read the book I get the sense that this is really about moving people from being regular attenders to being Missional people.  Missional people are "individuals who are committed to forming their character and lifestyle after those of Christ and who are compelled to live out their faith in the context of the community." (page 111)

it's also about allowing people to feel like they belong before believing.

More to follow...

I just came back from a weekend away in Mississauga Ontario with two other guys from discovery church.  We attended promise keepers, a weekend for men to be encouraged in their faith and to worship together.  What an awesome weekend!  Being able to worship with 5000 men is very inspiring.