The Cure Church is committed to being an Evangelistic Church in Kansas City. Evangelism is so important to us because the world is lost and broken and in need of Jesus. We are meant to be the hands, feet and the voice of Jesus to people. This is part of our culture
What exactly does the word culture mean anyway?
Culture as defined by Merriam-Webster’s is,
The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an organization.
It is important that as a church we have a healthy culture. Part of having a healthy culture is answering the B
We all have our favorite scriptures. Some scriptures are our favorites because they came to us in an important time when God helped us. Then there are scriptures we like because they make us feel comfortable.
The Pharisees used scripture to justify themselves and to accuse others. We can all use scripture to justify what we like to do.
If you are a really organized person you will like the scripture that says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” If you like to drink you will quote, “A little wine for the stomach.” Or perhaps you are one that likes to stand on the edge of grace. You will often state, “all things are lawful.”
Everyone has scripture to confirm the way we are living. But scripture is meant to challenge us to become more like Christ. The Word should challenge and strip things out of our lives.
Dear friends, let me give you clearly the heart of the gospel that I’ve preached to you—the good news that you have heartily received and on which you stand. For it is through the revelation of the gospel that you are being saved, if you fasten your life firmly to the message I’ve taught you, unless you have believed in vain. For I have shared with you what I have received and what is of utmost importance:
The Messiah died for our sins,
fulfilling the prophecies of the Scriptures.
He was buried in a tomb
and was raised from the dead after three days,
as foretold in the Scriptures.
Then he appeared to Peter the Rock
and to the twelve apostles.
He also appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at the same time, most of whom are still alive as I write this, though a few have passed away. Then he appeared to Jacob and to all the apostles. Last of all he appeared in front of me, like one born prematurely, ripped from the womb. Yes, I am the most insignificant of all the apostles, unworthy even to be called an apostle, because I hunted down believers and persecuted God’s church. But God’s amazing grace has made me who I am! And his grace to me was not fruitless. In fact, I worked harder than all the rest, yet not in my own strength but God’s, for his empowering grace is poured out upon me. 1 cor 15:1-10 TPT
Can you think back to what God brought you from? Paul was so grateful for the kindness and grace of God he could not help but do all he could to go all out for Him. The Cure Church is looking for saved people not church people. We are looking for people who know what God has saved them from.
If we are left to our flesh our tendency is to be satisfied, to be comfortable, to take it easy. We are creatures of comfort. Think about it. If given a choice would you choose the Motel 6 or the Hilton, cleaning ministry or stage ministry, outreach or chilling at home, serving or being served?
Biblical Christianity is about what Jesus did for us. While we were blaspheming God Jesus committed to die for us. We cannot earn it. It was freely given. However biblical Christianity, while it may be free, cost somebody something.
My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don’t, your faith was all for nothing. 1 Cor 15:1-2 CEV
You can’t side-step this. We have to hold firmly and be committed to the Gospel. This needs to extend beyond our Sunday morning services.
For I have shared with you what I have received and what is of utmost importance: The Messiah died for our sins, fulfilling the prophecies of the Scriptures. He was buried in a tomb and was raised from the dead after three days, as foretold in the Scriptures. 1 Cor 15:3-4 TPT
Paul is talking about God’s commitment. The truth is that once the Gospel is received it calls for a dramatic commitment to change. We ought to be continually striving for perfection. We have to shift from pampering our desires to Not my will but Your will be done. If you say you have given your whole life to Jesus then that means everything.
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matt 16:24-26 The Message
This completely goes against our carnality and even some Christian’s beliefs. Jesus is clearly telling us You are not in the driver’s seat so let me lead.
The Bible says those forgiven much love much. The mature response to that love ought to be a life completely committed to God.
For it seems as though everyone else is busy seeking what is best for themselves instead of the things that are most important to our Lord Jesus Christ. Phil 2:21 TPT
People have a tendency to only think of themselves. Obviously this is not just a modern issue. Paul dealt with this in his time.
People who are getting older tend to think of themselves more. But the Bible states that as we get older we ought to mature and pour into the younger. The Bible does not teach a retirement mentality. Paul was older when he wrote this. He was nearing the end of his life.
Let’s bring this closer to today. There are souls attached to churches. If every church understood its assignment whole cities could be won. I know Jesus loves us but He did not save us for only us. Our commitment to God ought to bear fruit. He did what He did for us so we could be the light in someone else’s life.
To those who say, “It’s just Jesus and me.” I say it’s good you found Jesus but you can’t truly have Him without doing what He says. You can be committed to church without being committed to God but you can’t be committed to God without being committed to a church. If you love Jesus you must have the same love He has for the church.
Can we really believe God gave His only Son and think He would require nothing from us?
We can all trace our lives to someone who was committed to Jesus. It’s a decision we must all make to separate from our pre-Christian lifestyle and embrace the will of God. Just like in marriage we are to forsake all others.
Let’s bring this down to practical application. Worship service is not a concert or a filler to kill time. You ought to be engaged in worshipping Jesus. Your lifestyle outside church ought to honor Jesus and the church. Your time ought to be God’s. It’s okay to say, “No, I am putting God first.” Be faithful in coming to church. I believe in follow up for new believers because there are things they don’t understand. But I have issues with having to follow up on people who ought to be mature enough to understand what the Bible says.
For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 1 Cor 15:9-10
Paul was not working so hard because he was possessed. He was driven because of his understanding of what God did for him. Others have asked me how could I give up so much . I gave up hell and by the grace of God I am who I am.
Ask yourself this. Just how committed are you to God and His purpose? Stop being a weekend
PRAY THIS
Father I don’t want to live an aimless life. Fill me with Your purpose and give me both the will and the do for Your good pleasure. As you committed everything precious to You to save me help me to remember to be thankful and to commit my life to You. This includes my time, my talents, my treasure, and even my very breath. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
MEDITATE ON THIS
With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. 1 Cor 15:58 MSG