In this series on being great neighbours, that ends this week, we’ve looked at 6 shifts:
Stranger -> Neighbour -> Acquaintance -> Partner -> Friend -> Family
We’ve encouraged you to learn neighbours’ names, stories, work together, become friends, and now your challenge is to find people of peace in your life. Start sharing Redeem the Commute with them. Perhaps you could do the Marriage course with your spouse and some other couples. Or you could do the parenting courses with other parents. Then take Christianity 101 together, and then the daily challenges. Make a habit of eating together whenever you can, and talking about things that matter.
This is our vision, to be a network of small groups who are being the church. We don’t want to be a church you go to, but a church on the go. We don’t want you to just go to church, but to be the church every day. We’ll be the church when we are scattered around the GTA at work, and scattered around our various neighbourhoods, but also when we gather for community events. We started this with our outdoor movie night, and next we have a trivia night.
After that, we’ll have a Christmas event. We want it to be welcoming for local residents and families, generous for those in need, and introduces the story of the original Christmas party. We’re about to start planning, so let Ryan know if you would like to help!
In the next series, Becoming Like Family, we’ll look at what it means for you, and perhaps your own immediate family to be part of God’s family, called the church. See you there!
Challenge: Ask your person of peace for help with the party you’re planning. Then invite them to follow challenges, or another course, with you.
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CloseRyan Sim - July 3, 2013
Wednesday - Change It - Knowing
Yesterday, we saw one misunderstanding of Christian faith – that's it's just about saying the right words to go to heaven. Words can be faked, spoken out of fear or manipulation, or we may be afraid of their power. So it’s tempting to say Christian faith is not at all about words, and only about good works. You may know people like this - I knew one who said they didn't need to be part of a Christian community, or church, simply because she was a nurse who cared for sick people. People regularly quote St. Francis of Assisi, who the current Roman Catholic Pope named himself after, as having said something like “Always remember to preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” But it’s a misquote, he probably never said it, and probably didn’t belive it. Neither did Jesus. That's why this is the second misunderstanding of Christian faith Jesus wanted to confront. Jesus says he’ll send away those who say, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" It seems these people did amazing things in Jesus name. They performed many of the same deeds as the disciples. They would prophesy – speaking God’s truth. They were casting out demons, and doing other mighty works – miracles! But these things aren’t enough. For example, with the miracles, it seems God could do great things through people like this. But that didn’t make the person great, and it's apparent they considered themselves great because of their deeds. The problem is their dependence on those great acts. They plan to show up at heaven and explain all they’ve done. Like a celebrity stalker showing up at the celebrity’s house, to tell them how great their imaginary relationship is, and all the things he’s been doing to earn her love. No thank you. I don’t know you. Something is missing. It can’t just be words, can’t just be actions. We'll see tomorrow what it is. Question: If Christian faith was just about doing the right thing, how would this contradict what Jesus said earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, or elsewhere? We meet for coffee every Wednesday night at Starbucks in the Chapters Store in Ajax, in Durham Region just East of Toronto. Maybe we'll see you there?
Related Topics: God, Knowing | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"
More Messages From Ryan Sim...
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Friday | March 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Thursday | March 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Wednesday | March 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Tuesday | March 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & Pharaoh - Monday | March 23, 2015 | Bank Story | Watch | Listen | |
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Friday | March 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Thursday | March 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Wednesday | March 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Tuesday | March 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Moses & The Burning Bush - Monday | March 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Friday | March 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Thursday | March 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Wednesday | March 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Tuesday | March 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Joseph - Monday | March 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Friday | March 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Thursday | March 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Wednesday | March 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Tuesday | March 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob & Esau Reconcile - Monday | March 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Friday | February 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Thursday | February 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Wednesday | February 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Tuesday | February 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Jacob Struggles with God - Monday | February 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Friday | February 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Thursday | February 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Wednesday | February 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Tuesday | February 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Isaac - Monday | February 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Friday | February 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Thursday | February 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Wednesday | February 11, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Tuesday | February 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Abraham & Sarah - Monday | February 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Friday | February 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Thursday | February 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Wednesday | February 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Tuesday | February 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Tower of Babel - Monday | February 2, 2015 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
EPIC: Noah - Friday | January 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Thursday | January 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Wednesday | January 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Noah - Monday | January 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Friday | January 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Thursday | January 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Wednesday | January 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Tuesday | January 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Cain and Abel - Monday | January 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Friday | January 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Thursday | January 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Wednesday | January 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
EPIC: Adam and Eve - Tuesday | January 13, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Friday | January 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Redeemer's First Baptisms - Thursday | January 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Pioneer Spirit - Wednesday | December 31, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Jesus the Shepherd - Tuesday | December 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2014: Reset Body & Food - Monday | December 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Friday | December 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Thursday | December 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Wednesday | December 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Tuesday | December 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Christmas - Monday | December 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Friday | December 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Thursday | December 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Wednesday | December 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Tuesday | December 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: God in the Flesh - Monday | December 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Friday | December 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Thursday | December 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Wednesday | December 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Tuesday | December 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Healer in the World - Monday | December 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Friday | December 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Thursday | December 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Wednesday | December 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Tuesday | December 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting King in the World - Monday | December 1, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Friday | November 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Thursday | November 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Wednesday | November 26, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Tuesday | November 25, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Friend in the World - Monday | November 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Friday | November 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Thursday | November 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Wednesday | November 19, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Tuesday | November 18, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Light of the World - Monday | November 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Friday | November 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Thursday | November 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Wednesday | November 12, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Tuesday | November 11, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Prophet in the World - Monday | November 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Friday | November 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Thursday | November 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Wednesday | November 5, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Tuesday | November 4, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Powerful Man in the World - Monday | November 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Friday - Reflect | October 31, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Thursday - Act On It | October 30, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Wednesday - Change It | October 29, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Tuesday - Study It | October 28, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus: The Most Interesting Priest in the World - Monday | October 27, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Foundation | October 24, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Foundation | October 23, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Foundation | October 22, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Foundation | October 21, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Foundation | October 20, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Forgiver | October 17, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Forgiver | October 16, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Forgiver | October 15, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Forgiver | October 14, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Forgiver | October 13, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Teacher | October 10, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Teacher | October 9, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Teacher | October 8, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Teacher | October 7, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Teacher | October 6, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Revolutionary | October 3, 2014 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Revolutionary | October 2, 2014 | Watch | Listen |