Battleship Part 4 – Vision

This Sunday, Steph Littlejohn brings us the latest of our short video talks. Once you have watched the video, we encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.

To listen to the talk click here.
 
Reading:

Luke chapter 2, verses 15 to 17 (NLT)
15 Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) 16 But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”
17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call, not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”



Prayer & Reflection

Jesus we thank you for your single minded determination to fulfil your mission no matter what. Help us to do the same.
Help us to follow you in the way that you served others.
Help us to be examples of your love and grace which helps people to see the face of God in our lives and hearts.
We thank you that you fulfilled your mission in the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit of Power that is available to us.
Empower us, keep us on course and prevent us from drifting.
Lord Jesus, keep us focussed on you.
Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. List the ways that the church is like a cruise liner, a battleship, or a lifeboat rescue vessel.

2. William Temple, a former Archbishop of Canterbury wrote this:
"The Church is the only organisation that does not exist for itself, but for those who live outside of it."
Do you agree with this, if not who, or what do you think the church exists for? Give your reasons.

3. If it is true and this is the reason that the church exists, how does that affect what we should prioritise as a church?

4. Even in the early church the churches had to be reminded not to drift from their purpose. Peter says this in Acts 15 (NIVUK):
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. How do you think that we make it hard for those turning to God?

5. How can we make it easier for people to encounter God through the church?

6. What do you need to do in response to this?