theotherjc Challenge, Christian, Church, Preaching, Thoughts, Xcel Darlington

The YOU That Others See

This Sunday at Xcel Darlington is going to be incredible. I am excited about what God is doing at Xcel Church, after all ‘He will build His church’ – we just have the privilege of being involved in the process.

Last week we talked about the YOU that God sees. How we are so much more in God’s eyes than we possibly are in our own.

This week:
the YOU that others see.
the YOU that wins people or loses people for God.
the YOU that always leaves an impression.
the YOU that carries the hope to the whole world.
the YOU that builds the Church or not.

Maybe we will use the words – hypocrite, liar, fake.
Maybe that be considered too harsh.

But think about those words in the light of the fact that the BIGGEST turn-off to Church is often the Christians that attend it. We desperately need the REAL ME to stand up

How can we be authentic in a post-Church society?
How can we be naturally attractive to others?
What is the YOU that others need to see?

theotherjc God, Potential, Preaching, Thinking, Xcel Darlington

The YOU That God Sees

Excited about the new series we kick off tomorrow at Xcel Darlington: will the REAL ME please stand up. I am convinced that if we can live our lives based on the way God sees us, then how we live life will be completely transformed. The limits that we put on our abilities will be taken off.

YOU are more than YOU think YOU are
The YOU that God sees is so much more expansive than how we see ourselves.
The YOU that God sees needs to be brought out into the open.
If God says it about YOU then it must be true.

YOU are more than what others think about YOU
Anothers view of YOU can have a limiting impact on what YOU can achieve.
How people see YOU and how God sees YOU are usually different.

YOU are the YOU that God sees
He doesn’t see the stuff that gets your attention – He just sees His child.
YOU are brand new, wiped clean, fresh & full of untapped potential.

The word is full of illustrations where God took someone who did not see themselves the same way He saw them. When they got their thinking about themselves in line with Gods then they did incredible things. This is an amazing truth: WE ALL HAVE THAT POTENTIAL!!

What do you think?

theotherjc Christian, Church, Preaching, Readiness

Will the REAL Me Please Stand Up!

New series on Sunday…will the REAL me please stand up.

It’s a debate worth having. If Church is the place of hope then surely the REAL you is so important? The difference the REAL you can make.

The next 3 Sunday’s we will discuss YOU.
The YOU that God sees.
The YOU that others see.
The YOU that is powerful.

If we can be REAL, authentic in our faith, live life not according to feelings, then we can be confident that the life we are experiencing will make a BIG difference.

Big Question:
Does it matter whether you are REAL or FAKE?

theotherjc Attitude, Culture, Faith, Preaching, Questions

Feelings v Faith

I have written posts like these before. Everyone goes through stuff. This post is not designed to belittle what you may be going through but more as a challenge/reminder to make sure that you are going through it based on FAITH and not based on FEELINGS. Everyone faces tough times.

We don’t always FEEL like it…
We often FEEL like giving up…
We maybe FEEL life is hard

The truth is that there is nothing wrong with those FEELINGS.
The problem is when we allow the FEELINGS to dictate how we live life.

Having FAITH is always easier when life is going well. Then something happens…stress, sickness, job loss, relationship troubles, distractions, financial challenges…do you deal with these based on your FEELINGS or your FAITH. Can you truly display a life of FAITH in difficult times.

Many times people say stuff like…
…well, life’s hard, I need some time out
…I’m just working through it
…I can’t do Church at the moment

Those kind of comments are purely based on FEELINGS.
FAITH keeps you going, even through everything.
FEELINGS are normal but should never determine the actions of a Christian.
FEELINGS are fragile. FAITH shows strength.

Questions:
are you taking time out to get ready for the next challenge OR taking time out and becoming lazy?
are you maintaining your spiritual disciplines even when you don’t FEEL like it?

This post has been prompted by a new series I will be preaching from this Sunday…will the real ME please stand up! A culture creation series. Time to speak about how YOU (ME) are the biggest limiter on the YOU (ME) God wants YOU to become. Our willingness or otherwise to be REAL can make a difference.

FAITH is the difference.
When those around us live by their FEELINGS the reality of our FAITH will shine out in glorious fashion.

Are you living based on your FEELINGS or living according to FAITH in your God? Whichever…it will be evident to those you do life with!!