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Dear NEO Family,
Our
theme as a District this year has been “Radical Together”. We realize how
easy it is to drift to what is comfortable, so together we are seeking to
hear Jesus’ words and settle for nothing other than radical obedience to him!
A
key point in our emphasis is rapidly approaching as we together embark on a
60 Day Radical Experiment, January 13 – March 13, 2014. The NEO Radical Experiment
involves six specific challenges. These action steps are adaptions of the
challenges David Platt gives in his book
Radical for a yearlong radical experiment. More than that, they
are a call for us to renew our heritage as Nazarenes. These action steps
challenge us to follow the way of Christ, the way of Wesley and the way of
Bresee.
1. Pray
for the world. The early Nazarenes were energized by a vision of worldwide
ministry. Every day for 60 days, NEO Nazarenes will pray that the glory of
God would fill the earth. Sign
up for the 60-Day prayer experience.
2. Read
through the entire New Testament. Nazarenes believe that
the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain
all truth necessary to faith and Christian living. Studies continue to show
that that the most significant catalyst for spiritual growth, with no close
second, is engagement with the Bible. During these 60 Days, NEO Nazarenes
will be asked to read through the New Testament, asking God to give us
understanding and obedience to His Word. You Version has a 60-Day
Plan for reading through the New Testament that could prove helpful.
3. Commit
your life to multiplying community. The Nazarene
Sunday School and prayer meeting were vital to early Nazarenes as they
“watched over one another in love” (phrase John Wesley used about the
ministry of his small groups). NEO Nazarenes will commit themselves
wholeheartedly to the local church. But even deeper than that, they will be
asked to commit themselves to a small group that is intentionally sharing,
showing, and teaching the Word while serving the world together.
Every
believer needs to be involved in a small group of some kind. The latest issue
of Holiness Today
includes this quote from John Wesley: “After all our preaching, many of our
people are almost as ignorant as if they had never heard the gospel...I found
by experience that one of these (brothers of mine) has learned more from one
hour’s close discourse, than from ten years’ public preaching.” Small group
interaction is essential. If you are not currently in a small group, check
out one of the groups now being offered at your local church.
4. Sacrifice
your money for a specific purpose. Early Nazarenes
gave sacrificially of their resources to start new churches at home and to
evangelize the world. They also stood shoulder to shoulder with the poor and
broken, funding orphanages, homes for unwed mothers and rescue
missions. During these 60 days, NEO Nazarenes will be asked to look at
all of their expenses as a church, as individuals and as families through the
lens of the needs in the world. We will be challenged to set a cap on our
lifestyles so that we can free up as much of our resources as possible for
the sake of the glory of Christ in His church, among the lost, and among
the poor.
5. Spend
your time in another context. The Nazarene mission
statement is to “Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations”. All of us are
called to leave the comfort of our community. During these sixty days,
opportunities will be given for individuals, families and small groups to
give one day of your time in Gospel ministry outside of your community for
the sake of God’s glory in all the world.
6. Live
the Spirit Filled Life. The uniting core for
Nazarenes has always been belief in a real cleansing grace that conquers sin.
If we try to carry out the mission given by God in our own strength and
efforts, it will end in utter and complete failure. But as we live the Spirit
Filled or Sanctified Life, God works in common people to display uncommon
power and purity. Participants will be asked to daily pray the
“Exchanged Life Prayer”.
I
dare you to join with others in your local church in January as we embark on
the 60 Day Experiment! Let’s start this year on a track to grow deeper in our
walk with Christ.
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(On
Sunday, those who were able to venture out in the ice and cold to Broken Arrow
First heard me preach an introductory
message for our Radical Together emphasis.
You can find the video here.)
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FamilyMovie.us
is bringing all churches, all denominations together for the World Premiere
Event of the first Christian date night movie, A MATTER OF TIME. Mark
your calendars for Friday evening, Feb.
14, 2014, for this one-of-a-kind church exclusive.
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