Mount Helena Community Church

Through Scripture we must become mature and skilled in “the word of righteousness” (Heb. 5:13)—able to convert unbelievers, as Paul converted his Philippian jailer. Paul was so mature that even after being beaten and imprisoned, his testimony of praise to God actually redeemed the jailer’s life, both physically and spiritually. Like Paul, we must move from milk to solid food. God calls us to radical spiritual change – a powerful testimony to the world.

The world rebels more and more, yet God is achieving his mission of uniting all things under Christ. Our part is to reach the whole earth with his message by doing the good works he has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Scripture repeatedly describes God’s sovereign plan to restore and reconcile all of creation back to himself (Ephesians 1:9-10)—and he WILL achieve it. So when the world rebels, he’s not worried or scared; instead, he laughs (Psalm 2:1-6) because he knows that in the end, his own good plan will prevail. And we are to help him carry it out. We must not be distracted by COVID, or politics, or the loss of freedoms that is surely coming. Instead, we must join him in the high calling of carrying his love and service to the ends of the earth.

Like us, the Jews wanted favor — not hard truths. But when Jesus preached both, he changed everything. So they tried to kill him. They thought God’s blessing was for them, and God’s vengeance was for others; but he told them he came to save the whole world. We must not repeat their error. The way to find blessing is to bless others, not ourselves. That is Christ’s mission—and ours. Instead of praying, ”Lord, bless me!” —let us pray, “Lord, bless THROUGH me!”

Jeff Wald shares what it means to abide in Christ and stirs us to action in response to Jesus' transforming power in our lives.

Christ’s final commission to us was to grow up into maturity, and to make mature disciples! How do we get there? By becoming doers of the word, and not hearers only. But how do we become doers? Not by works or legalism, but by communing deeply and regularly with God and his word—and then obeying. This mission—i.e., not just evangelizing people, but “disciple-izing” them to maturity—is the most valuable, important, necessary, and urgent mission in the world. What lesser missions distract you from it? What next step is God challenging you to take to love and serve those around you?

God wants us to be alive – and on-mission! You were prepared for mission, and God has prepared mission for you. He is writing you into the story. Ephesians 2:10 says that “We are God’s workmanship, created for good works in Christ” – and the preceding verses tell us HOW this mission of good works is accomplished. It is not something we can ever do on our own, but it happens only by grace, through faith: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV).

God’s critical mission for us is to share the hope of Christ! That’s what people need, and we can’t stay spectators; we must change from consumers to contributors. We want someone else to do it for us – but no one else can. You yourself must prepare your mind (“gird up the loins of your mind” in KJV) your mind, and engage in this spiritual battle with discipline and sober-mindedness (1 Peter 1:13). God is building his church around the world, just as he said he would (Matthew 16:18) – and we are called to play a part. When his truth is revealed to us, we must adjust our lives accordingly. Each of us must become a doer of the word, not just a hearer only (James 1:22).

Cory Swanson encourages us to take advantage of a field ripe for harvest in front of us by ceasing from excuse-making, and instead seeing the opportunities in front of us to impact those around us, so long as we are prepared to take them.

Jason Harris continues our sermon series on sabbath and rest by teaching on how to practice enjoying the presence of God.

JR Quigley continues our sermon series on sabbath and rest by teaching out of Ecclesiastes and encouraging us to not be stingy with out time.