Monthly Archives: April 2007

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17 NIV)

Jesus was willing to become one of us, to erase the differences between us and himself, and speak to us words of truth and grace. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be like him. We, too, must cast aside differences with others, get to know them, and speak to them in truth and grace, as Jesus did. We cannot offer truth and grace to others without a close relationship to them. Intimacy and discipleship are intertwined; we can’t offer truth to others without understanding their life situation and how they’ll relate to the truth. And we can’t speak with others in grace without loving them.

Hear Pastor Simon Liversidge’s complete sermon on this topic, entitled

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Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him.

(John 1:38-39 TNIV)

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip. (John 1:46 TNIV)

After the came and saw, they believed. That’s it. Jesus does not say that to be with him you have to understand him first. He doesn’t say you have to come to church first. He doesn’t tell you to start doing this and stop doing that, then you’ll see. It’s not an invitation to become a religious fanatic or accept any particular doctrine.

It’s an invitation to a relationship with God. Jesus invites us, saying, “Come and spend time with me.”

If you are disciple of Jesus, it’s not necessarily your job to try to convince others about complex theology or beliefs. Just invite someone to come and see what God is doing in your life, in the life of your friends, and in the church.

If you’re not a follower of Jesus, just come. And see. No strings attached.

For more,

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