Revolution Sunday

Click Here to Listen to the Sermon for Sunday, January 30, 2011 by Pastor Rodger S. Loar

Scripture Reference: Acts 2:42-47

Read the news and it’s easy to see what the world’s idea of revolution is.  As a follower of Jesus, revolution is something different.  There are no guns or bombs, we don’t hate or kill; he calls us to something more. 

At MVCC, we’ve been challenged to give up New Year’s Resolutions and make a New Years Revolution in our community.  We’ve been studying Acts 2:42-47 in light of the first church, historic revivals, and the conditions of today’s church.  We have decided we want to start a revolution at our church.  We are going to spend the next year exploring what it means to be a church like the first church, a group of people that are so caught on to Jesus’ mission and calling that our very lives change.

We want to be radically generous, givers in a world of takers, sacrificially sharing our resources and time to make a difference in this world.  We will learn to live on less so we can give more generously.  We will purposely reduce our busy schedules so we can volunteer more.

We want to be revolutionary with our love, welcoming in those who the world casts out, loving the ones that no one else loves, and practicing forgiveness and reconciliation in our relationships.  We will be intentional in building bridges, inviting people in, and getting to know one another.  We will eat together, pray together, worship together, serve together, and reach out to others together.

We want our faith to reform us, to change who we are because we follow Christ.  As we become new beings in Christ, our lives will begin to look so different that it should amaze others.  We will change from takers to givers, from haters to peacemakers, from those who worry to people of prayer. And we will do this together.

Jesus called us to shelter the homeless, clothe the needy, welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, visit the prisoner, adopt the orphan, reach out to the outcasts, and support the widow.  He told us to be known by our love and our action, not by politics or protest signs.  He taught us to be useful in the world now, not just hope for future in heaven.  He wants us to be unified in our community and to be busy about his work.  This is our challenge and this is the journey we are on.

This last Sunday, we began this journey.  We had a different type of worship service.  We began in the sanctuary with prayer and praise, and we continued in the fellowship hall with a meal together and a presentation on our new step in ministry. 

We are beginning a new small group ministry called REVO Groups.  These groups will be unlike the old idea of small groups where one person teaches a lesson and a few other people passively listen.  These groups will be focused on putting faith in action.  They will study Acts 2:42-47 and begin practicing what that will look like in 2011.  Though the whole group will meet only once each month, individuals and families in the groups will be encouraged to have meals together or call each other throughout the month.  Each group will take on a service ministry that they will perform throughout the year.  The intent is for us to get our hands dirty and put our faiths to the test as we do real life-to-life ministry.

There is much more to these groups, but the heart will be intentional relationships that help us to grow in our own Christian walk and help us to reach out to our community and make a difference.

I challenge each person who reads this to consider joining one of our REVO Groups.  Give me a call at the office at 602-955-9414 or send an email to email@mvccaz.com for more info.  If you are not in the Phoenix area, please take the challenge and find a local church in your own community that encourages personal growth and small group ministry.  Make the needs of others a personal call to action in your own life. 

Pastor Rodger