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It's time to start paddling

by Mike Vandermause on September 15, 2014

In the second message in our “I Am Community” series, pastor Troy Murphy said God is calling believers to “use their paddles” by getting involved and plugged into the local church. Here are some talking points from his message:

1-There are no requirements to becoming a Christian, other than to put your faith in Jesus and trust Him. We can’t work our way to salvation or earn favor with God -- Ephesians 2: 8-9 says we have been saved by grace. But if coming to faith in Christ is like stepping into a canoe, then God expects us to pick up a paddle and use it. Why is it as Christ followers that some take the free gift of salvation and acknowledge that Jesus died for them, but sit in the canoe and do nothing?

2-The purpose is not to make believers feel guilty, or to suggest that we spend time on religious activities to try to please God. Instead, when we enter into a relationship with Jesus, there is the promise that He will invade our life with the Holy Spirit. We should have a desire out of gratitude for what Jesus did for us to pick up our paddle and go.

3-What does paddling look like for believers? It is spelled out in Acts 2: 42-47, when the early church goers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship and prayer every day. They had busy lives just like we do today, but that didn’t stop them from devoting themselves to God and others daily.

4-If you reduced your experience of God to getting in the canoe and letting everybody else paddle, you will go unfulfilled. The idea of a spiritual community rests itself in mutual giving. Loving God and others is what it means to be connected to God.

5-The early church as described in Acts gathered for teaching. There was a continual devotion to knowing Jesus through teaching, which led to spiritual growth. Some are still drinking milk even though they’ve known the Lord for a long time. At some point you must start eating solid food. Don’t forsake the teaching of God’s word because of a busy schedule. Submitting to learning and growth should be high on your priority list.

6-The early church gathered for fellowship, which means giving of themselves, their time and their hearts to each other. It meant a willingness to be vulnerable with one another. In our culture, most people that are struggling in their walk and faith come to fellowship gatherings to “get” rather than to “give.” Some have treated church as a consumer product, and if they aren’t getting a good enough product, they will go elsewhere. When it comes to fellowship our attitude should be: “I’m coming to give.”

7-The early church gathered to break bread. We are to continually remember Jesus’ sacrifice through communion, and we should do that together, not individually.

8-The early church gathered for prayer. We shouldn’t worry about what others think of our prayers. All that matters is that God hears our prayers. He doesn’t care how eloquent we sound. If you have the ability to speak or communicate, you can pray. We are called to lock arms with others to pray. 

9-The early church goers gave of their time. It was a continual commitment of being  together. They gave of themselves daily and made sacrifices to make that happen.

10-The early church goers gave continually of their talents (skills and abilities). People started to exercise different gifts and abilities to the body of Christ. Imagine if people started radically paddling, what would happen? Some have gifts that haven’t been exercised.

11-The early church gave of their treasures. It was a continual sacrificial giving for the needs of others. They were giving not to get back, but giving to say God is great.

12-If you’re not paddling as a Christian, something is missing in your life. Why would you say you’re a Christian but then not be a Christian through your actions? When you step in the canoe and start to paddle, you’re stepping into an opportunity that’s going to change your life. Paddling can involve pain and sorrow and hurt, but it’s exhilarating and invigorating to become invested with other believers.