REAL HOPE: WEEK 3

If we want to make a difference with our lives, we must submit our lives to God and serve Him with all our hearts.

Great churches aren’t built on the gifts and talents of a few but on the sacrifices of many!

Mark 10:42-45, “ So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(NLT)

Jesus modeled for us what it looks like to serve. The Messiah! Our Savior! Humbled himself and got down on his knees and did the job that a servant does. He washed their dirty feet.

WE MUST BE WILLING TO GET OUR HANDS AND FEET DIRTY FOR JESUS

Ministry can be messy!

Our vision is to provide real hope for real people in a real world. Key word is REAL. When people take the mask off and they are real it’s not going to look all neat and pretty.

That’s why our passion is to be a life-giving church. So, when people share their pain, hurt, dirt and junk that we don’t judge them.

We don’t condemn them.

We don’t stiff arm them.

In fact we do what Jesus did and He would invite people to come closer to Him.

Those with leprosy (modern day AIDS),

the little children,

women,

those who were outcasts,

the woman at the well who was caught in adultery.

That’s why connect groups are so powerful! Healing comes when we confess our sins and hurts to each other.

Sin just simply means we missed the mark.

Serving people is dirty and it takes time, prayer and patience!

GOD CHOOSES YOU!

God chooses me. He chooses ordinary people.

God’s not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for faithful, available and teachable people.

He Chooses the Young

He Chooses the Old

He Chooses Millennials

He Chooses Baby Boomers

He Chooses White

He Chooses Black

He Chooses Hispanic

He Chooses Asian

He Chooses Tarheel fans

He Chooses Wolfpack fans

He Chooses Blue devil fans

He Chooses Daughters

He Chooses Sons

He Chooses Women

He Chooses Men

Acts 2:14-18, “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

• All People – vs. 17
• Sons and Daughters will prophesy – (preach)
• Young Men will see Visions
• Old men will Dream Dreams.
• Servants – vs. 18
• Men and Women will prophesy!

All people matter to God and God chooses anyone who is willing to serve Him!

It's Week 3 of the Real Hope series and we're blessing all the First Responders in our community! Here are some ideas of how you can serve them this week:

• Deliver donuts to your local police department

• Say thank you if you see a first responder during your day

• Provide a meal for your local fire department

Next week we'll be serving the military and partnering with local military bases in North Carolina.

This Sunday, we will be bringing the following items to bless the military:

• Writing Paper & Envelopes
• Pens & Pencils
• Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

We want to hear how you guys are serving! Send us pictures and stories at [email protected] and use the hashtag #C3RealHope on your posts!