Good Morning SERVE 6.8 Team, Last month, I shared our theme for the year “The Road Less Traveled”, and we explored that caring for people in a way that points to wholeness through Jesus fits this theme. This month I want to explore why this matters: On one hand we know as Christians that knowing Jesus brings eternal life, but I think it is hard to understand how knowing Him impacts our lives before we die. Let’s explore this so that we can express to others why our faith makes peoples lives better now, not just later. Today’s culture constantly reminds people that their identity is found in our human characteristics which often highlights our differences. For example, people may find common ground with others because of their race, gender, or sexuality. It’s important to remember that every person feels the desire to be connected and belong to something larger than themselves, so identifying with groups is natural. If you are a Jesus follower, though, there is another common identifier that can unite us, stronger than our human identities. In Ephesians 2: 6 Paul says this:
“For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”
This means our greatest common denominator as believers is that we are united together through Christ. The different identities that we have in this world still matter, but now we can find our greatest unity in what us make us the same, instead of what makes us different! When we care for other believers then, it makes perfect sense that Christ is our starting point. But what about people that don’t share our beliefs? How can we connect with them as we care for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs? In Ephesians 2: 14, Paul tells us:
“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”
This passage tells us two important things. First, there is a hostility that separates people of different backgrounds, and knowing Christ allows these walls to be broken down. Second, we learn that every person on Earth was created to be united through Christ as well, even those who don’t believe in him. What a powerful truth for all of us who are trying to love our neighbor in the most challenging circumstances; the things that separate us and make us different have been overcome by the greatest thing which brings us together, Jesus. Therefore, all
our care and connection efforts at SERVE 6.8 center around reconciling people to Christ. We serve every person who walks through our door with the love of Jesus, and we never push our beliefs on others, we simply share what motivates us so that all people may find wholeness and healing. What we all have in common makes us stronger than our differences, and true restoration must start with this truth. If this idea challenges or intrigues you, I encourage you to come discover how we apply this in our everyday ministry work, by clicking here.
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Join our SERVE Track Wednesday, February 26th from 6-7:30pm at the Resource Center (1239 East Drake Rd) to learn how God has uniquely gifted you to connect and help families discover reconciliation, healing, and the hope of Jesus. Joining SERVE 6.8 is stepping onto the mission field and using the power of the gospel and your love for Jesus to demonstrate the power of
God's kingdom for today.
Annual Celebration Event 2020
SERVE 6.8 is a privately funded non-profit that works to build the local church by loving our neighbors through our love and devotion to Jesus. If you believe God is calling you to give towards our annual fundraising event, please contact us at the link below and we will be in touch soon.
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Churches throughout Northern Colorado are driven by their heart to connect directly with local families and love them in their deepest time of need. Foundations Church is a partner we would love to highlight this month as they focus relational and financial resources towards families in their community. This Adopt-A-Family season, they hosted a festival that provided gifts and a fun Christmas experience to over 300 families, but they also provide finances, food, clothing, and more to families, schools, and organizations all year round. We're thankful for our partnership with Foundations as they continue to journey alongside families in the Loveland
area and share the love of Christ with them. Thank you for loving and serving so well Foundations!
Family Visits in 2020: 1,005
Official Partner Churches: 30
Total Volunteer Hours: 150,477
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