Bethany Community Church - Andrew Mills

A new year can bring new beginnings.

In Niagara the number of people who would say they are "Christians" has dropped to 60% of our population.

We have the chance to react by being a "Caring Community to a Hurting World" because when there are fewer Christians around us, it makes our calling and witness of Jesus all that much more needed and necessary.

To help us learn how to say yes to Jesus in a grace-filled way we are going to study Romans 1-6.

Romans is a book about how to follow Christ with unity in a world that doesn't understand you and may be negative towards you.

Jesus is the Good News, a better news than the news the Roman Empire proclaims.

The Good News is about Christ, it is powerful. The Good News is received through trust and allegiance.

The Good News is a a power that is happening, moving and coursing through history.

The Good News isn't just an idea, it is the power of God at work, moving in history.

The Good News can save everyone who believes. (Belief being: changing the orientation of how you live your life.)

Faith isn't passive or a one-time thing, it is a whole life, never-ending following of Jesus - living justly and rightly.

RECAP
The good news is centered on Jesus, is a power working in history, we are saved through trusting and following, and living by and in Jesus.

What does this mean for us:
Our first job before anything else is to say yes to Jesus.

Are you saying yes to Jesus? Are you following Jesus? Are you trusting Jesus

NEXT STEPS:
The new year is a perfect time to start some new habits to think through how we are living and what we are doing.

Consider what simple steps you can take to connect UP with Jesus, journey deeply WITH others, and serve and sacrifice OUT in the community.

What can you say yes to this year that will help you to connect deeper with Jesus? Be Specific.

Consider: Who are you Journeying deeply WITH? HOW CAN YOU SAY YES TO COMMUNITY AND DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS THIS YEAR?

How can you serve others this year?

CHALLENGE:
Say yes to Jesus with UP, WITH and OUT.