Come As You Are

8/30/2023

Written By: Nancy Purtlebaugh

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Last night my family and I watched a movie together called Jesus Revolution. If you haven’t seen it, I definitely recommend it. It’s based on a true story about a middle aged preacher of a very small church that wasn’t growing. He decided to do church differently after he met a young man who showed him there was a huge need for people who were searching for something to fill their lives. It was in the 1970s and the message at that time was peace and love, but the places these people were looking to find it weren’t even coming close to bringing peace, and the love was a lie.

When the preacher decided to open the doors to his church to the hippies, the long-time members were not pleased with having them there. The preacher felt this was what he was called to do-to be like Jesus and welcome them in. He did what God called him to do and his ministry thrived, but more importantly thousands of lives were forever changed because of this.

This past Sunday at our church, a woman was baptized and she told Josh (our minister) that she kept waiting to be baptized until she was perfect. She realized that was never going to happen so she just decided to do it.

I can truly say that I love that our church reiterates over and over to come as you are! Broken as you are, messed up as you are–because we cannot ever be clean enough or perfect enough–BUT Jesus’ shed blood fixed that. And that blood that was shed-it wasn’t just for the one who looks and acts like they have it all together. Nope-it was for ALL! Everyone of us.

Read that again…….some? A few? No, all. The one struggling with addiction? Yep. The thief? Yep. The prostitute, the one struggling with same sex attraction, the one who cut you off in traffic, the one who left his family, the one struggling with debilitating anxiety? Yes, everyone.

The one looking back at you in the mirror. Every. Single. One. No matter what you/they have done–He died for YOU!!! We put limits and parameters on God’s grace that He never put there, and in turn make it difficult for people to feel welcome in the one place He wants us to gather.

If you have been told/or felt like you weren’t welcome in church before, I’m sorry. That is never what Jesus intended. He intended for the church to be a hospital for sinners. And we are all sinners.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

He wants all of us to come to Him, and I believe being a part of the body of Christ is an important part of that journey. What I will say though is God doesn’t leave you where He found you. Because He wants better for you and me.

In every encounter that Jesus had with those He came into contact with, He met them right where they were but then He said things like–“Go and sin no more” or “Leave your life of sin”, etc. All because He knew that there could be a better life for them, a better life for us.

A few weeks ago at church another lady was baptized as well and she said she was sick and tired of being sick and tired. What she had been doing up to that point wasn’t working–so she wanted something better-a different life. She was taking a chance on Jesus.

Friends–that “chance” on Him will be the only sure thing in your life. He will never fail you. He is always good. He is the One who will always be for you.

In the book of John as Jesus starts His ministry, He offers a simple invitation– Come and you will see-John 1:39. He invites you to be a part of His ministry in helping others and in being a part of a family in gathering together. His invitation to Philip is the same to us today– “Follow Me.” John 1:43.

Maybe you have never been invited to church before. If that is the case, I am officially inviting you to our church! Please just come and see! I will save you a seat!! Victory Christian Church 1720 Graham Rd. Franklin, In 46131. Services are 8am, 9:30am, and 11am on Sunday mornings. Or you can watch online!

Check out our website Victory Christian Church for all the different ways you can attend. If you aren’t near us, find a Bible teaching, mission minded church and go! I promise once you truly encounter Jesus and become a part of His family you will never be the same! What are you waiting for? There is no time like the present!! Hope to see you Sunday!!