God present among his people goes well beyond physical buildings, organizational structures, operating budgets and marketing. In fact, just as we can have all of those things, yet God be absent, so we could have none of those things but God be present and the church would very much exist!

The Word of God has not stopped creating "firsts"? It is always making new disciples, new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). It is carried everywhere by those who have experienced first hand, faith in the truth of the gospel. This continues to be what makes life in the local church exciting. Who will come to faith in Jesus next?

It has been by the grace of God that the church we enjoy today is the answer to many years of prayer. But what about the church of the years to come? Who will pray for that church?

The trouble with both of these lines of thinking is that we place on ourselves the danger of obligation that can lead to drudgery and guilt. As if the local church were missing 'walls' because someone refuses to participate to a sufficient degree.

So, here we are, in Rome. It's September 2022. God is forming his church through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And what a miraculous surprise, that you and I get to join him in sharing that good news together! I am eagerly looking forward to entering this season with you all to see how Jesus will lead us in loving him as he builds his church.

This can be the picture we imagine as believers called to share the good news, especially here, where many of us are living cross-culturally. In our mind's eye and to our ears we look like Buddy the Elf in New York City belting, "God loves you! He loves you! He LOOOOVES YOU!!!" Fully expecting everyone to say, "That's it? That was weird."

This summer I stood before seven different congregations in four different states to tell them about you. Well, about God really, and the church he is building in Rome. That's you!

The Lord has always been building his church. This summer, we will prove his sustaining grace, his empowering strength, and his generous provision.

Did you know that God keeps a list of those who are his? “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” - Revelation 20:12

Have you ever thought, "I won't be here long enough to make a disciple, or baptize, or really do a good job helping someone obey Jesus". I've heard this out of my own mouth! It sounded like this: "Shouldn't sharing about Jesus be relational? Build relationships over time so as to lead someone to Jesus organically."

What a funny irony that we who were dead in our sins and transgressions would live as if God were just a safety net. As if only when our strength is exhausted, our schemes are foiled, plans fail, stuff doesn't work, or people unexpectedly hurt us, do we turn to him and ask for an assist.

We ought to be living righteous lives so that people will notice and God will be glorified. My neighbors may be drawn to Jesus through my good works

Sharp disagreements make many of us really uncomfortable. Others of us are perhaps too comfortable with disagreements. Either way, without a good perspective on the ultimate mission and purpose of God, disagreements can divert our focus away from what truly matters.

God is building his church here in Rome. The gates of Hell will not overcome it. We are called to makes disciples. Jesus is with us everywhere we go, forever. These truths bolster our faith, drive us forward into the night for the cause of Christ, making us zealous for good works.

This is the church! Filled with the Spirit, to proclaim the risen Jesus, to love him, to worship him, and to look forward to his return.

Jesus set his face like flint toward the cross. He was so convinced of his Father's help, presence, vindication and the eternal ramification of his obedience that the mission was his only view. Forward toward the cross. What astounds me is that in the path of his mission, he served, he loved, he cared, he healed, he preached, he taught. All that he did was in view of that purpose for which he came. Singular focus on the mission of God didn't make him cold, unfeeling, or unapproachable. Instead, he is the most attractive 'character' in all of history.

While we are blind to the ugliness of our ongoing sin, he is loving us perfectly, coming to us in our sin and bringing us to the Father, making us righteous in Christ, pure in Christ, made right in Christ. Little by little, his tender grace brings to light the next sin to be dealt with.

“The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell. For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.” ― Randy Alcorn, Heaven

“For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the Lord bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the Lord listened to me that time also.” - Deuteronomy 9:19

It's March! In the International community, that means we are staring down the final stretch to summer when many of us will leave. Some of us return "home", others move to a new country, regardless, the good-byes are coming. Thankfully, many of us will reunite at the end of summer. So, what I'm going to share today is going to be really hard to put our hearts into, but I believe it remains crucial as gospel-driven believers living in the lost and broken world that needs hope in Jesus (no matter where we're going next).