This week in worship we kick off a new series called, “Be The Change.” The idea behind this series comes from a misquotation often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, that we should each endeavor to “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Now, the world is a big place and you might think that you have little power to affect change in it. After all, if you tune into the news or browse various internet news sites you might think that nothing can change the violence, chaos, injustice, and pain we hear about every day.

But friends, we believe in Jesus, a savior who loves, heals, forgives, and demonstrates for us how our lives can have a tremendous impact on our world. Not only that, but Jesus tells us that we will do even greater things in his name. We too, are invited by Jesus to be agents of God’s love, healing, forgiveness, and grace wherever we find ourselves.

As followers of Jesus, every time we act in love towards others, we are a part of the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God. We make God’s Kingdom, love, grace, and justice real when we act on behalf of others. When we extend ourselves for the sake of others our actions demonstrate God’s love and make real changes in our world.

John Wesley encouraged his followers in their pursuit of Jesus to engage in works of piety that grow their knowledge and love of God, as well as acts of mercy that extend God’s grace out into the world. Because, as follower of Jesus, we are not only called into eternal life through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, we are also commissioned to make disciples and transform the world.

I believe the world can be transformed by a move of God that begins at 1102 Fair Road, Statesboro, GA. I believe that God has positioned us in this place, at this time, to be a church that loves and serves our community well. And it is my hope that as we follow Jesus into the good future that he has for us, that we would share and invite others along with us, that our eyes would be open to the real needs of people in our community, that our hearts would be softened towards those in need, and our hands would be willing to reach out in service.

So, let’s choose to be the change we want to see in the world. Let’s choose to embody grace, love, peace, and justice in Jesus’ name, that our world might be transformed.

God bless,

Jonathan
For Jesus. For People. For Community.