Jesus was an influential person.  Paul was an influential person.  But when we think about Timothy, Paul’s on-the-job intern, we see an unsure, timid, and apprehensive leader.  Sure, he was only about 18, but, being 18 about 2000 years ago when the life expectancey was about 35-40 was middle aged back then! 

Whether you are timid or bold, talkative or reserved, shy or borderline obnoxious (like me), you are influential!  As Christians, letting our light shine in our culture has less to do with me as a pastor than it does you who live out your day to day lives where the rubber hits the road. 

The ultimate question is are you intentional about your influence?  Do you know how people experience you?  Do you comprehend what’s at stake?  How you live is imp0rtant. 

I have come to understand this: most of the people around you would rather watch a great sermon than hear one.  The one you preach is the only one they may hear today, this week, this month, or this year….or ever.

Risk is a strange thing.  Very few of us actually risk anything.  It’s only until we are forced to risk, or, so fed up with our circumstances that we determine to make a change.  Besides…who actually loves risk?

Starting a church in Woodinville is risky.  Woodinville is a great community with great people and some very good churches.  I’ve met some of the pastor’s there.  But why start another church there?  Don’t they have enough? 

Asking the right questions is pivotal.  Asking the questions about risk and if Woodinville needs another church, however, are really not THE questions.  The real questions are,“Are there still people in Woodinville and surrounding communities that don’t know Jesus?  What is the reward?”  If there are still people in the area who don’t know Jesus, then yes, another church might be a good idea because new churches with new styles attract new people.  That’s pretty much it.  

We’re not interested in stealing people from other churches.  In fact, we pray for other churches.  In fact, most of the churches in Woodinville and surrounding communities can offer what we cannot…fully furnished ministries with the facilities to support those ministries, multiple pastors and support staff.  We simply don’t have those resources.  We have volunteers who aren’t in it for the money or prestige.  We don’t even have an office (although we’d love one!).

But what we do have is Jesus. 

We are not angry young Calvinists.  We are not neo-fundamental.  We don’t believe we have to be flashy and polished to attract people.  We don’t have to be sexiest church in town.  We’re just who we are…average people who want to make a difference in the world by introducing Jesus in tangible ways.  We actually don’t think we need to put down other churches to make ourselves look better.  We want to be known for what we do, not what we think about everything. 

So, if you’re tired of the status-quo, the only way out is intentional risk.  God is both the God of of security, but he’s also the God of risk.  The church has always thrived in situations involving risk.

What is God asking you to risk?  Whatever it is, the reward is greater and in front of you.

1. PRAY- Pray that we will make an impact in our city.
2. SERVE- There’s a place for everyone to serve!  Even if you attend another church, come be a short-term missionary at Emmaus by volunteering once a month!
3. ATTEND- Our grand opening service on March 14th and beyond! 
4. GIVE- It takes resources!  We are trying to raise $20K for our opening to buy equipment and supplies!  So far we’ve raise $11,000….we need your help!

You can give at www.emmausgiving.com and look for the “Movie Theater Launch” tab. 

God loves it when we bring a big, empty cup of faith to him because he can fill whatever size we bring to him!  I’ve already heard some pretty cool stories about giving, sacrifice, and service for our grand opening…I’m praising God….

Wanna know what’s about to happen at Emmaus as we move to the theaters?  We are inviting everyone we know– new and regular attenders, friends anyone who knows anything about Emmaus, and anyone who wants to find out more what is about to happen to an Emmaus Vision Night at the Lyons’ Den Coffee Shop on Sunday Night, January 31st from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

Come and enjoy a night of great stories, great people, and great desserts!

Mark your calenders for this exciting day!  See ya there!

But, it doesn’t have to be that way.  I’m ready for the new year to come and make some changes (AKA “New Year’s Resolutions) in my life.  Spend less money (I want to make it a fun challenge), spend more time reading the Bible (before I open anything, I want to open my Bible), and spend less time and energy living in a virtual world.  I know, I know, you’re saying, “Every year you make New Year’s resolutions and what difference does it make?”  Well, for me, I enjoy the new challenges of a new year.  I love big-picture thinking.  It’s meaningful and motivating to me. 

So, as you think about making a New Year’s resolutions list, think about it in terms of seasons.  It’s a new season.  Season’s change.  Is it “time” to start doing something and stop doing something else?  You fill in the blanks: It’s time I started to __________________.  It’s time I stopped ____________________.

The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter

So many people talk about the church, but they talk so little about the kingdom!  It’s clear that Jesus talked much more about the kingdom of God than he did the church!  So if Jesus spent so much time talking, preaching, and doing kingdom stuff, then why aren’t we?  The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter is a refreshing and challenging book about living life as a missionary in our culture.  NO, the book is not for the super religious, it’s for every Christian!  Hugh is challenging us to rethink what it means to have social interactions with people who are searching for God.  To me, this book is both affirming and challenging.  Affirming because we at Emmaus Church are having lots of “life conversations” with people who don’t connect with any faith group.  It’s challenging because it’s easy to want to “run the church” instead of be with people and have significant conversations.  It’s a great book and I suggest you pick it up!  It just might leave an imprint on you!

Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan

Ok, so, this is my second time through this book.  Yes, it’s that good.  I read it about 4 years ago and it’s worth the read again!  Mark’s premise is simple: we get stuck spiritually because we’re afraid of risk.  We toe-dunk with the things of God, yet wonder why we’re not experiencing life fully.  We choose safety and security even at the risk of death by boredom.  We get stuck. 

The only way out of our paralysed life is to risk and trust and trust and risk.  It’s a great book if you need to make some big decisions in your life, or, if you are feeling just plain stuck in your spiritual life.