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We had another preaching debut on Sunday night. Joel (the tall guy) stepped up to the microphone, hit his head on the rafters, and then took us through the next part of Romans where Paul talks about all Christians being sent to tell the story of Jesus. (Romans 10)

Rather than second guess what joel was trying to get across though, I’ll share some of the points that I made and have had me thinking since. If you were there, feel free to add your own.

God wants us to tell the story of Jesus but it is a difficult thing to do.

Why is it that we find it so hard sometimes? Whay is it that I find it hard sometimes? I’m a pastor so at the very least people will expect me to be ‘religious’. So why is it so hard sometimes?

I guess I find it hardest with family. Perhaps I’m scared of rejection or what they’ll think, but given the eternal consequences that are at stake, you’d think I’d be able to get past that.

Jonah was a prophet and he was scared to go to Nineveh.

I’m not sure if Jonah was afraid or angry about what God was wanting hm to do. In anycase though, he ran. He ran long and hard, but couldn’t escape his calling. INterestingly, others suffered the consequences (ie the sailors) because of Jonah’s unfaithfulness - if I were to run in the same way, who would suffer?

We can go overseas, but there is plenty to do at home.

I’ve never felt even the slightest inclination to serve overseas. When I was going through youth group, the whole Keith Green “It should be the exception to stay home” aproach to mission was big, but even then there was no desire. Local mission was more on my heart - and it still is.

Don’t get me wrong, I think o/s mission is vital to seeing the Kingdom happen here on earth. The men and women that do this work are my heroes. I, however, doubt that I will ever be anywhere than Aussie soil.

The workers are few.

I know this comes from the Bible, but sometimes I find myself disagreeing. There seems to be plenty of workers around, they’re just not involved.

But then I find myself wondering why they should be involved in additional prgrams that make life even busier and take them away from their families. Perhaps it is better to be equipping to do the work of God in their homes, streets, schools and work places.

This one is a constant source of frustration and confusion for me.

Speak the truth

What is truth? That was asked of Jesus and is asked of us too. I think it’s important for us to know what we believe and why, but also be open minded enought to realise that we can be wrong. Faith grows over a life time and we find ourselves believing some different things and expressing our faith in different ways.

How does that impact what we say is the truth? A good question worth exploring further.

Joel’s message is the last of our Romans adveture for 2006. We will rejoin Paul in 2007 after completing the 40 days of Community. Should be fun!