written by Michael Himick
Friends, last week, my good brother Dr. Jeff Hallett introduced a new ministry based in Champaign-Urbana called Sunday Action. This week, I’ve been given the opportunity to tell you about the goal of this new ministry. Next week, I hope to tell you more – specifically about Sunday Action agape feasts.
But let’s start at the beginning.
At base, the mission of Sunday Action is to help Christ-followers put the gospel commands of Jesus Christ into action. I think all of us realize, at one time or another, that we have a tendency, as Soren Kierkegaard said, to “believe that the Christian commandments (e.g., to love one’s neighbor as oneself) are intentionally a little too severe, like putting the clock half an hour ahead to make sure of not being late in the morning.”
But we also know, with the solidity of the Word itself, that Jesus really does expect us to put His teaching into practice. We know, absolutely know, that doing what pleases Jesus is an essential expression of our love for Him. Jesus says this throughout the gospels.
He said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)
He said: “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14:21)
He said: “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)
He said: “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:24)
He said: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)
He said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
He said: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)
So, here’s what we at Sunday Action propose.
Let’s resolve to go on the greatest adventure of our lives. Let’s resolve to follow Jesus’s teaching more actively every week. He has done everything for us — forgiven every failure, given every grace. He has even promised us that when we step in faith toward Him, God the Father will direct and empower our steps through the Holy Spirit. God himself will enable and aid our obedience to God.
We’re resolved. Starting this Sunday at SundayAction.com, we’re going to examine the gospel commands of Jesus Christ one at a time, one week at a time. We’re going to tackle just one teaching a week, but with a firm and prayerful commitment to put that teaching into greater practice over the course of that week.
Some weeks may be easy. Others will be painful and require us to die to self. Regardless, each week, let’s commit to surrender more and more of ourselves to God’s will. Why wouldn’t we? Jesus, in perfect love, gave himself for us. He gave us life. If we love Him, why wouldn’t we truly give our lives to Him?
Join us this Sunday at SundayAction.com. Following Jesus’s teaching more actively every week is our first goal. I hope to tell you about our second goal next week.
