Jon Randles @ Engage XP Belton

I had intentions of having this posted last week, but life happens. Anyway, here are the notes from Jon's message on Monday night. It was powerful. Enjoy!

There are two things that have to happen for a person to be saved. First, they are to realize that there is a problem. Second, they have to understand that Jesus is the only answer. We can get people to come together to sing or study the Bible, but we can't get them together to go witness. Pluralism is growing and so much that some "Christians" believe that Jesus is one of the ways to get to heaven. The church growth movement has robbed the church of changed lives Evangelism and discipleship have taken a back seat to self help. People are beginning to understand that there is a problem. When people are scared they call out for moral absolutes. We are back at a moment in time when it is easy to win people to Christ because they are longing and ready for change. This must be coupled with men and women who are not afraid about sharing Jesus Christ. What would happen if you made the decision to no longer be afraid to share the gospel? The new generation will find a god if we don't introduce them to Christ. We can't win a championship for Christ unless we do the hard stuff. Can we not celebrate the unity that there needs to be change and use that as a platform to introduce them to real change, who is Jesus? The power of God (Acts 2:41) falls on the ones who are desperate. That's why lost people won't listen to us, because we are not desperate enough for Christ. We are too desperate for ourselves and it pushes lost people away. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). It was not the masses who changed the world. The masses become the mob when they are not pleased. It's the inner circle who changed things.

I think the time has passed when we have to wait for the church to mobilize. If the church is going to mobilize then it must start with an "inner circle". It must start with a committed few who are passionate and desperate for Christ. In the old song "Pass It On" there is a line that says, "It only takes a spark to get a fire going." The inner circle must be the spark to get the fires of witnessing going in the church. If only a small group of passionate followers would get to the hard work of witnessing then this world could be change, not by the work of the people but by the power of God's Spirit. This is picture of crashing into life. Crash On!!