Play dough...

Last Sunday we handed out Play-Doh during the service and asked everyone to create something that represented what it looks like to be a kingdom-shaped disciple.

And you all delivered.

We had sheep, hands and feet, a ruler, a shoe, a wood planer, someone relaxing in a hammock, and even Jesus. There were also some great creations that did not make the picture, including ears and hearts.

Take another look at the photo and see if you can guess what some of them mean. A few are fairly obvious. A few require a little imagination. And a few probably require the artist to stand beside you and walk you through their masterpiece.

To be fair, my own Play-Doh creations usually require an explanation and the Biblical gift of interpretation. But I loved the exercise because everyone started with the same basic material and shaped it differently. And that was really the point, following Jesus is supposed to shape us individually.

Last week in Luke 6:12–26, Jesus challenged the way His disciples measure success. This Sunday, He keeps shaping us by moving into our relationships, and this touches each of us.

And this is also where discipleship can get uncomfortable.

It is fairly easy to treat our relationships as transactions…we love when we feel loved or share when its fair, but Jesus says, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27–28

This is a radically different shape. Don’t worry, there won’t be more play dough this Sunday, but there will be a pretty strong challenge from Jesus, who calls His disciples to a love that is not controlled by what someone else gives us in return.

Thankfully, Jesus does not simply hand us an impossible command and say, “Good luck with that.” He points us to our Father. “For he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35–36

We can love beyond what we receive because we have already been loved beyond what we deserve. I look forward to sharing more on Sunday at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available)…OR a service in Spanish at 1:00 pm. Otherwise, you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am. Also, we would LOVE for you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. 

See you soon,

Troy

P.S. Men’s breakfast tomorrow at 9 a.m.…Pastor Anthony is cooking on the Blackstone…you will not want to miss!!!