How many times do we think social media gives us a force field around our words and actions? Many times we feel tempted to hit share on statements we would never make in public. People think the phrase “just sayin'” will be a safety net.
In my research for this series, several people mentioned this type of behavior. Someone likened social media and our bad behavior as the difference between riding a bike and driving a car. When you are on a bike you are vulnerable and can be heard. So you won’t holler out anything at the people next to you. In a car, we will act very differently. We can close the window, drop the hammer and get out of the situation after we have done something not nice. Social Media is like a car. We might not be thinking of the repercussions of our words.
While we might be thinking a lot about what we say and share, how often are we thinking about what we bring to the table and put into the conversation?
Here this story from the life of Christ, one of his last moments with the disciples.
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. John 20:19-23
This Sunday we will wrap things up in our #statusupdate series. We will talk about the power Christ gives us to be agents of forgiveness and to bring worthwhile things to every situation we are in.
Chad Brooks - December 1, 2013
Coming to Hope
What does it mean for us to clear out a path for Jesus to come to our world? God came to us in the middle of our mess and wants to give us clear direction to Him!
From Series: "Coming Home For Christmas"
Coming Home for Christmas is our conversation theme this Advent at New Song. Since we celebrate a God who comes to our world both fully human and fully divine, God himself came home for Christmas. Another dimension to our reflection and worship during the Christmas season is at the center of Christian belief--that Jesus Christ is coming again and we are looking forward to it. Christ is coming home. The big thing is us thinking about what does it mean for Jesus to come home, here on our earth for Christmas.
More From "Coming Home For Christmas"
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Sermon previews are released on Friday’s. They are to give YOU a short glimpse of what the conversation is going to be like on Sunday morning. On Monday, the preview is updated with some discussion questions, scripture guide and an mp3 of the sermon. I do these for 2 reasons. The first is so God can continue working in your life throughout the week. The second is for you to share this with a friend. I invite and encourage you to share the preview on Facebook/Twitter and through email.
Chad Brooks is a United Methodist Pastor serving in Louisiana. Married to Meredith, he is currently starting a new church in northeast Louisiana. Host of the Productive Pastor Podcast and lover of motorcycles, Chad would love to find Bigfoot one day.