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Our first ever DNow for the whole church, Mayberry is gone and it’s not coming back, was a huge success. Dr. Jim Austin did a fantastic job challenging us to be the church in this ever changing world. Many have responded on how they heard from the Lord in specific ways through our time together. Praise the Lord!

Dr. Austin led us through Jeremiah 29: 1-7 Sunday morning, which says,

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. (This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

From this passage, he challenged us with the following outline:

I. Settle down where I have placed you. v.5

II. Remember I have placed you there v. 4

III. Enjoy where I have placed you v.6

IV Grow where I have placed you v.6

V. Have a vision for where I have placed you v.6

VI. Be a blessing where I have placed you v.7

Let us not forget that, Mayberry is gone and it’s not coming back! We are to plant and prosper in “Babylon” as we live out our faith among those who are far from God. We are to live life on mission. We are here for a reason–to glorify God as we represent Him to the nations.

Sunday evening Dr. Austin led us through Matthew 4:19 and challenged us with the following outline:

1. Jesus has given us and “Invitation” to follow Him.
2. Jesus promises us “Transformation” as we follow Him.
3. Jesus wants us to take “Action” as we represent Him.

He pointed at that following Jesus and fishing for Jesus go hand and hand. He even had the audacity to say that those who are not involved in fishing are not really following. Beloved, it is time we pick our poles and head to the lake. There are many who need the Lord. Only about 7% of Americans are truly born again. This means lost people are everywhere. We do not have to travel far to reach people with the Gospel. 

POINTS TO PONDER:

1. What are you doing on a regular basis to share the message of the Gospel?

2. What do you think “taking action” can look like for you this week?

3. Out of the 6 points that Dr. Jim brought out from Jeremiah, which one challenged you the most?

Check out the full sermon: