Category Archives: Mission

By Name

Jesus is Alive (An Open Letter to Renovation Church)

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Family,

Tomorrow morning is the most incredible day of our year! Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! It’s not that we don’t live for and celebrate His resurrection each day, but tomorrow is our corporate remembrance of this glorious event, and it is significant.

Easter is also a time when those whom we know and love, who do not know or love God, are most responsive to our inviting them to gather with the church and hear the gospel.

Here is my challenge Renovation; as I said last Sunday, we must first pray, and then move from prayer to proclamation.

It is not too late to invite those you know and love to worship with us in the morning. It is not too late to be the reason that they hear the gospel, and meet Jesus tomorrow. It is not too late to be a part of someone’s life changing forever…literally.

So I want to plead with you to do three things, for God’s glory, your good, and the good of those we know and love who don’t know or love God:

  1. Pray tonight that God do the incredible tomorrow. We want to see 1000 people worship with us, and many more baptized as new Christians. Pray for the sound, for the worship team, for hospitality, and for me. Pray the gospel is preached with compassion and clarity.
  2. Be Bold! Invite your friends to worship with us. It is NOT too late.
  3. Be early tomorrow, and fill in the front so that those who will be there for the first time don’t feel pressured to sit a few feet away from the preacher.

I love you all so much, and I know you will be faithful in this.

- Pastor L

By Name

God Has Beautiful Feet

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As I watched this video, and I watched it several times, there were three things Penn said that stood out to me. He said, “how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much to do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible, and not tell them that?” And, “this guy cared enough about me to proselytize.”

These three phrases struck me, because of course in our society it has become taboo, or lacking tolerance to do just what he is describing as a caring act. Sometimes Christians are hesitant, even afraid to tell those they know and love who don’t know or love God, the great news of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. Yet Penn describes it as hate if we do not tell people about Jesus if we genuinely believe that God is real, that Jesus died for the self-worshipping posture of humanity, and that Jesus longs for people to turn from worshiping themselves to worshipping God—and he is an atheist.

This should be a challenge to anyone who says they follow Jesus. Our friends, family, co-workers who don’t know and love God need to hear from us that their self-made systems of righteousness are not the answer. They need to hear from us that though they don’t know or love God, He knows and loves them. Last week I challenged @RenovationATL to pray. Pray for those they love who do not know God. But, after we pray, we must proclaim. We must open our mouths.

God has limited Himself to use humans in His mission, and we must proclaim to those we love what God has accomplished on their behalf, so that THEY CAN CALL ON HIM and cease trying to save themselves. And the good news, the great news is that God has promised that “everyone, who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The Lord WILL save them!

It blows my mind when I think about it. God has chosen the least likely people to take His message of good news to those far from Him! But for various reasons, mostly fear, we resist His sending.

  • We fear reaction or loss of friendship. We think to ourselves, “what if they won’t be my friend anymore?” My challenge to that, are you really their friend if you are withholding the good news of eternal life from them?
  • We fear fumbling; let me assure you, you will not get it perfect, but this is where we trust God’s sovereignty to work through our imperfection.
  • We fear challenge; yes, they may challenge what you believe, but your job is to share the good news, not necessarily always defend it.
  • We fear not knowing what to say, but we have the content of the good news. We have the very words to say in Romans 10 [9]. Our job is to tell them, …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. And if they believe, God will take hold of them, the whole of their person, and they will experience salvation.

Everyone…EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, but not without being invited to know God by those who already do. Knowing this, believing this, I challenge you to share Jesus with someone you love who doesn’t know or love God. And then, invite them to worship this Easter so that they can experience the gospel with the family of God.

By Name

As the World Turns

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Sunday’s gathering with Renovation Church was intense, so I was told repeatedly by several of our Renovation family. It was one of those gatherings where God’s presence was very tangible. I imagine the topic contributed to the feeling.

Here was the big idea:

It is very easy for us to fall into falsely thinking that the world will continue as it always has. But what if scripture is clear that this world will cease and that God will intervene, renewing this world into what He intended it to always be and beyond. What if there are people we love who will left out of that renewal unless we shake our apathy, and act on our faith?

This is a troubling, but very real assertion. If you are a Christian you believe certain truths. You believe that God created the world. You believe that Jesus is God, and that He came and walked this planet perfectly, and then died at the hands of His creation. You believe that Jesus literally came back from death; and you believe the truth that says God is going to return to this world, and when He does, it will turn no longer, not as it has, and when that happens, all the people we love who do not know and love Him will have no more opportunity to do so.

This is heavy, and our tendency to get wrapped up in our routine, forgetting the grand story that we’ve been woven in to, causes us to very often forget or not care about that truth. We lose sight of the end game as we cast all our energy into the monotony of our lives. We forget that just as God intervened once, He will intervene again, His justice will be enacted and the godless will not enter the new creation.

The godless will not go into the coming Kingdom. And the godless are not some far off dictator that we feel deserves to face God’s justice. Among the godless are the people we love the most. We typically conceptualize the godless as Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Murderers, Rapists, and Molesters. We never think of the godless as “good people” that we know and love, who are either indifferent or even hostile toward God. We never think of the godless as our mother, father, brother, grandparent, best friend from college, coworker, boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. Yet, all of us have someone we love who doesn’t know or love God.

God loves humanity. He created, and He loves; and He has been patiently withholding His return so that as many as possible will turn to Him. But at some point His waiting will cease, and so will this world. Knowing this, what do we do? THERE ARE TWO THINGS WE MUST DO. First we pray. We start with asking God to draw people to Himself. We start with asking that God invade the lives of those we love with His grace and mercy. We pray for them #ByName! Next week I’ll cover the second thing we must do.

If you want to hear the sermon that this post is based on click here.

By Name

The Greater Work (By Name Initiative)

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As I thought through our new series, “By Name,” which launches next weekend and concludes on #EasterSunday, I wrestled with one truth in particular; as a Christian I celebrate the return of Jesus with intense excitement, as I should. I am His. But should I, to some small degree, mourn it as well? Allow me to explain.

In 2 Peter, Peter writes to Jesus’ followers, [1] This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. [9] The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient on your account, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:1;9-10)

For years I have missed an essential point of these words—read them closely again. Who is Peter writing to? He is writing to Christians, that is apparent from the first sentence. Now follow his thought through to the next two sentences. God is waiting in patience to fulfill His promise of return, not because He is slow; not because He has forgotten; not because He is unfaithful. He is slow in returning because He is patiently waiting; grieved at the thought of losing one single person; hoping that all would turn to Him—and that we would participate in their doing so.

For years I somehow read this as God being patient on behalf of those far from Him, but no, God is patient on MY account, YOUR account if you are a Christian. He is patiently withholding His return in hopes that we would be so active in seeing His wayward children return to Him, that maybe all He calls will reach repentance. Why? Because if they don’t before His return, they will never have the opportunity again. Here. Now. This is the last chance for those far from God to return to Him. Because when He comes, time ends as we know it, and their chances will be no more.

This is why we must either simultaneously celebrate and mourn Jesus’ return, or we must with diligence and joy do the work of seeing many turn to Him. But where do we start? Do we start with outreach events, and awkward conversations? No. We start with prayer. We start with asking God to draw them to Himself, and we pray for them BY NAME!

The scriptures assure us that God is intricately involved in the workings of this world, that He has numbered the hairs on the head of His children, and that He knows each by name. We then, with great love and urgency should begin now praying for them in just that way, by name. This makes them more than a checklist, more than fulfillment of an obligation, more than a task to be completed. This turns our hearts to theirs as we seek to see their hearts turned to God.

Oswald Chambers writes, “prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”  Will you join me, join @RenovationATL for this greater work, as we believe God for 1000 of His wandering children to return home to Him this Easter. If you will, tweet with the hashtag #byname, let’s show God together that His patience will not be wasted.

When God Changes a City – A Prayer for Atlanta

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Here is a prayer that Renovation prayed together at our gathering last Sunday at the end of the sermon “When God Changes a City,” preached from Acts 19:1 – 35…

God I pray too safe, and believe too little. Would you help me to pray dangerously? Would you help me to pray foolishly? Help me God to pray in such a way that when that which I have prayed for is accomplished, there will be no doubts that God and God alone has answered. And that God has visited us in a unique and significant way.

With that Lord, I pray for a city wide renewal, so powerful that it rivals the great awakening! I will not be satisfied with less. I pray that those confused about what they believe would receive Jesus, and be filled with the Spirit.

I pray that racial, social, economic, and educational barriers be broken down, and that from Atlanta, all the nation would hear the good news of the gospel. I pray that You would do miracles God, and I’d see people healed holistically. I pray that Jesus name would be made so great that people would come in off the street, confessing their idolatry, and destroying their idols.

I pray that the economic systems that support trafficking, pornography, strip clubs, drug abuse, and all the idols that plague Atlanta would be shut down and irrevocably altered. And I pray that the places that house and host them would close forever. I pray that places of false worship would cease, and that those who oppose the gospel would be riotous because they don’t know what else to do to stop the change it’s causing.

God, I pray that you completely and thoroughly change my city…I will not be satisfied with less. Let it be here, let it be now, let it be us. In Jesus name, amen.

Beautiful Feet – Scripture Reading and Prayer for today

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Scripture Reading and Prayer for today

Romans 5:5 – 15 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Read these words today as we prepare for Easter. Be reminded of the Gospel you have received. Pray God give you beautiful feet that carry the good news of the gospel to your friends and family members who do not know Him. Pray the Holy Spirit give you wisdom and boldness in inviting them to worship with us for one of our Easter services.

P.L.

inthecityforthecityfront

Renovation Church-Preview Service’s Oct. 31; Nov. 21; Dec. 12

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What if there Were a Church That…

….was willing to admit they don’t have all the answers

….believed you can know God

….had the same questions about faith and life that you have

….existed to serve and love our city

….met real needs in our communities

….valued diversity and equality of all people

Would you Come?

What to Expect on Sunday

  • Passionate worship in song
  • Practical Jesus-centered preaching
  • Prayer
  • Communion

On Sunday mornings you can expect Jesus-centered, age-specific ministry environments for your children, as well as nursery care for those 2 and under.
Children are important to us and they will be served well through Renovation Kids ministry.

The Preview Series

In one week, October 31, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. Renovation Church will gather for the first of three monthly preview services…and you’re invited! Come and share in the grace of Jesus, in whom all hope is found. For these three monthly gatherings we will do a short series entitled “In the City, for the City.” This series will present the heart of Renovation’s reason for existence, which is to love, live, and serve in the city for Jesus’ glory and Atlanta’s good.

Directions
We will gather at Martin Luther King Jr Middle School located at 545 Hill St. SE, Atlanta GA 30312.

Traveling from South of Downtown on I-75/85
Take Exit 246, Fulton St.
Turn left at Fulton St. SW
Continue onto Glenwood Ave. SE
Turn Right at Hill St. SE
King Middle will be on Your Right

Traveling from North of Downtown on I-75/85
Take Exit 246, Fulton St.
Keep Right at the Fork
Turn Right at Fulton St. SW
Continue onto Glenwood Ave. SE
Turn Right at Hill St. SE
King Middle will be on Your Right

Traveling from East of Downtown on I-20
Take Exit 56B, Windsor St.
Turn Right at Windsor St. SW
Take 2nd Left onto Fulton St. SW
Continue onto Glenwood Ave. SE
Turn Right at Hill St. SE
King Middle will be on Your Right

Traveling From West of Downtown on I-20
Take Exit 58B, Hill St.
Turn Left at Hill St. SE
King Middle will be on Your Right

 

WHO BELONGS AT RENOVATION CHURCH?

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This is the latest post at the Renovation Church Blog by our exec. dude based on what I taught/we discussed last night as a launch team. Please Read

by Matt Burlew on September 20, 2010

Last night at our launch team gathering we discussed Renovation Church’s identity as a city church of Missionaries Like Jesus- a church in the city that offers the grace of God in Jesus Christ to all comers. Who can come to Renovation Church and who belongs at Renovation Church? We always look to scripture for our answers and in scripture we see that the grace of God is offered to the Weak, to the Ungodly, to Sinners, and to Enemies of God.

Romans 5: 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

It is a great lie that only “good people” go to church, that only “good people” should be in church, that one must be “good” first to come to God, or to a church. It is a lie.

The passage above lays out how God worked and is working today. God sent Jesus to die for the weak, for the ungodly, for sinners and for His enemies. In a bad relationship, God made, and makes, the first move.

Matthew 9:10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

There are no “good people” in any church anywhere.

At Renovation Church, we strive to be Missionaries like Jesus in the city of Atlanta. We strive to befriend, love, care for, and welcome those who recognize their need for a savior because we recognize this need in ourselves. Renovation Church is made up of the weak, the ungodly, sinners, and enemies of God. That’s our default as human beings. And we cannot reconcile our lives to God without Jesus. Jesus made that reconciliation possible and He invites the weak, the ungodly, sinners, and enemies to himself. Jesus always does the work and his work is always effective. Our work to make ourselves “good” is always ineffective.

So who belongs at Renovation Church? Who is welcome and invited? Abusers, and the abused, liars and the lied to, cheaters and the cheated, thieves and victims, skeptics and religious bigots of every color, class and age.  The very same kinds of people that Christ spent time with, healed, changed, died and was resurrected for: the weak, sinners, the ungodly, his enemies. If you are one of these (and who isn’t?) you belong and are welcome. Christ has done and will do the change in our lives and reconciliation with God that we cannot- and that without the merciful of grace of God we would not.

Christ makes the weak, strong, the ungodly, Godly, the sinner, clean, the enemy, his friend.

Phillipians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Welcome.

trip-lee-between-two-worlds

Trip Lee-The Invasion

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116 does it again…good gospel message represented through creativity and the art of Hip Hop. Trip’s new single and music video is in the running to be featured on 106 and Park.

Watch the video, and then go vote

These cats are getting to the heart of urban mission, through urban culture, in a distinctively urban medium, Hip Hop