It’s our second week back after the summer break and we gathered together with a continued sense of excitement to see what Jesus is going to do as we approach our two-year celebrations.!  As is our custom we kicked off with a time of sharing Tests & Testimonies, which as always is such encouraging time.

We then moved into a time of worship it wasn’t as advertised as our guest worship leader got their dates mixed up (all is forgiven).  As we played ‘Cast Your Cares’, there was a sense that some people were struggling and in a dark place, finding it hard to believe Jesus was near them, so we played an extra song, ‘Firm Foundation’ which someone had requested without knowing its significance at the time. Don’t you just love it when Jesus does that.

We then introduced our guest speaker who spoke about ‘Being with Jesus’ (Mark 3:7-19)

Being with Jesus is what our life as Christians should be all about.

1) Being with Jesus is not the same as being with Jesus

During his time on earth thousands of people were ‘with’ Jesus. There was a “great crowd” with him in this passage (v8).

However, when he died and rose again, we only read of 120 believers in the upper room, 500 plus people he appeared to at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6) and a few others. Where were the thousands?

They may have been with him physically but they proved that they were not ‘with’ him spiritually.

V13 From the crowd Jesus called his disciples to himself and they responded.

V14 From that group he called the 12 to “so that they might be with him…”

If you are a Christian the Father has called you to be with Jesus (John 6:44) and through his spirit you have responded.

You have been called to – like the apostles – to be sent to others. See v14b “…and he might send them out to preach”

2) Being with Jesus is being with Jesus

You could say that it was alright for the 12 because they were actually with Jesus physically, they saw and heard him in the flesh. It is not the same for us, it is not as ‘easy’

But Jesus told Thomas, John 20:29, that whilst he – Thomas – believes because he has seen “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”.

We are blessed because we have to be with Jesus by faith, and faith always pleases God.

How are we to be with Jesus nowadays?

By prayer, by bible reading, by the Spirit, by being with other Christians, by worship, by obeying him, by telling others about him.

3) Being with Jesus is being yourself with Jesus.

You can’t be, and should not be, anyone else but yourself with Jesus.

He will make you more like the real you he does that by making you more like himself.

All personalities are welcomed and wanted in the kingdom to be with Jesus. Just look at the different personalities among the 12

Being with Jesus is not the same as being with Jesus, being with Jesus is being with Jesus and being with Jesus is being yourself with Jesus

Thank you, Jesus, for another great night at Hope Central, You will build Your church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it…

Thank you Taste & See for your continuing prayer support please continue to do so it is vital

Can you hear those dry bones RATLING….