2021 Session 6: The Call of Jesus

For our last session Patrick Lewis explains four distinctives of “The Call of Jesus”.

1. Jesus’ call is intrusive- meaning he has a tendency of stepping in to our lives in uncomfortable situations.

2. His call is clear

   1. Mark 1:15- And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

   2. Luke 9:23- And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

3. His call is a command

   1. Matthew 28:18- And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (This is a command not a suggestion)

   2. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

4. His call is enabling

   1. When he speaks his commands, he also empowers you to respond

   2. Through his Holy Spirit he enables you to do the things you don’t think you can do

   3. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. This is how he enables us; he works through us and as we understand his love it compels us.

His call has gone out to us, do we hear it? It’s important to know that not responding to his call is to reject.

Patrick leaves us with some things to think about as we go home.

1. When was the last time Jesus interrupted your life?

2. What are the things that he has told you that were clear that you’re still avoiding and pretending they are unclear?

3. What are the things you are being called to do that you are afraid of?

2019 Session 7: Live your Dash

Tony closed this years New Years Conference with a very applicable message on time. This session was all about how we ought to live our “dash”, meaning our life. Bringing in the New Year we have to consider our time and how we will spend the year. Our lives are a very short “dash”. How are you going to live your “dash”? Tony read and focused on Matthew 9:35-38:

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

He shared some very insightful tips to live our “dash”. Tony encouraged us that our “dash” should be spent in the world, being a laborer in the harvest. Our lives are not just about getting saved, but getting to experience the work that God has done and continues to do. God chooses to use His people as laborers. Tony closed with a spectrum of where these students were at in their walk with God. From conversion (trusting in Jesus to making disciple makers. Where are you? Where do you want to be? How do you get there? Tony answers some of these questions in this session.

2019 Session 6: Faithful Watchman

This evening Tony brought us a quick, but very necessary message about being faithful watchmen and watch women. His message came from a passage in Ezekiel 33:

7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

He gave us three important points to be watchful men and women of the faith. We have this calling to be the watchman in others’ lives. This call is given to all believers of Jesus Christ, in order that the Gospel would be spread. The message was very powerful and brought a helpful mindset for how all believers of Jesus Christ should ring in the New Year and every day of their lives.