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NEW LIFE CHURCH ON THE ROCK
Sunday February 17, 20008
BIG CHURCH….SMALL CHURCH
INTRODUCTION: We want to be a Life-Giving Church. After the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 what we call the “Early Church” was birthed. We are going to take a look at the early church and discover a pattern we like to use for how we do church.
Acts 2:41-47- Turn and Read
Sounds exciting! Church should be the most exciting entity on earth.
But there is a key principal we need to understand.
Acts 20:20- Turn and Read
The Bible wants our church to do two things-they seem opposite.
WE BELIEVE OUR CHURCH MUST GROW LARGER AND SMALLER AT THE SAME TIME!
Today we’re going to talk about big church and small church and why both are important.
BIG CHURCH:
People who prefer small church usually say...
I. We need quality not quantity.
I say we can have both.
II. God isn’t interested in numbers.
God has the hairs of your head numbered. He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground.
If I lost one of my kids would I say well I’ve got the other one? 50% isn’t bad. No I care about every one of them!
Every number is a person, every person is a soul!
III. Big Church’s are impersonal.
Yes they can be. But I’ve seen and been a part of many smaller churches that are impersonal and unfriendly. THAT’S WHY THERE SAMLL!
They’ve bought Sea World and closed the gates and are watching the fish do tricks!
TRANSITION: Here’s the truth about Big Church and why God wants it big.
I. God wants everyone to be saved.
The church exists to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ!
Matthew 28:19,20- “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you to the very end of the age.”
Mark 16:15- “He said to them, God into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
As long as there are lost people we have no choice. The Church isn’t here for just us. We must always make room for other people.
Luke 14:23(LB)-“Go out into the country…and urge anyone you find to come in, so that my house will be full.”
“But I like a small church.” If we don’t want our churches to grow we’re telling our neighbors and our city that they can go to hell.
Why does God want it big? God wants everyone to be saved.
II. There is strength in numbers.
There are so many things you can’t do small that you can do big!
You can accomplish something bigger than just yourself!
Ecclesiastes 4:12- “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Here’s the third truth about big church.
III. We must make relationships a core value.
God doesn’t want churches to be impersonal but we must buy into this key principal.
1Thessalonians 2:8- “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”
TRANSITION: God wants everyone to be saved. There is strength in numbers. We must make relationships our core value. THAT’S BIG CHURCH!
SMALL CHURCH
Big churches can be very effective-But it’s not all about being big. God also wants the church to be small.
How is that accomplished? SMALL GROUPS!
Many people don’t want to be part of a small group. Here’s what they say.
….IT’S A WASTE OF TIME.
I don’t need another thing to do.
…IT’S NOT WHAT I WANT OR NEED.
I want to be with my friends doing what I like.
…IT’S AWKWARD
We sit in a room and everybody holds hands and I’m asked to share my darkest secrets.
HERE’S THE TRUTH ABOUT SMALL CHURCH
I. IT’S A PLACE YOU CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
It’s not a waste of time. Some people will never come to a church service but they’ll attend a small group.
It’s a way to reach people and teach people.
1Corinthians 9:22(LB)- “…yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.”
II. IT’S A PLACE YOU CAN GROW
All of us need to grow in our in an area.
Proverbs 27:17- “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
III. IT’S A PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME
Remember the words to the “Cheers” theme song?
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came. You want to be where you can see our troubles are all the same. You want to go where everybody knows your name.”
That should be church, not a bar!
In small groups you can be prayed for by name every week. Develop relationships that help you in a crisis.
1John 3:16(NLT)- “We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.”
CONCLUSION: Now –if you’re perfect and have it all together-we’re probably not for you.
If you have a few hang-ups. If you have a few loose screws. If you’d have a past you’ve like to get rid of.
THIS IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR YOU!
Today I encourage you to be part of Big Church, Small Church.
Showing posts with label Vision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vision. Show all posts
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Big Church, Small Church - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Crossing Over: Immaturity to Maturity
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New Life COTR Wednesday April 25, 2007
CROSSING OVER
Immaturity to Maturity
Joshua 1:1-18(NIV)
ARISE AND CROSS OVER. Remember that church. (Show Banner)
Crossing Over is a process that every living, growing, healthy church and person will go through at some point.
Such crossings nearly always require major change which at times can be very unsettling.
Crossing Over cannot be avoided. To try and do so would hinder the growth God has planned and abort His purposes.
The Jordan represents the barrier God is calling you to CROSSOVER!
It represents the transition between where you are now and where you want to be! This might apply to you personally as well as the church.
IT MIGHT BE A PLACE OF CROSSING OVER FROM DREAM TO DESTINY. MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN THEIR DREAMS BUT NEVER LIVE IN THEIR DESTINY!
When God says ARISE AND CROSSOVER He is trying to move you into the NEW THING He has for you!
CROSSING OVER IS ABOUT TRANSFORMATION!
As a church it might mean radical changes to the life and structure of the church to breakthrough to the place God is calling you!
There is no way to avoid the challenges and stresses of crossing over.
Just focusing on the “promised land” and preaching sermons about Canaan will not get you there.
Singing songs about where you would like to be will not get you there either!
At some point the rubber has to meet the road and you must engage in the challenge God has before you.
If you don’t you are deceiving yourself and robbing yourself of your destiny in Christ!
YOU CANNOT CROSS OVER ON THE CHEAP, IT WILL COST YOU SOMETHING!
*******When you cross over you won’t bring everybody with you! There will be some who just won’t face the challenge!
God is calling us to advance forward to where He is already waiting on us.
Never move forward in response to voices in the church, especially to those who are pushing and shoving you, JUST LISTEN FOR GOD’S CALL TO PROCEED!
JOSHUA TOLD THE PEOPLE THAT IN THREE DAYS THEY WERE GOING TO CROSS OVER! NOT ONE DAY OR FOUR DAYS BUT IN THREE DAYS!
When it’s God’s time and you get to the point of cross over, BREAKTHROUGH comes!
We must arrive at the place where we have no choice but to proceed!
ARISE AND CROSS OVER!
TRANSITION: Tonight I’m going to give you the first step in CROSSING OVER. How many want to be a CROSS OVER PEOPLE.
Before I give the first step. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CROSS OVER PEOPLE?
In the Old Testament we’ve heard the children of Israel called the Hebrew Children!
Hebrew- the root word is “ABAR” (aw-bar) it means “TO CROSS OVER.”
It is impossible for the devil to stop a CROSS OVER PEOPLE
The only thing that can stop a CROSS OVER PEOPLE is CROSS OVER PEOPLE!
Exodus 1:15-22(NIV)
God told Joshua, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.”
What kept the Children of Israel from CROSSING OVER and entering the Promised Land God had for them? Instead they died in the wilderness. THEY DID!!!!
Numbers 14:26-35(NIV)
The devil cannot stop a CROSS OVER PEOPLE!
Example of the disciples going crazy when Jesus had told them to get in the boat and cross over to the other side. A storm arises and the disciples loose it! Jesus stands up and calms the storm and then says, “O ye of little faith.”
NOTHING CAN STOP A CROSS OVER PEOPLE!
TRANSITION: The first step in Crossing Over!
I. SEPARATION- The first step in crossing over.
For God’s people to complete the next phase of their journey, God deemed it necessary to bring one term of leadership to a close and initiate a NEW ONE!
There had to be a separation- a severing of the things of the past, in order to grasp the future.
SEPARATION IS THE FIRST ACT OF POSSESSION
If you want to receive something then you’ve got to let go of something FIRST! It’s a life principle.
(Example of checkbook and money)
The first thing you need to do in order to CROSS OVER is to separate yourself from all the stuff that you cannot take forward with you.
YOU CANNOT HAVE THE PROMISED LAND AND MOSES!
Consider, what the Moses traditions that belong to your past.
Meaningless church programs, things the church keeps doing for no real reason!
YOU MUST BE WILLING TO LET GO!
It’s pointless to hold on to people who don’t want to go with you! It may be God trying to break a spirit of control in the church!
No matter how good the past was the old regime has had it’s day! Those things were relevant for there day.
*****The first thing God told Joshua is that you cannot lead these people the way Moses did!
GOD DID NOT WANT JOSHUA TO LIVE IN THE SHADOW OF MOSES!
(The history of our church, then and NOW!)
Moses death symbolized a separation from the previous way of doing things and all it represented.
THIS IS THE CAHLLENEGE THAT FACES YOU TO IF YOU ARE COMMITTED TO CROSSING OVER AND POSSESSING ALL THAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR YOU!
SEPARATION IS THE FIRST ACT OF POSSESSION!
TRANSITION: What is one thing we can let go of, leave behind, so we can ARISE AND CROSS OVER AND POSSESS THE LAND GOD HAS FOR US?
I. IMMATURITY
Hebrews 6:1-3(NIV)
Let us leave-let us separate from our immature ways and take hold of maturity.
Ephesians 4:14- “Then we will no longer be infant, tossed back and forth and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”
1Corinthains 13:11- “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”
12 SIGNS OF IMMATURITY
1. Ephesians 4:11-13- Tossed too and Fro- Problems dictate your life. Problems are in control of you .
2. Follow winds of doctrine- Spiritual Hobo’s, Don’t have a home, Can’t get planted. Want their ears tickled.
3. Hebrews 5:11-14- Dull of hearing: Don’t value spiritual things, Slow to learn, Spiritual ADD. You must train yourself to listen.
4. Need taught, can’t teach yourself or others. Babies can’t feed themselves or someone else.
5. Need milk and not meat: can’t handle the weighter things of the ministry. If you stay on milk you can only handle so much. Things don’t get easier the greater the ministry.
6. Unskillful in the Word of righteousness: Misapply the Word of God, Hurt people with the Word. Adjust theology to agree own ideas.
7. Do not act on what they hear: Are not faithful with what they hear. Are not faithful with little. Mature people do what they hear.
8. The immature are easily offended. Easily hurt, have to walk on eggshells around. Governed by their emotions. Believe everything they hear instead of believing God.
9. Are unable to discern right from wrong: Ruled by emotions. Mature say: not everything that feels bad is bad. Not everything that feels good is good. The Lord chastens who He loves!
10. 1Corinthians 3:1-9- Envy and jealousy. Desire what somebody else has without doing what God requires to get it. Gossip, slander, to lift yourself up! Jealous of someone else’s title.
11. Strife and division: Romans 16: 17,18 Mark those who cause division and strife. Mark those who talk against leadership.
12. Immaturity cannot receive from other ministry gifts. Can’t receive from other races or genders. Be at church no matter whose preaching.
Let go immaturity and embrace maturity.
New Life COTR Wednesday April 25, 2007
CROSSING OVER
Immaturity to Maturity
Joshua 1:1-18(NIV)
ARISE AND CROSS OVER. Remember that church. (Show Banner)
Crossing Over is a process that every living, growing, healthy church and person will go through at some point.
Such crossings nearly always require major change which at times can be very unsettling.
Crossing Over cannot be avoided. To try and do so would hinder the growth God has planned and abort His purposes.
The Jordan represents the barrier God is calling you to CROSSOVER!
It represents the transition between where you are now and where you want to be! This might apply to you personally as well as the church.
IT MIGHT BE A PLACE OF CROSSING OVER FROM DREAM TO DESTINY. MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN THEIR DREAMS BUT NEVER LIVE IN THEIR DESTINY!
When God says ARISE AND CROSSOVER He is trying to move you into the NEW THING He has for you!
CROSSING OVER IS ABOUT TRANSFORMATION!
As a church it might mean radical changes to the life and structure of the church to breakthrough to the place God is calling you!
There is no way to avoid the challenges and stresses of crossing over.
Just focusing on the “promised land” and preaching sermons about Canaan will not get you there.
Singing songs about where you would like to be will not get you there either!
At some point the rubber has to meet the road and you must engage in the challenge God has before you.
If you don’t you are deceiving yourself and robbing yourself of your destiny in Christ!
YOU CANNOT CROSS OVER ON THE CHEAP, IT WILL COST YOU SOMETHING!
*******When you cross over you won’t bring everybody with you! There will be some who just won’t face the challenge!
God is calling us to advance forward to where He is already waiting on us.
Never move forward in response to voices in the church, especially to those who are pushing and shoving you, JUST LISTEN FOR GOD’S CALL TO PROCEED!
JOSHUA TOLD THE PEOPLE THAT IN THREE DAYS THEY WERE GOING TO CROSS OVER! NOT ONE DAY OR FOUR DAYS BUT IN THREE DAYS!
When it’s God’s time and you get to the point of cross over, BREAKTHROUGH comes!
We must arrive at the place where we have no choice but to proceed!
ARISE AND CROSS OVER!
TRANSITION: Tonight I’m going to give you the first step in CROSSING OVER. How many want to be a CROSS OVER PEOPLE.
Before I give the first step. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CROSS OVER PEOPLE?
In the Old Testament we’ve heard the children of Israel called the Hebrew Children!
Hebrew- the root word is “ABAR” (aw-bar) it means “TO CROSS OVER.”
It is impossible for the devil to stop a CROSS OVER PEOPLE
The only thing that can stop a CROSS OVER PEOPLE is CROSS OVER PEOPLE!
Exodus 1:15-22(NIV)
God told Joshua, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.”
What kept the Children of Israel from CROSSING OVER and entering the Promised Land God had for them? Instead they died in the wilderness. THEY DID!!!!
Numbers 14:26-35(NIV)
The devil cannot stop a CROSS OVER PEOPLE!
Example of the disciples going crazy when Jesus had told them to get in the boat and cross over to the other side. A storm arises and the disciples loose it! Jesus stands up and calms the storm and then says, “O ye of little faith.”
NOTHING CAN STOP A CROSS OVER PEOPLE!
TRANSITION: The first step in Crossing Over!
I. SEPARATION- The first step in crossing over.
For God’s people to complete the next phase of their journey, God deemed it necessary to bring one term of leadership to a close and initiate a NEW ONE!
There had to be a separation- a severing of the things of the past, in order to grasp the future.
SEPARATION IS THE FIRST ACT OF POSSESSION
If you want to receive something then you’ve got to let go of something FIRST! It’s a life principle.
(Example of checkbook and money)
The first thing you need to do in order to CROSS OVER is to separate yourself from all the stuff that you cannot take forward with you.
YOU CANNOT HAVE THE PROMISED LAND AND MOSES!
Consider, what the Moses traditions that belong to your past.
Meaningless church programs, things the church keeps doing for no real reason!
YOU MUST BE WILLING TO LET GO!
It’s pointless to hold on to people who don’t want to go with you! It may be God trying to break a spirit of control in the church!
No matter how good the past was the old regime has had it’s day! Those things were relevant for there day.
*****The first thing God told Joshua is that you cannot lead these people the way Moses did!
GOD DID NOT WANT JOSHUA TO LIVE IN THE SHADOW OF MOSES!
(The history of our church, then and NOW!)
Moses death symbolized a separation from the previous way of doing things and all it represented.
THIS IS THE CAHLLENEGE THAT FACES YOU TO IF YOU ARE COMMITTED TO CROSSING OVER AND POSSESSING ALL THAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR YOU!
SEPARATION IS THE FIRST ACT OF POSSESSION!
TRANSITION: What is one thing we can let go of, leave behind, so we can ARISE AND CROSS OVER AND POSSESS THE LAND GOD HAS FOR US?
I. IMMATURITY
Hebrews 6:1-3(NIV)
Let us leave-let us separate from our immature ways and take hold of maturity.
Ephesians 4:14- “Then we will no longer be infant, tossed back and forth and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”
1Corinthains 13:11- “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”
12 SIGNS OF IMMATURITY
1. Ephesians 4:11-13- Tossed too and Fro- Problems dictate your life. Problems are in control of you .
2. Follow winds of doctrine- Spiritual Hobo’s, Don’t have a home, Can’t get planted. Want their ears tickled.
3. Hebrews 5:11-14- Dull of hearing: Don’t value spiritual things, Slow to learn, Spiritual ADD. You must train yourself to listen.
4. Need taught, can’t teach yourself or others. Babies can’t feed themselves or someone else.
5. Need milk and not meat: can’t handle the weighter things of the ministry. If you stay on milk you can only handle so much. Things don’t get easier the greater the ministry.
6. Unskillful in the Word of righteousness: Misapply the Word of God, Hurt people with the Word. Adjust theology to agree own ideas.
7. Do not act on what they hear: Are not faithful with what they hear. Are not faithful with little. Mature people do what they hear.
8. The immature are easily offended. Easily hurt, have to walk on eggshells around. Governed by their emotions. Believe everything they hear instead of believing God.
9. Are unable to discern right from wrong: Ruled by emotions. Mature say: not everything that feels bad is bad. Not everything that feels good is good. The Lord chastens who He loves!
10. 1Corinthians 3:1-9- Envy and jealousy. Desire what somebody else has without doing what God requires to get it. Gossip, slander, to lift yourself up! Jealous of someone else’s title.
11. Strife and division: Romans 16: 17,18 Mark those who cause division and strife. Mark those who talk against leadership.
12. Immaturity cannot receive from other ministry gifts. Can’t receive from other races or genders. Be at church no matter whose preaching.
Let go immaturity and embrace maturity.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Laying Down My Life - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
Download MP3 audio
New Life COTR Wednesday April 11, 2007
Laying Down My Life
INTRODUCTION: A couple of weeks ago we talked about putting off the old man. Something we must do. Before Christ came into our lives it was impossible to put off the old man. But with Christ we can put off the old and put on the new.
Tonight we put off, put on and LAY DOWN. We’re going to talk about what I believe is a very important key to successful ministry and fulfilling your destiny.
We’ll be going to the book of Philippians, a book in which I love!
This is an affectionate letter from Paul to the Philippians commending them for their faith and support.
Paul has very little occasion to acknowledge any problems in the church although 2 quarreling women, Euodia and Syntche, are admonished to settle their differences.
Philippians is called the “happy” letter.
Written in the pages of Philippians is what I believe to be the key to productive, successful, life-giving ministry. The key to really experiencing all that God has for you and the destiny he has prepared for you.
Philippians 1:12-26(NIV)- Turn and Read
Paul said, “I’m torn.” I’m distressed. I’ve got this battle going on inside me.
I have this desire to depart this earth and be with Christ which is far better! Away from the frustrations, the pain, grief, the jail cell. Away from all this. IT’S FAR BETTER!
PAUL IS STRUGGLING WITH A REAL DESIRE!
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He’ll give you the desires of your heart.” Must be God! Not always!
Philippians 2:5- “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
THREE ATTITUDES OF MINISTRY
Remember we’re talking about desires!
1. Ministry about Christ for Christ
2. Ministry about Christ for me
3. Ministry about Christ for people
Which is the best attitude for ministry? Ministry about Christ for Christ!
This is evident in the life of Paul.
Galatians 2:20- “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul was saying, I’ve laid down my wants and my desires for the sake of Christ. Everything I do I do to honor Christ and I do it for Him.
Philippians 3:1-11- Turn and Read
Paul was saying, I don’t identify with those things anymore, I LAY THEM DOWN!
MY IDENTITIY IS IN CHRIST! (Illustration with three chairs)
My ministry is about Christ and it is for Christ!
True genuine Christian ministry flourishes in the field of laying down your life!
Matthew 16:24,25- “Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
Deny- disown (Ministry about Christ for Christ)
BACK IN PHILIPPIANS 1
Paul said I have a real desire to go and be with Christ. He wrote this from a Roman jail!
Verse 24- “but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body”
Verse 25- “convinced of this, I know that I will remain.”
Paul was saying, I have a desire to leave this earth, but I’m laying down my life for the sake of Christ and I’m staying for your sake!
THE HEART OF TRUE MINISTRY!
Matthew 26:39- “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as I will.”
YOU MEAN AT SOME POINT JESUS HAD A DESIRE THAT WASN’T SOMETHING FATHER GOD DESIRED!
Matthew 26:42- “He went away a second time and prayed, My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
John 5:30- “….for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.”
John 6:38- “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
My ministry is about God for God!
NOW GOING BACK TO THE APOSTLE PAUL IN PHILIPPIANS. Now we’ve discovered the heart of true genuine ministry.
Let’s look at some of the things Paul wrote in Philippians.
Philippians 2:13,14- “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing.”
This is possible when I lay down my life.
Philippians 3:13,14- “Brothers, I do not consider myself as yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
I can do this when I lay down my life.
Philippians 3:4-11- Turn and Read
1. Rejoice
2. Be gentle
3. Don’t worry
4. Be thankful
5. Have peace
6. Think on the right things
7. Be content
THESE THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WHEN WE LAY DOWN OUR LIFE!
Philippians 4:13- “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
CONCLUSION: It’s not about me and it’s not for me! It’s about Christ and for Christ. Let’s lay down our life for His sake. THAT’S WHEN YOU’LL TRULY FIND LIFE AS WE READ ABOVE.
New Life COTR Wednesday April 11, 2007
Laying Down My Life
INTRODUCTION: A couple of weeks ago we talked about putting off the old man. Something we must do. Before Christ came into our lives it was impossible to put off the old man. But with Christ we can put off the old and put on the new.
Tonight we put off, put on and LAY DOWN. We’re going to talk about what I believe is a very important key to successful ministry and fulfilling your destiny.
We’ll be going to the book of Philippians, a book in which I love!
This is an affectionate letter from Paul to the Philippians commending them for their faith and support.
Paul has very little occasion to acknowledge any problems in the church although 2 quarreling women, Euodia and Syntche, are admonished to settle their differences.
Philippians is called the “happy” letter.
Written in the pages of Philippians is what I believe to be the key to productive, successful, life-giving ministry. The key to really experiencing all that God has for you and the destiny he has prepared for you.
Philippians 1:12-26(NIV)- Turn and Read
Paul said, “I’m torn.” I’m distressed. I’ve got this battle going on inside me.
I have this desire to depart this earth and be with Christ which is far better! Away from the frustrations, the pain, grief, the jail cell. Away from all this. IT’S FAR BETTER!
PAUL IS STRUGGLING WITH A REAL DESIRE!
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He’ll give you the desires of your heart.” Must be God! Not always!
Philippians 2:5- “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
THREE ATTITUDES OF MINISTRY
Remember we’re talking about desires!
1. Ministry about Christ for Christ
2. Ministry about Christ for me
3. Ministry about Christ for people
Which is the best attitude for ministry? Ministry about Christ for Christ!
This is evident in the life of Paul.
Galatians 2:20- “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul was saying, I’ve laid down my wants and my desires for the sake of Christ. Everything I do I do to honor Christ and I do it for Him.
Philippians 3:1-11- Turn and Read
Paul was saying, I don’t identify with those things anymore, I LAY THEM DOWN!
MY IDENTITIY IS IN CHRIST! (Illustration with three chairs)
My ministry is about Christ and it is for Christ!
True genuine Christian ministry flourishes in the field of laying down your life!
Matthew 16:24,25- “Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
Deny- disown (Ministry about Christ for Christ)
BACK IN PHILIPPIANS 1
Paul said I have a real desire to go and be with Christ. He wrote this from a Roman jail!
Verse 24- “but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body”
Verse 25- “convinced of this, I know that I will remain.”
Paul was saying, I have a desire to leave this earth, but I’m laying down my life for the sake of Christ and I’m staying for your sake!
THE HEART OF TRUE MINISTRY!
Matthew 26:39- “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as I will.”
YOU MEAN AT SOME POINT JESUS HAD A DESIRE THAT WASN’T SOMETHING FATHER GOD DESIRED!
Matthew 26:42- “He went away a second time and prayed, My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
John 5:30- “….for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.”
John 6:38- “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
My ministry is about God for God!
NOW GOING BACK TO THE APOSTLE PAUL IN PHILIPPIANS. Now we’ve discovered the heart of true genuine ministry.
Let’s look at some of the things Paul wrote in Philippians.
Philippians 2:13,14- “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing.”
This is possible when I lay down my life.
Philippians 3:13,14- “Brothers, I do not consider myself as yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
I can do this when I lay down my life.
Philippians 3:4-11- Turn and Read
1. Rejoice
2. Be gentle
3. Don’t worry
4. Be thankful
5. Have peace
6. Think on the right things
7. Be content
THESE THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WHEN WE LAY DOWN OUR LIFE!
Philippians 4:13- “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
CONCLUSION: It’s not about me and it’s not for me! It’s about Christ and for Christ. Let’s lay down our life for His sake. THAT’S WHEN YOU’LL TRULY FIND LIFE AS WE READ ABOVE.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Arise and Crossover Because the World Needs a Savior - Pastor Kenneth Woolf
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New Life COTR Sunday April 8, 2007
EASTER SUNDAY
“Arise and Crossover”
“The World needs a Savior”
INTRODUCTION: Share some of the history of New Life COTR. Just over 7 years ago this church was in the middle of a storm. Adversity was all around. It was touch and go, would this church survive?
I was called upon to be the next Senior Pastor of New Life COTR. It was a six month transition so during the waiting period I began to seek God for a word for this church.
I knew that if this church was going to survive it needed a Word from God that would sustain it and lift it out of the place of adversity and move it forward to the destiny God had for it.
The Spirit of God led me to Joshua 1 where God is instructing Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land after the former generation had died in the wilderness.
Joshua 1:1-9(NIV)- Turn and Read Joshua 3:14-17(NIV)
The children of Israel had every reason to fail but they trusted and obeyed God and even though they faced a Jordan River at flood stage they CROSSED OVER with the help and power of God.
From this passage of scripture the Word God gave me for this church was ARISE AND CROSSOVER!
We faced a Jordan River of adversity, hurt and pain that was at FLOOD STAGE!
THIS CHURCH NEEDED A SAVIOR. NOT JUST ANY SAVIOR BUT A RISEN SAVIOR!
IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD AND “ARISE AND CROSSOVER” WE WOULD NEED THE POWER OF A RISEN SAVIOR!!!
Romans 6:14- “By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.”
There is a power from God, that same power that raised Christ from the dead that is available to us today!
TRANSITION: Yes, New Life COTR needed a Savior and needed to experience the power of a risen Savior.
Here we are today, over 7 years later! Making an impact all over the world!
No matter whom you are and no matter what you’re facing, the power of a risen Savior is here to help you and give you hope.
Romans 15:13- “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
DO YOU NEED THE POWER OF A RISEN SAVIOR TODAY?
Romans 6:4(NIV)- “…..just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
TRANSITION: New Life COTR answered the call to ARISE AND CROSSOVER and that is why we’re where were at today!
BUT TODAY WE FACE ANOTHER JORDAN RIVER! A RIVER THAT SEEMS TO BE AT FLOODSTAGE.
On North Highway 105 just outside the city limits of Vidor is a piece of property that awaits a new church building.
OUR RIVER JORDAN IS BEFORE US.
THE WORD FROM GOD TODAY IS STILL THE SAME AS SEVEN YEARS AGO AND THAT WORD IS “ARISE AND CROSSOVER”!!!!!
ARISE AND CROSSOVER AND BUILD THE NEW CHURCH!
Today, that same power is available to us that we experienced seven years ago!
But here’s the difference!
Seven years ago we needed a Savior but today God says, “ARISE AND CROSSOVER AND BUILD THE NEW CHURCH BECAUSE THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR!
The world needs to experience a RISEN SAVIOR! The power of a risen Savior!
That power is available to us today!
Ephesians 1:18-23- Turn and Read
CONCLUSION: New Life COTR- It’s time to ARISE AND CROSSOVER, THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR!
If you’re here today and you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior I pray that I’ve wakened in you your need for a Savior.
Does it look impossible! If God can raise Jesus three day dead body from the grave he can change your life and give you hope and a reason to live.
It’s time for you to crossover from death to life!
John 1:12- “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Acts 2:21- “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord we be saved.”
New Life COTR is here today because YOU NEED A SAVIOR!
NEW LIFE COTR, IT’S TIME TO “ARISE AND CROSSOVER” THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR!
New Life COTR Sunday April 8, 2007
EASTER SUNDAY
“Arise and Crossover”
“The World needs a Savior”
INTRODUCTION: Share some of the history of New Life COTR. Just over 7 years ago this church was in the middle of a storm. Adversity was all around. It was touch and go, would this church survive?
I was called upon to be the next Senior Pastor of New Life COTR. It was a six month transition so during the waiting period I began to seek God for a word for this church.
I knew that if this church was going to survive it needed a Word from God that would sustain it and lift it out of the place of adversity and move it forward to the destiny God had for it.
The Spirit of God led me to Joshua 1 where God is instructing Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land after the former generation had died in the wilderness.
Joshua 1:1-9(NIV)- Turn and Read Joshua 3:14-17(NIV)
The children of Israel had every reason to fail but they trusted and obeyed God and even though they faced a Jordan River at flood stage they CROSSED OVER with the help and power of God.
From this passage of scripture the Word God gave me for this church was ARISE AND CROSSOVER!
We faced a Jordan River of adversity, hurt and pain that was at FLOOD STAGE!
THIS CHURCH NEEDED A SAVIOR. NOT JUST ANY SAVIOR BUT A RISEN SAVIOR!
IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD AND “ARISE AND CROSSOVER” WE WOULD NEED THE POWER OF A RISEN SAVIOR!!!
Romans 6:14- “By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.”
There is a power from God, that same power that raised Christ from the dead that is available to us today!
TRANSITION: Yes, New Life COTR needed a Savior and needed to experience the power of a risen Savior.
Here we are today, over 7 years later! Making an impact all over the world!
No matter whom you are and no matter what you’re facing, the power of a risen Savior is here to help you and give you hope.
Romans 15:13- “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
DO YOU NEED THE POWER OF A RISEN SAVIOR TODAY?
Romans 6:4(NIV)- “…..just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
TRANSITION: New Life COTR answered the call to ARISE AND CROSSOVER and that is why we’re where were at today!
BUT TODAY WE FACE ANOTHER JORDAN RIVER! A RIVER THAT SEEMS TO BE AT FLOODSTAGE.
On North Highway 105 just outside the city limits of Vidor is a piece of property that awaits a new church building.
OUR RIVER JORDAN IS BEFORE US.
THE WORD FROM GOD TODAY IS STILL THE SAME AS SEVEN YEARS AGO AND THAT WORD IS “ARISE AND CROSSOVER”!!!!!
ARISE AND CROSSOVER AND BUILD THE NEW CHURCH!
Today, that same power is available to us that we experienced seven years ago!
But here’s the difference!
Seven years ago we needed a Savior but today God says, “ARISE AND CROSSOVER AND BUILD THE NEW CHURCH BECAUSE THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR!
The world needs to experience a RISEN SAVIOR! The power of a risen Savior!
That power is available to us today!
Ephesians 1:18-23- Turn and Read
CONCLUSION: New Life COTR- It’s time to ARISE AND CROSSOVER, THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR!
If you’re here today and you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior I pray that I’ve wakened in you your need for a Savior.
Does it look impossible! If God can raise Jesus three day dead body from the grave he can change your life and give you hope and a reason to live.
It’s time for you to crossover from death to life!
John 1:12- “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Acts 2:21- “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord we be saved.”
New Life COTR is here today because YOU NEED A SAVIOR!
NEW LIFE COTR, IT’S TIME TO “ARISE AND CROSSOVER” THE WORLD NEEDS A SAVIOR!
