Author: Pastor Rick

Because of all He’s done, This Is What We Do

We gather because we are Firstborn!
Luke 13:34
Matthew 9:35-38
Luke 19:10

The goal is not to just get you here on Sunday. The goal is to get you to the feet of Jesus,
worshipping Him for yourself not just watching,
discovering the gifts He has given you to make a difference and helping you develop and use them,
become so overwhelmed by Who He is that you can’t help but invite someone else to come sit at His feet with you.

What kinds of things need to be gathered? Things that are scattered, out of place, or lost!

Lost is the word Jesus used in Luke 15 when he spoke of a sheep, a coin, and a son.

Pray and watch for signs, for hope! Those who have chosen to walk away have to choose to return.

So who are these scattered ones? Those with marital problems, addictions, suffering abuse, with financial trouble, self-esteem issues, living with guilt, condemnation or shame, who have anger issues, those who are lonely, etc.

What kinds of things need to be gathered? Things that belong together!

• ALL the sheep!
• ALL the coins!
• The WHOLE family!

HOW WE GATHER

At 29:11 we want to reach people no one else is reaching. That means being willing to do what no one else is doing!

“I think our culture is changing, which is making evangelism difficult…people are shrinking back because it’s not politically correct. I think people are afraid of being asked questions that they may not be able to answer. They’re not even sure…how to engage in spiritual conversation.”  – Garry Poole

How to gather better:

• Make it priority
• Set a goal
• Name a name
• Plan follow-up in advance
• Design the worship service with FTAs in mind
• Equip people to invite

When I see God in eternity and He looks over my shoulder and asks, “Who did you bring with you?”, what will be my answer?

Philippians 2:3-11

Serving began with Jesus!

“But I’ve realized serving isn’t something we do. A servant is who we’re called to be. Because when we serve, we become like Christ.”
– Craig Groeschel

THE DANGER OF LIMBO – When it comes to spiritual matters, there are: the curious, the contributors, and between the two is a dangerous place of limbo called consumerism.

 “God wants us to contribute rather than to consume.”
– Craig Groeschel

“Consumer Christianity isn’t about what you bring to the mission, it’s about what you can squeeze out of it.”
– Carey Nieuwhof

God wants us to be part of the mission! How awesome is that?

Serving has a cost and its own reward!

Matthew 16:24, Galatians 5:13-14, 1 Peter 4:10, Acts 20:35

[ctt template=”3″ link=”3851v” via=”no” ]When people are uninvolved, inspiration becomes criticism.[/ctt]

We remember what we do for others more than what we receive from others because receiving isn’t fulfilling. Giving and serving are!

Everyone has something awesome to do for Jesus! Like in the early church it wasn’t just pastors and evangelists, but a benevolence committee in Acts 6, Dorcas of Joppa and her benevolence friends.

WE ARE TOO BLESSED TO NOT SERVE!

Luke 12:48, 2 Chron 29:11, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, Mark 16:15-18, Psalm 84:10

Team Night tonight, 5pm!

The goal is not to just get you here on Sunday.
The goal is to get you to the feet of Jesus,
worshipping Him 168 hours a week,
worshipping Him for yourself not just watching,
discovering the gifts He has given you to make a difference,
and helping you develop and use them!

Because of all He has done, This Is What We Do

Worship

It’s not only what we do while the music is playing!

etymology, OLD ENGLISH, the condition of being worthy
So, worship doesn’t start with us. God had first proven Himself worthy.

definition, the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration

In Hebrew, worship means
1. acts and expressions of worship
2. to lie prostrate, in a literal position of mercy and humility
3. to work and serve

Benefits of worship

• the mind is transformed (by faith, belief in God, repentance)
• the heart is renewed (through love, trusting someone)
• our actions are redeemed (in obedience, in service)
• there is peace in worship (Isaiah 26:3)
• there is victory in worship (2 Chronicles 20:21-25)

Jesus said this about worship in John 4:24
Worship cannot be piecemeal, not just Sundays, not just thru music, not just with voices…

Spirit, in the soul, where a person feels, thinks, wills, decides, etc. It’s our heart, attitude, desire, our want-to, etc.

Truth, in reality! So, yes, go through the motions! No one can do it for you. Our Worship Team does not worship on your behalf or in your place.

[ctt template=”3″ link=”9c10b” via=”no” ]James the apostle said if faith doesn’t produce good works it is dead and useless. So if feeling doesn’t produce expression is it worship?[/ctt]

James 2:17

Singing is Worship!

The deepest worship is adoration and reverence that begins in our spirit before the music starts! The deepest worship is what springs up naturally out of our feelings toward God!

The depth of my worship depends on my personal adoration and feelings for God!

Giving is Worship!

The story of the Widow’s mite from Luke 21:1-4

Giving is worship because
…it has cost, it involves sacrifice. It is worshiping with our substance.
…it affirms stewardship. Tithing shows we acknowledge God as the Owner of all and Giver of all, that we are mere stewards of money, of the earth, of people, of time, etc.
…it displays gratefulness. Giving is the antithesis of selfishness, stinginess.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Worship is a Lifestyle!

True Worship isn’t 1:15 but 168. It is exalting Jesus 168, making Him Lord over home and business and play, not just church.

1 Corinthians 10:31

[ctt template=”3″ link=”fZ0FP” via=”no” ]A worship lifestyle is taking note that everything I do and every place I go and everything I say, because I call myself a Christian, has the potential to honor or dishonor God.[/ctt]

Bringing your problems to God is Worship!
The action of trusting your problems to God says “God, I know You can!”

“The very things that held you down are gonna carry you up and up and up.”
– Timothy the Mouse

Two things here…

ONE – What you need right now is probably already within you!

Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 1:5, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 1 Peter 4:10-11

TWO – What is different about Dumbo is the very thing that allows him to do what no one else can!

• Esther was a Jew hated by many, Esther 2:20
• Zacchaeus was short but I’ve known his story my whole life, Luke 19:1-6
• Ehud was left-handed which enabled him to kill King Eglon who had enslaved and plundered Israel, Judges 3:13-30

“God can turn brokenness into a strength if we let Him and transform any tendency to vice into an opportunity to virtue.”
– John Mark Reynolds

It’s important to have friends. But it’s more important to have good friends!

1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 18:24

Doing the most awesome thing, attempting the greatest exploits, taking the biggest risk, using your talents to the fullest will put you in uncomfortable places.

• Noah was ridiculed
• Moses felt inadequate
• Gideon tore down an idol, but secretly because of the danger
• Hosea married a former prostitute at God’s direction

Joshua 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 3:13-15, 4:13, Isaiah 43:19, Matthew 19:26

Fallout IS NOT the end of your story.

Psalms 34:19

David was not born a king…

Looked over – 1 Samuel 16:6-7
Youngest of 8 sons – 1 Samuel 16:10
A shepherd – 1 Samuel 16:11

BUT he became God’s chosen king!

1 Samuel 16:13

Experiencing fallout is an opportunity for personal growth.

David’s Timeline

Annointed by Samuel – 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Kills Goliath – 1 Samuel 17:32-50
Saul tries to kill David – 1 Samuel 19
Saul dies & David becomes King – 2 Samuel 1 – 5

How you respond to fallout determines how far you go.
Acts 13:22

How to respond to fallout

1) Have Heart

1 Samuel 16:7

Who you believe God is will determine what you think God will do. – Brian Houston

2) Be Faithful

1 Samuel 16:11

Being faithful doesn’t mean you are fearless. It just means that your faith is greater than your fear. – Christine Caine

3) Be Yourself

1 Samuel 16:19

People may admire you for your strengths, but they connect with you through your weaknesses. – Craig Groeschel

Fallout IS NOT the end of your story. It’s an opportunity for personal growth. How you respond determines how far you go.

“Everything is possible. Even the impossible.”
Mary Poppins

“What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Jesus Christ, Luke 18:27

John 4:3-9

1. She was a Samaritan.
2. She was a woman.
3. She was a sinner.

John 4:13-15

She believed the impossible was possible!

John 4:16-26

Jesus takes everything that Satan has used against you and uses it for His glory.

John 4:28-30

“Sometimes God uses broken people like you and me to rescue broken people like you and me.”
Eddie Cortes, youth speaker

Satan knows your story is powerful. Otherwise he would not try to constantly chip away at the miracle of you!

One day you will tell your story of how you’ve overcome what you are going through now and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.

“That’s what we storytellers do. We instill hope again and again and again.”
Walt Disney to P.L. Travers in Saving Mr. Banks

Tell your story!

John 4:39

If Jesus can use a shameful, poor, Samaritan woman to save people, why not you?

Imagine getting to heaven and God saying:
Before I laid the foundations of the earth, I thought of you and the days you would live on earth. I planned out the people and the places I would give you. I laid out you neighbors and your workplace, the places you would attend school, and your family; I laid out enough days to do all the good works that I purposed for you and I equipped you with all you would need to accomplish those purposes here. I filled you with my Spirit to encourage and remind you and lead you. I gave you my word so you would know me and know what to do. I gave you people to run with and people who needed me.

Romans 14:12

www.VidAngel.com

Aquaman’s supernatural side was actually more natural to him!

Aquaman said, “I already know how to swim.”
Vulko replied, “Not even close. You have to forget all the teaching of the surface world, go deeper to discover your Atlantean instincts.”

Genesis 1:26, Job 32:8, Romans 8:16, Zechariah 12:1
We are more spirit than flesh!

[ctt template=”3″ link=”f7g2W” via=”no” ]We don’t prepare to fail. We fail to prepare. But the result is still a fail.[/ctt]

Aquaman had abilities and power beyond imagination. So do we! Romans 12:6-8, Acts 1:8, Luke 10:19

To win, he had to bring the supernatural power he was given into his physical word!

There is an enemy, and if you aren’t fighting spiritually, I guarantee you, you’re losing. Aquaman, often like us, wanted to just ignore the coming war which was already happening to others.

In war there is a high casualty cost, and not just the warriors. Innocents are caught in the middle, children go hungry, people lose their homes & possessions, and many die.

[ctt template=”3″ link=”w36R7″ via=”no” ]We don’t fight for God, we fight for those innocents![/ctt]

We don’t really blame Orm (the bad guy). We know it’s up to Aquaman, he is the key, the hope, he must defend, fight, and step into destiny or all hope is lost.

Then why do we blame Satan?

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” attributed to Edmund Burke

Destiny doesn’t call at my convenience.

• Don’t focus on the minimum requirements. Galatians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 9:6
  
• Sow according to your potential and reap according to God’s! Matthew 19:26
• Hope and a future, Jeremiah 29:11-14
• Complete peace that is beyond comprehension, Philippians 4:7, Isaiah 26:3
• Life that is abundant! John 10:10, Deuteronomy 30:5, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 3:20
• Family, household salvation and blessings, Isaiah 43:5-7, 44:3, 54:13, 65:23, Acts 16:31, 10:1-2, 2:38-39, 1 Cor 7:14, Joel 2:28, Malachi 4:6, Proverbs 20:7, 22:6
• Wholeness, James 1:4, Psalm 147:3, Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18
• Restoration; God’s promises and declarations are forever, so when those things are stolen or even destroyed just remember, restoration of promises, property, blessings, etc. is a biblical principle, Jeremiah 23:8, 1 Peter 5:10

“I knew you couldn’t stand on the sidelines forever.” – Tom Curry

The World Needs Heroes

he·ro /ˈhirō/ noun
1. a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

“Our culture has filled our heads but emptied our hearts, stuffed our wallets but starved our wonder. It has fed our thirst for facts but not for meaning or mystery. It produces “nice” people, not heroes.” – Peter Kreeft

Heroes inspire others to do good.

“People are not born heroes or villains; they’re created by the people around them.” – Chris Colfer

Hebrews 10:24

Proverbs 12:26

1 Thessalonians 2:12

The Villain Seeks to Discredit Heroes

“Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

1 Peter 5:8

John 10:10

Like Screenslaver, our enemy wants to use us to discredit ourselves.

Phillipians 4:8

Psalm 101:3

Ephesians 4:26-27

James 1:26

Heroes Understand It Takes A Team

“Everybody has something awesome to do for Jesus” – Rick Hand

1 Peter 4:10

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Proverbs 27:17

1. Dads, we must help our kids grow up.

Proverbs 22:6

We must balance letting go while at the same time helping them not grow up too fast.

“Look, this place can bring out the worst in some people”
Yesss (speaking of the internet)

Your responsibility to keep your kids safe trumps their desire for privacy!

Parental controls protect your kids from being lured astray, from harm, from getting lost!

[ctt template=”3″ link=”bh2m1″ via=”no” ]Adulthood isn’t getting to live without rules. Being an adult means having the maturity to set your own rules.[/ctt]

2. Dads, we are the examples.

Ralph was a horrible example! He wasn’t thinking of what he was teaching by his actions.

We are the example from which they will most learn about:

• Honesty
• Apologies & making things right
• Always learning & growing
• Connecting
• Evangelism
• Bible
• Prayer
• Faith

Genesis 13:8-18

They were so focused on what they wanted, what they just had to have, they almost missed what they needed!

[ctt template=”3″ link=”94diK” via=”no” ]Don’t just teach your kids to chase what they want. Teach them to first and foremost chase Who they need![/ctt]

3. Dads, we have lead responsibility of discipleship.

Ephesians 6:4

Teenagers are more likely to imitate their parents’ faith than any other person’s faith in their life.

Article on the importance of parents’ example in discipleship and salvation.

• Be purposeful

• Consider their needs before your own

• Point them to Jesus