Watch

Text: Mark 11: 27-33

We are all rebels at heart, some of us just know how to disguise it better than others.

I. A Couple of Questions

John 12:44-50.
“Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”

II. A Counter Question

God is not going to teach us new truth if we have already rejected the truth He has revealed.

III. A Clear Answer

You can confess Christ now and be saved or you can wait to do it at the judgement and be condemned.

“I may know all the doctrines of the Bible, but unless I know Christ, there is not one of them that can save me.” - Charles Spurgeon

John 7:16, 17
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

The greatest test of our belief in the authority of Jesus boils down to obedience.

TEXT: Mark 11: 12-26

I. THE CLEANSING

II. THE CURSING

III. THE CHALLENGE

John 14:12
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

1. The church must remember her mission.

Jesus, the lamb of God, took the flaming sword of God’s judgement and made a way for everyone who puts their faith and trust in His finished work to have access to God.

2. The church must remain faithful and fruitful.

3. The church must guard against spiritual ruin.

Text: II Corinthians 8 & 9

There is a greater love for materialism among God’s own people than there is for the mission of God to unreached people.

Funding the mission begins by believing in Jesus.

I. Knowing The Grace Of Jesus Motives Us To Give

Philippians 2:6-8
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Only when we become gripped by the grace of Jesus will the world lose its grip on us.

One of the primary purposes we give is not so that God would get the money out of our pockets, but that he might get the idols out of our hearts.

II. Experiencing The Love Of Jesus Produces A Spirit Of Generosity

Generosity is not a percentage you give it’s the way that you live when your life has been changed by the Gospel.

I Timothy 6: 17-19
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

How you live and give has everything to do with your heart.

III. Giving Is A Demonstration And Reflection Of The Gospel

Three questions concerning your giving:

- What does what you do with your money show you delight in?
- What does what you do with your money show you trust in?
- What does what you do with your money indicate what kingdom you are building?

The surpassing grace of God is experienced as we give and extend grace into the lives of others.

What ultimately should give us joy is not more money but the joy of others coming to know Jesus as we give for the glory of God.

TEXT: JOHN 4

I John 5:10-13
“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

The reality of knowing Jesus will not be understood by sight alone but through faith believing.

I. THE INTERACTION

Every religion of the world is wrong because their solution for man’s problem is to point people to a “list” and a “location”. Christianity points people to the only true solution for man’s problem, The Lord Jesus Christ!

II. THE REACTION

Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Missions is not only “come and see” but it is also “go and tell”!

III. THE AFFIRMATION

Isaiah 45:22
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

Acts 4:12
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

The global call of God is for the Nations to come and experience the glorious Gospel of grace found only in Jesus Christ.

Quote:
“God, in spite of his majesty, holiness, power, and greatness astonishingly cares for individual human beings one at a time.” - John Piper

Quote:
“The church must send or the church will end.” - Mendel Taylor

Missions is sending out workers into the global harvest for God’s glory.

1. Identify and begin praying for your one.
2. Engage them in a way that welcomes them into your life.
3. Invite them to church.
4. Prepare for gospel conversations.

TEXT: John 4:27-38

The challenge of missions is not one of eyesight but insight.

II Corinthians 4:4
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Once you have truly discovered for yourself the soul satisfying Saviour you ultimately stop chasing the false gods of this world.

I. THE CONFUSION CONCERNING THE MISSION

Quote:
“Our mission is not defined by precepts, principles, and priorities but by a person-Jesus Christ.” Russell Moore

Quote:
“Missions is about Jesus’s global glory”. David Mathis

The passionate love of Jesus drove Him into hostile places where he could help some of the most hurting people.

The reason many are living unfulfilled lives is because they are failing to pursue a will that is greater than their own. A fulfilled life is one that has the will of God as its focus and not the appetite of the flesh.

II. THE CHALLENGE TO JOIN THE MISSION

The will of The Father must not only be visualized but internalized.

It should be the desire of every true believer to do the will of the Father.

If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by The Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice. D.L.

II Corinthians 4:5-7
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

Matthew 9:37, 38
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

The harvest is ripe and the question is, “whose ready to go?”

Text: Ephesians 2; Philippians 2

The rescue of sinners still trapped in a life of sin and misery is the primary mission of the church.

Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Luke 19:10
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The purpose of the church is to intentionally engage our culture proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I. The Motivation To Go Comes Through Living Out The Great Commandment

Matthew 22:37-40
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

The agape love of God ignites a passion in us and in turn accelerates us toward others.

I John 4:19
“We love him, because he first loved us.”

Ephesians 2:4; 13-18

II. The Mindset Of Going Is Displayed Through The Life of Christ

The good news is that God is not done gathering people to His table of grace!

III. We Fulfill the Mandate Of The Great Commission Together

We belong here not because of who we are but because of who Christ is and what He has done!

Obedience to the mission brings us closer to Christ and to one another as we
GATHER together
GIVE of ourselves
GROW in our faith
GO reach those in need of rescue.

Text: Psalm 134

I Thessalonians 2:12
“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

The whole purpose of our life is to bring Glory to God; to live our lives in such a way that we are blessing the Lord and experiencing the blessings from God.

God is always more concerned about your worship than your work.

I Corinthians 9:27
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

A person who has experienced the life changing work of God internally will be marked by a life that will proclaim this externally.

I. A People Of Praise

I Peter 2:9
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

What’s coming out of your mouth should be consistent with the way you’re living your life.

II. A Special Place Of Praise

I Timothy 2:8
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

III. A Promise Of Blessing

Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

The life that blesses God is a life that is blessed by God.

Hebrews 12:22,23
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,”

May our life be filled with praise to the One who is worthy of all our worship, now and forevermore!

Text: Selected Texts

Growing in your faith is not a solo endeavor.

Growth does not happen in isolation but in community.

Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”

I. The Admonition of Scripture To Grow

II Peter 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 4:15
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

1. We are to be growing in our understanding of God’s Word.

No amount of knowledge will compensate for a lack of love!

2. We are to be growing in grace.

The grace of God in your life is to be extended into the lives of others.

3. We are to be growing in our godliness.

Ephesians 4:16
“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Quote:
“Strong preaching and sound doctrine doesn’t make hard people it makes soft people, loving people.” John MacArthur

II. The Importance of Accountability

Proverbs 12:1
“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”

Proverbs 26:12
“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

The enemy and your flesh want nothing more than for you to become isolated in your living and inflated in your thinking.

Proverbs 15:31, 32
“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

Hebrews 3:12, 13
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

III. Practical Action Steps
1. Stop living in isolation.
2. Start sharing your life.
3. Serve somewhere.
4. Share the Gospel.
5. Stay faithful.

II Peter 1:2, 3
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

Growth starts happening as we faithfully yield our life to the process God has established in His Word for Spiritual maturity.

TEXT: Selected Texts

Acts 20:28
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

The Church cost Jesus Christ His life!

Christians don’t fall out of love with the church they fall out of obedience to the Saviour.

Generosity is the sure sign of a healthy church!

Giving ordinary people a place to belong so they can experience an extraordinary life in Christ.

We want to be a give first church because we serve a give first God!

I. TIME

Psalm 90:10; 12
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

How you spend your time and with who will display what is a priority in your life.

II. TALENT

A spiritual gift is given to you by God after salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit to help strengthen the church.

Romans 14:17,18
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”

Am I hiding my talent or helping others?

III. TREASURES

A surrendered heart is marked by a life of generosity.

1. Everyone was actively involved in the giving.
2. Everyone gave according to their ability.
3. The needs of the church were met accordingly.
4. There was accountability for the giving.

Generosity is not something God wants from us but for us.

I Timothy 6:17-19
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Quote:
“God prospers me not to raise my standard of living but to raise my standard of giving.” Randy Alcorn

Quote:
“God judges what we give by what we keep.” G. Mueller.

Quote:
“Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there is your happiness.” Augustine.

When Jesus is your greatest treasure giving is a pleasure and generosity will always trump prosperity.

IV. TOUCH

Touching someone’s life is to meet a legitimate need whether emotional, physical, financial, or spiritual.

Jesus didn’t call us to safety He called us to serve!

TEXT: Psalm 133

In a world suffering from the pain of disunity God’s people are to be a picture showing the beauty of unity.

I. A PICTURE OF PLEASANTNESS

I John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

In Christ we have been designed for unity.

I Corinthians 1:10
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

II Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

Unity gives us peace and delight while disunity drains us and causes strife.

The church is to display the beauty of God’s grace being extended to one another.

A unified church will proclaim an amplified Gospel.

II. A PICTURE OF PRECIOUSNESS

God has called believers to be passionate servants not passive observers!

The whole church community should covered in unity!

Ephesians 4:2, 3
“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

III. A PICTURE OF PRODUCTIVENESS

Unity helps nourish and flourish the church!

Living in unity is a foretaste of heaven!

Romans 15:5-7
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”

How am I contributing to the beauty of unity?