Blog Archives

"EMPOWERING PEOPLE"

1/30/2022

Acts 18:24-28

Church leaders should be centering their attention on the equipping of the saints for ministry. (Ephesians 4:12)
Apollos needed to be empowered to use his potential in the right way.

What Aquila and Priscilla needed to do to empower Apollos
1. to Engage him (26)
They took the initiative to make a connection with him.
2. to Expose him to training
The only way it is going to happen is if the people who know how to do something will teach those who don't.

3. to Endorse him. (27)
Your spoken endorsement of someone may be just what is need to empower that person.
Other ways to endorse:
a. provide resources
b. prepare meals
c. provide housing
4. to Enlist him for ministry (28)
Apollos was put out there in ministry doing something.

What we can do right now
1. Know the gifts of the Spirit.
2. Be observant.
3. Be open to the Spirit's leading.
4. When God answers your prayer, obey Him.

"WELCOMING ALL PEOPLE"

1/23/2022

Acts 10:34-43

Peter's discovery at the home of Cornelius: God does not show favoritism.

Since he was not to think of certain foods as being unclean, he was therefore not to think of Gentiles as being unclean.
We must continue to learn that the gospel transcends all racial and cultural barriers.
Tony Evans- “Unity is not equal to sameness.”
In order to have unity, there must be oneness of purpose.
The general purpose of any church is to declare the gospel of salvation, to worship our God and Savior,
and to serve our Lord Jesus.
In order to become a church that welcomes all people, it must be willing to adjust some of its customs and traditions.
Paul had to rebuke Peter publicly to remember to accept those outside his usual circle (Galatians 2)
It can start right here in this building on any Sunday morning.

"CAPTURING THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY"

1/16/2022

Matthew 5:13-16

The idea is to take the walls off the church, to portray ourselves as an open place for the community to be a part of us.
God put a light in us when He saved us.
The mark of the Christian is the life that you lead.
How important this is in a world that claims to be enlightened!

The Church has to be a positive influence on our society, rather than just a place to be separated from it.
What others say about our church most likely depends on what you say.
We let our light shine by being a church that is not only about proper doctrine, and good teaching and effective programming, but a church that is about people.

Three uses for salt
1. seasoning
2. preserving
3. purifying
Let us be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world!

"BECOMING A CARING FAMILY"

1/9/2022

Philippians 2:1-5

The first message heard about what the Church is really all about is from the care and kindness that members of the Church demonstrate toward each other and toward the world.

The Church is identified because we share the same blood.

Paul's assumptions about the Church (1)
1. mutual encouragement from being joined together
2. special comfort in the most difficult of times
3. fellowship in the Spirit that is different and unique from other friendships
4. expressing tenderness and compassion

Further challenges
1. Be united in love and Spirit and purpose. (2)
Our purpose Freely worshiping
Reaching out
Unifying the Body of Christ
Inviting our neighborhood
Teaching believers

2. Look out for the interests of others. (3-4)
Who is going to go first?
The Church is a place of intensive care.

How to do it
We must have the attitude of Jesus. (5)
It has to start with listening.

No one is insignificant!

"WITH VISION COMES VIGOR"

1/2/2022

Deuteronomy 34:1-9

“Moses' eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.” (vs. 7)
Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Prov. 29:18)

God took Moses to the mountain so that Moses could keep his vision and place his hope in the promises
of God.
Grieving losses is a part of the healing process.
In Jesus, with every ending, there is a new beginning.

Areas where vision can be turned into vigor
1. Relationships
a. to God
b. to family
c. to your church family
2. Your job
3. Other secular involvements
Jesus is the reason for living and the source of power for abundant living.