The externally focused church, part 3
Intro…VIDEO of laughing baby...Arielle and Chrystal…Vinnie, Savannah… we all know how they need to grow...
• But with children and adults, growing spiritually (or spiritual formation) is a different matter.
• “Good bible teaching alone is not sufficient for spiritual maturity.” (A true, and freeing statement for me…)
Text: Eph. 2:8-10 Prayer
It’s cute seeing a mom breastfeed her baby, but gets a little creepy/weird when the kid is 4, 5, 6.
• Matt. 4:4, “Man does not live on bread alone…
• Heb. 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
My hope in this series on service is that we will all mature in our faith
through serving others, as well as time in the word etc.
• Unfortunately, most people don’t get too excited about spiritual disciplines.
• Getting people involved in service is much easier than activities specifically designed to deepen their faith, so that is a good starting point.
• Often when someone is first involved in service, they’ll come back with questions like, “Can you teach me how to pray, understand the bible, share my faith.
• Why? Because they now see a practical need for knowing all that stuff. They want to be equipped next time they go out to serve to do more than just “random acts of kindness.”
• Really, there is no reason a person brand new to our church, yet still interested in checking out “the whole God-thing” can’t serve side by side with us in the community from day one.
• “Discipleship is not what happens inside the four walls of the church. The biggest factor in a church’s retaining people is not personal follow up or joining a small group; it is being involved from the very beginning in service to others in the community.” Erwin McMannus
Let’s put some practical legs on this concept:
1. Rediscover what the bible says about good works and good deeds.
• In preaching a series on service to others, you have to be careful not to preach a social gospel…
• Our verses today make two good distinctions: We are not saved by our works, and we are created in Christ to do good works.
• Gotta have that balance.
• All three verses are important, not just v. 8-9
What’s the difference between bodybuilding and weight training for athletes? The bodybuilders are really just posers….the athletes are putting those muscles to good use….
• Same thing with only coming to church, bible studies, small groups, seminary etc. etc. You’ll end up a poser. Put all the training to practical, good use!
2. Broaden the definition of ministry.
• Typically the mindset is “Oh, that’s something the paid professionals do.” Guess what, I’ll never be as effective in the lives of your friends as you will!
• What I’m asking us to do this morning is to redefine ministry. We usually define it too narrowly. Let’s try this: “ Ministry is meeting another persons needs with the resources God has given to you.”
• “As a church we are not doing our people any favors by letting them just attend church every week, living with the illusion that they are growing. They may be learning, but they are not growing.” Eric Swanson
3. “Ministry to others” should be a given in the core beliefs of our church.
• Let’s set the bar high and determine that every person in our church will serve others in some capacity.
• Here’s the goal. On any given Sunday we should be able to randomly ask people to share great stories of how they served someone this week.
• What a joy to be able to see lives changes, ours mostly!
• (Homework assignment)….Any examples today?
Conclusion:
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas...happy ending because, in the end, his heart “grew three sizes that day.”
• Jesus will enlarge our hearts if we let him.
No comments:
Post a Comment