The following message was preached November 3, 2013 @ Good Shepherd  Church in Lancaster, Ohio with our good friend Pastor James Dexter.

 

Two types of people in the world …

In God’s eyes they are NOT:

·        Rich or poor

·        Male or female

·        Young or old

·        Democrat or republican

·        Black or white

·        Fat or thin

·        Good looking or ugly

·        Smart or stupid

·        Not even Michigan or Ohio (whatever that school is around here) fans

They are found in Acts 8: 26 – 39

Introduction:

God has begun to move the Christian community from their comfort zone, the persecution of the church had already begun. Men and women of God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit began to move throughout the known world, sharing their faith. One such encounter was:

The story of the Ethiopian and a Deacon named … Philip!

        I.            Those that need a relationship with Christ

·  Some don’t know they need a relationship

·  Some are searching for something, but not sure what yet.

·  Some know they need to know Him (Christ), but not ready!

·  Some are actively seeking HIM (Christ)

 

a.      This eunuch needed a personal relationship with Christ.

 

b.      He was searching for a relationship with Christ

 

c.      He was asking questions about a relationship with Christ

 

     II.            Those that need to share their relationship with Christ

a.      Philip had a Personal relationship with Christ.

·  He has walked with him

·  He has talked with him in prayer

·  He has been empowered with the Holy Spirit.

·  He has been called to serve HIM

·  He has heard his still small voice

·  He has been challenged go minister to him (the eunuch)

 

b.      God directed him to share what he knew about Christ

·  He shared the facts:

o   Jesus died on the cross for our sins (Calvary)

o   Jesus conquered death, and defeated the devil (Resurrection)

o   Jesus alone is victorious in providing for our Salvation!

c.      God used him to bring the eunuch to faith in Christ.

·  He meet Jesus that day on the side of the road

·  He prayed a simple pray

·  He believed in his heart

·  He confessed him Lord

·  He went to tell others.

      III.            However, there ANOTHER PERSON INVOLVED in this conversation:

a.      That is correct … THE CHRIST HIMSELF!!!!

·  The very word (logos) … John 1:1

·  The Light of the World

·  The Bread of life

·  The Living water

·  The Central theme of Scripture!

·  The Love letter that was willing to die for us

·  The Foundation of our Salvation

·   The Very fact for why we have enteral life.

 The question today is simple …

·       Do you need to know HIM (have a personal relationship with Christ)?

·       Or if you already know HIM who are sharing HIM with so they will have a personal relationship?

I can see the church today in this passage!

Introduction:

I was recently reading the story of David and Goliath, you know the story we all read about in Sunday school, Children’s Church, and did all the coloring pages on as kids. As I read this story for the, I don’t know 100^th time, something new jumped out me. I was amazed at the comparison of how this story reminded me of the church today.

Read the story in I Samuel 17

1)      The father of David (Jesse) reminds me of our Heavenly father, as he sent his son to provide for the needs of his children. (David brought food for his brothers that were fighting in Saul’s army.)

 

2)      The brothers remind me of the family members in my life that have told me I can’t accomplish the task/goal or ministry that God has laid on my heart.

 

3)      Saul reminds me of the church leadership (pastors, elders, deacons, and etc) that have lost the vision to see beyond the four walls, or the current situation and have already become defeated with fear.

 

4)      Goliath reminds me of Satan and the obstacles that he puts before me and how I become so stuck on what he is doing, that I miss the opportunity to see God move in my life.

 

5)      The forty days reminds me of how the opportunities for ministry continue to present themselves to the church and individuals. As Christian’s we often miss the opportunity to take on the challenge and have to watch it manifest itself into a worse situation.

 

6)      David reminds me of the church member that is so Sold-Out for Christ that he is out to win every battle (challenge) that comes along though prayer, action, and the pure fire power of God. They are often criticized for their actions as being too aggressive and bold!

 

7)      The victory over Goliath and the Philistine army reminds me of the Victory that the folks within the church experience by doing God’s will and not their own.

Why or why do I need church?

Why oh why do I need church?

Hebrews 10:25 

Introduction: With our ever increasing workloads, kid’s schedule, and desire to just to be able to relax and chill, there appears to be a rush to drop things from the schedule that seem to be unimportant.  What I have often seen as the first to go is Church, and sadly it is the most important activity of the week. 

        I.            Why attend a Good Bible Believing Church?

A.      Fellowship: Hanging out and spending time with people that believe what you do

B.      Learning: Spending time studying what is in the Bible, and not just what mommy told you

C.      Worship: Giving God the praise for what he has already done for you

D.      Acknowledge HIM: Sharing with God your love for HIM

E.       Tithe: Giving so that we can show God our love, yet at the same time see HIM extend his blessing to us and around the world

      II.            Where do we need to attend?

A.      A church teaching the scripture as the Word of God.

B.      A church teaching the Gospel (Good News) of Christ.

C.      A church that believes in the Power of prayer.

D.      A church that takes us into a place of praise/worship of our awesome God.

E.       A church that brings me conviction about my sin, and encourages me to do right, not simply a feel good church.

    III.            How can we make attending church a Great Experience?

A.      Come with the expectation that God is going to bless me especially today.

B.      Come with an open heart to receive something from the teaching/preaching of God’s word.

C.      Talk and communicate with people (don’t just slide in, sit, and run)

D.      Pray with folks about your needs and there’s, listen for the praise report to see what God is doing.

It is time for Christians to come back HOME (to the church), it is time for Pastors to make church an experience people want to be a part of, and it is time for me to declare my faith in Christ without compromise

The Awesome Challenge ...

The Awesome Challenge …

Matthew 28: 18-20 …. Mark 16: 15 …. Luke 24: 46-49 …. Acts 1:8

Introduction:

Over the decades and centuries we have referred to these verses as the Great Commission, and I agree it is the focal point of the church to witness and share our faith. However, in today’s multi-dimensional world, it would be better to talk about Challenging people to minister to their family and friends. Just a thought

I. The challenge given by Christ to reach the world is Multi-dimensional!
    A . Multi-cultural
        i. Various Race in your community
    B. Multi-generational
        i. Various age groups in your community
    C. Multi-economical
         i. Various income levels
    D. Multi-spiritual (background and experiences)
        i. Various up bringings such as Catholics, Pentecostal, Jehovah Witness, and etc.

• I have heard people state “ if we bring them to church, they will teach us false doctrine” … whose church is this, it is your job to teach them the truth.

II. The challenge given by Christ to teach the believers is Multi-Purpose
    A. Teach them the Doctrine (beliefs)
        i. Fundamentals of the faith
           • The Book is the word of God
           • The Blood was shed for me and you
           • The Body of Christ came out of the grave (Resurrection)
           • The Blessed Hope of knowing that he is going to come again and be the judge of the sinner and saints.

   B. Teach them at their age level
   C. Teach them that they can share it with others.
        i. So they understand it and can tell others.

III. The challenge given by Christ to serve him has Multi-influencers
     A. God the Father
     B. Got the Son
     C. God the Holy Spirit
     D. The Pastor of this church
     E. The people that you attend church with.

Tag DADDY your're it ...

Tag DADDY you’re it …

Proverbs 22:6

Introduction: When my children were little they loved to play TAG, and 20 years ago we would chase each other all over the yard.  One day I realized that God had walked up to me, and said Tag You’re it … to be the Man of God and Father that I have called you to be for these kids!

Examples of some Fathers in Scripture:

   ·  Examples of some Fathers in Scripture:


Abram at 100 years took on the role of father with Isaac, and even with his Son Ishmael (with one he was very successful, with the other a total failure) … He allowed someone (his wife) to influence his role in Ishmael’s life.

David (called a man after God’s own heart) … It is important to note here:
       *   David had at least 7 wives, and 19 sons, and 1 daughter (with a good possibility that he had even more children due to not recording the children of concubines).
       *  All of his Sons followed in his footsteps and behavior (adultery, murder, and lying) except one, Solomon, and he even had his problems.

Joseph is a man that I admire (very little is said of him in scripture) … However, this is the Man that GOD THE FATHER trusted with the welfare of his son in the formative years. He provided shelter, food, and the foundation of scripture …

God has said to these men and us “Tag You’re it”:

I.     Teach them to be a Godly a man or women:
        1)   Teach them how to act.
        2)   Teach them how to treat others (especially important when it comes to son’s treating their wives … they will use your example)
        3)   Teach them how to live right before God


II    Teach them to read and understand the scripture (Deuteronomy 6: 6 & 7)
       1)Show them your daily devotion time
       2) Share with them what God is teaching you from scripture
       3)Seek to spend time with them in scripture (explain it) … Dad have you set aside a time to read the scripture with your children?
             *it is mom’s role to help you; it is your role to teach them.

III.   Teach them to pray
        1)   Show them by example
        2)   Share with them by praying with them & for them
        3)  Share the answers (Good or Not)


IV.   Share with them how to know Christ as their Savior:

         1)   This is the greatest challenge …. Teach them to know Christ
         2)    Understanding that our children will stand at the Great White Throne, just like us … have you prepared them for the “Court of NO Appeals” …

Your children’s & grandchildren’s future depend on you …..Have you taken the challenge when God walked and said “TAG YOUR IT” to be the father you should be.

It not too late but you need to start today!