Last week: KEYSTO A FRUITFUL LIFE Mark 4:1-20 Mark 4:8-9 (NIV) 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times. 9 Then Jesus said, Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. Part 1: Willing To Die For Jesus & The Filling Of The Holy Spirit Turning Point Church 9/11/2016 Today, of the approximately 350,000 churches in America, four out of five are either plateaued or declining Many churches begin a plateau or slow decline about their 15 th to 18 th year. 80 85% of the churches in America are on the downside of this cycle. Of the 15% that are growing, 14% are growing from transfer, rather than conversion growth. Win Arn In the average year, half of all existing churches will not add one new member through conversion growth. Ron Sylvia Churches over 15 years of age win an average of only 3 people to Christ per year for every 100 church members. Brian McNichol Each year 3,500 to 4,000 churches close their doors forever; yet only 1,100 to 1,500 new churches are started. Win Arn 1
INTRO: EXAMINING OUR COMMITMENT Philippians 2:19-21 (NIV) Kim Rhode 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. "A great commitment to the great commandment and the Great Commission will create a great church." 1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERS - NONE 2
1 Corinthians 1:26-30 (NIV) 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 (NIV) 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. John 6:44 (NIV) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:65 (NIV) He went on to say, This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them. Acts 4:13 (NIV) When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sin. I want to give you control of my life. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Help me to know you better and to learn from the Bible how I can live a life that pleases you and helps others. Amen. 3
2. MAIN RESPONSIBILITY OF MEMBERS DIE TO SELF Luke 9:23-25 (NIV) 23 Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV) 14 For Christ s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Christianity must mean everything to us before it can mean anything to others. Donald Soper Philippians 1:20-21 (NIV) 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV) 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 4
James Calvert Missionary to Fiji You cannot go on being a good egg forever. You must either hatch or rot. C.S. Lewis Luke 18:18-25 (NIV) 18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'" Luke 18:18-25 (NIV) 21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Luke 18:18-25 (NIV) 24 Jesus looked at him and said, (Oh, please don t leave! How about selling just half?) "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 5
Mark 14:31 (NIV) But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same. Mark 14:38 (NIV) Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 3. KEY TO SUCCESS BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Acts 1:4-8 (NIV) 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-8 (NIV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 6
Acts 9:17 (NIV) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:15-18 (NIV) 15 Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV) 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV) 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. CONC: THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP GREAT REWARD 7
Luke 18:29-30 (NIV) 29 Truly I tell you, Jesus said to them, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life. Hebrews 10:32-37 (NIV) 32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, Hebrews 10:32-37 (NIV) because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. 1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERS NONE 2. MAIN RESPONSIBILITY OF MEMBERS DIE TO SELF 3. KEY TO SUCCESS - BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT CONC: THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP GREAT REWARD Follow-Through Guide Go Deeper This Week Reflect & Respond The Lord s Supper See instructions in your bulletin. Remember Me 8