“Going” Somewhere

“Going” Somewhere

Planning With Purpose

2005008

Topic # 1535 (church growth)

Introduction:

A. 2005 will be a good year for our congregation.

B. Excited about what I hear.

1. Express hunger & drive to go to work. A restlessness to do something.

2. Excited to know we’ve got some actions/events taking place that will take the gospel to the lost in a positive & uplifting way.

a) Thanks for prayers/efforts for bible forum.

C. Hunger/excitement is good. Believe it is genuine & sustainable. Heard from all segments w/in the congregation.

1. Normal to go through cycles. Ups/downs. Good times/bad times.

2. All would probably agree that congregation went through bad times during early part of decade.

a) This is the year where we must pick up our spirits, believe in God’s plan, and move on to hope & a positive spirit.

b) 2 Tim. 1:6-9

D. Look at Paul’s axioms about progress. Phil. 3:12-15

1. Paul teaches that we must forget some things in the past to be able to press on to the successes of the future.

2. Impossible to move into future while looking backwards.

3. Let’s look ahead, ponder the problems and possible solutions, and plan our work.

E. Why so confident that we in a sustainable pattern of growth?

1. Because more and more are talking about need to look ahead.

2. Hear fewer statements about the past & more statements about the future and where we’re going.

3. The extreme desire to step out in faith; take risks for God.

F. As we go through the coming months, I encourage the congregation to participate in helping carve out plans for the future.

1. A church must “go” somewhere.

2. It needs a sense of momentum.

3. It needs focus & purpose; members need to have a common vision that excites them in their work.

I. Making plans; having a vision is biblical.

A. Yet many congregations hesitate to plan.

1. They stumble around into an unknown future & find themselves ineffective & discouraged in God’s work.

2. Pro. 16:1-3 – planning is a statement or testimony of our faith.

a) Obviously, we must include God in our plans – Js. 4:13-15.

B. Paul had a plan for his life & preaching. His work in God’s kingdom.

1. Acts 26:16-17 – had been sent to preach to Gentiles.

2. Rom. 1:13 – this helped shape his plans – desired to go to Rome to preach.

3. 2 Cor. 10:13-16 – his plans explained his actions. Desire to labor in new areas. “plans” “sphere”

4. Paul had a picture of where he was going, goals to meet, all with God’s help.

C. Making plans isn’t a lack of faith – it is a statement of faith!

1. We must believe that God will bring our plans to fruition.

2. Goals/planning are absolutely vital & help build our faith!

3. Planning helps supply energy to our work!

a) Need to challenge ourselves.

b) Has the status quo ever motivated you? Mediocrity?

4. A challenge will. It is attractive. Look at what we can accomplish w/God’s help!

II. Remember…You’re on the team!

A. Member of this congregation – you’re an essential part of the team; the family at Brownsburg.

1. Don’t talk yourself into believing anything otherwise.

B. Teamwork as illustrated in scripture:

1. 1 Sam. – David’s mighty men; Numbers 13 – 12 spies

2. Lk. 10 – 70 disciples sent out 2x2.

3. Gospels – 12 apostles’ w/3 years/training w/Jesus.

C. They were all groups of individuals who were commissioned with a task, became partners with a common goal.

1. They could not/did not achieve greatness by themselves.

2. Paul/Silas; Barnabas/John Mark; Priscilla/Aquilla

III. Teamwork requires joint participation.

A. Biblically, teamwork is defined by fellowship.

1. Broad definitions: partnership; communion; contribution; joint participation; companionship; sharing; partakers. Acts 2:42

2. WE Vine: sharing in common

3. Thayer: association; community; joint participation.

a) Definition continues: the share which one has in anything.

B. What share do I have in this congregation?

1. more than being at services; drop check in plate

2. It goes deeper: what fellowship do I have in:

a) Teaching program?

b) Evangelistic outreach?

c) Being hospitable to others?

d) Being an encouragement to others?

3. Fellowship is NOT just being at church!

C. Am I a spectator or a participant?

IV. Even with the best laid plans – wrinkles will come.

A. Conflict will come. Not that we go out looking for it – but its part of life & work.

1. Must understand that cong health is not the absence of conflict.

2. Must understand that conflict is not necessarily a threat.

3. If handled right, conflict can be turned into an opportunity.

B. 1 Cor. Is a conflict resolution letter.

1. 10:31-11:1

2. Paul says…look at conflict, problems, as God sees it.

3. In every conflict, God gives us an opportunity to exalt Him.

a) He wants you to behave differently so that people will take notice & become impressed.

b) Conflict is an opportunity to grow in Christ likeness.

C. Conflict must be managed in a healthy way.

1. Satan tries to destroy churches by getting them off their message of the gospel – and get them on whatever the conflict is about.

2. He wants us to pursue our selfish ambitions.

a) Assert our rights; pursue our own desires.

3. Js. 4:1 – desires “neutral” Not necessarily bad here…but

a) Good desires can be elevated to consuming demands...giving way to conflict.

b) Sometimes w/o realizing it, we want something so much that we don’t care if we hurt others to get it.

4. This is not healthy conflict. God’s desires must be placed at forefront.

D. Unhealthy conflict has ruled in many congregations.

1. Too many divide/leave/not work out problems.

2. Allow pieces to shatter; problems grow to point where pieces can’t be put back together.

3. People of the world see this & use as excuse not to visit COC’s.

E. By being a member here; commitment to joint participation; being on the team at BBCOC…

1. When going gets tough, teammates don’t jump out of the plane.

2. We must make a commitment to work through conflict – not hop around to other congregations in county when first sign of trouble comes.

3. 1 Cor. 12:28-31 – God has ordered the church to work together.

a) We must work together for the common good. God’s desire is for individual growth & progress.

b) There has been ENOUGH division among so called believers.

1) Often focus been moved away from working together but working against one another.

2) ENOUGH is ENOUGH.

c) As we move forward – let’s not concentrate on chewing up each other but fighting with Jesus – and one another against the devil.

F. Healthy churches comprised of mature Christians learn a way of thinking, seeing, and believing that’s redemptive, so that when real conflict comes they’ll be able to handle it.

V. Let’s step out in faith.

A. Let’s “go” somewhere. Let’s get out of the boat & put God to the test.

1. He will not desert us! He will be behind our efforts as long as we work according to His plans.

2. God is not calling us to apathy, average, mediocre, or mundane service.

3. He wants us to excel in His work! Let’s not be afraid to think big or dream big!

B. God gives us tasks we “cannot” do.

1. Abraham – father at 99 – Gen. 12-20

2. Moses – forge the Hebrew people into a nation – Ex. 3

3. 12 Galileans – take gospel to work – Mk. 16:15-16

C. God is still giving out God-sized tasks!

1. Church growth can be done w/o compromise! Division!

2. Let’s open up the lines of communication between ourselves.

3. We can do so much good for God if we will put forth a concentrated effort by working together!

D. We need to believe that God can accomplish the impossible through us! How much are we willing to do? How much do we believe God?

1. Let’s act on our faith!

Conclusion:

A. God is inviting us to action. To what may seem impossible.

B. He. 11:8-10 – by faith mentioned 18 times in Heb. 11

C. Let’s have an active, get up & do obedience.

D. Have you obeyed?

E. I N V I T A T I O N



“Going” Somewhere *Planning With Purpose* 2005008 Topic # 1535 (church growth) Introduction: A. 2005 will be a good year for our congregation. B. Excited about what I hear. 1. Express hunger & drive to go to work. A restlessness to do something. 2. Excited to know we’ve got some actions/events taking place that will take the gospel to the lost in a positive & uplifting way. a) Thanks for prayers/efforts for bible forum. C. Hunger/excitement is good. Believe it is genuine & sustainable. Heard from all segments w/in the congregation. 1. Normal to go through cycles. Ups/downs. Good times/bad times. 2. All would probably agree that congregation went through bad times during early part of decade. a) This is the year where we must pick up our spirits, believe in God’s plan, and move on to hope & a positive spirit. b) 2 Tim. 1:6-9 D. Look at Paul’s axioms about progress. Phil. 3:12-15 1. Paul teaches that we must forget some things in the past to be able to press on to the successes of the future. 2. Impossible to move into future while looking backwards. 3. Let’s look ahead, ponder the problems and possible solutions, and plan our work. E. Why so confident that we in a sustainable pattern of growth? 1. Because more and more are talking about need to look ahead. 2. Hear fewer statements about the past & more statements about the future and where we’re going. 3. The extreme desire to step out in faith; take risks for God. F. As we go through the coming months, I encourage the congregation to participate in helping carve out plans for the future. 1. A church must “go” somewhere. 2. It needs a sense of momentum. 3. It needs focus & purpose; members need to have a common vision that excites them in their work. I. Making plans; having a vision is biblical. A. Yet many congregations hesitate to plan. 1. They stumble around into an unknown future & find themselves ineffective & discouraged in God’s work. 2. Pro. 16:1-3 – planning is a statement or testimony of our faith. a) Obviously, we must include God in our plans – Js. 4:13-15. B. Paul had a plan for his life & preaching. His work in God’s kingdom. 1. Acts 26:16-17 – had been sent to preach to Gentiles. 2. Rom. 1:13 – this helped shape his plans – desired to go to Rome to preach. 3. 2 Cor. 10:13-16 – his plans explained his actions. Desire to labor in new areas. “plans” “sphere” 4. Paul had a picture of where he was going, goals to meet, all with God’s help. C. Making plans isn’t a lack of faith – it is a statement of faith! 1. We must believe that God will bring our plans to fruition. 2. Goals/planning are absolutely vital & help build our faith! 3. Planning helps supply energy to our work! a) Need to challenge ourselves. b) Has the status quo ever motivated you? Mediocrity? 4. A challenge will. It is attractive. Look at what we can accomplish w/God’s help! II. Remember…You’re on the team! A. Member of this congregation – you’re an essential part of the team; the family at Brownsburg. 1. Don’t talk yourself into believing anything otherwise. B. Teamwork as illustrated in scripture: 1. 1 Sam. – David’s mighty men; Numbers 13 – 12 spies 2. Lk. 10 – 70 disciples sent out 2x2. 3. Gospels – 12 apostles’ w/3 years/training w/Jesus. C. They were all groups of individuals who were commissioned with a task, became partners with a common goal. 1. They could not/did not achieve greatness by themselves. 2. Paul/Silas; Barnabas/John Mark; Priscilla/Aquilla III. Teamwork requires joint participation. A. Biblically, teamwork is defined by fellowship. 1. Broad definitions: partnership; communion; contribution; joint participation; companionship; sharing; partakers. Acts 2:42 2. WE Vine: sharing in common 3. Thayer: association; community; joint participation. a) Definition continues: the share which one has in anything. B. What share do I have in this congregation? 1. more than being at services; drop check in plate 2. It goes deeper: what fellowship do I have in: a) Teaching program? b) Evangelistic outreach? c) Being hospitable to others? d) Being an encouragement to others? 3. Fellowship is NOT just being at church! C. Am I a spectator or a participant? IV. Even with the best laid plans – wrinkles will come. A. Conflict will come. Not that we go out looking for it – but its part of life & work. 1. Must understand that cong health is not the absence of conflict. 2. Must understand that conflict is not necessarily a threat. 3. If handled right, conflict can be turned into an opportunity. B. 1 Cor. Is a conflict resolution letter. 1. 10:31-11:1 2. Paul says…look at conflict, problems, as God sees it. 3. In every conflict, God gives us an opportunity to exalt Him. a) He wants you to behave differently so that people will take notice & become impressed. b) Conflict is an opportunity to grow in Christ likeness. C. Conflict must be managed in a healthy way. 1. Satan tries to destroy churches by getting them off their message of the gospel – and get them on whatever the conflict is about. 2. He wants us to pursue our selfish ambitions. a) Assert our rights; pursue our own desires. 3. Js. 4:1 – desires “neutral” Not necessarily bad here…but a) Good desires can be elevated to consuming demands...giving way to conflict. b) Sometimes w/o realizing it, we want something so much that we don’t care if we hurt others to get it. 4. This is not healthy conflict. God’s desires must be placed at forefront. D. Unhealthy conflict has ruled in many congregations. 1. Too many divide/leave/not work out problems. 2. Allow pieces to shatter; problems grow to point where pieces can’t be put back together. 3. People of the world see this & use as excuse not to visit COC’s. E. By being a member here; commitment to joint participation; being on the team at BBCOC… 1. When going gets tough, teammates don’t jump out of the plane. 2. We must make a commitment to work through conflict – not hop around to other congregations in county when first sign of trouble comes. 3. 1 Cor. 12:28-31 – God has ordered the church to work together. a) We must work together for the common good. God’s desire is for individual growth & progress. b) There has been ENOUGH division among so called believers. 1) Often focus been moved away from working together but working against one another. 2) ENOUGH is ENOUGH. c) As we move forward – let’s not concentrate on chewing up each other but fighting with Jesus – and one another against the devil. F. Healthy churches comprised of mature Christians learn a way of thinking, seeing, and believing that’s redemptive, so that when real conflict comes they’ll be able to handle it. V. Let’s step out in faith. A. Let’s “go” somewhere. Let’s get out of the boat & put God to the test. 1. He will not desert us! He will be behind our efforts as long as we work according to His plans. 2. God is not calling us to apathy, average, mediocre, or mundane service. 3. He wants us to excel in His work! Let’s not be afraid to think big or dream big! B. God gives us tasks we “cannot” do. 1. Abraham – father at 99 – Gen. 12-20 2. Moses – forge the Hebrew people into a nation – Ex. 3 3. 12 Galileans – take gospel to work – Mk. 16:15-16 C. God is still giving out God-sized tasks! 1. Church growth can be done w/o compromise! Division! 2. Let’s open up the lines of communication between ourselves. 3. We can do so much good for God if we will put forth a concentrated effort by working together! D. We need to believe that God can accomplish the impossible through us! How much are we willing to do? How much do we believe God? 1. Let’s act on our faith! Conclusion: A. God is inviting us to action. To what may seem impossible. B. He. 11:8-10 – by faith mentioned 18 times in Heb. 11 C. Let’s have an active, get up & do obedience. D. Have you obeyed? E. I N V I T A T I O N