The 7th saying of Jesus Christ from the cross was "It is finished". I can imagine the relief He felt after ending a week long of terrible treatment. Yesterday, after service, I declared my sermon series on the 5 Functions of the church (worship, ministry, evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship) has "It is finished". I started this sermon series in Jan. 2008. It should have been a 5 week sermon series that turned out be a 9 month sermon series but I was determined to complete it no matter how long it took.
I believe adopting these essential functions of the church developes a balanced ministry. This sermon series will a part of our new members orientation class that I'm formulating now to start in 2009 and my prayer is to take these sermons and publish as a book (longshot).
I formulated "Our Ministry Practice" in the acronym of F-I-R-S-T Essentials
F= Forget about ourselves and lend a helping hand
Text: Philippians 2:3-4
Our Commitment to Ministry
Thesis: Ministry is a shared life for benefit of someone else.
I. The Motive of Ministry - v. 3a
Point: A shared life is an unselfish life
II. The Manner of Ministry - v. 3b
Point: A shared life is a humble life
III. The Mission of Ministry - v. 4
Point: A shared life is a self-sacrificing life.
I = Involve Ourselves in the Lives of Others
Hebrews 10:19-25
Our Commitment to Fellowship
Thesis: Genuine fellowship draws us closer to God and to one another
I. The Motivation of Our Fellowship - v. 19-21
Point: In fellowship we can approach God together.
II. The Ministry of Our Fellowship - v. 22-24
Point: In fellowship we help each other draw closer to God
III. The Meeting of Fellowship - v. 25
Point: In fellowship we worship together
R=Rejoice in the Lord always and in all things
Psalms 34
Our Commitment to Worship
Thesis: Worship is more than an act to be performed its a daily commitment.
I. Committed Worship is PERSONAL Worship - v. 1-3
Point: Your worship means nothing to God it does not mean everything to you.
II. Committed Worship is Pursued Worship - v. 4-14
Point: Pursue worship as a way of life not just act in church
III. Committed Worship is Presentable Worship - v. 15-18
Point: God is watching your worship life.
IV. Committed Worship is Persevering Worship - v. 19-22
Point: Don't stop worshipping because times are hard.
S=Share the good news with others
1 Peter 3:15
Our Commitment to Evangelism
Thesis: No matter the trial or tribulation, we must stand up for Christ and be a witness.
I. The Measure of our witness - v. 15a
Point: The effectiveness of our witness will be based on the life we live. In witnessing, your life matters. Exhortation, protect you witness
II. The Message of our witness - v. 15b
Point: The effectiveness of our witness will be based on the message that share. Exhortation, get the message right!
III. The Manner of our witness - v. 15c
Point: The effectiveness of our witness is on the attitude we display in evangelism
T = Teach others to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ
Philippians 3:12-16
Our Commitment to Discipleship
Thesis: Discipleship will mean nothing to others if it does not mean everything to you. Discipleship starts with you!
I. Discipleship is Personal - v. 12
Point: Discipleship doesn't just happen its an intentional personal pursuit.
II. Discipleship is a Process - v. 13a
Point: Spiritual maturity starts with knowledge that leads to change. Take one step at a time.
II. Discipleship is Purposeful - v. 13b-14
Point: Finish what you started!
III. Discipleship is about People - v. 15
Point: Effective discipleship is relationship building
IV. Discipleship is Possible - v. 16
Point: Christian discipleship is possible to achieve but stay the course.
I pray God will have us to be a healthy well-balanced ministry that meets needs of the total person through "Our Pratice".
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Today, contractors are starting to demolish our sanctuary. Yesterday felt so weird because everything had been moved (except for the pews) and it looked like an empty building. The word must getting out about our renovation because in the past two weeks some of the older members have come by to visit our church and have been able to hear what we're doing. One of members was a musician who came back when first started pastoring FGMBC but left to travel with his group. Others in attendance don't go anywhere. So, strategically, I make mention of our renovation plans as a sign of progress and change.
After service, we selected paint colors to coordinate with our chair fabric. I handed out assignments to some of the members and we still had a few things to move out of the building to make ready for contractors. I didn't get home until almost 3 pm. Long day.
What was a dream has now turned into reality.
This coming Sunday, we're worshipping with my home church Mt Sinai as they celebrated their church anniversary and this will be the last Sunday for Pastor Charles and family at the church. So, we're going to stay the whole day. I don't want to do anything just worship with them.
Until we post again, may God bless you and keep you is our prayer.
Clinton, I praise God for your steadfastness in completing your series. Many of our brethren start a series but they get bored or distracted, and they give up the series before completion, but you have shown that if we persevere God will bless our faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteI trust that you will indeed have an outstanding worship with Mt. Sinai.
Lance
Thank God for those Words. "It is Finished". You have done what the Lord had assigned. God bless you for your persistence and faithfulness. I am also reminded to be thankful for Jesus' persistence as well and what it meant to me when he spoke those words.
ReplyDeleteGlory to God!
Smith,
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous series of sermons aimed at expanding God's kingdom on earth. Enjoy your Sunday with your home church. Wish I could be there! Tell HB our thoughts and prayers are with him as they are with you.