January 31 2016 Let's Get Going

LET’S GET GOING

Matthew 28:16-20

Five observations about ministry:

1. They needed to let God in before going.

Acts 1:4-14 – Ver. 5 – In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

2. Their ministry was beyond their abilities.

Zechariah 4:6-9

How we live beyond our means:
(a) Great works are always done by God’s Spirit.
(b) Through us.
(c) To glorify God.

3.  Ministry strengthened by unity and commitment.

Acts 2:42-47

Coming together is the beginning of Ministry.

Learning together is the progress of Ministry.

Ministering together is true success.

4. Their Ministry was not problem free.

Problems:

• They had chosen the wrong leader. Acts 1:23-26
• Accused of drunkenness. Acts 2:13-15
• Some credited the miracles to leaders. Acts 3:11-12
• Some hated the Gospel. Acts 4:1-4
• Some in the Church were deceitful. Acts 5:1-5
• Some were jealous of the Church’s success. Acts 5:17
• Some people felt neglected. Acts 6:1

5.Their Ministries expanded until others were needed.

LAY MINISTRY COMMISSION

Congregation unison:
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4)

Pastor Galen:

Realizing our responsibility to equip you for the ministry, I, as pastor of Great Plains Community Church commit myself to this task by standing:
    Before you as a Model of Ministry;
    Among you as a Teacher of Ministry;
    Behind you on Encouragement in Ministry.

Congregation unison:
Understanding our responsibility to use our gifts for the glory of God, we commit ourselves to this task by standing:
    Before God in consecration of these gifts;
    Among each other in the using of these gifts;
    Behind our Pastor in his oversight of these gifts.

Congregation unison:
Together Pastor and People, we commit ourselves to Great Plains Community Church proclaiming the Word of God and we purpose to make Disciples of Christ by:
    Exalting God
    Encouraging Christians
    Equipping Christians for Ministry
    Evangelizing the World for Christ

I Thessalonians 5:24 - “Faithful is He who calls you, He also will bring it to pass.”

April 26 2014 When Life Doesn't Meet Your Expectations

WHEN LIFE DOESN’T MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-3 - One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the Word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.  He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore.  Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Luke 5:4-5 – When he had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Now put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.’

WHAT TO DO IN A DISCOURAGING SITUATION

1. Give Jesus complete access to your life.

Luke 5:3 – Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore.  Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.

2. Admit that my efforts aren’t working.

Luke 5:4-5a – When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Now put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’  Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.’

3. Obey whatever Jesus tells us to do.

Luke 5:5 – Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. BUT BECAUSE YOU SAY SO, I will let down the nets.

WHEN: “Now launch out”

WHAT: “Let down your nets”

WHERE: “Into deep water”

4. I expect Jesus to turn things around.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 – The One who calls you is completely dependable.  If He said it, He’ll do it!

Luke 5:6-7 – When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break!  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink!

PETER’S REACTION

Luke 5:8-9 –When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’  For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

THE REAL LESSON

Luke 5:10-11 – Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.’  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Him.

September 29 2013 Live Your Calling

THE CALL IS FOR YOU
 

Live Your Calling: What On Earth Am I Here For? – Part 1

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED according to His PURPOSE.” Rom. 8:28 (NIV) 

“My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God CALLED YOU. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people!” Eph. 1:18-19 (CEV) 

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY LIFE’S CALLING

1. MY CALLING IS A GIFT FROM GOD

“God, by his grace through Christ, has called you to become his people.” Galatians 1:6 (NCV) 

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) 

2. I AM CALLED FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

“Before the two boys were born, God told Rebekah, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this so that the one chosen would be chosen because of God's own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything he did.” Romans 9:11 (NCV)

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) 

3. GOD CHOSE MY CALLING BEFORE I WAS BORN

“It pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!” Galatians 1:15 (NLT) 

“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.” Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born!” Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)

4. MY CALLING IS CONNECTED TO OTHERS
 
“We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future hope.” Ephesians 4:4 (NLT) 

“Brothers and sisters, you are holy partners in a heavenly calling.” Hebrews 3:1 (GW) 

5. GOD EMPOWERS WHAT HE CALLS ME TO DO

“I now urge you to live the life to which God called you.” Ephesians 4:1 (NCV) 

“That is why we always pray for you, asking our God to help you live the kind of life he called you to live. We pray that with his power God will help you do the good things you want and perform the works that come from your faith.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NCV) 

“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV) 

6. THERE IS A PRIZE FOR LIVING OUT MY CALLING

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 (NIV) 

“Live the kind of life that pleases God, who calls you to share in his own Kingdom and glory.”  1 Thessalonians 2:12 (TEV)