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.”

August 22 2010 Practicing God's Kindness Under Pressure

PRACTICING GOD’S KINDNESS UNDER PRESSURE

I Peter 1: 22 – 2:10
I Peter 2:10 – Once you knew very little about God’s
kindness, now your very lives have been changed by it.
LB

Facts about God’s Kindness


1. God’s kindness must be personalized
(Eph. 2:8 – Because of His kindness you have been saved through His kindness.)
(Romans 12:1 – Dear brothers I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, offer yourselves as living sacrifices to God.)
• The Good Samaritan

2. God’s kindness develops the love principle
(I Peter 1:22 – Now you can have real love for everyone because your should have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred, so see to it that you really love each other warmly with all your heart.)
(I Peter 2:1-3 – Get rid of the feeling of hatred. Don’t just pretend to be good, be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs, put away evil, deception, envy and fraud. Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation.)

3. God’s kindness will persevere
( I Peter 2:6 – See I am sending Christ to be the carefully chosen corner stone, and I will never disappoint those who trust in Him. David said – He is my Rock and my fortress my God in Him I take refuge and He only is my salvation. He’s my stronghold and on that Rock I’ll not be greatly shaken.)
(Psalm 62 – When my heart is faint, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, for You have been my refuge.)
(Isaiah – Trust in the Lord forever for in the Lord we have an everlasting Rock.)

4. God’s kindness must be put into practice
•Find someone to forgive
(Eph 4:32 – Be kind to each other forgiving one
another.)
•Be understanding
(Eph. 4:32 – Be tenderhearted.)
•Supply someone's needs
(Matthew 25:35 – For I was hungry and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.)
•Be a peacemaker
(Eph. 4:3 – Try always to be at peace with one another.)
(Gal. 6:2 – Share each other’s troubles and problems.)