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.”

November 27 2011 A Wonderful Counselor For Life's Decisions

A Wonderful Counselor For Life's Decisions

Isa 9:6 - A child shall be born and His name shall be called wonderful Counselor.

Why we need guidance:

° We have a selfish nature.
Jeremiah 10:23 – O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?

° Our minds are limited.
Isa. 55:8 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Rom. 12:2 – But be ye transformed by the renewing or your mind.

° The Pressures surround us in our world.
Psalm 1:1 - Blesses is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.
Rom. 12:2 – Be not conformed to this world.
James 1:5 – If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God, that giveth to all men liberally.

I. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His perception.
John 1:1 – The Word was God. 
Gen. 1:27 – So God created man in His Own image.
Gen 3:15 – He (Christ) will crush your (satan) head.
Rev. 13:8 – The Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then approach the Throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

II. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His personal attachment.
John 15:13 – Greater love has no man that this, that a man lay down his life for another.

III. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His power.
Matt. 28:16 – All power in heaven and earth has been given to Me.
I Cor. 2:4 – My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power.

IV. He is a wonderful Counselor for He waits for permission.
Gal. 2:20 – Christ lives in me.
Isa. 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born and He will be called wonderful, Counselor.