June 26 2016 Receiving Help For Our Problems

RECEIVING HELP FOR OUR PROBLEMS

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Verse 1 – After this, the Moabites, and the Ammonites, with some of the Meunites, came to make war on Jehoshaphat.

Seven Ways to Handle Your Problem

STEP ONE Identify the problem.

Verse 2-  “Some men came to Jehoshaphat and said, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom.”

Verse 3 – He was alarmed.

STEP TWO Take your problems to the Lord.

Verse 3-4 -  “Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord. He proclaimed a fast and had all the people come together to seek help from the Lord.

• Remind yourself who God is. (vs. 6)

Are you not......?

• Remind yourself what God has done. (vs. 7)

Did you not......?

• Now ask God to do it. (vs. 12)

Will you not....?

STEP THREE Admit your inadequacy.

Verse 12 – We have no power to face this vast army.

Zechariah 4:6 – It's not y might, nor by power, but by (God's) Spirit.

STEP FOUR Learn to rely on God’s resources.

Verse 12 – But our eyes are upon you.
    
STEP FIVE You must relax in faith.

Verse 15 – Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Colossians 2:6– As you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him.

1 Corinthians 15:57 – Thanks be to God He gives us the victory.

2 Chronicles 20:17 – You will not have to fight this battle. Take your positions and stand firm.

HOW TO STAND FIRM

• Stand on God’s character.
• Stand on God’s truth.

STEP SIX Get some support.

Verse 13 – All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones stood before the Lord.

STEP SEVEN Thank God in advance.

Verse 21 – Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him as they went out at the head of the army.

THE RESULTS

Verse 22 God gave the victory.

Verses 25-26 They lived in the valley of blessing.

Verses 29-30 It was a great testimony.

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.”