Eagle Ridge Church of God Sermons

A New Fruitful Season

Week 4: What does that look like here?

A new fruitful season at Eagle Ridge means…

1. Remembering who we are called to be.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NLT

2. Using the right score card.

• We notice movement (Bridge Diagram)

John 6:44-45 NLT

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT

• We see awakening and revival. Acts 13:1-8 NLT

• We count sending not hoarding.

3. Trust and a willingness to change. Acts 16:6-15 NLT

4. We must have vision for what could be.

Stepping into a new fruitful season:

Be willing to be a pioneer.

• Change means I must give up _________ with which I am comfortable.
• Change means I must adjust my calendar, commitments or finances.
• Change means I must get off the bench and begin serving.

Luke 9:23-25

A New Season

Week 3: What a Fruitful Season Looks Like

Suffering leads to Renewal; Renewal leads to Fruitfulness.

Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 NLT

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

1 Peter 4:8-10 NLT

Stepping into a New Season

1. Has God been nudging you to step out of your comfort zone and into something new?

2. What gifts, talents, and abilities has God given you that can be used to bless others and serve them?

3. Do you have a story to share? E-mail it to Matt go to or www.erchog.org and click “Share Your Story”

A New Season

Week 2: Kingdom Math

The math of attraction and collection.

Kingdom Math makes addition and multiplication non-negotiable!

Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

• Addition: One reaching one is discipleship.

Evangelism or discipleship.

A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus and committed to Jesus’ mission. 

2 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT

1st Generation: Paul the writer

2nd Generation: Timothy his “dear son” and “reliable witnesses”

3rd Generation: “other trustworthy people”

4th Generation: “others”

Acts 1:8-11 NLT

Multiplication: Becoming a sending church.

Genesis 1:27-28 , 9:1 & 7 , 22:16-18 NLT

 Acts 8:1 & 4-5 , 11:19 NLT

Stepping Into a New Season:

1.    Start by getting into a relational environment.

2.    Find someone to disciple you.

3.    Trust God when He says, “It’s in you.”

A New Season

Week. 1: The Natural Pattern

Suffering works when The Kingdom of God is the focus.

Matthew 6:32-34 NLT

Only then can suffering lead to renewal, being made new.

Job 14:13-15 NIV

Renewal can lead to a new fruitful season

· Suffering-> Renewal -> Fruitfulness

Matthew 7:16-18 NLT

Luke 8:4-14 NLT

How do we become 4th soil people that become good trees?

• Hear God’s Word

• Remain deeply connected to Jesus and hold on

• Recognize the season and patiently wait for what is possible

Stepping into a New Season!

Ask these 2 questions:

1. What do I need to do to prepare for a new productive season?
2. Is there a personal sacrifice or something I need to release that will prepare my soil?

Are We Home Yet?

Week 3: Are We Really Home?

We are drawn toward Christ-Centered Community.

Jesus is Home.

Revelation 3:20 NLT

1 Corinthians 12:26 NLT

1. Have I invited Jesus into my life?

• Have allowed myself to join others in Christ-centered community?

2. Am I serving as the hands and feet of Jesus for my community?

3. Who isn’t hearing this message and needs to be part of this community?

Take the “Time to Come Home” Challenge

Are You Home Yet?

Week 2: Is it Time to Come Home?

1: Jesus is home!

2: The church is Jesus’ body; therefore, it is home.

I must become aware of a lack of relational connection.

• Join a Bridge Groups

Wandering

John 16:32-33 NLT

Mark 4:10-12 NLT

Misplaced

Romans 12:4-5 NLT

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 NLT

Matthew 18:12-13 NLT

Lost

Luke 19:9-10; 9:24-26 NLT

Matthew 9:35-37

Accept the Time to come home challenge.

Are You Home Yet?

Week 1: What Makes Church Home?

Jesus is home.

Revelations 3:20-21 NLT

Luke 15:13-24 NLT

The church is Jesus’ body; therefore, it is home.

Colossians 1:17-18 NLT

Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 & 26-27 NLT

At home you belong, you are secure, and you are loved.

Am I really home?

Steps of Obedience:

1. What step do I need to take to reestablish Jesus and His Church as my home?

2. Who do I need to guide back to their home?

“Time to Come Home” Challenge

Notice these things:

• Who has been a part of Eagle Ridge but has drifted away, not attending another church?

• Who has been a part of another church who drifted away and is not connected anywhere?

• Are there “persons of peace” who are not yet followers of Jesus, but are drawn to me and open to Jesus’ message?

Act on what you see:

1. Make a list of the people who fit these categories.

2. Pray asking God to speak to them and open their hearts.

3. Begin to contact these people inviting them to Sunday morning worship or your bridge group. As you are led by The Holy Spirit you might want to pose this question, “Is it time for you to come home?” A perfect time is Sunday September 13 at our Church Family Reunion Picnic!

Update UgandaUnited for Uganda (U4U) was at first a dream. The group was formed loosely at first. We began monthly zoom meetingsto encourage the missionaries and talk about the next trip each of us would be making and how we could support eachother. Early in 2023, we became a formal organization, acquiring our tax exempt 501 c3 status with the United StatesGovernment as a recognized nonprofit organization.

The Power of UnityWe remain convinced that God has called us to serve in Uganda, East Africa. He has led us this far and He will continueleading as we put our trust in Him. This is the power that comes from unity: united with Christ and each other! We are acommunity of North American Churches and individual Christ-followers looking to invest in the Church of God, East Africa(Uganda) — a community open for others to enter.

Four Pillars:-Tim & Colleen Stevenson - Church of God missionaries to Uganda with 40+ years of Kingdom-building service in EastAfrica.-Core Discipleship - We were given the copyright from Leadership Focus (Church of God credentialling cohortprogram) to adapt their curriculum to fit the needs and abilities for the leaders in Uganda. For two years, students receivelectures on the sixteen statements they are to write their doctrinal statements on to complete the course and graduate fromthe training.-Vocational Sponsorship - Equipping people to support themselves and their families by training in tailoring,leathermaking, hairdressing, catering, baking and newly added, small engine repair.-T.A.P.P. The Tumaini AIDS Prevention Program (The Swahili word, "Tumaini," means "hope”.)Giving hope and dignity to lives affected by HIV / AIDS.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations.” Matthew 28:19 NLT

Unite with Us as we put this scripture into action in Uganda.

Action Plan1. Pray• Pray for our missionaries, Tim and Colleen Stevenson, as they are on the front line doing what God hascalled them to do.• Pray for the maturity of the developing churches and leaders in Uganda.• Visit our website www.united4uganda.org, and get involved.2. Unite with us• Support a vocational student. Application forms are in the Lobby.• Support the TAPP ministry through the items in the Lobby.• Come with us in 2028! Applications available in the Lobby.

Route 66: Summer Road Trip

Week 10: Coming to the End of the Road, or is it?

Acts 1:8, Acts 28:17-31 NLT

What kept him going?

• Complete trust in the sovereignty of God

Acts 4:27-30

We know that God is marching on with his agenda, even through what humans consider tragedies, and we may join in the stream of God's sovereignty by being active in his agenda. To one who lives under sovereignty, success is obedience to God that is, even though Paul was bound to a chain in Rome, he was a success.  Ajith Fernando, The NIVApplication Commentary: Acts, pg. 629

• A clear vision of The Kingdom of God

Acts 28:23b & 30 NLT

Preaching about the Kingdom of God presents the greater purpose of God rather than just what God can do to an individual. It affirms that God is working out his purposes through the vicissitudes of history and that his plan will finally be accomplished with his Kingdom ruling the world. We ask people to join in this great March forward with the Lord of the universe.  In this world, where people are racked by thefear of demons, enemies, economic reversals, and failure, this is liberating news.  NIV Application Commentary…pg. 630-631.

• The kingdom of God is the restoration of God loving rule over all things.

Mark 1:14-15 NLT

• A conviction that his struggle and suffering will be used to advance God’s Kingdom.

Begin your next Road Trip:

1.     What is God saying to you?

2.     What do you need to do to align your life to this?

3.     Whose help do you need?

Route 66: Summer Road Trip

Week 9: When Being Scattered is Good

Acts 9:1-5

It didn’t feel like being sent it felt like being cast to the wind!

Acts 8:6-8

… listened intently… were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs… there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:9-13 NLT

• “Jesus-like” results come for those who are adaptable

Acts 8:25-27; 8:38-40 NLT

• More unlikely wins will follow

(The Bible Project Video https://bibleproject.com/videos/gospel-acts-2/)

• A track record of trusting submission produces a movement of God.

Take your place in the movement

1.     What is God saying to you?

2.    What do you need to do to align your life to this?

3.    Whose help do you need?