Porter Podcast

Series: Crossroads

A Picture of Humility

Mark 9 &10

God hates pride.

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.

I Peter 5:5

Pride is humanity at its worst.  

You can follow Jesus and still struggle with pride. 

Mark 9-10 

All of Jesus’ ministry is pointing to the cross.

It is possible to admire humility without becoming humble.

Pride can be hidden, and humility can be faked. 

Humility only comes when pride is exposed.

But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:43-45  

keys to humility 

1) Remember you were placed here to serve.  

2) Remember Jesus’ death on the cross.

Jesus’ death on the cross is the supreme example of humility; however, humility is not developed by observing Jesus on the cross.  It is developed by understanding why He was on the cross.  

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

who, existing in the form of God, 

did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.
Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, 

taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself 

by becoming obedient to the point of death

— even to death on a cross.

                                                            Philippians 2:5-8

Dr. Adam Greenway 
Acts 8 

Series: Church Stuff    

Church Generosity

Acts 4:32-43

concentric circles of belief

We believe that Christians should be generous givers.

Generous giving aids in our sanctification and generous giving helps accomplish God’s purposes. 

Talking about giving makes people uncomfortable.

·      Some churches and leaders abuse money.

·      Some feel their giving is insignificant.

·      Some are convicted.

why we give

We give because we believe the Gospel.

            When you believe in Christ, it affects your thinking and    your desires.  

We give because we are connected with God’s people. 

We give because we have a new perception of life. 

We give because we have a new perspective about possessions.

God’s plan to develop financial perspective is generous giving.

your giving profile

1.    A Never Giver

2.    An Occasional Giver 

3.    A Regular Giver 

4.    An Over and Above Giver

2 personal questions:  

Am I using His resources like a believer?

Am I willing to take a Next Step Forward in my giving?

Series: Church Stuff

Church Service

I Corinthians 12:12-27

concentric circles of belief

Every believer is expected to serve others. 

1 Corinthians 

God has uniquely gifted you to serve the church.

·      There are different gifts/roles.

·      God has given gifts, ministries, and jobs to each person. 

·      God calls you to help others, not simply help yourself.

·      Every community role is determined by God.   

Your value is not determined by your role, but by your connection to the body.   

Whatever your role is, your role is essential.

internal roles 

·      Serve in your Life Group.    

·      Serve in a church program/organizational ministry.

external roles 

·      Serve in the community.     

Matthew 5:16

how can I get involved?  

in church

·      Ask someone who serves.

·      Review our Porter opportunities booklet.

·      Fill out a Next Step card.

in the community

·      Serve in places that are natural to you.

·      Serve in places that are near you.

·      Serve in places where need exists. 

Series: Church Stuff

Church Ordinances

Acts 2; I Corinthians 11

Church ordinances are activities Jesus initiated during His earthly ministry and commanded the church to continue.  Baptists believe there are two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.   We do not believe they are sacraments or means of grace.  Grace comes by faithalone.  

Baptism

1.        The Mode of Baptism:  We believe all baptismal     candidates should be fully immersed.  

·      The word “baptidzo” means to dunk or to plunge.

·      All examples in the New Testament are immersions.  

2.        The Moment of Baptism: We believe people should be    baptized after they profess faith.

3.        The Meaning of Baptism: We believe baptism is a symbolic expression of faith. 

Why do we require baptism if it is symbolic?

·      It follows Jesus’ example.      

·      It was a foundational practice of the church.   

·      It is symbolic of the gospel.                          Romans 6:4  

·      It signifies a real-life change.                        Romans 6:4  

·      It requires humility.    

Communion

Communion looked different in the early church than it does now. 

Every church has unique communion traditions.

Porter preferences

·      Periodically, 4-6 times a year 

·      A service dedicated to communion  

Porter convictions        

·      Communion should be taken corporately. 

·      Communion is symbolic, not sacramental.

I Corinthians 11:23-25

Why do we practice the Lord’s Supper?

·      It helps people to remember Jesus’ death.   

·      It focuses Christians’ attention on Jesus. 

·      It reminds believers of the exclusivity of Christ. 

Acts 4:12          

John 14:6 

·      It unites the congregation around faith in Christ.  

I Corinthians 11:33

Series: Church Stuff

Church Structure

Ephesians 4; I Peter 5; Hebrews 13

A church is a God-initiated, covenant community sharing core beliefs while fulfilling God’s purposes.

Concentric Circles of Belief   

church convictions

Porter is a local, autonomous, congregationally-governed, pastor-led, covenantal community.   

·      a local church 

A church was established as believers gathered regularly for worship in a specific place.  

·      an autonomous church  

·      a congregationalist church

There is not a command for a specific form of church government in the New Testament.  

·      covenantal community

            The purpose of membership:

                        1) selecting leaders

                        2) congregational structure

                        3) effective pastoring

·      pastor led  

The character of the leader and the function of the structure were of greater importance than the title of the leader of the form of the structure. 

I Peter 5:1-6  

Hebrews 13:7-9; 17-18

Series: Church Stuff

Church Defined

Acts 2

The American way of thinking is harming the way Americans think about church.

The modern church is often consumeristic, where attendees act like spectators and disconnecting is normal.

What is a church?  A God-initiated, covenant community sharing core beliefs while fulfilling God’s purposes

God-initiated

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock 

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Matthew 16:18

covenant community

The Bible describes the church as a family, a holy nation, and a human body.

Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

Romans 12:4-5

core beliefs 

Concentric Circles of Belief

the purposes of the church

The church exists to make Jesus known and to become more like Him.

ACTS 2   

Church often has moments of joy and hardship; however, when real community happens, it is worth it.

If you would like information about joining our church, please fill out the Next Step Card to connect with a pastor OR go the counseling room after service OR attend Discover Porter on February 27.  (To RSVP, please email [email protected])

Revelation 2 : 1-7

Series: Reset

Angry with God

The Book of Job

Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, 

for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!    

Lamentations 3:22-23

God offers new mercy daily, but people resist because of past failures, present emotions,priority problems and prolonged pain.

the story of Job

There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of complete integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.

Job 1:1

In life, difficulties are not evenly distributed. 

The cause and purpose of suffering do not originate from the same source.

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life.

The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Job 1:21

Is it okay to be angry with God? 

God’s response to our anger

·      God is merciful, even when we are angry. 

·      He allows us space to be honest.

·      He meets us where we are. 

·      He speaks truth to us.

Leaning into mercy 

Be honest, yet humble.

Ask for forgiveness. 

Re-engage through spiritual disciplines.

Remember God’s promise of future hope.           

See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of

Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought

about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James 5:11

What Satan intends for evil often becomes God’s greatest

triumph.

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

Job 19:25

Series: RESET

A Divided Heart

Various Texts

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Matthew 22:37  

Love is what God desires FROM you; love is what God desires FOR you.

You are most alive when you are most in love with God.   

the story of Demas 

Philemon 22-24; Colossians 4:7-14; 2 Timothy 4:10 

this is dangerous

·      A divided heart happens almost imperceptibly and, if unchecked, continues to progress. 

·      A divided heart affects you and those around you. 

·      Some people leave the faith because of misplaced devotion. 

·      If the object of your supreme devotion is anything but God, it will leave you disappointed.          

I John 2:15-17   

Misplaced priorities, heightened anxiety and increased apathy are all signs of a divided heart. 

a path to singular devotion

1.  Understand the danger of loving the world. 

I Corinthians 10:1-6, 12  

2.  Seek God first, above all. 

Matthew 6:33 

3.  Lean into God’s mercy.

4.  Spend time focusing on the cross.