The Church Is ____ Series | Week 1 [Chad Simpkins]

The Church Is Broken 

Matthew 16:18

-The Church is PEOPLE, not a building

-The Church is BROKEN because PEOPLE are broken 

Book of Acts

-Jesus tells followers to spread his story without a plan (1:8)

-The Church grew quickly and discontent grew quickly (6:1)

-Persecution lead the Church to spread (8:1)

-Theological differences develop (15:1)

In the 2nd & 3rd centuries Christianity legitimized by Constantine and made a state religion, but power in the Church comes with corruption. The Church becomes the persecutor. (Crusades and Spanish Inquisition)

In the 1700s-1800s, Pastors Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone started the restoration movement by removing denominational ties, establishing unity with core beliefs, and providing liberty for opinions.

In the US Churches split over use of instruments, building structures, Sunday attire, women in ministry, missions, etc.

The Church is broken because its people are broken

-We get caught up in the things that DON'T matter

-We lose focus of the things that DO matter

Ephesians 5:25-30

-Jesus has an unselfish, sacrificial love for the Church

-Nothing the Church (People) can do to make Jesus love more

-Jesus gives all He has to the Church even though its broken and undeserving

-As a Church, we are forever connected to Jesus

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?

-Can we be all in, knowing the church is broken?

-Can we be unselfish in loving our world like Jesus is unselfish in loving us?

Weird Series | Week 4 [Chad Simpkins]

Weird Finances

 

Matthew 19:16-22

-Life is not about Stuff

-Wealth and Discipleship can coexist

 

Luke 12:34

-The problem is a Heart Issue

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

-Giving is EMOTIONAL, Generosity is PLANNED

-Giving is SPORADIC, Generosity is CONSISTENT

-Giving is about MONEY, Generosity is about MISSION

 

NEXT STEPS

-Be generous somewhere or with someone

-If you don’t give at all, take your first steps in being weird with your money

-If you are a follower of Jesus, and you just give, learn to be generous

-For those gifted with generosity, thank you!

 

BE WEIRD and see where God leads you.

Weird Series | Week 3 [John-Michael Becker]

Weird - Week 3

Weird Calling 

 

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Learn more about John-Michael Becker's ministry:

• For prayer e-mail updates: [email protected]

• Scholarship and mentoring program: www.oaktreeproject.com

Weird Series | Week 2 [Daniel Roach]

Weird Values

1 Peter 2:11-17

Empire of Rome

-Self to Servant

-Immediate to Eternal

-Babies & Plagues

-Weird Challenge: Sacrifice

Exodus 22:21-23

Empire of Egypt

-Slaves to Priests - Exodus 19:5-6

-Productivity to Rest - Exodus 20:8-11

-Weird Challenge: Rest

Weird Series | Week 1 [Chad Simpkins]

Weird Life

 

Matthew 7:12-14

 

How is normal working for them?

How is NORMAL working for you?

 

To be WEIRD, we have to THINK differently than normal people think.

 

Romans 12:2 - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

 

The Message Bible - Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.

 

"...discipleship is not simply about changing our behavior or learning a few lessons - it requires a complete cognitive makeover." -Steven Runge, Romans Commentary

 

To be WEIRD, we have to LIVE differently than normal people live.

1 Peter 2:11-12

 

Your WEIRD in a God way may not be like my WEIRD in a God way.

 

1 Peter 2:11-12 - The Message Bible - Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.

 

Matthew 10:39 - If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Confessions of a Pastor Series | Week 4 [Chad Simpkins]

Confession #4 - I Don't Like Many Christians

Many Christians are Judgmental

-Judgmental of World

-Judgmental of Church

Many Christians are Hypocritical

Many Christians have a Us Versus Them Mentality

I have Personal Baggage

 

Romans 12:1-2

2 reasons I struggle with Christians:

1. The name Christian is a facade

2. Me

Romans 12:3

Matthew 7:3-5

Romans 12:4-5

 

Next Steps:

1. Follow Jesus

2. Work Together Instead of Ripping Each

3. Other Apart

4. Live Out the Mission of Jesus

Philippians 2:1-5

Confessions of a Pastor Series | Week 3 [Chad Simpkins]

Confession #3 - I Fear Failure

Everyone Fears Failure

 

"Everyone hates to fail, but for some people, failing presents such a significant psychological threat that their motivation to avoid failure exceeds their motivation to succeed."

-Guy Winch, Ph.D, Licensed Psychologist

 

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

 

The Story of Gideon - Judges 6

 

1. You Will Fail

2. You can Overcome Failure

 

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

-Thomas Edison

 

Proverbs 24:16 - The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

 

3. You Must Take a Risk

 

We don't have to live in the fear of failure.

God says to Gideon: "I will be with you."

Confessions of a Pastor Series | Week 2 [Chad Simpkins]

Confession #2 - I Have Doubts

Doubts are judgements our mind makes.

2 Views on Faith & Doubts

• Conservative View - Never doubt, just have faith.

• Liberal View - Doubt everything, faith not required.

None of us really want to live by faith or carry doubt. We want certainty.

John 20:24-28 - Thomas asks for certainty. He had faith, he had doubts, and he wanted proof.

• Realize Doubts are Human

Many who followed Jesus had doubts - Matthew 28:17

Many people who follow Jesus now have doubts

• Realize Everyone Lives by Faith

There are times I have to give 100% commitment even when I don’t have 100% certainty.

John 20:29 - Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Next Steps:

• If you have doubts, ask more questions and seek more answers.

• If you have doubts about Jesus, look around you.

If you don’t have doubts, be patient with those who do.

Jude 22 - Be merciful to those who doubt…

Confessions of a Pastor Series | Week 1 [Chad Simpkins]

Confession #1 - I Am Normal

I am normal, but we are on this journey together and there is hope.

Matthew 4:18-19 - Jesus’ Chosen Followers

Jesus didn't choose any religious leaders to be disciples. The one that give hope and who is the most normal is Peter.

Matthew 14:28-31 - Peter Doubts While Walking on Water

Matthew 26:31-35 - Peter's Never Give Up Attitude

Galatians 2:11-20 - Paul Opposes Peter When He Stopped Loving Unconditionally

Through it all, Peter followed Jesus.

The world does not need more of you. It needs more of God. And you don’t need more of you. You need more of God.

-Eugene Peterson, Author & Pastor

My Hope:

1. Make Jesus Central to Our Lives

2. We Do Life Together

The Revolution Series | Week 5 [Chad Simpkins]

Luke 11:14-22

Luke 11:23 - “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”

Everyone has to choose.

You Have To BELIEVE IN SOMETHING

You Have to CHOOSE A SIDE

You Have to GEAR UP

Ephesians 6:14-17

You have to MOVE FORWARD

Matthew 28:18-20

John 1:5 - The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.