Notes:

Hebrews 6:13-20 ESV

Romans 5:1-11 ESV

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Romans 15:13 ESV

Notes:

Colossians 3:17 ESV
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

What has the Lord called you to do?
Are you walking in joy in the calling you have?

GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING
•V.1-16

•Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

•“Those who do everything in Christ’s name will never lack topics of thanksgiving to God the Father.
~The New Matthew Henry Commentary

PRINCIPLES FOR RELATIONSHIPS, INCLUDING WORK
•V.18-4:1
•Colossians 3:23-2423 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
•“It sanctifies a servant’s work when it is done as for God, and not merely for people.”
~The New Matthew Henry Commentary

We must have God’s perspective on our lives and our calling.

Romans 12:2 ESV

What do we do?
1. Be joyful in the calling you have, not desiring to be someone else.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

2. Remember that your calling is not everyone else’s.
Be able to share your testimony without putting your situation up as the standard for others.

3. Realize that your calling is from God and for others.

Matthew 22:34-40 ESV

“We’re not called to everything, which means we can joyfully lean on and work with the callings of others. We find our callings with, by, and in serving others. And we fulfill our callings as others fulfill theirs.”

“Look at your life. Apart from sin, your calling is whatever your life consists of right now.”Ivan Mesa (Editor for The Gospel Coalition)

3 Things Your Calling Is Not
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-not-discover-calling/

Notes:

Acts 4:33 ESV

Paul's favorite farewells
"The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you" Romans 16:20
"The grace of our Lord Jesus be with your spirit" Galatians 6:18
"This is how I write to you by my own hand, the grace of our Lord be with you" II Thess. 3:18 "The grace of our Lord be with you" I Thess. 5:28

The 4 great truths about grace
1. Grace saves us from sin
"but because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:4

"The Gospel is this: we are much more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope"
~Timothy Keller

Mercy: withholding the penalty we have earned
Grace: receiving the forgiveness God has earned for us
~Dr. Jamie Chong-You

Another name for Christian believers is "the redeemed." To redeem means to buy back out of debt, despair and bondage. It is to be set free by the payment of a price.

Our salvation is to promote the Kingdom of God for the salvation of the soul, but also for the salvation of society. He has graced you to be saved and salt.

2. Grace teaches us to be Godly
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "no" to all ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled" Titus 2:11-12

Willpower- leads to hypocrisy or burnout
Moral performance: "I feel both superior and insecure"

Many believers stay immature because they never progress beyond the revelation that they are sinners saved by grace

My righteousness doesn't depend on my present performance but on Jesus' finished performance

Grace and Forgiveness: "I feel both grateful and humble"

The church is at it's best when it embraces grace and truth and refuses to let go of either

3. Grace empowers us to serve
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful servants of God's grace" I Peter 4:10

When I am serving I see more because God magnifies himself through me

4. Grace grants me access to God's presence
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" Hebrews 4: 15,16

Feeling aren't necessarily evidence of God's presence. If you always felt God you wouldn't need faith

If you can't figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. Passion will lead you to purpose.

The presence of God will not always fix your problems, but it will clarify your perspective

Grace:

No sin to great for His grace
No habit to big for His healing
No label to strong for His love

Notes:

Malachi 3:6-12 ESV
Genesis 8:20-22 ESV
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV
2 Corinthians 9:10-12 ESV

Good Seed + Time = Will Produce a Good Harvest!
Bad Seed + Time = Bad Harvest

Notes:

Living a blessed life. Keeping God first.

There are more than 500 verses in the bible concerning prayer; 500 verses concerning faith; over 2,000 verses on the subject of money and possessions.

Jesus spoke about money in 16 of his 38 parables.

SACRIFICED or REDEEMED?

Exodus 13:12-13 NKJV

John 1:29 NKJV

God gave his tithe (Jesus) in faith before we ever believed.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

God gave Jesus in faith “that he might be the firstborn among many brethren”. (Romans 8:29)

Exodus 12:7 NKJV

Matthew 16:25 NIV

That’s why tithing is so important. It is the primary way we acknowledge that God is first.

God must be first…in all things!

Our Heart, Our Family, Our Marriage, Our Money, and Our Church.

Notes:

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1. Follow these instructions! All Authority! Marching Orders! Here’s the plan!

2. Go! Do Something! Move! Giddy up!

3. Tell everybody! Make a Disciple. Question! How do you make a Disciple?

You can make a cake, pie, a bed, a mess, but how do you make a person do something? To follow the teachings of Jesus.

Disciple – Question? What is a Follower? (One Who Follows)

Question: What is real to you? Discipling is about building a relationship. It’s personal. If something is real to you, it will be real to those who are listing.

4. Seal the Deal: Baptizing them! Father – Son - Holy Ghost

Submerge them totally in the Love of God. This is not about a Ritual, but about a Relationship.

5. Teach: Instructions: Give Direction.

About what? Everything I have taught you. (EVERYTHING)? How long does it take to teach everything? A lifetime.

Disciple making: It’s not a conference, it’s not a seminar, It’s not a weekend retreat, it’s not about a book. Simply put! it’s about a lifestyle.

If you’re going to make Disciples, it’s going to cost you something.

Time and effort.

You’re going to have to make an investment into someone’s life.

You’re going to have to learn patience, clean up messes, forgive, forget, love, love, love until you see the fruit.

Matthew 28:16-20 MSG

16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 18 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” 19 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” 20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Everything Matters. You Matter! Everything we do matters and Everything we don’t do matters.

When it comes to church, someone is depending on you. You have to see yourself as significant, important, needed. Show up! Make a difference.

Notes:

Romans 12:6-8 ESV

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Occasions that Mark New Possibilities

• New year, New school year, Birthday, Anniversary

• Church anniversary, New building = new possibilities to carry our mission as a church

How do we build a better strategy to increase our influence with kids and families?

Mission: authentic faith with Jesus

Community: make a difference by meeting physical and spiritual needs

Directives: Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, Make a Difference

TENSION

Strategy for next generation

Church (yellow) + Home (red) = Graters Impact (orange)

Family

Designed by God to be the most influential force on a kid

Church

Operates as a community with the same goal

How do we meet the physical and spiritual needs of our community so that they Know God, Find Family, Develop Purpose, Make a Difference?

Matthew 22:36-41 ESV

36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,

Time limitations lead to intentionality

How do we help the Word of God remain in the hearts of the next generation?

By providing a

1. Caring leader

2. Safe Community ...at each phase

APPLICATION

Give: Time and energy to the next generation

Preschool: EMBRACE their physical needs

Elementary: ENGAGE their interests

Middle School: AFFIRM their identity

High School: MOBILIZE their potential

How do we build a better strategy to increase our influence with kids and families?

1. Serve Team Members who are more consistent

2. Parents who are more intentional

3. Leaders who are more strategic

4. Messages that are more engaging

5. Faith that is more dynamic

That way the next generation will KNOW GOD, FIND FREEDOM, DISCOVER PURPOSE, and MAKES A DIFFERENCE

... so no matter where life takes them those four things have been so engraved in their hearts that they wont be able to forget the way the community of Christ made them feel...

Notes:

Joy – the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.

Psalms 16:11 ESV

11 You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

John 15:10-11 ESV

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Give or Giver – to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation.

The Joy of Being a Giver – The emotion of great delight or happiness in being a child of God and taking on His nature and character as a Giver!

Having the desire to be a giver comes from not only believing in God but more importantly learning to Trust God!

Giving of Your: Life, Family, Business/Career, Relationships and Money.

Proverbs 11:25 ESV

25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,and one who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,and the Lord will reward you.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

John 3:16 ESV

16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 5:21 ESV

21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

Genesis 25:5 ESV

5 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac.

Notes:

Psalms 51:1-12 ESV

1 Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercyblot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions,and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinnedand done what is evil in your sight,so that you may be justified in your wordsand blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence,and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Luke 2:8-11 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Joy of Salvation:

Joy - the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.

Salvation - the gift of God - the price Jesus paid for a debt he did not owe. - the debt we owed that we could not pay.

#1 Price Paid For My Salvation

#2 Benefits Of My Salvation

#3 Responsibility OF My Salvation

#4 The Fruit Of My Salvation

Notes:

Proverbs 29:18 MSG

18 If people can’t see what God is doing,they stumble all over themselves;But when they attend to what he reveals,they are most blessed.

PROVERBS 29:18 AMP

18 Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].

Original Vision for our House (Church):

#1 Preach the word without compromise.

#2 Obey the voice of the Lord.

#3 Pray and prophesy over the north, south, east and west.

• It is God’s will for our church to grow...

• Growth is essential as long as heaven and hell are realities.

• We can make excuses or we can make progress, but we can’t make both.

• We can hear the plans that God has for us and do them or we can go about living out our own plans with regret.

Quote by D.L. Moody:

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that really doesn’t matter.”

This Is The Church I See:

• To Get Lost People Saved.

• To Get Saved People Pastored.

• To Get Pastored People Trained.

• To Get Trained People Mobilized.

Refresh:

> re - in the case of; with reference to;

> fresh - newly made or obtained; - not tired or fatigued - new, not previously known

> refresh - to become fresh or vigorous again; revive (a person, a mind, a spirit or a vision)

PROVERBS 11:25 AMP

25 The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched,And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].

Proverbs 11:25 NLT

25 The generous will prosper;those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

If today you feel defeated, discouraged, disappointed, depressed, deflated or despondent...

Father God wants to refresh you, restart you, restore you, rebuild you, reconnect you, recharge you, revive you and mostly He wants to redeem you...