Thrive.Church Weekly Message

[Ephesians 4:11-16] Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. [13] This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. [15] Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [16] He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

God gave gifts to the church so that we can ________ each other, __________ each other, _________ each other, __________ each other and __________each other.

A prophet serves to _______________ to the voice of God and _______________ on the message

[1 Corinthians 14:1-4 ESV] Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [2] For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. [3] On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. [4] The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

[1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV] So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

Natural Evidence of Prophetic gifts:

1) Ability to _____________

2) Ability to _____________

3) Ability to _____________

Not everyone who has a ___________ gift has the ______________ gift.

Your calling as a prophet is to bring a message, it is up to the _____________to take the message and apply it.

Being _____________ is the only reliable way to get rich quick.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Showing gratitude is not a sign of ________________.

The more ______________ we feel the less grateful we will be.

Romans 1:20-22 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.

In order to be grateful we need to ________________ the good around us and recognize that it is a __________ from God.

James 1:16-17 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Gratitude attracts more _________________.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

Am I counting my _______________ or my _______________?

Studies show that keeping a gratitude _____________ for five minutes each day has the same effect on your well-being as ____________________ your income

Psalm 50:14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

It is not the ______________ people who are grateful. It is the ___________________ people who are happy.

Ephesians 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[1 Corinthians 12:4-7] There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. [5] There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. [6] God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. [7] A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

Our gifts should be used in _______________ point people to _______________.

[1 Corinthians 13:1-3] If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. [3] If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

Our gifts are ______________________ if we use them without love.

[Ephesians 4:11-12] Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Apostles are _______________ sent out to spread the message of Jesus.

[Luke 6:13] At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.

No one can ____________________ the people God has placed in your life better than you can.

Apostles are not satisfied with what has ________________ in the _______________.

[Acts 15:36-39] After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” [37] Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. [38] But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. [39] Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.

Look for the _______________-ideas and not just the _______________-ideas.

[Proverbs 25:14] A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

When Jesus died it looked like everything he said was an _____________  _______________.

[Matthew 27:39-44] The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. [40] “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!” [41] The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. [42] “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! [43] He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” [44] Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

Instead of promises that are _____________, God gave us something empty that is full of ___________________.

The Empty _____________

The empty cross is a reminder that we have been _______________.

[Romans 6:10-11] When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. [11 ]So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

The Empty _____________

[John 20:1-9] Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. [2] She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” [3] Peter and the other disciple

started out for the tomb. [4] They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. [6] Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, [7] while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. [8] Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— [9] for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.

The resurrection proved that Jesus sacrifice ___________________.

The empty tomb give us __________________ and a promise of ______________________ life.

The cross couldn't __________ him, the tomb couldn't ____________

him, the burial wrappings couldn't ______________ him!

[Romans 8:11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

God takes our emptiness and _______________ it with his promises.

[John 11:25] Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

[1 Corinthians 12:4-7] There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. [5] There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. [6] God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. [7] A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

God has given us _______________ so that we can _______________ each other.

God has given us all a _______________.

[2 Timothy 4:2a] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.

God wants you to ____________ up and ____________ up.

[Acts 1:8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Spiritual gifts will always point to _______________.

A spiritual gift is a ________________________ between us and God.

[2 Timothy 1:6] This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

God gives you everything you _______________ to do what He has _______________ you to do.

Ephesians 4:11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

3 Questions to Help your Discover your Gift

Do you _______________ it?

Do others _______________ it?

Do you actually _______________ it?

[Matthew 16:13-18] When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” [14] “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” [15] Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. [18] Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

Church (Greek: ekklesia): a _______________ of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly or congregation.

Church (English): _______________ of the Lord. A building set apart as sacred.

Jesus came to build a ______________ not a ______________!

[Matthew 28:18-20] Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

You _____________ him; God _____________ him; We've _____________ him; Say you're _____________.

Acts 2:47 And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

[Ephesians 5:31-32] As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” [32] This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

The Church is the ____________ of Christ.

[Luke 19:10] For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

If Jesus came to seek and save the lost shouldn't that also be the MISSION of the church?

ThriveChurch's mission: To make ____________ devoted followers of Christ.

[Ephesians 1:22-23] God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. [23] And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

The church is God's ____________...there is no ____________.

[Psalm 23:1-6 ESV] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Today may not be ______________ but God is always ______________.

[Psalm 27:11-13] Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. [12] Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I've never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. [13] Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

Sometimes God's goodness takes _________________ than we think.

[Romans 8:28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Even if we ___________ ___________ God's goodness, He is still good.

[Lamentations 3:22-23] The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. [23] Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

There is nothing that we do can _________________ or _________________ God's love.

[1 Chronicles 16:34 NKJV] Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

God's goodness and mercy doesn't _________________ in uncertain times.

[John 14:2-3 NKJV] "In My Father's house are many mansions; if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, [there] you may be also.

Faith (Greek: pistis): conviction of the ________________ of anything; belief.

[Hebrews 11:1 NCV] Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.

___________ is the most __________________ force known to man.

Every great accomplishment began with __________________ who had faith that it could happen.

[Matthew 17:20] “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Mountains are only moved by people who _______________ it's possible.

When we believe something is __________________ we look for a way until we find one.

[2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV] For we live by faith, not by sight.

A person who knows they’re going to ________ plays differently from someone who thinks they’re going to ______________.

We always look for ____________ to support what we ______________- to be true.

Key to happy family: Couples that ________________ the best ____________ the best.

When Jesus died, those closest to him believe he was _________.

They believed he ______________ the Messiah.

Jesus' closest followers _____________ believe in the end.

The Message They Preached:

You _____________ him; God _____________ him; We've _____________ him; Say you're _____________.

[Acts 17:31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

Fundamental question we face: Who is _____________?

The early church wasn't based on ancient _____________ it was based on the belief that Jesus __________ from the dead

[Hebrews 11:6] And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

[Psalm 23:1-6 ESV] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Even though the _______________ is present God is still at _______________.

[John 10:10-11] The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [11] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

Even in the middle of danger God is _______________ for His people.

God is _______________ us to be at His ___________.

God has _______________ us and ________________ us to accomplish His work.

[Psalm 37:25] Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.

God provides ______________________ for His family.

[Luke 14:21-23] "The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' [22] After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.' [23] So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.

There is _______________ for _______________.

Ways that we _________________ with God:

God if you will...I promise I will ____________________!

God if you will...I promise I'll ____________________!

Even when it works out in our favor we don't _______________ ____________________.

When we bargain with God we make 2 assumptions:

There is a God and he _________________ about you.

You have something that God _________________.

God isn't interested in getting something _____________ you, He wants something _____________ you.

GRACE (Greek: charis): ____________________ favor.

G_________ R_________ A________ C_________ E_________

Mercy _______________ us, Grace makes us _____________.

[Ephesians 2:1-4] Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!

God chose to save you because He ____________________ to.

[Ephesians 2:8-9] God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Our part is _____________, God's part is _____________.

Will we depend on ________ goodness or ___________ grace?

[1 John 4:19] We love each other because he loved us first.

All the _______ are a response to what God has already ___________.

[2 Corinthians 12:9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

[2 Timothy 1:9] For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.