I love My Church – 8

I love My Church – 8

Subject – The Community of Roof Crashers

by Rick Welborne

Luke 5:18-26 (NLT2)
¹⁸  Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus,
¹⁹  but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
²⁰  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
²¹  But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
²²  Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?
²³  Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?
²⁴  So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
²⁵  And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.
²⁶  Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” 

--Last week we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what a celebration it was. Thank God for all the souls who were impacted by a clear presentation of the gospel. Thanks Pastor Aaron.

--A few weeks ago we talked about the community of the mat. About this paralyzed man and his friends who carried him wherever he went. Just for a short review:

1. They chose to become friends.

John Ortberg – The requirement for true community is chunks of unhurried time. If you think you can fit deep community into the cracks of an overloaded schedule---think again. Wise people do not try to micro-wave friendship, parenting, or marriage. You can’t do community in a hurry. 

2. Everyone has a mat. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NKJV)
⁷  And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
⁸  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
⁹  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
¹⁰  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

3. You must allow someone to carry your mat. 

Jean Vanier – There is no ideal community. Community is made up of people with all their richness, but also with their weakness and poverty, of people who accept and forgive each other, who are vulnerable with each other. Humility and trust are more at the foundation of community than perfection. 

--Today I want to continue this story about this small community, this small connect group, this community of roof crashers. We need more roof crashers.

--These four friends get word that Jesus was there in their town and, of course, they want to hear this famous Rabbi. One of them says, “We have to get our friend to hear Jesus!”

--This could really be encouraging to him and if everything we have heard about Jesus is true…maybe, just maybe our friend will be healed. We have to get him there!

--To do what they are wanting to do will not be easy logistically but it is so important to understand that they were not thinking about themselves, they were thinking about their friend.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)
³  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
⁴  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

This is key to community - True friends get their friends to Jesus!

--They tell their friend that he is going to see Jesus. They tell him they will be there at 9:00 to pick him up. He really doesn’t have much choice because when his friends pick him up, they really pick him up.

--They arrive at the house where Jesus is teaching and the house is packed…standing room only. There was no room left, not even outside the door. Jesus is so close but they can’t get to Him.

--You see, this happened before the American churches adopted the unwritten verse…Thou shall place a bulletin on the pew to reserve your seat and anyone who sits there on shall be cast into outer darkness. Amen!

--These friends had not counted on the crowd. One of them (the management guy) says how can we get him to Jesus…let’s brainstorm. Remember, no idea is a bad idea. 

--Soon one of them gets an idea…probably the youngest, the tattooed and pierced guy…I have an idea. Dudes! What if we make a hole in the roof and lower him down? Whoaaa! Any other ideas? There are none.

1. Roof crashers are desperate to get their friends to Jesus.

--This can be for salvation, deliverance, or healing but holy desperation is necessary to get people to Jesus. Community recognizes that the only hope people have is Jesus.

--They are so desperate to get to Jesus that they decide nothing was going to get in their way…not even a crowd or a roof. They were motivated by their love for their friend and their trust that Jesus could do something.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (NKJV)
⁵  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
⁷  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
⁸  It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. 

--Catch how these verses tell us that our trust in the Lord will bring us to the healing we need. Your trust in the Lord will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones. This man needed that.

--So they get ropes to lower him and they head up on the roof. Many house had outside stairs which led up on the roof which was used like a patio area. 

--I am sure people outside the house were asking them what were they doing and were told how ridiculous of an idea it was. When you are truly desperate, you do not care what people think. 

--Years ago as I was fulfilling my call to restaurant ministry…I met a young lady by the name of Hollie. For about two years I felt such a holy desperation to get her to Jesus.

--She met my entire family and we would encourage her to come to church and to come to Jesus. She would disappear for a while and then, show up at another restaurant. Jesus had a plan for her life.

--Again she disappeared but I kept praying for her salvation. Desperate people do not become weary in reaching out to people who need Jesus. 

Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV)
⁷  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
⁸  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
⁹  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

--After church one Sunday we were going into Moe’s and guess who was coming out…Hollie and her mother. She introduces me to her mother as the preacher trying to get her to church.

--Her mother said, we will be in church next Sunday and that is a promise. She kept her word. During the prayer time, Hollie runs forward and gives her heart to Jesus. She is gloriously saved. I was so happy! So was heaven!

--The story does not stop there…the following Thursday she breaks up with her boyfriend because of her new found relationship with Jesus. She determined nothing would keep her from serving Jesus.

--Her boyfriend explodes in anger, drags her into his car, drives over 80 miles an hour, and purposely crashes into a tree killing her instantly. She made it to Jesus! Desperation paid off. Her mom was so thankful.

--Here’s a thought about community we must understand…when you witness to people and share Christ with them, you are probably answering the prayer of someone in the community of God. We were her answer.

2. Roof crashers break through.

--These words (Break thru) were used much more when I first came into the Kingdom of God than they are now and I have a theory of why that is true. You may not like my answer.

--I believe the answer is that we have become quite lazy in our Christian walk and since a break thru implies effort and work, we are less likely to go after the things we say we need from God.

--Prosperity has made us lazy…why struggle or labor in prayer when I can buy an earthly solution to my need?

Revelation 3:15-17 (NKJV)
¹⁵  I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
¹⁶  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
¹⁷  Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--

--Jesus is teaching and because He is the greatest teacher ever, people are listening. Suddenly there is a distraction…a sound from the roof and then, a little dust falling.

--Dirt, dust, and small parts of reed begin to fall into the meeting messing up people’s hair and their concentration. Then bigger pieces begin to fall. The owner is getting a skylight he did not ask for.

--The owner steps outside to call Allstate to let them know about the damage to his house. Jesus is here so can I clam it as an act of God? People begin to see four sets of hands laboring hard to break through. 

--These men are not going to allow anything to stand in their way…they are going to get their friend to Jesus. They become roof crashers because they love their friend and this is his only hope. 

--When was the last time you determined to break thru for a friend or someone in this community who needed a miracle? Communities pray for one another and we fight for one another. May stay up all night praying.

--Remember if this man does not have these friends he does not get to Jesus, he doesn’t have his sins forgiven, he doesn’t get healed…he doesn’t have a break through.

Ortberg – Community gets built by servants. Great community gets built by roof-crashers.  

3. Roof crashers are committed to community.

--This paralyzed man had true friends in their small community. Not people who were just friendly but people who are committed to you in a way acquaintances or paid service providers are not.

Urie Bronfenbrenner – A family or community is a group which possess and implements an irrational commitment to the wellbeing of its members.  

--The key word here is irrational. In great communities, people carry mats and crash thru roofs without asking the question…What’s in it for me?

--How often do you do roof crashing? You do not have to destroy someone’s home. Mostly it involves doing two things. Noticing and doing. See a need and fill a need. 

PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens!

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NCV)
²⁴  Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.
²⁵  You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the Day coming.

Who I Am – 6

Who I Am – 6

Subject – Seasons and Delays

by Rick Welborne

Psalm 139:13-18 (NLT) 

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 

16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 

18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! 

Last sermon in this series:

1. In discovering God’s soul print you may find that your greatest weakness may become your greatest strength. 

Adler: Perceived disadvantages often prove to be disguised advantages because they force us to develop attitudes and abilities that would have otherwise gone undiscovered.

And it’s only as we compensate for those disadvantages that our greatest gifts are revealed. 

2 Corinthians 12:10 (NKJV) 

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2. In discovering our soul print we find out God will use past experiences and present circumstances to unfold our destiny.

Batterson: Every past experience is preparation for some future opportunity.  God doesn’t just redeem our souls.  He also redeems our experiences. And not just the good ones.  He redeems the bad ones–especially the bad ones.

3. In discovering your soul print God will use your greatest challenge to uncover His divine preparation.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) 

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

–Today’s message:

1. In discovering your soul print you will discover that God allows us to go through certain seasons on our journey.

–As you get older and mature you realize the battle is won long before you are on the battlefield. You win or lose based on your faithfulness to whatever season you are in

–In our impatience we forget there is a time to be on the front lines and a time to be on the sidelines. There is a time to be in the limelight but there is a time to be in the shadows.

–Moses needed to take care of sheep for 40 years before he could lead and shepherd Israel. The disciples had to learn to be fishers of fish before they became fishers of men.

Batterson: Every divine appointment is preceded by a season of preparation. And if we submit to the preparation, God will fulfill His promise. If we don’t, He won’t. Why? Because God never sets us up to fail. 

–As I think about God’s preparation for me (some extremely difficult - Hitler), I can now look back and see how all of that was necessary for me to be who I am and where I am.

–Were those seasons tough? Absolutely! Did I think about quitting? Of course! Did I seemingly barely survive?  Oh yes! Were there people to encourage me to quit?  Yes!

–Another key to fulfilling your destiny is to recognize the season you are in and not let frustration and disappointment take over.

–There are seasons when learning to lead is not as important as learning to follow. There are times learning to handle failure is better than handling success.

–We worry so much about making our business, church, or whatever grow, but before God can grow them, He has to grow us.

–If you are growing thru the tough seasons God will grow the institution you are leading.

–One of the biggest mistakes we can make is focusing all our energy on the next season of our life instead of enjoying the season we are in. Or possibly enduring.

–Example - If you are single and feel that you are stuck where you are...don’t focus on finding the right person...focus on becoming the right person...How long? As long as it takes.

–What we perceive to be the worst season of our lives may just turn out to be the portion of our lives that benefit us the most in the next season.

2. In discovering your soul print you will discover that often there will be divine delays.

Batterson: Your dream seems like a mirage that remains the same distance away no matter how fast or how far you pursue it. You know you have a destiny to fulfill, but the elapsed time causes you to second-guess yourself.   

–This is what you must understand...if you arrive to early at what you think to be your destination (your destiny) you will miss the growth you would have experienced.

 –My personal opinion: many teach out of theory having very little substance to back up what they are saying ...second hand knowledge is not as convincing as firsthand experience.

--Our credibility is substantiated by our real life situations and delays.

–Consider the disciples of Christ who went thru 3 years of intense life with Him and then came what they thought was a delay...it was...a divine delay.

–There came the cross which made them feel that their hopes were dashed...Jesus died...Peter said I am going fishing...Our dream or destiny is dead.

–What they did not realize was the resurrection, the ascension, and Pentecost were on their way...divine delays do not always mean that hope is gone.

–Even after Jesus rose from the dead...yippee renewed hope...Oh yes, guys, I am going to Heaven but I will send Holy Spirit to be with you...another delay.

–They came very close to losing God’s destiny for them because life had not gone the way they had expected ...can you imagine in those 10 days of waiting...is it over?

–Obviously we know that it was not over because Pentecost came...The Spirit came...the fullness of time came and 3000 were saved that day. 

Dutch Sheets: Are you struggling to get to the next stage? Don’t give up. Your struggles won’t be wasted; they may even be necessary. The key is not to quit.  

–You must realize that God wants you to get to your destiny more than you want to get there. Take a deep breath, enjoy the journey, and know God will get you there when you are ready to be there.

–Your current frustration (your current delay) will be cause for future celebration if you hang in there long enough. Don’t give up!

Batterson: God is building emotional endurance. And the key to emotion endurance is experiencing high levels of disappointment that break us down so God can build us back up with holy confidence. 

3. In discovering your soul print you will discover that without a crucifixion there is no resurrection.

–The days between death and resurrection are long and dark but that is often when a miracle is about to happen.

Batterson: You never know how or when or where a dream will be resurrected, but if it’s God ordained, then God Himself will bring it back to life somehow, somewhere, sometime.

–I can imagine that David (as he watched his brothers go off to war) felt overlooked and underappreciated. It seems like everyone else is getting the recognition, the promotion, or the guy or girl. Your day will come.

 –Don’t short circuit God’s plans for you by taking short cuts and by doing what so many have done by compromising...there is a price to pay for forcing your desires and wishes.

–God is setting you up just like He was setting David up...His day of destination was coming and what he had to do in the meantime was to be faithful where he was.

Matthew 25:21-23 (NKJV) 

21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 

23 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 

–Notice the faithfulness to the few compared to being a ruler to many things. David was faithful to a few sheep and God made him ruler of a nation.

–Maybe you are being faithful to a few (single mom faithful to her children or a SS teacher faithful to a few children in her class) ...you fill in the blanks.

–The Master is keeping good records and the reward...the resurrection will come...don’t give up...don’t compromise. Compromise or unfaithfulness costs more than you want to pay. 

Matthew 25:24-30 (NKJV) 

24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 

26 But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 

27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 

28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 

29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 

30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 

–What was the wicked servant saying about his master:

A. You are a hard man...God, you are too hard to serve...I’ll make my own choices.

B. You reap where you have not sown. You receive when you have not given. Where did the talent come from?  

C. You make me afraid...You can’t be trusted to do what You say. No compassion.

 –Hear me, one of the fastest ways to mess up what God has for you is to not trust Jesus, to try to help Him fix your situation, and to compromise the Word of God.

–OK, life has been tough, Jesus has been there, most of us have been there but without a crucifixion there is no resurrection. Your choices...your decision to be faithful will be the catalyst for you discovering your soul print.

Matthew 24:12-13 (NLT) 

12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 

13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 

I Love My Church – 7 – My Easter Story

I Love My Church – 7 – My Easter Story

Subject – My Easter Story and Community

by Rick Welborne

John 5:39-40 (NKJV)
³⁹  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
⁴⁰  But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

--For several weeks now we have been preaching a series…I Love My Church…and we have been talking about the whole idea of community. The value or benefit of the local church…of Life Church!

--Many of you are new today and you are our very special guests. Thank you for coming to this wonderful community of God and this Easter Production. God has something wonderful in mind for you.

--We have talked about how Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have experienced beautiful community for all eternity and how there came a time that we were invited into that glorious community. 

--Jesus, by His coming, His death, His burial, and His resurrection has made it possible for us to be brought into this community…into this wonderful family of God. Not a perfect family…just look around.

--God’s purpose from the very beginning was to make it possible for this community to happen and for it to grow more and more. Listen to what Jesus said when Peter identified Him as the Christ…Son of the Living God

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

--Jesus’ purpose was to build His church (this community) and that is what has been happening since Jesus rose from the dead. That brings us back to this community…Life Church.

--Our purpose has to be His purpose…we want to co-operate with Jesus in building His church. We want to exist as a community of God so that we can invite others into this wonderful family. Thus My Easter Story!

--Life Church…this community…has a community within this community which is called the Life Church Music Department. This group of believers have a beautiful goal in mind for all the work they have been doing.

--They want you to have a personal invitation to be in community with Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and the Body of Christ…the local church. Any other purpose is misguided. Back to my original text…Jesus to the Pharisees.

John 5:39-40 (NKJV)
³⁹  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
⁴⁰  But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

--The Pharisees thought there was another way to get into this community or to get eternal life and that was through the scriptures. The scriptures are good, church is good, an Easter program is good but…

--Jesus said it best…⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. You can come to Life Church, you can come shake my hand, you can read your Bible but until you come to Jesus…you are not in.

--I Love My Church and I believe we have a great church. I also believe Pastor Aaron and his team have done a tremendous job in presenting Jesus to us but Jesus has to be the way…the only way to eternal life.

John 10:9-11 (NKJV)
⁹  I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
¹⁰  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
¹¹  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

--Your Easter Story can start today not because you entered this building, heard a great program, or even heard a short sermon…your story will begin because you come to Jesus. He is the only way. 

Acts 4:11-12 (NLT2)
¹¹  For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
¹²  There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” 

--He is the Door to this community of God and He welcomes you to come in today. We welcome you to come to Him today. Be willing to come to Jesus so you can find life and find wonderful community.

--Let today be the day you can say this is My Easter Story!

Who I Am – 5

Who I Am – 5

Subject – Freedom in Being Yourself

by Rick Welborne

Psalm 139:13-18 (NLT) 

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 

16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 

18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! 

Last sermon in this series:

1. Because you are God’s child your heredity and destiny are from Him.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT) 

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 

2. Why is it that we all start out as “one of a kind original” but too many of us end up as carbon copies of someone else.

Batterson: We forfeit our uniqueness because we want to fit in.  Instead of daring to be different, we sacrifice our soul print on the altar of conformity.

3. If we will have God’s uniqueness for us, and if we will be who we are, we must be willing to take Saul’s armor off.

1 Samuel 17:38 40 (NKJV) 

38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 

39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them." So David took them off. 

40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 

Romans 14:12 (NKJV) 

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 

Soren Kierkegaard: The deepest form of despair is to be another than oneself.

Batterson - At the end of the day, God isn’t going to ask, “Why weren’t you more like Billy Graham or Mother Teresa?”  He won’t even ask, “Why weren’t you more like David?”  God is going to ask, “Why weren’t you more like you?”

–Today I want us to see how we can have confidence in who God created us to be...to have confidence in our uniqueness.

1. In discovering God’s soul print you may find that your greatest weakness may become your greatest strength. 

–Around the turn of the twentieth century, a pioneering psychologist by the name of Alfred Adler proposed the counterintuitive theory of compensation.

Adler - Perceived disadvantages often prove to be disguised advantages because they force us to develop attitudes and abilities that would have otherwise gone undiscovered. And it’s only as we compensate for those disadvantages that our greatest gifts are revealed. 

–The more he studied and researched the more he found...70 percent of the art students he studied had eye problems, he found that some of the greatest composers like Mozart and Beethoven had degenerative traces in their ears...hearing problems...probably loud music.

–Adler concluded that people with perceived disadvantages such as birth defects, physical ailments, and poverty can be springboards to success. That success is not achieved in spite of those perceived disadvantages.

–It’s achieved because of them. You are not a victim. Listen to what Paul says:

2 Corinthians 12:7 10 (NKJV) 

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 

9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

–Can you even perceive how powerful this is?  What a confidence we can have in Christ.

–We may think that what we are strong in is where our greatest advantage lies but our greatest advantage may be hidden in our greatest disadvantages. 

–One of the keys of finding what your soul print is identifying what our weaknesses are and letting God redeem them...Example of my speech impediment growing up.

–Batterson shared how he could not preach like many of his friends either from memory or from short notes but had to write out his sermons in manuscripts. Was embarrassed. 

 –What God uncovered by him doing this was that God revealed his hidden gift of writing.

–I used to preach from minimal notes but two things changed that for me...when I would go back and read my sermons I could not remember my main points and Jeremy wanted my sermons sent to him...no help to him.

--I started writing them out for him and for future benefit.

–When was the last time that you thanked God for the challenges and disadvantages in your life?  Without them you may never uncover God’s hidden gifts that give you holy confidence.

–David would have never discovered his greatest strengths without being confronted with his obvious weaknesses...He was not a warrior but a shepherd.

2. In discovering our soul print we find out God will use past experiences and present circumstances to unfold our destiny.

–All of us have heard that when you are staring death in the face that you begin to have your life flash before your eyes...can you imagine what David was seeing as he looked at Goliath?

–He is probably googling or binging past experiences trying to find anything that will help in this present situation.

–David has a flashback of a lion coming after his father’s sheep on the hills outside of Jerusalem...another flashback of a bear coming after the sheep...holy confidence comes.

1 Samuel 17:34 37 (NIV) 

34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 

35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 

36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 

37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you." 

–In that moment fear begins to evaporate...and his confidence rises up...it is more than realization...it is revelation...it is more than self-confidence...it is holy confidence.

–The un-circumcised Philistine who is staring him down is no different than the lion or the bear David faced and fought as he tended the sheep.

–David is able to connect the dots between his past experiences and his present circumstance and it empowers his soul with a sense of destiny.

Batterson - Every past experience is preparation for some future opportunity.  God doesn’t just redeem our souls.  He also redeems our experiences. And not just the good ones. He redeems the bad ones–especially the bad ones.

–He goes on to say that the way he does that is by developing our character, developing gifts, and teaching us lessons that could not be learned any other way than going thru the fire...this is not classroom teaching...this is on the job training.

–Let’s face it...we have all failed at some point. If you learn the lesson God is trying to teach you, no matter how things turn out, you have not failed. In fact, you cannot fail.

–Every wild beast that attacked David’s flock was just a pop quiz for the big test that was coming. David could have sacrificed his sheep over his own safety. It was preparation.

–Why is that so important...God was getting him ready to shepherd His flock...Israel.

3. In discovering your soul print God will use your greatest challenge to uncover His divine preparation.

–On paper, it was obvious that David was at a great disadvantage in facing Goliath on the battlefield. He probably was not good with a sword or spear...He was a shepherd.

–That perceived disadvantage gave him the advantage he needed to defeat Goliath. We all must learn that we cannot fight our enemy on his terms. The rules of engagement have to be changed to beat this giant or to beat the devil.

2 Corinthians 10:3 6 (NKJV) 

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 

6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 

–David may have been weak as a soldier but he was a great shepherd. He may not have been good with a sword but he was deadly with a sling...his holy preparation is leading to holy confidence...He was perfectly prepared and positioned to win this battle.

–The battle with Goliath was not won in the valley of Elah it was won on the hillsides outside of Jerusalem.

–There must have been times when David thought he was the one who was put out to pasture...could not go to war...could not be with the other brothers...He was exactly where God wanted him to be...getting prepared to shepherd His people.

–You may fill that way about your life but God is preparing you for your date with destiny. That is why it is imperative for you to be faithful where He has placed you!

--Pastor Rick, How do you know He has anything planned for my life?

Psalm 139:16 (NLT) 

16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

–God wants you to have a holy confidence that He has you in His hand.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) 

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

I love My Church – 6

I love My Church – 6

Subject – Jesus and His Love for Community

by Rick Welborne

John 17:20-26 (NLT2)
²⁰  “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
²¹  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
²²  “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.
²³  I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
²⁴  Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
²⁵  “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me.
²⁶  I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” 

--Today we are continuing the series I Love My Church and I do love Life Church and the people who have dedicated themselves to this community. 

--This subject has surely stirred my heart and I believe this idea of community is so important especially in these last days. That is actually what the writer of Hebrews was saying.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NCV)
²⁴  Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.
²⁵  You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the Day coming.

--These verses go to the very heart of community…we love each other so much that we want to help each other when it comes to living for Jesus. Encourage one another to be faithful. 

--Also, community is only lived out when we meet together. Don’t stay away from church when you can be here and when you are here, figure out how to encourage your brothers and sisters.

--Do this even more as you see the Day approaching. What Day? The return of Christ! If we believe He is coming soon, we should be getting our hearts ready and helping others do the same.

--Last week we shared about the community of the mat and how those guys were intentional about being friends and caring for each other. Without friends this man never makes it to Jesus…forgiven and healed.

--Today, as we move closer to celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, I want us again to look at Jesus and His love and dedication to this whole idea of community. 

--Please follow me today and see how this idea of community flows through all of scripture.

1. Jesus was in community with the Trinity from the beginning of time. 

John 17:21 & 24 (NLT2) 

²¹  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
²⁴  Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! 

--The Father, the Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit have been enjoying beautiful community since before the world began…they are One in everything…love, purpose, unity, mission.

--There unity has been so wonderful because of how they have all given glory to each other. 

Bruner - One of the most surprising discoveries in my own study of the doctrine and experience of the Spirit in the New Testament is what I call the shyness of the Spirit...What I mean here is not the shyness of timidity but the shyness of deference, the shyness of a concentrated attention on another; it is not the shyness (which we often experience) of self-centeredness; but the shyness of an other-centeredness.

–It is not a shyness of timidity but it is a shyness of love...it is where Holy Spirit is constantly drawing attention not to Himself but to Jesus. The Spirit comes in the Son’s Name, bears witness to the Son, and glorifies the Son.

–Jesus has this shyness too...He didn’t go around promoting Himself as the greatest...If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. He didn’t come to be served but to serve.

–Jesus submitted to the Spirit and was led in the wilderness to be tempted.

–The Father has this shyness...this otherness as He says at Jesus baptism and His transfiguration...This is My Son in Whom I am well pleased...Listen to Him.

–The whole Trinity has this shyness...they point faithfully and selflessly to each other.

Dallas Willard - The Trinity is a self-sufficing community of unspeakably magnificent personal beings of boundless love, knowledge, and power.

2. Jesus was in community with His family.

--We all know Jesus was born into the family of Joseph and Mary. Imagine having a son or a brother who is the Son of God. He thinks he is so perfect! Well, yes He does because yes He is!

--Please do not think there were not issues with Jesus in this family community. Remember when He was twelve they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. His parents head home. Not Jesus!

--They went a day’s journey before they realized He was not with them. How do you lose the Son of God? Imagine, it took them three days to find Him…my parents would have laid hands on me. He was in the temple.

Luke 2:48-52 (NKJV)
⁴⁸  So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."
⁴⁹  And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
⁵⁰  But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
⁵¹  Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
⁵²  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. 

--Let me show you how subject He was to His mother…let’s look at His first miracle at the wedding in Canaan. His mother had influence and knowledge about when He should begin His ministry. Community.

John 2:1-5 (NKJV)
¹  On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
²  Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
³  And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
⁴  Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."
⁵  His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." 

--When we submit to one another in this community called family, blessings and miracles can follow. His mother had the power to bless Him because of His submission (subjection) to her…community works.

3. Jesus started building community with His disciples. 

Matthew 4:17-22 (NKJV)
¹⁷  From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
¹⁸  And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
¹⁹  Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
²⁰  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
²¹  Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,
²²  and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. 

--Jesus had wonderful community with Father and with Holy Spirit but the Trinity wanted more…they wanted their community to expand…to grow and to be built one disciple at a time. 

--I have said over and over that this community (when you start adding people) is not perfect. Thomas doubted, Peter had a big mouth and was unstable, Judas betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver. Nevertheless:

Matthew 16:15-18 (NKJV)
¹⁵  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
¹⁶  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
¹⁷  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
¹⁸  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

--God’s community is built like God’s Kingdom, one soul at a time. Jesus is building the church and He is building a community that can withstand whatever Satan throws at us. Greater is He!

--Jesus wanted so much to build this community that He gave everything so that it would be born. He laid down His life. He was the seed that was planted to grow the church…the community of God.

John 12:23-27 (NKJV)
²³  But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
²⁴  Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
²⁵  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
²⁶  If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
²⁷  "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 

--Jesus wanted so much for this community of believers to grow (to actually multiply) that He was willing to die, to be buried, and to be resurrected by the Spirit of God.

--Listen to the wording in verse 24, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. Only when it dies does it multiply. Stay with me…

John 12:24 (NLT2)
²⁴  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.

--The reason churches struggle to grow and multiply is because we have independent kernels who are unwilling to die. Jesus, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

--The kernel of grain must be willing to be placed where it will not be visible, where it will have to be willing to get dirty, and has to be willing to die…if it doesn’t die…it doesn’t multiply. 

--In Jamestown, Virginia between 1609 and 1610…it was called the starving time. Out of 500 colonists, only sixty survived. It was a terrible time of death and atrocities. 

Planting Colonial Seeds – The gentlemen who came were arrogant, lazy, and did not know how to work because their servants did all the work for them back in England. They also played a crucial part in the Jamestown colony by eating all the seeds that were to be planted. The London Company who sponsored them gave everyone the same salary no matter how much work they did, encouraging them to be lazy.

--If God’s community will grow, it will be because we deny ourselves (serve others), take up our cross (whatever lot God gives us), and follow Him (not our own ways and desires). 

--If we eat the seeds or the grain instead of planting them…we will see no multiplication or growth. I read of cannibalism during Jamestown’s starving time. When we do not plant we devour one another.

--Community requires a higher standard:

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NCV)
²⁴  Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.
²⁵  You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the Day coming.