2020 Annual Business Meeting

Subject – Dead Men Wanted

by Rick Welborne

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
²⁰  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

--Crucifixion was the equivalent of being sentenced to the gallows (hanging), guillotine, electric chair, or the firing squad. Only difference it was more painful and longer lasting. The result was the same – death.

--The cross brought about a finality to every area of a man’s life. He was dead to the world, dead to his friends and family, dead to his pride and ambitions, dead to self-interests, dead to future plans.

--In our text Paul said I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and then, he went on to say;

Galatians 6:14 (NKJV)
¹⁴  But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

--It is no wonder that preaching of the cross has lessened today even though Jesus challenged every one of His followers to take up their cross and follow Him. The biblical meaning of the cross has almost been eliminated.

--This is not surprising when the title of one of the most popular Christian books on the market today is “Your Best Life Now”. Go to Christian bookstores and see all the self-help books…dieting and dressing for success.

--Let’s face it, self hates to die and lose its preeminence. We do everything to look good, smell good, and feel good. We want to be pampered, coddled, fussed over, and have people help us. 

--We flock to people who tell us how we can become more self-centered and more selfish than we already are. Paul perfectly described the attitude of the day when he warned Timothy;

2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)
¹  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
²  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
³  unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
⁴  traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
⁵  having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
⁶  For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
⁷  always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

--Self is the root here. Money provides the means to pursue pleasure to indulge one’s self. Yes, it is all about me and mine. I don’t think we know this or maybe we do, social media gives us the avenue to display the self-life.

--Not too hard to trace this desire for self-promotion to its origin. You arrive at Lucifer’s plan to usurp God. 

Isaiah 14:12-14 (NKJV)
¹²  "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 

¹³  For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
¹⁴  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' 

--Every fallen son of Adam has the same overwhelming urge to “do it My way”. It is only when self is dethroned that Jesus can take His rightful place as Lord and Master of our personal lives. 

--Hear your pastor…self is so powerful that the only way to successfully deal with it is through the cross. 

David Ravenhill – Make no mistake about it: Those who preach a man-centered message are enemies of the cross and God’s Kingdom. The whole new emphasis on “seeker sensitive” places the focus on man and his importance, rather than on the King and His Kingdom. I suspect those preaching this “gospel” are doing more to further the kingdom of Satan than even some of his most powerful demons. 

--What the Church needs, what Life Church needs in this hour are not those glorifying the selfish self-life but those who are willing to die to themselves and are living for Christ. 

--We don’t need more leaders who have a vibrant, thriving self-life but we need those who have learned the way of the cross…dying to themselves. We need people who are dead to themselves and alive to Christ. How, Paul?

1 Corinthians 15:31 (NIV)
³¹  I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Missions – Unity, Faithfulness, and Generosity

Missions – Unity, Faithfulness, and Generosity

Subject – The Circle of Being Blessed in Missions

by Rick Welborne

Psalm 133:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
²  It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.
³  It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- Life forevermore. 

Matthew 25:21 (NLT2)
²¹  “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 

Isaiah 32:8 (NLT2)
⁸  But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. 

--Psalm 133, these verses refer to the time that Aaron was anointed high priest. It also speaks of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

--Someone has said that in this verse you have the fragrance of a lovely rose. This precious ointment was put on the priest to indicate that he was a priest unto God. This was also a prophecy of future events.

--Ezekiel speaks of a future day, and like that ointment that ran down on Aaron, so will God pour out His Spirit. 

--This is the meaning, of Joel's prophecy of the outpouring of Holy Spirit upon Israel which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. 

Acts 2:16-18 (NKJV)
¹⁶  But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
¹⁷  'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
¹⁸  And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 

1. Unity

--I see something here that is definitely relevant to Life Church, to our vision, our passion, and our mission. All of you hear me speak of Holy Spirit and missions all the time. Unity is magnifies this.

Acts 2:1 (NKJV)
¹  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

--The 120 were with one accord (in unity) in one place (the upper room or church) waiting and worshiping for the Promise of the Father. They were not exactly sure what they were waiting on. Stay with me.

They were in unity in their obedience to God. Jesus had told them to go to Jerusalem and to wait there until they were endued with power from on high. 

They were in unity with their gathering together where Jesus told them to go and wait. None of the 120 said we can pray just as well at home. Most people lose their focus at home…the Lord is not on their minds.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT2)
²⁴  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
²⁵  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

--They were in unity in their obedience, in their gathering where Jesus told them (church), and               They were also in unity in what they were doing when they arrived at the upper room. Worship.

Luke 24:52-53 (NKJV)
⁵²  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
⁵³  and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

The 120 were in such beautiful unity with their expectation of what God was about to do that they were filled with joy as they worshiped and they were continually praising and blessing God at the temple (church).

Psalm 133:1 (NKJV)
¹  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 

--The 120 were in such unity in the upper room being obedient, being where Jesus told them to be, and in their worship…the psalmist said what they were doing was good and pleasant. They were unified!

--So what was the result of this good and pleasant unity…the oil was poured out on the priest…not just a little. It was so much it was running down Aaron’s beard and onto his clothes. But he was the priest. Yes!

1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 (NKJV)
⁴  Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
⁵  you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
⁹  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
¹⁰  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 

Key - Because you are dwelling together in good and pleasant unity and because you are a royal priesthood, a special people, you become a candidate for the oil to be poured out upon you!

--On the Day of Pentecost we see the fulfillment of Psalms 133 and that of Joel 2 and it was all set up by the Word of the Lord and by the unity of the people. 

Joel 2:15-16, 28-32 (NKJV)
¹⁵  Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;
¹⁶  Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.
²⁸  "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
²⁹  And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
³⁰  "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
³¹  The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
³²  And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. 

--So what are you saying, Pastor Rick? So glad you asked. I am saying that good and pleasant unity among the believers leads to the outpouring of Holy Spirit!

--Not only that, it leads to revival! And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance. 

--We must contend for unity! We must seek after the outpouring of Holy Spirit because it leads to people being empowered and people calling on the Name of the Lord! But there is more in Psalms 133.

Psalm 133:3 (NKJV)
³  It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- Life forevermore. 

--I hope you see it before I say it…where there is good and pleasant unity God pours out His Spirit in abundance. But there is more! Everyone say more! There the Lord commands blessings!

--How many of you want God to pour out His Spirit on you, on your sons and daughters, on your employees, and how many of you want Him to command blessings over you. Life evermore!

John 10:10 (NKJV)
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.

--About two months ago I told our pastoral staff to pray with me because I knew there was sin in the camp. A sin of disunity is what God began to reveal.

--Unity is so important to God that one person’s attitude or spirit of disunity can make it hard on everyone in the camp. Pastor, one person’s sin couldn’t or wouldn’t affect the whole church…would it? Remember Achan!

--Reader’s Digest version…Israel was to attack Jericho and they were given specific instructions not to take any of the spoil or they would be doomed to destruction. Achan took silver, a robe, and gold…buried it in his tent.

--When they were to go against Ai they were defeated and over 30 men died. The people were overwhelmed with fear because they had not been defeated before. God revealed it was one man’s sin…think about that.

--Achan lost his life and also his family’s lives. So sad that thirty families were in mourning, his own family suffered, and the whole camp was hurting. The same is true for us when there is disunity. One person did this!

--God has helped us and I believe we are in one accord and in one spirit (Holy Spirit), He is pouring out Holy Spirit, and He is getting ready to command His blessings on us…life evermore! On our missions and tithes!

--That being said…let 2020 be your year that you are in unity with Life Church by being faithful in your attendance, your tithing, and by doing a Faith Promise. I am still praying for 100% participation. Unity!

--What miracles could God do if we were all in one accord? Let’s find out! Let your 2020 vision be such that you trust God that He will do what He says. Get ready for Him to command blessings on you and your family!

2. Faithfulness

Faithfulness - the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. It can also mean keeping one's promises no matter the prevailing circumstances, such as God's covenant to love his people. Literally, it is the state of being full of faith in the sense of steady devotion to a person, thing, or concept.

--To be faithful is to be reliable, steadfast and unwavering. Loyal consistent practice no matter what is going on in our lives. Easy to be faithful when everything is going well. Do it when times are tough.

--Just a warning from a pastor who loves you very much. If you give in to the temptation backing away with attendance, giving, or loyalty is a slippery slope leading always to the bottom…the pit.

Matthew 25:21 (NLT2)
²¹  “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 

--Listen to what Jesus says in this verse. We see celebration! How awesome it is when we are such good stewards of what God has blessed us with, the Master celebrates with us! What a blessing!

--We see commitment! Well done, my good and faithful servant! Faithfulness leads to praise from Jesus!

--Faithfulness leads to commendation by Jesus. Again, when we are faithful with our obedience, calling, tithe, and with our missions (FP) God is very pleased! Jesus says, I will give you many more responsibilities.

--The number one thing I believe God requires of His servants is faithfulness…well done, my good and faithful servant. Faithfulness is what gives us access to Him and His joy.

Matthew 25:21 (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.'

--Your pastor is not so interested how talented you are or even all the experience you have in church life. If you cannot be faithful to God, to the church, to the pastor, you are disqualified.

--I can’t tell you how many times in the last 29 years as pastor that I have been asked to give someone a good recommendation for a church position somewhere else…if they were not faithful…nope!

--About faithfulness let me conclude with this…it is not just showing up, it is not just giving, it is much about loving people and treating them the way you want to be treated.

--Jesus talks in Mat. 24 about a wise and faithful servant taking care of those who worked for him. The servant says the Lord is delaying His coming and beats his servants…That person will be cut in two. 

3. Generosity 

--I had a pastor ask me…why do I believe Life Church is so blessed and so generous. Lots of wealthy people? Nope, just generous people. I asked him when was the last time his church had received a thank you card?

--What he said broke my heart. I can’t remember the last time. He asked what that had to do with anything? I said we receive thank you cards almost daily because we are always blessing missionaries or the poor.

--Number 4 in our Distinctives as a church is creating an atmosphere of generous giving. Why? We have learned God will bless us individually and corporately when we are generous. Here’s the best reason:

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV)
⁶  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
⁷  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Isaiah 32:8 (NLT2)
⁸  But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. 

--So what are you saying, Pastor Rick? As we are a church in good and pleasant unity, as we are a church filled with faithful loving people, and we are generous…God will command His blessings over us! It works!

Our Mission – 4 – Tenets of Faith

Our Mission – 4 – Tenets of Faith

Subject – Statement of Fundamental Truths of the A/G

by Rick Welborne

--Last week we shared with you our Distinctive as a church…

1. Our First Distinctive: We should be passionate about the lost.

2. Our Second Distinctive: Home and world missions.

3. Our Third Distinctive: Being filled with the Holy Spirit.

4. Fourth Distinctive - Generous giving.

5. Fifth Distinctive: Worship.

--In that message we mentioned the Tenets of Faith or what we call the Sixteen Fundamental Truths of the Assembly of God. I felt I should share with you those truths:

1. The Scriptures Inspired

--We believe the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. 

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV)
¹⁴  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
¹⁵  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
¹⁷  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

--Paul is telling Timothy to continue studying the Holy Scriptures. Why? They will make you wise enough to understand salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

--Paul also tells him that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Wow, how important God’s Word is.

--This is so incredible…the Scriptures will make the man or woman of God complete, equipped to do God’s will. We say we want to know the will of God…read the Word of God.

--Your pastor is always talking about Holy Spirit and how important He is in your lives. Listen to this:

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV)
²⁰  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
²¹  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

--Make sure you are careful what you read and who you listen to…just dealt with someone reading books that were only giving half truths about God’s Word. Read translations not interpretations of the Bible.

--The Scriptures or prophecies came as Holy Spirit moved on holy men of God. He spoke through them what the will and the Word of God are to us. Not man’s will but God’s. 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
¹³  For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

2. The One True God

--The One true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I am”, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and the Redeemer of mankind. 

--God has revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relations and associations as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Though this sounds complicated, keep remembering He is God.

Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV)
⁴  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

--A caution: there is a Pentecostal denomination that can really confuse you if you are not careful. I have heard them say that we must serve a three headed God if we believe in the Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

--I have seen them confuse people in Life Church but as always, they only use portions of God’s Word instead of the whole. They were very strong in Covington, La.

--One of their preachers would come to me when I was trying to do restaurant ministry and would want to argue with me. He interrupted me witnessing to people and was being obnoxious. Not a good sign.

--I told him if he would wait until I was finished eating and talking to my friends, I would speak to him. My friends wanted to know who that jerk was. We finished eating, my friends left, and went outside.

--He waited for forty-five minutes to argue about the Trinity. He said, “Show me one portion of Scripture where the Trinity or this three headed God is and I will leave you alone.” I said okay.

Matthew 3:13-17 (NKJV)
¹³  Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
¹⁴  And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
¹⁵  But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
¹⁶  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
¹⁷  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

--I asked Who is in the river…He said Jesus. I said that is one. I asked Who descended like a dove…He said the Spirit of God. I said that is two. I asked Who was speaking from Heaven this is My Beloved Son? Father.

--I said that is three. I said unless Jesus is a ventriloquist I can see all three there. He said “Shut up!” He walked away angry. 

--We serve the One true God but He reveals Himself in three persons or personalities as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a beautiful mystery but it expresses His love for us and His desire to reveal Himself to us.

 Isaiah 43:10-11 (NLT2)
¹⁰  “But you are My witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “You are My servant. You have been chosen to know Me, believe in Me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God— there never has been, and there never will be.
¹¹  I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior. 

--That denomination will also tell you that the only way you can baptize someone is in Jesus Name. I believe doing that is okay because the disciples did that too but I choose to listen to Jesus.

Matthew 28:18-19 (NLT2)
¹⁸  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.

3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

Deity - comes from a Latin word Deus which means "GOD.". When a person believes in the deity of Christ he is saying, “I believe that Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is the Supreme Being!” He is more than a mere man; He is God! 

--The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.

A. He was born of a virgin.

Matthew 1:22-23 (NLT2)
²²  All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
²³  “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 

B. He lived a sinless life.

Hebrews 7:24-26 (NLT2)
²⁴  But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.
²⁵  Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
²⁶  He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 

C. He worked miracles.

Acts 2:22 (NKJV) ²²  "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

D. His substitutionary work on the cross.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NKJV)
¹⁷  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
¹⁸  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
¹⁹  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
²⁰  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
²¹  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

E. His bodily resurrection from the dead. 

Matthew 28:5-7 (NKJV)
⁵  But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
⁶  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
⁷  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

F. His exaltation to the right hand of God.

Acts 2:32-33 (NKJV)
³²  This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
³³  Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

4. The Fall of Man

--Man was created good and upright. God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man by his own sin fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death. Separation from…

Romans 5:17-18 (NLT2)
¹⁷  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
¹⁸  Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Our Mission - 2

Our Mission - 2

Subject: The Process and Purpose of Getting to The Other Side

by Rick Welborne

Matthew 14:22‑33 (NKJV) 

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 

24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 

28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 

29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." 

–How exciting last week was it to have all the Life Church Ministries pass before us on the screens and see what all God is doing.

–Thank you for so many of you filling out your ministry forms and thanks to the rest of you who will do the same...It is obviously time to get out of the boat and minister. We need some water walkers!

–I hope and pray that the day is over that you have to guilt people into doing something for Christ and that they will do it because they love Jesus so much.

–Tonight I want to speak to you about the process and purpose of going to the other side.

1. Jesus made His disciples get in the boat to go to the other side.

–Immediately Jesus made His disciples...I love the urgency and the authority of Jesus to get His disciples to the other side.

–Evidently there was something or someone very important on the other side...people!

–Jesus was sending His disciples on a mission’s trip because there were people who needed salvation and healing.

--Do you suppose Jesus wants to use Life Church to minister on the other side of the ocean and here at home?

–He sent the multitudes away and He went up on a mountain to pray...I suppose He was praying for those they had just touched to remain faithful and praying for those on the other side to be saved.

Dan Betzer: Why should we be able to hear the gospel over and over again when there are people who have not heard it once?

–He sent the people away so He and His disciples could go to the other side. An urgent mission.

2. Jesus never promised us that the process of getting to the other side would be easy.

–The boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Maybe as you try to support missions, your sea is rocking and rolling. That does not change the mission.

–Why is it, so often, that when we decide to do the right thing that there is adversity? The devil hates souls.

–Jesus made His disciples get in the boat to go to the other side and now they are in the middle of a storm.  Must not have heard from God...having all this trouble. Remember he is the father of lies.

–Listen to what God says about Israel crossing the Red Sea on dry land:

Isaiah 43:15‑19 (NKJV) 

15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King." 

16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, 

17 Who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick): 

18 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 

19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. 

–He is the God who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters...a road in the wilderness ...rivers in the desert...if He says Go...He will make a way.

–If He lays on your heart to help Life Church to be able to send almost 196 missionaries all around the world...He will make a way in your financial storm.

–If we do that, Pastor Rick, we will surely drown...So I guess you are saying that God cannot keep His Word ...He will make a way in the sea and in the mighty storm.

–If Jesus said we are getting in the boat and going to the other side...we will get there...The people...the souls on the other side are of such value to Jesus...He will make a way. 

3. Jesus promises to go with us when He sends us to the other side.

–Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 

–What makes ministry and missions possible is knowing that Jesus will be with us. He has promised that Holy Spirit will give us power to be witnesses.

Matthew 28:18‑20 (NLT) 

18 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.” 

–Jesus is with us always...He has all authority in heaven and on earth. He has told us to go or help people go to the other side to do what...make disciples, baptize them, and to teach them to obey His commands.

--This is what missions is all about. His power and authority is evident by how He walks on the very things which cause us fear...the storms of life.

4. Jesus commands Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water to Him.

–How do you know He commanded Peter to walk on water?  Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." He said, Come!

–Too funny...Jesus tells the disciples to get in the boat and now He tells Peter to get out and walk...The purpose of this is to let us know we must obey on the way to the other side

–Maybe you cannot see any way that you can pay your tithes (10% of your income) and to give to missions also...I strongly encourage you to obey what Jesus commands you.

–Maybe this coming week you should have the faith of the apostle Peter...Lord command me to Come to you...command me what to do about paying my tithes and missions. Faith Promises!

–I cannot re-iterate to you enough how blessed you will be if you joyfully obey whatever Jesus asked you to do in your heart or thru His Word. Or by listening to your pastor. God gave me a mandate when I came here.

–What if we obey and we begin to sink...The same thing will happen to you that happened to Peter.

Matthew 14:30‑33 (NKJV) 

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." 

–You cry out: Lord, save me!  Jesus will reach out His hand and catch you. When He does you will worship Him and say:  "Truly You are the Son of God." 

Malachi 3:10 (NIV) 

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 

5. Jesus sent them to the other side so they could witness a great revival.

Mark 6:53‑56 (NKJV) 

53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 

54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 

55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 

56 Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. 

–When they have crossed over...Yippee!  Mission accomplished...well not completely.

–You see when we give to Missions...it is the front side of the miracle...we provide for those getting in the boat to physically go to the other side.

–You see, our A/G missionaries and others travel from church to church sharing their call to some land and they ask churches like Life Church to support them on a monthly basis.

–When they have enough churches supporting them they get in the boat (plane) and go to the other side...Many of them face great difficulty getting where God calls them.

–They persevere because the God Who says “Come” also says “Go”. You could literally help a missionary fulfill God’s call and also fulfill God’s plan to reach the lost.

–When the disciples (along with Jesus) come out of the boat...revival broke out! I am of the opinion as the people of Life Church get out of the boat...the same will happen.

–This is what we call “Good News!” Such good news that the people began to run thru the whole surrounding region bringing to Jesus those who were sick.

Mark 6:56 (NKJV)

56 Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. 

–We declare revival is coming!  We declare revival is coming!

–All we need are some folks to get in the boat (catch the vision of Jesus, the church, and missions), endure some hardships and sacrifice, and then get out of the boat on the other side...reaching the lost.

–Find your purpose: Get out of the boat...fill out a faith promise next week (100%), fill out a ministry form, get connected to the body of Christ, and walk on the water for someone else’s soul!

--Covington Youth missions trip to Mexico.…making our way to the base of the mountain.