10 Objectives for 2010
Greetings one and all! 2010 is off and running to a frigid start! Now you know why they had to take Global Warming and re-title it Climate Change! Let's not get started already this year on politics. Jesus isn't going to change the world using the government or politics anyway. He's going to use the Church!
With this is mind, I preached a sermon on Sunday about some objectives I believe God would have every member of Current Church attain to in the coming year. I thought it would be good to rehash the message in this blog so we can refer back to it in the weeks and months to come. If you are not part of Current, you may still find some goodness in this and discover an area God may challenge you in this year.
So here we go! 10 Objectives for 2010.
First, Be a Person of Prayer. Jesus taught that his house would be a house of prayer Mark 11:17. The Church is the house but so are you. Here are a few ways to BE a person of prayer.
1. Find a quiet place were you can DAILY meet with Jesus.
2. Take advantage of corporate prayer times.
- 5:30pm on Sundays in the newly finished "Upper Chamber" (or whatever it gets named).
- 7:00pm on Mondays at "SOAK" at Current Church/The Gear.
3. Pray with your friends when you see them. Even if it is short prayer of encouragement.
4. Learn to pray "prayer models". The simplest example is to pray The Lord's Prayer.
-Use your own words.
-Pray other scriptures the same way.
Second, Be a Student of the Word. The word is a lamp to our feet Psalm 119:105 and that the memorized word helps us not to sin Psalm 119:11. Here are a few suggestions for becoming a good student of the greatest book of all time, The Bible.
1. Read the word, sometimes aloud.
2. Get on a scheduled reading plan.
3. Use study guides and devotionals. Have them sent to your email daily.
4. Memorize key/favorite scriptures.
5. Share what you learn with others.
Third, Be in an Organic Small Group. This should be a group of friends or a group that want to become friends. Jesus had a group of 12 as well as a group of 3 within the twelve. If Jesus did this, so should we. This group will provide several things that will help you BE the person God wants you to be.
1. Develops Godly friendships.
2. Encourages Accountability.
3. Gives you friends to pray, study and evangelize with.
4. Encourages Godly entertainment.
Fourth, Be Actively Involved in Evangelism. Col. 4:2-6
1. Share YOUR grace story (testimony) of how you came to Christ and how following him has changed your life.
2. Develop creative relationships.
-Visit the same teller every time you go to the store.
-Ask for the same waitress (oops, server) when you go to restaurants.
-Get creative and meet your neighbors. Make them want to know you.
3. Love your neighbor as yourself.
4. Give those in your circle of influence repeated opportunities to accept or deny Jesus.
5. Don't QUIT!
Number 5, Be Unified with the Body at Current Church. Check out Ephesians 4:3-16.
1. We should share a unified vision and purpose.
2. Edify one another.
3. Encourage the Family of believers.
4. Always speak well of the whole body(every church), Current Church, church leadership and the ministries of Current.
5. Assume the best of others not the worst.
Sixth, Be a Servant. Jesus said if you want to be great learn to be a servant Mark 10:43.
1. Look for ways to serve the body of Christ.
2. Look for ways to serve the lost. This opens doors for evangelism! But do it just because you love Jesus.
3. Serve the Church facilities.
4. Discover how God would use you in ministry and DO IT!
Seventh, Be a Faithful Giver. Yes, I mean money. Don't forget that God owns it all. We are to be stewards of what he has given us. Since our money is actually his, we are to spend it as HE would want it spent. Check out Mal. 3:6-12 it shows how God feels about us when we are disobedient with HIS money. You might also want to read 2 Co. 8-9 to understand the generosity God expects from us. If you are part of Current Church, we expect your faithful, consistent giving. Here's how:
1. Financially support Current Church with your tithes (a tenth of your gross income) and offerings.
-The government TAKES a much higher % and often uses if for evil.
-God ASKS us to return to him only a portion of what is already his.
-Your tithes provide for the ministry, gospel presentation and support of missionaries at Current Church.
2. Follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit regarding offerings.
3. Live like everything we have is God's, BECAUSE IT IS.
Numero 8, Be a Person of Humility.
1. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Js. 4:6
2. He must become greater, I must become less. Jn. 3:30
3. We are not all that and a bag of chips! Consider Php. 2:1-8
The ninth objective is Be Desirous of Wisdom. "Wisdom is supreme, therefore get wisdom though it cast you all yu have, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7
Finally, the tenth, Be in a Mentoring Relationship. You may have heard it called discipleship. Everyone needs a "Paul" in their life. Someone they look up to as a spiritual father (or mother for the girls). Someone they can ask questions of and allow that person to speak into their lives. We also need a "Timothy". A son (or daughter for the ladies) that we can sow into, teach and train what God has taught us. Finally we also need a "Barabas". A friend or equal of the same sex. Someone from your small group perhaps. You can encourage one another.
I'm sure that many of you are already doing well at many of these objectives. Some of you may need to improve in a lot of areas. We are here to help. Working at any of these will bring growth and that is the ultimate objective.
I love you all and I am looking forward to an amazing 2010! Let's Go!!!
The Rev
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