"Are You Plugged Or Unplugged” Pt.2 Series

Intro: What is the vision of the house? My desire for this house is not to establish a legacy or spend money for self glorification. My desire; the vision of this house is to establish this church as a light for this city. I don’t want us to be classified as a traditional church that is not willing to change and use what is available to spread the Gospel message to everyone. Just as Christ spoke to the people in parables and related to the people at their level, we need to do the same. We need to use modern methods to catch today’s fish. If you look at a fisherman their methods have changed but the results are still the same as when Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishing the Sea of Galilee.

We need to be a house that is open to everyone, white, black, yellow, brown, and red there is not to be a racially, economical or social barrier that divides us. Everyone that comes here I want them to feel free, even if that means they came from the wrong side of town all the way from the hood. This is the 21st century we live in 2008; it is time to move past racial discrimination, white people, black people all people can be bad people color doesn’t make you sin more or less. (Jer 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;)

I don’t want anyone to miss their appointment at the Masters table all because of a color issue. The only color that matters is red and that’s for the blood because it is the only thing that can turn a sinner into a saint.

My job is to hear from God that I may instruct and encourage you in your relationship with the Lord. We are all to be evangelist for the kingdom making known the Gospel message to all. That those that feel shackled by sin can be unshackled and freed in Jesus name! Church all that matters to me is that we win souls and know the Lord at an intimate level. That His kingdom may grow and that the enemies’ kingdom is diminished. That we all may be united in Praise to the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Now that you know what I want for this house, I need your skills, gifts, and talents to help fulfill the vision that is set before you. I need you to stand with me and help me fulfill the vision.

I. Getting plugged in.

Ever wondered how far your faithfulness can take you? Faithfulness today helps set the stage for promotion tomorrow. (Read Matthew 25:14-29) Matthew 25:23 (Parable of the talents) “Be faithful over a few things and I’ll make you ruler over many.”

We show up at our jobs each day, not always seeing what our faithfulness is creating for our future. We go to church each week, sometimes not realizing the character, power, and stability that our faithful actions are producing not only in our lives but also the lives of others. Your faithfulness to this church will impact others for the Kingdom.

Faithfulness is a spiritual law that when activated, produces tangible evidence in our lives. Marks of greatness begin when we continue in a lifestyle of faithfulness. If we remain faithful over the little things big things are in store for those that are faithful.

Nobody starts a job on the top; if you want the better pay and position, you must be willing to work hard and give it your all. It is when you show yourself faithful that is when you are rewarded. (Tell story of getting 3 raises in one year.)

II. The local church is like an electrical outlet.

Nothing happens till we get plugged in.

Now you know that if you go down to Circuit City or Best Buy and you get the best HDTV, home theater, blu-ray player and satellite system with HD and DVR, and then take it home set it up real nice. But never plug any of it up, you have just made a nice display and spent a lot money, but you are not getting all that you paid for; it does more when you plug it up!

So many are like that in the church they have become fixtures and have never got plugged into the church.

The church is the outlet that the Holy Spirit uses to train and equip the saints for the work of the ministry. It is here in the Church where the Holy Spirit empowers you so that God can get all that He paid for with the blood of Jesus.