Living At A Higher Level

Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)

Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and

gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was

like sweet perfume to him.

The Line in the Sand

- Evangelistically effective

- Spirit led

- Culturally relevant

- Clearly defined mission and purpose

- Deeper discipleship

- Empowerment and equipping of laity

- A reproducing/sending body

A Four Pronged Approach

- Reaching

- Growing

- Equipping

- Sending

Crossing the Line

- Spirit Led – Acts 19:21

Afterward Paul felt impelled by the Holy Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before

returning to Jerusalem. "And after that," he said, "I must go on to Rome!"

Spirit Led

- Identifying the movement of God

- Identifying the opportunities given

- Responding in obedience

- Exalting the name of Jesus

- Evidenced by changed lives, Kingdom growth and God sized events

- Evangelistically Effective – Romans 10:14-15

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe

in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

[15] And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when

they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Evangelistically Effective

- Intentional Prayer

- Bridge events

- Evangelistic small groups

- Evangelism training

- Highly relational

- Culturally Relevant – 1 Corinthians 9:20-22

When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with

those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I

can bring them to Christ. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in

with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do

not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

[22] When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them

to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.

Culturally Relevant

- Knowing our community

- Utilizing the senses

- Understanding cultural trends

- Influencing our community

- Speaking in the language of the day

- Multiple avenues of engagement

Clearly defined mission and purpose

- Reaching up – Mark 12:30

- Reaching out

- Reaching in

Mark 12:30 (NLT)

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all

your strength.’

Clearly defined mission and purpose

- Reaching up – Mark 12:30

- Reaching out – Matthew 28:19-20

- Reaching in

Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

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."

Clearly defined mission and purpose

- Reaching up – Mark 12:30

- Reaching out – Matthew 28:19-20

- Reaching in – 1 John 4:7

1 John 4:7 (NLT)

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is

born of God and knows God.

- Deeper Discipleship – Hebrews 6:1 (NLT)

So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and

become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance

of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

Deeper Discipleship

- Becoming a high expectation church

- Every member

- Participates in worship

- Participates in a small group

- Has a daily time with the Lord

- Gives faithfully

- Uses their spiritual gifts in service

- Is involved in mission/outreach

- Accountability is modeled and practiced

- Empowerment and Equipping of Laity – 2 Timothy 1:13 (NLT)

Hold on to the pattern of right teaching you learned from me. And remember to live in the faith

and love that you have in Christ Jesus.

Empowerment and Equipping of Laity

- Helping each member identify their giftedness

- Providing opportunities for service and innovation

- Provide personal mentoring and discipleship

- Develop ministries around the person

- A Reproducing/Sending Body – 2 Corinthians 8:22 (NLT)

And we are also sending with them another brother who has been thoroughly tested and has shown how