Sermon Central
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Living Faith Church - Benediction Service
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 9, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Our church's final service was held on April 8, 2018, and we discussed three critical things as we each look ahead to what God has for us next: 1) remember what God has done, 2) tell others of what God has done, and 3) imagine what God will do next.
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Benediction Service
1 Chronicles 16:8-13 & 23-36
Benediction Service
- Today, we celebrate our final church service here at Living Faith Church
-- Last week, I said this would not be a funeral … and I meant it
- We won’t have a funeral for three simple reasons:
1. Our Savior is alive
2. He is still on His throne
3. He is calling us to go and make disciples
- FACT: God wants us to live lives of praise because of what He has done
- Today’s passage comes right out of His instructions to His people
-- It demonstrates how they should live – and I believe we can apply this today
- Read 1 Chronicles 16:8-13 & 23-36 / Pray
- TRANS: First, we are called to remember what God has done
Point 1 – Remembering what God has done
- Vs 8 – “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done”
- Vs 11 – “Think of the wonderful works He has done…”
- As we go about our day, it’s easy to forget what God has done
- We often become a people of griping and complaining instead of being thankful
- Let’s remember what God has done:
• Creation – He created it for us to enjoy/take care of
• Companionship – He gives us relationships with each other –spouse/family
• Provision – Food, shelter, health … He provides what we need
• Salvation – No greater act…no greater provision than eternal life
• Heaven – Provides a place to dwell with Him forever
- God woke us up this morning to enjoy another day being thankful for life
-- He gave us another day to recall all that He has done – to praise Him
-- APP: Truly, we ought to remember all that He has done for us
- TRANS: Second, we should desire to tell others what He has done
Point 2 – Tell others what He has done
- Vs. 9 – “Sing to Him; sing His praises. Tell everyone about His miracles.”
- Vs 24 – “…Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.”
- Vs 31 – “…Tell all the nations that the Lord is King.”
- These verses really are a challenge to look inward in response to God
- In the life of our church, we’ve seen many great things happen:
• Salvation and baptism of two children
• Re-affirmation/Re-dedication of faith of several
• Provision to move from incredible debt to flourishing (w/ 2 bldg changes)
• Attendance in church (for some who haven’t been in years)
• Community outreaches:
o 2 summer festivals
o Provided school backpacks for 50 children
o Gave dozens food baskets during several holidays
o City-wide witness of 5 living nativity scenes
o Welcomed 100+ families to Trunk or Treat
- Sadly, even in our successes we tend to dwell on the negative
-- Admit it: This is human nature – but it doesn’t mean it’s how we should be
- The world is already filled with enough negativity and sorrow
-- Biblically, we should be different because Christ has made us new
-- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) says, “What this means is those who have become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone, A new life has begun!”
- If we are to see people saved, we must tell people of His goodness;
- If we are to see lives changed, we must tell people of His goodness;
- Best advice: share your testimony of what He has done; not of our failures
- APP: If we won’t … it will drive people from Christ instead of to Him
- TRANS: Third, we should praise Him and look ahead to what He will do
Point 3 – Praise and imagine what else He will do
- This passage gives us two opportunities to be encouraged in everything we do
- First, let’s talk about living a life of praise:
- Vs 23 – “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.”
- Vs 24 – “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
- Vs 29 – “Ascribe (assign) to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
- When we praise, we are showing others why we live joyfully
-- Anyone can go through the motions – but – will you and I walk the walk?
-- APP: Showing the glory of God must be shown by how we live … WHY?
- Vs 25 – “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.”