Simple Growth - for 2010
Thesis for the New Year at CH:
1. We need to win one in 2010 and then determine to disciple them here at Christian Hills Church.
2. We also need to commit to reach out to 9 other people outside the church. These 9 are outside our church and the focus here is Kingdom Growth. It’s about growing the Kingdom of God! We need to commit to reach out and help someone out in their spiritual journey. This could be by giving someone our time, some financial support, some encouragement, some of our resources, some sacrificial service and even our friendship – remember outside Christian Hills.
Scripture Texts: Mark 16:15-20
Mark 16:15 (NIV)
15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Mark 16:16 (NIV)
16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:17 (NIV)
17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
Mark 16:18 (NIV)
18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Mark 16:19 (NIV)
19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Mark 16:20 (NIV)
20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus said this anointing was on Him and in Matthew he gives us the charge to go out and do the same because all authority was given to Him and he now gives it to His disciples. Imagine if we really did this what could happen?
Here is the equation for simple growth:
Our church is approximately 250 people – so if each of us win’s one in 2010 then our church is 500 and that is 100% growth for one year. It’s a simple number win one in 2010 is simple growth.
Reach out to 9 other people for Kingdom Growth – This means we at Ch commit to growing the Kingdom of God. We do this by taking risks for others, by doing service projects, by giving to others who need a financial blessings, by serving others – even in other churches. How do we do this? We do this by becoming involved in our community.
Idea’s:
Share about my reaching out to Aaron my fitness instructor – it’s about reaching outside the church – to others in their spiritual journey.
Share about e-mails from sermoncentral.com.
Share about Tamra’s website for black dogs. Getting involved in a community event to impact people with the Gospel through reaching out to help Black Dogs – People Magazine discovered the website and gave Tamara National press.
We need to commit to reaching out beyond ourselves and lead people from here to eternity!
Why the urgency of evangelism in 2010:
Turn with me to Revelation 17 and 18!
In light of this Revelation do you have a sense of urgency to reach out and win the lost to Jesus? Or do you not even care?
Illustration: Evangelism Quotes and Illustrations from sermoncentral.com:
1. Paul Harvey said, "Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium."
2. Paul Little in his book "How to Give Away Your Faith" defines witnessing: "Witnessing is that deep-seated conviction that the greatest favor I can do for others is to introduce them to Jesus Christ."
3. Elton Trueblood, the Quaker scholar, once compared evangelism to fire. Evangelism occurs, he said, when Christians are so ignited by their contact with Christ that they in turn set other fires. It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as fire that does not burn is a contradiction.
4. Evangelism is not what we tell people, unless what we tell is totally consistent with who we are. It is who we are that is going to make the difference. If we do not truly enjoy our faith, nobody is going to catch the fire of enjoyment from us. If our lives are not totally centered on Christ, we will not be Christ-bearers for others, no matter how pious our words. [Show and Tell, Citation: Madeleine L’Engle, quoted in Christian Reader (May/June 1998, p. 50)]
5. Recently, I saw a letter written by a relatively new Christian to the person whose life had influenced hers so greatly. She actually lists about a dozen qualities she found contagious in the life of this older Christian. Listen to some of what she wrote: You know when we met; I began to discover a new vulnerability, a warmth, and a lack of pretence that impressed me. I saw in you a thriving spirit - no signs of internal stagnation anywhere. I could tell you were a growing person and I liked that. I saw you had strong self-esteem, not based on the fluff of self-help books, but on something a whole lot deeper. I saw that you lived by convictions and priorities and not just by convenience, selfish pleasure, and financial gain. And I had never met anyone like that before. I felt a depth of love and concern as you listened to me and didn’t judge me. You tried to understand me, you sympathized and you celebrated with me, you demonstrated kindness and generosity - and not just to me, but to other people, as well. And you stood for something. You were willing to go against the grain of society and follow what you believed to be true, no matter what people said, and no matter how much it cost you. And for those reasons and a whole host of others, I found myself really wanting what you had. Now that I’ve become a Christian, I wanted to write to tell you I’m grateful beyond words for how you lived out your Christian life in front of me. Basically, she was saying, "Thanks for being a Contagious Christian." Reading a letter like that motivates me to live as a contagious Christian too. How about you? I’ll bet you want your life to count for a whole lot more than trinkets and toys and zeros on a pay check, too. From: Becoming A Contagious Christian
6. Recently I heard Dieter Zander, the pastor of the first GenX church in America speak at a conference about reaching people in the age of relativism. He cited a Barna study that asked people to use single words to describe Jesus. They responded, "wise, accepting, compassionate, gracious, humble." Then he asked them to use single words to describe Christians, they said, "critical, exclusive, self righteous, narrow and repressive." "There is a difference between knowing the good news and being the good news," Zander said. "We are the evidence! How we live our lives are the evidence. Everything counts--all the time." "With previous generations, a strong preacher could give a good message, even if the church was hypocritical and critical and people would still get saved," Zander continued, "but not any more. I’m seeing a change in what seekers are looking for. Not something they can relate to. They are looking for a transcendent God. They don’t want to be entertained they want to be transformed."
7. There is something wrong when people are leaving the church to find God!
8. Howard Hendricks said, "In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering."
9. "Jesus . . . wants us to see that the neighbor next door or the people sitting next to us on a plane or in a classroom are not interruptions to our schedule. They are there by divine appointment. Jesus wants us to see their needs, their loneliness, their longings, and he wants to give us the courage to reach out to them" (REBECCA MANLEY PIPPERT, Draper’s).
10. "When it comes to community ministry, we finally put our program where our mouth is. Instead of expecting the community to come to church, we decided to take the church to the community." Mark Krenz
11. Michael S. Hamilton, Assistant Professor of History at Seattle Pacific University wrote, "In the 1930’s, most missionary agencies emphasized evangelism, church-planting, and discipleship. In 1998, however, four of the five largest overseas ministries specialized in relief, development, and education work. For many of these agencies, evangelism is a secondary concern."
Assembled by Paul Fritz on sermoncentral.com
The following is from http://www.internetevangelismday.com/losing-contact.php
Failing to communicate with the world is why many fail at evangelism.
Evangelism issue #1: staying in touch with the world – in a right way
There are two major reasons why we so often fail to touch many non-Christians with the Gospel. Firstly, we frequently present the good news in language and from a viewpoint which does not actually engage with non-Christians and their real felt needs, or take into account the culture they live in. We can quickly forget how we used to feel and think, like someone who moves to a different country early in life, and forgets their heart language. There is therefore a huge mismatch between the actual needs of non-Christians and the production of Christian literature, web pages and other media.
The other is related to it: we very find it so much easier to only meet Christians socially and after conversion quickly lose meaningful relationships with non-Christians. All our activities and meetings become Christians-only! Very few of us have any close relationships with non-Christians. We live in a Christian ghetto, and do not even realise it. So we often fail to understand how non-Christians think - because they are deeply influenced (though they may not know the term) by postmodernism, where there are no absolutes and everything is perceived as subjective and relative.
Jesus didn’t say, “Wait for people to come to your Sunday services.” He said: “Go into all the world.” It will not be easy, moving out of our comfort zones into a potentially hostile environment.
The Lord wants us to relax, have fun, and share our lives with non-Christians. A hobby allows all three. The Internet gives us wonderful opportunities to reach people through shared interests or hobbies.
Create a website around your own hobby or area of interest, and you have an effective outreach to millions of people with the same interest. Let’s break the 99 percent problem – where the overwhelming majority of Christian websites are designed for Christians.
It is a vital strategy, yet so often overlooked. There is one church in UK which insists that all members take part in some secular activity during the week!
Video Clip Testimony: From Wingclips – Testimony of a drug dealer.
Introduction:
Powerful testimony isn’t it? I would like you to pause and think for a moment. Clear you mind of all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Are you ready? Are you focused? What if every one of us decided to make it our personal goal to lead one person to Jesus Christ this year. What if we decided to win 10 in 2010 for the Kingdom of God? Could you imagine what we would be doing a year from now? Let me tell you what we will be doing a year from now.
One year from today we will have a testimony service where people could share their testimonies. We are going to have a party to celebrate a year of jubilee. Just think we will sit back and rejoice with the Lord and all of Heaven. We are going to have a vibrant New Years Eve Party celebrating the growth of the Kingdom of God in 2010! Could you imagine the excitement and celebration?
Are you willing to commit to see this vision fulfilled? Will you make it a focus for 2010? Will you take a risk to win one in 2010?
Poem on Risk:
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out for another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing, your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing
They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live
Charmed by their attitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom
Only a person who risks is free
When we take risks for God we do so in obedience to His leading. We will walk by faith and not by sight and seek to follow the example of the Great heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11).
T.S. -PAUSE and let the Holy Spirit speak to hearts. If you have said yes, then let me give you some helpful insight into how to do this.
I. How to win one in 2010?
a. You need to build relationships with pre-saved individuals (seekers).
i. They could be relatives, neighbors, friends, school - mates, or work associates.
ii. Have a Matthew Party – Barbeque with them first! (Contagious Christian, 84)
1. Invite them over to a party.
2. Play cards with them.
3. Go out to dinner with them.
4. Help them out by meeting some of their needs.
b. You need to faithfully pray for them and get them on the intercessory prayer team’s list here at Christian Hills.
i. Highlight 40 days of prayer and fasting
1. Compile a list of people we want to get saved.
2. We can pray for them every day over the 40 days.
ii. Also have their names submitted to Pastor Mike for prayer meeting on Tuesday mornings.
iii. Get their names on the prayer chain.
iv. Come out to Sunday night prayer meeting and start praying for revival to hit Cook County.
v. Prayer is the key here!
1. II Chronicles 7:14 “ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2. What can I pray for a non-Christian? Taken from Disciple ship Journal May/June 1999 issue.
a. That God draws them to Himself.
b. That they seek to know God.
c. That they believe the Scriptures.
d. That Satan is bound from blinding them to the truth.
e. That the Holy Spirit works in them.
f. That God sends someone to lead them to Christ.
g. That they believe in Christ as Savior.
h. That they turn from sin.
i. That they confess Christ as Lord.
j. That they yield all to follow Christ.
k. That they take root and grow in Christ. (page 65)
vi. Quote from Dutch in chapter 8 of his book Intercessory Prayer he puts this warning “This chapter could drastically alter the population of the Kingdom of darkness and increase the need for new-convert classes” (109).
1. He states this about intercessory prayer, “Is there really a prayer that births? …We are the womb of God upon the earth…We do not generate life, but we release, through prayer, Him who does.”(110,116).
2. It’s the Holy Spirit moved by our prayers that births new life and we are exhorted in Scripture to ask and he will respond. So let’s ask lets travail for the lost in prayer and birth new life this year.
3. We need to drop to our knees and intercede!
c. You need to be ready at any time to share you testimony
i. Revelation 12:11 “They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony…”
ii. Take time to write it out now so you have it organized for that opportune time. Organize it and know it – use my testimony. Why? To inspire you to do the same!
1. Tell your story it will impact lives.
2. It will give courage to others to do it.
d. You need to know what is going on in the head of a non-saved or pre-saved person.
i. The following info from http://www.internetevangelismday.com/jaystory.php:
• “I’m not a Christian, so ... I really don’t understand this religious stuff. I did try and read bits of the Bible when I was at school, but found it hard to understand. I never went to church or Sunday School or anything.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...It really bugs me to see Christians claiming that they know it all.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...I doubt they have much fun anyway, because they are living by a load of rules.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...Well, some do. Mandy in the Accounts Department goes to church, but she can’t keep her hands off men. Ever.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...Of course, I do try to live by my own rules too. Well, most of the time. I still feel bad about what happened with Sam though.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...There is one church in town that give out leaflets in the street. They are so badly produced though – just lots of text and Bible verses. I never read them properly. There’s an invitation to their church services at the end – but I would never dare to go to a church by myself, even if I wanted to. I’d feel like a fish out of water.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...Church services sometimes come on the TV too. I always switch channels, they seem so old-fashioned and preachy. One time though, I came across a Christian program that was looking at the Christian messages hidden in recent Hollywood film releases. Now, that WAS interesting, and it made sense to me. (I try to get to the movies every two or three weeks.) Another time, there was a story about Christians starting an AIDS hospice in our country. Those people really impressed me.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...Not that I actually know any Christians at all. Otherwise I could perhaps find out more, and ask some real questions. If they’d try and give straight answers, and not just preach at me.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...Well, if their beliefs work for them, that’s great. Of course, I do read my horoscope when I remember to. I always try to avoid things that it warns against. And Charlie gave me some healing crystals – I keep them by my bed, and they really seem to make me feel calmer sometimes. Buddhism sounds fun, actually. There are evening classes at the local college. Carlos and Miriam have been going. They say it is really good – there is no pressure to join anything, the classes are friendly and interactive, and already they feel that their lives are changing for the better.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...Not that I need God, or religion or stuff. Though it would be nice to know where I am going. To feel more grounded. Have a purpose. And I wish I could cope with stress better than I do. Or even find someone I could talk to about the things that worry me. My job is not safe anymore. I can’t face all that job-loss stuff again – it’s happened twice before. Specially with my loans to repay. And I’m just hoping that dad’s medical tests won’t show anything bad. Specially now he has left mum and is living alone.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...And even deal with that thing which happened when I was a child – what that man did to me in the toilets. I never told anyone, not even my mother. It still makes me feel guilty. I manage to blank it out most of the time. I’m sure it contributed to my last relationship breakup. Life is a bit lonely just now.
• “I’m not a Christian, so ...Of course, I always try to escape from the week’s stress on Friday night. Me and a few mates. It seems to help, somehow. But there’s always Monday again.”
e. You need to be prepared to share the salvation message at the God ordained time.
i. Do you know how to share the salvation message?
1. I have tracks that can help you!
a. But learn the process and adjust it to your presentation and personality. Do not give them a memorized script! Be real! Be genuine and authentic!
2. Do not force them into a decision let them come to that conclusion on their own as the Holy Spirit leads.
3. Know the Basics- Adapted from Dominic Galati’s track “How to get to heaven?”
a. God says you will not make on your own!
i. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
b. God says that the world’s road comes to an end!
i. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
c. God says you need to turn around and use his road which leads to eternity!
i. Luke 13:3 “But, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.”
d. God says there is only one way!
i. John 14:6 “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, but by me.”
e. God says you need to yield to Jesus!
i. John 1:12 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
f. They need to personally admit and accept the following:
i. That Jesus died on the cross for them.
ii. They need to ask for forgiveness of their sins.
iii. They need to invite Him into their lives.
iv. They need to let Him be Lord of their life.
v. They need to turn away from sin and live for Him.
f. You can also invite them out to special services in 2010 that will focus on the salvation message. These will be held once a quarter.
i. We will provide opportunities this year to help you reach your goal.
ii. Our Saturday nights will be contemporary services to reach the lost.
g. One Big caution--You need to guard against pushing too hard! Allow the Holy Spirit to convict and lead for many it’s a process.
i. He will do a better job than you could ever do!
1. Just look at the book of Acts 2:41-47:
a. Acts 2:41 (NIV) 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
b. Acts 2:42 (NIV) 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
c. Acts 2:43 (NIV) 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
d. Acts 2:44 (NIV) 44All the believers were together and had everything in common.
e. Acts 2:45 (NIV) 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
f. Acts 2:46 (NIV) 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
g. Acts 2:47 (NIV) 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
ii. Remember do not cram it down the peoples throat! Share the Good News with God’s attribute of Love!
iii. Jesus is a gentleman and you should be just like Him!
h. You must never give up on them is another important point.
i. You must take on the Motto “I will never quit!”
ii. You may have to accept the fact they said no- just hand them over to the Lord and pray for them! Give it time! Pray them in!
T.S. - We rejoice with those who have accepted Jesus the next part is discipleship. Yes you are responsible to help them grow. It’s your responsibility! Not others! You need to do the one on one time with the person you led to Christ!
II. How to disciple one person in 2010?
a. Help them focus on what matters- Jesus.
b. Let them know that they are not alone and not crazy!
c. Have a Bible study with them on the basics of Christianity (weekly).
i. I have resources that can help you do this.
ii. Have weekly prayer time with them.
1. This could be the same time as a Bible Study with them.
d. Encourage them to renew the mind through Bible classes, church services, praise music, prayer services, personal prayer time and devotional time.
e. Encourage them to serve in one area of the Church.
i. This is a key! Get them to serve it will help them to grow in leaps and bounds.
f. Model for them servant leadership – no control- no manipulation -just plain servant hood.
g. Encourage them when they fall – don’t condemn them – share about God’s grace!
i. There are no perfect Christian’s just forgiven ones!
T.S.- Just imagine the possibilities to the Kingdom – there are over 250 plus people attending Christian Hills Church and if each one leads one to Jesus we have grown the Kingdom 2 to 10 fold in our area. But remember then comes discipleship.
III. What will the impact be by 2011 and beyond?
a. We will see a church leading people from here to eternity! Literally!
b. We will see the Kingdom of God grow! 2 fold right here at Christian Hills!
c. We will see people set free form from worldly bondages.
d. We will see lives changed and transformed.
e. We will see families healed, restored and renewed.
f. We will see this city set on fire with Revival.
g. We will see this state changed
h. We will see this country changed.
i. Scripture Texts from Acts on the Power of the Gospel.
1. Highlight
T.S. – Having a proper understanding of the Gospel and of the world is important if we want to stay energized for God.
IV. Reality Check!
a. We will see some individuals changed immediately and others slowly.
b. We will see some say “yes” and some say “no” and others say “maybe”.
c. We will be criticized by some and praised by others.
d. We will be politically incorrect!
i. Acts 4 shows what the disciples had to deal with.
ii. The Devil will throw a fit!
iii. He will come against you!
1. I John 4:4 –“But greater is he that is in us then he that is in the world!”
e. There will also be some unforseen fruit. In other words it may take a lifetime to see some results so be prepared:
Conclusion:
How many here today want to win one in 2010? Raise your hands!
How many here want to disciple one in 2010? Raise your hands!
Please stand to your feet as we pray for God’s equipping, boldness, wisdom, guidance and determination to do it for Him!
