Meeting the Challenge at Grace Baptist Church
Chuck Sligh
April 29, 2007
TEXT: Turn to Isaiah 26
INTRODUCTION
--In October 2003, some people began to meet with Susan and me for a Bible study on Wednesday nights with the intention of eventually becoming a church.
--In May of 2004, we began meeting in the Stadthalle for Sunday meetings and in private homes for the Wednesday Bible study.
--Then on July 18, 2004, Grace Baptist Church was organized officially as a Baptist church.
Since that time, we have had some wonderful victories as well as many difficult challenges, and some sad defeats.
--We have seen folks come to know Christ as Savior.
--We have baptized people down at the Gmund lakes.
--We have seen folks rededicate their lives to the Lord and resolve to live for Him.
--We have witnessed folks repent of sins and make changes in their lives.
--We have rejoiced as the Hazelets were called into full-time ministry in our church.
--We have seen money raised for missions.
--We have watched our children grow and learn God’s Word and seen several of them come to believing faith in Jesus Christ.
--Then we saw God do the impossible – raise over the last three years around $90,000 both within our church and from Stateside churches; obtain a loan from a U.S. donor for $50,000; and obtain a German loan for the balance to buy this beautiful building.
--We saw our people come together as never before to paint this building and prepare it for our first service.
God has been good to us. God has been faithful—as He always is. God has be Jehovah-Jireh—the God who supplies. I praise Him for all He has done so far.
But you know what: I believe that Grace Baptist Church is on the threshold of the greatest things for our church yet. I just feel it. I really do.
I believe you are going to see many people come to believe in Jesus Christ; many backslidden Christians getting right with God, and many new people joining the church. Now I want Grace Baptist Church to be ready as God starts revving things up. I want us to get in on what God’s up to! We have a many great challenges ahead of us. To meet that challenge we will need four things…
I. WE NEED CONFIDENCE
Someone has said that an OPTIMIST is one who finds an opportunity in every difficulty and a PESSIMIST is one who sees a difficulty in every opportunity. Well, I’m an optimist. To me, the glass is never half empty; it’s always half full. I have great confidence in what God is going to do among us.
To meet the challenge at Grace Baptist Church, we need confidence in three things:
1. First, we need confidence in GOD – Isaiah 26:4 – “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” (EXPAND)
2. Second, we need confidence in OURSELVES UNDER CHRIST’S CONTROL AND POWER
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
It was Emerson who said, “They conquer who believe they can. He has not learned the lesson of life who does not each day surmount a fear.” (EXPAND)
3. Third, we need confidence in one another (EXPAND)
II. WE NEED COOPERATION – Please turn with me to Nehemiah 3.
Before looking at this passage, let me explain to you the background behind Nehemiah 3: God called Nehemiah to mobilize the people to rebuild the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. Broken down walls left a city defenseless to marauders and conquerors. It was a sign of decline and defeat that the walls had broken down in Jerusalem. To restore a sense of national pride, Nehemiah was released by the Emperor to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls.
But this was really a monumental task—a seemingly impossible task. It would be a multi-million dollar project today. In that day, with no earth-moving equipment or modern power tools, it was extremely labor intensive. Nehemiah knew the job could be done only if there were concerted cooperation and involvement on the part of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Note who was involved—EVERYONE!
--The High Priest – Nehemiah 3:1 – “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.”
--The Goldsmiths –
Nehemiah 3:8 – “Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. …”
Nehemiah 3:32 – “And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.”
--The Government Leaders (Rulers) –
Nehemiah 3:9 – “And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 3:12 – “And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.”
Nehemiah 3:15-17 – “But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. 16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty. 17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.”
Nehemiah 3:19 – “And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.”
--The Levites – Nehemiah 3:17 – “After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.”
--The Priests
Nehemiah 3:22 – “And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.”
Nehemiah 3:28 – “From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.”
--The Gate-keeper – Nehemiah 3:29 – “After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.”
--The Merchants – Nehemiah 3:32 – “And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.”
--Men – Nehemiah 3:2 – “And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.”
--Women – Nehemiah 3:12 – “And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.”
The key is found in 4:6 –“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” – Someone has said that “when all is said and done, more is said than done.” (EXPAND)
In the next month or two, we’re going to need cooperation and involvement of every member of our church to finish the building God has given us. We are trying to keep from going into any further debt. So we have arranged for Brother Dave Williamson, his wife Mary, and another helper named Jason Ludeking to come and supervise construction. This will save us thousands of Euros in labor.
But the Williamsons and Brother Ludeking will not be able to do it all. We’re going to build a small apartment for visiting missionaries and speakers directly below this room.
Then we’re going to turn a large room downstairs from a shop into a new sanctuary. To do this, we’re going to be knocking down some walls and columns and replacing the columns with smaller columns; laying down new tile; building sofeting around wires in the room; installing new, attractive light fixtures and ceiling fans; replacing the front door to something less industrial looking; putting in a platform; and installing a state-of-the art audio-visual system.
Next, we’re going to turn this room into a fellowship hall with tables and a full kitchen. Simultaneously, we’re going to be painting the room on this floor that was used by the trade school and then moving a class into this room, which will free up that room to turn into a toddler nursery.
To do all this, we’ll need cooperation and involvement of every member of our church, and if you’re not a member, come on and join us too! What I am asking is that for every able-bodied adult and teenager to donate some of their time to help the Williamsons and Jason. They simply cannot do it all themselves. They need help every evening, and if you can come over during the day, to come and help then.
I am sending around a calendar and I am asking our people to donate AT LEAST two time slots of as many hours as you can donate during the week, and one full Saturday for the Lord. I know that’s asking a lot. I know I’m asking folks to spend less family time together for one month. I’m asking folks to miss some of their favorite television shows to serve the Lord. I’m asking this of EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH. What a GREAT opportunity to serve the Lord.
You say, “Pastor Sligh, I don’t know diddly squat about building things. Don’t worry, Dave isn’t about to let anyone come in and mess up his work. He’ll let you do what is easy for a novice to learn. There will also be jobs to do that do not require building skills. There is painting to be done; there are bathrooms to clean thoroughly; there is still sweeping and yard work that needs to be done; there will be clean-up at the end of the evening; there may be supplies to go buy.
Don’t worry, there will be work for ALL to do for God’s glory, just like the people of Jerusalem who rebuilt the walls. Let’s ALL do our part. Let’s all SACRIFICE temporary, less important activities to get God’s work done. Let’s SERVE.
Looking ahead to the months and years ahead, we’ll need participation and cooperation then too in four different areas:
1. Labor – We will need…Nursery workers, Children’s Church teachers, Ushers, Sunday School teachers and Musicians
EVERYONE to enthusiastically greet visitors and make them feel welcome (EXPAND)
Other positions and needs will develop as time goes on.
2. Second, we’ll need moral support and encouragement (There will be good times and bad.) (EXPAND AS LED)
3. We will need participation and faithfulness to give to the Lord – For what?…
--for the regular running of the church ministries and programs, which will increase as we grow and add new ministries and programs
--to make our monthly mortgage payment
--to pay the operating expenses of the church
4. Prayer
--that souls would be saved and backsliders would return to God
--for God’s power on me as I prepare messages and preach the Word of God
--for both spiritual and numerical growth for the church
We not only need confidence and cooperation…
III. WE NEED COMPASSION
Matthew 9:36-38 – “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Jude 22-23 – “And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
You need to have a compassion and a burden for Grafenwoehr…
--You need to pray for your neighbors and friends.
--You need to invite people to church.
--You need to be doing everything you can to get people to the house of God to be under the sound of the Gospel and the preaching of God’s Word.
--You need to be witnessing.
--You need to be daily, moment-by-moment soul-conscious.
What will motivate you to do this?—Compassion for the lost.
--Compassion is not an ooey-gooey feeling.
--Compassion ALWAYS HAS FEET TO IT.
--Compassion always manifests itself in tangible acts on behalf of those on whom we have compassion.
--And what could be more compassionate than sharing Jesus Christ with lost sinners to keep them from spending an eternity in hell?!
--God help us to have compassion for the souls of men and women, boys and girls.
IV. LASTLY, WE NEED CONSECRATION
Exodus 32:29 – “For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 – “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
You need…
--Consecration to God through surrendered and obedient lives.
--Consecration to the work of God through labor and prayer.
--Consecration to the people of God through love and encouragement and help.
