I have been in a reflective mood since seeing the doctor two weeks ago. He spoke to me concerning lifestyle changes I would need to make to ensure my health and longevity. I thought about change in relationship to the church, here at Ione Assembly, and I want to speak on this today, the changes that have taken place since I have been here and my heart for this church, for it has been said the heart of the leader determines the heart of the organization.
This year I introduced the mission statement of the church, We ought to be active disciples of Christ by attracting and leading the unsaved to Jesus. Encouraging uncommitted carnal Christians to consecrate themselves to God’s plan for their lives, providing a climate for spiritual growth that equips Spirit filled believers to worship and a dynamic ministry serving the Ione area and beyond. I am committed to the principles of this statement.
I believe that change, proper change, brings the church into a higher level. Isaiah 55:6-9 states (READ)
We need to have a heart check, to see if we are attaining that higher level, if we are meeting the challenge of this day. It is my desire to position us all to reach our highest potential in Christ, to exhibit in my own life, and to call each one of you, as team members, to give your highest level of commitment for the kingdom of God.
In fact, I want to challenge us to step to a higher level in 1998 and in doing so we will experience a greater degree of understanding and blessing from God. I want to see the greatness of God across each of your faces, to see you achieve in Christ the calling He has given you, utilizing the spiritual gifts which He has poured out into you in a way surpassing your wildest imagination.
There are values which have been part of my life which I want to share with you so you can make them part of yours, there are several things I believe which are not open to compromise.
1. I believe in Personal Growth. When we look at most people, we see people who are going through life, I want to be a person who grows through life. How about you?
To accomplish this I need to acknowledge that growth is a daily thing. I need to grow in a new dimension each day. As we enter this Christmas season, the question is heard, what am I getting? It becomes a life question, What am I getting, but it is the wrong question, for the most important question we can ask is what am I becoming. Part of personal growth is having right motives for growth.
You see, when you become concerned about what you are becoming, you don’t want to take shortcuts for shortcuts short-circuit personal growth. What taste better, a steak cooked on a barbecue or one cooked in a microwave? Nancy Dornan said, The longest distance between two points is a shortcut.
When you are experiencing personal growth in your life, it will lead to growth in other areas as well, and as people see the growth in your life, it will encourage them to grow as well. The Lord said his ways are not our ways, so does that mean we give up? No we get on track and rise to a higher level, the Lord’s level, Amen.
2. I believe in making a significant contribution with my life. To be successful. John Maxwell describes success in his book The Success Journey as knowing my purpose in life, growing to my maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.
That means: getting beyond yourself
growing beyond yourself
giving beyond yourself
gathering beyond yourself
and going beyond yourself
It has been said, The great men and women of history were not great because of what they owned or earned, but rather for what they gave their lives to accomplish.
3. I believe in living and working with passion. One person with passion is greater than 99 who have only an interest. Passion is putting everything you’ve got into everything you do. I have a passion for the Lord, and I believe that passion enables me to accomplish things that a mere desire to see done would be left unfinished. I have a passion to see what is yet to be seen. This alter is part of a passion I have for prayer, we have a place to kneel and seek the Lord, and my passion for souls. I was told by people in daycare who are not serving Christ, that our church now looks like a church. The perception of non-Christians will help them to make the next step, salvation, and we have a seeker sensitive alter to bring them to the Cross.
4. I believe in 100% commitment to excellence. Bill Hybels said, "Most people feel good about themselves when they have given their best." Someone else stated, "Hold yourself responsible to a higher standard than anyone else expects of you."
I have carried this standard in my life. Coming here I have had people tell me this is a small town, nobody cares if I am in the office, if things are done on time, everyone understands. The problem with this is that I don’t ultimately answer to people, I am held accountable by God and he is looking for 100% commitment to excellence.
So what does excellence mean? It means creativity. Thomas Edison said, If there is a way to do it better...do it." Excellence means consistency. Excellence is not an act, it is a habit. Excellence is improvement, a gradual result of always striving to be better. Excellence is going the second mile. In history, the word excellence has been used as a title of honor, it is derived from the word excel which means to go beyond average.
5. I believe in the potential in people. My potential is God’s gift to me, reaching my potential is my gift to God.
Understand this, very few people believe in themselves.
And very few people have anyone to believe in them.
When someone believes in you, you know it.
And when someone believes in you, you behave on a higher level.
6. I believe in team ministry. There was a sign in the New England Patriots locker room that said, "Individuals play the game, but teams win championships"
comments on people in the church in ministry
7. I believe in discipleship and providing resources to help you grow.
8. I believe in living a life of integrity to God, myself and others.
9. I believe in the power, sovereignty and blessing of God.
In John 15:5 Jesus said, Apart from me you can do nothing.
Paul wrote in Romans 4:20-21 "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God has power to do what he had promised."
In 1998 I want each of us to reach to a higher level then we are here in 1997. I would like to see each one of you formulate some goals for yourself in this coming year, to write them down on paper, so you can look back in 1999 and see how well you have done. Church, I believe in you, I believe that through Christ we can do all things. I believe we can see Kingdom growth in our lives and the lives of others, in the life of this community. I believe that in 1998 we can begin to reach out to others with fresh ability. I would like to see us carry the motto for 1998, that it is each one reaching one for the kingdom, to take the time to invest and disciple them, and to release them to reach one in their life.
Someone has written: When you enter that beautiful city
and the saved all around you appear
What joy when someone will tell you
It was you who invited me here.
Lets take some time to ask the Lord to speak to our hearts, lets linger at the alter until we experience a fresh enduing of His power.
