Sermon for 12/28/2003
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
Introduction:
William Wilberforce was born in 1759. In 1780 he was elected to the House of Commons in the English Parliament. James Boswell called him a shrimp because he was so short. But in 1807 the little representative of Yorkshire sat stunned as the entire House of Commons rose to honor him for his relentless battle in Parliament for over two decades against the English slave trade. Mr. Wilberforce endured 20 years of defeat after defeat in Parliament
Where did Wilberforce get the strength to press on in a seemingly hopeless dream of abolition for over twenty years of setbacks? At least part of the answer is that in 1792 Henry Thornton founded a new community of evangelical politicians and churchmen who lived and worshipped together in the community of Clapham near Parliament. They became known as the Clapham sect and were derisively called the "saints" by their opponents.
William Wilberforce was one of these “saints”. They were devout Christians. They were political conservatives, and for the most part wealthy. But they spent their wealth solving human problems and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. They created institutions for Christian missions and humanitarian services. And they were passionately committed to the abolition of the slave trade. And they stirred each other up to love and good works!
How did Wilberforce hang tough for twenty years of setbacks? He banded together with some brothers. And he shared the passion of his own soul. And in that Clapham community, soul to soul, they kept each other hot until the victory came.
Where the gospel flourishes people share their own soul. And where souls are knit together in the cause of Christ there is power for the long hard ventures of ministry
WBTU:
A. Discussion of 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8:
1. Mother imagery
a. It takes time and energy to care for children. Paul did not turn his converts over to baby-sitters; he made sacrifices and cared for them himself. He did not win them to the Lord and then leave them high and dry.
b. Paul had patience with the new Christians. Children do not grow up instantly. Paul’s love for them made him patient.
c. Paul nourished them. A nursing mother imparts her own life to her child. You cannot be a nursing mother and turn your baby over to someone else.
d. The nursing mother eats the food and transforms it into mild for the baby. The mature Christian feeds on the Word of God and then shares its nourishment with the younger believers so they can grow. A nursing child can become ill through reaction to something the mother had eaten.
f. A mother also protects her child.
2. Paul was willing to give not only the Gospel but his own life as well. His love for the Thessalonians was so great he would die for them if necessary. He shared his life with them. Find out more about this in upcoming weeks.
B. This is our purpose statement.
1. Give history. (On Sunday night, put in a few words the essence of our mission)
2. Scripture. Went over many Scriptures, this one most popular
a. Sharing our lives:
1) With the Lord- Love the Lord Your God with all of your…
2) With other people- Love your neighbor as yourself
b. And the gospel:
** The Great Commission
c. With sinners and saints.
d. Wording needs some help, but the idea expressed is powerful.
C. This is how I got into ministry. Bible Bowl, Bell Arthur. Time, energy, patience, give nourishment, protect them. Involves giving my very life.
D. This fits into the ministry here. Mayberry- They shared the stories of lives, we share our lives with the most important story there is.
E. This is what got me interested in the ministry here. What is your greatest strength? Family atmosphere.
G. Two reasons to go back to one service; work on our strength and strive for excellence in our children’s and youth departments.
Thesis: With whom should we share our lives with? How should we share our lives? We will begin backwards in the order of importance on whom and throughout we will discuss the how.
For instances:
1. Sinners
A. George Gallop Jr. (I am sure you have heard of Gallop polls, he oversees them) says that there are three important felt needs of the population at this point in history:
1. A need for spiritual moorings (foundations)
a. ¾ of Americans believe it’s very important that life is meaningful and has a purpose.
b. 2/3 of Americans believe “that most churches today aren’t effective in helping people find meaning in life.”
2. A need for deeper, more meaningful relationships with other people.
a. Mobility, divorce, breakup of families are high.
b. Radical individualism- We can be a good Christian and not attend church.
c. What we have discovered from surveys, as many as 3 in 10 say they’ve been lonely “for a long period of time.”
d. Churches need to deal directly with the separateness and acute loneliness in our society by encouraging corporate worship, as well as participation is small groups.
3. People express a desire to reach out to those living on the margins of our society.
a. 1/3 of Americans have a low sense of self-worth.
b. This brings with it a host of social problems, including alcohol and drug abuse, child and spouse abuse, lawlessness, and crime.
B. How several programs fit the bill in this area- Wednesday night, Shepherding groups, fellowship activities; Christmas Caroling
C. Once a person becomes a Christian (just came to church and in a few weeks responded); they must make 6 friends in 6 months in order to stay.
C. The Friend Cards from Barry McCarty at First Christian in Roswell, Georgia- Friendship 7 Cards, Realizing that each new person who visits our church needs to make at least 6 friends here within the first 6 months, I am asking God to use me to become a friend to seven new people at church in the next six months. I will reach out to seven new people to:
1. Learn their names, faces and their stories
2. Greet them each Sunday when they are at church and call them when they are not.
3. Share at least one meal with them.
4. Invite them to a Sunday school class, Fellowship group, small group, fellowship events.
5. Introduce them to my other friends at church and help them find their place here.
6. Help answer their questions or connect them with a church leader who can.
7. Pray for them by name each day.
C. Also commit to praying daily for seven unchurched people who are important to me. FRAN’s.
D. Eddie Bowen and Robin Zimmerman- brought in a lot of people. Need to keep doing that.
E. However, these people need to feel connected.
E. Need to export our fellowship
2. Saints
A. Behold how they love one another.
B. (Gal 6:10 NIV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
C. Reaching out to unbelievers is good but when times are tough who are we going to run to. Must invest some time with these people.
C. Wayne Williamson and the ministry that was done in this area. For over 25 years.
D. Family, a loving fellowship. We are known as this even in other churches.
E. Shepherding groups. Small groups. Senior fellowships, youth fellowships, ministry teams, Sunday School
F. We can do better. Generational issues. Have a Wednesday night twice a year where we all come together and celebrate, sing, etc.
G. This is a small town. We really do not know each other. I am glad that I left a small town. Not just on the surface but share our lives in Christ as well.
1. When did you feel the closest to Christ?
2. What kinds of sins do you struggle with?
3. How is your walk with the Lord?
4. Who can you share with and how much are you sharing?
H. Sometimes it is a sacrifice. Sometimes it is a pleasure.
I. In my ministries
J. To live above with saints we love, O that will be glory; to live below with saints we know, well, that’s a different story.
K. Friend Cards. If they are gone for 3 weeks and it is not noticed, they will remain gone. One service is great for follow up.
L. This is your job. Cannot be intimate with everyone. Jesus only had 12 disciples. In our modern society we need more shepherds. If we average 300 with 3 elders, 3 groups of 100. It is impossible.
M. Talk about span of care. Jesus dedicated most of his ministry to twelve; he was intimate with 3. If a small group gets bigger than 10 then it must reproduce another group or no longer be called a small group.
3. Family
A. (1 Tim 5:8 NIV) If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
B. Family devotions, around Christmas and Easter
C. Strengthening the family bond
D. This is our most important small group. Have a family seminar.
E. We share our lives (how often do we eat together) but how well do we share the gospel.
F. (Eph 6:4 NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
4. Spouse
A. (Col 3:18 NIV) Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.(Col 3:19 NIV) Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.(Col 3:20 NIV) Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
B. The most important relationship you have is the one to your spouse.
C. Devotions with your spouse.
D. The primary relationship in the family is the one between husband and wife.
E. Rick Warren’s, the author of the Purpose Driven Life, wife Kay has cancer. He sends out a letter every week through his web site and this is what it said, “So many of you have asked about Kay’s progress in her treatment for cancer, so we wanted to give you an update. We are a little over halfway through her 12- week chemo-regimen. Yesterday she had a great day at the hospital until the chemo effects kicked in, and she quickly deteriorated into misery and major nausea. The rest of the day was very rough as nurses tried to ease her pain. Today, Kay feels wiped out from all the meds they’ve given her, along with the expected fatigue and nausea from the chemo. I’ve kept all visitors away, so the room is quiet for hours. The less going on, the better it is for her. Between caring for Kay’s basic needs, I sit quietly and think a lot and thank God for my wife, and God’s amazing invention of marriage. With all its ups and downs and “in sickness and health,” I’m certain that marriage is God’s primary tool to teach us unselfishness, sensitivity, sacrifice, and mature love. I want to thank you for your prayers for Kay. My wife is the love of my life, and this is what God intended families to do- to care for each other in need, even if it means cutting back your ministry for a season. I’d want every other husband in ministry to do the same if the situation arose in his family. God blesses us when we keep our commitments to each other.
E. Like to have a marriage seminar. 1 out of 2 marriages ends in divorce.
5. The Lord
A. A daily time with the Lord.
B. Let this transform you into the likeness of Christ
C. We talk about prayer but how much are we sharing our lives with Christ?
D. Prayer and Bible devotions
E. Prayer vigil for national day of prayer; prayer vigil before the Fall Revival; prayer walks (go up to people’s doors and pray for them; prayer summits); everything needs to be bathed in prayer and in God’s Word
F. Prayer Emphasizes; prayer warriors; preachers prayer shield; prayer in public and prayer in private during the worship services.
G. Praise gatherings.
G. Be filled with the Spirit. This is the power source. WE must stay plugged in.
H. He is my:
1. King
2. God
3 Integrity
5. Shield
6. Delight
7. Portion (Lot)
8. Strength
9. Rock
10. Fortress (Stronghold)
11. Salvation (Savior)
12. Shepherd
13. Hope
14. Light
15. Helper
16. Father
17. Refuge (Hiding place)
18. Deliverer
19. Joy
20. Song
21. Life
22. All in all
Conclusion:
A. Our time with the Lord should transform our relationship with our spouse, our family, our church, and our FRAN’s. It all begins here.
B. I plan on being here for a long time. Can’t guarantee anything but this is my plan. To share my life and the gospel with you and this community.
C. This mission statement should be evident in everything we do.
D. You have to be open to share. There will be people in our lives that will not share with us.
E. (2 Cor 6:12 NIV) We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.
F. Do you love my Lord?
