FB, Cherokee
January 18, 2004
Sunday Morning
Part 2
“Great Is His Faithfulness”
Intro.: As we continue in the year of 2004 and recognizing our churches Centennial it has been good to look back and to see the things that have stayed the same and the things that have changed.
Last week we looked in detail about things that did not change: Jesus, the Bible and Spiritual Needs. We also looked at the changes made. We Change As We Grow Older, The Way Our Culture Views Itself and The Way We Process Information has changed. All of these things have had an impact on the ministry of this church – some good and some bad.
Over these 100 years the physical and spiritual elements have changed. Obviously, many of them for the better. People’s lives and needs have changed. Ministry opportunities have changed. Many things have changed but one thing has stayed the same. The message of the gospel has always been “saved by grace through faith alone!”
Last week I shared with you part 1 of a message “Great Is His Faithfulness – Lord Of Our Past, Love Of Our Life, and Light Of Our Future.” This morning I want to take the last part and share with you some watershed moments for our church. Every point I share with you will need this preface statement; If God is to remain faithful and be the Light Of Our Future - - -
I. . . . We Must Stay Intentional With The Teaching of Scripture.
A. THE BIBLE
1. We teach the Bible so that lives may experience the power of the gospel.
2. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.
3. The word of God is a living, life-changing tool for man’s needs.
4. With the incisiveness of a surgeon’s knife, God’s word reveals who we are and what we are.
5. We must not only listen to God’s word we must also let it shape our lives.
6. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16.
Doctrine – what is true? What does this rightly teach?
Reproof – what is wrong with me?
Correction – how can I literally straighten out what’s wrong?
Instruction in righteousness – how do I live routinely in the will of God?
7. We are not only to be hearers of the Word but also doers.
8. The only way that is going to happen is if we stay intentional with the teaching of Scripture.
9. We must not, cannot and should not back down, roll over, push aside, water down, ignore, reject, disregard, or refuse the teaching of Scripture if God is to remain faithful and be the light of our future.
B. SALVATION
1. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Way, the truth and the Life. John 14:6.
2. Today more than ever we are living in a pluralistic society.
3. Pluralism is an attitude that boasts of being totally non-judgmental and absolutely tolerant.
4. In the arena of religion you choose whatever religion works for you and I’ll choose what works for me and we’ll all live together in peace and harmony.
5. The problem with that attitude is that it contradicts Scripture.
6. Our pluralistic world teaches that Jesus is “a way.”
7. Many religions also teach that you can work your way to heaven by doing things that please God.
8. Other religions are teaching that if you’re a good person you get to go to heaven.
9. Illus. Video “Word on the Street.”
10. Jesus isn’t a way; He is the only way to heaven.
11. If God is to remain faithful and be the light of our future we must teach the truth – we must teach Jesus.
C. PRAYER
1. Prayer is the privilege of speaking to God AND listening to God.
2. Prayer is one avenue of discovering God’s will and purpose for our lives.
3. John 17 – Jesus prays for His disciples and for future believers. I Timothy 2:1-4.
4. We should never discount the importance and power of prayer in our church and in our lives.
5. PRAYER IS WHAT CONNECTS US TO THE VERY ACT OF WHAT GOD IS ALREADY DOING.
6. Strategic Planning Committee – 5 year vision for our church.
7. I will continue to emphasize prayer groups, prayer meetings, prayer chains, and prayer walks in order to connect to what God is already doing in our midst.
D. DISCIPLESHIP
1. According to Mark 3:14 a disciple is one who spends time with Jesus that we may become like Him.
2. A true mark of a disciple is summed up in the Word “obey.”
3. Luke 9:23 teaches us that if we don’t come to Christ, take up our cross daily and follow Him we are not His disciple.
4. Discipleship is the area of a Christian’s life that provides him/her with practical opportunities to apply the teachings.
5. It provides teachings on actively sharing your faith, true disciple, a church’s and denominations heritage and beliefs.
6. Sunday School and Discipleship are not the same teaching avenues.
7. The material is different and has different purposes.
8. Family and marriage issues, Financial and money management, “Forty Days of Purpose” Fall program?
II. . . . We Must Stay Intentional With Our Bible Study Fellowship Groups.
A. I purposely and carefully chose that words.
1. For years we have called this Sunday School.
2. It meets from 9:45 to 10:40 every Sunday morning.
3. I’m not asking that we change the name but I am strongly advocating that for one hour on Sunday morning we are intentional on studying God’s Word systematically and building relationships.
4. From the Nursery to the Lois class.
5. There is not another organization this side of heaven where Bible study and fellowship can grow in quality and quantity.
6. As a Sunday School teacher it is our responsibility to teach the lesson, or to be more direct to teach the Word of God.
7. God will hold each of us accountable for the time we use and don’t use to teach the Scripture.
8. Not only will this remain a priority but also I will encourage teachers and classes to actively enroll people in a Bible study group.
9. People don’t have to attend a class three times before they’re enrolled – you can enroll them on their first visit.
10. I will also encourage fellowships – from the nursery to the Lois class.
11. LISTEN: There are people right here in this church who are starving for Christian fellowship.
12. To be point blank – we are good at socialization but we are weak in fellowshipping.
13. We’re good at talking about the weather, our crops, the cattle market, sports and things happening in the community.
14. Fellowship is that place, point, position where we share in a spiritual capacity and obligation to relate to one another as brothers and sisters.
15. As long as I’m your pastor we will continue to make Sunday School a major emphasis to study the Bible and to build fellowship.
III. . . . We Must Stay Intentional With Evangelism
A. For three years I have been preaching our need to “go and tell.”
1. Matthew 28:18-20 is a vital verse to the life and ministry of any church, certainly this one.
2. I have reminded us regularly of our purpose of evangelism.
3. I have said over and over that no one from Cherokee goes to hell without going around First Baptist Church.
4. They may go around other churches in town but on their way we must stop them and share with theme the truth.
5. God has not called this church into this generation and community that we may be the biggest, brightest and best.
6. God has us here that we may reach out to all ages and all races and all economic backgrounds.
7. If we are to have a church that will meet in the future we must be the church of today that intentionally shares Christ.
8. We are to be Great Commission Christians building a Great Commission church.
D. Evangelism Strategies for 2004.
1. CrossOver Cherokee and Burlington for Easter.
2. “The Passion of the Christ” Rated-R, Mel Gibson.
3. Rialto – Encouraging them to schedule the movie. Buy tickets for the whole theatre.
4. Follow up with a Passion of Christ preaching series.
5. Associational Goals: Evangelism Committee – Witness training and starting new works.
6. VBS.
7. DVD’s – Welcome to the church and How to Be Saved.
Conclusion: In 1897 Lord Kelvin said, “Radio has no future.” Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM in 1943 said, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” Ken Olson, President of Digital Corporation stated in 1977, “There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home.”
I’m sure these were all fine men, yet they were not visionaries and they did not understand the changes that were to come to their world.
For the church, there are things that will never change and there are things that need to change. Let us not make the same mistake that these men did in previous generations. Our culture is radically changing before our very eyes, let’s be ready for it, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
These are watershed moments for our church as we stand at a crossroad for the next centennial. The Lord has remained faithful and present at First Baptist Church, Cherokee Oklahoma for 100 years because as individuals and as a church we have remembered Him as the LORD OF OUR PAST, because He has remained as the LOVE OF OUR LIFE. Today we need to make Him the Light of Our Future. (Invitation # 320 “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”)
