What is your worst fear ever? Sweat Bullets / Sick / Weak Knees
#1 Fear reported in America is Public Speaking
How would you feel God tapped you on the shoulder & asked you to do that? Every Week?
I remember standing in front of my first public speaking class. Fear pretty much describes how I what I was feeling.Now – Fast Forward 20 Year later – “Good Morning everybody – welcome to PCC”
Honestly, I never sought this job. Being a Lead Pastor was Way off my radar! 9 months before I was called to lead this church, a friend asked, “So when do you think - Senior Pastor” “HA – Never!! Why would I want that?”
Only one Major Reason: God tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to Step Up.
Now, there are two secondary reasons: #1 – I love this church (Family)
#2 I Believe in God’s Vision PCC
But LEAD this church? God – You’ve got the wrong Guy!!
2 ½ years later, I KNOW - Exactly Where God wants me and I’mDoing Exactly what I was created to DO!!
I’m Working out of my Giftedness and My life has meaning / Purpose
Week 3: Google: What are you searching for? Search to Answers Life’s - Basic Questions.
Week 1: Who am I doing LIFE With?
Last Week: Where do I find The Answers to Life?
This Week: A Place to Plug & Play / Finding a Place where Life has Significance
Have you EVER felt your life was meant for something MORE? Something Bigger?
Search for Significance - I think one of the most intense! People want to know, "Does my life MATTER?"
"Does my life have Purpose?" and "Is there a place for me to PLUG & PLAY?"
Let me say – I DON’T Believe that Significance Comes from only doing CHURCH Work But it does Come from Doing KINGDOM WORK / Not everyone is called to be a Pastor. But EVERYONE IS called to be SOMETHING!! Doctors / School Teachers / Truck Drivers
POINT: Whatever you do – Do it FOR GOD! Do it with the Kingdom of God in MIND
BE THE BEST!! God Deserves It. BUT – be willing to Step out – Comfort Zone
A Guy in the Bible that stepping out of His Comfort Zone – Joshua /
After the death of Moses . . . the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. - [vs. 5] No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:1-9 (NIV)
Why do you think God told Josh to “BE Strong & Courageous” so many time?
“terrified” “discouraged” Joshua was being asked to Do something – Way outside Comfort
#1 To Plug & PLay, I’ve got To Step Out of My Comfort Zone. . .TO SEE GOD MOVE
Those of you that were here 2½ yrs ago –Might Remember 1st message was from this Passage.
I COULD IDENTITY WITH JOSHUA!! Have you EVER Felt OVER your Head?
God saying: Significance found – beyond YOURSELF!! Never found – being SAFE
The PLACE God wants YOU to Plug N Play ALWAYS means First – STEPPING OUT!
Let’s look at the story of Joshua:
It was time for Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River – into the land that God had promised Abraham, then Moses, and now Joshua.
"When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. [4] Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. . ." Joshua 3:3-4 (NIV)
The Israelites are about to step out of their comfort zone…they are about to leave what they know…they are headed to a place where they have never been before.
AND – what are they told to do? They are told to follow the ark of the covenant.
The Ark of the Covenant – was a Portable Sanctuary…it was a Gold Coffin, and inside it were the two stone tables that contained the 10 Commandments.
For the Israelites – it was God with them…leading them.
Here’s the Point: Whenever we Step Out of our Comfort Zone…to do something big…we must keep our eyes on God…God will lead us.
*In the days of Moses – as the Israelites were leaving Egypt – and going into a land where they had never been before – God sent a pillar of cloud to lead them by day and a pillar of fire to lead them by night.
NOW – as the Israelites are crossing the Jordan River into a land where they had never been before- they are told to keep their eyes on the Ark of the Covenant…they are told to keep their eyes on God.
God Will Lead Us – When we Step Out of Our Comfort Zone - If We Keep Our Eyes on Him.
"Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from up-stream stopped flowing. . . So the people crossed over opposite Jericho." Joshua 3:15-16 (NIV)
Scripture tells us it’s harvest season…in other words – it’s the rainy season. The river and the banks are flooded.
There are no bridges…no boats…just a lot of water.
The distance of water to cross is about a mile wide.
And – the whole nation of Israel needs to cross – 1 to 2 million people.
The last time the nation of Israel faced this task, Moses was in the lead, and they were crossing the Red Sea. Joshua was there…he was an eyewitness…he knew what happened.
Moses stood on dry ground, raised his staff in one hand, stretched the other hand out over the water, and the water parted…the Israelites crossed the Red Sea with a wall of water on their left and right.
**This time, however, it’s going to be different…Joshua doesn’t get to stay on dry ground.
*(Scripture tells us) The priests – who were carrying the ark – had to step into the water…and remember – the water’s deep.
AND – NOT UNTIL JOSHUA AND THE PRIESTS STEP INTO THE WATER DO THE WATERS PART.
(Scripture says) When the priests’ feet stepped into the water, the water stopped flowing 20 miles upstream.
Here ended the “miracle manna” days for the Israelites. For the last 40 years, Joshua and the Israelites were able to wake up in the morning and just pick up manna (bread) off the ground. God would just miraculously send manna – raining down out of heaven – for these people.
BUT – now, Joshua has to do something to see God move…Joshua has to step into the water, HE HAS TO GET HIS FEET WET, to see God move.
We have to STEP OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE. . .TO SEE GOD MOVE
What is your Jordan River that you need to cross? What is it that you need?
WHAT IS STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND GOD WORKING IN YOUR LIFE? Bitterness, anger, unforgiveness… An addiction, depression, Lack of trust in God?
We will never see God work in our lives unless we move…
**When we STEP OUTSIDE OF OUR COMFORT ZONE, when we trust God – we GIVE GOD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HIS POWER IN OUR LIVES.
If we want our lives to count for something, IF WE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE – AND BE A PART OF BUILDING GOD’S KINGDOM- we have got to move…to leave what is comfortable…and to step out to make a difference.
Last Fall, hundreds of our folks did just this…for one night…they stepped out of their comfort zone, they served 3500 people who stepped on our campus for Fall Festival…and they saw God move.
[Video: Fall Fest 2005 - Highlights video of a ministry event ]
[Fall Fest Flyer - After the Video, we asked people to take out a flyer in the bulletin and consider serving again. We prayed over their decision] PRAYER
Now, Let’s fast forward a little through our story of Joshua.
GOD HAD BROUGHT THE ISRAELITES FROM VICTORY TO VICTORY:
Joshua and the Israelites successfully crossed the Jordan River/ then, they had a huge win in the Battle of Jericho.
Now – we reach a place where they suffer defeat.
Joshua sent 3000 men to conquer the small, weak city of Ai.
Joshua expected this to be an easy victory.
BUT – the Israelites were soundly defeated by this smaller and weaker army.
Victory of Jericho / Defeat at Ai / Joshua’s Response:
"Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord. . . And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! . . .[9] The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?" The Lord said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned. . .” Joshua 7:6-11 (NIV)
#2 SET BACKS HAPPEN. . . GROW & KEEP GOING
So, after a number of victories, Joshua has experienced a set back.
And, now, Joshua is having a little pity party...laying there on his face, whining.
(illustration) I remember a time – when my son Riley was an infant – and he was screaming at the top of his lungs/ head back/ mouth wide open/ screaming…he was crying because he was hungry.
I was holding him/ bottle in hand, nipple in his mouth…He was hungry and I had what he needed.
BUT – he wouldn’t stop crying long enough to eat…he wouldn’t close his mouth enough to suck on the bottle.
BUT – isn’t that like us and God sometimes?
We have a set back – and we fall on our face and whine…we make excuses, we question God, we blame God, we whine. God has what we need…God can get us through the set back…but we’re too busy whining to hear and see God.
**And – it hurts God – that we will not be quiet long enough to hear what He is telling us.
You know how it is…
•You started serving with a ministry team…but it was just too hard, having to arrive early and stay late.
•You checked out a small group – but it was definitely the wrong group, and so now you don’t trust small groups at all.
•You really want to step out there and do something to make a difference, but you think you’re not qualified…you have nothing to offer.
•You want to share God with those you work with, but you’ve tried once and felt like a failure…and your workplace is just so non-Christian.
•You step out there…and have a Set Back.
You know what God’s word to us is? STAND UP…stop whining…what are you doing down there on your face? STAND UP and try again!
(Illustration) When I was in Seminary, I had to do something called SUPERVISIED MINISTRY EXPERIENCE. I was given a ministry assignment and a professor to supervise me.
My assignment was leading a High School Bible Study on Wednesday evenings in an inner city church. My first night was a disaster. We ended the Bible Study early – we actually never even started the study – because two of the teens got into a fight…so, when I finally got the kids off each other, I just sent them all home.
The next morning I walked into my professor’s office and requested a different ministry assignment. He asked why – I told him what had happened. Then he said, “I’m not moving you.”
“WHAT?” I replied, “Look at me…listen to me…I’m lilly white with no back bone…what am I doing in an inner city church? Why can’t you just give me an assignment in one of the many churches in the suburbs?”
My professor said, “Go back to those kids, find out why they were fighting, and then show them how God can make everything different.”
In other words – my professor said, “STAND UP. Get up off your face, stop whining, and stand up!
I spent three years with kids…and learned much more from them than they learned from me.
And – I learned that when I’m in a ministry place where it feels bigger than me…then I know I’m in a place where God is doing the work.
Set Backs Happen…we experience failures in ministry…we feel like we’re not equipped to do the job God calls us to do…we get discouraged…we give up.
BUT GOD’S WORD FOR US IS…STAND UP!
SET BACKS HAPPEN. . . GROW & KEEP GOING .
[Testimony: Paul Tyre & Becki Gordon. A live testimony between two people in our congregation]
Question #1: What was it like when you first stepped out in ministry?
Question #2: Were there setbacks you encountered?
Question #3: As you’ve devoted more of t
yourself to God, how has your life been enriched?
#3. Success will be yours . . .WHEN YOU DEVOTE TIME TO GOD .
Before Joshua saw God MOVE – Step Out!! He had to PLUG IN & Allow God to Use Him!
AS We heard – Just Because its RIGHT – Doesn’t Mean it’s EASY! God wants us to GROW
WHY? Because God REALLY IS Rooting For OUR SUCCESS!!
"Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ’Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.” Joshua 7:13 (NIV)
“devoted” That which was God’s – HELD BACK! This case, Achan silver & gold & robe
God’s words to Joshua are Clear / When we HOLD BACK what is God’s, we will be DEFEATED.
What are YOU Holding Back – that God has put a CLAIM on?
Israelites NEVER Got Ai – Until they Gave God ALL of JERICHO? “devoted” / Understand?
Whether Money or Time or Talents / God has a claim on these things / ASK for the 1st Part!
Deut. 8:17 “remember that the Lord your God gives you the strength to make a living”
Some of us THINK we don’t have the Time . . . Issue of Ability – “What can I Do?”. . . .
SOMe of feel its Inconvenient – “Attend one service And Serve Another? I don’t Think So!!”
When God tapped me on the Shoulder 2 ½ yrs ago – PLENTY of EXCUSES!!
But none of them MATTERED!! I had CONSECRATED my Life to God years earlier
That isn’t some Religious Thing Preachers do!! Rather – Conscious decision – Put God 1st
Means: “Set Apart”, like when you Choose TEAMS or Set Aside Money for a Vacation or new TV. YOu Dedicate it for that purpose!!
The ISSUE isn’t Time or Ability or CONVENIENCE –
Issue is We haven’t Earmarked or Budgeted Anything for GOD!! Nothing left for HIM
What could YOU Do for God? Like I said Earlier – Be the BEST God wants you to BE!!
But – We Are CALLED to SERVE ONE ANOTHER AS WELL!!
Significance comes in finding a Ministry where we Serve God – by Serve Each Other
Inside of OUTLINE!! Multiple Places to PLUG N PLAY
PCC is growing – need for more workers to fill a third service in the spring
Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. . ." Joshua 8:1-2
Jericho’s was GOD’S / The 1st Part God wanted / After that – The Rest was Theirs – enjoy!!
Success will be yours . . .. . . WHEN YOU DEVOTE TIME TO GOD .
[Video: Ministry Video & Live Song]
What’s your Next Step to the Next Level?
CLASS 301 – Discover You S.H.A.P.E.
Reach Out At FALL FESTIVAL
Serve On A Ministry Team Monthly
[The audio and graphic resources for this series are available at the website of Pinellas Community Church - www.PinellasChurch.org. Click the "PCC RESOURCES" link]
