The Intentional New Testament Church

FB, Harrisonburg #1

March 3, 2024

Sunday Morning

The Intentional New Testament Church

Various Scripture

Intro.: Thank you so much Music Team. I want to begin my time by expressing to Bro. Robert and to Brad and to the PSC for giving me this opportunity to come and to serve as your Transitional Pastor. I understand the process necessary for all that to take place and we will know more tonight.

I don’t want to spend a lot of my time here this morning because I will share tonight more of my intentions and purpose for being here. But before I get in the message this morning I want to encourage you about this journey.

1) Don’t stop praying for your PSC, ((8 members/one a day and Brad everyday)) the church leadership and the different ministries that are still being fulfilled.

2) Don’t stop being faithful to SS, discipleship, giving, outreach.

3) Your former pastor Bro. Phillip was moved to another assignment in March, 2023 BUT God didn’t move.

As we begin this journey together I want to start this morning with some basic truths about the church. I want to call them Intentional Statements Regarding the New Testament Church. These are three common statements that if overlooked, forgotten or ignored will bring the absence of God and a church that will only become a boring social club.

Several months ago when I was here I preached on the dynamics of a healthy church from the book of Acts. 1) They prayed; 2) Their prayers brought unity; 3) Their unity brought productivity. I don’t expect everyone to remember those but I certainly want to remind us all about those dynamics of a successful church.

Now, several months later I want to build on those dynamics. I want to build from there by speaking about our purpose, or our mission or the vision of our church. I know pastors, staff and church leadership spend a lot of time discussing and writing mission and vision statements, including myself. But when it comes down to it I believe there are three main areas that we should pay attention to.

I don’t have a main Scripture text to read but I’m going to use several scripture passages. So I invite you to follow along in your written or digital format. Normally I will stay in one select passage but today I feel that it’s necessary to use several.

PRAYER – Boys, Young and Senior Age Men to Stand With Me

I. The Church Must Intentionally Look UPWARD

A. John 12:27-36a

1. In the darkest moment of history that was about to come, the Heavenly Father speaks about the only purpose Jesus came to this earth.

2. Jesus literally came to this earth over 2000 years ago to die.

3. His own crucifixion and death became the forefront of this narrative.

4. This verse has both literal and spiritual teachings.

5. Literally Jesus was born, lived, was crucified, died and was resurrected – today lives again seated at the right hand of the Father. (Easter message? – Easter is everyday)

5. Jesus has been lifted up from this earth and is in heaven.

B. CATCH THIS: As we look UPWARD we will always remind ourselves of the beautiful message from the Old Rugged Cross.

1. When we look up and think about heaven we will be reminded of our own salvation testimony.

2. When we look UPWARD we will go around during the week singing, “I once was lost, but now I am found. I once was blind but now I see.”

3. When we forget, overlook or ignore this message of hope we have become a noisy gong and a social club.

4. Oh dear believer, don’t look down and don’t look around but look UP – look up to the One who has saved you.

5. Illus.: Upward Ministry at FB, Harrisonburg. “Upward Sports is a non-profit 501 organization with the mission of "promoting the discovery of Jesus through sports".

6. “If I be lifted up. I will draw all people to myself.” Jesus

C. Carefully notice what Jesus is not saying --

1. If you lift up the pastor/preacher people will be saved.

2. If you lift up the music program many will be saved.

3. If you lift up the staff, deacons, SS leadership . . . . . . .

4. No, No, No – when Jesus is lifted up in the worship service, our Bible study classes/events, fellowships and sports ministries – when we lift up Jesus and the finished work on the cross – people will see our difference and give their hearts and lives to Him.

II. The Church Must Intentionally Look OUTWARD

A. Luke 19:9-10

1. As we make a priority to look UPWARD we also are to maintain a focus of looking out to our mission field(s).