God Opens Doors: Discovering His Dream for the Church
This Is Us • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction (5m)
Introduction (5m)
Do you think TSA/Maidenhead Corps has had its day?
Do you think TSA/Maidenhead Corps has had its day?
“Do you know there are people who are saying of The Salvation Army that our light is dimming, the the fire is waning, that the energy is diminishing?” (General Lyndon Buckingham)
Our corps?
Not me! Why?
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
We we begin conversation on who God wants us to be and what he wants us to do, I want us to dream big
We we begin conversation on who God wants us to be and what he wants us to do, I want us to dream big
God is not finished with us yet!
Explanation (5m)
Explanation (5m)
God Still Opens Doors for Us
God Still Opens Doors for Us
“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.
If, as we discuss our future, we catch God’s dream for us - rather than our own - then he promises to open doors for us that no one can close.
Doors for mission
Doors for mission
Opportunities for witness - every day come into contact with people who don’t know Jesus. Home, neighbourhood, work, circles in which we move - people to be won for Christ.
“Lampstand” will be given chances to shine.
Privilege and responsibility to use the doors of opportunity God gives us.
Will we take these opportunities like Paul?
Will we take these opportunities like Paul?
When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.
Application (5m)
Application (5m)
All we need is the faith and courage to walk through the doors God will open
All we need is the faith and courage to walk through the doors God will open
As we explore the future together, do so with an active confidence, not just vague sense “it will be alright”.
Faith to believe that what we do not see now, is reality, because God will open doors for us.
Our faith increases the more confident we are in Jesus and his promises.
Jesus is holy and true
Jesus is holy and true
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:
Audacious claim. But Jesus truly is the only one - along with the Father and the HS - who is holy and true. He is reliable. He is totally consecrated to God. We can follow him through any door he opens, with confidence.
We need to ensure that we trust in nothing else
We need to ensure that we trust in nothing else
Not:
Our history, not our uniform or the military metaphor, not our size, not our strength, not our finances, not our service for God.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God?s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.
Martin Luther (1483-1546), trs Frederic Henry Hedge (1805-1890)
Song Number 1
But just Jesus. Only Jesus.
We must have the courage to walk through the doors that God will open for us
We must have the courage to walk through the doors that God will open for us
Our light must not dim. Our fire must not wane. Our energy must not diminish. God depends on us. People who need the Lord depend on us.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Band: People Need the Lord
Band: People Need the Lord
Every day they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes;
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear;
Laughter hides the silent cries only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord;
At the end of broken dreams he?s the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord;
When will we realise people need the Lord.
2 We are called to take his light
To a world where wrong seems right;
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who?s lost?
Through his love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear;
They must hear the words of life only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord;
At the end of broken dreams he?s the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord;
When will we realise that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.
Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh
© 1983 Shepherd?s Fold Music & River Oaks Music/EMI CMP/Small Stone Media BV Holland (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org).
Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015
Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Song Number 418