Sermon Tone Analysis

*Are we losing the war?*

 

INTRO

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We live in a society of great abundance

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RESTAURANTS – type, number, menus

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CARS – make, model, color, options

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STORES – mom & pop, Supermarkets, SuperStores, Mega malls

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We live in a culture of choice – it is our right to get to decide!

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Observers – We are losing the war!

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We need to compete with the denominations and Community churches

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They have all of these programs to attract people

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What do we have to get people interested?

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READ LIST OF OPTIONS – at other churches

* Something for Everyone

#. *We need a HOOK* – something to bring the people in so that we can teach them the truth over time

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*Some HOOKS that have been used lately in the brotherhood*

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Change the worship #.

Change the name on the building

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Change the roles that people can perform within the church

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Even when the changes are not this extreme, buying into the idea that the church needs to compete to survive sends the wrong message

#. *If the success of the church stands and falls on our ability to attract people through programs and events*

#. *How can a congregation of 80 people ever hope to survive?

200? 300?*

!! Providentially, God in His infinite wisdom provided His church with the answer… 

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The one thing that everyone in the world needs

* *2 Corinthians 5:10* - /For we *must all* appear before //the// judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for //his// deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad./

* *Romans 3:23* – /“For *all have sinned* and fall short of the glory of God”/

* Each and every person has the same sin problem!

* It fits every demographic – every age, race culture or time of life

* The problem with “programs” is finding something that everyone WANTS

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The larger the group gets, the more difficult it becomes

* Some like Mexican food, some don't - how do you please everyone?

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God in His wisdom cut through all of that and has provided something that everyone NEEDS!

* *Ephesians 1:7* /– *In */*/Him/*/ we have //redemption// //through// His blood, the //forgiveness// of our trespasses, according to //the// riches of His grace”/

* Forgiveness is TRULY “Something for EVERYONE!!!

#. *The Lord adds those who are saved to HIS church - Acts 2:48* #.

There is one body – 1 Corinthians 12:13

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Christ is the Savior of that one body – the church – Ephesians 5:23

 

!! Do we understand the preciousness of that gift?

What we have found?

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Jesus expressed the value of the kingdom this way

* *Matthew 13:44* - /The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and //sells// all that he has and buys that field./

* *Matthew 13:45, 46* - /“Again, //the// kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”/

* *The kingdom is so valuable, so precious that it is worth everything we have to insure that we attain it*

#. *Peter reminded the early church - 1 Peter 1:3-9*

* Inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven (vs4)

* We are protected by the power of God through faith for salvation (5)

* Proof of our faith – more precious than gold (vs7)

* Will result in praise and glory and honor when the Lord returns (7)

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I know all of that – but the church down the street has a coffee bar in the Lobby – and you know how much I like my coffee!

!! Have we bought into the worldview that the church needs to offer more?

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The church was not established to serve those who seek their own gratification – Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness

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The church was built for those *who wish to seek God and His kingdom!*

#. *KNOCK  and it shall be opened – SEEK and you shall find*

 

!! Hasn’t God already done enough?

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He was willing to leave heaven FOR MANKIND

* *Phillipians** 2:6-7* - /although He //existed// in the //form// of God, //did// not regard equality with God a thing to be //grasped//, but //*emptied*/*/ Himself/*/, taking the form of a //bond//-servant, and //being// made in the likeness of men./

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He was willing to lay down His life FOR MANKIND

* *Isaiah 53:5-7 *- /But He was //pierced// through for //our// transgressions, He was crushed for //our// iniquities; The //chastening// for our //well//-being fell upon Him, And by //His// scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all.

To //fall// on Him./

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He provided a way of reconciliation FOR MANKIND

* *Romans 5:10* - /For if *while we were */*/enemies/**/ we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son/*/, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved //by// His life./

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He made a promise TO MANKIND

* *Acts 2:37-38* - /Peter said to them, “//Repent//, and each of you be //baptized// in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For* */*/the/**/ promise is for you and your children and for all who are /**/far/**/ of/*/f, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”/

* *1 John 1:7* - */if we /**/walk/**/ in the Light/*/ as //He// Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and //*the*/*/ blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin/*/./

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He is coming back FOR HIS CHURCH

* *1 Thessalonians 4:16-17* - /For the Lord //Himself// //will// descend from heaven with a //shout//, with the voice of //the// archangel and with the //trumpet// of God, and //the// dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then //we// who are alive //and// remain will be //caught// up together with them //in// the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always //be// with the Lord.

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#. *What more does He have to do to get the world’s attention?*

* Tuesday night pizza and a movie ministry?

* Latte Bar in the foyer?

* A pool party after baptism?

!! Should we have programs?

YES!!!*

* *To help us encourage one another*

* *To help us build each other up*

* *To help us strengthen each other against the difficulties of life*

* *To help us reach out into the community and the world around us*

!! WHEN WE VIEW THESE PROGRAMS AS THE LIGHT TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THE CHURCH – WE HAVE MISSED THE POINT!*

!! *THIS KIND OF THINKING SUGGESTS THAT THE SUCCUSS OF THE LORD’S CHURCH DEPENDS MORE ON US THAN THE CROSS!!!*

There will always be someone out there that offers more programs, bigger events, more money and more resources – but there will NEVER be anything offered to match what the Lord has done for His people!!!

 

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We need to show people a place where

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God’s people live for Him not themselves

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God’s people are committed to helping each other reach the prize of heaven

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God’s people love each other – not just in word – but in deed and truth

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God’s people cherish His revealed word – and study it – and live it

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God’s people are committed to doing His work in this world

 

*If we really strive to be the people and the congregation that God wants us to be it will be better than any program that we could ever come up with ourselves*

Let’s not apologize for our lack of programs but rest our hope in the Gospel instead

 

*Romans 1:16* - /For I am not //ashamed// of the gospel, for //it// is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the //Jew// first and also to //the// Greek./

*INVITATION \\ *

!! LIST OF OPTIONS

*WORSHIP*

Traditional Worship

Contemporary worship

Progressive worship

Contemplative Worship

Kid’s Church

Junior church

 

 

*GROUP MINISTRIES*