Foundations for the Future – creating a future
creative faith – why?
In order to reflect Jesus the Creator, the church as "the body of Christ" must create in accordance with His purpose and power.
Ephesians 3: 14-21
God is the Creator
Genesis 1:1
John 1:1-4
salvation = creation 2 Cor. 5:17
God made us to be creators
Gen 1:26 - 28
John 14: 10 - 14; spiritual gifts
the "Body of Christ" must reflect Christ
why we structure and teach the way we do
Foundations for the Future Offering - April 29
Focus:
• expenses for development of special needs area
• physical expansion of First Care facilities
• debt reduction - especially with future campus expansion
• digital sign possible in the near future
Foundations for the Future Plans
April 22 – “Creative Family” – church-wide baby shower for A Woman's Place
April 23 – church-wide daily prayer emphasis
April 27 – church-wide Friday fast
April 29 - FFF offering in Sunday am services
Monday, April 16, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Do you Believe in the Resurrection?
Do you believe in the resurrection?
The key to faith in Jesus Christ
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
the human situation: questioning
Loss of life purpose
Anger at God- lost expectations
Fear for future
No direction
Jesus: He answers questions
Came in person
Answers Thomas' doubts
Loving
Power over situation
Blessings for faith
Belief: it is not…
Serving for your expectations
Work for God
Religious knowledge or background
Belief: it is…
Surrender to Jesus and His purpose because of His love and power over everything
Do you believe in the resurrection?
The key to faith in Jesus Christ
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
the human situation: questioning
Loss of life purpose
Anger at God- lost expectations
Fear for future
No direction
Jesus: He answers questions
Came in person
Answers Thomas' doubts
Loving
Power over situation
Blessings for faith
Belief: it is not…
Serving for your expectations
Work for God
Religious knowledge or background
Belief: it is…
Surrender to Jesus and His purpose because of His love and power over everything
Do you believe in the resurrection?
Monday, April 2, 2012
Thoughts from My Sabbatical
I'm glad to be back!!
Over the next few weeks I'm going to post some thoughts from my sabbatical. I shared some of my thoughts in my article this month for the Akansas Baptist News..................
A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were on vacation in Virginia. We had the pleasure of visiting Montpelier – home of President James Madison. He is often credited with being the “Father of the U.S. Constitution.” Being a lawyer, I must confess it was a moving experience to stand quietly in the room where President Madison spent months thinking and planning for a radical new form of government.
The event we now call the Constitutional Convention was held throughout the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. The country was struggling and riots, protests, and chaos dominated the headlines. While others were protesting, Madison went to work. He retired to Montpelier to study and think, asking “How can we govern ourselves?” He spent months researching and studying. He studied every form of democratic government throughout history to determine what works and what does not. He studied history, philosophy, and even researched scripture for insight into how humans function in a society. There he developed “the Virginia Plan” which provided the framework for our Constitution. No one asked him to do it – it simply needed to be done. He was a patriot.
Standing in that room, I was humbled by the commitment to attack what must be done. I was awed by the creative force which drove him to develop such a masterpiece. It was a short step then to ask myself if I am a creator. As a Christian, I should be a creator. To reflect genuinely the image of Jesus, we must be creators. What could your church do if you took it upon yourself to study and develop a ministry that touched lives? Who could be reached for Christ if we became creators?
What is an issue facing your church? Find a place and spend sometime before the Lord seeking a plan. Be creative and develop a ministry which reflects our Creator and Savior. Jesus stated unequivocally, “Greater works than I do you shall do.” Too many people want to save God money. Too much time is spent nitpicking when we could be creating. It is amazing to stop and consider the impact on your church when you create for God’s glory and then spread of the Gospel. It simply needs to be done.
Over the next few weeks I'm going to post some thoughts from my sabbatical. I shared some of my thoughts in my article this month for the Akansas Baptist News..................
A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were on vacation in Virginia. We had the pleasure of visiting Montpelier – home of President James Madison. He is often credited with being the “Father of the U.S. Constitution.” Being a lawyer, I must confess it was a moving experience to stand quietly in the room where President Madison spent months thinking and planning for a radical new form of government.
The event we now call the Constitutional Convention was held throughout the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. The country was struggling and riots, protests, and chaos dominated the headlines. While others were protesting, Madison went to work. He retired to Montpelier to study and think, asking “How can we govern ourselves?” He spent months researching and studying. He studied every form of democratic government throughout history to determine what works and what does not. He studied history, philosophy, and even researched scripture for insight into how humans function in a society. There he developed “the Virginia Plan” which provided the framework for our Constitution. No one asked him to do it – it simply needed to be done. He was a patriot.
Standing in that room, I was humbled by the commitment to attack what must be done. I was awed by the creative force which drove him to develop such a masterpiece. It was a short step then to ask myself if I am a creator. As a Christian, I should be a creator. To reflect genuinely the image of Jesus, we must be creators. What could your church do if you took it upon yourself to study and develop a ministry that touched lives? Who could be reached for Christ if we became creators?
What is an issue facing your church? Find a place and spend sometime before the Lord seeking a plan. Be creative and develop a ministry which reflects our Creator and Savior. Jesus stated unequivocally, “Greater works than I do you shall do.” Too many people want to save God money. Too much time is spent nitpicking when we could be creating. It is amazing to stop and consider the impact on your church when you create for God’s glory and then spread of the Gospel. It simply needs to be done.
Palm Sunday Message "Go Back to the Cross"
GO BACK TO THE CROSS - Romans 5:1-11
Jesus Christ did not come into the world to get us to behave ourselves! He came so that we might know Him.
What does the Cross mean to you?
REMEMBER THE PURPOSE FOR THE CROSS (vs. 1, 9)
The cross is where eternal change happens
REALIZE THE POWER IN THE CROSS (vs. 10)
“much more”
RELEASE THE POTENTIAL IN THE CROSS (vs. 11)
DON’T WALK AWAY FROM THE CROSS
Sermon by Pastor Dick Avey
Jesus Christ did not come into the world to get us to behave ourselves! He came so that we might know Him.
What does the Cross mean to you?
REMEMBER THE PURPOSE FOR THE CROSS (vs. 1, 9)
The cross is where eternal change happens
REALIZE THE POWER IN THE CROSS (vs. 10)
“much more”
RELEASE THE POTENTIAL IN THE CROSS (vs. 11)
DON’T WALK AWAY FROM THE CROSS
Sermon by Pastor Dick Avey
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