How can this church move forward?

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• How can this church move forward?
• A series of sermons

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The Series

• Challenges to Accept

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Introduction

• We are either going forward or falling behind
• Standing still is not an option
• Standing still falling behind

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Introduction

• Text Philippians 313-14 - 13Brethren, I do not
  count myself to have apprehended but one thing I
  do, forgetting those things which are behind and
  reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
  14I press toward the goal for the prize of the
  upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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Introduction

• Avoid stagnation
• Move ahead
• There are challenges to accept

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Accept the Challenge -
1 Making a difference in the world

• Focus on these verses
• Matthew 513-14 - 13You are the salt of the
  earth but if the salt loses its flavor, how
  shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing
  but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by
  men. 14You are the light of the world. A city
  that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

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Accept the Challenge -
1 Making a difference in the world

• Matthew 515-16 - 15Nor do they light a lamp and
  put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it
  gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let
  your light so shine before men, that they may see
  your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

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Accept the Challenge -
1 Making a difference in the world

• 1 Peter 29 - But you are a chosen generation, a
  royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special
  people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him
  who called you out of darkness into His marvelous
  light

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Accept the Challenge -
1 Making a difference in the world

• If you live by the Bible - -
• World makes us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable
• I have news You are not welcome in the world
• Christians are uncomfortable

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Accept the Challenge -
1 Making a difference in the world

• And it wont get much better
• We must not let them - -
• Shut us up
• Shut us down
• Shut us in
• Shut us out

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Accept the Challenge -
1 Making a difference in the world

• Do not use ungodly actions
• Show the world we have the answer they are
  looking for
• Oppose abortion
• Dont kill abortionists

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Accept the Challenge -
1 Making a difference in the world

• Same way Christians did in the past
• Teach / preach the gospel
• Live the message we preach
• Show them changed hearts, lives, and minds

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Accept the Challenge -
2 Evangelizing this Community

• In every place I have lived some have said,
  This area is not open to the gospel.
• Usually this is not based on failure of many
  attempts
• Not because of animosity

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Accept the Challenge -
2 Evangelizing this Community

• We have not failed because nobody is interested
  in God
• Lets be honest We have not really made the
  effort

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Accept the Challenge -
2 Evangelizing this Community

• Mark 1615-16 - 15And He said to them, Go into
  all the world and preach the gospel to every
  creature. 16He who believes and is baptized will
  be saved but he who does not believe will be
  condemned.

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Accept the Challenge -
2 Evangelizing this Community

• Coca-Cola well known around the world
• Motto Think globally, but act locally
• We must learn this lesson

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Accept the Challenge -
2 Evangelizing this Community

• I preached for a large church that fully
  supported several missionaries US and abroad
• Each was required to have a plan 5 yr, 10 yr
• Local church had no such plan

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Accept the Challenge -
3 Leadership Development

• Have you thought about who will lead this church
  in 10, 20, or 30 years?
• 2 Timothy 22 - And the things that you have
  heard from me among many witnesses, commit these
  to faithful men who will be able to teach others
  also.

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Accept the Challenge -
3 Leadership Development

• Paul trained Timothy
• So Timothy could train others
• Elders, Deacons, preachers have a duty to train
  their replacements
• I conducted 3 seminars to train Russian preachers

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Accept the Challenge -
3 Leadership Development

• Teens, young adults Are you willing to learn
  the ropes to be a preacher, elder, or deacon?

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Accept the Challenge -
4 Following Gods Word

• Do not forget the basis of our existence
• Recently, some seek to change our worship and work

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Accept the Challenge -
4 Following Gods Word

• Entertainment
• Abandon male leadership
• Instrumental music
• Baptism not important
• Compromise doctrines

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Accept the Challenge -
4 Following Gods Word

• Deuteronomy 1232 - Whatever I command you, be
  careful to observe it you shall not add to it
  nor take away from it.

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Accept the Challenge -
4 Following Gods Word

• Revelation 2218 - For I testify to everyone who
  hears the words of the prophecy of this book If
  anyone adds to these things, God will add to him
  the plagues that are written in this book

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Accept the Challenge -
4 Following Gods Word

• People add or subtract to meet their own desires
• We MUST be rooted in the book
• Know Gods will
• Not tied to tradition
• Quick to find new methods

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Accept the Challenge -

• Moving Forward involves every member
• The church is people
• The church moves forward as the people of God
  advance

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Accept the Challenge -

• This is my church It will be as friendly, as
  involved, as generous, as loving, as faithful, as
  forgiving, as loyal - - As I am.
• If this is what I want This is what I must do
  and be.