WHAT I WANT FOR OUR CHURCH
Text: 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Introduction: I Thought Of Six Things I Want For The New Year.
I) FAITH TO ACCEPT WHAT GOD DESIGNS
A) THE MAN WHO SURRENDERS HIS LIFE TO JESUS DOES NOT LIVE ACCIDENTLY. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose
1) If that statement is true, then Christ designs everything that comes into my life
2) The Poet Was Right When He Said…
My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me.
I cannot choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the why.
B) OFTEN GOD INTERRUPTS OUR PLANS.
1) Even Trials are designed by God. 1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2) Bible says God knows how much we can bear and He will never overload us. Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship
C) WE NEED TO SURRENDER OUR LIVES TO JESUS CHRIST TODAY….
1) He brings the right trial into our life that will work out for our good.
2) We are the Clay In The Potters Hands. Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? Saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
3) Exciting to know everything that comes our way is screened by a Loving God.
II) LIFE YIELDED TO GOD THAT REALIZE HIS COMPLETE PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.
A) SOME MEN GOD HAS USED IN THE PAST
1) God used D.L. MOODY who someone said
(a) World Has Yet To See What God Can Do With A Man Who Is Fully Surrendered”
(b) Moody said "I'll Be That Man"
(c) NO Education and NO Ordination papers, D.L. Moody surrendered his life to Christ.
(d) Moody Bible institute stands today as a pattern for most others to follow.
2) God used a MOSES.
(a) Stammering, stuttering man who couldn’t speak to lead his people out of bondage.
(b) b. Just because MOSES Was available.
3) GIDEON the least of his father's household
(a) He didn't want to go..
(b) Finally he submitted to God and won one of the greatest victories in the Bible.
4) DAVID - Youngest of his fathers children
(a) He was but a mere shepherd boy..
(b) He had the heart of a lion &God used Him
5) A SMALL LAD - Used to feed the 5,000
(a) He wasn't the greatest scholar there.
(b) However He Was Available.. With 5 loaves and 2 little fishes.
B) GOD COULD USE YOU ALSO.
1) It would amaze you as to what He will do with you if you will let Him.
2) He has plenty for us to do if He can find the Available instruments.
III) GRATITUDE ENOUGH TO BE THANKFUL FOR GOD'S EVER MERCY AND BLESSING. Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
A) ONE OF THE GREATEST CHRISTIAN GRACES IS GRATITUDE.
1) Dr. Bob Jones said "Gratitude Is The Loveliest Flower That Grows In The Garden Of A Man's Soul;”
2) Jesus told of 10 lepers who were healed, only one turned back to give Him thanks
B) THANK GOD FOR HIS MERCIES. Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. multitude of
1) God's Mercies Are New Every Morning..
(a) They are higher than the heavens, and they Endure forever.
(b) Psa 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
C) MANY THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED ARE GREAT BLESSINGS.
1) GRACE is God Giving to us something we do not deserve..
2) MERCY Is God Withholding from us something which we do deserve.
D) INGRATITUDE LEADS TO OTHER SINS Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;
IV) ENOUGH PATIENCE TO BUILD THIS CHURCH INTO A GREATER MINISTRY.
A) NOT SATISFIED WITH OUR PROGRESS.
1) God sent me here but I can’t do it alone.
2) We have grown Slack
B) SHOULD BE RUNNING OVER ____NOW
1) Why do people come and then leave???
2) We losing children to other groups
C) I HAVE PRAYED FOR PATIENCE
1) Now I am praying for PROGRESS..
2) I am asking for HELP in a big way.
3) Promise God you will do your best..
V) I WANT GOD'S SMILE & APPROVAL ON EVERYTHING I SAY AND DO. 2 Cor 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, We may be accepted of Him.
A) I WOULD LIKE YOUR APPROVAL
1) However I have to have God's approval.
2) NO other way except by His approval
B) I WANT TO MAKE A COVENANT WITH GOD LIKE ABRAHAM DID. Gen 17:1-2 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
1) Now I already know I AM NOT PERFECT.
2) My Wife has already told me I AM NOT.
3) But I can ask God to make me perfect…
VI) GRACE ENOUGH TO BE SWEET UNDER ALL CONDITIONS
A) PREACHERS FACE TEMPTATIONS.
1) Many of these you do not understand.
2) Hard to show people they are wrong.
3) 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
B) DIFFICULT To DELIVER A HARD SERMON
1) To rebuke the congregation.
2) At the same time maintain a Sweet Spirit.
3) Blessed is the man who can be sweet under ALL Conditions.
CONCLUSION: What do YOU want for your Church?