Today the message is brief. I simply want to introduce to you what I believe in my heart the Lord led me to after prayer, fasting, and seeking the face of God for direction in the coming year.

RISE comes after prayer - after all, we are to pray first, seek the kingdom first, then all of these things will be added to us. Matt. 6:33

Matthew 6:33 CSB

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

This is not a copy cat idea, this is not something from the Southern Baptist Convention, the Florida Baptist Convention, or any other organization. This is unique to us, to our church, to this community, to our families, and for the Glory of God.

Matthew 5:16 CSB

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Our leadership will be going through training as we move forward in the new year of 2023 - If you are currently serving in any capacity - please plan now to attend the training session on 1/15 @ 4PM. (we want every one on the same page when it comes to RISE)

RISE will prayerfully infiltrate the core and fiber of our church family, spill into the community, to build and strengthen to Kingdom of God.

I pray that as we go through the meaning of RISE that you will allow God to work in your heart and life to open doors, and maybe even change our ideas about what church is, and what it can be.

I know that change can be a very scary word in a church setting - in fact a famous quote from a pastor states - “When you change things, you find out what a church really worships”

We have to remember that

It’s not about positions, titles, roles, or methods.

It is about winning the lost to christ and creating an atmosphere of discipleship where new christians and seasoned believers alike can find a place to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

We ALL have a part in this - this is not just for “leaders” - this is for each of us. RISE is something that we can all get involved in, and if you want to - it can and will radically change each of us from the inside out, and give us the purpose we need to carry the Gospel to our community, grow our church, and live the light of Christ Jesus for all to see.

MANY students will receive a freshman orientation when they go off to college.

Part of this orientation is designed to help the incoming freshmen know how to get the most out of their education at the school and how to maximize their time. If parents find out their kids are spending too much time partying at school, they are likely to be ticked off. Why? Because the cost for college is so high. College is too expensive to waste time playing around.

Jesus Christ paid a high price for your salvation, so He doesn’t want you wasting time on the bench - he wants you in the game. Serving, Praying, Telling, and Growing.

Well - let’s look at RISE. You should have a hand out. This training series is going to be simple, and (I can’t make any promises) but the messages are not designed to be long, but they are designed to challenge us, encourage us, and motivate us towards God’s High calling - both individually and as His church.

The Key Scripture is:

Philippians 3:14 CSB

14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

but this morning let’s look at more of that passage to get us going.

Philippians 3:12–17 CSB

12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.

VS 12-13:

Paul has a type of holy discontent that keeps him pressing towards the goal.

He forgets what is BEHIND.

He REACHES for what is AHEAD.

I too, have a type of holy discontent - I want the best for the kingdom, I want the best for God’s people, I want the best for our community, I want the best for our families.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

You must have a short memory about the past

You must have a clear direction for the future.

“It’s hard to see your future when you keep staring at your past” - T.E.

Think of it like the rearview mirror in your car - it’s little and very useful, but it only shows you what is behind you, what you have already past, and already completed. BUT - just in front of you is a huge piece of glass called the windshield - now unless you want to smash up your car, you need to look forward, out of the larger (bigger picture) that lies before you.

We must do this - because where we are going - is bigger than where we have been.

VS 14. I know we’re in church and we wanna be all chuchy - BUT anybody in here have a few things they need to get over? I have things I need to get over - chances are - so do you.

STOP holding on to the past.

The best way to get over yesterday is to have a forward focus, to PRESS ON. Look to the future, not the past.

VS 16. Practice what you know.

Pray - Evangelism - Bear Burdens

Study the Word - Gather together

Worship - Praise - and so on.

VS 17. We will never get to an excellent life if we are hanging out with “get-by” people. (no offense to anyone) this is what the passage literally teaches. We can’t be excellent if we follow the world’s way.

EXCELLENT PEOPLE. There are a ton in this church family. Spiritually Minded people who want to excel in their walk with God - hang out with them. (not overly spiritual people, note that - that have forgotten how to laugh and make everything a bible reference.) But people that are seeking God, Praying, and encourage you to do the same.

RISE 2023

Each letter has a meaning.

this morning we are simply going to identify what RISE means, and some of how we will implement RISE throughout the ministries.

This is where your printed outline comes in handy. Follow along.

R - Reach Others

Evangelism - Missions - Outreach.

We have a life changing message -but- it’s only life changing and life saving if we tell other before it is too late.

Mark 16:15 CSB

15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Sounds pretty clear, however - most church attenders will never lead a person to Christ in their lifetime. But it is one of the first things we are called to do as a believer.

I - Involve More

We must follow the example of Christ.

Mark 10:45 CSB

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Look for ways to serve. There is enough kingdom work to keep us all busy.

Be willing to step up and ask. Don’t wait for someone to ask you - take the initiative.

Serving is NOT aged based. If you have breath, you can serve the Lord.

I am deeply thankful for all that serve here at FBCP. Thank You.

Romans 12:11 CSB

11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.

S - Serve the Community

Matthew 5:16 CSB

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Philippians 2:4 CSB

4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

One of the key things the students said they wanted to do is be more active in community service. (My Heart Leaps)

We will look for ways to serve the community - real, practical ways, that will make a lasting impact in poinciana, kissimmee, and moving outward.

E - Empower the Family

We already know that Satan is after the family unit. He wants to destroy it, and demolish it from the head down

God’s order of the Family must be recognized.

Christ - Man - Woman - Child

This is how God put things together. When we mixed it all up, things went a little sideways.

1 Timothy 5:8 CSB

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Men - we first care for our family spiritually. Pray - Devotions - Love - Setting the example of Christ in all that we do.

How does this empower the family - It sets in motion the hierarchy of how God established the human family.

IT DOES NOT STOP WITH THE HOME BUT SPILLS OVER TO THZE CHURCH.

Empowering the Family of God.

Increase numbers in small groups.

Increase participation in online christian growth studies and in-person christian growth studies.

Prayer Nights once per month

other things are in the works.

Conclusion

You can see that this is something that I am extremely passionate about. I shared this with the deacons and have their full support (what a great group of men we have serving here) I have shared with our staff, and we are of one mind set - one direction - one purpose - and this is to see our church RISE!

We will RISE UP

We will BE THAT CHURCH that people talk about

WE WILL RISE UP for the glory of God

We Will Rise up and Seek the Kingdom

WE WILL RISE UP.

I am begging, and praying that the church will get behind this, and support RISE and let’s watch what God will do when we are faithful.

I know,,I know some are thinking that I am crazy - well think on this.

IT IS ONLY CRAZY UNTIL IT HAPPENS!

Let’s RISE Together.