Setting the Framework

Scripture and introduction

2 Samuel 23:13–17 NIV

13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

Pray.

My son kids are into puzzles now which is mostly fun. Luke has turned that corner so when we are doing a puzzle....it isnt just me suggested all the right pieces for him, but he can knock out some real puzzles on his own.

Part of helping him to get there was teaching him some strategies. The most important one is finding the corners and edges.

Setting the Framework

The Global Methodist Church

Continuing the mission beyond our walls

The next puzzle pieces

Background of text:

This is a fascinating story from a critical time in David’s life when he was on the run from enemies. The end of 2 Samuel becomes an anthology (collection) of stories of defeating enemies and also more honest failures from the human king. This story in particular finds our imperfect hero surrounded by the Philistines and desperate. David has loyal servants and warriors all around him in the final days to protect his throne and the kingdom of Israel.

In particular there are 3 warriors that are named and described with great detail. They hear that the exhausted and aging leader is thirsty for water.

David’s men overhear him longing for water from the well of Bethlehem, which is heavily guarded by the Philistines. Three of the men fight their way through to the well and bring David water.

These specific warriors with specific giftings, heard a need (not commanded, but heard a need) and they fought through obstacles to go and get water for David.

Then David pours it out! (More on that later)

This picture is an image of stewardship that I think captures the our Framework in a creative way. The pieces that we need to put along the border.

These are our four corners of the puzzle, and I neatly arranged them so we can remember:

Setting the Framework for FMC

Transparency

Training

Target

Testimony

(In English these are 4 T’s, but I am sure we lose that in translation)

Transparency of Obstacles

The story of David is clear about the obstacles that are in front of them. David and the warriors are surrounded by the Philistines. In order to get water for David, they must go through the enemies at Bethlehem in order to get water.

We must be clearer about the challenges in front of us and In 2022 we faced several challenges.

As if I need to list them:

disaffiliation

loss of members, over 130

(going into December) net monthly average expenses 163K and net monthly average revenue 131K, that is a 23K deficit per month.

Methodists statistically give 1.5 percent of their income to the local church.

Giving units at FMC = 588

Pledging units at FMC in 2022 = 233

Changes in staff, remaining less than 100% to save money, fighting to keep staff and program ministry flat

This framework is IMPERATIVE if we are going to lay pieces of the puzzle for what is ahead, including The Woodlands Hills

Transparency from our leaders, from my office and the business office, we are working on strategies to increase transparency.

Scoresheet

periodic church meetings

open charge conference

Training of Warriors

The warriors and their devotion is central to this story. David is mostly a secondary character here.

I want you to notice something in this passage:

2 Samuel 23:15 NIV

15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

The language indicates that the warriors hear and respond. They are not ordered by David.

I love that, they knew what they could offer and responded to a need. We have had so much of that over the last several months from people serving major programs, volunteers in hospitality, leadership, working in the prayer garden, etc.

One more side note: These warriors were servants, they were not here telling David how to defeat the Philistines, or insisting on their own experience or gifts, they were too over-qualified to be water-boys but they were servants. They heard a need and jumped in.

Now for the warriors in specific, 2 points for FMC:

We will be electing over 20 new leadership positions at our charge conference today. One of the main needs of FMC is to invite, again, more gifted and experienced leaders into these roles.

In the future it will be life group leaders

prayer team members

The Woodlands Hills

Our staff is full of mighty warriors. We need to ensure that we are providing all they need to thrive in their roles. Job descriptions and strategic alignment or our org chart to accomplish what they have been brought on board to accomplish. It is time to turn a corner from survival mode to creative, spiritually committed, entrepreneurial warriors that they can be. Our calling is to equip the saints for the work of the church. To create opportunities for discipleship

Target of focus

The warriors in their story knew where they needed to go and what it was going to take to accomplish it.

What is our focus? What are we called to be?!

OUR MISSION: TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.

OUR VISION: INVITE ALL TO EXPERIENCE LIFE. BETTER. TOGETHER. THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND OTHER BELIEVERS

To make disciples of Jesus Christ is the general and universal calling of Jesus from the gospels and 99% of churches use this as a mission statement. But what does it mean? Are we accomplishing it.

Let me just wet your appetite for the future:

How many of us are growing in our walk with Jesus that we are loving God more and loving God’s people? In lent we will consider the transformative journey of holiness where research shows that only about 1 percent of Christians find themselves in a season of profound love of God and profound love of people. 89% of Christians report being stuck in a forgiven and active stage of the Christian life but not experience freedom and power of God.

How many disciple-making leaders are we raising up at FMC?

How many life groups do we have that helps us to talk with Jesus versus just learning about Jesus?

How many of us have grown in worship, service, growing, witnessing, and generosity?

Testimony: David pours out a sacrifice for the Lord

Anyone else bothered by the end of the story?

These men risk their lives, fight through enemies, and finally make it back with water for David to drinks.....

AND HE POURS IT OUT ON THE GROUND!!!!

I am sorry, what?!

My first reaction was, oh dont be soooo religious that you do not drink the water that your men sacrificed their lives to get for you!

But then I realized what David is doing:

David realizes this offering was too Holy for his selfish consumption and so he offers it back to God.

Too often we take for granted what God is doing in our midst and we selfishly consume it.

(Show Video in sanctuary)

I am pleased to share with you that December was one of the most successful months in the recent history of our church financially. This church has responded to the need and our revenue was $345,000.

That is 262% of what our average monthly revenue was in 2022. 2.6 times greater than our average!

Some will want to give credit to me or certain circumstances. But this is God’s doing and we will not take it for granted.

Everything that God brings to FMC this year and the years to come, we will recognize what is holy and from God and we will pour it out fully for God.

We can build a semi-successful church with smart business practices that will return to a strong financial position, we can beef up marketing and hospitality, we can do certain things right and continue on....but we want to pursue the holy transformation of lives and when it happens we will give God all the glory.

We have to get our finances right, we have to become more transparent, we do want to grow with new members, we do have to staff right, organize ourselves properly, we have to do some basic things right now so that we can focus on our calling and that is making disciples of Jesus Christ. And when we do I know God will surprise us....I can say that because long before it was our mission, it was God’s. So we will give God the glory as we join God in the work.

And I suspect, in doing so, we will continue to experience the outpouring of God’s spirit in our midst.