RISE 2023 | S - Serve the Community

It is important for me to state from the very beginning this morning that we will be using the term “community” in two distinct ways -

The church community - the people around you, the whole church family, small groups, ministries, etc - all equal a community of believers that are doing life together.

The community we live and do life in. Poinciana, Kissimmee, and beyond. The area in which God has called us to minister (bring the gospel) also includes our jobs, families, etc.

I want you to know - I AM PUMPED! There was such a great turn out last Sunday afternoon with people ready to serve. I want you to know that I’ll be getting back to you soon - this past wee has been a whirlwind (explain about ACC) if you missed the concert - I promise you missed a true blessing. There were many tears seeing them depart on Friday.

Not only that but I’ve had folks texting and messaging me telling me “i shared my faith today, I shared the gospel. Now you wanna get me excited - tell me you shared the gospel with someone. R - reach others! I pray that this becomes so contagious that it becomes a church wide epidemic. We bout to be on fire for Jesus up in here - up in here! Amen!

Today - what I think is the simplest of the messages kinda piggy backs on the I - Involve more part of RISE because it move to the next portion after deciding to get involved, it answers the “now what” -

R - reach others

I - involve more

S - SERVE THE COMMUNITY

E - Empower the Family.

Serve the Community

We are called to be the workers.

If we are not serving and working within the community (both meanings) how will others see our good works and glorify our father in heaven? Matthew 5:16

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.

If we break this passage down just a little - little bit this is what we see:

John 12:46 CSB

46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.

Jesus is the LIGHT and those that believe in Him as their savior will not live in darkness (sin) who is the light? - JESUS!

We are to let our LIGHT shine - that is jesus in us, but not only in us - but coming out to a dark world - THROUGH US!! We GOTTA BE FULL!

Jesus - in our life as believers MOTIVATES us to do good in His kingdom. To Serve His Community and the Community where He has placed us. -

We are to follow the example of Christ and SERVE. Matthew 20:28

Matthew 20:28 CSB

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

Jesus came to SERVE

We follow the example of Christ.

He gave his life Physically for our sin. 1 Cor. 15:3-5

1 Corinthians 15:3–5 CSB

3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.

We in-turn offer our lives in Kingdom Service.

This we must understand - we are not serving a particular church, leader, pastor, or person - but we are serving

the king of kings, Lord of Lords, the alpha and omega - the one that laid his life down for the sheep, we are serving the one that took our place and paid the price for our sins at calvary and rose again victorious over death so that we may have eternal life.

Seems like i could find a little time to do a little extra without complaining about it. Right?

Our salvation is not bound in what we do - but in the finished work of Christ on the cross, however, remember that - we are not saved BY works at all, but our salvation should motivate us towards good works. Recall the Bible.

Acts 1:8 CSB

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Ephesians 2:10 CSB

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

WE ARE

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Saved through faith (believing) by grace (as a gift from God) NOT by anything you can or will ever do.

We are God’s workmanship, designed for the good works that God prepared for us ahead of time. (walk in them - literally meaning - we keep on doing them)

ALL OF THAT IS CLEAR - so now lets look at a very clear yet heart breaking passage.

Turn with me to Matthew chapter 9

I can’t bring this message without looking at the response of Matthew in Matthew 9:9

Matthew 9:9 CSB

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

Matthew didn’t didn’t even think about it. Jesus said - follow me and Matthew - who was obviously very wealthy and had access to every earthly comfort ( a tax collector) he left is all behind to follow Jesus. Sometimes we can’t get out of bed on a beautiful Sunday morning, or serve like it’s a burden - Matthew left it all because He recognized his Savior - christ Jesus. Sometimes to follow Jesus - we gotta leave somethings behind.

the bed, the TV, the Screens, some friends, some family, some money, pride, laziness, complacency, hate, malice, arrogance, position, and more - but you will never be sorry you followed Jesus.

Matthew “got up at once” - Jesus is still waiting for some on this room today to get up and follow him as their savior. do it today.

Here’s our key passage:

Matthew 9:35–38 CSB

35 Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

in previous verses - we see jesus had restored

Life - (9:18-26)

Sight - (9:27-31)

Speech - (9:32-34)

Jesus is still in the restoration business. All you need to do is come to Him.

We were driving on a trip from south carolina to florida and I mean we were cruising. Having a blast. Radio up, singing along, just having a great time together. Then all of a sudden we hear it - a load POP, the all the thuds and noise a flat tire makes.

We had a problem. You can’t keep driving on a flat tire. You need to pull of the road and change the tire.

Now the tire they give you is NOT a real fix - it just sees you through, you can’t even really drive on it.

You have to get the car to a real tire shop so they can fix the tire, and that is what we did -

when we got there the mechanics told us about the damage to the old tire and that it was really worn out.

I ask if it could be patched. the mechanic said NO - NO WAY! It’s beyond that.

he went on to say - ALL OF YOUR TIRES NEED TO BE CHANGED - you need new tires. He showed us how worn they were and if we kept going it would end in disaster - we agreed and got new tires.

THE SAME IS TRUE FOR US - IF YOU ARE LIVING A LIFE APART FROM CHRIST - YOUR LIFE NEEDS RESTORATION. “A WHOLE NEW LIFE”

SEE WE OFTEN WANT TO OFFER GOD ONLY ONE TIRE (OR ONLY A PART ) OF OUR LIFE. HE CAN HAVE A FEW SUNDAY’S HERE AND THERE, AND JESUS IS 100% NOT LOOKING TO BE YOUR SPARE TIRE - THAT YOU RUN TO WHEN IT’S AN EMERGENCY - HE WANTS TO BE YOUR MAIN SOURCE NOT JSUT ANOTHER RESOURCE.

BUT JESUS WANTS ALL FOUR TIRES - HE WANTS YOUR WHOLE LIFE. HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN PATCHING PROBLEMS - HE WANTS TO BE YOUR TOTAL LIFE SOLUTION.

HE WANTS YOU TO COME TO HIM AND SAY - I’M WORN OUT, I NEED YOU, I NEED YOU TO BE MY SAVIOR.

HE WILL GIVE YOU PEACE, REST, AND SALVATION.

HERE’S THE BEST PART - YOU OWE NOTHING. HE ALREADY PAID THE PRICE. SALVATION IS FREE TO ALL WHO BELIEVE. (EPH 2:8-9)

AFTER ALL OF THOSE THINGS (HEALINGS) JESUS IS NOW STANDING LOOKING OVER THE CITY AND HE IS MOVED WITH COMPASSION. (JESUS WAS SAD, UPSET, HEARTBROKEN)

JESUS IS MOVED WITH COMPASSION

Matthew 9:36 CSB

36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.

JESUS HAD BEEN TEACHING, PREACHING, HEALING, AND “DOING MINISTRY” BUT SOMETHING ELSE GOT HIS ATTENTION AND MOVED HIM WITH COMPASSION.

HE SAW THE MULTITUDE (THE COMMUNITY) AND IT BROKE HIS HEART - WHY?

THEY WERE

WEARY & DEPRESSED- DO YOU THINK PEOPLE IN BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE COMMUNITIES ARE WEARY. I DO! LIFE APART FROM CHRIST IS WEARY. JESUS ALWAYS HAS THE ANSWER - MATTHEW 11:28

Matthew 11:28 CSB

28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

WHAT THE WORLD IS LOOKING FOR CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN JESUS.

JESUS IS THE ANSWER FOR THE WORLD TODAY.

Jesus is the answer for the world today Above Him there's no other, Jesus is the way Jesus is the answer for the world today Above Him there's no other, Jesus is the way

If you have some questions In the corners of your mind And traces of discouragement And peace you can not find

Reflection of the old past They seem to face you every day There's one thing I know for sure That Jesus is the way

I know you got mountains That you think you can not climb I know that your skies have been dark You think the sun won't shine In case you don't know

I'm here to tell you That the Word of God is true, And everything that He's promised I tell you He would do it for you Let me tell you that (REPEAT CHORUS

JESUS HAS THE PLAN.

THE PEOPLE WERE GOING AROUND LIKE A SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD. (V36)

WE ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS SHEEP IN THE BIBLE. SHEEP A WHOLE ARE NOT THE BRIGHTEST ANIMAL IN THE BARNYARD.

THEY WERE WEARY AND DEPRESSED BECAUSE THEY HAD NO DIRECTION - LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD. IT’S THE SHEPHERDS TASK TO PROVIDE DIRECTION.

PSALM 23 CLEARLY STATE WHO OUR SHEPHERD IS - “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - I SHALL NOT WANT. (CAN WE READ THIS PASSAGE TOGETHER?)

Psalm 23 NKJV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

SEE THOSE PROMISES:

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

HE LEADS ME

HE RESTORES ME

HE IS WITH ME

HE COMFORTS AND CORRECTS ME

HE FEEDS ME AND PROTECT ME

HE ANNOINTS ME

HE MAKES MY CUP RUN OVER

HE GIVE ME ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS HOUSE. (FOREVER)

THE GREATEST SHEPHERD STANDS BEFORE US EVEN NOW - BUT SOME HAVE BLINDED EYES, AND DEAF EARS AND I PRAY TODAY THAT EYES AND EARS ARE OPENED AND THAT YOU WILL COME TO JESUS.

JESUS SAW THE NEED RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.

JESUS HEART WAS BROKEN AND HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION

ARE YOU MOVED WITH COMPASSION FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY? THOSE THAT NEED HELP? THOSE THAT ARE ALONE? THOSE THAT NEED CHRIST?

I’M TALKING ABOUT WITHIN THE WALLS -(OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY) AND OUTSIDE THE WALLS (OUR PHYSICAL COMMUNITY)

COMPASSION SHOULD MOTIVATE US TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SAID IT LIKE THIS: “EVERYONE CAN BE GREAT, BECAUSE EVERYONE CAN SERVE”

JESUS RESPONSE.

Matthew 9:37 CSB

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.

JESUS SEES THE WEARY PEOPLE LVING IN SIN, APART FROM GOD AND HAS COMPASSION ON THEM THEN MAKES THIS STATEMENT.

THE HARVEST - (PEOPLE) ARE ABUNDANT. IF I CAN JUST PUT IT MY OWN LANGUAGE - THERE’S A WHOLE LOTTA PEOPLE AND AIN’T ENOUGH PEOPLE TO GET THE WORK DONE.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS AND MINISTRY LEADERS - THERE ARE NO WORDS ENOUGH TO THANK YOU.

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THOSE THAT RESPONDED LAST WEEK BY SAYING - “SIGN ME UP”

I CANNOT DO IT ALONE, PASTOR ORVILLE, DEMEKO, THE DEACONS, THE OTHER WORKERS - WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE. EVEN JESUS IS SAYING IN OUR PASSAGE TODAY - I NEED HELP!

OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN THE CHURCH NEEDS YOU, THE COMMUNITY OUTSIDE THE WALLS 100% NEEDS YOU.

JESUS HAS A PLAN. (WHEN JESUS HAS THE PLAN - THERE’S NO NEED FOR ME TO ADD TO IT!!

JESUS’ PLAN

PRAY!

MIND BLOWING ISN’T IT.

SO SIMPLE - YET OVERLOOKED.

Matthew 9:38 CSB

38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

THEREFORE - PRAY.

I AM PRAYING THAT GOD WILL SEND US THE WORKERS THAT WE NEED TO SERVE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THOSE WITH A PASSION AND COMPASSION FOR THE MINISTRY OF OUR CHURCH AND KINGDOM FIRST LIVING AND LOVING.

Galatians 6:9 CSB

9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

THE LORD OF THE HARVEST. READ GALATIANS AGAIN -

WE SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING FOR THE KINGDOM AND NOT GET TIRED OF DOING IT -

REAPING IS AN AGRICULTURAL TERM - YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. YOU ARE NOT PLANTING TOMATOES AND REAPING MANGOS. THE SEED YOU PLANT IS THE HARVEST YOU GET.

CROPS NEED TENDING. (THIS IS KINGDOM SERVICE)

IF THERE IS NO ONE TO HARVEST - THE FRUIT JUST FALLS TO THE GROUND AND ROTS.

THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL - IN THIS AND EVERY COMMUNITY - AND IF WE DO NOT STEP UP TO SERVE AS A MISSION BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE - THE HARVEST WILL ROT. AND WE MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A CHURCH.

REMEMBER - IT IS HIS HARVEST. IN HIS TIME. BY HIS PEOPLE. THAT WE HAVE PRAYED FOR AND OVER.

REMEMBER - GOD SENDS THE WORKERS, AND IT IS IN HIS KINGDOM THAT THEY LABOUR.

WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL TO THE KINGDOM TODAY? MANY HAVE PRAYED ALONG WITH ME - THAT WE IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. (BOTH) SO I REALLY THINK IT’S TIME TO GET UP GET OUT, AND GET BUSY. AMEN.

CALL TO SALVATION.

LOST LIFE (ROM 3:23

Romans 3:23 CSB

23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

RESTORED LIFE (ROM 6:23

Romans 6:23 CSB

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

LOVED LIFE (JOHN 3:16

John 3:16 CSB

16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

THE GOSPEL

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

YOUR RESPONSE

Romans 10:9 NKJV

9 that 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 10:13 NKJV

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

KINGDOM LIFE

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

TOGETHER WE CAN IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS WE ARE MOVED WITH COMPASSION JUST AS JESUS WAS MOVED. THE WORLD NEEDS BELIEVERS TO STAND UNITED - HAND IN HAND - FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST AND UNDER THE BANNER OF THE CROSS. AMEN.