JARVIS CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

Pastor Sherard

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PASTOR JARVIS SINGLETON

5TH ANNIVERSARY - REDEEMING GRACE

THE NUMBER 5;

- GRACE MERCY AND FAVOR

PERHAPS THIS MAY WELL BE A YEAR WHERE REDEEMING GRACE EXPERIENCES THESE TRIPLETS OF GODS ENDOWMENT FOR FRUITFUL WORK FOR THE KINGDOM

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 ESV

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

THE MISSIONAL SHAPING OF A CRUCIFORM COMMUNITY

INTRO

SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED: THE SINGULAR MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY IS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD

SOMETHING IS HAPPENING: THAT PAST EVENT OF THE RESURRECTION HAS INAUGURATED TO IN-BREAKING FO THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE POURING OUT OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND THE MAKING OF THE REDEMPTIVE HISTORICAL BODY - THE CHURCH ~\

- GOD IS ESTABLISHING HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH AND HE IS SHAPING HIS CHURCH TO ACHIEVE JUST THAT.

FOR FIVE YEARS, YOU HAVE BEEN BEING SHAPED BY THE LORD TO FULFILL THE PURPOSE OF HIS KINGDOM THAT IS THE REASON FOR YOUR EXISTENCE

GOD IS SHAPING

CRUCIFORM CHURCH - EXPLAIN CRUCIFORM

I WILL SUGGEST TO YOU THAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS VERY LITTLE ABOUT INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. HE DOES SPEAK ABOUT THAT, BUT PAUL SPEAKS, PRIMARILY, WITH REGARD TO THE CHURCH - THE GATHERED PEOPLE OF GOD.

HERE IS WHAT THE CHURCH LOOKS LIKE =ON MISSION AS CRUCIFROM

I. IT WILL BE A COMMUNITY UNITED EXCLUSIVELY BY A GOSPEL IDENTITY

1 Thessalonians 1:3–5 ESV

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED: THE SINGULAR MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY IS THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD

THIS COMMUNITY IS FORMED AND FORGED BY THE TRIUNE GOD AND, AS SUCH, THAT IDENTITY IS SHAPED BY THE GOSPEL OF GOD IN THE OUTWORKING OF THE WORSHIP OF THE GODHEAD WITHIN COMMUNITY

BUT THIS IS NOT MERELY DOCTRINE OF THE TRIUNE GOD; THIS IS A DYNAMIC ENGAGEMENT WITH GOD

GOSPEL CAME NOT ONLY IN WORD - BUT POWER:

ROMANS 1:16-

Romans 1:16 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

DYNAMITE: GOD CAME TO UNDO NOT ONLY THE CONDEMNING POWER OF SIN BUT THE INFLUENCE OF SIN THAT REMAINS WITHIN US.

THE GOSPEL COMES TO SAVE BUT SALVATION IS THE SHAPING OF A PEOPLE WHO, WHILE ON EARTH, ARE TO MODEL THE BEAUTY OF THE TRUINE GOD

THE GOSPEL HAS CHANGED THEM. AND IT HAS CHANGED THEIR IDENTITY

2 COR 5:15-17-

2 Corinthians 5:15–17 ESV

and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

HERE IS THE TRANSFORMATION: (EXPLAIN EACH)

FAITH - WORK

LOVE - LABOR

HOPE – HOPE

THAT ENGAGEMENT IS MISSIONAL: WITHIN THE BODY AND, AS A RESULT, WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

THIS IS WHAT THE GOSPEL PRODUCES IN THE HEART AND LIVES OF A COMMUNITY UNITED IN REDEMPTIVE WORK OF THE TRIUNE GOD

THE CHURCH MUST SHAPE THIS IDENTITY WITHIN THOSE IN HER MIDST.

THE CONFLICTING VOICES OF IDENTITY IN THE WORLD ARE TOO MUCH FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT GROUNDED, WEEK BY WEEK - DARE I SAY DAY BY DAY - IN THE REALITY OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US IN CHRIST, POURED OUT INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

SO OUR GATHERINGS ARE TO BE REMINDER AND RECLAIMERS OF THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. HERE IS ONE PRACTICAL REASON WHY SOUND THEOLOGY WITH SOUND APPLICATION IS NECESSARY IN THE PREACHING EVENT.

TRUTH PREACHED AND RECEIVED AS COMING FROM THE LORD IS THE ONLY WAY THAT

NO LONGER IDENTIFIED BY THE ETERNAL

THE PIOINT IS THIS: REDEEMING GRACE, IF IT IS TO BE AN EMBASSY FOR HEAVEN ON EARTH, MUST IDENTIFY ITSELF ONLY AS A COMMUNITY ESTABLISHED IN ABD BY AND FOR THE GLORY OF GOD IN AND THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF GOD:

EVERYTHING YOU ARE

EVERYTHING YOU DO

EVERY WAY IN WHICH YOU ENGAGE ONE ANOTHER

MUST BE UNDERSTOOD FROM YOUR NEW FORMED IDENTITY IN CHRIST - BY THE FUNCTIONAL ACTIONS OF THE TRIUNE GOD.

REVIEW

I. IT WILL BE A COMMUNITY UNITED EXCLUSIVELY BY A GOSPEL IDENTITY

NEXT...

II. IT WILL BE A COMMUNITY THAT EMBODIES SUFFERING AS GOSPEL PROGRESS

1 Thessalonians 1:6–7 ESV

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

AND YOU BECAME…IMITATORS…EXAMPLE

TO COME INTO ANOTHER STATE OF CHRISTIAN CONFORMITY

- THE GOSPEL SHAPES

o COL 1:6-7A

Colossians 1:6–7 ESV

which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL IS EVIDENCED IN THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN OUR LIVES.

NOT SIMPLY IN THE IMPARTING OF FAITH LOVE AND HOPE: BUT THE INCREASE OF THOSE

PAUL PUT IS THIS WAY IN 2 COR 3 17- 18 -

IN CONTRASTING THE NEW COVENANT WITH THE OLD PAUL SAYS

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

PAUL MAKES THIS CLEAR TO TIMOTHY

1 Timothy 4:15 ESV

Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

SO THAT ALL MAY SEE YOU “PROGRESS”

BUT AGAIN, PAUL CONNECTS PROGRESS IN THE GOSPEL WITH PAIN FROM THE GOSPEL – CRUICFORMITY

PAIN

1 Thessalonians 1:6–7 ESV

BUT WHY?

· ROMANS 8 – FOLLOWING THE CLEAER WORDS OF GROWING BY KILLING SIN PAUL SAYS

o VERSE 17

Romans 8:17 ESV

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

UNITES US WITH CHRIST’S LIFE SUCH THAT PAUL SAYS

o PHIL 3:10B

Philippians 3:10 ESV

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

SO THE PROGRESS IS DISPLAYED IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVERS – BUT IN THE INETSITY AND GROWTH IN

o FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE

o THESE THREE ARE THE EMBODIMENT OF THE GOSPEL AS EXPRESSED IN THE SHAPE OF THE TRIUNE GOD

PAIN

SO GOING THROUGH THE GOSPEL FOR CHRIST AND LIKE CHRIST IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE GOSPEL THAT IS ATTRACTIVE TO THOSE WHO SEE, IN OUR LIVES THAT LOVE FOR CHRIST IS GREATER THAN THE PAIN THAT COMES FROM LIVING FOR AND LIKE CHRIST

HERE IS WHAT WE MUST KNOW AND ALWAYS REMEMBER”

PROGRESS IN THE FAITH IS PROOF OF FAITH

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

PETER SAYS SOMETHING VERY KEY FOR US THAT WE SHOULD NOT MISS- I WANT US TO YURN THERE AND READ THIS TO HEAR AND SEE WHAT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS

- PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE (V4)

THEN HE SAYS THIS IN VERSES 5 AND FOLLOWING AS IF TO SHOW HOW THE PROMISES WORKED IN AND OUT OF A LIFE PRODUCE A STARTLING TRANSFORMATION IN THAT LIFE

2 Peter 1:5–10 ESV

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

REVIEW

I. IT WILL BE A COMMUNITY UNITED EXCLUSIVELY BY A GOSPEL IDENTITY

II. IT WILL BE A COMMUNITY THAT EMBODIES GOSPEL PROGRESS

FINALLY - AS I SEE IT HERE

III. IT WILL BE A COMMUNITY THAT UNLEASHES GOSPEL ADVANCEMENT (8-9)

The advancement of the gospel must be seen through the imagery of an airplane

i. A plan can only fly with it has two wings.

ii. The gospel will only advance when it has two wings:

SO HOW IS THE GOSPEL UNLEASHED?

1. Wing 1: PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL (8a)

1 Thessalonians 1:8 (ESV)

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia,...

2. Wing 2: The Practice of the gospel (8b)

1 Thessalonians 1:8 (ESV)

... but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

THEY EMBODIED THE GOSPEL SUCH THAT THEIR FAITH - THE [OWER OF THE GOSPEL - WAS ATTRACTIVE

a. THEIR INTERNAL DYNAMICS OF Faith, love and hope

b. Christ is greater than the Pain following Him brings

THESE MAKE THE GOSPEL ATTRACTIVE.

1 THESS 4:11-12- (IF TIME PERMITS)

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 ESV

and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

PHIL 2:12-16- SAY THIS ONE FOR SURE

Philippians 2:12–16 ESV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

ACTS 2:46-47 -

Acts 2:46–47 ESV

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

FAVOR

“enjoying the good will of all the people

“all the people thought of the believers as being good,”

or “all the people felt warm in their hearts about the believers.”[1]

AND THE LORD ADDED....

CONCLUSION

ILLUSTRATION

LISA AND I WERE WATCHING A PROGRAM ABOUT

IF THE HOME IS NOT ATTRACTIVE AND OR IS BLOCKED BY THE TREE PEOPLE CANNOT SEE THE BEAUTY OF IT AND PURCHASE IT

SO THEY FIRST CLEANED OUT THE INSIDE

THEN THE BEAUTIFIED THE OUTSIDE

REMOVED A GIANT TREE

SOLD THE HOME WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL PROFIT

SALVATION: GOD ALONE

HE RENOVATED US FROM WITHIN - ALL OF THE JUNK CLEANED OUT AND THE SOUL MADE BEAUTIFUL

SANCTIFICATION: GOD AND US WORK

HE WORKS ON THE OUTSIDE, SHAPING US TO BECOME SHINING EXAMPLES OF THE BEAUTY HAS HAD MADE ON THE INSIDE

HE REMOVES OBSTACLES THAT KEEP PEOPLE FROM SEEING US

BUT THIS TOOK A TEAM (A GROUP OF PEOPLE COMMITTED TO MAKING THE HOME ATTRACTIVE

MY INDIVIDUAL SHINE IN THE COMMUNITY IS THE RESULT OF THE WORK THAT TAKES PLACE WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY

THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL

THE SHAPING OF THE GOSPEL THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

MAY THE LORD, CONFIRM HIS WORD TO YOU BY CONTINUING TO SHAPE YOUR FELLOWSHIP INTO A CRUCIFORM EXPRESSION OF THE GLORY OF GOD FOR THIS COMMUNITY

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