5 Questions 12.31.23

5 Questions December 31, 2023 Good morning, I'm Bill Isaacs (that Shelley) We welcome you on this last Sunday in 2023. You made it...all the way through 2023. I Googled "notable events in 2023" and the #1 search result? -Rihanna performed at the Super Bowl halftime show Really? You have lived through... * Government stalemate * 8% inflation * A significant war in the Middle East Here at LEC * We have witnessed at least 98 people "choose" Jesus as Lord and Savior. * We baptized 30 people in water * We accepted 47 new members * We finished the first year of GMELC with 80 children enrolled children and an average net profit in the final six months excess of $4,000+ per month. * We've welcomed more than 80 new people who now attend LEC as regular attenders What's ahead in 2024? On January 28th Shelley and I are going to share with you our anticipations for the coming year and we will have our annual church conference following the AM service. Typically in November and December, I spend time thinking, praying, dreaming and planning for the coming year. I listen for God speaking to me about where God is leading us as a people, the spiritual initiatives we will engage with. Recently, I was moved to consider the 5 questions that will affect the coming year for most of us...and our church. Are You Closer to God Than You Were January 1, 2023? I believe it is the MOST IMPORTANT question of all 5. * Jesus (when asked) said the Greatest Commandment was... (Matthew 22:36-40) Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." * Notice what He said, EVERYTHING that God requires is found in both of these commandments. As I contemplated the question, an early response was "how would I know I'm closer to God today than I was 365 days ago?" * Am I more engaged with God's Word now than one year ago? **Meaning am I reading, aligning and obeying God's Word with more dedication than I was a year ago? Is There Anyone Whose Forgiveness You Need To Seek? Before this year comes to an end, perhaps a sincere review of all our relationships and determine if there is any work that needs to be done TODAY. * Forgiveness is such a powerful principle in Scripture. When we choose Jesus, we get forgiveness for every sin we have ever committed! * We are forgiven. * Have we forgiven those with whom we have issues? * The Lord's Prayer... "forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us" * Have you offended anyone? * Have you ever spoken these words, "I'll get even with you if it's the last thing I do before I die!" * Is that really how you feel? Who Has Your Attention? Bill Hull says Many well-meaning people attempt to do deep work without interruption and fail because their spirit is wired to devices that beep, ring, buzz and ding the concentration away. Looking and listening * What perspective are you using to look at the things going on around you and in the world? (2 Kings 6:17) Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!" The LORD opened the young man's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. * There are things you can never see in the spirit unless the Lord helps you. * This is why the enemy is so active in his attempts to "distract" you from hearing the voice of God and seeing what God is trying to show you. What Is The Biggest Threat To Your Spiritual Survival? * Where has the devil determined to attack you? Samson/Delilah (Judges 16:20) Then she said, "The Philistines are on you, Samson!" He woke up, thinking, "I'll go out, like always, and shake free." He didn't realize that God had abandoned him. The devil is a strategist-looking for the places where you are vulnerable Do you know where those are? Where are you most vulnerable? If not, why? (2 Corinthians 2:11) so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. Who Are You Bringing To Jesus This Year? Four years ago, Shelley I sat on the stage at Antioch and we said we wanted to pastor a church that welcomed sinners. In July of that year I made God the promise that we would create a church environment where sinners would encounter Jesus Christ and be offered the opportunity to "choose" Jesus. Almost 200 people have chosen Jesus since that day and every week, lost people are coming to LEC- Do they experience God's love? Do they encounter Jesus in our services? (John 20:32) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. Some of these are your children, your family, your neighbors-but they are lost and we are commissioned to be a Great Commission church. Conclusion: God I am a sinner I'm sorry for my sins I believe Jesus died for my sins I believe Jesus will forgive my sins I choose Jesus