Total Member Involvement
Each One Win One • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 4 viewsGod has called each and every Christian to serve. Not only are we given different spiritual gifts, to serve in different ways. There is one way we should all serve: soul-winning.
Notes
Transcript
An elderly lady was amazed at how nice the young man was next door. Everyday he would help her gather things from her car or help her in her yard.
One day the old lady finally asked the young man, “Son, how did you become such a fine young man, always serving others?"
The young man replied, “Well, when I was a boy, I had a drug problem.”
The old lady was shocked, “I can’t believe that.”
The young man replied, “It’s true, my parents drug me to church on Sunday morning, drug me to church on Sunday night, and drug me to church on Wednesday night.”
Church
Church
How can you
find a good church?
What is church?
What is our
purpose
calling
reason for existence?
We here people say:
Let’s go to church.
I went to church on Sabbath.
I’m at the church waiting for you to arrive.
We are going to build a new church.
For us,
church has become a building.
The authors of the NT
did not have that idea.
They didn’t have
dedicated church buildings.
But they spoke of
the church frequently:
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Who was pray?
The church.
... For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Notice that they did not
“meet at the church”
Rather
“met with the church.”
Why?
Church is people.
not a building.
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Who gathered?
The church.
People.
Not buildings.
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Tell it to who?
The church.
People.
You don’t talk to buildings.
What is a church?
A group of people
who gather for
united purpose.
But what purpose?
We are working on
re-writing our mission and vision.
I love this quote.
First sentences of
Acts of the Apostle
by Ellen White.
It describes the
mission and purpose
of the church:
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1—God’s Purpose for His Church
The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men.
It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.
What is the
united purpose of
the church people
and their gatherings?
Salvation of humanity
organization for mission
bring gospel to the world!
If you are
church shopping,
ask yourself
following questions.
Which church has best music?
Which church has best kids programs?
Which church is culturally relevant?
Which church has best potluck food?
No!!!
Best church is
filled with the best
soul-winning plans.
Pick a church
equips your to serve
soul-winning vineyard!
Confusion about Church:
A man was marooned on a desolate island. After he had been there for five years he was found and rescued. As he climbed into the rescue boat the curious rescuers noticed three grass huts. “We thought you were alone, why are there three huts,” they asked.
The man replied, “The first hut is my home; the second is my church.”
“What about the third hut?”
“Oh, that’s the church I used to belong to!”
Body
Body
In the NT,
words “church” and “body”
are synonymous.
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
What is the church?
“His Body!”
In this quest to
learn more about
perfect church
look at passages
about the body.
During the Amazing Prophecy
during Q and A
answered question
How can you enter the body?
Simple:
you enter through
belief
baptism.
Baptism = member of body.
What else can we discover
about being
member of body?
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
What is the lesson here?
Every member has gifts.
Every member uses gifts,
in connection with the body.
Same teaching in
1 Cor 12.
You know what
is very interesting.
There is no such verse
that describes members who
don’t serve in some capacity.
Summary
Summary
A church is a group of people.
The Church’s mission is the salvation of people.
One enters the body by belief and baptism.
Then you become a member of the body.
Each member has gifts.
Each member uses their gifts.
Edify church
Win more souls.
What happens when
members don’t
use gifts
serve
win souls?
FoxNews.com, Published July 31, 2009
Two deputies in Plain City, Utah pursued a seven-year old boy who was driving a Dodge Intrepid on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Preston Scarbrough reached a speed of forty miles per hour before finally pulling into his family’s driveway and running inside the house. He told his dad he got in the car and drove away because he did not want to go to church.
What happens when
members don’t
use gifts
serve
win souls?
Biblically,
not possible.
For the sake
of the argument
what if you had
something in your body
did not contribute
well-being of body?
Paul makes this point:
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
Each body part
is unique and valued
for the part it plays.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
You don’t think much
about your kidneys
unless the become sick.
Then you realize
how important
your kidneys
are to you.
Therefore,
each of us are
very important to
well-being of the body!
We need each member
of this body to
fulfill their purpose
and use their gifts.
What do you call
it when when a
body parts does not work
takes but does not give back?
We call that:
illness
parasite
cancer.
Albanian
parasite
Giardia.
Must be treated
to get well.
Let me be clear
If you are learning
understanding gifts role
want to serve.
good.
If you have been
member of body for long time
do nothing to serve
only take, never give
don’t win souls...
You are a parasite.
The Bible provides
no reasonable example
of member of body
mentally/physically well
does not contribute.
Cancerous growth
on body part.
Being nourished
by the body
food
blood
cells.
Must be cut out.
Auburn Church Stats
Auburn Church Stats
233 people attend 6+ times
110 of them
kids,
elderly,
new to congregation
live out of town
worship elsewhere
123 Total
Adults
Regulars
Long-term attendees
Able to Serve
96 people
78% People serve
greeters,
ushers
kitchen
finance
fundraising
building project
Children's Programming
Truth is:
actually good number
higher than most churches.
I’m thankful for
what we do have.
But I want more
because it is the
Biblical ideal.
We should always
push toward God’s plan
even if it is hard.
Push for
Total Member Involvement.
The body of
Auburn, GA
is doing okay.
But, Still,
Not perfectly well.
27 ppl = 22%
Don’t serve at all.
cancerous
parasites.
Not to mention
New People.
Truth is,
No excuse
Not to serve.
If you have little kids,
serve in kids department
tell children’s story
(kid on lap).
If you are terrified
to even teach kids:
wash dishes
move chairs
pick up offering
vacuum floor.
If you have physical limitations
serve on prayer team
sub-committee.
sewing for new mothers.
There is room for everyone.
In some sense,
each of these jobs
part of soul-winning.
Wash Dishes
fellowship for visitors
connections -> conversions.
Greeters - same.
Two sisters were playing together when eight-year-old Martha insisted that they play school. Five-year-old Jenny wasn’t the least bit interested in thinking about school, but the older sister wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. Finally, little Jenny conceded and said, “OK, I’ll play.” She then added, “Mark me absent!”
Unfortunately, that is the attitude many Christians have towards church attendance.
Unfortunately,
this is the same
mindset that some
have about playing church!
Total Member Involvement
Total Member Involvement
The title of the sermon
TMI : Total Member Involvement.
This is not a term
that I made up.
It is an initiative of
the General Conference
of world SDA church.
I would like to share
few slides from
TMI presentation
from the GC.
Success is based on the number of workers, not just baptisms.
Success is based on the number of workers, not just baptisms.
This goes back to
original question
what is a good church.
God kids program?
Good music?
Good food?
No.
But some would say:
a church that is
reaching the lost.
This is very true.
That is our purpose
BUT
Remember:
The goal is
not just to reach everyone,
but to involve everyone.
In the words of Paul:
… But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
We are in this together
if one member is not working
the entire body is sick.
Our job
is the seek to
save the lost.
But in order to do so,
we must have everyone
involved, working together.
Speaking of a
dead and boring church...
An elderly woman walked into a church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps, “Where would you like to sit?” he asked politely.
“The front row please,” she answered.
“You really don’t want to do that,” the usher said “the pastor is really boring.”
“Do you happen to know who I am?” the woman inquired.
“No.” he said.
“I’m the pastor’s mother,” she replied indignantly.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked.
“No.” she said.
“Good,” he answered.
The Signs of the Times April 21, 1887: Growth in Grace
The real character of the church is measured, not by the high profession she makes, nor by the names enrolled upon the church book,
—
but by what she is actually doing for the Master, by
Review and Herald August 27, 1908: Camp-Meetings and Our Publications
When we are successful in the work of soul saving, those who are added to the faith will, in turn, use their ability in giving the truth to others.
What is the point?
How can you know
if you are truly saved?
You are saved,
when you
not only believe and accept
Christ as your savior,
when you also,
have the passion to
offer that to
someone else.
Being a persevering
worker of the body is
evidence of the fruits
of righteous life
of a saved person.
The English poet Samuel Coleridge talked with a man who did not believe that children should be given any religious instruction at all.
This man claimed that the child’s mind should not be prejudiced in any direction, and when he became older he should be permitted to choose his religious opinions for himself.
Coleridge said nothing; but after a while he asked his visitor if he would like to see his garden. The man said he would, and Coleridge took him out into the garden, where only weeds were growing. The man looked at Coleridge in surprise, and said, “Why this is not a garden! There is nothing but weeds here!”
“Well, you see,” answered Coleridge, “I did not wish to infringe upon the liberty of the garden in any way, I was just giving the garden a chance to express itself and to choose its own production.”
Source: The Speaker’s Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck
This is true or church,
churches with
no plan
no vision
no expectations
for growth of members
becomes weedy garden.
Back to our question then:
What is a church?
Training Center
Training Center
A church is
a training center.
A place where we
not only serve,
but also,
learn how to serve better.
Ministry of Healing Medical Missionaries and Their Work
Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin. They need to be instructed and encouraged.
Every church should be a training school for Christian workers.
Continuing:
Ministry of Healing Medical Missionaries and Their Work
Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath-school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick,
how to work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various lines of Christian help work.
My goal is simple
train body to serve.
Disciple members
find passion in service
and win souls
for Christ’s kingdom.
This is not
primarily done through
large programs at church.
Not through
Christmas programs
school supply giveaways
church socials for youth.
Though these are nice!!!
“If we can have but one part done, let it be the individual labor of opening the Scriptures in households” (Christian Service, p. 121).
A preacher was in Atlanta, several years ago, and noticed in the restaurants section of the Yellow Pages, an entry for a place called Church of God Grill. The peculiar name aroused his curiosity and he dialed the number. A man answered with a cheery, “Hello! Church of God Grill!”
The preacher asked how that restaurant had been given such an unusual name, and the man said: “Well, we had a little mission down here, and we started selling chicken dinners after church on Sunday to help pay the bills. Well, people liked the chicken, and we did such a good business, that eventually we cut back on the church service. After a while we just closed down the church altogether and kept on serving chicken dinners. We kept the name we started with, and that’s Church of God Grill.”
Source: Making it Happen, Charles Paul Conn
Saints,
let’s not be great
at things that don’t matter.
And fail at things that do.
Most important:
service for God
seeking the lost.
Appeal
Appeal
Be Part of Body
Use your Gifts
Serve
Engage in Personal Labor
List of 5 People
