From Sitting to Serving

BEFORE WE HEAR THE WORD TODAY, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERY MEMBER

AND EVERY REGULAR ATTENDEE TO PICK UP A SPIRITUAL GIFTS ASSESSMENT

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY RECEIVED ONE.

AS YOU CAME IN THIS MORNING, OUR USHERS MADE THEM AVAILABLE, AND

ADDITIONAL COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM SISTER REGINA.

OVER THE NEXT WEEK, I WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT AND RETURN IT.

THE PURPOSE IS NOT TO PUT LABELS ON PEOPLE.

THE PURPOSE IS TO HELP US DISCOVER HOW GOD HAS UNIQUELY GIFTED US TO SERVE.

AS WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES, BUILT TO FOLLOW JESUS, WE'RE LEARNING THAT DISCIPLES DO MORE THAN ATTEND CHURCH.

DISCIPLES SERVE.

AND BEFORE WE CAN SERVE EFFECTIVELY, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN US.

SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT PRAYERFULLY AND HONESTLY. THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWERS

YOU MAY DISCOVER GIFTS YOU NEVER KNEW GOD HAD PLACED INSIDE OF YOU.

NOW LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD.

⚓ BUILT TO FOLLOW JESUS – WEEK 3

“FROM SITTING TO SERVING”

TEXT: 1 PETER 4:10

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

“AS EACH ONE HAS RECEIVED A GIFT, MINISTER IT TO ONE ANOTHER, AS GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD.”

INTRODUCTION

CHURCH, ONE OF THE REALITIES OF DISCIPLESHIP IS THIS:

DISCIPLESHIP IS ABOUT GROWING AND SERVING

I BELIEVE THAT…

THE LONGER YOU WALK WITH JESUS, THE MORE YOUR LIFE

SHOULD BEGIN TO MOVE FROM:

BEING SERVED TO

SERVING OTHERS

FROM:

WATCHING MINISTRY TO

PARTICIPATING IN MINISTRY

FROM:

SITTING ON THE SIDELINES TO

HELPING BUILD THE KINGDOM

AND CHURCH, I BELIEVE ONE OF THE GREATEST SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL

MATURITY IS WHEN BELIEVERS BEGIN ASKING:

“LORD, HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE ME?”

BECAUSE WHEN GOD SAVES YOU, HE ALSO SHAPES YOU.

AND WHEN HE SHAPES YOU,

HE GIVES YOU GIFTS,

ABILITIES,

BURDENS

AND

ASSIGNMENTS THAT ARE MEANT TO BLESS OTHER PEOPLE.

THAT IS WHY PETER SAYS: “AS EACH ONE HAS RECEIVED A GIFT…”

NOTICE THE CONFIDENCE OF PETER’S LANGUAGE.

HE DOES NOT SAY: “IF YOU RECEIVED A GIFT.”

HE SAYS: “AS EACH ONE…”

MEANING EVERY BELIEVER HAS SOMETHING GOD CAN USE.

CAN I HELP SOMEBODY RIGHT HERE?

YOU MAY NOT PREACH.

YOU MAY NOT SING.

YOU MAY NOT STAND IN FRONT OF CROWDS.

BUT GOD STILL PLACED SOMETHING VALUABLE INSIDE OF YOU.

AND CHURCH, WHEN BELIEVERS DISCOVER THEIR GIFTS

AND BEGIN USING THEM,

THE CHURCH BECOMES HEALTHIER,

STRONGER,

AND MORE EFFECTIVE.

BECAUSE THE KINGDOM WAS NEVER DESIGNED

TO REST ON A HANDFUL OF

PEOPLE DOING EVERYTHING.

THE CHURCH GROWS WHEN EVERYBODY PARTICIPATES.

THE EARLY CHURCH UNDERSTOOD THIS.

BELIEVERS SERVED ONE ANOTHER.

PRAYED FOR ONE ANOTHER.

ENCOURAGED ONE ANOTHER.

SUPPORTED ONE ANOTHER.

EVERYBODY CONTRIBUTED SOMETHING.

AND I BELIEVE GOD IS CALLING FRIENDSHIP

INTO A SEASON WHERE PEOPLE

STOP SIMPLY ATTENDING CHURCH

AND BEGIN HELPING BUILD MINISTRY.

BECAUSE DISCIPLES DO MORE THAN RECEIVE.

DISCIPLES SERVE.

AND PETER TEACHES US IN THIS TEXT THAT EVERY BELIEVER HAS BEEN

GIFTED BY GOD FOR KINGDOM PURPOSE.

TRANSITION TO POINT I - EVERY BELIEVER HAS A GIFT

NOW CHURCH, BEFORE PETER EVER TALKS ABOUT SERVING, HE FIRST

ESTABLISHES SOMETHING FOUNDATIONAL.

BECAUSE MANY BELIEVERS STRUGGLE WITH INSECURITY AND COMPARISON.

SOME PEOPLE THINK:

“I DON’T PREACH.”

“I DON’T SING.”

“I DON’T LEAD PUBLICLY.”

“SO MAYBE I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING VALUABLE TO OFFER.”

BUT PETER DESTROYS THAT MINDSET IMMEDIATELY.

BECAUSE THE FIRST THING HE TEACHES IS THIS:

EVERY BELIEVER HAS BEEN GIFTED BY GOD.

I. EVERY BELIEVER HAS A GIFT

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

PETER SAYS:

“AS EACH ONE HAS RECEIVED A GIFT…”

CHURCH, THAT STATEMENT WAS REVOLUTIONARY IN THE FIRST CENTURY.

IN ROMAN CULTURE, STATUS DETERMINED VALUE.

WEALTHY PEOPLE

WERE HONORED PUBLICLY WHILE SERVANTS AND ORDINARY LABORERS

WERE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

BUT CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCED A RADICAL IDEA:

EVERY BELIEVER MATTERS.

RICH MATTERED.

POOR MATTERED.

WOMEN MATTERED.

SERVANTS MATTERED.

ORDINARY PEOPLE MATTERED.

BECAUSE GOD DISTRIBUTES GIFTS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BODY.

AND CHURCH, CAN I TELL YOU SOMETHING?

THE CHURCH IS STRONGEST WHEN EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THEY HAVE PURPOSE.

NOT JUST THE PREACHER.

NOT JUST THE DEACONS.

NOT JUST MINISTRY LEADERS.

EVERYBODY.

THAT MEANS:

YOUR GIFT MATTERS

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

YOUR SERVICE MATTERS

YOUR CONTRIBUTION MATTERS

CAN I HELP SOMEBODY HERE TODAY?

SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL MINISTRY HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES.

THE PERSON ENCOURAGING OTHERS.

THE PERSON PRAYING FAITHFULLY.

THE PERSON HELPING QUIETLY.

THE PERSON WELCOMING PEOPLE WARMLY.

EVERYBODY MAY NOT STAND IN THE SPOTLIGHT…

BUT EVERY GIFT STILL MATTERS.

AND CHURCH, ONE OF THE ENEMY’S GREATEST TACTICS IS CONVINCING

BELIEVERS THAT THEIR GIFT IS INSIGNIFICANT.

ILLUSTRATION: THE TOOL BOX

CHURCH, IMAGINE OPENING A TOOLBOX THAT'S BEEN SITTING IN A GARAGE FOR TWENTY YEARS.

INSIDE THAT TOOLBOX IS A HAMMER, A WRENCH, A SCREWDRIVER, A TAPE MEASURE, AND A DRILL.

THE HAMMER SAYS, "I CAN'T DRILL HOLES, SO I GUESS I'M NOT IMPORTANT."

THE DRILL SAYS, "I CAN'T MEASURE ANYTHING, SO MAYBE I DON'T MATTER."

THE TAPE MEASURE SAYS, "I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DRIVE NAILS."

BUT THE TRUTH IS EVERY TOOL WAS DESIGNED FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

THE PROBLEM ISN'T THAT THE TOOLS ARE OLD.

THE PROBLEM ISN'T THAT SOME ARE NEWER THAN OTHERS.

THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THEY STAY IN THE TOOLBOX AND NEVER GET USED.

A HAMMER THAT NEVER HITS A NAIL ….IS STILL A HAMMER.

A DRILL THAT NEVER DRILLS A HOLE…. IS STILL A DRILL.

BUT NEITHER ONE FULFILLS ITS PURPOSE SITTING IN THE BOX.

CAN I BRING IT HOME?

SOME PEOPLE THINK: "I'M TOO YOUNG."

"I'M TOO OLD."

"I'VE ALREADY DONE MY PART."

"LET THE YOUNGER GENERATION DO IT."

"I'M RETIRED NOW."

BUT GOD'S GIFTS DON'T COME WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE.

AS LONG AS GOD GIVES YOU BREATH, HE STILL HAS WORK FOR YOU TO DO.

THE QUESTION IS NOT: "HOW OLD ARE YOU?"

THE QUESTION IS: "ARE YOU WILLING TO BE USED?"

BECAUSE A GIFT SITTING UNUSED HELPS NOBODY.

AND THERE ARE TOO MANY GIFTED PEOPLE SITTING IN PEWS LIKE TOOLS SITTING IN A TOOLBOX.

STILL VALUABLE.

STILL USEFUL.

STILL NEEDED.

BUT NOT BEING USED.

AND PETER SAYS: "AS EACH ONE HAS RECEIVED A GIFT, MINISTER IT TO ONE ANOTHER."

IN OTHER WORDS: TAKE THE GIFT OUT OF THE TOOLBOX AND PUT IT TO WORK.

GOD DIDN'T GIVE YOU A GIFT TO ADMIRE.

HE GAVE YOU A GIFT TO USE.

LISTEN….

IF GOD GAVE IT TO YOU, IT HAS VALUE.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE FAMOUS TO BE FRUITFUL.

SOME PEOPLE ARE GIFTED IN LEADERSHIP.

OTHERS IN MERCY.

OTHERS IN ENCOURAGEMENT.

OTHERS IN HOSPITALITY.

OTHERS IN TEACHING.

OTHERS IN SERVICE.

BUT TOGETHER THE CHURCH HAS WHAT IT NEEDS.

AND I BELIEVE ONE OF THE REASONS MANY BELIEVERS BECOME SPIRITUALLY

STAGNANT IS BECAUSE GIFTS MATURE THROUGH USAGE.

IF YOU NEVER USE WHAT GOD PLACED INSIDE OF YOU,

GROWTH GETS DELAYED.

BECAUSE GIFTS ARE DEVELOPED IN SERVICE.

TRANSITION TO POINT II - GIFTS ARE MEANT TO SERVE OTHERS

NOW CHURCH, AFTER PETER ESTABLISHES THAT EVERYBODY HAS A GIFT, HE

IMMEDIATELY PUSHES THE CHURCH AWAY FROM SELFISH THINKING.

BECAUSE GIFTS WERE NEVER INTENDED FOR PERSONAL ATTENTION OR SELF-PROMOTION.

GOD DOES NOT DISTRIBUTE GIFTS SO PEOPLE CAN BUILD PLATFORMS.

HE DISTRIBUTES GIFTS SO PEOPLE CAN BUILD THE KINGDOM.

THAT IS WHY PETER SAYS: “…MINISTER IT TO ONE ANOTHER…”

AND RIGHT THERE PETER TEACHES US SOMETHING POWERFUL:

YOUR GIFT IS CONNECTED TO SERVICE.

II. GIFTS ARE MEANT TO SERVE OTHERS

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

THE WORD “MINISTER” SIMPLY MEANS SERVE.

CHURCH, MINISTRY IS NOT LIMITED TO THE PULPIT.

EVERY ACT OF SERVICE IS MINISTRY.

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE THINK MINISTRY ONLY

HAPPENS PUBLICLY.

BUT SOME OF THE GREATEST MINISTRY HAPPENS PRIVATELY.

IN THE EARLY CHURCH, BELIEVERS OFTEN MET IN HOMES UNDER PERSECUTION.

THERE WERE NO MASSIVE CHURCH BUILDINGS.

THE CHURCH SURVIVED BECAUSE BELIEVERS SERVED ONE ANOTHER FAITHFULLY.

PEOPLE OPENED HOMES.

COOKED MEALS.

PRAYED TOGETHER.

ENCOURAGED ONE ANOTHER.

SUPPORTED WIDOWS.

STRENGTHENED DISCOURAGED BELIEVERS.

EVERYBODY PARTICIPATED.

AND CHURCH, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY,

I BELIEVE THAT MODERN CHURCH CULTURE CREATED SPECTATORS.

PEOPLE SIT BACK AND EVALUATE CHURCH LIKE CONSUMERS.

YOU ALL KNOW HOW THE CONVERSATIONS GO AFTER A CHURCH SERVICE…..PEOPLE ASK…..

“HOW WAS THE MUSIC?”

“HOW WAS THE SERMON?”

“HOW DID THEY DO?”

BUT DISCIPLES ASK A DIFFERENT QUESTION:

“HOW CAN I HELP BUILD?”

CAN I PREACH THIS?

THE CHURCH WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO FUNCTION

WITH A HANDFUL OF EXHAUSTED PEOPLE DOING EVERYTHING WHILE

EVERYBODY ELSE WATCHES.

HEALTHY CHURCHES GROW WHEN EVERYBODY SERVES.

THAT IS WHY THE ENEMY FIGHTS SERVICE SO HARD.

BECAUSE SERVING DEVELOPS HUMILITY.

SERVING DEVELOPS MATURITY.

SERVING DEVELOPS DISCIPLESHIP.

AND HEAR ME:

SERVING IS PURPOSE.

SOME PEOPLE THINK:

“I’M JUST HELPING.”

“I’M JUST GREETING.”

“I’M JUST SERVING.”

NO.

YOU ARE HELPING BUILD THE KINGDOM.

AND CHURCH, SOME PEOPLE ARE PRAYING FOR PURPOSE WHILE IGNORING OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE.

BUT OFTEN PURPOSE IS DISCOVERED THROUGH PARTICIPATION.

CAN I HELP SOMEBODY?

SOMETIMES YOU DISCOVER YOUR ASSIGNMENT BY SIMPLY GETTING INVOLVED.

BECAUSE GIFTS BECOME CLEARER IN MOVEMENT.

TRANSITION TO POINT III - WE ARE STEWARDS OF WHAT GOD GAVE US

NOW CHURCH, PETER TAKES THIS EVEN DEEPER BECAUSE HE SAYS WE ARE NOT ONLY GIFTED AND CALLED TO SERVE…

WE ARE ALSO STEWARDS.

AND THAT WORD CHANGES EVERYTHING.

BECAUSE STEWARDSHIP MEANS WHAT GOD GAVE YOU IS NOT YOURS TO WASTE.

III. WE ARE STEWARDS OF WHAT GOD GAVE US

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

PETER SAYS: “…AS GOOD STEWARDS…”

IN BIBLICAL CULTURE, A STEWARD MANAGED RESOURCES THAT BELONGED TO SOMEONE ELSE.

WEALTHY LANDOWNERS OFTEN PLACED

TRUSTED SERVANTS OVER

PORTIONS OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD OR PROPERTY.

THOSE STEWARDS WERE

RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THINGS FAITHFULLY.

(STORY OF JOSEPH…SOLD INTO SLAVERY….LIED ON….DREAM INTERPRETER….GRACE OF GOD…OVERSEER/STEWARD)

PETER SAYS YOUR GIFT IS A STEWARDSHIP FROM GOD.

THAT MEANS:

YOUR TALENT BELONGS TO GOD.

YOUR INFLUENCE BELONGS TO GOD.

YOUR ABILITY BELONGS TO GOD.

YOUR OPPORTUNITIES BELONG TO GOD.

AND CHURCH, ONE DAY WE WILL ANSWER FOR HOW WE HANDLED WHAT GOD PLACED IN OUR HANDS.

CAN I SAY THIS CAREFULLY?

SOME PEOPLE BURY GIFTS BECAUSE OF FEAR.

OTHERS NEGLECT GIFTS BECAUSE OF LAZINESS.

OTHERS MISUSE GIFTS FOR ATTENTION AND APPLAUSE.

BUT DISCIPLES UNDERSTAND:

“MY GIFT IS AN ASSIGNMENT.”

AND CHURCH, ONE OF THE TRAGEDIES IN THE CHURCH IS GIFTED PEOPLE SITTING INACTIVE WHILE MINISTRY NEEDS REMAIN UNMET.

SOME PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR PERFECT CONDITIONS BEFORE SERVING.

BUT GOD IS SAYING: “USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.”

BECAUSE STEWARDSHIP IS NOT ABOUT PERFECTION. IT IS ABOUT FAITHFULNESS.

AND HEAR ME CLEARLY:

GOD DOES NOT EXPECT YOU TO HAVE EVERY GIFT.

BUT HE DOES EXPECT YOU TO USE THE ONE HE GAVE YOU.

THAT IS WHY NEHEMIAH 4:6 SAYS: “THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK.”

EVERYBODY CONTRIBUTED TO REBUILDING THE WALL.

SOME CARRIED MATERIALS.

SOME GUARDED.

SOME BUILT.

BUT EVERYBODY PARTICIPATED.

AND CHURCH, REVIVAL HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE STOP SPECTATING AND

START SERVING.

TRANSITION TO POINT IV - SERVING IS AN EXPRESSION OF GRACE

NOW CHURCH, PETER CLOSES THIS VERSE

REMINDING US WHERE ALL OF THIS COMES FROM.

BECAUSE GIFTS ARE NOT EARNED.

THEY ARE GRACE.

IV. SERVING IS AN EXPRESSION OF GRACE

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

PETER SAYS: “…THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD.”

THE WORD “MANIFOLD” MEANS MANY-SIDED OR MULTI-COLORED.

IN OTHER WORDS: GOD’S GRACE SHOWS UP DIFFERENTLY THROUGH DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

SOME REFLECT GRACE THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT.

OTHERS THROUGH LEADERSHIP.

OTHERS THROUGH COMPASSION.

OTHERS THROUGH TEACHING.

OTHERS THROUGH GENEROSITY.

BUT ALL OF IT FLOWS FROM GOD.

AND CHURCH, THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE SERVING SHOULD NEVER BECOME ABOUT EGO.

WE SERVE BECAUSE GOD FIRST SHOWED GRACE TO US.

CAN I PREACH THIS?

THE SAME GRACE THAT SAVED YOU NOW EMPOWERS YOU TO SERVE.

THAT MEANS MINISTRY IS NOT ABOUT SHOWING OFF.

IT IS ABOUT REFLECTING CHRIST.

AND ONE OF THE CLEAREST SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS WHEN

BELIEVERS STOP NEEDING RECOGNITION TO REMAIN FAITHFUL.

BECAUSE REAL SERVANTS UNDERSTAND:

“IT’S NOT ABOUT ME.

IT’S ABOUT GOD BEING GLORIFIED.”

CAN I HELP SOMEBODY TODAY?

SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN THE KINGDOM

ARE PEOPLE NOBODY KNOWS PUBLICLY.

BUT HEAVEN KNOWS THEIR NAME.

THE PERSON PRAYING FAITHFULLY.

SERVING FAITHFULLY.

GIVING FAITHFULLY.

ENCOURAGING FAITHFULLY.

AND CHURCH, I BELIEVE GOD IS RAISING UP A SERVING CHURCH IN THIS SEASON.

A CHURCH WHERE PEOPLE STOP ASKING FOR TITLES BEFORE PARTICIPATION.

A CHURCH WHERE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND: “IF GOD GIFTED ME, I SHOULD USE IT.”

BECAUSE DISCIPLES DO MORE THAN ATTEND CHURCH.

THEY HELP BUILD THE KINGDOM.

TRANSITION TO CELEBRATION

AND FRIENDSHIP AS I GET READY TO CLOSE…

MANY OF US HAVE SPENT SEASONS SITTING ON GIFTS GOD INTENDED US TO USE.

SOME PEOPLE DOUBTED THEMSELVES.

SOME BECAME DISCOURAGED.

SOME COMPARED THEMSELVES TO OTHERS.

SOME THOUGHT THEIR GIFT WAS TOO SMALL.

BUT I HEAR THE LORD SAYING:

“THERE ARE NO INSIGNIFICANT GIFTS IN MY KINGDOM.”

AND I BELIEVE GOD IS

AWAKENING PURPOSE IN THIS SEASON.

GIFTS THAT WERE DORMANT ARE ABOUT TO COME ALIVE AGAIN.

PEOPLE WHO SAT QUIETLY ARE ABOUT TO STEP FORWARD.

PEOPLE WHO DOUBTED THEMSELVES ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER PURPOSE.

BECAUSE GOD NEVER SAVED YOU JUST TO SIT.

HE SAVED YOU TO SERVE.

CELEBRATION CLOSE

YOU WERE GIFTED FOR THIS.

GIFTED TO BUILD.

GIFTED TO ENCOURAGE.

GIFTED TO SERVE.

GIFTED TO STRENGTHEN OTHERS.

GIFTED TO MAKE IMPACT.

AND CAN I TELL YOU WHY SERVING MATTERS SO MUCH?

BECAUSE JESUS HIMSELF MODELED SERVANT LEADERSHIP.

THE KING OF KINGS WASHED FEET.

THE SON OF GOD SERVED PEOPLE.

THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD HUMBLED HIMSELF.

AND IF JESUS SERVED…

HOW CAN WE REFUSE TO SERVE?

CAN I CLOSE THIS THING?

ONE FRIDAY JESUS CARRIED A CROSS UP CALVARY’S HILL.

THEY MOCKED HIM.

BEAT HIM.

PIERCED HIM IN HIS SIDE.

HE DIED FOR OUR SINS.

DIED UNTIL THE EARTH SHOOK.

DIED UNTIL THE VEIL TORE IN TWO.

THEY BURIED HIM IN A BORROWED TOMB.

BUT EARLY SUNDAY MORNING…

JESUS GOT UP WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS.

AND BECAUSE HE GOT UP…

WE NOW HAVE POWER TO SERVE.

POWER TO BUILD.

POWER TO HELP.

POWER TO ENCOURAGE.

POWER TO MAKE IMPACT.

AND I HEAR THE LORD SAYING OVER FRIENDSHIP:

“THIS IS NOT A SEASON OF SPECTATORS.

THIS IS A SEASON OF SERVANTS.”

PEOPLE DISCOVERING GIFTS.

PEOPLE STEPPING INTO PURPOSE.

PEOPLE HELPING BUILD THE KINGDOM.

BECAUSE DISCIPLES DO MORE THAN SIT.

THEY SERVE.

CAN SOMEBODY SHOUT YES LORD!

PROPHETIC CLOSE

I DECLARE IN THIS SEASON: DORMANT GIFTS ARE COMING ALIVE AGAIN.

PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THEY HAD NOTHING TO OFFER ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER PURPOSE.

NEW TEACHERS ARE RISING. NEW LEADERS ARE RISING.

NEW ENCOURAGERS ARE RISING. NEW SERVANTS ARE RISING.

NEW PRAYER WARRIORS ARE RISING.

AND FRIENDSHIP IS BECOMING A CHURCH WHERE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS:

“I HAVE SOMETHING GOD CAN USE.”

NO MORE SITTING ON PURPOSE.

NO MORE HIDING GIFTS. NO MORE SHRINKING BACK IN FEAR.

BECAUSE THIS IS A SEASON OF ACTIVATION.

AND I PROPHESY: THE CHURCH WILL GROW STRONGER BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STEPPING INTO SERVICE.

BECAUSE WHEN EVERYBODY SERVES… THE KINGDOM MOVES FORWARD.

ALTAR CALL

EVERY HEAD BOWED. EVERY EYE CLOSED.

MAYBE YOU ARE HERE TODAY AND YOU KNOW GOD HAS BEEN CALLING YOU DEEPER.

YOU HAVE BEEN ATTENDING… BUT NOT FULLY SERVING.

WATCHING… BUT NOT PARTICIPATING.

AND MAYBE FEAR, INSECURITY, OR DOUBT KEPT YOU SITTING BACK.

BUT HEAR ME CLEARLY: GOD DID NOT SAVE YOU JUST TO OCCUPY SPACE. HE SAVED YOU FOR PURPOSE.

IF YOU ARE SAYING TODAY: “LORD, I WANT TO USE WHAT YOU PLACED INSIDE OF ME…”

THIS ALTAR IS OPEN.

IF YOU NEED SALVATION… COME.

IF YOU NEED RESTORATION… COME.

IF YOU ARE READY TO MOVE FROM SITTING TO SERVING… COME.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH HOME WHERE YOU CAN GROW AND SERVE… COME.

THIS ALTAR IS OPEN.

PASTORAL PRAYER

FATHER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THANK YOU FOR EVERY GIFT REPRESENTED IN THIS ROOM.

THANK YOU FOR PLACING PURPOSE INSIDE OF YOUR PEOPLE.

LORD, FORGIVE US FOR EVERY TIME WE DOUBTED OURSELVES. EVERY TIME WE BURIED GIFTS. EVERY TIME FEAR KEPT US SITTING BACK.

AWAKEN PURPOSE IN THIS SEASON.

HELP US MOVE FROM SITTING TO SERVING.

STRENGTHEN EVERY LEADER. STRENGTHEN EVERY SERVANT. STRENGTHEN EVERY BELIEVER.

LET NO GIFT REMAIN DORMANT. LET NO CALLING REMAIN HIDDEN.

RAISE UP WORKERS FOR THE KINGDOM. RAISE UP SERVANTS WITH HUMILITY. RAISE UP DISCIPLES WITH PASSION.

AND LET FRIENDSHIP BECOME A CHURCH WHERE EVERYBODY PARTICIPATES IN BUILDING YOUR KINGDOM.

WE DECLARE ACTIVATION IN THIS SEASON. PURPOSE IN THIS SEASON. GROWTH IN THIS SEASON.

AND WE THANK YOU FOR IT NOW.

IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.