Partnership

Foundation Scriptures:  Luke 5:1-11

I.       What is “partnership’?

          A.      Webster’s: 

1.       Partnership:  “The state of being a partner; participation.”

2.       Partner:  “A person who takes part in some activity in common with another or others; associate.”

          B.      Partnership is partners in the same ship:  “Fellowship of partners”

          C.      This ship is called the “Church”

          D.      Included are also the elements of oneness, unity, participation

E.      Three classes of people in the church

1.       1st Class people come in and expect to be treated as a first class Christian.  They hear about soul winning but they don't feel it means them because they want to be served.

2,       2nd Class people are professional fruit inspectors and are always complaining, grumbling, and talking about everything that is wrong and who is not acting right.

3.       3rd Class people are those who just get out there and work.  They are happy to be going along and are willing to get involved.

F.      Satan has attempted to destroy partnership in the church through entangling partnerships with activities outside the church

II.      Why Partnership?

          A.      God lives in a community (His divine image and pattern)

          B.      We all need to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves

                   1.       You have to “participate” in order to feel “a part”

          C.      We all need to give of ourselves to something bigger than ourselves

D.      Two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

E.      Jesus had partners called “disciples”

          F.      Jesus sent out His disciples two by two as partners

G.      People are stronger and able to accomplish more when they are connected and accountable to others

H.      The gospel always restores people into community relationships (Parable of the lost sheep)

I.       Jesus linked our ability to reach the world with our oneness and cooperation in Him (John 17:21)

J.       The Church is the body of Christ. Every member is a part working in partnership.

III.     Dimensions of partnership

A.      Partners in PRAYER:  “My house shall be called a house of prayer.”

B.      Partners in RESPONSIBILITY:  “Shared responsibility”

C.      Partners in PURPOSE:  “Our purpose is loving God and loving people.”

D.      Partners in VISION: “Our vision is to win souls and make disciples.”

E.      Partners in GOALS:  “Every believer a leader.”

F.      Partners in PROCESS

          1.       WIN

                   a.       Friendship Evangelism

                   b.       Lighthouse evangelism

                   c.       Network evangelism

2.       CONSOLIDATE (Make solid, strong, firm, united): 
“Consolidation is the care and attention we should give every new believer in order to reproduce in him the character of Christ with the aim that he fulfills the purpose of God for his life which is to bear fruit that endures.”

a.       Pre-Encounter (follow-up)

b.       Encounters

c.       Post-Encounters

          3.       DISCIPLE

                   a.       School of leaders

                   b.       Re-Encounter

          4.       SEND

                   a.       The cell strategy

                   b.       G-12 groups

IV.     TIME TO GET ON BOARD!!!

          A.      This is not a cruise ship to entertain its guests

          B.      This is an ark of salvation

C.      This is a battleship fighting for the souls of men

          D.      This is a hospital ship for the hurting