A Chosen Instrument of Suffering
Deep Community m.11 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 40 viewsGod calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
Notes
Transcript
Host Time and Welcome || student pastor: Stephen Ellison
Host Time and Welcome || student pastor: Stephen Ellison
Worship team in place before Stephen takes the stage.
10:28am Music begins promptly at 10:30
Good Morning Church! Covenant Members, would you join me in welcoming all of our first time and returning guests? (applause) So good to see all of you and to be here. I hope you have been made to feel welcome today. This church is about walking out this life together in the RADICAL GRACE of JESUS CHRIST. It’s our heart that here a Concord, that you are made to feel “Know, Loved, and that you Belong.” Scripture tells us:
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
That means you don’t have to get it all figured out before you come. You don’t have to put on a mask to be accepted here. You come and we figure it out together…no matter where you are in your spiritual journey. Whatever season you are in, we know the struggle of this sinful world…but we also know that our God is bigger than our circumstances.
covenant connection:
covenant connection:
With that said, I hope you received a program this morning you’ll notice in that program there more info about who we are and what we offer as a church. Now the insert is promoting some awesome things coming up like: this Wednesday nights—Concord U. This is a Wednesday night group time offered in a college style atmosphere for our adults while we have gatherings for kids and students at the same time. On that insert you can sign up for some various class options.
Also if you are not connected to a Group, we have a variety of Groups that meet here on Sunday mornings prior to our worship service. Our GROUPS all multi-generational so feel free to try any GROUP next Sunday. Our Groups meet at 9am.
If you are a Covenant Member we hope you are plugged in to a GROUP. We value GROUP life at Concord and it is a great way to stay connected, encouraged, and to be personally ministered too. That goes for our guests too.
Just ask any Greeter at one of our entrances when you arrive next Sunday at 9am and they can suggest a GROUP for you to try. It’s no pressure. We want you to visit several Groups until you find the right fit. That’s why we offer so many.
When you arrive we have coffee and treats in our Concord Cafe area to get you going. Just ask a greeter or follow the awesome smell of fresh coffee brewing.
guest connection:
guest connection:
(Go back to upbeat)— Also, for our Guests we want to connect with you! You’ll notice inside the program along with the insert is a connect envelope. Later on in our service we will worship through a time of offering together; both guest and member. During our offering portion of worship we will give all of you a moment to fill out the connect envelopes, that also serve as a place you can give any money or financial gift that you would offer to the Lord. During that time you will have an opportunity to be obedient and pray over your gift to the Lord as well. Simply place the Lord’s gift in the envelope; fill out the connect info and during our offering worship, you can place both, the insert and the connect envelope in the offering plate as it passes. Regardless, we desire to connect with you and help you get plugged in.
What’s Happening...
What’s Happening...
TONIGHT at 5:30pm we have a special Sun. Night Event - A Look to the Future- A Vision Casting Night for our Church at 5:30pm
Larry Hyche of the Alabama State Board of Missions will be guest speaking along with our lead pastor Joe Brantley as we look to the future of what God has called Concord to be in this community and beyond.
All Covenant Members who are serving in any type of leadership capacity are expected to attend (Deacons, Group leaders, Greeters…all means all).
And we welcome any covenant member or anyone considering becoming a covenant member to attend.
SHIPWRECKED
SHIPWRECKED
Concord KIDS VBS kicks off next Sunday afternoon with a FUN Kick off and Registration
Revelation || student pastor || Stephen Ellison
Revelation || student pastor || Stephen Ellison
say this:
We believe that God has revealed Himself to us through the word of Scripture. Let us read the Scriptures from 1 John, chapter 4 starting in v. 7 (please stand and read along with me)
Make sure you read each verse slowly so the congregation can follow. Pause before going to the next verse.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
Stephen: You may be seated
lead directly in to a time of Silent Confession--explain:
CONFESSION of SINS
CONFESSION of SINS
So because we know God reveals himself and forgives our sins by His grace through faith recieved in our belief in Jesus Christ, we know we can take anything to God in prayer.
--explain: So because we know God reveals himself and forgives our sins by His grace through faith recieved in our belief in Jesus Christ, we know we can take anything to God in prayer.We confess here that “It’s ok to not be ok, but it’s not ok to stay that way.” So one of the ways that we flesh that out is by taking a moment to turn our sins over to Christ. Because we believe the truth of Scripture that promises us, “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness” (). It’s within this promise we take our sins to Jesus. So I want you to read this Scripture as I speak it over you and myself as a reminder; to evoke reflection, and confession. Then after a moment of solitude in where we seek the face of Jesus and confess. I will lead us in a Corporate of Confession of FaithStephen reads the Scripture leading them into a moment of silent communion with God through confessing one’s sin
We confess here that “It’s ok to not be ok, but it’s not ok to stay that way.”
So one of the ways that we flesh that out is by taking a moment to turn our sins over to Christ.
Because we believe the truth of Scripture that promises us, “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness” ().
It’s within this promise we take our sins to Jesus.
So I want you to read this Scripture to yourself, as I speak it over us as a reminder to evoke reflection, and confession.
Then after a moment of solitude (where we seek the face of Jesus and confess) I will lead us in a Corporate of Confession of Sin.
Stephen reads the Scripture leading them into a moment of silent communion with God through confessing one’s sin
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs
silent personal prayer (1 min. or so)
Corporate Confession
Corporate Confession
Pray:
Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.
Book of Common Worship,
Louisville: Westminster/John Know Press, 1993
Stephen: Thank you church. Would you please stand as we continue in our worship.
Stephen exits the stage.
Cole takes over...
Expiation || worship leader: Cole Pevey || before music begins
Expiation || worship leader: Cole Pevey || before music begins
Call to Worship through reading of Scripture and through Song:
The Assurance of Pardon
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Song of Pardon 1:
Song of Pardon 1:
Song of Praise 2:
Song of Praise 2:
Band remains on stage
Cole prays: Thanking God for His presence through His Holy Spirit and how He reveals Himself through the person on Jesus who is “the Word.” Ask Him to anoint the service as we continue to worship through His Holy Spirit inspired Scripture and song.
Band remains on stage to play at the end of Scripture.
As Cole prays Covenant Member (Johnnie Parker) will make his way to the stage.
Scripture Reader takes the Stage during Cole’s Prayer (uses White labelled Mic) and then reads the Script
_______________________________________________________
Scripture Reading || ESV
Scripture Reading || ESV
by Deacon || Johnnie Parker
by Deacon || Johnnie Parker
Good morning church, and guests. Welcome to Concord. My name is Johnnie Parker, I am privileged to serve Concord as a Deacon. Me and my lovely wife Barbara, a have been covenant members here for _____ years now.
I can boldly say that we are passionate about the good news of Jesus and how our vision and mission, as a church, make Him known.
This is our Mission as a Church: We exist to connect people through loving community as we introduce them to Jesus and help them follow Him.
This morning we have the privilege of sharing God’s holy inspired Word with you. Would you please turn in your Bibles or on your device, to the New Testament book of the 2 Corinithians (the second letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth). We will be reading from chapter 6, starting in verse 1.
Only mention the first verse so people won’t read ahead
Hannah: Put up first slide. Page number is already attached.
If you are joining us this morning and you do not have a Bible, you should see a White Paperback one lying around under your seats, feel free to use that one. And if you don’t own a Bible, consider that our free gift to you. We will even provide you with the page number on the screen to help you find our texts throughout our worship. 2 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 1 can be found on page number 562.
take a moment—count to 3 in your head
then READ—Book, Chapter, Verse, then Scripture.
1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;
7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.
12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.
13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Say: THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD. Johnnie exits the stage.
Song of Preparation: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” || Concord Worship
Song of Preparation: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” || Concord Worship
Cole prays for God to move through word preached…as Joe makes his way to the stage.
______________________________________________________________________
Sermon || lead pastor || Joe Brantley
Sermon || lead pastor || Joe Brantley
Introduction
Introduction
We will be camping out in Acts chapter 9 again today. So go ahead and turn there (wpbb pg.535) and let’s just for a moment consider the point that we pursued viciously last week.
We spent a great deal of time talking about this thing we call church and why we value it and why we hold what we do so high. Hear me, we don’t lift ourselves high, we lift the Church high (the bride of Christ).
Why? Because the church, this new humanity that was birthed out of God’s grace, Jesus’s blood, and the Holy Spirit’s (sometimes gentle, yet other times stern) grip; (the Church) is the vehicle in which God chooses to continue to funnel and filter His people, through the finished work of Jesus, to salvation. He is literally using the church as the primary vehicle to take people to Jesus; the church is His rescuing agent to move us from death to life.
And we went to great lengths last week to speak to the fact that even with the best intentions we can start following man’s ways (under the banner of God), instead of God’s.
Because in the course of human history—Biblical history--God has been saying “Hey, up here there’s going to be a sharp right, you might wanna pump the brakes; let off the gas a little. It’s up here in just a bit...” and we as His people (caught up in the glory of who we are instead of who He is in His real and tremendously awesome glory) and when we get it that head space instead of the proper heart space, the next thing you know we miss the turn.
We are going off-road in a 4 cylinder, 1983 Honda Accord (hatchback—it’s not pretty folks); we are losing traction, yet we are determined to give it a go and making the best of it. The problem is our best is not standard—nowhere close.
We aren’t turning around…we are too prideful. We are making our own way. We’re taking a short cut. We are committed. That’s the problem…we are committed to the wrong thing. We our committed to our way instead of God’s.
We are off the path, yet still claiming to be trailblazing in the name of the Lord, when actually all we’re doing is making an absolute mess of things.
God has one way, one path that He has given us through His son Jesus Christ.
We’ve got one ride back to the family of God and it’s in the vehicle of Christ’s bride the local church. To deny that is to deny truth. And what we learned from our boy Saul last week is that we can charge hell with a water pistol, but unless God’s with you and you are following His tactical advance strategy, it doesn’t matter if you have a super soaker or a fire hose, you might as well have the 99 cent “Dollar General” (emoji) green plastic water gun. Without God’s strat-op of Christ and His Bride it’s a melt down at best.
Even though Saul thought He was leading the charge to get people straightened out to the traditions and obedience of the men of God who had taught him and taught him well; in leading the charge Saul missed the turn. He literally lost sight of God. And what Saul taught us in His murderous vengeance against Christ’s church is that if you are not serving the church you are hurting the church.
Many times we think God approves of what we are doing because of our pride, our sense of self worth, even in the knowledge that we were created in the image of God, yet forgetting that we are NOT God and need to know our place. Many time we think we are on the same page, yet we are actually way off.
Here’s the thing disobedience with the best intensions is still disobedience.
So here’s the lesson that we must learn today as we look at the life of Saul… as Jesus literally knocks him back down to earth off of his high horse, and makes Himself known.
And when you are hurting Jesus’ bride and you find yourself on your back looking up because Jesus just blasted you and says, “Nobody treats my Bride that way. Here’s the thing, if you are going to do it the hard way, if you really want tough. Try my way.” Here’s what we must know...
God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
There are no short cuts. God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
Exposition
Exposition
Let’s do work…
Last week we left Saul on his back with Jesus speaking over him last week on the road to Damascus, in the middle of nowhere, without sight and without water.
Today it gets cool! Jesus shows us what he’s about to do…and the hope is found in how He alone can bring us back. How God uses the local church to accomplish His mission to get us back on track. But there’s a cost for disobedience…but it’s worth the price.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,
12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
Acts 9:10
In v. 10 we are introduced to a follower of the Way, as a matter of fact we are introduced to his identity and status before we get his sur name. I love how Luke, through the Holy Spirit frames this is up...
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
Acts
strike 2nd sentence in Word...
His identity is revealed as a “disciple at Damascus.” He was a student of the Apostles’s teachings in the local church of Damascus…but his name is Ananias.
Fun fact:
Disciple— μᾰθητής, (mathētēs), moth-eh-tess, learner, pupil,
γυμνασία gumnasia, goom-nas-ee´-ah; from 1128; training, i.e. (fig.) asceticism:—exercise.
(mathētēs), ὁ, learner, pupil,
Root Word is DISCIPLINE— γυμνασία gumnasia, goom-nas-ee´-ah; from 1128; training, i.e. (fig.) asceticism:—exercise.
Why am I going to the trouble of telling you all this? Great Question!
What you are known for is what defines the name you are given. Does that makes sense?
We are first introduced to this common man, a student of the Apostle’s teachings, as a “disciple” a pupil, one who is training in the ways of Jesus. How is he being trained? The same way you and I should be…through the local church—deep community.
And look what the Lord asks this church member to do...
remove verse 10a
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,
12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
Acts 9:10-
Now go back with me to chapter 6 and 7 in your minds (or you can write it down in your notes and go read it later), but remember how we met Saul. He was was the guy standing there as the jewish thugs started taking off their jackets to do work on the disciple Stephen who had just preached an awesome sermon on how God had been pointing to the ministry of Jesus throughout the Old Testament. It was so good these thugs throw rocks at him until he dies and it said “Saul was standing there giving his approval” of this murder.
Now fast forward to chapter 8 were it says...
3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Acts 8:3
Then last week we read...
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1
Needless to say, Saul, had a reputation…and it was not a good one. It was a rep of a militant assassin and jailer of the followers of Jesus.
Now this average church member, a student and follower of Jesus, is doing his thing when it says the Lord comes to him and asks him to go and find Saul (basically I want you Ananias to go hunt for the hunter and killer of my church) and go lay hands on him and pray for him so that he will be able to see.
And you thought you were nervous about sharing Jesus with Uncle Junebug at the family gathering on Memorial Day weekend.
Imagine if you will the fear that is gripping Ananias right now… I’m telling you this Christian gig is not easy. This is a big ask for Ananais. This is going to require some supernatural faith. Because what Ananias the man knows is that Saul has been ravaging, jailing, and killing his fellow church members. “Jesus. You want me to do what?”
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
Acts 9:13-14
Here’s the good news. Jesus doesn’t just redeem your past mistakes, but he will use you to bring others into His family the church. He doesn’t just know our past, He knows our future.
But to Ananias this is an agonizing thought…but this is what it means to be the Bride of Christ. You must see the bigger picture.
God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
How do we steward this uncomfortable tension that puts our present at risks in the hope of a future reward? It takes VISION! Vision to be able to see that it’s in obedience to our Lord that tension is created as our flesh retracts in disobedience. It takes vision hoped for yet not revealed. That is faith. With our faith in somewhere between the tension and the hope, in our obedience experiences the backlash of grace.
We feel the tension and soak in the reality of Ananias ‘ love for Jesus as he wrestles with this terrifying task. Yet knowing His Lord is bigger than his circumstances he leans in.
And listen to what Jesus tells Ananias of the work he is doing in the murderous hunter of the followers of the Way. Jesus says this to Ananias concerning his mission to go to Saul.
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Acts 9:15-16
Ananias’ faith in Christ as his Lord is speaking into his heart as this mission that grips his present reality with fear and calls him to see past what he has come to know of Saul and who he is in world against the church. Ananias is called to see Saul how Jesus sees him, what Jesus will do. What Jesus can do. As He speaks to Ananias about looking beyond Saul’s past and present, but seeing him in submission to His authority And how He will use him in his future restoration.
God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
He’s called Ananias to an awkward moment of tense and troublesome encounter with a man he only sees in the rearview mirror of the church’s hurt and pain. Yet he’s called called to suffer in the darkness of his reality; a reality that in his mind was serving God but as he is suffering on his back, blind and thirsty, calling out to the voice in the darkness “Who are you Lord?”
You see it’s in that answer where the real suffering begins, but with the vision of the Lord’s steps that rest upon this villain of the church as speaks life-transforming resolve over this proud, yet weakened Jew who has been knocked down by the glory of Jesus Christ.
You see Jesus takes the villain and transform him into a “chosen instrument” to make His name known to the Gentiles, to the kings and to the people of Israel. It’s because of his reputation as a religious thug that Christ will be glorified when the name of Saul is brought low and crushed under the weight of the glory of King Jesus.
Jesus tells Ananias, “ For I will show him [Saul] how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
It sounds so brutal…but here the God News...
God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
Neither Ananias nor Saul can truly appreciate what this call means, because they can’t see it. But Jesus says, “I will show him...”
So how do we respond to God’s call when we can’t see anything but suffering in our future in we step into His will?
Ananias show us...
Conclusion
Conclusion
17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
Acts 9:17-
This is what we must understand, and our understanding leads us into responding. We must understand that there is more going on here than just God redeeming Saul from villain to servant (thought that is a major thread in the context of this Scripture). But there is a bigger picture.
There is a bigger vision to catch. It’s not limited to just the marvelous rescue of Saul, but the undercurrent of this beautiful restoration is how God will use his church; those who are students to His ways and His teachings.
Ananias is a simple young servant to ways of Christ, yet called to task that is absolutely scary. This would be like if Jesus called you to go and minister to a member of ISIS. This is how Saul would have been viewed by the church in which he was persecution. He was a symbol of terror to the ways of those pressing into Jesus. Yet, by responding in faith, he put himself and his fears behind the call of his Lord.
Christian let this encourage you. Jesus is bigger than your current circumstances, you are limiting how He can use you. He has called you to let go of the reigns and trust Him to ride you into the fears that are paralyzing you so He can show you He is bigger.
Church, God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future. He wants to use you and will! Let HIM!!!
And to the skeptic, God wants to show you how you will suffer for His name sake, not as a villain, but as a brother or sister, as a son or daughter of God. As his Bride the church. He has not called you to follow the rules of man. He has called you to relationship with Him.
Just like Saul, God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
Only through the cross of Jesus do we understand that our suffering is temporary preparing us to be restored and redeemed eternally to God the Father though the finished work of Jesus Christ and the present work of the Holy Spirit within you today.
You must respond! You must answer! Has God called you to suffer? Yes! But you must catch the vision on why! You must get out of your own way so you can get into HIs.
God calls you to suffer now so He can restore your future.
Suffer now…so He can restore you to Himself for eternity. You are trading the temporal for the eternal.
Don’t get lost in the fear of suffering…Who are you in this story? How is God speaking to you? Are you paralized by the fear of the task He has called you too? Or are you blind to the truth of who He is?
Let me encourage in closing with the words of the Apostle Peter, as Scripture can help you answer, encourage and confirm whichever tension is prominent in your heart today...
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
(repeat)
Whatever you are dealing with this is the hope found in Christ Jesus! This is what it means to serve His bride (the local church).
This altar is open. This a call to obedience. Respond! But don’t just stay where you are, whether you are paralyzed or blind.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
In your suffering let Christ restore you, confirm you, stregthen you, and establish you through His finished work. So that the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory will meet you in your suffering. He will make you known, loved, and belong to His royal priesthood. Not because of how good or bad you are, but because of how sweet His precious love is. Trust Him. Run to Him. Respond to Him today.
Let’s pray...
Let us pray...
Band takes the stage and begins song during prayer.
_______________________________________________________________________
Responsive Worship
Responsive Worship
song 1
song 1
song 2
song 2
Joe comes up to lead in a time of response through: connection, generosity and prayer
Connection & Generosity
Connection & Generosity
We want to give you a moment to fill out your connection cards and prepare your gift for the Lord through prayer as we continue to respond to the Holy Spirit’s stirring in our worship.
Connect
Connect
If you are a guest or a covenant member we want to connect with you. Scripture speaks to our need for connection this way...
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:5
God values community and connection and so do we. He has called us as the local church to reach out. We want to connect with you, get to know you, and minister to you. Take a moment to fill out your connect envelope...
This is also a time to prepare to give your financial offering to the Lord. We want to be generous because God has called us to live open handed lives.
I believe this…
Generous people give as a byproduct of how they’ve been transformed!
Generous people give as a byproduct of how they’ve been transformed!
In Luke’s gospel we see where Jesus encounters a tax collector by the name of Zacchaeus. Now in Jesus day a tax collector was the lowest of the low. They were hated by there own people. Zacchaeus was a rich man. And he had profited off of his own community. The very people he lived near he took advantage of. Jesus meet Zacchaeus as he was traveling. Now as corrupt as Zacchaeus was he really wanted to see Jesus, he just wanted a glimpse. But he was short, so he climbed a tree. Jesus came by and called to Zacchaeus by name and said “come down” I want to hang out with you. Nobody wanted to hang out with Zacchaeus. But Jesus did.
And you know what? Because Jesus took time to connect and love on Zacchaeus, his life was changed.
Luke 19:
8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.
Generous people give as a byproduct of how they’ve been transformed!
Generous people give as a byproduct of how they’ve been transformed!
Take a moment to fill out your connection cards and pray over your financial gift to the Lord right now. Place your gift and info in the envelope and place it in the offering plate as it passes by.
Or you can text your gift to the number on the screen. I’ll give you a moment and then we will pray together over this offering.
Or you can text your gift to the number on the screen. I’ll give you a moment and then we will pray together over this offering.
BAND leads instrumental during 1-2 min time of prayer
Joe comes back up front…the ushers come forward
Joe prays over the offering
Leave Text to Give # up until Cole starts to sing
Song of Generosity || Concord Worship
Song of Generosity || Concord Worship
Sending Out || lead pastor || Joe Brantley
Sending Out || lead pastor || Joe Brantley
close of worship
Benediction
Benediction
Put up slide when I start to say “If God is For Us...”
IF GOD IS FOR US…, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?
IF GOD IS FOR US…, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?
BAND jams
DO NOT TURN OFF STAGE LIGHTS OR SCREEN UNTIL ROOM STARTS TO CLEAR