Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesus Baptist Church’s Mission Statement: “Giving our all (Like 9:23) to love God (Matthew 22: 37), love people (Matthew 22: 38), proclaim Jesus (Acts 1: 8), and make disciples (Matthew 28: 18-20).”

Will there be revival in the United States before Christ returns?

Henry Blackaby states, “There will be revival in North America before Christ returns -- but it will NOT come through the church.”

There is the absolute necessity for fervent prayer in the church if there is going to be revival.

For there is power in prayer!

Will Ephesus Baptist Church be transformational or powerless?

Are you the strongest or weakest link?

Jesus said…”I will build my church and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it…..”

THE church is assured a future…

Jesus DOES qualify His promise…

For any church to survive, Christ must be both the architect and the builder

The only churches that are promised survival are those that surrender to the master architect and builder…..

I believe every church that survives will not be content with survival.

They desire to thrive…….

If there is NOT prayer, there is no vision, and where there is no vision there can be no revitalization

There MUST be a commitment for God’s people to PRAY….

Church members must fully understand and COMMIT to living out the church’s mission statement

EVERY group, event, program of the church must be a clear picture of the church “living out it’s mission.”

EVERY Christ-follower should be committed to being personally engaged in evangelism, missions, ministry, discipleship

When we are not engaged in ministry (including evangelism), then we are NOT “in sync” with Christ…..

What does it say if we have never shared our faith story with one lost person?

Jesus said, “HOW can you call me LORD and obey NOT m y commands…”

It is IMPOSSIBLE to truly study His Word and not be stirred into action and disturbed when we are not…..

The early church BELIEVED and acted in obedient faith……

They did not “say” their prayers ==THEY PRAYED

They healed the sick----cast out demons

They weren’t learned/trained men----BUT THEY WERE OPEN TO GOD!

God has COMMANDED that we BE FAITHFUL in proclaiming the Gospel

And the LORD was ADDING TO THE CHURCH DAILY…..

WHY WAS THE LORD ADDING TO THE CHURCH?

They were striving daily to become His church….

They were studying daily the words He taught – to know them well enough to live them each day

COULD IT BE?????

They were praying daily –in the temple courts from house to house

They were proclaiming the Gospel, and God was adding to the church daily

Why is this NOT happening in America today?

“Every Dead Frog Must Wiggle……”

📷 The 5 functions of the church….

📷 Evangelism----Discipleship-----Fellowship-----Ministry-----Worship

📷 EVERY group in in the church MUST be engaged

📷 If they are engaged in these things, then it is becoming NATURAL as they grow in the Lord to be faithful in proclaiming the Gospel

What did you expect to receive out of your attendance in worship today?

You should expect a sense of God’s presence

You should expect to be convicted of the sin that is unconfessed and repent

Upon your repentance you should expect to experience the fullness of His JOY because you have been forgiven of your sin

You should expect to grow in your desire and willingness to serve the Lord with gladness in your heart

When someone comes to church, they should be able to have an encounter with the Living God that produces real change in our lives!

Major research studies have shown that when a church is seeing regular, sustained, consistent transformation in the lives of people that make up those churches, more than 75% of them agreed that they see evidence of God changing lives as a direct result of their worship services/worship experiences.

IF we belong to Christ---have come into His church to worship----THEN our desire as we leave is to be faithful in our witness----

If we are NOT, then we are not wholly obedient to the commands of Christ.

And if we are NOT WHOLLY OBEDIENT, then we will not be a part of revival in His church…..

Churches that neglect genuine, biblical fellowship can lead to “failure to thrive syndrome.”

Fellowship is essential---it builds….

JOY

UNITY

MEETS NEEDS

BUILDS THE KINGDOM

LEADS TO PERSONAL ENGAGEMENT IN MINISTRY AND PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Evangelism IS a natural byproduct of what we have received/experienced from Christ….It is simply passing on the good news to one that needs to hear the good news…..it is “one beggar telling another beggar where they can find bread…..”

The invitation today is simple----Surrender all ---to love God---love people----proclaim Jesus---make disciples---and experience the fullness of His abiding Joy!