Failure to Launch

June 4, 1996, a cluster of four spacecraft were launched on the maiden flight of a rocket called Ariane 5. (aireen) Unfortunately, the rocket flew off course just 37 seconds after launch. Disintegration began, and then its flight termination system caused it to self-destruct. Ka-boom! The four spacecraft were lost -- no people were aboard, fortunately -- when the rocket failed to achieve orbit. The problem? An error in the software design. It became one of the most expensive software bugs in history, resulting in a loss of more than $370 million. Since that time, the Ariane 5 has become one of the most reliable of rockets, with more than 90 flights.

became one of the most expensive software bugs in history, resulting in a loss of more than $370 million. Since that time, the Ariane 5 has become one of the most reliable of rockets, with more than 90 flights.

WE: IDENTIFICATION (MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU STRUGGLE)

The "Failure to Launch" syndrome Have you heard of "failure to launch syndrome"? Rockets are not involved in this one. Instead, this problem is quite common among young adults who cannot leave the parental nest. According to the Cottonwood website, "it is characterized by low levels of motivation, poor work ethic, lack of vision for the future, inability or unwillingness to take responsibility when appropriate and an inability to manage daily household chores." Maybe you saw the movie Failure to Launch, in which Matthew McConaughey played a 35-year-old who had no interest in leaving his parents' comfortable home. The Christian church also faces its own "failure to launch syndrome." This year at church we saw a number of Churches close’ 29 street, they met social gospel needs but didn’t grow in the areas we are talking about today

Note that we're not suggesting that the church did not launch at Pentecost. It did. The power of the Holy Spirit was present. Full, complete countdown and launch. But we are suggesting that sometimes, the local expression of the church universal has problems getting off the launch pad. Why is that?

It happens when Christians are not adequately fueled, properly programmed and on the right course.

Only when the three are in place can the church fulfill its mission.

GOD: ILLUMINATION (THE GOAL IS TO RESOLVE THE TENSION

I. Three: Christians need to be adequately fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that the apostles blasted off successfully in Jerusalem because "all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 4). Without the inspiration of the Spirit, we're never going to get off the ground. A. let us pause and look at what happened in this God moment.

it was the occasion when Jesus’ disciples received “the promise of the Father” (; ) and were baptized in the Spirit, but even more so because it was the first opportunity that the Twelve had to confront the twelve tribes of Israel in an official capacity and bear testimony to the risen Christ,

B. They were told to wait and be in prayer for when they would receive the Holy Spirit. … To wait for the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit...

C. So where can we get this high-octane, highly volatile spiritual fill-up? In worship, for starters.

So where can we get this high-octane, highly volatile spiritual fill-up? In worship, for starters.

We can pray for the Holy Spirit to help us hear God's Word.

We can ask for the Spirit to heal us, touch us and transform us and use us.

We can trust the Spirit to make Christ present to us in the bread and cup of Communion.

Worship is not a human activity; instead, it is an activity that is both human and divine, with Jesus really present through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We need this filling and open-ness to God through the Holy Spirit.

a. We need to ask God to move us from stagnant (of a body of water or the atmosphere of a confined space) having no current or flow and often having an unpleasant smell as a consequence. b. stay the same no matter what.

c. what makes me happy

d. the concern for the need to do something is talked about but no follow through.

e. Sometimes, we need to get out of our comfort zones to experience the power of the Spirit.

Sometimes, we need to get out of our comfort zones to experience the power of the Spirit.

Good solid open heart worship is a place to start.

Christians participated in worship one Sunday by bringing offerings forward with song and swirling dance, accompanied by drums, synthesizer and electric guitar. This was a worship experience very different from one involving traditional hymns, organ and piano. But one church member reflected on the service and said that he had "never felt the presence of the Spirit so strongly." Spiritual fueling begins with worship.

II. Two: Christians need to be properly programmed to connect with their neighbors.

Two: Christians need to be properly programmed to connect with their neighbors.

Marley was programed if you will . In order to see I had to move around her,

Two: Christians need to be properly programmed to connect with their neighbors.

Some of us have natural programing to jump in/

A. These backwoods Galileans did not expect the international crowd in Jerusalem to learn Aramaic, the language that each of them had grown up speaking. Instead, they used the diverse languages given to them by the Spirit to speak to the people around them "about God's deeds of power" (v. 11). We can program ourselves to make connections, learning new languages and new communication tools to reach our neighbors.

It maybe a little different according to our prospective but the Holy Spirit will lead us through. Most of us think we are the dog on the left but maybe we are the one on the right.

Richard Lindsay, the co-editor of PopTheology.com, says that we need to make use of creative multimedia,

"actual popular culture that people interact with every day, as well as music and art generated by congregation members or local artists." In addition, he recommends ditching our 20-minute, uninterrupted, unillustrated sermons, along with worship traditions that don't reflect how anyone really communicates these days.

In their place, he calls for messages that help people to see "why Jesus is important and has relevance to their lives." Everything we do should be programmed to make connections.

III. One: right course sharing the Gospel

One: Inspired by the Spirit and programmed to make connections, we can embark on a mission of sharing good news with people around us.

In Jerusalem, Peter stood up and promised that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (v. 21). He gave his hearers a message of inclusion and hope. While we may not join Peter in preaching on street corners, we can follow his lead by knocking on doors and building relationships based on authentic concern.

But wait. Knocking on doors? Many of us are reluctant to reach out to our neighbors, fearing their judgment or rejection. But the truth is that many people today are feeling isolated and alone, and will welcome a visit that is honest and respectful. When visiting a neighbor, there are two simple questions that can get a conversation going: "What do you like about living here? What would make it better?"

Such questions are not spiritual, in and of themselves. But they open the door to religious conversations. When people tell you what they like about living in the community, you can get a sense of what matters to them, and where their values and interests lie.

When they tell you about what would make the community better, you are given an opportunity to talk about what your church can do for them. You can explain how you are involved, and why your faith inspires you to take action. Plus, you can get ideas for new ways to meet the needs of your community.

If your neighbors are Latinos, invite them to be part of the creation of a Spanish-language Bible study. If they have teenagers at home, tell them about your youth program. If they are senior citizens, encourage them to participate in your next event for retirees.

If they have small children, invite them to Sunday school or Vacation Bible School. Before you say good-bye, let them know how much joy and inspiration you get from worship, and tell them that you would love to welcome them and sit with them in an upcoming service

YOU: APPLICATION (TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO AND WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD)

Have the church ask the question are we fueled, programed and on the right course?

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