Stop Going to Church

—If you apply—Potential life changer.

—If you apply—Potential life changer.

Month ago—Matt—(Lake/Buzzed)—Go to your church when we can!

Month ago—Matt—(Lake/Buzzed)—Go to your church when can!

Lake all summer—Actually haven’t been since… Easter.

Pray for me: Marriage. Job. Financially. No one talk to. Kids.

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Stop Going to Church

God’s highest calling for you was never going to church!

Calling: Like X—Spiritually strong—Impact—Love (Flourish)

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12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock…”

Love imagery: Righteous flourish: Don’t know anyone says…

Growing spiritually, Strong, Faith.

Old bear fruit, Fresh and green.

Succeed, Grow, Thrive, Prosper, Increase.

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Unfortunately—So many don’t experience these good things.

• Flourishing—Spiritually dry.

• Thriving—Emotionally withering.

• Connected—Relationally barren.

• Prospering—Financially stressed.

• Fulfilled—Searching for something that matters.

Two trees: PALM—CEDAR

CEDAR (3): Durable—(Solomon) Beams, columns, roof—(Centuries) Attractive, Pleasant aroma.

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PALM branch—Symbol Triumph and Victory.

Romans awarded Olympic champions: Palm Branches.

Jesus entered Jerusalem—Triumphal entry—Palm Branches.

Both Evergreens: Thriving—Producing life year round—Flourishing

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YOUR LIFE IS A SEED

Potential—Grow—Multiply—Thrive—Fruit

Unfruitful—Dormant—Unproductive—Barren

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• A seed can only grow if it’s planted. (: Path, Shallow, Soil)

Those who are planted in the house will flourish!

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“Going to church” isn’t the same as being planted.

Going: Go church when can, not busy, not tired, no game. Serve.

Planted: Never say, “Think we go to church? Are we?”

God’s church isn’t a part of our lives—Is our lives!

Matt (Lake)—Stop going to church—Get planted

• Some GO to church: Experience God’s presence—Changed.

• Few years later: Not involved, (Easter, ATM) Spiritually shaky.

May still believe God: No victory—Joy—Passion—Peace—Purpose

Marriage flat, Financially struggle, Spiritually vulnerable.

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• Others PLANTED: Experience God’s presence—Changed.

• Few years later: Strong, Connect, Blessed (Life’s not perfect) Staff

Relationships rich, Making a difference, Fulfilled, Joy, Purpose: Flourish

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Church is not a place to go—Not destination—Not building—People.

Ekklesia: Assembled and called out.

Your life is a seed—in order to grow—must be planted.

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WHEN YOU ARE PLANTED

1. You roots grow deep.

8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought...

Northern CA—Redwood National Park—Tree largest living thing earth.

Tall as 30 story building—3 story width.

Lateral roots reach out 100-150 feet from trunk.

Roots are intertwined between trees—Literally hold each other up.

Each tree needs the other trees to survive and thrive.

Need each other

All week: Opposition—Trials—Doubts—Struggles—People.

OPEN DOOR—Connect you—LG, Serve.

Only one who wants you believe you don’t need church: Devil—Isolate.

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1) Your roots grow deep.

2. Your roots produce fruit.

8 …With roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Heat—Fiery trial // Drought—Nothing is happening

Not bothered. Not shaken. Not rattled—Still producing fruit!

Love—Joy—Peace—Patience—Kind—Good—Gentle—Faithful—Self

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Fruit is not just for you: Love overflows, Joy spreads. Peace attractive. Kindness blesses. Faithfulness strengthens relationships.

Discover the thrill of being used by God!

Christian Cocaine—Get you hooked—More.

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Not just saved from sins—Saved for glory of God.

Planted—Language evolves—Go to your church—Love our church!

If don’t feel like you can get planted at LC—Recommend others.

Traditional—Charismatic: Info in the lobbies!

Stop going to church—Get planted.

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Really expect to defeat powers of darkness “going once a month.”

➢ Spend more on coffee than you give work of God.

➢ More time on Instagram in a day serving church all month.

Tried—Didn’t work: Trees don’t grow overnight!

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What does a seed need to grow and flourish:

• Soil—Your heart.

• Light—God’s Word is lamp

• Water—Jesus living water

• Temperature—Fire of Holy Spirit burns through trials, etc.

• Time—Best time to plant a tree 20 years—Next best is today!

Stop Going—Be planted

Planted in house Lord—Flourish.