Hope for Your Church

INTRO:

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pg 1-4

Matthew 16:13–18 ESV

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God’s Power at Work

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“Hopeful ones were in the minority, but they were a God-powered minority.”

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God is powerful!

He has all the resources of the universe

He can meet our needs and do whatever needs done.

6 Incredible Transitions

To turn around, Scrappy churches had to change.

You can’t just accept the status quo.

You can’t just passively hope something happens

That is what this book study is going to show us.

We looked at deceased churches in autopsy of a deceased church

We examined possible causes of their demise:

The slow fade

The past is the hero

Refused to look like the community

Budget moved inwardly

Great commission became the great omission

Preference driven church

Pastoral tenure decreased

Rarely prayed together

No clear purpose

Obsessed over facilities

Churches had to change, to be transformed in order to turn the decline into incline.

First: Excuses to Ownership

Remember Fred-

He thought he was better and could work the church better and thus they would grow

WRONG

He turned to excuses

Read pg 13

Do we make excuses?

Second: Obstacles to Allies

read bottom of 13

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 ESV

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

we are to love them

They are not obstacles, they are allies

many church divisions start with getting this wrong

“Us and Them” mentality begins to set it

We feel we must overcome objections rather than loving to consensus.

read 14

Third: Limitations to Abundance

read pg 15

Philippians 4:19 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Fourth: Despair to Joy

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Philippians 4:4 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Read bottom of 16

Fifth: Fear to Courage

Read 17-18

Joshua 1:9 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Sixth: Impossible to Possible

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Phil 4:13

read 19

With God, all things are possible

Do you believe that?

Conclusion: