Clear Eyes, Full Hearts: Moving Forward in 2020

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Introduction

One of my favorite television shows of all time is called Friday Night Lights. It was about a high school football coach and his team in small town Texas and all of the pressures that went along with it. It’s based on the true story of a school in Texas as recorded in a book of the same name. In the show, the coach has a saying that he says to center the players on their mission. Before they would take the field he would say, “Clear eyes, full heart...” and the team would yell, “Can’t lose!” Now, it’s just a t.v. show, but the idea of moving forward with clear eyes and a full heart strikes me someplace deep. When I think of our church and the challenges we face moving into 2020, I was hit with this saying again. With our eyes seeing clearly where we are, with a clear vision and mission and process, and a heart full of the Gospel and love for one another, we can move forward together. And in the end, no matter what happens, Jesus wins! So for the message today, I want to do something a little different for me. I want to share with you some beliefs that I have from scripture about what we need to do in 2020. Consider this my annual state of the church message. We want revitalization. We need revitalization. The process has begun. Would you pray with me and then we will dive in.

Pray

1. We are in need of revitalization.

This is not limited to us.

The North America Mission Board reports that we lose about 900 Southern Baptist Churches per year.

2. Biblical Church Revitalization

Revitalization was an Apostolic Priority.

Look what Paul was doing in his first letter to the church in Corinth. He addressed:

- Divisions and factions: some saying “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos” (1:10-17);

- Tolerating sexual immorality (5:1-13);

- Lawsuits among church members (6:1-8);

- Confusion over marriage and sexuality (7:1-40);

- Division in the church over the limits of Christian freedom (8:1-13; 10:1-33);

- Worship wars (chs. 11-14);

- And false teaching about the resurrection (ch. 15).

Jesus is a church reformer. Rev. 2-3

God’s people bear His Name.

Bobby Jameson writes, “Christians are baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (). Christians are the end-time temple, the embodiment of the place where God caused his name to dwell (, ). The church is the people who are called by God’s name, whom he created for his glory, whom he formed and made (). Further, God is jealous for the glory of his name ()—and we should be, too.”

Further, God is jealous for the glory of his name ()—and we should be, too.”

Show Revitalization Stories video

3. How will we move forward?

8 ways we move F.O.R.W.A.R.D. together.

F - Faithful in the ordinary means of Grace.

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32–37 ESV

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 2:42

Titus 3:1–11 ESV

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Titus 3 ESV

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

2 Timothy 2:1–13 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

Acts 4:

Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Prayer

Bible Reading

John 1:1 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14–18 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Know the Word - Know Jesus

John 15:1–11 ESV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

JOhn 15:1-

The Sacraments

I Corinthians 11

Fellowship

Be committed to showing up at church for worship.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews

5

“You are not less integral to the body of the church than anyone else. God does not make redundant Christians.” - Sam Alberry

It’s not flashy or exciting at first glance. It’s normal, day in and day out faithfulness. It is the ordinary means by which the Lord grows His people. It’s how He grows the church.

O - Organizing around the Gospel.

O - Organizing around the Gospel.

Not preferences. Not methods. Not programs.

God. Man. Sin. Salvation.

Everything we do must be guided, centered, and be grown from the Gospel. If something isn’t moving forward on the mission as well as something else, then we change it. Life is too short, hell is too hot, and people are too lost for us to mess around and play games. We must get urgent about the Gospel and getting it to people who don’t know Jesus and getting to those of us who do know Him so we live lives driven by it.

R - Remembering the faithful past.

We stand on the shoulders of giants. We celebrate the history of Richland. We rejoice in what the Lord has done for 60 years and now we look forward to what the Lord will do in the next 60. We look to the past with joy and appreciation but we must not live there. I am a very nostalgic person but nostalgia can kill a church.

W - Working for change.

A - Admitting our sin and our mistakes.

(transparency)

(transparency)

R - Repentance.

D - Devoting ourselves to the REFOCUS process.

Assessment. Discovery. Adjustment. Change. Refocus. Vision. Action.

Conclusion:

Clear Eyes. Full Heart. Obviously with it being 2020 there are natural connections to seeing clearly. The Lord has been clear about what His church is supposed to be doing.