SF551 - THE STATE OF THE CHURCH (Mark 6 37-52)
SF551
THE STATE OF THE CHURCH
Mark 6:37-52
INTRODUCTION
(Nehemiah 4:20) Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!"
1B. Where We Have Been
Review stats for past 10 years!
2B. Where We Are Now
Giving....
Ended September with ~$7000.00 cash deficit
16 of the past 27 months have ended in deficits
Every month this year except January has ended in a deficit
Owe Del- Air $4246.07
Average offering in October $4141.68
Weekly Budget needs $5227.10
Average Weekly spending $4753.47
1996 projected giving $237,650.24
1996 projected budget $250,321,81
1996 projected deficit $12,671.57
Attendance - Enrollment
Sunday School Enrollment 395
Sunday School Ave Att. 169
Baptism 1
Members lost 2
1A. THE LESSON WE SHOULD LEARN (Mark 6:37-44)
1B. Jesus was able to provide all the crowd needed with more left over (37-44)
2B. Jesus sent them into the Storm (45-46)
3B. Jesus was aware of their Situation (47-48)
4B. Jesus came to them at the right time (48b)
5B. Jesus allowed them to continue struggling helplessly in their strength as long as they wanted to. (48c)
6B. They did not recognize Jesus (49-50a)
Because it was dark
Because they were tired (3am)
Because they were focused on the storm
Because they were not looking for Him!
7B. Jesus took the Initiative (50b)
He called out to them
He comforted them
He challenged them
8B. Jesus revealed their real problem (51-52)
They lacked faith
“Amazed” = beside themselves, blown away!
(Isaiah 29:13) The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They lacked spiritual insight
“Had not understood...”
They were spiritually hardened
Same term used to describe Pharaoh (Exodus 4,7,8,9,10,11,14); Zedekiah (2 Chronicles 36); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5); the Jews (Matthew 13 and Acts 28))
All of these were unbelievers!
(Proverbs 28:14) Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
They had refused to believe the truth!
2A. THE DANGER WE FACE (Luke 13:1-9)
Repent or Perish! - He has given the year - He is passing by the Boat!
We stand to Loose...
Our walk with the Lord
Our witness in the world
Our staffaw
3A. THE DECISION WE MUST MAKE
1. Seek God! Our answer will not be found in programs or more doing, it will only be found in Him!
2. Be honest with God, myself and God's people. Be willing to confess and make right ALL SIN that God reveals in my life.
3 Be fully and completely obedient to God in every area of my life. That means in my attendance, my service, my giving and my witnessing. I will do all He tells me to do until He tells me to do something else!
4. Be a leader by my attitude, attendance, service, giving and witnessing.! I will not wait for some one else to do my work.
5. Seek to grow in Christ and be mature in my attitude toward my church and God's people. I will not be childish about anything that happens at church. I will always seek the best for others.
6. Become a sold out Christian and member of my church. I will be a walking, talking advertisement for Jesus and West Haven!
7. Pray, pray, pray, pray and pray some more. Refuse to give up on God, myself or my church
