SF790 - BEYOND THE OPEN DOOR (Revelation 3 7-8)

Revelation 3:7-8

Introduction

We have come here today to celebrate…

God’s grace!

God’s goodness!

God’s faithfulness!

Ø       In the past five years we have seen our indebtedness go from $227,000 to nothing!

We have not come to an ending but to a beginning.

God has placed us at a crossroads.

God has set before us an Open Door…

1A.      An Open Door for Evangelism and Missions

In January, we will begin a new day in outreach!

We will introduce and begin FAITH, a Sunday School evangelism strategy.

Ø       Our goal is for every Sunday School class and department to have at least one team involved in FAITH each week.

In May we will send a team to Rio De Jeneiro to help conduct simultaneous revivals.

In July, we will send a team to Venezuela to minister through construction projects, medical missions and prison ministry.

If we are to fulfill God’s purpose, we must walk bravely through the Open Door.

2A.      An Open Door for Discipleship.

1999 will bring a greater focus on Sunday morning Bible study – Sunday School.

In January, we will begin a new day in Sunday School – A Genesis: A Day of New Beginning!

We will concentrate on making Sunday School a time of great Bible teaching for every age group.

The renewed emphasis on Sunday School will insure that every member and guest of West Haven will have a class designed with them in mind!

3A.      An Open Door for Fellowship

Our society is starving for friendship.

We are kicking off WEST today.  WEST is designed to include every person who attends, visits, or is a member of our church in a small group of friends on a weekly basis.

We will include them by aggressively inviting and enrolling our friends and neighbors in Sunday School.

4A.      An Open Door for Ministry

We have an opportunity to minister as never before.

Through WEST we will involve more people than ever before in our Sunday School classes.

As we refine our Sunday School structure, we will insure that every person has a place and that every class is the right size to give personal attention to each class member and prospect.

Sunday School will become the primary source of ministry!

We will see “Every Member a Minister” become a reality.

5A.      An Open Door for Worship

Greater focus will be placed on exalting Christ each time we gather to worship.

We will expand the outreach emphasis of our special musical events.

Members will be asked to make a special effort to invite and bring nonchurched, nonbelievers.

Application

God has set before us an Open Door the kind of which we have never seen…

The challenge is clear and the call is certain.

We must step through this door by faith.

We cannot pause or panic.  We must proceed and never, ever look back!

We will not step through this door by having a half-hearted commitment.

We must give back to God our talent.

We must give back to God the best part of our time.

We must give back God the first part of our treasure.

We stand at a crossroads…

We will choose either to follow God to greater heights.

Or we will choose to fail God and be left behind.

I Choose To Follow God!

What will you choose?