Strength In Numbers
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Roettele family. Serving in Cameroon, Africa. Came home to raise funds and cannot go back until they have raised support.
Maybe your church had the tour of missionaries coming through to raise funds. Pass the plate and try to get them enough money to return to their mission field.
“We can do more together!”
We can do more together than alone.
This last week we added another 64 missionaries to the International Mission Board. Fully funded.
Cooperative spirit has led to the largest Christian missionary force. 6,661 as of the end of January.
When we cooperate, we can do more!
Text - Joshua 17:14-18
The tribes from Joshua, 1/2 Manasseh and Ephraim, felt that their allotment was too small:
“We are numerous, the LORD has blessed us.”
They understood that their numerical growth was a sign of God’s blessing! But, this created a problem - we need more room!!
Joshua’s response, “You’ve got the numbers. Go clear the land.” Including the Valley of Jezreel. Breadbasket of Israel.
Their response, “They have iron chariots!”
II MB (1400 - 1375) - iron chariots were the most advanced form of weaponry. Intimidating!!
Joshua’s reminder, “You are a great people and you will drive them out. Yes, they have iron chariots and they are strong.”
They had strength in numbers.
Likewise, we can find strength in numbers!
A Strong Convention
As I mentioned earlier, we have a strong missions force. Why we give 7% to the Cooperative Program. If you give $100 dollars, we send on $7 to the CP. Half of that immediately goes to our International Mission Board. 23% to the North American Mission Board. Nearly 3/4 of what we send along goes directly to our missions sending entities!
Commitment to Biblical Authority and Cooperation, God will bless us to advance His Kingdom.
A Strong Church
The joy of seeing how God continues to provide who and what we need! When God leads, he equips.
Ministry both internal, to our own membership, and external, to our community fulfilling the Great Commission.
Because we are a body of believers. The image Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 12 - we are a bunch of parts that on our own we have little use. But, when those parts are assembled, we become a valuable and effective force for the glory of Jesus Christ.
A Strong Christian
Even on an individual level, you are not alone as a Christian.
Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.
There is a strong man that cannot be overcome. Jesus connects that Strong Man with the Holy Spirit!
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
You are stronger with the Holy Spirit!
Walk in Him!
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Nourish by the Word, Spend time communicating in prayer, Grow closer through worship.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision.
One of the sad things about statistics of our churches: 14.5 Million members. 5.2 Million average weekly attendance. A little over a third.
14,525,579 - Membership
5,250,230 - Average Attendance
2006 - 16.3 Million. Loss of nearly 2 Million over the past 15 years.
A renewed commitment to the church - to each other. And to the head of the church - Jesus Christ.
Pray for our church, pray for me, pray for our churches that cooperate together.