Why Paul Couldn’t Make It Today

Greeting

Youth Committee Meetings are THE BEST!

Honor

Executive Committee (Nate, Austin, Jace)

Kierstin + Anna

Text

1 Timothy 4:12–16 NLT

12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

I’m mindful of our time, and I know people have drives to make and church in the morning… but I have been assured that burdens are going to be lifted in the next few moments, and we are going to walk out of this place with renewed purpose and an extraordinary faith in our God...

“Why Paul Couldn’t Make It Today”

Things That Happen In Church

Doing the Worm for Jesus

Ripped Pants

Taking a Drink of the Preacher’s Water

“Repeat It In English”

The Bad Service

Sat on my keys.

Someone dropped a mic.

I dropped both drumsticks. At which point, all you can do is lift your hands...

Talking Ourselves Out Of Revival

While The Spies Were Talking Themselves Out Of Attacking, The Grapes Sat In The Corner

They Talked Themselves Out Of Their Whole Purpose

We Talk Ourselves Out Of Our Purpose!

And We Do It While God Is Showing Us Fruit!

We Need To Remind Ourselves Of The Grapes!

Why Paul Isn’t Present

PAUL CAN’T DO WHAT YOU DO

If I were to inform you, and make the announcement, “Bro. Smith, Paul the Apostle is absent from committee meetings this week!!!” …to everyone here, that would sound strange...

But when you look at our actions sometimes, that really tell the story… when you look at the thoughts we entertain… we’re looking for a Paul out there, who we feel is better for this thing than we are. We’re measuring ourselves up against other Apostolics, other churches, other Instagram feeds, other numbers…

We look for a Paul around us and then we judge ourselves as inadequate and then we lower our expectations...

...

You want to know the reason Paul couldn’t make Committee Meetings this week??? BECAUSE GOD CHOSE YOU!!!!!

Timothy, be thankful for Paul, and honor what successes others have… BUT THIS IS YOUR TIME!!!

STEP INTO THE AUTHORITY OF YOUR CALLING.

You See Problems, God Sees Opportunities

God revealed to me in prayer that there are some who, in the past year, have wondered why they are even on this Committee. You’ve wondered, “Am I the right person for this?”

If We Will Do What We CAN Do, God Will Do What We CAN’T Do

A lot of times we get focused on what we can’t do.

We need to get focused on what we can do!!!

Paul, not able to be Timothy when it was Timothy’s time, reminded him of what he needed to do:

1 Timothy 4:13–16 NLT

13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

Preach the Word

Don’t neglect the gift you received through prophecy and laying on of hands

Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress

Move the Mission is not just us trying to reach goals and push for more money. WE ARE FUNDING SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

You say, “That’s over-spiritual!” No it’s not. It takes dollars to send a missionary. It takes dollars to hold Camps and HYC and NAYC. And in all of these things we fund, we have entertained angels and seen demons flee!

We are funding APOSTLES.

Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you

Conclusion

Our Blessing (Hospital Check)

You don’t believe God will pour out a special blessing for someone who will do what they CAN do?

$665.42

Enough to pay the bill, pay tithes, and go get a $5 box at Taco Bell!

Let me tell some fellow youth committee members… it’s time to reach out in faith and believe that God is going to bless abundantly!

The Great Commission has not been put on hold...