Some things we need to remember as we grow together
Some things we need to remember as we grow together.
I. God Gives The Increase
A. 1 Corinthians 3 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1. God gets all the glory!
B. It is by God’s design that we stand where we stand today as an assembly of people who belong to Christ.
1. We are at a crossroads. The most difficult crossroad for any church. (200) God has brought us to this place.
2. Opportunity knocks with the possible sale of this building and property. God has brought us to this place.
3. We are surrounded by 122,660 people in Iredell and 38,000 are un-churched / 25,000 in Statesville 7,750 un-churched, and 3100 would go if they thought it would make a difference / 230,000 people. 31% (71,300) Un-churched – have not attended church in 6 months not counting special events. God has brought us to this place.
4. We have a great eldership who love God and this church. We have hard working deacons and numerous other men who lead and are capable. We have the great preacher…great staff of ministers. God has brought us to this place.
C. Esther 4 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
TS] God gives the increase and God receives the glory, and we are humbled that God has brought us to this place in which we stand today.
II. Change is Inevitable – Nothing In Life Stays The Same
A. Illu – Daniel’s graduation from Kindergarten
1. Kindergarten days are over.
2. No matter how long I want Kindergarten to last it moves on.
B. In a national study on churches' responsiveness to change, Paul Mundey, director of the Andrew Center (Elgin, IL), asked ministers the question: What is the most difficult change you have attempted to make in the church?
1. "Overwhelmingly," he reports, "respondents listed something connected with the worship or the Sunday morning schedule as the most difficult, including:
a. · -the addition of a worship service, especially a contemporary one;
b. · -a change in time for the existing worship service;
c. · -a change in time for Sunday School;
d. · -an attempt to introduce more contemporary elements into an existing worship service:"
2. Change becomes really difficult when it has something to do with worship.
3. In a sense that is good to hear, and in a sense it is difficult to understand. Paul would probably be extremely uncomfortable in our assemblies, as we would in the first century church. Same elements / different method.
C. God’s Word must always be our guide!
1. If we exist and do what we do to bring glory to God that will never be a problem.
TS] Change is inevitable. We either grow or die, and both scenarios constitute change.
III. Our Business Remains The Same No Matter What
A. The Great Commission/The Great Commandment
1. We are in the people business. Because that is God’s business.
2. We are not in the building business. Necessary, and should be done with excellence, but we are in the people business.
B. Same business regardless
1. Different location / same business
2. Different building / same business
3. 1000 members / same business
C. Remember, Salvation for the lost regardless of the cost.