Get In The Game - Making Disciples For Jesus (Part 1)

Pastor Rocklyn Clarke - Sunday June 8, 2008

© 2008 Life Church Ministries, Inc.

http://www.LifeChurchMinistries.org/

 
V Introduction
* Bible Reading 6/1 - 6/7: 2Sam 18:1 - 1Kings 3:3; John 20 - Acts 5; Psalm 119:153 - 125:5; Prov 16:14-25
> Review
V New Material
> Preparation
V Get In The Game: Introduction
V Consumer Christianity
* Real Life Illustration
V Preoccupation with what you can receive.
* Great preaching
* Great singing
* Great children's ministry
* Great youth ministry
V Biblical Christianity
V Losing your life to save your life
* Peter rebukes Jesus - Mark 8:27-38
* ". . . take up your cross daily . . ." - Luke 9:18-26
* Consumer Christians try to "save their lives" and ultimately lose them.
V Biblical Illustration
* The Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-7) - Dead despite reputation
* The Church at Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22) - Lukewarm
* Fine linen = righteous acts of the saints - Rev 19:8
V Moving from Consumer Christianity to Biblical Christianity
* Our approach to Christianity is producing death rather than life!
* There is a way that seems right but leads to death - Prov 14:12; 16:25
V Get In The Game: Can These Dry Bones Live?
* Passage: Ezek 37:1-14
V Exegetical Idea
* God speaks through a chosen messenger to resurrect a dead nation.
V Analysis
V What does this mean?
* Begins with God's hand on an anointed messenger.
* God takes him to a valley full of dead bones (unclean - Mat 23:27).
* The bones are naked, separated, dry, and dead.
* Phase 1 - tendons, flesh, and skin
* Phase 2 - breath (Spirit)
* Phase 3 - a vast army
* Resurrection, restoration
V Do I believe it?
* Yes - God uses his Word to do things - Isa 55:10-11; Heb 4:12
* Yes - God uses men to deliver his Word - (Cornelius - Acts 10)
V Yes - God has revived his people several times in history
* The Reformation - Martin Luther
* The Pentecostal Revival of 1905 - William J. Seymour
* The Faith Movement
* The Cell Ministry Movement
V What difference does it make? So What?
* Much of the Church is failing to engage this generation.
* Insanity - doing the same thing but expecting different results.
* To accomplish God's purposes we must change.
* Every follower of Jesus has a valley of dry bones tailor-made for him/her. Are you willing to be sent to your valley? Will you speak God's Word to the dry bones there and see them resurrected?
V Homiletical Idea
* Speak God's Word to restore the dead in your life to God's purposes.
V How Do I Obey This Word?
V Be a Team Player
* Talk to your leaders about this.
* Ask for help.
V Who (Not What) Are the "Dead Bones" In Your Life?
* Where are the believers in your life?
* Who in your life knows Jesus but isn't reproducing himself/herself?
V What God Is Saying To You About Them?
* Are you spending time talking to God?
* Are you listening to God?
* Are you writing down what you hear?
V Pray
V Intercede for the "dead bones":
* Pray biblically - Eph 1:15-23; Eph 3:14-19; Col 1:9-12
* Pray for a Word from God for them
V Speak
* Speak what God tells you to say.
* Speak when God tells you to speak.
V Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
V Scripture References: Mark 8:27-38; Luke 9:18-26; Ezek 37:1-14
* Peter didn't like Jesus' announcement that he was destined to suffer and die. In what ways have you behaved like Peter?
* Did you mostly "save your life" or "lose your life" this past week?
* How will you "deny yourself and take up your cross daily" this month?
* Who are the "dead bones" in your world? How are you praying for them? Are you expecting them to become a vast army?
* What role are you willing to play in God's resurrection of his people?
V Witnessing Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings
* Various witnessing / works activities as determined by your life group leader.