Fruit Grows Where The River Flows

Pastor Rocklyn Clarke - Sunday January 4, 2009

© 2009 Life Church Ministries, Inc.

http://www.LifeChurchMinistries.org/

Introduction

Bible Reading 12/28 - 1/3: Zech 12 - Mal 4; Gen 1 - 7; Rev 19 - 22; Mat 1:1 - 4:11; Psalm 147 - 150; Psalm 1 - 3; Prov 31:1-31; Prov 1:1-19

Review

Kingdom People Are Reconciled Reconcilers

Read the Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:2

Introduction

We are jars of clay that contain treasure. Even though we are wasting away outwardly we are being inwardly renewed - 2Cor 4:7-18

Speaking of death (i.e. "wasting away"), it only brings us into God's presence where we will be judged by Christ. - 2Cor 5:1-10

A day of reckoning - "The Lighthouse"

What does this mean?

Integrity

We are open about who we are. - 2Cor 5:11

We operate from the heart, not appearances. - 2Cor 5:12

Live for Christ - not yourself. - 2Cor 5:15

We no longer evaluate others based on the flesh and we should not be evaluated that way either. - 2Cor 5:17

Ministry of reconciliation

God's not mad at you! - 2Cor 5:19

Be reconciled! - 2Cor 5:20

Reconciled - repaired better than before (e.g. bone callus)

Reconciliation implies active relationship (e.g. talking to God)

Jesus took our sins and died in our place. - 2Cor 5:21

The time is now! - 2Cor 6:1-2

Be fully reconciled to God.

Talk to him.

Read all of his Word.

Obey him.

Adopt his agenda.

What difference does it make? So What?

It will determine what reward we will receive. - 1Cor 3:10-15

It will determine whether or not others get saved and how soon they get saved. The sooner they get saved the more character they develop.

Is it True? Do I believe it?

Yes - Jesus commanded it. - Mat 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-20

New Material

Preparation

Expository Preaching

Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers.

Select the Passage

Study the Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Discover the Exegetical Idea

Subject

Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why

Complement

Analyze the Exegetical Idea

Explain It: What does this mean?

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

Formulate the Homiletical Idea

Determine the Purpose of the Sermon

Make it plain

Use accessible language and modern parables.

Make sure people do something with God's message.

Keep it simple.

Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.

Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose

Outline the Sermon

Fruit Grows Where The River Flows

Read the Passage - Ezek 47:1-12; Rev 22:1-2

Explain It: What does this mean?

The river originates from God's Sanctuary

From the south side of the altar.

The altar point to the sacrifice of Jesus.

The river grows as it flows.

The river nourishes fruit trees.

The river makes dead water alive (resurrection).

The river supports swarms of living creatures.

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Yes - God's sanctuary changes lives.

Yes - God's sanctuary changed my life.

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

The Life Church Vision: A Resurrection Movement

If we meet the conditions God can use us to:

Make broken lives whole

Make weak lives powerful

Make barren lives fruitful - Psalm 1

Mold individual lives into communities

Resurrect hope, creativity, and vision

Birthing Creativity and Vision

Making the Impossible Possible

Transforming Our Communities

The Conditions:

Establish and acknowledge the sanctuary

Celebration

Cell Groups

Identify and stay beside the river

Be available to others

Meet the needs of others - 1Kings 17; Mat 25:31-46

Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)

Scripture Reference - Ezek 47:1-12; Rev 22:1-2

The river flowed from the sanctuary altar. This symbolizes life and hope for the world flowing from Jesus. Is your hope for community transformation in Jesus or in something else?

The sanctuary was constructed according to God's direction. What role does God's Word play in the way you live your life? Give an example.

The trees growing by the river produced edible fruit every month and had leaves for healing. How fruitful is your life and what kind of healing impact do you have on others?

In what ways have you helped to bring life to others recently? What could you do differently this week to bring life to others more effectively?

In what ways have you made yourself available to others recently? What could you do to make yourself more available to others this week?

Witnessing Activities

Life Church family, we are excited about 2009! Life Church is planning a BIG push to grow. We know that God is doing something amazing at LC  and wants us to share it. Our goal is to have 100 friends and visitors attend our Easter service. Reaching this goal depends on you. We are asking each member and friend of Life Church to bring 2 "unchurched" people to our Easter service. In order to get 2 people to attend, you may have to invite at least 4 or more people. We define unchurched as those who have not made a commitment to follow Christ or have no commitment to a local church. Please begin identifying and praying for the people that you are going to invite to our Easter Sunday service.