The Life Church Vision

Pastor Rocklyn Clarke - Sunday November 21, 2010

© 2010 Life Church Ministries, Inc.

http://www.LifeChurchBoston.org/

*
Notes
V Introduction
V Bible Reading:
* OT Timeline:
* OT Contemporary Books:
> Review
V New Material
> Preparation
V The Life Church Vision
> Raw Material
> Preparation - Revelation 22:1-5
> Standing Issues
V Introduction
* Welcome to another service at the Hampton Inn & Suites.
V Welcome Cards -
* “I want to call your attention to the Welcome Card that you were given on your way into the auditorium”
V These cards do two things for us:
* They help us get to know our new visitors better.
* They also give anyone (visitors or members) a chance to express a need or to give us feedback.
* By filling it out you will help us to better serve you.
V We're going to provide time for you to complete the cards at the end of our service, but we encourage you to start filling them out now.
* Please use this card:
• if you’re a first time visitor or if you’ve never filled one out before,
• to tell us about a decision you made today,
• to ask us for more information, or to give us feedback.
Please include your contact information unless we already have it. At the end of service we’ll ask you to complete the card and then place it in the designated box or give it to someone from our staff on your way out.
V Transition
* We're interrupting our series on Romans to bring you a brief message that will prepare you for today's business meeting.
* The best way to prepare for the meeting is to remind everyone of the Life Church vision.
* As most of you will remember, our vision is based on a key passage of scripture.
* Read the Passage - Revelation 22:1-5
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
* Exegetical Idea
Life flows from God's throne like a river bringing fruitfulness and healing wherever it flows.
V What does this mean?
* Reference Ezekiel 47:1-12
V The river originates from God's Sanctuary (Ezekiel) and from the throne of God and the lamb (Revelation).
* From the south side of the altar.
* The altar points 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.
V Is it True? Do I believe it?
* Yes - John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
V Greatest day of the feast (of Tabernacles)
* Background - Psalm 118
* Priest carried golden jar of water from Siloam (sent) to Altar
* Priests recited Psalm 118 while marching around the altar 7 times.
* Congregation repeated Psalm 118:1; Psalm 118:25; Psalm 118:29
* Psalm 118:25: "Oh Lord save us; O Lord grant us success."
* Jesus (salvation) shows up and invites them to drink from him.
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V What difference does it make? So What?
* The Life Church Vision:
Our vision is to build a network of churches, ministries, and businesses through which God’s river of life can transform people, their communities, and the systems in which they participate.
In short: purposeful lives making a powerful difference!
* Every ministry must be aligned with this vision.
V If we keep it real 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
* Homiletical Idea:
Fruit Grows Where The River Flows
V Purpose of the Sermon (what listeners should do)
* Keep it real.
* Drink.
* Make it easy for others to drink.
V Keep it real
V Righteousness by faith - Galatians 3:1-14
* Who do we receive by coming to Jesus to drink? The Spirit!
* How do we receive the Spirit? By believing what we heard!
* Everyone must understand the real gospel of righteousness by faith.
V Illustration:
* What do I have to do Lord?
“Take my hand”
V Law is for lawbreakers - 1Tim 1:9-11
We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers — and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
* The law makes us conscious of sin. - Romans 3:19-20
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
* Children need rules because their brains are not fully formed yet.
* Adults need rules in situations where relationship has not yet been established.
V Drink
* The river flows from the throne of God and the lamb. You must come to Jesus to drink.
* Keep drinking!
* The river grows as it flows - each believer who is touched by the river can become a new channel of the river (i.e. with rivers of living water flowing from within him/her).
* Maturity results in maximal fruitfulness - let's become mature!
* Expect rivers of living water to flow from within you.
V Treat your brothers and sisters like people who have rivers of living water flowing out of them.
* Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
* Ephesians 5:18-21
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
* Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
* Flow in the gifts God has given you.
V Make it easy for others to drink
V The river grows as it flows - this is about more than just you!
* Each believer who is touched by the river can become a new channel of the river (i.e. with rivers of living water flowing from within him/her).
V Maturity results in maximal fruitfulness - let's become mature!
* Redefine your understanding of maturity.
* Physical maturity means the ability to physically reproduce.
* Spiritual maturity means the ability to spiritually reproduce.
V The Life Church Mission
The mission of Life Church is to develop mature followers of Jesus Christ who love God with everything they've got, genuinely love their neighbors, and take the lead in expanding God's Kingdom in the world around them.
V We develop our love for God and one another through:
* Meeting together on Sundays for worship and instruction.
* Meeting weekly in life groups (small groups) for fellowship, support, growth, and evangelism.
* Living rich and balanced lives together.
V We develop mature followers of Jesus Christ through:
* Teaching godly habits.
* Transforming godly habits into skills.
* Turning skills into ministries.
* We develop effective leaders who serve their brothers and sisters in humility.
V We develop Kingdom vision by training followers of Jesus Christ to:
* Engage the people in their lives and in their communities.
* Identify social, political, and economic systems that are ripe for Kingdom influence.
V Make it easy!
* Make it easy for people to connect to us.
* Make it easy for people to stay with us.
* Make it easy for people to grow with us.
* Make it easy for people to serve with us.
V Conclusion
V Keep it real!
* The real gospel is righteousness by faith!
* Make sure that each of us understands the real gospel.
* Make sure that each of us communicates the real gospel.
V Make it:
* easy to connect,
* easy to stay,
* easy to grow,
* easy to serve!
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V Altar Call / Welcome Cards / Communion ?
* Welcome Cards - refer to script
* We're almost ready to close this portion of our service, but first we want to give you a chance to respond to what you've heard.
* Earlier in the service we mentioned the welcome cards and we encouraged you to begin filling them out.
V Right now we want you to complete your welcome card. We especially want you to use this card if:
* if you’re a first time visitor
* if you’ve never filled one out before,
* if you want to tell us about a decision you made today,
* if you want to ask us for more information, or to give us feedback.
* Please be sure to include your up to date contact information unless we already have it.
* MC & Worship Team continue with tithes, offerings, and worship
* Benediction - Numbers 6:24-26
“‘“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
* Men's Prayer
V Life Group Material
V Life Group Word Material
These are sample discussion questions / topics. Your life group leaders may choose to adjust these questions, substitute new ones, or spend the Word section of the meeting in a different way altogether.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
V Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
V Discussion Questions / Topics:
* The river flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Jesus). What role do God's throne and Jesus play in your life?
* The river makes the trees on its shores amazingly fruitful. How has the river of life made you fruitful?
* Although we eat it, trees grow fruit in order to reproduce themselves. Are you reproducing yourself? If so, how? If not, why not?
* The leaves of the trees are for healing. How have you been a healing influence recently? How will you bring healing this coming week?
V Ezekiel 47:1-12
The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side.
As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in — a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”
Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds — like the fish of the Great Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”
V Discussion Questions / Topics:
* The river in the vision flowed from a point in the temple south of the altar. The altar symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice for us. Describe why Jesus' sacrifice is important to you.
* The river flows into the Dead Sea and makes it fresh. What dead places does your life touch? How are you bringing life to them?
V John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
V Discussion Questions / Topics:
* Are streams of living water flowing from within you? Why or why not?
* What does this scripture say about whoever believes in Jesus? Does it apply to you? Does this affect your answer to the first question?
* The Jews used living water (e.g. rainwater and/or flowing water) for cleansing. What cleansing effect are you having on the people you come into contact with?
V Life Group Witnessing Activities
V Galatians 3:1-14
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing — if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
V Witnessing Questions / Topics:
* Do you know anyone who is trying to be righteous by following rules? How would you explain righteousness by faith to them?
* How can your life group do a better job of helping people to receive righteousness by faith? What can you do as individuals? As a team?
> Scriptures For 11/21/2010 Life Church Sermon
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.