CHURCH WORKS!
We live in a time where the effectiveness of the local church is being questioned (and often by Christians). While we need to address real problems, we also affirm that the "church works!" The church is God's plan and is central to the story of redemption.
This sermon series is both a defense of the church, and a study of the "works" of the church. What has Jesus called His body to do? What does it mean to worship? What is our call to evangelism?
This sermon series is both a defense of the church, and a study of the "works" of the church. What has Jesus called His body to do? What does it mean to worship? What is our call to evangelism?
| Date | Message | Files |
| 9/4/11 | "Labor of Love" Mark 10:45. What are workers in the church called? Servants! But do we really believe this is a high calling? Do we have Jesus' perspective on what it means to be servant? | Manuscript |
| 9/11/11 | "Small Groups. Big Impact!" A key ministry at Lake Cities are our Community Life Groups. Why do we "do" small groups? What is the biblical justification for them? The answer might surprise you! | Manuscript Audio |
| 9/18/11 | "The Lord Bless you!" Numbers 6:22-27. Our church went to work on 9/25/11 praying for over 1,300 houses in Rowlett, this prayer of blessing. In this message, our pastor prepared us for that work of being a blessing to others. | Manuscript |
| 10/2/11 | "Church Works" Matthew 16:18. Fill in these blanks: The church is __________. The church does ___________. What would you say? This sermon formally introduces this sermon series and the importance of the local church. | Manuscript Audio |
| 10/9/11 | "Unconditional Surrender" (Worshiping - Part I of III) Nehemiah 8:6 and Matt 2:11. What picture comes into your mind when you hear the word, "worship?" A hymn book? Praise band? The first picture we get from Scripture is a person bowed down low before the Lord. | |
| 10/16/11 | "Never Forget" (Worshiping - Part II of III). The second picture of worship from Scripture is remembering. The person who remembers is the person who worships. But what are we suppose to remember? | Manuscript Audio |
| 10/23/11 | "Complete Obedience" (Worshiping - Part III of III). It is interesting to note that most stories in Scripture that link obedience and worship are negative - REALLY negative. To come to worship God without obedience is a dangerous proposition, which makes obedience an essential part of our worship preparation. | Manuscript Audio |
| 10/30/11 | "Growing Up" (Purpose: Growing). There are three primary ways that God causes us to grow spiritually as believers. Jesus calls His church to be a place where growth is encouraged and facilitated. | |
| 11/6/11 | "Love is Greater" (Purpose: Loving). Bible writers and Jesus made an effort to stress that "love is greater" than many other important ideas. Love is greater than hate, fear, knowledge, faith, hope and all other commands. Why is love such a big deal? | |
| 11/13/11 | "Learning to Share" (Purpose: Sharing). As a child you played with wonderful toy! The only problem came with another child wanted you to share them with her! Are you ready to share the gospel with others? Audio not available. |
Worship as Remembering
Worship as Surrender:
Dear Father,
You are the God of ________________, __________________ and ____________________. You are the God who has ____________________________________________________________________________ and has promised to _____________________________________________________________________________. Therefore, help me to listen to you today, to trust you with my current problems and to rejoice in your goodness. In Jesus name, Amen.
Worship as Surrender:
Take, O LORD, and receive my entire liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I
possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of
according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I
will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. (St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)