Sunday, January 3, 2010

 

 Mark Via - Communion
Ecclesiastes 9:5  
Death brings a perspective on life;  death is complicated - the physical stuff, legal, banking
Like learning to drive with a stick shift - a lot of steps you have to learn
you either choose God or not to believe in God
you choose serving the poor or not
Ecclesiastes 9:4
1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 
in 2010 -- take it 1 step at a time
1 -- have goals for your family
2 -- we know what we want to do, how to get there
3 -- pray
4 -- trust God and act on that goal

 

Ron Drabot     "it's time to get out of your cage"
Life fragile, life is short
life is something we need to take serious
went over the news stories of 2009

See those news stories - it's man without God -- Rom 1 man  (vs. 21-25)

If your Christianity is boring, you are not in step with the Spirit.  
Ron read the book "Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God" by Mark Batterson
"circumstantial instability" -- insecurity
what do you tend to do when things are uncertain?
we think negative
when things are uncertain, that's when the Holy Spirit is getting ready to take you on an adventure
many of us are asking the Spirit to do what we want
"it's time to get out of your cage"
living in Johannesburg, South Africa -- 30 bombs went off in public places in their first 30 days
How exciting that was!
They went to Kruger National Park - a South Africa safari the size of Connecticut, wild animals in their own habitat
animals in a zoo, bored in their cages -- just like some Christians  
Psalm 34: 7  
Those on the edge
Heb 1:14 
Is my angel yawning? 
such a tame and comfortable life
we need to get out of our comfort zone
we want to give our angel something to do in 2010
Ron appreciates all the people who use their gifts and talents in the Kingdom of God
need to serve in other areas we don't feel so strong in - then we'll rely on God
Matthew 19:16-22   
vs 20 -- what do I lack?   something was lacking.   You can't just avoid doing wrong.   You need to do adventures with God. 
Jesus invited the man to sell everything and follow Him.   Jesus knows where our security and identity are.   He challenges us to give it up. 
The rich young man wanted to stay in his cage, comfortable "Christian" life
That's so much to give up, but look at what Jesus is offering him
if Obama called Ron up, offered him to be the intern to the leaders of the country, he would jump at it.
if Michael Jordan called him up, be my understudy, I will teach you everything I know, he would jump at it.
if Michael Jackson called him up, before he died, learn to sing and dance, I will teach you everything, he would jump at it.
none of these compare to following Jesus.  Hear the teachings, see the miracles.  He could have travelled the world, preaching the gospel, like the other apostles did. 
2010 is before us, we don't have to say "what if", we can go for it.   The date of your death is not the day you physically die, the date of your death is the day you no longer have anything to live for. 
Jesus was so full of life because he had so much to live and die for.   He had so many to live and die for.  
We need to care enough to get in people's lives. 
This church is going to be turned upside down in 2010.  
Luke says "well done" - not well said or well thought
we need to have deeds
Christianity is a verb -- "acts"
what does your spiritual resume have on it from 2009?  
Ron wanted to show a video hear - AV not working.   Syd the Sloth wants to do something crazy, adopt some dinosaur eggs.  
Step out in faith and do something. 
Rom 4:18-22  

 

Gen 15:1-10  

 

Gen 18:11-15   

Abraham - God tells him he will have a child (Sarah is 65 years old)
you can't see God in your cage, only see the ceiling
Abraham stepped outside to count the stars
1 Tim 3:16 
Abraham knew faith wasn't logical or illogical, it's theological.   It adds God.
Sarah laughed, tired of waiting.  Some of us are tired of waiting.   God has the last laugh.  
Let God laugh with you instead of at you. 
name your son "Isaac"  -- laughter
Ron wanted to show a video of babies laughing (no AV), you can't help laughing when you watch it.
Does God need to restore laughter in your life?
There will be a lot of regional services in 2010.  
We are church of discipleship
John  13:34   Love one another
Rom 15:7  accept one another
Rom 15:14  instruct one another
2 Tim 3:
Col 3:16  teach one another
We need one another relationships in our lives
Ron challenges us to be in one another relationships, discipling
Do not be an island
Prov 24:6    
Prov 11:14 
James 5:16 
1 Cor 16:1-4  
 We need help, we need to hire more staff, we need great regional sites to rent or own.   Pray and give.