newlifepembrokepines

Advances the Kingdom

Series: The Church Jesus is Building 3/2/12 I noticed when watching the world cup last year, that the teams that kept on the offensive and kept the ball down at their opponents goal, were much more likely to win. If all a football team does is play defense, they will never score-all they are doing is protecting their end zone to keep the other team from scoring But to win a game you have to go on the offensive, you have to take the game to the other side of the field, to the opposing teams territory, to be able to score. Today, I want us to recognize that the church that Jesus is building is not a church on the defense, it is a church on the offense. We are not a church that is just fighting to hold the devil back, but we are a church that is moving forward to take new territory for God.  As we look at this passage of Scripture, we need to see the church Jesus is building is a church that advances the Kingdom of God.

Connected in Worship

Series: The Church Jesus is Building 3/18/12 These two passage (Matt 16:13-18; 1 Pet 2:5, 9) both speak of the primary purpose of the church Jesus is building and that purpose is worship. In John 4:23, Jesus plainly declared that God is actively at work in the world seeking true worshipers. The purpose for which we, the church, have been called out of the world is to worship God. That is the primary job description of a Christian, and the chief purpose of His church. We should declare that God is worthy; worth more than everything else put together. Matt 16:13-18 teaches us several vital principles about being a church that connects to God in worship.

Connecting in Ministry

Series: The Church Jesus is Building 3/11/12 Any time you set out to build something you need a blue print, a set of plans. Those blue prints not only define the shape and structure of the building, but they allow everyone involved in the project, to know exactly what to do.  Jesus, as the master designer, architect and builder of His church has provided just such a blue print in His word for the building of His church. Something we see clearly in this passage, as well as others, is that Jesus is building people who will build His church. Here in Eph 4, God provides the plan and pattern for building believers who will build His church. As we look at this passage, God reveals to us several vital truths that will build our lives, and build His church.  He reveals the gifts of ministry, the goals of ministry, and the growth process of ministry.

Extending the Kingdom

Series: The Church Jesus is Building 2/19/12 Peter reveals the two fold meaning of Jesus’ statement “Upon this rock I will build my church.”  First, Peter calls us “living stones.” We are the building materials that Jesus is using to build His church. Secondly, Jesus is the chief cornerstone that God has laid. A cornerstone was originally the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation.  It was very important since all other stones would be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position and strength of the entire structure. Jesus is the foundation upon which the church is built, that means that the church is shaped and defined by the character and mission of Christ. And that means that New Life must be shaped and defined by the character and mission of Christ. What does that look like?  What does it mean to be the church?  What are we suppose to doing as the church?  Why do are we to do it? These are all questions that we need to consider the morning, because we must understand our identity if we are to function properly.

Unstoppable

Series: I will Build My Church 2/12/12 It doesn’t matter what anybody thinks, it doesn’t matter what opposition may be encountered, it doesn’t matter what things may look like at the moment, Jesus declares “I will build my church!”  He believes so much in the church, he was willing to lay it all on the line for the church – Acts 20:28 says He purchased the church with His own blood.  He places great value on the church, He is completely committed to its success. He entrusted it to an unlikely band of disciples, a bunch of imperfect people, whom he defended, prayed for, and prepared to spread the gospel. To outsiders they (and we) might seem weak, inadequate, and even foolish. But Jesus, the architect of the church, that it is destined for greatness and it will stand throughout time, and it will prevail over all opposition. This applies to His Church universally and it applies to His church locally.  New Life, Pembroke Pines, was included in that statement, when Jesus declared it. As we consider this powerful declaration of Jesus, it reveals to us three truths that should give us great confidence as we move forward as a church, to the fulfillment of the vision that God has given us.

Engaged in Relationship

Series: The Church Jesus is Building 3/4/12 1 Pet 2:9-10 tells us that the church Jesus is building centers upon the formation of a new people that did not previously exist.  The church is not a host of individual Christians independently following God who happen to gather together one or two times a week around an activity of singing or hearing a message.  No, when we get saved not only are we brought into relationship with God, but we are brought into relationship with those who also have a relationship with God to demonstrate to the world what Kingdom life looks like. The church is  people engaged in relationship with one another.  We are a community of faith. As we look at this passage of Scripture, we want to hear what God is saying to us about being the church.

I Will Build My Church

Series: The Church Jesus is Building 1/29/12 The church is the central focus in the outworking of God’s eternal purpose in the world. The church is the agent of God’s Kingdom, to defeat the works of darkness in the lives of individuals, in communities and the world, and to establish the righteous reign of God. Jesus said it this way:  I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matt 16:18). That is what He is doing. That’s where His focus lies. So as we begin our vision series this year, our focus is on the church Christ is building. God’s eternal purpose centers on Christ and His Church. If we want our lives to count for eternity; if we want our lives to make a difference for God; we’ve got to get a hold of God’s vision and purpose for His church and live accordingly. So today we are going to be looking at the church Christ is building.

A Corporate Altar

Series:  Build an Altar 1/22/12 Fire fell from heaven upon the altar in the OT Tabernacle, when the people of God gathered at the altar to offer sacrifices in worship to God. That fire still falls today when God’s people gather around the altar to worship Him. It is a holy fire, a supernatural fire; a fire that sets our souls ablaze for God and His purposes. It consecrates us to devote ourselves fully to God and His work. That fire is ignited by God, but God’s command to us is to keep the fire burning, to never let the fire on the altar go out!!! This was a corporate altar where all of Israel gathered to worship, and God is calling us to keep the flame of our corporate altar burning and never let it go out. When the fire fell in Leviticus it was a corporate time of worship, and when the fire fell on Pentecost it was a corporate time of prayer and worship.  Keeping the fire of the altar burning is the key to the power and presence of God in our midst.   It is the key to us becoming a light to the nations. It is the key to the church operating in power to see impact in our community and the world.

A Family Altar

Series: Build An Altar 1/15/12 A family altar transforms marriages, transforms children, transforms churches and transforms communities.  Yet it is amazing how few Christian families take this seriously and actually practice it regularly, thought it is the best guarantee: to have a godly and lasting marriage; to have children that will serve the Lord through their teen years and into adulthood; to have a family that is a testimony for Christ; and to have a family that is growing and vibrant spiritually, and is healthy enough to dedicate themselves to serving the Lord and making a difference for His Kingdom, rather than just surviving their struggles. For that reason, today we want to consider the precedence (importance) of the family altar, the power of the family altar, and the practice of the family altar (how to establish a family altar).

A Personal Altar

Series: Build an Altar 1/8/12 Anyone who neglects to build an altar, anyone who neglects to daily meet with God, to worship and seek Him, is walking on a dangerous road. For Abraham, building an altar was a lifestyle. He teaches us the importance of building a personal altar in our lives. I am not speaking of constructing some type of religious structure in your home to display crosses or icons. I am talking about daily dedicating a specific time and place as sacred, for you to seek the Lord. Abraham’s life was characterized by 4 altars, each of which reveals a different dimension of what is involved in building a personal altar, or establishing a time of daily personal devotions.