SUNDAY SERMON PREP for March 23, 2014 (Expository Preaching from - TopicsExpress

SUNDAY SERMON PREP for March 23, 2014 (Expository Preaching from the Gospel of John) - Studying John 1:43-51 today. Preparing to Preach and Teach on the subject of: Jesus Calls Philip and Nathaniel. As we are completing chapter one (1) going into chapter two (2), the Lord has revealed some great truths about Christs ministry of outreach. It is a Pattern of Consistency in Evangelism is what I am learning and picking up from Jesus calling of His disciples. The same identical way Christ called Andrew and Simon (Peter) in John 1:35-42, is the same way Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel in John 1:43-51. Which tells me, Jesus way works. It tells me that if it aint broke, it doesnt need fixing, and if it worked for Jesus, it can work for us. Here are some principles that I picked up over the past two days of studying Scripture. First of all 1.) Jesus sought (went to, found, recruited) them. Jesus didnt wait for them to come to church or come to salvation. He went after them. Ministry should be pro-active not reactive. It is not the job of the pastor to go and get members, it is the responsibility of all the saints, Christians, and believers to evangelize; 2.) Jesus taught (instructed) them. He equipped them for ministry. He made sure they understood what ministry is all about. Before one can be sent out for evangelism, there must be an understanding of what salvation is all about. Every member needs personal instruction on what they believe about salvation. Within that instruction, Jesus help them to affirm and realize that He is the Messiah (or Son of God). Jesus is the only One to everlasting life. They must understand that. Not the government, not wealth, not personal success but a life - followship of Christ. Jesus told each of them that He was the very thing they had been seeking. He was the missing blessing in their lives. Once they understood who Jesus was, they were motivated and inspired by Jesus to do HIS Fathers work; 3.) Then he sent them. Ministry is not about staying in the four walls of the church building but it is about becoming mobilized for Christ to win more souls to BECOME the church. The church is the gathering of Baptized believers. Not made of brick and mortar. Not made with mans hands; 4.) Then Christ taught them to duplicate what HE did. He taught them to duplicate the whole entire process over again what He did. Not what man does to recruit people. To me, that is true Biblical church growth. It is Not how many people join the church, Not how much money you collect on Sunday, it is Not about how many people we feed, how many peoples rent or light bills we pay, it isnt about how many bags of clothes we give out, it isnt about how we march or fight against social issues in the culture, it isnt about who gets into public government office, it isnt how much money we can raise or chicken dinners we can sell for the building fund, it is Not about how many people are on the church roll for bragging rights, it isnt how many people show up on Sunday, it is Not how many people speak in tongues or are slayed in the spirit, it is NOT how about a man made ministry measurements of spiritual success. Biblically, it is about how we continue to go out and make disciples by sharing Christ with a lost world. It is about the obedience of Gods children sharing the life - changing Gospel with those who are hungry for Jesus who is the living bread. Those particular numbers will never show up on a Sunday or on ministry success spreadsheet. Father I pray that mans ambition will never be tied to their futile efforts but will always be exacted by how we honor and glorify you in our ministry of discipleship. In Jesus name....Amen. Love you all. Pastor Keith E. Gordon