Starting Sunday, May 16, Lifepointe will offer....
WORSHIP at 10:30 AM
Bible Study and Discussion at 9:00 AM
Kidzone and nursery all morning.
For more on Lifepointe Church in Carmel, IN, see our website:
www.lifepointeindy.com
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Above All
In Phil 1:27-28, Paul shows three pictures - images - in teaching on church health. He shows an illustration of a citizen, then of an athletic team, then of a 'game face.' He teaches three priorities to church health in times of opposition --
1. Behavior that is in keeping with being a citizen of heaven.
2. Teamwork that moves the purpose of the church forward despite opposition.
3. Confidence and poise even when the adversary appears.
A lot is packed into those two verses. And a lot is 'hidden' from the English translation reader because the images are visible in the original Greek words and their usage in the day.
But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul clears away the underbrush and shows us clearly the minefield that undermines the effectiveness of a church for the gospel. Just take the three health given behaviors and turn them on their heads and you'll see what distracts and sometimes destroys a church.
1. Bad behavior. Behavior that is unbecoming of a believer. Behaviors, attitudes, and speech patterns that do not reflect the character of Christ. The gospel is dismissed or even ridiculed when non-believers watch or listen to so called Christians who's lifestyles, speech and attitudes are ungodly.
If the gospel has any hope of gaining footing among people 25 and under in the USA - aside from a miracle moving of God's sovereign grace - it will require 'church people' to start living out of Holy Spirit empowered love and acceptance of people who are not yet Christians. It will require radical kindness and graceful communication of the truth. But it all starts with living a life that attractively godly and distinctive.
2. Disunity and factions. This has been Satan's secret weapon for ages: "divide and conquer." Sow some dissension over here, a little discord over there, seed in some doubt, questioning and grumbling. Next thing you know that church is no longer functioning as a unified team, all pulling in the same direction. No longer reaching out in a cooperative way. No longer welcoming in in an accepting way.
The energy of leadership is sapped and the morale of the congregation wanes.
3. Ignorance of spiritual opposition or, worse, fear of entering the arena. It's amazing how many people have no idea that there is even a battle going on. It's disheartening when half of 'God's army' is untrained, ill equipped and seemingly unarmed. But more disturbing are the number of believers who 'tuck their tails' any time someone opposes their faith - or anytime spiritual warfare breaks out.
So Paul, writing from prison in Rome, makes it clear that for the gospel to advance - it must be advanced by a church that is made up of people who exhibit character, cooperation and confidence.
May God grant it.
To hear Pastor Woody's sermon on this scripture, click HERE after Monday, May 3.
1. Behavior that is in keeping with being a citizen of heaven.
2. Teamwork that moves the purpose of the church forward despite opposition.
3. Confidence and poise even when the adversary appears.
A lot is packed into those two verses. And a lot is 'hidden' from the English translation reader because the images are visible in the original Greek words and their usage in the day.
But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul clears away the underbrush and shows us clearly the minefield that undermines the effectiveness of a church for the gospel. Just take the three health given behaviors and turn them on their heads and you'll see what distracts and sometimes destroys a church.
1. Bad behavior. Behavior that is unbecoming of a believer. Behaviors, attitudes, and speech patterns that do not reflect the character of Christ. The gospel is dismissed or even ridiculed when non-believers watch or listen to so called Christians who's lifestyles, speech and attitudes are ungodly.
If the gospel has any hope of gaining footing among people 25 and under in the USA - aside from a miracle moving of God's sovereign grace - it will require 'church people' to start living out of Holy Spirit empowered love and acceptance of people who are not yet Christians. It will require radical kindness and graceful communication of the truth. But it all starts with living a life that attractively godly and distinctive.
2. Disunity and factions. This has been Satan's secret weapon for ages: "divide and conquer." Sow some dissension over here, a little discord over there, seed in some doubt, questioning and grumbling. Next thing you know that church is no longer functioning as a unified team, all pulling in the same direction. No longer reaching out in a cooperative way. No longer welcoming in in an accepting way.
The energy of leadership is sapped and the morale of the congregation wanes.
3. Ignorance of spiritual opposition or, worse, fear of entering the arena. It's amazing how many people have no idea that there is even a battle going on. It's disheartening when half of 'God's army' is untrained, ill equipped and seemingly unarmed. But more disturbing are the number of believers who 'tuck their tails' any time someone opposes their faith - or anytime spiritual warfare breaks out.
So Paul, writing from prison in Rome, makes it clear that for the gospel to advance - it must be advanced by a church that is made up of people who exhibit character, cooperation and confidence.
May God grant it.
To hear Pastor Woody's sermon on this scripture, click HERE after Monday, May 3.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Cruise of a Lifetime
BIBLELAND'S CRUISE
November 11-23, 2010
Join me for the "Trip of a Lifetime" to all the best New Testament sites from Jerusalem in Israel to Mars Hill in Athens, Greece.
Get all of the details by clicking HERE
or
linking from the calendar page of www.lifepointeindy.com
and
Attend the no obligation INFORMATIONAL MEETING
this Sunday, May 2, 12:15 PM, Lifepointe Church
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Stellar Sunday
Congrats to Jim Clayton and Journey Church in Franklin, IN for a stellar Easter Sunday!
Journey launched last September and already has been averaging 220. A strong and essential start. Studies of thousands of church starts have shown that churches that do not break 200 in the first three years are not likely to ever do so. Now, six months after their launch, Journey had 356 on Easter! Jim hadn't gotten the final count but it appears that something near a dozen people accepted Christ as Savior!
It's wonderful to hear the excitement in Jim's voice, a note of amazement at what God is doing there in that small town. As a member of Jim's Board, I can see the ways that the story is amazing. For one, Jim had preached a total of six sermons in his life - three of them in preaching class - before starting Journey. But he is has a genuine love for the Lord and lost people and naturally connects with them.
What's more, in the days leading up to the launch, Jim's father died. Then a key launch team family left in a huff because he moved the worship time to 11 AM instead of a tad earlier. And then just after the launch, he and Jodi had their first baby. The emotions were all over the board. But Jim never lost focus on his vision for Journey Church in Franklin.
I know, because I see the books, that the current giving at his church is minimal as most of his congregation has no idea about giving to a church. Jim takes no salary. In fact, Jim has personally provided much of the church's first year income. That has to stop soon, we have advised, but my point is that Jim is fully invested, he's all-in.
And his people are all-in. Together they are on their way to a great church-chart story.
Congrats to Jim and Jodi and Franklin Church for 356 on Easter.
Journey launched last September and already has been averaging 220. A strong and essential start. Studies of thousands of church starts have shown that churches that do not break 200 in the first three years are not likely to ever do so. Now, six months after their launch, Journey had 356 on Easter! Jim hadn't gotten the final count but it appears that something near a dozen people accepted Christ as Savior!
It's wonderful to hear the excitement in Jim's voice, a note of amazement at what God is doing there in that small town. As a member of Jim's Board, I can see the ways that the story is amazing. For one, Jim had preached a total of six sermons in his life - three of them in preaching class - before starting Journey. But he is has a genuine love for the Lord and lost people and naturally connects with them.
What's more, in the days leading up to the launch, Jim's father died. Then a key launch team family left in a huff because he moved the worship time to 11 AM instead of a tad earlier. And then just after the launch, he and Jodi had their first baby. The emotions were all over the board. But Jim never lost focus on his vision for Journey Church in Franklin.
I know, because I see the books, that the current giving at his church is minimal as most of his congregation has no idea about giving to a church. Jim takes no salary. In fact, Jim has personally provided much of the church's first year income. That has to stop soon, we have advised, but my point is that Jim is fully invested, he's all-in.
And his people are all-in. Together they are on their way to a great church-chart story.
Congrats to Jim and Jodi and Franklin Church for 356 on Easter.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Broke 1000
My friend J R Lee continues to lead his new church start to Kingdom success. Just two years into their journey, they broke 1000 for the first time on Easter. 139 first time guests. 39 people accepted Christ.
So great to see a congregation so captured with the vision of reaching their community for Christ. As he wrote just a week or so ago, he credits much of the success to the congregation being "inviting machines." See the link to their church on the right side of this page: Freedom Church, Acworth, GA.
Congrats to J R and his team for a job well done on Easter Sunday!
So great to see a congregation so captured with the vision of reaching their community for Christ. As he wrote just a week or so ago, he credits much of the success to the congregation being "inviting machines." See the link to their church on the right side of this page: Freedom Church, Acworth, GA.
Congrats to J R and his team for a job well done on Easter Sunday!
Cruise to Best NT sites
BIBLELAND'S CRUISE
November 11-23, 2010
Join me for the "Trip of a Lifetime" to all the best New Testament sites from Jerusalem in Israel to Mars Hill in Athens, Greece.
Get all of the details by clicking HERE
or
linking from the calendar page of www.lifepointeindy.com
Saturday, April 3, 2010
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