Plugged In: The Power of Sharing

2016-08-28 
Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Memory Verse:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Over these couple of weeks, we’re taking some time, as we do each back to school season, to reflect on who we are as a church. We want to be sure that we are doing what we are called to do, focusing on the things that are important. Last week, Charles did a wonderful job of helping us to see the value in knowing God, of truly seeking Him out in our daily lives. This falls in line with our mission statement and our values.

To Change Our World By Developing Christ Followers Who Love God and Love People

Commitment to Scripture
Culture of Prayer
Lifestyle of Worship
Connected in Community
Heart for Serving
Passion for Sharing

These values and this mission statement are the core foundational statements for everything we do as a church. If we keep these at the forefront, God will use this church to continue impacting our world with the Gospel. Today, I want to focus on the passion for sharing.

2 Corinthians 5:11 (NLT)
Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Our mission statement is inspired by the words of Christ during His ministry on earth. In His words, He made it clear. CHANGE YOUR WORLD! To change your world…

1. It takes work

vs 11a Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others…

– changing our world doesn’t happen by accident
– it is NOT a natural occurrence that, given enough time, will just happen
– we must deliberately work at it

2. It takes commitment

14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.

– It is such an important distinction to make, HIS LOVE CONTROLS US
– It determines our actions AND our reactions!

3. It takes acceptance

16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

– Changing our world can never be an private event
– We must look at others and love others that way God does
– See them for who they are…people for whom Jesus died

4. It takes HIM!

19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

– Good deeds are important, charitable actions are vital, but ONLY THE GOSPEL can change the world
– New Creation
– What Jesus did on the cross for the sins of the world is the answer to every one of life’s problems and crises

5. It takes YOU!

20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

– He has sent you

Change your world…

Mark 16 – Go into all the world…

Acts 1 – you shall be witness to me in Jerusalem…
by developing Christ followers…

Matthew 28 – Go therefore…

who love God and love people.
Matt 22 – Love the Lord your God…