8/31/07

In my devotion time today (2 KIngs 9 ff) The overwhelming lesson is from God’s relationship with the Kings through the prophets. We know of and are very greatful today for God’s mercy and grace through Jesus. But even so we still, in many ways, reap what we sew. The “good kings” were blessed by God and the “bad kings” recieved His punishment.

As church leaders we need His blessing and direction as much or even more than other Christians. We need to learn to trust Him COMPLETELY. We need to diligently seek His face. His direction and leadership. Even though faith is a gift from God. (“He gives to every man a measure of faith.”} we need to develop a strong faith  that sees God working in our everyday life.

I know you , like me, want to hear our Father’s “well done good and faithful servant.” and bear much fruit.

Together, seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

8/29/07

Just a quick note to thank you Church Encouragement Bloggers for your positive response. We began this blog site in March and have now progressed to about 1000 hits per month. You folks have been the ones to help get the word out. Thank you!  To keep this blog site helpful and meeting current needs with church leaders,  I really need your comments! (1) Comment if something is helpful to you. (2) Suggestion comments for topics I have not covered or you need more detail on. and (3) Criticism comments of any kind.  Just hit comments at the bottom of any post and go from there. 

Together, seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

Encouragement Sermon 4

“God Has A Word Of Encouragement For You – Know What It is?”

 

TEXT – Isaiah 40

INTRODUCTION

The world is hard on Christians. Can come to church battered and bruised. Some times its from without and some times within.

From Within:

*Rejected in a time of need.

*If they’re not on the inner circle they’re treated as if they aren’t important..

*Instead of help to overcome – pressed toward bitterness and hatred for the church.

*Not given opportunity to be a part.

*Careless words that bite and wound.

*Dealing with the struggles of life and getting no help.

From Without:

Battles you’re fighting in your own life.

I. Encouragement from Isaiah 40

Vs. 1 – “Our God has said, “Encourage my people! Give them comfort. Speak kindly to Jerusalem and announce your slavery is past; your punishment is over.”

 

Vs. 3 – “Clear a path . . . for the Lord our God.”

We need to be encouraged so we will accomplish God’s purposes. We limit living productive lives when we are discouraged.

 

Vs. 5 “Then the glory of the Lord will appear for all to see, the Lord has promised this.” Glorify the Lord when we are encouraged.

 

Vs. 6 “What should I shout!” When you really feel good! So encouraged you feel like shouting!

 

Vs. 8 “Shout . . . What our Lord has said will never change!”

 

Vs. 9 Be encouraged because there is good news.

Shout it as loud as you can!

Don’t be afraid to shout. Your God is here.”

 

Vs. 10 “The powerful Lord God is coming to rule.” Hope when the world seems so messed up. “He rewards his people.”

 

Vs. 11 “The Lord cares. Just as shepherds care for their flocks. He carries the lambs in His arms. While gently leading.”

 

Vs. 18 “Who compares with God. – Is anything like Him.?”

 

Vs. 21 “Isn’t it clear that God created the world? God is the one who rules the whole earth.”

 

Vs. 29 “The Lord gives strength to those who are weary.”

 

 

Chapter 41:6 & 7 “comfort each other saying don’t worry.”

“Encourage one another and say “We’ve done a great job.”

 

Vs. 10 “Don’t be afraid. I will make you strong and protect you and give you victories.

 

Vs. 16 Then you will celebrate and praise me your Lord.”

 

 

 

II. Encouragement by learning Who We Are In Christ

CONCLUSION

Isaiah 40:31

“But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.”

Encouragemnt Sermon 3

“Blessed By His Church”

 

INTRODUCTION

 

I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE CHURCH?

Mat. 16:18 – Jesus built His church

Mat. 16:18 – Built on the rock, that He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.

Mat. 16:18 – The gates of Hell will not prevail against it.

Acts 2:47 – The Lord adds to the church those that are being saved.

Acts 20:28 – He purchased the church with His own blood.

Eph. 1:22.23 – Jesus the head of the church His body.

Eph. 5:22 – Christ is the head of the church.

Eph. 5:25 – Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it.

Eph. 5:29 – He feeds and cares for His church.

Heb. 10:25 – Not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

Rev. 2 & 3 – Jesus gave seven messages to the church.

Most of the New Testament written to the church.

II. WHAT CAN THE CHURCH DO FOR YOU?

1. It offers you encouragement.

2. It offers help to strengthen your faith.

3. It helps you grow and mature as a Christian.

4. It offers teaching to learn more of God and His ways.

5. It offers admonishment where needed.

6. It provides fellowship with other believers.

7. It helps keep your life focused and your priorities straight.

8. It assists in worship and praise.

9. It provides communion to remember Jesus and the cross.

10. It provides the opportunity to give of your tithes and offerings.

11. It provides help with the struggles of life.

12. It provides the opportunity to pray together with other believers.

13. It is a family.

14. It is an opportunity to use our gifts, to serve.

15. It is God’s means of accomplishing His work in the world.

III. THE SERVICE THIS MORNING – NOTING THE BLESSINGS OF THE CHURCH 1. The special music

2. The singing of the songs.

3. The prayer time.

4. The offering.

4. The communion time.

5. The preaching

6. The invitation.

CONCLUSION -SENTENCE TESTIMONIES OF WHAT THE CHURCH MEANS TO YOU. (HOW IT HAS BLESSED YOU.)

8/24/07

Today I started adding Encouragement Sermons.          (2 so far.) As I cut and paste them into a post, the formatting is messed up. To straighten the formatting is quite a bit of work that I am not willing to do at this time. As you cut and paste them for your own use, you can format them as you like. Thank you for bearing with me.

I SEEK YOUR COMMENTS.  AT THE END OF EACH POST IS THE WORD COMMENTS,  JUST CLICK ON THAT AND TAKE IT FROM THERE.  IT’S EASY AND SUCH A BLESSING TO US. THANK YOU.

Together, seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry

Encouragement Sermon 2

God Is Not Out To Get You !(How God wants to bless you) Introduction God does chastise those He loves.            Hebrews 12:5,6 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:            “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” We do reap what we sow.       Galatians 5:8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; 

      Some times we get wrong picture of God. Like He is out to get us.  God is not out to get us! In fact, it’s just the opposite, He wants to bless us.

 Let’s Identify some of the things God likes to do for His people       1. He likes to build us up.                         (That you might be built up)            2. He likes to encourage us.                         (Encourage one another)            3. He likes to bless us. (Beatitudes)            4. He likes to strengthen us.                         (Joshua strong and of good courage.)            5. He likes to heal us. (Ezekiel)            6. He likes to restore us.   (Ezekiel)            7. He likes to give us hope.            8, He likes to give us peace.            9. He likes to give us comfort.            10. He likes to give us joy.            11. He likes to forgive us.            12. He wants us to have the abundant life.          CONCLUSIONWhat happens when we see the way God works in our lives?       1. It causes us to praise & glorify Him.            2. It causes us to thank Him.            3. It gives us an exciting testimony.                        You know what God did for me?

Encouragement Sermon 1

“The Joy of DiscoveringAll That Jesus Has Done For You” Introduction            *Your love for Jesus grows deeper as you discover all that He has done for you.            *You know that He died on the cross.            *You know that He paid the terrible price for your sins            *You know that He has gone to prepare a -place for you in Heaven.            *You may have discovered that He made salvation a free gift.            *You may have discovered how He left the Holy Spirit to empower your Christian life.            *You know that He made it possible, by using His name to talk to the Father in prayer any time you want to.            BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE DISCOVERED YET. I.  HE JUSTIFIED YOU*Denotes the act of pronouncing righteous.           *The establishment of a person as just by                            acquittal from guilt.             Romans 4:25 “ . . . was raised to life for our justification.”  II.  HE SANCTIFIED YOU            *Separated to God             I Peter 1:2  -  “ . through the sanctifying work of the Spirit ”            III.  HE ADOPTED YOU            “-the place and condition of a son given to one whom it does not naturally belong.”             Romans 8:15 “ . . . you received the Spirit of son ship.” IV.  HE RECONCILED YOU        “To change from enmity to friendship.”             II Corinthians 5:19  - “that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. . . “            V.  HE REDEEMED YOU          “Purchasing a slave with a view to his freedom.”               Galatians 3:13 “ . . . Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, . . . “ VI.  HE MADE YOU RIGHTEOUS            “Just, without prejudice or partiality.”             II Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” VII.  HE MADE YOU A JOINT HEIR            “Co-inheritor with Jesus”              Romans 8:17 “ . . .  If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”                         VIII.  HE MADE YOU A SAINT            “holy ones”   (holy = separated to God)             II Thessalonians 1:10 – “ . . .in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” CONCLUSIONOh the joy of discovering all that Jesus has done for you            1.  He justified you – made you righteous            2.  He sanctified you – separated you to God.            3.  He adopted you – made you a son.            4.  He reconciled you – made you a friend.            5.  He redeemed you – purchased you & set you free            6.  He made you righteous – “just” – - – like Jesus            7.  He made you a joint heir – co-inheritor with Jesus            8.  He made you a saint – holy unto God Doesn’t that make you want to love Him more?Doesn’t that make you want to praise Him more?Doesn’t that make you want to serve Him more?Doesn’t that make you want others to know about Him – more? THAT’S NOT ALL . . .AS YOU LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFEYOU LEARN MORE AND MOREOF WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR YOU  The Joy Of DiscoveringAll That Jesus Has Done For You

Job Descriptions

The list of “Job Descriptions”is now complete: Preacher, Elder, Deacon, Teacher, Education Director, Church Secretary, Youth Minister and Church Custodian.  All found under the CATEGORY  -  JOB DESCRIPTIONS.

Youth Minister Job Discription

Youth Minister Job Description

  1.  Attend weekly staff meeting and other appropriate meetings.  2.  Monthly youth newspaper and/or mail-out.  3.  Coordinate all youth work.    A.  Recruitment and training of sponsors.    B.  Junior youth group.    C.  Junior High youth group.    D.  Senior High youth group.  4.  Key emphasis for youth.    A.  Leading non-Christians to accept Christ.    B.  Keep all programs Bible centered.    C.  Involve the youth in worship and service.    D.  Guiding youth in their spiritual growth:            a. To become soul winners.            b. To be students of and fall in love with the Bible.            c. To have an effective prayer life.            d. To learn the joy of giving.            e. To live the Christ centered life,  falling in love with Him.            f. To learn to stand alone for Jesus.            g. To discover their Spiritual Gift.            h. To find an area of Christian service.    E.  Guide youth toward camp and Bible College.  5.  Develop a youth mailing and prospect list.  6.  Have an annual youth revival.  7.  Lead in a weekly youth Bible study and prayer time.  8.  Work directly under the senior minister.  9.  Promote and be involved in area church youth activities.10.  Preaching opportunities mutually worked out with senior minister.11.  Special youth nights four times a year.12.  Weekly article for church news letter.13.  Welcome to have part in any community organizations and meetings that the senior minister is a part of:  Ministerial Association etc.14.  Prepare for annual planning meeting.  Evaluate, set goals, choose methods and delegate follow through and annual budget.

Custodian Job Descriiption

Custodian’s Job Description

  1.  General cleanliness of all buildings.

  2.  Rest rooms cleaned weekly.

       (Bowls, mirrors, toilets, urinals and floors.)

  3.  Locking and unlocking doors.  (Half an hour before and after services unless otherwise arranged.)

  4.  Heat set at 72 degrees all year around.

  5.  Turn on lights thirty minutes before services.

  6.  Setting up and taking down of tables and chairs.  (Check with the deacons.)

  7.  Vacuum the auditorium weekly.  (Check hymn books, silent roll call cards           

            etc.   Good general appearance.  - Check with the deacons.)

  8.  Check with the staff about cleaning their offices.

  9.  Keep hall ways waxed and/or buffed.

10.  General appearance of outside of building.  Parking lot,  lawns,  shrubs  etc.           

            (Check with deacons and/or trustees.)

 11.  All hard surface floors washed and waxed every three months.  Swept weekly.  (Check weekly for exceptions as needed.)

12.  Wash all windows inside and out every six months. (Check with the deacons.)

13.  Put all trash out according to weekly scheduled pick up.