Power of Testimony-Connection 5-3-09
The Power of Testimony and Connection
5-3-09
AS we approach table of Communion today
· Want to reflect a bit on what God has been doing in our midst
· God is doing great things
· April was an amazing month
o God doing amazing things in this season
DEBRIEF
· God is doing a good thing in the body
What I want to do today is reflect a bit on the journey we are on
· Highlight some of the themes He is working in our midst
· Where He’s taking us—link us with vision for what’s ahead it to our communion
Many times God Speaks to our lives when we stand back look
· See HS Patterns
What I want to do is look at 3 things we walked through this last month as church
· Link together
· See a greater message of what Lord is doing in our midst
· Keys we move forward
· Rez Sunday— Testimony (DEFINE)
o REVELATION 12:10
Power of the Cross
o Power of testimonies
o Transparency
· Summarize:
o Power of testimony: not saying better/smarter
o I’m just a beggar who found food
§ Helping others to find it
Remember Testimony
· SHARE testimony
· Let God give you NEW Testimony
As I reflect on this—on the EFFECT of TESTIMONY
· Reminded of fact: More than just salvation—but our journey
· Telling our story—showing journey
· Testimony more than salvation
·
Layers of our testimony develop each day
· Feel like Jesus saying message of the cross is to continue throughout our journey
· But we need to SHARE our story
· Not just salvation—one day this happened thing
· Not just professional testimony folk
o But normal/flawed people
o Just like you and me
Testimony more than salvation
That God is doing something with this in this hour
· Wants us to share journey with each other
· Share TESTIMONY
Revelation overcome by blood of lamb, word of testimony
· FPU—Sun nights
· Best Financial
o Each week one assignment
o Tools
o Maybe testimony??
Power in walking journey each week
· Praying
· Not something to keep to self
· Ps 78:4
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
[1]
Praise needs to not just be VERTICAL—but HORIZONTAL
· Define
· Horizontal: Church—each other—family—WORLD
ENEMY AFRAID OF TESTIMONY—not politically correct
· ENCOURAGES one another
o ‘One Another Scriptures’
When you give OUT testimony—make way for NEW testimony!!
· Seeing change
· Walking together is KEY difference
World hungry for REAL Answers
Summarize: God speaking about TESTIMONY
· Something FRESH
· A lot of times we go around in life wearing WRONG Testimony!
· Discovering wrong message on our cardboard (often we are oblivious)
· Letting Him write New!
God is speaking something to usabout testimony
· Wants to open our mouths
· Creates Hope
· ROMANS 10:17: Faith comes by HEARING—Word Fleshed out—Glory Beheld
We need to HEAR and SPEAK testimony
· It gives hope
· God is saying—Church—pick up your testimony!
· ‘Testimony of Jesus’????
That work CONTINUED at
· Men’s Retreat—
· Great weekend
o Know most of you didn’t go—let me describe
God doing good thing with men in church—something powerful
· Growing comradery
· Men of God—diff seasons in life—diff places with God
· Soundness—strength
· That was reflected in weekend
God built on Testimony word
· SUMMARIZE: Connection
· One another
· Write words—Matt/me message
· Good confession (Sunday AM)
o Power of Fellowship
o Power of playing together
o Praying Together
o Give testimony about what God did for us
Connection—TAKES TIME—HAPPENS OVER JOURNEY
· God bringing connection to BOC
· See it expressed LOTS of places
o Small groups—examples
o God wants to connect BOC
o We are BOC
o Amputation not good—connection—great!
o Sharing lives together
Connection takes time—natural process
· Have to give opportunity for it
· Builds naturally
· Wick Wax
· Develop
· Scriptures
Staying power
· Men’s Breakfast this week
· Jake’s Ordination—EXPANDING Mantles of Ministry in this Hour —New anointing—launching
· Define ‘MANTLES’
o Powerful morning service—Jake’s Testimony
o More than just Jake/Mandy—God bringing greater mantle on church
o We are all called to ministry
o Sunday PM: Powerful service
§ Worship
§ Word—develop—executive eldership
§ Fresh Mantle—Jake/Mandy
§ Fresh Mantle on church
Priesthood scripture
* You have not chosen me
TI Quotes
· Connotation
· Word
Called to be in the Field Together
· If there has ever been an hour
Reaching world in practical ways
· Spiritual ways
· 2 Services Vision
· Parking Lot Ministry Shout Out
· Special Needs Service
· Summer Vision, LGH
o Internship
o Leadership development
· Physical Needs/Transformation here at church this summer—new season
**
Communion—Come forward to receive
· Elders/Pastors Blessing—Impartation
· ????
· Who’s leading worship???
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[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ps 78:4). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.