Results

from Ephesians 4:7-16

How to widen our front door.

Healthy fellowship is essential for church growth

Pastor Cheek continues the sermon series regarding revival/spiritual awakening.

Volunteerism is an essential component to fulfilling the mission of the church. Unfortunately, too often we volunteer without considering our gifting and calling. Soon our good intentions turn to feelings of obligation, then lack of fulfilment sets in, which always causes problems. In Acts 16, Paul finds a young man named Timothy who had significant leadership gifts. Timothy answer God’s call to lead and became one of the youngest leader of leaders the church has ever seen.

Volunteerism is an essential component to fulfilling the mission of the church. Unfortunately, too often we volunteer without considering our gifting and calling. Soon our good intentions turn to feelings of obligation, then lack of fulfilment sets in, which always causes problems. In Acts 16, Paul finds a young man named Timothy who had significant leadership gifts. Timothy answer God’s call to lead and became one of the youngest leader of leaders the church has ever seen.

Too often we spend far more time talking about change then actually making changes. At some point, we need to be honest with each other about where we’re at. At some point, a line has to be drawn and a decision has to be made. Church and ministry leaders need to champion this process in order to keep our churches moving forward with Gospel focus. In the last passage of Acts, the Apostle Paul does just that; ending the conversation and drawing a line.

Point to a healthy church and more than likely, its led by healthy leaders. But even healthy leaders can have set-backs, which can lead to stress and anxiety. If that leader’s not careful, burnout can be right around the corner. And that burnout can impact the entire congregation. How can we prevent ministry burnout? How do we restore someone who has burnt out? Today we look at the Acts account of John Mark, a leader who was burnt out but thankfully, restored.

There was a time in Canada when businesses were closed on Sundays, clubs and sports were sensitive when scheduling Sunday activities and church was the only place to be on a Sunday morning. Those days are gone. We have entered into a time of post-Christian culture. Church attendance throughout every denominations has given evidence to this trend. How do we respond? Is it an obstacle or an opportunity?

Too often we spend far more time talking about change then actually making changes. At some point, we need to be honest with each other about where we’re at. At some point, a line has to be drawn and a decision has to be made. Church and ministry leaders need to champion this process in order to keep our churches moving forward with Gospel focus. In the last passage of Acts, the Apostle Paul does just that; ending the conversation and drawing a line.

Sarcasm. Sorrow. Doesn't sound very uplifting. And it doesn't seem as though the apostles, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit would even use something as potentially damaging as sarcasm in their letters. But "desperate times call for desperate measures." What were the desperate times Paul and the Corinthians found themselves in? How can the Lord use this passage, to include sarcasm and sorrow, for our benefit? Come with the Grace United crew as we discover the value of Paul's use of sarcasm and his openness to discuss his sorrow over the Corinthians.

Life is full of tests. For most of us, tests are to be shunned, while others don't seem to mind so much. And those who don't mind are the ones who are prepared to take their tests. But like it or not, there is a test that every person on the planet must take. And pass. Eternity lliterally hangs in the balance. What is that test? How does one prepare for it? Most importantly how does one pass the test? Come with the Grace United crew as we discover, prepare for, and pass the only test that really matters.

Church growth is a huge topic. Seems as though everybody has some insight and advice about how to make "your church grow." What does it mean to grow the church? And does what we have heard for a LONG time square with Scripture? And how does that relate to what the Lord Jesus told us to do right before He went back to sit at the Father's right hand? Join the Grace United crew as we explore church growth, God's way.

A sermon that speaks to the importance of proclamation of the Gospel in the times in which we now live and why it is more personal than we may be inclined to believe.

Ephesians 4:11-16 gives us one of the clearest sustained articulations of the church’s mission and purposes in the whole New Testament. The passage articulates it a couple different ways, in v 13 and then again in v 16. The point of these verses is simple: We must aspire toward maturity as a church. How can we as a church grow in maturity? Paul gives several ways.

For those of you who couldn't make it, Pastor Scott from Grace Church of the Valley unpacked Ephesians this last Sunday night. As is fitting for an installation message, Pastor Scott exhorted GCV and GCMB concerning the life and unity of the body of Christ. If you haven't already, please listen to his encouragement for our growing church.

Jesus wants to teach us about... 1. The growth of His Kingdom (vs. 31-32). 2. The power of His Kingdom to change our lives (vs. 33). 3. The grace that gives us a place in His Kingdom (vs. 34-35). 4. The value of His Kingdom (vs. 44-46).

How can we be growing for the Lord? 1. Embrace each other (vs. 1). 2. Encourage each other (vs. 2). 3. Expect some changes in our plans (vs. 2-3). 4. Enlist more helpers (vs. 4-6). 5. Examine God's Word (vs. 7-8; 11). 6. Expect great things from God (vs. 7-12).

God will grow our church: 1. With the same kind of men (vs. 24-33). 2. With the same methods (vs. 23-24). 3. With the same message (vs. 34-36).

We are all called to serve God. It is wonderful when we do this as individuals. But it is vastly more powerful when we do it together. We need to know that our service for God has more impact when we serve with one another in unity.

God wants our church to grow! 1. So He stresses that no one is saved without Jesus (vs. 1-2). 2. He seeks to save the lost (vs. 3-8). 3. He stretches us to reach new people (vs. 9-16). 4. He sets-up divine appointments for us (vs. 17-23).

None of us are born in Christ as fully mature Christians. All of us are called to grow in Christ. To grow the Church of God we must Grow ourselves to be more Christ-like.

Title: Grasping Your Value Theme: Exercising True Church Membership Series: Essentials for Church Growth The passages of Scripture I am about to read is one of the most meaningful descriptions of the church of Jesus Christ. Therefore is it one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture that can be expounded…