Category: Discipleship

Church Revitalization & The Great Commission

Posted in Church Consulting, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, Evangelism, PreachingLeave a comment

priorityThe past few weeks I have been privileged to travel around Kentucky and speak to several pastors at the annual gathering of their associations.  As I began to pray about what I should share with them, God laid Matthew 28:16-20 on my heart.  Although He had been teaching and modeling “The Great Commission” principles for the last 3 1/2 years with the disciples, since they were so important, He gave them a final, post-resurrection reminder!  Here’s my sermon in a nutshell:

16  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) 

 Three Post-Resurrection Reminders for the Disciples

1.  He reminded them about His POWER.   Jesus had already taught and demonstrated His power to the disciples.  They were there when He gave sight to the blind.  They watched the infected skin of the lepers become perfect and unblemished.  They heard him yell, “Lazarus, come forth!”  They’re looking at him, now alive, after coming back from the dead, yet He STILL reminded them about His power.  He said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Vs. 19).  “His authority or power in his earthly life had been great. Now it is boundless and includes earth and heaven” (A.T. Robertson).  WHY?  Why did Jesus feel the need to remind them one more time?  Jesus knew there would be times in the future when the disciples would need every possible reminder of His power!

2.  He reminded them about his PRIORITY.  In this reminder, we find the keys to unlock church growth and revitalization.  Forgetting to focus on God’s priority ensures that a church will not flourish in the eyes of God.  He told them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Vv. 19-20).  In other words, Jesus reminded them that His priority was for them to focus on evangelism and discipleship!  When churches place priorities above evangelism and discipleship they are destined for decline.

3.  He reminded them about His PRESENCE.  He said, “….I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Vs. 20).  They spent the last 3 1/2 years with Jesus.  With His presence, they had gone through storms, faced persecution, walked on water, but now, He was going away.  Jesus knew that they needed to be reminded about His continuing presence through the Holy Spirit.  It seems to me that Matthew 28:20 links back to Matthew 1:23 where the angel announced “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us.)”  What a glorious way to begin this Gospel account and what a glorious way to close this Gospel account, GOD IS WITH US!

Churches should continually focus on evangelism and discipleship with the knowledge that God is all-powerful in helping the church fulfill His priority while assuring His presence during the process!  TO HIM BE PRAISE!!!

I Am A Church Member (Thom S. Rainer)

Posted in Assimilation, Book Reviews, Church Chat, Church Consulting, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry, Preaching, WorshipLeave a comment

Church MemberThe last few months I have been serving as the interim pastor of one of our fine Kentucky Baptist Convention churches.  I celebrate that the church recently called a sharp, young pastor who will lead them well in the coming years.

My last four Sunday messages I am choosing to preach through the passages and main points that Dr. Thom S. Rainer makes in his helpful new book, I Am A Church Member.  In his book, Rainer revisits the Biblical responsibilities of those who are privileged to be members of a local church.  He encourages each church member to make the following five pledges:

  1. I will be a functioning church member.
  2. I will be a unifying church member.
  3. I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires.
  4. I will pray for my church leaders.
  5. I will lead my family to be healthy church members.
  6. I will treasure church membership as a gift.

Here’s a little sample from page 6 of Rainer’s book:

“God did not give us local churches to become country clubs where membership means we have privileges and perks.  He places us in churches to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach, to give, and, in some cases, to die for the sake of the Gospel….Many churches are weak because we have members who have turned the meaning of membership upside down.  It’s time to get it right.  It’s time to become a church member as God intended.  It’s time to give instead of being entitled.”

Pick up a copy of this book today!  As a matter of fact, pick up several copies.  They can be purchased from your Lifeway Store for $5 each when purchased in multiples of 20.  May the Lord use this timely book to renew our understanding of and commitment to God’s local church!

The Key to Keep Church Guests Coming Back

Posted in Assimilation, Book Reviews, Church Chat, Church Consulting, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, WorshipLeave a comment

fallsemester_serve2Let’s continue to look at Nelson Searcy’s rockin’ assimilation book, Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church. Today, we will look at God’s assimilation plan discussed in chapter 2.

But before we get into our discussion, let me encourage you to check out his blog and the free stuff that he is providing to help churches in their work for the Lord. Here are some helpful links to his website:

. . . . Now, on with the discussion. In chapter 2, Searcy wrote,

God has not only given us the responsibility of being hospitable to His guests, but He has also given us the perfect example of how to go about it. Jesus came to the earth to serve, not to be served. Throughout the New Testament, we see His examples of selfless service for those He had the opportunity to influence. And we’ve been left with the challenge of doing even greater things. When we serve our guests well, we reflect Jesus’ attitude and mindset toward them.

Although Searcy provided a thorough definition of assimilation in chapter 1, he sums up assimilation here as follows:

Assimilation is simply well-planned biblical hospitality through service. The head of our organization is the greatest server of all time. Doesn’t it follow that we should be the ultimate example of such service to our guests? With the right system in place, we can serve in a way that will truly touch lives for God’s kingdom.

For more details about  improving assimilation in your church, see the following posts:

How Can You Reach People for Jesus?

Posted in Church Chat, Church Revitalization, Discipleship, Evangelism, WorshipLeave a comment

There are more than 7 billion people in the world today, and less than 20% know Jesus.  How can you reach them all with the life-giving message of the Gospel? Can your dollars reach from you to eternity? This video shows how through the Cooperative Program, mission dollars go from you, to your church, to the Kentucky Baptist Convention and around the world, powering missions and ministry every step along the way. This video would be excellent for use in worship services, Sunday School, and new members classes.

The Title That Lasts Forever

Posted in Discipleship, EvangelismLeave a comment

Tonight I sit awaiting the championship game of the NCAA Basketball Tournament with mixed emotions. Oh, don’t misunderstand, I’ll be watching every second, coaching from my chair with every play, leaning and jiving, cheering loudly for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Yet, for some reason things are different as I age.  As I mature in the Lord (hopefully), I realize that tonight’s game is just that–a game! The title of NCAA 2012 Men’s Basketball title, like all earthly titles, regardless how prestigious, are only temporary.

When it’s all said and done, I hope that UK will hang its 8th National Championship Banner, but what title will last throughout eternity, when it’s all said and done? What title should I seek? What title should you seek? The title we should desire is the Biblical title of OVERCOMER! Who is an Overcomer? What does that title mean? Consider the following verses from the Word of God:

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 (ESV)

When I repent of my sins and place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, I am “born of God.” Those who are born of God are Overcomers. Jesus told Nicodemus:

3 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:3-6 (ESV)

I encourage you to search your soul and know with 100% certainty that you have born of God. Examine your heart and be sure that you are God’s child and that you possess the title of Overcomer through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Life is filled with uncertainties, but eternity can be definite. Decide right now to be an Overcomer!