Labels: Seeing What's Real in Others

Wednesday Night - May 19, 2010

Pastor Shane was preaching on the labels Christians give to others and what we can do differently to honor God from Luke 10:30-37.

1.5 Billion people had not been reached to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How can we reach them? For the Christian, the Bible is a Love Letter and a Sword to help us share God's Love to others. Why did Christ save you? For His Glory! Labeling people devalues them. This does not glorify God.

Samaritans were looked down on and they were half breeds. We need to stop labeling people. We are so judgemental looking at a person from the outside. People outside the church were polled and 89% said that the Christian Church is judgemental. We label some people as outcasts. If the Bible in the passage from Luke 10:30-37 happened today, would you try to help him or pass him by? If you saw someone that had been beaten, robbed, knocked out, and laying on the ground naked, what would you do? Would you consider him an outcast? Who do you consider an outcast?

3 Things We Need to Do Differently about Labeling People:

1. Realize that everyone is created in God's Image. (Genesis 1:27)
2. Recognize and seek forgiveness for the times You've Labeled People. (Ephesians 4:31)
3. Be Kind to Everyone regardless of "skin color", "social status" or "value". (Ephesians 4:32)

Warning of False Prophets

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
- A skit was presented to the Youth by Rob and Skyler about how we act as a Christian. Well done, guys! - A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Sherry for bringing back the Drama Team! Thank you for your dedication!
- A shout out to Mrs. Gina for being with us last night!

We were so blessed to have Bro. Deric Britton to teach the youth about the Book of Jude. His key verses were Jude 1:20-21. Jude gave us instructions to build each other up and not tear each other down in tough times. He warned that there would be false teachers/false prophets that would come into the church and teach the wrong things. They would be arrogant, immoral, and greedy and these teachers are destined for the terrible judgement God has in store for all those who deny and defy him. Would you want to follow someone who was destined for hell? Jude warns us to watch out for them and guard your mind against their teachings.

False Prophets:

1. They didn't trust, honor or obey God.
2. They didn't see any consequences in their evil ways of living.
3. They took God's grace and his truth and twisted it for their own way of living.
4. You must know God's Word for yourself! You have to know the truth, so when you hear something that goes against God's Word, you will be able to know what the truth is. In Genesis 3:1 Satan took God's Word  and twisted it in the Garden of Eden, when he talked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit.

In vs. 20-22, Jude warns us to fight for our faith. Today people will try to show you what they think is the right way, it could be immoral...because that is what they want in their lives. But, God has a better plan for you! Know the truth that God can only give! Keep the faith when others are trying to get you to follow something or someone that will deceive you. If God's Word goes against it, then you don't follow it! We need to leave a legacy of faith for generations to come! Will you stand by God's Word in all that you do? Will you say NO when you know what you are about to do is wrong?

Announcements:

1. April 3rd-- Six Flags Christian Music Weekend...sign-up deadline is March 28th...you must pay for tickets to sign-up...tickets are $25 each
2. This Saturday for Mission Serve participates, be at church to clean it @ 10am (ET).

Commitment

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Pastor Shane was preaching on how committed are we to God and His ways of living? Is church an essential part of your life? What is Sanctification? It is to make holy. We are sanctified each day by growing more like Christ.

In our society today, the youth are taught when they date that it is ok to date/break up...date/break up...But, how can you be committed? We are setting ourselves up for failure. Society also teaches the adults to get married/get divorced...get married/get divorced. We have a lot to learn!

Ephesians 5:22-24 teaches us...For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything...vs 25-30 teaches us for husbands are to love their wives, just like Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean. He did this so the church would be presented to him holy and without any blemishes. She will be holy and without fault. Husbands need to love their own wives as they love their own bodies. Because a man that loves his own wife, shows love for himself. You don't hate your own body, but you care and nurture it, just like Christ cares for the church. We are members of His church.

How committed are you to the church?

2 Things About a Local Church:

1. It is the key to Spiritual growth.
2. We are the visible body of Christ in our community.

7 Things that Profile Commitment:

1. Join a local church. (be part of the team)
2. You make it an essential part of your life.
3. Need to make a Pastor's job a joy! (Hebrews 13:17)
4. Find ways to serve. (1Peter 4:10)
5. You give faithfully. (Malachi 3:10)
6. You connect with people. (God did not create life for you to be alone) (John 13:34; Romans 12:5, 10, 15)
7. Share your passion.

Do Something

On Wednesday, Pastor Shane started a new 4-week series on "Do Something".  We need to wake up and become the people that God has designed us to be. So what do we do that will make a difference?


First We Have to Notice the Needs Around Us

Key Scripture is Matthew 25:34-46

Do we as Christians notice the needs around us? How do we look at the world around us? Here are a few
views that we can take in looking at the world around us.

1. The world is mostly good and needs little help

2. The world is mostly a mess and is in need of serious help

3. I haven't thought much about the world around me, but I am a mess

4. I haven't thought much about the world around me and I'm not a mess

5. I'm not okay with injustice, poverty, disease, racism, etc.

6. I'm okay with injustice, poverty, disease, racism, etc.

Upcoming Events:

1. Mission Serve 2010 will cost $300 per person this year, food included. So, pray about signing up.
2. Fundraisers for Mission Serve will be January 16th & February 20th @ Winn Dixie on Veteran's Pkwy from 1-5pm ET. If you need money to go to Mission Serve then come help bag groceries on these two dates.
3. If you owe a balance on Snowbird, there will be a Youth Luncheon Fundraiser on January 17th in the Fellowship Hall following Morning Worship Service. Please come and help serve lunch to the church.
   

S.H.A.P.E. INVENTORY

S.H.A.P.E. Inventory

For a print out of your S.H.A.P.E. Inventory, click on the title link.


Personal Information
Name:____________________________________________________

“. . . Each one has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.”
(I Corinthians 7:7)



Spiritual Gifts


Spiritual gifts I believe I have: (see below)
1.
2.
3.

I feel I may have these gifts because:
1.
2.
3.

Spiritual gifts that communicate God’s Word:
preaching, evangelism, apostle and missions, leadership

Spiritual gifts that educate God’s People:
teaching, encouragement (exhortation), wisdom, knowledge

Spiritual gifts that demonstrate God’s Love:
serving, mercy , hospitality, pastoring, giving, helping, faith, administering

Spiritual gifts that celebrate God’s Presence:
healing, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy

“God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose . . .”
(Revelation 17:17)
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
(Psalm 37:4)

Heart


List some things you’re good at and love doing:
1.
2.
3.

People compliment me when:



Abilities


“There are different abilities to perform service...”
(I Corinthians 12:6)The following are my strongest abilities:
1.
2.
3.

Other skills and/or abilities I’m learning and/or working on are:
1.
2.
3.

A few examples include:
drama, writing, speaking, artistic, photography, video, counseling, fixing, designing, computers, accounting, music, memory, tutoring/explaining, athletics, etc.


Personality


“No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like, except that person himself. ”
(I Corinthians 2:11)



This is how I see myself: (circle one of the two words for each comment)


1. Around others I am more: RESERVED or OUTGOING

2. My decisions are based more on: FACTS/THINKING or FEELINGS

3. In my relationships I tend to be more: DEPENDENT ON OTHERS or INDEPENDENT

4. My use of time is more: DETERMINED or SPONTANEOUS

One example of why I circled each of the above is:
1.
2.
3.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ”
(Romans 8:28)



Experience


My spiritual experience is (or how I became a Christian):




Some painful experiences that I’ve had:




A past experience I’ve learned from is:




S.H.A.P.E.


If I could design a specific way to serve God around my personal SHAPE, and I knew I couldn’t fail, it might be: