A Year In Review 2009, A Year To Envision – Philippians 2:1-11 (Sermon Notes)
[An outline of the video celebrating 08-09 is available here.]
1. Year In Review – A Year Of Growth Through Challenges
- United – We have grown as a family and a team. Our communication has become more transparent and effective with the implementation of CCB and regular pulpit announcements. This has moved everyone to be better in sharing information.
- Focused – We have moved to being more clear and intentional about our mission and programming. We have a clearer sense of purpose and it is guiding us to constantly evaluate what we do, (i.e. WNL).
- Spiritual – We have seen the Spirit of God move and a great number of people have joined this church and been baptized into Christ. This is shown specifically by an increased hunger from the church for the word.
- It is my most desperate prayer that God has grown you this last year spiritually and that you are more intentionally living your faith out. Our best witness will always be a spiritually vibrant congregation which starts with people who have a vibrant personal spirituality.
2. Analysis from Philippians 2:1-11
- Paul is telling us, “If you have grown (2:1), then keep growing to maturity (2:2), by putting others first (2:3-4) and following Christ’s example of sacrifice (2:5-8). If we do this then we will join Christ in glory (2:9) and spread his glory everywhere (2:10-11).”
- Christ’s motive and agenda that moves him from on high, being equal with God to descending as a slave. This is easily contrasted to Adam who thought he was low (although he was highly esteemed) and desired to be equal to God and it brought about disastrous consequences.
- Today is no different a ministry can be derailed by our own agendas and selfishness.
- We must be faithful to put aside our own agenda and security. Risking everything for the call of Christ. [I referenced Dan Hotchkiss' work, "Stewardship of Risk," and it is available in its entirety by clicking here.]
3. Year To Envision
- Commit to growing your faith through scripture and prayer.
- We can’t follow the Father’s heart until we know the Father’s heart.
- Are you willing to risk being moved by the Father?
- Commit to acting out your faith as a volunteer.
- Our faith should grow into action.
- Are you willing to risk serving in a realm unknown to you?
- Commit to faithful dreaming.
- Are you willing to put aside your own dream for God’s bigger dream?
- Are you willing to risk it all and follow that dream for God’s glory?
The final video challenging us to risk is included below, click arrow to start…
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