The Lord’s Harvest Community Church

In It To Win It
Philippians 1:3-8

Objective: Just like starting a new business partnership we bring something to the table for the purpose of making a profit. Our relationship with Jesus Christ should compel us to be IN IT TO WIN IT, losing is not an option.

Scripture: Philippians 4:3-11

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Definitions:

• Rejoice- to make joyful; to gladden; to animate with lively pleasurable sensations; to exhilarate.
• Fellowship- a commercial term for a joint-partnership in a business venture in which all parties actively participate to ensure the success of the business. In the Christian community the word expresses both intimacy with Christ and other Christians.

Key points:

Paul identifies the gospel ministry as a type of business relationship.

• Investments
• Productivity
• Profitability

God is the source of our profitability

• We are expected to have quarterly growth.
• He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Being true partners in ministry we all benefit from the profits.

• partakers with me of grace

This Weeks Challenge
Decide today that you are IN IT TO WIN IT and
become fully devoted partners of the gospel ministry.

 

 In It To WIN It [15:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I do read other people’s blogs, and often find interesting topics, which allow me to grow or shows how much I am growing. Perry Noble is the pastor of NewSpring Church. He blogged about his “Top Seven STUPID Financial Mistakes That I’ve Made” This is part one,

#1 - I Did Not Place Jesus First In My Finances

OR…in other words…I did not tithe.

I used the excuse that I could not afford to tithe…and it was through some painful financial lessons that God actually showed me that I could not afford NOT to tithe. God kept bringing me back to Matthew 6:21 and Matthew 6:24 over and over again…and in the fall of 1999 I completely surrendered the 10%. (And I’ve never missed it!)

#2 - I treated tithing as the finish line.

When I began tithing I sort of expected God to strike up the heavenly marching band…and for about a year I was quite proud of my newly formed spiritual discipline…until…

In the summer of 2000 Jason Wilson, our Executive Pastor, was speaking at NewSpring Church and said, “We all know that Scripture says to tithe…what I want to ask tonight is what are you doing with the other 90% to advance His Kingdom; after all, He does own it all!”

That statement hit me in the face like a ton of bricks…Psalm 24:1 became more real to me than ever before…and that night I surrendered the other 90% to Jesus!

Tithing isn’t the finish line…it’s the starting point…God has called us to be generous givers–HE IS!!! (II Corinthians 9:15)

#3 - I thought I could NEVER get out of debt.

When Lucretia and I got married on April 8, 2000 we had over $100,000 worth of debt and DIDN’T EVEN OWN A HOME. It was all credit cards, student loans and ridiculous purchases (all made by me!)

I felt trapped–heck, I was trapped…and I had just about given up hope until I heard about this guy named Dave Ramsey. It was in one of his all day sessions that I began to understand that I could get out of debt…but it was going to take sacrifice, a lifestyle adjustment…but it COULD be done!

In November of 2007 Lucretia and I became debt free…we owe on nothing except for the house. Trust me–if we can do it–YOU CAN TOO!!!

(By the way…if you are making one of these mistakes…OR any of the next four that I will talk about later on this week…and you do not MAKE it a priority to get to Joe’s class this weekend…you’re passing on an incredible opportunity! Seriously, there is NO REASON for you to be in debt…when Jesus sets us free…WE ARE FREE, and yet so many Christians go and enslave themselves to debt! BREAK FREE THIS WEEKEND!!! BE HERE!)

Stay tuned for the other four…

This past weekend was something. I am understanding more and more about purpose……

• We are gearing up for our easter service (March 23, 2008), this will be a special Sunday service, to God be the Glory.
• I found an interesting story online. The men will feel his pain more then the women…….
• This coming Saturday (February 2) we are continuing the series LOCKED UP be our guest…..

The Power to Overcome
Philippians 4:13

Premise: Just as if you were taking a journey across country, there are obstacles to overcome. Life in general has obstacles for us to overcome. God has given us the power to overcome.

Objective: Understand that through Christ Jesus we have the power to overcome anything that life present us. Because of Christ we can live a life of no limits.

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Definitions:

• Strengthens me- More literally, infuses strength into me. Causative verb to empower, to pour power into one.

Key points:

1. I can do all things (Live a life with no limits).
2. Through Christ (Put on Christ – we need to be properly equipped)
   • ? Illustration- story about how there are signs about your breaks when driving into the mountains. Colorado Springs.
3. Strengthens me (We need gas for the journey).
   • Good breaks but no gas will take you no where.

 

 The Power to Overcome [13:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Join us for a new series starting this Saturday.

 

 Locked Up [0:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I wrote the other week about realize I have a birthday next month and whether I have accomplished anything in my life. Well… along those lines for this week, I have a new thought…………… Have you made a difference?

This is the day our nation will observe the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luter King Jr. Cities around the nation will have events and parades in honor of this man’s life. However, I think it is an insult to honor his life ONLY and not follow his example in deeds. Dr. King changed the world that he lived in…. and I wonder, “Am I making a lasting impact in the lives I come in contact with?……..

Well, maybe not for social economic change, but I pray, my life has an impact for the cause of Christ.

Proverbs 16

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.
4 The LORD has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

Have you made a difference? In the World? With Family? And/Or Friends?

What differance have you made?