WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS THIS? Part 4

"DEVELOP"
January 27, 2008
with Adam Waters

One of my favorite things to do growing up was to watch Arnold movies. Conan was among my favorites. We used to make swords and sheaths that would fit on our backs and run around having sword-fights. I think we liked him so much OR at least we were so impressed with him because of his muscles.

MUSCLES
Did you know you have more than 600 muscles in your body? They help you do almost everything — from pumping blood throughout your body to lifting your heavy backpack. You control some of your muscles and others, like your heart, do their jobs without you thinking about them at all. Muscles are all made of a type of elastic tissue (like the material in a rubber band). Skeletal Muscles are the ones that show how strong you are and let you kick a soccer ball. They are voluntary muscles, which means you can control what they do. Together, the skeletal muscles work with your bones to give your body power and strength. In most cases, a skeletal muscle is attached to one end of a bone. Skeletal muscles are held to the bones with the help of tendons. Skeletal muscles come in many different sizes and shapes to allow them to do many types of jobs.
· Back muscles keep us upright, standing tall, give us power to lift and push, rotate our head and hold it up.
· Facial muscles allow us to smile, frown, raise eyebrows and move our nose.
· Our tongue muscle helps us talk and chew food.
· Our deltoids move our shoulders.
· Our pectorals are the muscles in our chest that help us push.
· Our abdominals help us to sit up.
· Our biceps help us to pull things.
· Our quads help us to run and bike.
· Our gluteus maximus gives us something to sit on.
If love is our HEART… and the Spirit is our BLOOD (life-giving fuel)… then…
YOU are our muscles!
You are the voluntary work-force of God’s Kingdom in this place.
Energized by our HEART (vision) and empowered by our BLOOD (Holy Spirit), you must be the ones to accomplish God’s goals for the Orchard church.


HEADING TOWARD COMMITMENT SUNDAY…
· This month all of you have been in our “ORCHARD 101” class.
· We hope to send you home with an intimate knowledge of our vision and values.
· We hope to send you with 2 tools to share our church’s identity with others.
RECAPING NAPKIN #1
· The Orchard Church exists to share the love of Jesus with the people of Warren County at the coffee shops, in living rooms and with families.
· ORGANIC
· RELATIONSHIP DOING
· COMMUNITY
· HOLY SPIRIT
· ANSWERS
· RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
· DEVELOPERS

RECAPING NAPKIN #2
· LOVE is our mission.
· COMMUNITY is the avenue through which we share the love of Jesus.
· SPIRIT is the power behind the love of Jesus.
· DEVELOP is how we communicate the love of Jesus.


Today, we want to teach you how to work out!
We develop Christ’s community in 3 ways…
THROUGH STUDY: Ephesians 4:4-7”For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.”
· As we study scripture together, we discover God’s truths.
· As we study scripture together, we prepare ourselves.
· As we study scripture together, we bring unity (one’s) to the church.

THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT: Ephesians 4:1-3 “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
· Encouragement brings humility.
· Encouragement brings patience.
· Encouragement brings unity to the church.

THROUGH SERVICE: Ephesians 4:15-16 “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
· Servants follow Christ’s example.
· Servants help other servants.
· Servants bring unity to the church.

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS THIS? Part 3

"SPIRIT"
January 20, 2007
with Adam Waters

BLOOD
Just about everyone knows that we can't live without blood. Without blood, our organs couldn't get the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive, we couldn't keep warm or cool off, we couldn't fight infections, and we couldn't get rid of our own waste products. Without enough blood, we'd weaken and die. Blood is our life-sustaining fluid.
Two types of blood vessels carry blood throughout our bodies: The arteries carry oxygenated blood (blood that has received oxygen from the lungs) from the heart to the rest of the body. The blood then travels through the veins back to the heart and lungs, where it receives more oxygen.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin to release oxygen to the tissues.
White blood cells are a key part of the body's system for defending itself against infection.
Platelets help in the clotting process. When a blood vessel breaks, platelets gather in the area and help seal off the leak. Platelets and clotting factors work together to form solid lumps to seal leaks, wounds, cuts, and scratches and to prevent bleeding inside and on the surfaces of our bodies.
In addition to the cells and clotting factors, blood contains other important substances, such as nutrients from the food that has been processed by the digestive system. Blood also carries hormones released by the endocrine glands and carries them to the body parts that need them.
Blood is essential for good health because the body depends on a steady supply of fuel and oxygen to reach its billions of cells. Even the heart couldn't survive without blood flowing through the vessels that bring nourishment to its muscular walls! Blood also carries carbon dioxide and other waste materials to the lungs, kidneys, and digestive system, from where they are removed from the body.

SPIRIT
Just as blood is the life-sustaining fluid of the body, so too is the Holy Spirit the life-sustaining fluid of the church/body of Jesus. Today, we jump into our 4th value of the Orchard Church… and I do mean value!
The Holy Spirit cannot be just a doctrine.
The Holy Spirit cannot be just an add on to Father and Son.
The Holy Spirit’s presence must be someone that we anticipate and even yearn for to be involved in our church.

We cannot live as a church without the Spirit.

Without the Spirit, a church just becomes another club...

RECAPING NAPKIN #1
· The Orchard Church exists to share the love of Jesus with the people of Warren County at the coffee shops, in living rooms and with families.
· ORGANIC
· RELATIONSHIP DOING
· COMMUNITY
· HOLY SPIRIT
RECAPING NAPKIN #2
· LOVE
· COMMUNITY
· SPIRIT
HEADING TOWARD COMMITMENT SUNDAY…
· Intimate knowledge of our vision and values.
· 2 tools to share our church’s identity with others.
· This month all of you will have completed our “ORCHARD 101” class.

Holy SPIRIT
· God’s power and presence at work in the Orchard.
· Ephesians 4:14-21
· Let’s look at how the Spirit is life-giving in the church.
· Gives mighty inner strength.
· Grows roots deep into God’s love.
· Empowers us to grasp God’s love.
· Helps us experience God’s love.
· He fills us with life and power.
· Accomplishes great things through us.

THE WEEKLY CHALLENGE
**Communion: taking it at worship is beyond just relationship with Jesus (you can do that at home), it’s also about relationship with us here
** Offering: if this church’s vision is something we believe in, then we give out of obedience to Jesus
** Commitment Sunday: the whole month will be leading us toward Feb. 3rd

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS THIS? Part 2

"COMMUNITY"
January 13, 2007
with Adam Waters

What am I?
• Myocardium
• Pericardium
• Septum
• Atrium
• Ventricles
• Vena Cava
• Valves
• Aorta
• Arteries
The heart is the most important thing, but the intricate parts must all be working together to make it work.

Last week we told you of our HEART: The Orchard Church exists to share the love of Jesus with the people of Warren County at the coffee shops, in living rooms and with families.
• We don’t want you to go to church anymore…
• We want you to BE the church.
• To take the love that Christ has imparted unto your life… and share it.

Over the next 3 weeks, we want to take you through the parts of our heart.
• The 7 core values that make our blood pump.
• Napkin material.
• 2 distinct ways to share the vision of the OC with those around you.
• On “Commitment Sunday,” we plan on putting those tools in your hands.
• In essence, this month we are going through “ORCHARD 101” class.
 
The Orchard Church exists to share the love of Jesus with the people of Warren County at the coffee shops, in living rooms and with families.

ORGANIC
• Trusting the Lord to use us in our daily lives not just in plans or programs.
• So be careful how you live, not as fools, but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Ephesians 5:15-18

RELATIONAL
• The practice of putting others before yourself.
• Tell your neighbor the truth.
• Don’t let anger control you.
• Use your hands for honest work.
• Give generously to the needy.
• Don’t swear, but encourage.
• Don’t hurt the Spirit’s heart.
• Get rid of your harshness.
• Be kind, tenderhearted and compassionate.
• Ephesians 4:25-32 (NLT)

COMMUNITY
• The practice of sharing our lives with each other.
• Follow God’s example in everything that you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him. Ephesians 5:1-2


THE WEEKLY CHALLENGE
**Communion: taking it at worship is beyond just relationship with Jesus (you can do that at home), it’s also about relationship with us here
**Offering: if this church’s vision is something we believe in, then we give out of obedience to Jesus
**Commitment Sunday: the whole month will be leading us toward Feb. 3rd

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS THIS? Part 1

"LOVE"
January 6, 2008
with Adam Waters

The only thing that keeps me from watching the football playoffs is an election year. The debates between the candidates are always really interesting to me. Mostly, because in this country, we have the opportunity to help choose who will be our leader. CHOICE. Choice is where we begin every year. Many of us make choices about how much weight we'll lose, or how we'll spend our time, or any number of fresh choices with a new year. The church is no different. You have choices to make....

WILL YOU COMMIT TO THE ORCHARD?
State of the Church Address
· If you come to the OC at 10:30am on Sundays, then you’re only coming to church about 10% of the time.
· Yes, we had worship services 51 times last year (1 snow day)…
· …but The Orchard Church met AT LEAST 505 times in ‘07:
o We had approximately 200 small group meetings.
o 105 individual coffee meetings
o 60 impromptu dinners or evenings with friends
o 40 days of remodeling
o 20 youth/kid events
o 15 food gatherings
o 10 coffee with the pastors
o 6 days of fasting together
o 3 Tree Leader Trainings
o and 1 really cold superbowl party
· And these are the things that I could fit into this sermon… I know there were nights with friends at the hospital, helping others with their cars, video game marathons, movie nights, countless phone conversations about stuff that really mattered, prayers and hugs that impacted our souls, arguments… and the resolving of arguments ‘cuz that’s what Jesus-followers do, Cranium, photo sessions, watching each other’s kids… and dogs, funerals…
· and some of you would probably add even more?
· If you’ve come to the OC on Sundays, you may have heard us teaching… you may have come to some understanding about Jesus and your relationship with him… AND THAT IS GOOD STUFF…
· BUT… you might have missed the Heart of the OC’s ministry and that would break our hearts.

Will you commit to the Orchard's heart?
The Orchard Church exists to share the love of Jesus with the people of Warren County at the coffee shops, in living rooms and with families.
o There were some great things that happened during our worship services in ’07.
o We had baptisms… yeah!
o We had baby dedications.
o We ordained Jason Hunley.
o We re-commissioned Matt Johnson.
o We preached on values, relationships, 1-2 Peter, the Heart of the Master, the prophet Elisha, and the claims of Jesus.
o We had 4 family Sundays.
o We added worship and children’s volunteers a plenty.
o We prayed. We cried. We praised God for all he has done!
o ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE POWERFUL, NECESSARY AND WE WILL HOPEFULLY SEE SIMILAR THINGS THIS YEAR.
o But wait….there’s more!
o The impact of a church’s heart is seen not in how top notch the worship service becomes, but in how their heart impacts the community the other 6 days of the week.

The Orchard Church exists to share the love of Jesus with the people of Warren County at the coffee shops, in living rooms and with families.
WIll you love like Jesus loved?
**full of grace
**sacrificially
**unconditionally

Will you go to the marketplaces like Jesus did?
At the coffee shops…
· This is the one we are sometimes most uncomfortable with. But that’s just it: getting out of our comfort zones of people can bring about the greatest reward. The greater the risk… the more satisfying the result.
· Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. Matthew 10:5-8 (MSG)

Will you allow church to exist with your friends?
In living rooms…
· In your home or your friends’ homes, we are more at ease. Sharing Christ’s love here makes it so much more personal, real and transparent.
· Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. Matthew 10:10-14 (NLT)

Will you allow Jesus' love to rule in your family?
With families…
· I always read this passage as a trial/suffering of those who follow Jesus. Maybe, it’s more about unity of purpose within a household (The Jailor – Acts 16:29-34).
· A man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:36-39 (NASB)

The Orchard Church exists to share the love of Jesus with the people of Warren County at the coffee shops, in living rooms and with families.
· We don’t want you to go to church anymore…
· We want you to BE the church.
· To take the love that Christ has imparted unto your life… and share it.
FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED. FREELY GIVE.

THE WEEKLY CHALLENGE
** Communion: taking it at worship is beyond just relationship with Jesus (you can do that at home), it’s also about relationship with us here
** Offering: if this church’s vision is something we believe in, then we give out of obedience to Jesus
** Commitment Sunday: the whole month will be leading us toward Feb. 3rd