"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
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