I Love My Church, Part 1: Thirty-Four

(Mark 16:14-16) Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.    Why do I love my church?   (Matthew 28:19)  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."   Title of Message: Thirty Four   (Matthew 18:12-13) "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  (Acts 1:8)  "You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   ü Jerusalem – My City. (James 1:27 Msg)  "Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight..."   ü Judea and Samaria – My Nation. (1 Corinthians 9:22 LB)  "Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him."   ü To the ends of the earth – My World. (Mark 16:15 NCV)  Jesus said to His followers, "Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone." Three Fundamental Truths   1.  We are blessed to be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2 NLT)  "I will bless you…and you will be a blessing to others." 2.  When we bless others God takes care of our needs. (Luke 18:29-30 GW)  "I guarantee this.  Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come." (Luke 6:38 Message)  "Give your life away and you'll find your life given back.  But not merely given back.  Given back with bonus and blessing."  3. The more we're blessed by God the more He expects us to help others.  (Luke 12:48 LB)  "…Much is required from those to whom much is given.  For their responsibility is greater." What can I do? 1.     Pray. (Matthew 9:37-38)  "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" 2.     Go. (Isaiah 6:8-9)  "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'...'" 3.     Give. (Matthew 6:19-21)  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mark 8:35 LB)  "If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for My sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live." For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.