Now is the Time

Title of message:  Now’s the Time  “Healthy things grow, Growing things change, Changing things challenges us, Challenge leads us to trust God, Trusting leads us to obedience, Obedience leads us to health, Healthy things grow.”   The Church is NOT:   o   The Church is not a building o   The Church is not a music style o   The Church is not a location   What is the Church?    The Church:   1.    Is Jesus’ plan for the World (Matthew 16:17-18) “Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”   (2 Corinthians 5:18) (NLT) “And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.” 2.    Was worth dying for   (Mark 16:15 NCV)  Jesus said to His followers, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.”   3.    Is me (1 Peter 2:5) “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.”   (Romans 12:1) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”   (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) (NLT) “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”   3 Responsibilities of THE CHURCH 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.”   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.”   Now’s the time to: 1.    Rise Up   (Isaiah 60:1-3) (ESV) “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."   2.    Carry Hope(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. 3.    Show Mercy   (Matthew 5:7) “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”   (Jude 1:22-23) (NLT) “And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”  (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.”