Week 2 – Trail Head 7 – Boots to the Ground

We're diving deep into practical faith. So, here's the big question to keep in mind throughout: How can we integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives? From understanding the significance of attending church to making God a part of our daily routines and discovering what we can offer to God, we're exploring the nitty-gritty of practical Christianity. So, grab your boots, let's hit the trail, and find the answers together! ?? #PracticalFaith #TrailHead7.  IT'S EASY TO GIVE at Harmony, text any amount to (859) 459-0316  to get started (or give online @ my.harmonychurch.cc/give ). -------------------- Trail Head 7 - Boots to the Ground Getting practical with your faith Trail 11: Why does it matter if I go to church Trail 12: How do I integrate God into the rest of my life Trail 13: What could I offer to God? Trail 11: Why does it matter if I go to church ILLUSTRATION: This is a great question right?  Honestly, who didn’t ask this question as a kid.  “Why do I HAVE to go to church?”  I don’t know if I really understood the need for the church deeply till I experienced being removed from it.  I had been in ministry about 12 years and Jenni and I moved to Wichita KS to plant a church - we did what’s called, Parachute planting.  We didn’t know anyone, we moved and started building relationships and trying to start a church for people who didn’t like church.  That’s like trying to sell pickles to people who don’t like pickles, lol.  But something weird happened during that time.  Jenni and I would go to different churches to try them out and see what they were doing.  But we didn’t have a body of Christ around us.  It was the first time as a Christian where I was removed from the church.  During that period I experienced more doubt and depression than all the 16 years before that. I was a foot without a body… b Why do you think we struggle with the question, “Why do I have to go to church?” b What are the assumptions behind this sentiment? -Church is boring -Church is full of hypocrites -Church is irrelevant b Can I ask you another question? b Why is it, that there are Christians in persecuted parts of the world that are being killed for their ability to gather together? b Why do we dread the thing they are dying for? ILLUSTRATION: I’ve noticed a trend in the church in the last 5 years or so.  I call it “The Lazy River of Church”.  People come to a church for a while, 3-6 months, maybe even a year.  Something happens and they end up jumping back into the lazy river and jumping out at the next church.  I have seen a few people come through our church about 3 times in the 3 years I’ve been here as they jump into the river and out. Something is desperately wrong with how we perceive the church in America. I want you to listen to these two verses about the church - and trust me, there are SO many more, but these are two powerful ones.  Listen to the “why” behind their encouragement to keep meeting as a church. Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Galatians 6:2-3 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Did you notice the encouragement in these passages?  It is about people bumping into people - encouraging each other, carrying each other's burdens… b This doesn’t happen in a Lazy River church culture - because everyone who comes is looking for what they can get, not what they can give… This is why we have a three-pronged approach to the culture of what it means to be a part of Harmony: Deeper discipleship - call to a life that matters Connect Groups - involved in faith friendships Serve, not served - others first  If you don’t have a support system other than me, you will be sorely disappointed - because I can’t be all things to all people all the time.  I struggle to be enough for my wife and kids.  What you really need is to be in a group and be committed to the church.   What would change if you decided Harmony (or whatever church you settle on) was your church for the rest of your life?  How would you engage differently? b Trail 12: How do I integrate God into the rest of my life ILLUSTRATION: Years ago I was planning an event to have a different pastor friend to come speak at. He asked me what I wanted him to speak on and I said, “how to fit God into your day.”  He said something that has stuck with me over 20 years.  He said, the question is not how to fit God into your day, it should be how to fit your day into God.  Most of us try and fit God into our day (give him 5 minutes of prayer, 10 minutes of bible reading, and then back to life as usual) b What if you stopped trying to fit God into your day and instead, fit your day into God? Colossians 3:17 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ILLUSTRATION: I’ve told you before, I have a friend who when he schedules meetings, he intentionally leaves an empty chair to remind Himself that God is there. Most Americans have experienced Christianity in a way that makes God a chore or a checklist.  He’s not those things, He’s a person. b What practice could you do this week to start to make God part of your everyday life? Trail 13: What could I offer to God? God has uniquely gifted you with a purpose in His Kingdom -the scripture calls these “spiritual gifts” b I want to quickly give you 3 practical things you can start to do to find your fit: 1. Start with little things: Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) 10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin 2. Start with faithful things: Ephesians 4:16  16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. You may not know your exact gifts, but you do know how to build others up.  Volunteer in kids ministry, be a greeter, call someone and encourage them, send bible verses as notes 3. Just start something: James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. This isn’t a difficult thing to get started, it’s a difficult thing because it’s easy… CLOSING ILLUSTRATION: Discipleship is really a matter of spiritual velocity.  It’s how fast you are moving and the direction you are moving.  I’ve known people who have been involved in Christianity for years and their spiritual velocity is almost nothing.  But I’ve also known addicts who have come to know Jesus and their velocity is out of this world.  The reality is, your past doesn’t matter as much as your future.  What about you, are you going to make intentional decisions to see your spiritual velocity take off as you choose to invest in other Christians, Integrate your life into God, and offer yourself to God and His Kingdom!