The Benefits of a Godly Living

The Rebuilding of Foundation

The Benefits of a Godly Living

 January 6, 2013 

Memory Verse:  Isaiah 58:12 (NIV)

¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

TEXT: Isaiah 58:1–12

Introduction:

1 Samuel 15:22

         

1.    The Revelation

Isaiah 58:1–3; 1 Samuel 7:6; Joel 1:14; Romans 6:1–2

2.    The Recommendation

Isaiah 58:3–7

3.    The Reward

Isaiah 58:8–12; Philippians 4:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Galatians 6:9; Jeremiah 6:16

The Benefits of a Purposeful Ministry

What Are We Here For?

The Benefits of a Purposeful Ministry

January  13, 2013

Memory Verse: Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1-17

Introduction:

Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 58:12

“The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder—a waif, a nothing, a no man.”—Thomas Carlyle.

First, we must realize that everything must have its origin in God. Job 12:10, Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 3:10–11; John 15:5

“A river that forgets its source dries.”

 “Without God life makes no sense.”—Andrei Bitov

Second, we are a church that is purposeful and directional.

Psalm 138:8  

Third, Benefits of a Purposeful Ministry

1.  A purposeful ministry is effective.

Philippians 3:13

 “There is nothing quite as potent as a focused life, one lived on purpose.” -- Rick Warren

 (The Message) Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.

“By trying to be a jack of all trades a person becomes master of nothing.”

2.  A Purposeful Ministry Attracts Supports of the Parishioners

Ezra 10:4

3.  A Purposeful Ministry Promotes Harmony

1 Corinthians 1:10; James 1:8

4.  A purposeful Ministry is motivating

Proverbs 16:4; Revelation 4:11

How to be a Worship-Driven Church

What Are We Here for?

How to be a Worship-Driven Church

January 20, 2013

Memory Verse: Psalm 34:3 (NKJV) Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.

Text: John 4:19–24

Introduction:

 “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”-- Westminster Shorter Catechism

HEART OF WORSHIP by MATT REDMAN

Definition of Worship:

 Worship is “reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also: an act of expressing such reverence” --Merriam-Webster

 “Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship.” --Rick Warren

Worship is “the celebration of God’s existence.”—Professor Yesuf Ameh Obaje

First, worship must be our lifestyle and not just a menu item

Psalm 95:1–7; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Second, worship must be done gladly and in reverence to God

Psalm 100:1–2; Psalm 34:3

Third, worship must be God-centered

Isaiah 42:8; Psalm 115:1; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Chronicles 16:29; Luke 4:8; Psalm 29:2; John 4:20–22

“The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God.”—Rick Warren

Illustration: “If you limit worship to where you are, the minute you leave that place of worship you will leave your attitude of worship behind like a crumpled-up church bulletin.”--Tony Evans

Fourth, our worship must done whole -heartedly

Deuteronomy 6:5; Romans 6:13; Joshua 5:13–15

“The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven’t yet come to the end of themselves. We are still trying to give orders, and interfering with God’s work within us.”—A.W. Tozer

“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because he made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be…. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.”—C.S. Lewis.

 “Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by his holiness; the nourishment of mind with his truth; the purifying of imagination by his beauty; the opening of the heart to his love; the surrender of will to his purpose -- and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.”-- William Temples

Fifth, Worship must be done genuinely

Psalm 16:11; John 4:23–24; Malachi 1:9–10

How to Enjoy Our Life Together

What Are We Here For?

How to Enjoy Our Life Together

January 27, 2013 

Memory Verse: Acts 2:44 (NKJV) ⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

TEXT: Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–35

Introduction: Genesis 2:18

1.      The Admission

 John 1:12–13; John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41;1 Peter 1:3–4

  

2.      The Attitude

 Galatians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 13:3;1 John 3:16–18; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 6:14–15; Colossians 3:9; Romans 12:9; Proverbs 24:26; Galatians 6:9–10

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”--C.S. Lewis

  

“The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve.”—Rick Warren

3.      The Atmosphere

 Ephesians 2:19; Acts 2:42–47; 4:32–35; Psalm 133:1; Proverbs 25:23; Hebrews 10:25; James 5:19–20

  

 “As we obtain grace, we must give grace.  As we experience forgiveness, we can and must extend forgiveness to others!”-- Matthew west

7 Days of Fasting and Prayer January 1st – 7th, 2013

Agape Bible Fellowship & Ministries Inc.

7 Days of Fasting and Prayer January 1^st – 7^th, 2013

Joel 1:14 (NKJV) Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and Cry out to the Lord.

Matthew 17:21 (KJV) “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

·         January 1. Read Exodus 12:1-2. Reflect on this scripture and spiritually focus your mind as you step over into this new beginning. Pray that God open doors of opportunities for you this year. Pray for unrelenting breakthroughs.

·         January 2. Read Psalm 105:37. Reflect on this scripture and the blessings that God bestowed on you and your family thus far. Pray for more blessings this year.

·         January 3. Read Isaiah 58:12. Reflect on this scripture. How do you see yourself involved in the work of rebuilding in this church this year? Pray that God opens your eyes to unseen channels where you could be a blessing to your church and the kingdom of God this year.  

·         January 4^th. Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Reflect on this passage. David was unnoticed and insignificant until God’s favor located him. Pray that your favors and promotions will find you wherever you are in Jesus name.

·         January 5^th Read 2 Kings 2:19-22. Reflect on this passage. Many people are unproductive, not because they are in a badly situated area, but because the enemy has messed up the source of their joy. Pray to God that the power that healed the bitter water in the day of Elisha, change your situation to the best in Jesus name. Pray against all kinds of bitterness.

·         January 6^th Read Nehemiah 2:11-20; 4:1-23. Reflect on this passage. Nehemiah was used in his day for the work of rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Pray that God use you as your church works on the building project this year. Pray against all obstacles to the work.

·         January 7^th Read Psalm 51:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17. Ask God to show you ways through which you could be drawn closer to Him always. Pray for the renewal of your commitment to Christian service this year.

2013 Theme: Rebuilding the Foundation

Text Verse: 

Isaiah 58:12 (NIV)Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

 

Theme Hymn: #412, My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

1.    My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Refrain

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

2.    Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.

Refrain

3.    My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.

Refrain

4.    My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

Refrain