THE THIRD DAY CHURCH…

Tipping Sacred Cows

• After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. Hosea 6:2

• “Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained” Proverbs 29:18a

Acts 2:42-43;46-47• And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and

fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

• The early church was MULTI-DIMENSIONAL– 1. FELLOWSHIP– 2. DISCIPLESHIP– 3. WORSHIP– 4. MINISTRY– 5. EVANGELISM

• The Church grows warmer through fellowship– The greatest means of fellowship takes place outside the

building.– Connection before correction – Intentional NOT accidental– “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have

fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

• Why do we need fellowship?– 1. It keeps us FAT!

• 1. Faithful

• 2. Attentive

• 3. Teachable• Next Step: Get into a City Circle or START one! Next semester starts in

April 15th.

• The Church grows DEEPER through discipleship. – Discipleship is bringing God’s Word to EVERY area of

our life.– It is both Biblical and Balanced! – This may seem so easy and natural—but it isn’t!– It is the difference between being HEALTHY and

being sick.

Matt. 28:18-20• Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of

absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

• Many have prayed a prayer but are not following Jesus, obeying His Word, learning His truth.

• As we go DEEPER we will go HIGHER!

• The Church grows STRONGER through Worship.– The real means of transformation is through the Presence

of God.– It is to the degree that we ENCOUNTER Him that we will

be changed by Him.– Worship is not about style, music, or songs. It is an

encounter of the heart. You are only as strong as your “vision” of God.

Isa.6:1-3• In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord

sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

• Churches are looking for workers, God is seeking worshippers!

• You can do a work and not BE a worshipper…but EVERY worshipper will BE a worker! “who will go for me?”

• The church grows BROADER through ministry.– The broad base of the church is measured in the

ministry of the MEMBERS not an elite group of paid ‘professionals’

– This clergy/laity is a sacred cow from the dark ages of the Roman Catholic church.

Eph.4• I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech

you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

• There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

• for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry,

• How do we measure a church?– Size or sending?– Pastor or people?– Building or impact on city?– Ecclesiastical or Essential?

• The CHURCH grows LARGER through Evangelism.– “The Lord added daily…”– God does HIS part when the CHURCH does its’

part!– Healthy things GROW!

• We need to commit to REVITALIZATION.• We need to commit to new levels of

LEADERSHIP.• We need new levels of STEWARDSHIP.• We need new levels of FAITH.