#340 Family of God

#340 Family of God
By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

Luke 5:37-38
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Acts 6:1-7 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,[a] because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 

Rick Joyner (The World Aflame)
“However, it was their strength in being so open to the Holy Spirit that the enemy used to push them too far, so that they actually prohibited the organization that was needed to help preserve the great advances that were made. …
… Because of this just a couple of years after the revival evidence of it was scarce, and the whole nation quickly drifted back to its former depravity.” STRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT 

For beauty and clarity to be revealed you need context.
Example: Diamond in setting.
The Family of God is the context where the Nature and Kingdom of God are best displayed.

Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”
Ephesians 3:14 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth  is named,…”

Psalm 68:5-6 “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell  in a dry land.” 

Romans 8:15-16 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

1 Peter 1:3
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,…” 

Grand babies — I Watch different shows
Dog —Different car
Systems change … different schedules … different choices of restaurants.

African Proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go with others.” 

My Parents Generation:   If it isn’t working repair it. 

This Generation:   If it isn’t working replace it. 

Impact people are committed to living in authentic community.
You cannot fulfill the purpose for God outside of community.
You can know God without community and get to heaven without community, but you can’t mature or manifest God’s fullness.

IMPACT CHURCH   Vision: “Transforming Lives To IMPACT Their World” Motto: Global Glory

IMPACT CHURCH MISSION  “To establish a global high-impact church that will raise up team ministries which declare and demonstrate all the Good News of Jesus Christ in a relevant way to this generation causing many people to realize freedom.”

“If I obey out of discipline, I adjust my insides to what God is saying and doing, and that’s fine. But when I do it out of passion, I adjust my outsides. I change everything outside of me, everything that I come in contact with. When I live out of passion, I’m contagious. When I live out of discipline, I’m admired” Bill Johnson

Verbs We Value: Follow — Jesus   Discover — Purpose   Connect — Community
Invite — Mission  Give — Partnership  Serve — Others

In This Family We LAFH A  Lot.
1. Love Unconditionally
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you,…”
Trying not to sin does not lead to loving others. Loving others leads to less sin.

2. Accept Completely
Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
“You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out God hates all the same people you do.” Anne Lamott

3. Forgive On Purpose
1 Peter 4:8 {AMP}

“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].”

Max Lucado (Shaped By Grace)
“What disturbs me most about Jeffrey Dahmer is not his ax, not his trail, and not his punishment but his conversion.”

William Arthur Ward
“Thoughts of a Christian Optimist” wrote:
Most like beasts when we kill. Most like men when we judge.
Most like God when we forgive.

4. Honour Everyone
Proverbs 20:5
“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”
I believe in you. God believes in you. God had a dream and wrapped your body around it.
Let’s work it out together.

BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED TO AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY:

1. Everyone is welcome.
Your background doesn’t matter.

2. Nobody is perfect.
Bring a Bible and your problems.

3. Anything is possible.
Simon can become Peter.

340 Family Of God, PowerPoint Slides

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