Extra Scenes

This weekend's message was a "vision" message and because I get so passionate about that subject I usually don't have time to cover everything.  I want to provide some of the "extra" scenes that did not make this weekend's message --

Gospel Partnerships
We not only want to faithful in Gospel proclamation but also forging Gospel partnerships.  The truth is that no person or church can be as effective in pursuing the mission of God without partnering strategically with other likeminded organizations, individuals, and churches.
*Next year we hope to partner and help plant churches in Statesboro, south Atlanta (Clayton County), and Chattanooga.
*This year we partnered with over ten agencies in our three county area (Gordon, Murray, & Whitfield) to meet needs in Jesus' Name.
*Globally, we are partnering with organizations to take care of orphans, plant churches, dig wells, and care for impoverished children.

Multiplication
God's Kingdom spreads through multiplication. This is how the church left Jerusalem and spread outward. God's love and the message of the Cross has that impact.  We called it "flow" in the message.  God's love and message of salvation flows from one person to another as a natural effect of the Holy Spirit's influence in a Christian. God's love cannot be contained or isolated but it longs to be multiplied.
This multiplication or "flow" happens among individuals, in groups, in communities, and ultimately all over the world. This explains our church's growth and our multi-site strategy to helping NW Georgia know the Jesus of the Bible.

Lifeboats
Lifeboat #14 off the Titanic chose to risk all to save some while the other half-empty life boats rowed away from the cries of the drowning. Churches, Christians, and small groups are to be life boats, not pleasure boats. As a lifeboat, we adopt the mentality that if we don't, no one else will. If we don't invite people to see Jesus in us and in our church, then who will? We don't even wait for the answer ... we stay on mission with God:  "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost." {Luke 19:10}

Worship Evangelism
The example you set in worship matters!! When you worship in the freedom and passion of the Holy Spirit, you are adding to the Holy Spirit's "presence" in the service AND non-believers are watching your example.

Wrap-up
I am unbelievably excited about God's hand in our church. I heard a story this week of a person who invited FORTY people to church!! 40!! People are dealing with sin and fightings its effects. Lost and un-churched people ARE at our services EVERY week (praise God!).  Our small groups are being mission-minded, building relationships, and contemplating birthing new groups for new people in new areas. We are working to hire a Missions Pastor by the first part of 2012 to further advance our local and global efforts to meet needs and share Christ.  So let's keep praying, keep growing, and keep multiplying the Name of Jesus!