01/02/11 - Vision Sunday - Relationships Not Resolutions - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "Relationships, Not Resolutions" in this Vision Sunday service.

Vision Sunday: Relationships, Not Resolutions

Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, January 2, 2011

www.mylifegatechurch.com


Sermon Notes:

Vision Sunday, January 02, 2011

Get Connected-It Changes Everything!


-  What is the Gospel Message?  Why did God save me? 

2-fold purpose: He loves me, and, to make His name famous throughout the world.  I am saved to change the world.  I have a destiny and a purpose.

Ezekiel 36:22-23 “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord.”

1Corinthians 7:23 (AMP) “You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [but consider yourselves slaves to Christ].” (Bondservant)


-  How do I best accomplish that purpose?  How did Jesus do it?

John 17:4 “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”
 The rest of his prayer in John 17 focuses on the men He with whom He had connected while on earth.  Not on the miracles, the crowds, the dead raised, walking on water, even the cross—his work was to connect with others to accomplish God’s purpose. 

Our vision as a church is to share the life-giving message of Jesus with West Georgia and the world.  To do that we believe in the power of connection.
*   Connect to salvation by making Jesus your Lord.
*   Connect to a local church by becoming a member.
*   Connect to your ministry by discovering your design.  (DISC, Gifttest, SOAP)
*   Connect to your destiny by developing life-giving relationships with a common purpose—grow up into Christ and make His name famous.  (DreamTeam, Connect Groups)

Using extension cords as object lesson:
It is not what you unplug from that makes you holy and increases influence. (unplug from dead cord—no power)
It is what you plug into.  (plug into live cord and light comes on)
Then others you can make a difference.  (plug another light into glowing light)

-  The Result:

Acts 2:41-47 “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.  42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.  43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”