Notes from today's message preached at The Oak Community Church.
Audio can be downloaded from:
JUST ONE THING
INTRODUCTION – MATTHEW 28:18-20
• What one thing that is the focus of your Christian walk?
• If you could ask God for one thing what would it be?
• What would you consider is the one thing this church focuses on?
• What is the one thing the bible calls us to do?
o Truth is it’s hard to limit this to one thing
A JOURNEY
• Remember the movie “Fantastic Voyage” or “Inner space”
o Closer to the heart - you would hear its beat as you got closer
• Two week journey to the heartbeat of the church
THE WHAT
• The church has one great commission
• This is our mission - the what
o Make disciples / Baptising them / Teach them
WHAT ABOUT THE HOW?
• The bible provides a few 'one things' – Six ‘one things’
o All important to OCC
o Each gets closer to the heart of the church
• Not exclusive but complementary
o Not just ‘one thing’ but not equal either
DIFFERENT SORT OF MESSAGE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS
• A bible study
o Take us on a journey to the heartbeat of this church
o Examine 6 different focus areas for churches
• Purpose of this preach
o To draw you closer and closer to the heartbeat of this church
o This is corporate vision – Vision leaks!
1) A FOCUS ON ESCHATOLOGY - 2 PETER 3:3-15
• Churches with a focus on eschatology
o Doctrines related to the 2nd coming and end of the world
• The Bible is both historic and prophetic
o All the events relevant to man are contained in the bible
o Basis Instruction Before Leaving Earth? Maybe!
THE DANGER ZONE
• Obsessing - We are the bride
o We should anticipate the wedding – not obsess
• Fixated with interpreting the signs
o More attention to ‘The beast' than the savior
o Stories of the antichrist – Prince Charles
• Bogged down in doctrinal disagreements
• Scare Tactic Evangelism based upon ‘The end of the world is nigh'
ESCHATOLOGY AT THE OAK
• Stand on the very clear parts
o Jesus is returning
o He will come back to judge the living and the dead
o He will come when we least expect it
• Don't speculate the ambiguous
o Order of events and timing is not central – He’s coming back!
• Feel free to have a view but don't be dogmatic or obsessive
o Podcast of 3 very different views
• Spend your time on what matters
o Are you ready?
ONE THING
o God's timing is perfect - He longs to save people
THE GREAT COMMISSION
• Share the gospel - Jesus is returning
• Have hope - a new world order (and earth is coming)
2) A FOCUS ON THE MIRACULOUS – JOHN 9:24-25
• Churches with a focus on healings/miracles
o God is a miracle working God
o Many experience God's healing hand upon the body
• Miracles are a reversal of the natural order of creation
o Red sea, Blind eyes, water into wine–cars without a carburetor!
THE DANGER ZONE
• Chasing the miracle not the source
o Focus on the spectacular
• What can God do for me culture
o Quick fix culture
• The reality of God is directly link to existence of miracles
• The power of God is directly linked to the size of the miracles
MIRACLES AT THE OAK
• We believe in miracles
o happened in the past
o And can and do happen today
• By their nature miracles are rare occurrences
o We haven't seen many
• We should pray in faith believing
• We take a mature approach to welcome God to develop us
o Bring glory to him through the absence of a miracle
ONE THING
• Experience doesn’t always lead to conversion
o Some don't know Jesus despite experiencing his healing power
THE GREAT COMMISSION
• Show your faith in God to others even when miracles don't come
• Be confident to pray for others
o Don't exaggerate God's hand
• Make space for power of the testimony
• Look for personal commitment beyond personal experience
3) A FOCUS ON TEACHING – LUKE 10:38-42
• Churches with a focus on teaching
o A centre for teaching
o Maybe a bible college attached
o A programme of bible classes
• A TV ministry
THE DANGER ZONE
• All head knowledge and no heart/character
o Teaching knowledge induces unteachable character
• TV ministry becomes bigger than the church mission/community
• Individuals isolate from church and focus on independent teaching
• All Mary no Martha - 'One thing' of teaching excuse for not serving
TEACHING AT THE OAK
• To equip you as best as possible to grow in your relationship with Jesus
• To remain relevant to everyday life
• To empower personal growth in your own personal study
o Great resources – podcasts, blogs, everyday with Jesus
• To learn together how the word of God relates to our lives (Kairos)
ONE THING
• Being busy without Jesus is wasted effort - sitting at Jesus feet
THE GREATE COMMISSION
• Our message is that good works won't save you, only Jesus
• Conversions must develop into disciples/learners
CLOSE
TWO PARTS
• Next week continues to our final destination the heartbeat of the church
o Look ahead of what 'one thing'
• For now
o Remember these are not exclusive but also not equally important to us
• These are all how's to the what
o We have a great commission
o Matthew 28:18-20
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