Victory Life KY

Get Plugged In II

Episode Summary

Get Plugged In is a simple invitation that allows anyone listening to become part of something Jesus is doing through His body, the local church. And studies have proven that one of the fastest ways for someone to experience God is by getting involved.

Episode Notes

• Thanks for all the response at the Get Plugged In table last week.

• Something very important to remember is that it’s just as important that you’re in service and not serving all the time.

• Also, as you’re trying different departments, if it doesn’t fit don’t get frustrated. Simply move on to something else.

• 1 Corinthians 12:27,MSG- You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.

• In Ephesians 4 Paul says it a little different way, Jesus fits His whole body together perfectly. And as each part does it’s own special work, it cause the whole body to grow.

• Get Plugged In is a simple invitation that allows anyone listening to become part of something Jesus is doing through His body, the local church. And studies have proven that one of the fastest ways for someone to experience God is by getting involved.

• God is constantly looking for those willing to come along side other believers to be part of what He’s doing on the local level, serving along side each other, creating our God anointed identity. Creating an atmosphere for anyone still discovering who Jesus is.

• CHRISTIANITY ISN’T JUST BELIEVING, IT’S BELONGING

• This is why we're continually trying to get as many as possible involved in serving in our church. According to Romans, serving is one of our greatest acts of worship.

• Romans 12, So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. It’s one of our greatest acts of worship.

• This is why I love the heart of Jonathan’s amorbearer, “Do all that is in your heart. I am with you, according to your heart.” 
• Talk about plugged in! 

• So never underestimate the significance of God orchestrating personalities, giftings and talents in accomplishing His purpose, advancing His kingdom.

• And by design, He makes local churches unique because everyone he calls fits somewhere.

• The question every believer has to answer is, will we let Him plug us in.

• Acts 4:32,MSG- “The whole congregation of believers was UNITED as one. One heart, one mind!”

• Think about it, what if we were like these men and women in the book of Acts today? Remember the Psalmist makes it very clear how God feels about unity. Probably because it takes love to be unified, and that’s where He commands His blessing.

• And watching the church at it’s birth got me thinking of something Jesus said, “The harvest is great” 

• Matthew 9:35-38,NLT- Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. 
• When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 
• He said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 
• So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.”

• Today, there are even more confused,deceived, harassed, lost people going through life not realizing that humanity is only the beginning.

• But for all of us that belong to Jesus, humanity will be the shortest, most difficult thing we do.

• And one of the things we do by coming together is create an atmosphere where those lost, confused, deceived can discover truth.

• Get Plugged In is simply an invitation to help others discover what happens when we come together for something much bigger than self.

• One of the greatest things about a local church is that Jesus gives us the opportunity to become part of something He's compassionate about.

• Throughout Jesus’ time here He was constantly calling His followers together, empowering them to finish what he started.

• And as each of us grows spiritually, we begin seeing things more and more from His perspective. Seeing that our own individual role in the body of Christ is for a much bigger purpose than our own spiritual satisfaction.

• But here's the thing, in order for this to happen, you've got to see yourself the way God does. 

• See yourself chosen by Him. See yourself as a person the adds value. See yourself as a person of influence.

• And when it comes to influence, don't be deceived into thinking influence is always to one with the title or position, even age.

• Make no mistake, if you belong to Christ, He has every intention of using you, not just you're voice, but your hands, feet, personality, your gifts and talents, your money, all that you bring to the table. 
• Remember the 3 T’s

• The key to changing this world for God is understanding that every time we change one person's world, we're making changes in the world.

• I hope this talk encourages all of us to make sure we're never the one standing on the sidelines saying, "somebody should do something about that."

• Think about it from a sports perspective, it's always the ones in the stands doing the complaining and blaming.

• Get in the game, stay in the game, be the best in the game.

• Sometimes all it takes is just one simple step of faith.

• Just get moving.

• Exodus 14:15,NLT- Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

• Get Plugged In is stepping out, moving toward what God has already planned for us. It’s what we can accomplish when we come together for the things Jesus is compassionate about.

• Remember, The Lord told Moses, stop crying. Tell the people to get moving!

• They've been delivered from Egypt and they're standing in front of the Red Sea, and they’re all crying to Moses. Think about it, God's plan to save an entire nation of people started with one guy saying yes to God.

• And when it comes to our own NT assignment from Jesus, God hasn't changed.

• He said the harvest is great but the workers are few. It starts with one person saying yes, then another, then another. Sometimes it’s as simple as, “GET MOVING”

• Moses is a great example of what God will do when someone says yes.

• Somebody has to be willing to go first.

• Get Plugged In is just a simple reminder for all of us to stay open to what God is doing, to be moved with compassion for people the way Jesus was.

• Think about it, at the end of the day, we’re simply a group of people praying, preparing, serving together to make an impact on everybody that comes through our doors every service.

• I'm sure you've heard us say this for years, "Saved people serve people."

• My prayer is that talks like this challenge all of us that consider ourselves followers of Jesus, to take on more of a leadership role when we show up on Sundays or Wednesdays.

• Here’s the thing, most unchurched and new believers haven’t gotten to that place in their journey of faith yet, and if we're doing our job right, we'll always have these in our church.

• I’m believing that we can all walk away from this talk with the understanding that every time we open our doors, we see every service as one of our best tools for reaching those Jesus is still moved with compassion over.

• And especially for a new believer, it's just easier for them to ask a friend to come and see what's going on.

• We must never get so comfortable with what we do that we overlook the fact that every Sunday could be the day of salvation for someone.

• I promise you there's no greater feeling than to know that the one you were friendly too, the one you invited, the one you served that Sunday stepped into Heaven because is your faithfulness.

• 1 Corinthians 12:27,MSG- You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.

• CHRISTIANITY ISN’T JUST BELIEVING, IT’S BELONGING