What is happening to America? Why does it feel like (to believers and churchgoers) God is being ushered out of our culture, out of society? Seventy-five years of history as a church has allowed us to experience many changes and challenges through the years. But what's the opportunity? How will we carry out Christ's mission (the co-mission) to make disciples of all people? While Pastor John's focus today is on honoring the past, we also want to envision what the Lord might have in store for the future as a church in these United States of America.

Matthew 7:24-29
24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

OUTLINE:

Celebrating Seventy-five!
Matthew 7:24-29, John 15:1-8, Acts 1:8

What’s Happening in the U.S.?
Scientific Naturalism –
Post-Modernism –
Ethical Monotheism –

Where Are You?
What Do We Need?

Foundation
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes. (Matthew 7:24-29)

Fruit
I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. (John 15:5-8)

Fire
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)