Doing Life Together
Encounter - Exalt - Excel - Equip - September 2019
Doing Life Together As We ENCOUNTER Christ
September 1, 2019 • Bill Williamson • Ephesians 4:1–16
With Christ in us, we are constantly encountering Him in every moment of every day. We just don't always recognize His presence. As we saw last week, even in the storms of life Christ is with us. We just need to set down the oars, be still, and recognize Christ in the middle of the waves. And, as we fix our eyes on Him, the peace of God, that passes all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. This morning is another opportunity for you to encounter Christ in worship. It is also an opportunity to encounter Christ in one another. Just look for Him, acknowledge Him, trust Him and find your rest in Him.
Doing Life Together As We EXALT God
September 8, 2019 • Bill Williamson • Psalm 95
As we continue to grow together in Christ, we need to come together and Exalt our God. To Exalt God is to honor Him above all gods. Today we will see that to Exalt God is to Worship God. You do not need to be in church to worship God. Worship is not just a gathering of God’s people on Sunday mornings. Worship is not just singing songs. To worship God is not just an offering of praise and thanksgiving. We worship God by surrendering everything to God. Worship is a lifestyle. It is bending our will to God’s will on a regular basis. In a sense, we Exalt God, when we bow down in humble surrender. This morning, may we Exalt the name of Jesus as we worship the One True God, who alone is worthy of our praise.
Doing Life Together As We EXCEL In Grace
September 15, 2019 • Bill Williamson • Acts 2:42–47
This morning we are going to look at the 3rd E: Excel into Spiritual Maturity, which is rooted in love. The focus will be how we are to excel in Grace, or more specifically acts or disciplines of grace. Paul writes to the Corinthians: "But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also." (2 Corinthians 8.7) Paul is affirming the believers in Corinth in how they excel in everything. He then encourages them to also excel in "this act of grace." He is referring to their Christian offering or stewardship. As one commentary puts it: "We humans are selfish by nature. Generosity is not something that comes naturally but is the result of God's grace in our lives. This is why Paul refers to the Corinthian offering as “this act of grace." As we look at the early church, let us fix our heart, soul and mind upon the things that will help us grow into the fullness of Christ.
Doing Life Together - God EQUIPS Us For Ministry
September 22, 2019 • Bill Williamson • Ephesians 2:10
Rick Warren, Founding Pastor of Saddleback Church, has authored two very practical books: 1.) The Purpose Driven Life; 2.) The Purpose Driven Church. As we come to the final "E" (Equip), of what it means to be an E4 Christian and an E4 Church, it is essentially about discovering your God-given purpose. It is also about discovering God's purpose for the church. God has created us on purpose. He had something in mind when He created you. God had something in mind when He formed the Church. It's our responsibility to figure out what that "something" is, trusting that God will equip us for whatever it is He wants us to do. One of the ways Saddleback helps Believers discover their God-given purpose is through a course they call S.H.A.P.E. S=Spiritual Gifts; H=Heart (Passion); A=Abilities; P=Personality; E=Experiences. God has created you as a unique individual, with certain gifts and passions, but He has structured your life with certain key relationships and life experiences, that together help give you your SHAPE, or purpose in life. This morning, listen to God speak into your spirit in a fresh way, listening for what He might be saying to you about your specific call and purpose and ministry in church and in life.