What God want’s for His church is...
He wants it to GROW deep!
He wants it to REACH wide!
Psalms 1:3
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Luke 13:6-9
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
However, God cannot stand unfruitfulness!
Mark 11:12-14
“12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.
13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.”
James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
John 15:5-8
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
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Jeremiah 1:3-4 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Grow Deep
ROOTED - Vision Weekend
March 2, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen
To Whom Much Is Given
April 28, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen
Luke 12:48b “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” Luke 12:48b (NIV), “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b (The Message) “Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities!” Luke 12:42-44 “ And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.” To WHOM MUCH is Given! 1 Corinthains 4:7 “ For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” It is easy to assume that only wealthy people have been “given much,” but in truth.... We have all been given much! Luke 12:48b Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” Liberty Church... We have a responsibility! To WHOM MUCH is Given! There Are Four Areas of Responsibility 1️⃣ We are “Spiritually” Responsible Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 2️⃣ We are “Financially” Responsible 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[b] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 3️⃣ We are “Skillfully” Responsible Colossians 3:23–24 tells us that everything we do should be for Christ: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” 4️⃣ We are “Time” Responsible Ephesians 5:15-16 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Psalm 82:3-4 “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Gods Word directs towards COMPASSION ministries! The early church was very involved in their community meeting the needs of others. • Providing food • Shelter • Clothing to the needy • Treating servants with respect • Caring for widows and orphans Ephesians 2:10 “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Matthew 25:31-40 ““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’” Our goal is not just to meet a need... But to see their entire lives transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Person Overboard
March 31, 2019 • Pastor Rick Cobiski
Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” The first problem in the world was not sin but solitude. Proverbs 18:1 warns that the one who “isolates himself. . . breaks out against all sound judgment”. God is restoring true friendship. He restores friendship with himself. Reference: Gen. 5:24; Gen. 6:9 Abraham was called “a friend of God” Reference: Isaiah 41:8 Moses spoke with God “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” Reference: Ex. 33:11. Jesus came as the great Friend of sinners, befriending all who trust and follow him. John 15:13-15 (ESV) 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. Now, here, all those befriended by God are brought into communities of friendship. Sometimes Calamity, hardship,loss of a loved one or disaster foster amazing friendships! James 5:19-20 (ESV) 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10(ESV) 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Proverbs is a practical guide to forging true friendship. It teaches us what to look for in finding true friends Reference: Prov. 13:20; Prov 22:24-25 It shows us why loyalty is so important for cultivating friendship Reference: Prov 18:24; 19:6; 27:9–10 It also shows us the one thing that is most damaging to this kind of relationship: spreading secrets Reference: Prov 16:28; 17:9 John 13:35: “by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another
Consecrate Yourselves
March 24, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen
God wants to work in our lives... And powerfully! Joshua 3:1-6 1 “Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3 and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” 5 Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 6 And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” If we want to go where God is wanting to take us... We have to recognize two things. 1. God is willing. 2. We must cooperate. God is willing • He is willing to save you! • He is willing to heal you! • He is willing to lead you! • He is willing to work out all the details • He is willing to provide for you! Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” We must cooperate with God! Philippians 2:12-15 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” 2 Corinthians 6:1 “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” FIRST — We wait on God and follow where His presence leads. • When we choose to get into His presence today... • It makes all the difference for tomorrow. WAITING is vital to receiving God’s direction! Joshua 3:1-2 “Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there (they waited there) before they passed over. Joshua 3:3-4 3 “and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” When you wait on the Lord, and you begin to sense His presence, you follow Him even when thing do not make sense! Second — Our consecration proceeds God’s blessings! Joshua 3:5 “Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” God is calling His church to Holiness and without that people will not see God work. Exodus 19:10-11 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Isaiah 6:5 “And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Joshua 24:14-15 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Heb 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." Joshua 3:14-17 says, “So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. 17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.