Lifecast - November 30, 2008

November 30, 2008

The Cycle of the Judges
Pastor Tim Maness
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Judges 3:1-11

Israel falls away from God
Judges 3:1-4
1 These are the nations the LORD left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan 2 (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience): 3 the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. 4 They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD’s commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses.
God brings judgment toward Israel
Judges 3:5-8
5 The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 6 They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. 8 The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.
Israel cries for help
Judges 3:9
9 But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.
God delivers Israel and they find peace
Judges 3:10-11
10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. 11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Lifecast - November 23, 2008

November 23, 2008

Reasons to be Thankful
Pastor Tim Maness
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Luke 17:11-19

Luke 17:11-19

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a]met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Be thankful that you have been cleansed of sin
Be thankful that God is approachable
Be thankful because you will never be the same again

Filed Under Lifecast · Leave a Comment

Lifecast - November 16, 2008

November 16, 2008

REACH
Pastor Tim Maness
Sunday, November 16, 2008

R | Research

Pentecostal identity
Personally (where do you personally need growth)
Community
Who are we now? (Past and Present)
Who do we want to become? (Future)
You will never know who you will become in the future, if you don’t know who you are now. (Research)

E | Equip

Church members must be equipped.
Must become leadable, capable, and available.

7 ingredients of equipping
L-Love for unchurched people
O-Organized for visionary outreach
Y-Yoked in harmony with other believers
A-Acceptance of personal accountability
L-Listening to meet crucial needs
T-Trustworthiness in forming relationships
Y-Yielded to the Holy Spirit for empowerment

The ultimate goal is taking church members and transforming them from just believers into super achievers.

Equip church members for ministry

A | Advance
What got Cornerstone Life church to where it is today will not take it to where it needs to go!

With a plan of action, there are many elements that must be entertained.

Advancing a creative plan of action

Believe Scripturally	Embrace Innovation
Create Trust	Breed Generosity
Share Vision	Stress Balance
Foster Teamwork	Proclaim Liberty
Pray Fervently	Stay Positive
Generate Excitement	Keep Current
Emphasize Giftedness	Praise Untiringly
Blend Culturally

This features three components

Preparing the congregation and facilities for growth.
Developing a plan to recruit and influence visitors
Creating promotional channels and utilizing media

C | Challenge

If we want things to change, we must change
If we want to achieve something we have never achieved before, we must do something we have never done before.
If we want commitment from others to improve, we must improve.
If we want to be recognized in a different way, we must become a church we have never been before.
If we want better quality in ministry, we must put better quality in our work.
If we want to receive more, we must give more.
If we want to know our real capacity, we must stretch ourselves to our limits.
If we want to reach more people and minister more effectively, we must understand that tomorrow will be different from today.
If we want our people to have a new vision, we must have a new vision and be consistent vision-casters.
If we want God to show us His presence in glorious manifestations we have never experienced before, we must approach Him and serve Him in ways we have never visualized before.

Challenge members to become an evangelists.

H | Honor
It takes a team to achieve a dream!

Church team leaders and volunteers are the backbone of the local church:

They are the force that produces the fruit of loyal discipleship
They are the influencers that lead to increases in attendance
They are the models that mobilize the church for ministry and that motivate members to be involved.
They are the glue that hold the church body together in fulfilling vision and mission

Honoring church workers is an indispensable factor in church growth. The apostle Paul gives the admonition, “…appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you. Respect (honor) them with a very special love because of the work they do.” (I Thessalonians 5:12, 13 NCV).

5 benefits of honoring church leaders and volunteers:

The church is brought together in love, understanding of mission, and respect for each other.
A spirit of cooperation, courtesy, and expectation is created.
Workers develop a sense of significance and are motivated to remain visionary and faithful.
A greater awareness of how personal gifts and skills contribute to the mission of the church is advanced-discipleship, stewardship, and relationships.
Excitement is brewed fro reaching the next level in church attendance and to being personally involved.

Church leaders and workers should be: RESPECTED for their skills, RECOGNIZED for their faithfulness; and REWARDED for their productivity.

Honor team members and maintain the loyalty of church members and visitors.

Answer the call

Yes, Lord!

Our church will be obedient

We will:
“Reach up” to you for vision and authority to grow spiritually and numerically.
“Reach in” to love, nurture and honor one another.
“Reach around” our community with prayer and a positive image.
“Reach out” to the unchurched with compassion and appealing activities.
“Reach beyond” our city and be a part of Kingdom ministry world wide.

Filed Under Lifecast · Leave a Comment