Touching Lives

This morning I was able to attend a church planting meeting with a handful of other church planters from the Kansas City area. We had the privilege of hearing Al Weiss who is the president of Disney World Theme parks and resorts. He has started a church planting organization that is called Vision 360. He said, “I love my job, but my passion is Vision 360.” He gave the statistic that 11% of those who would call themselves, “Evangelical” in Kansas City attend church regularly on Sunday. He said that we are not only in a post-Christian culture, but we are also in a post-church culture. His call to action was for us to share Christ, serve people and start churches to CHANGE THE CITY.

That is a big goal, especially if you have read the newspaper or watched the 10:00pm news lately. This worthy objective will not be accomplished by herding the masses into an event. It must be accomplished one person at a time. You and I must set the pace for discipleship. We are called to individually touch lives. Before I share to much, I better save a little for Sunday morning ☺.

This week we are looking at Part 2 of “The Greatest Story Ever Told” from John 1:43-51. As you read through this passage this weekend in preparation for Sunday, try to imagine the void that each disciple had in their individual lives and how the message of Jesus filled that void.

As the Holy Spirit brings it to mind, please take some time to pray for the services and for our church in general. This week it was my privilege to see Latasha ask Jesus to come into her life. This is, Lord-willing, just one of many lives that we are going to see changed through the message of the gospel.

Tomorrow, we are going to meet for a flyer distribution down at the River Market from 8:00am – 9:00am. I urge you to come and join us for this outreach…we will never know the impact of a flyer in someone’s life.

If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas please contact me.

Blessings!
Troy

John 1:40-42a “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus.”

The Greatest Story Ever Told

This morning I read these words found in Joshua 3:5, “Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.’”

Even though we live in a different culture, at a different time with different influences, our objective is still the same: Exalt God as He does His work in our lives and the lives of others.

Please join me in prayer for the service tomorrow…we must consecrate ourselves and ask God to do wonders.

For the sermon, I have borrowed the title from a 1965 film as we begin a series that I have entitled, “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

Each week we will look closely at the witness for Jesus Christ from a different perspective. The weekly sermon menu looks like this:

• April 22 - Witness of John the Baptist (1:19-34)
• April 29 - Witness of the future disciples of Jesus (1:41-51)
• May 6 - Witness of Jesus’ own wonderful powers (2:1-11)

Thank you for your prayers and participation.

Troy
Ephesians 3:20-21

John 1 Review

I hope you are looking forward to being involved in church tomorrow. I have mentioned this before, but this is not a time to be a spectator. Church is a time to be mentally involved in the worship of God. In order to prepare your mind, I suggest spending time in personal prayer before coming and asking God to give you an open mind and a soft heart to hear and apply the Word of God.

Over the past two weeks we have seen the following from John 1:

• The introduction of Jesus (1) Logos to Jew and Greek
• The description of Jesus (2-5) Eternal and Personal
• The testimony of Jesus (6-8) John the Baptist, Works, Father, Holy Spirit
• The significance of Jesus (9) True light
• The rejection of Jesus (10-11) His own did not receive Him
• The reception of Jesus (12-13) Those who receive are sons…

These first thirteen verses have built to the climax we are going to read now in verses 14-18…

1. Christ’s Incarnation—"The word became flesh": John 1:14.
2. Christ’s Earthly sojourn—"And tabernacled among us:" John 1:14.
3. Christ’s Essential Glory—"As of the only Begotten:" John 1:14.
4. Christ’s Supreme excellency—"Preferred before:" John 1:15.
5. Christ’s Divine sufficiency—"His fulness:" John 1:16.
6. Christ’s Moral perfections—"Grace and truth:" John 1:17.
7. Christ’s Wondrous revelation—Made known "the Father:" John 1:18.

I hope to see you all tomorrow…

Blessings!
Troy

The Birth of a Church

Yesterday was an Easter Sunday that I will never forget. After working nearly 11 months toward the launch of New Life Church, “the baby was born.” It is nearly impossible to describe the emotions that accompany this opportunity.

It actually brings my thoughts back to the times when our daughters were born. I wanted to laugh, I felt like crying and for the most part I just stood there with my mouth wide open…

Before I start talking to much, I must remind each of us that this is not our church and furthermore this church is not about us. It is merely our privilege to be a part of seeing God do His work, His way in His time. It’s all about God!

From the beginning of our planning stages we prayed for 200 people to attend the first service and God blessed with 203…that is not counting Him. Though, He was definitely a part of the day ☺.

We do not have time to live in the past. I love how the Apostle Paul puts it in Philippians 1:13-14 where he says, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Please join with me now in praying for God to continue His work in the lives of each who attended. Let’s also pray for those who will be in the services this Sunday that God will use the music, prayer, Scripture and sermon to impact lives for eternity.

This Wednesday we will begin our neighborhood Bible studies. This is a great opportunity to become a part of a small group for fellowship and spiritual challenge. If you have questions or need directions to any of the locations feel free to contact me.

Thursday, Leigh-Ann will be starting a ladies' Beth Moore Bible Study at our house. Again, please contact the church if you would like more info or directions.

Sunday night we will have an evening service at 6:00pm. We will have a time of prayer and study and then we will be learning the specifics of our children’s ministry. I hope you will plan to come.

As always, please reply or call with any ideas, suggestions or questions. I hope you continue to keep the Son in your eyes….

Pastor Troy