Sunday Words of Encouragement January 21, 2018

We had a good Sunday School lesson although our SS teacher didn’t get too far along on his notes discussing the power of sin and Christ’s gift on the cross. Our worship was good and there was an encouraging word shared.

Pastor shared his sermon: A Vision for The Church.
He reminded us of the Congregational life cycle and the point that the church must recapture the dream it had at its start. Last week’s Point: We must move from come and see, to come and die.
Are we willing to be uncomfortable, to sacrifice?

Assemblies of God is cooperative fellowship. We are a Pentecostal church which invests in world missions. But sometimes we forget about the power to be witnesses. Society declines; churches stand empty. We need to be witnesses here at home. We need to witness “around the corner and around the world.”

Point: Our investment in the Kingdom of God reveals where our heart is.

Malachi 3:8-10 the nation is admonished for failing to bring the full tithe into the storehouse. The Lord even challenges them with 'test me ... and see if I will not open the floodgates'.

It is our job to support the spread the gospel. Romans 15:20-21. Paul even tells the people he would compare them with other churches. 2 Corinthians 8:7-8. Be aware where you store up treasure – on earth or in heaven. Matthew 6: 19 -21.
Remember the Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25:14-30.
Let us be found investing in God's kingdom.

Pastor shared our church mission report showing a world map marked with the 48 mission units/persons that our church is committed to. Pastor’s Vision for 2018 is to expand our worldwide outreach with 100% congregational participation every month. Our God is not the God of poverty or scarcity but a God of blessing and abundance. Let us have a World impact!

I think this song fits okay today.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thank you Lord, always, for reminding me of priorities and that my treasure - all that YOU have given me -- needs to be passed along.