GET OUT OF THE BOAT! Don’t do things the same as everyone else. Have some faith, and keep your focus on Jesus. When things get scary, reach out and take Jesus’ hand. Don’t be content with just keeping it safe and easy. Challenge yourself. Challenge your friends. Yes there are storms out there, but being in the boat is not the answer. Get close to Jesus!!
Guess Speaker: J Pettigrew
Those of us here today who are Christians, as God’s masterpiece, You were created for good works, Jesus has something for you to do. He knew long ago that you would be in this city at this church, He knew what the needs of our church and our city would be, and placed you hear for good works…to live beyond yourself.
As the Body of Christ we all have a part to play – whether the eye, the ear, the foot…
Ephesians 4:1 – walk worthy of your calling…it’s your calling
God ways are opposite than the world. Up is down, give to grow, the last is first, if you want to live…die to yourself.
Guess Speaker: Isaiah Shook
We are God’s workmanship to do good works, live beyond just ourselves!
2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)
But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
The Church Is The Hope Of The World! Not a hospital, college – not democracy, or morality, education, not democrats, republicans or the tea party. Jesus didn’t build a hospital or start a political system – The local church is the only institution Jesus established.
John 3:16 (NLT)
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Today is what we are calling “No Show Sunday”, Not because volunteers need a break, but because I want you to see something as we look in Scripture today.
John 2:1-3 (NLT)
1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
People that were not like Jesus were the people that liked Jesus.
So what, no wine? We do not VALUE you, HONOR you or PREPARE for you.
Running out of joy. Running out of passion. Loosing sight of purpose. No white hot purpose to reach people far from God.
Running out of wine is what happens when we choose our great comfort over His great commission.
At Ovation Church the mission is to create a growing community that makes Jesus attractive.
God never intended for you to have to go through hardship alone.
Luke 22:32 (NIV)
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
In this scripture we see Jesus praying for Simon (Peter). Often when you pray for others needs, God meets your needs!
James 5:16 (NLT)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James says the prayer of a righteous man is very powerful and effective.
James 5:16-18(NLT)
16 …The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Never underestimate the power of prayer. When you pray, you enter the presence of God. You encounter the extraordinary God and He moves into your ordinary life.
Praying prayers that get results, starts with a genuine relationship with God.
What Does It Mean to Pray in the Name of Jesus? In several passages from the Gospel of John, Jesus instructs us to pray in his name.
For example:
John 14:13-14 (NIV) 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
This command has led many Christians to end their prayers with something like “in Jesus’ name” before they say “Amen.”
I often end my prayers with “in Jesus’ name.” But when Jesus told us to pray in his name, he wasn’t talking about the words with which we end our prayers.
We’re gonna talk about prayer. Let me tell you right up front, this isn’t a guilt sermon. This is not a series to tell you that if you really loved Jesus, you would do your good Christian duty and pray the first hour of every day.
Here’s what I don’t want you to get: We have to pray.
Here’s what I want you to get. We get to pray.
I don’t want you to hear, pray so that God will love you. No, pray because God loves you. Don’t pray because it’s your religious duty. Pray because it’s your worshipful joy.
Jesus never asked anyone to be a “Christian.” He asked them to be something else. Jesus called people to be His
disciple. Look at what Scripture says in Matthew 9:9.
Matthew 9:9 New Living Translation (NLT)
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
What is the Next Step? The Next Step is the best place to learn how you can jump in, get involved and take the next step. Here is your chance to meet new people, and learn the story and vision behind Ovation … [Read More...]
Community Groups are essential to the mission of Ovation Church. In light of our Biblical convictions that community is a critical part of the growth of a believer and a crucial aspect of our ability to … [Read More...]
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