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Our church is all about loving God, loving people & loving life! This year was an incredible year as we set our faith & goals high to impact our church family and the surrounding community. Our theme was "Believe That You Can," based on the scripture found in Phillipians 4:13, that says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Lost People Matter To God So They Matter To Us- This year we have witnessed over 300 people make decisions to follow Jesus & we have baptized 70 in obedience to Christ! We have supported 17 different missions organizations at both home & abroad with over $52,000. We have assisted in planting churches in Cuba (4), India (1), Dominican Republic (1), Tulsa, Ok (1) & we are currently raising funds for Bridge Community in Downingtown, Pa. This is the heart beat of our church.
Investing Into The Next Generation- We have, on average, over 300 students and children involved in our ministry programs. We are planting seeds into the next generation because they are the engine of our church.
Fellowship Through Small Groups- As a church this past year, we have hosted more than 25 different ministries and small groups, involving hundreds of people! We introduced Life Training Classes (“Fresh Start With God” and Classes 101-401) in 2010, with 115 participants and 62 individuals committed to Freedom Life through membership.
Encouragement Through Relevant Biblical Ministry- A few statistics about our growth: Our average weekend attendance is 600-700; April was our biggest month with an average of 734 people attending. Our highest attended service was Mafia Church, with 1,050 people here. The MidWeek attendance averages over 300. And, we welcomed hundreds of guests and launched into three services to accommodate our growth this past year.
God is doing awesome things in the life of our church & the best is yet to come!
If you'd like to help us finish 2010 strong or be a part of reaching our year-end "Believe That You Can" goal of $150,000, towards our church & Downingtown church plant click here!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Priceless- WEEK 3 Gifts You Can’t Afford Not To Give
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Definition of GRATITUDE: the state of being grateful : thankfulness
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” Matthew 2:9-12
“Jesus 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?" Luke 17:11-18
UNGRATEFUL MINDSETS
• I WANT IT NOW!
There was a man who had two sons.12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' Luke 15:11-12
• I DESERVE EVERYTHING!
…Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. Luke 15:29
IS THERE ANY UNGRATEFULNESS IN YOUR HEART TODAY?
_____ MATERIAL & FINANCIAL
_____ RELATIONAL
_____ CIRCUMSTANCIAL
WHAT HAS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE BLESSINGS (GIFTS) THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO YOU?
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20
• EVERY BLESSING SOMEONE POURS INTO YOUR LIFE, TURN BACK TO GRATITUDE.
• EVERY BLESSING COMES GOD POURS INTO YOUR LIFE, TURN BACK TO PRAISE. (James 1:17)
• EVERY BLESSING YOU DON’T TURN BACK TO PRAISE TURNS INTO PRIDE.
…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation… 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. Ecclesiastes 6:9
…the cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:15-16
THINK ABOUT IT
• What are you most grateful for? To whom do you need to express gratitude?
• In each of the three areas—material/financial, relational, and circumstantial—what’s feeding your feelings of entitlement? How will you pursue an attitude of gratitude?
• List your blessings out loud. Take some time together to turn those back to God as praise.
Definition of GRATITUDE: the state of being grateful : thankfulness
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” Matthew 2:9-12
“Jesus 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?" Luke 17:11-18
UNGRATEFUL MINDSETS
• I WANT IT NOW!
There was a man who had two sons.12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' Luke 15:11-12
• I DESERVE EVERYTHING!
…Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. Luke 15:29
IS THERE ANY UNGRATEFULNESS IN YOUR HEART TODAY?
_____ MATERIAL & FINANCIAL
_____ RELATIONAL
_____ CIRCUMSTANCIAL
WHAT HAS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE BLESSINGS (GIFTS) THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO YOU?
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20
• EVERY BLESSING SOMEONE POURS INTO YOUR LIFE, TURN BACK TO GRATITUDE.
• EVERY BLESSING COMES GOD POURS INTO YOUR LIFE, TURN BACK TO PRAISE. (James 1:17)
• EVERY BLESSING YOU DON’T TURN BACK TO PRAISE TURNS INTO PRIDE.
…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation… 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. Ecclesiastes 6:9
…the cheerful heart has a continual feast. 16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:15-16
THINK ABOUT IT
• What are you most grateful for? To whom do you need to express gratitude?
• In each of the three areas—material/financial, relational, and circumstantial—what’s feeding your feelings of entitlement? How will you pursue an attitude of gratitude?
• List your blessings out loud. Take some time together to turn those back to God as praise.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
PRICELESS- WEEK 2 Gifts You Can’t Afford Not To Give
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Priceless Gifts- Part 2- INTEGRITY
WHAT IS INTEGRITY?
Definition of Integrity – in the Hebrew, the word integrity meant completeness, moral innocence, or perfection. The exact opposite of compromise. IN OTHER WORDS, INTEGRITY IS WHEN YOUR BEHAVIOR MATCHES YOUR BELIEFS. Dishonor & disloyalty are born out of a divided heart.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY?
• YOU CAN WALK CLOSELY WITH GOD.
“Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?... 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart...” Psalm 15:1-5 (see also Psalm 41:12)
• YOU HAVE GUIDANCE & MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.
“The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.” Proverbs 11:3
• YOU HAVE CONSTANT SECURITY IN YOUR HEART & PROTECTION OVER YOUR LIFE.
“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you.” Psalm 25:21
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9
• YOU GAIN TRUST, RESPECT, HONOR & INFLUENCE. Matthew 23:25-28
HOW DO YOU BUILD INTEGRITY INTO YOUR LIFE?
Speak HONESTLY.
“...speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
“God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.” Proverbs 20:7
Confess REGULARLY.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matt. 5:23-24
Live CONSISTENTLY. (*see Matthew 7:21-23)
Public life as well as our private life. Jesus said, "Take care and do not do your public deeds to be admired." What it means very simply is this: I am the same at home as I am here. That’s what it means. In fact, my definition of success is, "Those who are the closest to me, love and respect me the most."
WHAT’S YOUR INTEGRITY WORTH? EVERYTHING!
…I will not deny my integrity. 6 I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:5-6
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matt. 5:37
Priceless Gifts- Part 2- INTEGRITY
WHAT IS INTEGRITY?
Definition of Integrity – in the Hebrew, the word integrity meant completeness, moral innocence, or perfection. The exact opposite of compromise. IN OTHER WORDS, INTEGRITY IS WHEN YOUR BEHAVIOR MATCHES YOUR BELIEFS. Dishonor & disloyalty are born out of a divided heart.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTEGRITY?
• YOU CAN WALK CLOSELY WITH GOD.
“Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?... 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart...” Psalm 15:1-5 (see also Psalm 41:12)
• YOU HAVE GUIDANCE & MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.
“The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.” Proverbs 11:3
• YOU HAVE CONSTANT SECURITY IN YOUR HEART & PROTECTION OVER YOUR LIFE.
“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you.” Psalm 25:21
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9
• YOU GAIN TRUST, RESPECT, HONOR & INFLUENCE. Matthew 23:25-28
HOW DO YOU BUILD INTEGRITY INTO YOUR LIFE?
Speak HONESTLY.
“...speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
“God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.” Proverbs 20:7
Confess REGULARLY.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matt. 5:23-24
Live CONSISTENTLY. (*see Matthew 7:21-23)
Public life as well as our private life. Jesus said, "Take care and do not do your public deeds to be admired." What it means very simply is this: I am the same at home as I am here. That’s what it means. In fact, my definition of success is, "Those who are the closest to me, love and respect me the most."
WHAT’S YOUR INTEGRITY WORTH? EVERYTHING!
…I will not deny my integrity. 6 I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:5-6
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matt. 5:37
Sunday, December 12, 2010
PRICELESS- WEEK 1 Gifts You Can’t Afford Not To Give
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*Read Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 2:1-6
PRICELESS GIFT #1- HONOR without honor: atimos (at'-ee-mos); to dishonor; to treat as common or ordinary.
honor: time (tim-may’); to value, respect, or highly esteem; to treat as precious, weighty or valuable.
• RESPECT IS EARNED. HONOR IS GIVEN.
The Bible is a book about honoring God & His instruction. The 10 commandments teach us how to honor. The first 4 are a warning about dishonoring God & the next 6 warn us about dishonoring others. The law of honor flourishes in every season & in every environment. Honor is the willingness to reward someone for their difference. It is not flattery. HONOR QUALIFIES YOU TO ENTER ANY FUTURE THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU! Honor bring power to your life & to the lives of others. (see Mark 6:4-6)
WHO ARE WE CALLED TO HONOR?
• OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
THIS IS THE UNDERLYING REASON THAT OUR CULTURE IS DISHONORING.
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…” Isaiah 29:13 (see also Psalm 22:23)
• OUR PARENTS, SPOUSE, GRANDPARENTS, ELDERLY.
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 (see also Ephesians 6:2-3)
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together... Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7
“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:32 (see also 1 Timothy 5:3-4)
• THOSE IN AUTHORITY.
“Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:17
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe…respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:7 (*see also 1 Timothy 5:17)
• EVERYONE YOU CAN.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
PRICELESS GIFT #2- LOYALTY
loyalty: aman (aw-man'); to wholly trust or believe in, to be permanent, unwaveringly faithful.
What does the Bible have to say about loyalty and being loyal?
Loyalty is unwavering in good times and bad. (Proverbs 17:17)
Loyalty is what you do, not what you say. (Matthew 26:33-35 and 26:69-75)
Loyalty is in your heart. It is willing and not reluctant. (Psalm 78:8)
Loyalty can be demanding. (Exodus 17:8-13)
Loyalty may involve sacrifice. (2 Chronicles 11:13-16)
LOYALTY IS PROVEN IN ACTIONS, NOT SIMPLY WORDS.
Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6 NLT
• DISLOYALTY IS BORN OUT OF A DIVIDED HEART.
“The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend...” Proverbs 18:24 (see also James 4:8-9)
• TO YOUR SPOUSE.
"Didn't the Lord make you one with your wife… So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth... do not be unfaithful to your wife." Malachi 2:15-16 NLT
• TO YOUR FRIENDS.
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17
• TO CHRIST’S CHURCH.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Acts 2:42, 44-46
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GIVE THESES GIFTS?
“Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you." Luke 6:38
“You will always harvest what you plant.” Galatians 6:7
*Read Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 2:1-6
PRICELESS GIFT #1- HONOR without honor: atimos (at'-ee-mos); to dishonor; to treat as common or ordinary.
honor: time (tim-may’); to value, respect, or highly esteem; to treat as precious, weighty or valuable.
• RESPECT IS EARNED. HONOR IS GIVEN.
The Bible is a book about honoring God & His instruction. The 10 commandments teach us how to honor. The first 4 are a warning about dishonoring God & the next 6 warn us about dishonoring others. The law of honor flourishes in every season & in every environment. Honor is the willingness to reward someone for their difference. It is not flattery. HONOR QUALIFIES YOU TO ENTER ANY FUTURE THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU! Honor bring power to your life & to the lives of others. (see Mark 6:4-6)
WHO ARE WE CALLED TO HONOR?
• OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
THIS IS THE UNDERLYING REASON THAT OUR CULTURE IS DISHONORING.
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…” Isaiah 29:13 (see also Psalm 22:23)
• OUR PARENTS, SPOUSE, GRANDPARENTS, ELDERLY.
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 (see also Ephesians 6:2-3)
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together... Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7
“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:32 (see also 1 Timothy 5:3-4)
• THOSE IN AUTHORITY.
“Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:17
Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe…respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:7 (*see also 1 Timothy 5:17)
• EVERYONE YOU CAN.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
PRICELESS GIFT #2- LOYALTY
loyalty: aman (aw-man'); to wholly trust or believe in, to be permanent, unwaveringly faithful.
What does the Bible have to say about loyalty and being loyal?
Loyalty is unwavering in good times and bad. (Proverbs 17:17)
Loyalty is what you do, not what you say. (Matthew 26:33-35 and 26:69-75)
Loyalty is in your heart. It is willing and not reluctant. (Psalm 78:8)
Loyalty can be demanding. (Exodus 17:8-13)
Loyalty may involve sacrifice. (2 Chronicles 11:13-16)
LOYALTY IS PROVEN IN ACTIONS, NOT SIMPLY WORDS.
Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6 NLT
• DISLOYALTY IS BORN OUT OF A DIVIDED HEART.
“The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend...” Proverbs 18:24 (see also James 4:8-9)
• TO YOUR SPOUSE.
"Didn't the Lord make you one with your wife… So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth... do not be unfaithful to your wife." Malachi 2:15-16 NLT
• TO YOUR FRIENDS.
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17
• TO CHRIST’S CHURCH.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Acts 2:42, 44-46
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GIVE THESES GIFTS?
“Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you." Luke 6:38
“You will always harvest what you plant.” Galatians 6:7
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