This is the guy I was most excited to hear. And he didn’t let us down … He’s the pastor at New Spring.
Perry Noble
If you can lead a church you can lead any secular organization. In a secular organization you can lead with power … in a church you have to take the towel of humility and lead from there.
I love Jesus I just don’t love the people that love Jesus.
We better know why we’re doing what we’re doing because if we don’t, we’ll quit or we will disqualify ourselves.
Mark 3
1. We have to understand that we’re called.
Are you here because God called you – OR – because of immaturity?
When it comes to ministry, if I weren’t called I would quit most days.
V13: Jesus went up on a mountain and he called those he wanted.
Thank God I didn’t volunteer … if you volunteer for this stuff, you’re stupid.
If you ever take pride that you’re called, read 1 Corinthians 1:26 (not wise, not influential – boast in Jesus)
This wasn’t my idea: the Creator of the universe pulled me up
2. We have to understand what is important
v14
a. called them to be WITH Jesus (ministry cannot take the place of our personal time with Jesus)
- if we would spend more time focusing on Jesus we would be more successful
- we spend way too much time trying to get somebody else’s mail
- there is way too much imitation and way too little revelation in the church
- we will get it when we are willing to spend time with him
b. called them to PREACH
- there’s going to be plenty of time to love one another in heaven, we need to get out and preach the gospel
- God is not green; Kermit is
- We can save the planet and the people on it will go to hell
- It will be a cold day in hell when I preach on hell and ignore the gospel of Jesus
- The problem with the church is that we have more than Jesus
- I’m crazy enough to believe that God has one more huge move in Him
c. Called to have AUTHORITY (v15)
- You have authority to drive out decons … demons
- It is my desire to see you do exactly what God has called you to do
- It is time for us to stop walking in fear and begin walking in the authority of what God has called us to do
People say, “I wish I could say what you say at your church” … why can’t you? Do you want to be a prostitute for the rest of your life?
Don’t ever apologize for dreaming big. You can do EXACTLY what God called you to do.
Models vary: these men walk under the authority of God.
The only people that get mad when you preach on money are the people that …
The only people that get mad when you preach about adultery are the people that …
Have you ever argued with God on the platform?
You do what I tell you to do and let me handle the results – God.
3. Understand the Temptation
If you are a pastor, there is a bigger target on your back than anybody else in your church – it is an extreme victory for Satan.
V16 – 19: Judas walked closer to Jesus than most of us will ever … but he didn’t finish because he fell into temptation. Men, you have to understand that Satan desires to sift you … to “halve” you.
What are you doing to protect yourself?
The kingdom of God doesn’t need it anymore … no more falling into temptation.
If I confess, it’ll hurt people … your sin is already hurting people.
“God is not green; Kermit is”, hmm a bet of a red herring I believe.
If he wouldn’t volunteer to do the work of the ministry, then how can he lead others to do it?
Its a good reminder that we are not fighting the deacons but one who would rather slice and dice us. Yikes.