This Sunday Message at Midtown Church Discipleship Because Maturity Matters

God desires us to become mature as disciples of Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We pursue maturity in order to reproduce that maturity.

2 Timothy 2:1-2
Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

We can follow a process revealed in Scripture to produce maturity.

2 Peter 1:5-9
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

We will consider maturity to be a spiritual transformed life.

Romans 5:2-5
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Galatians 5:22-23a
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We can create a flexible, relational, progressive, discipleship culture.

Ephesians 4:11-13
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Romans 14:17-19
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Application Questions:
How might you grow in your commitment to Biblical Discipleship?                         In what areas do you need to mature so you can contribute to disciple building?
What is keeping you from reproducing your faith in others?
In what ways are you currently growing, in what areas are you stuck?
How has God transformed you in the past?
What are ways you would like to see Midtown help people grow?
How can you envision your involvement with disciple building here @ Midtown?

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Midtown Church Sunday 1/14: Your Word For 2018

Join us This Sunday @ Midtown Church as Woody Johnson Shares a message on ‘Your Word for 2018’

Choosing A WORD For The Year!

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5).

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

How to determine your WORD?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

1. PRAY
“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” (Philippians 3:13).

2. ASK
“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

3. WAIT and LISTEN.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

“You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance.” Ps. 65:11

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Midtown Church Sunday Jan. 7th: Seven Eternal Resolutions

This Sunday @ Midtown Church we will walk through Hebrews 13:1-8

7 Eternal Resolutions (Hebrews 13:1-8)

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

#1 Resolve to TREAT PEOPLE with love like they were family; Eternal Fellowship!

#2 Resolve to HAVE EMPATHY for the marginalized; It takes Eternal HEART!

#3 Resolve to HONOR ‘Biblical / Judo-Christian Morality; No ‘Spiritual Neutrality’!

#4 Resolve to TRUST God’s provision, not the world’s economy; Eternal Choice!

#5 Resolve to GROW in Christ the way people you admire grew; Reproduce Eternity!

#6 Resolve to LIVE from God’s grace, not ‘Spiritual Fads’; Follow The Eternal One!

#7 Resolve to BE OPEN to Christ as much as possible; It starts & ends W/ Christ!

 

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Midtown Church New Years Eve

Sunday 12/31/2017 @ Midtown Church:

Looking to the Future in Light of Christ

Luke 2:21-22: Bringing The Christ Child to The Temple
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord…

Luke 2:25-32: The Prophecy of Simeon
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there.

He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Luke 2:36-38: The Prophecy of Anna
Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.

She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Application Questions:
As you start a new year what are three ways you can be more obedient?

What spiritual things do you look forward to this coming year?

How might you be more available to The Spirit’s scheduling of ‘Divine Appointments?

Describe what it means to live ‘In Light Of Christ’?

How might you recognize the spiritually obvious things in your life better in 2018?

What are some ways you can be more persistent in your approach to seeking God?

How might you more intentionally share the reality of Jesus in 2018?

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The Essential Value of Generosity

1 Corinthians 8:1-15

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.  They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.

They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving.

Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.” (Manna)

A Prayer

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Lord, teach us who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in our money, which is so unreliable. May our trust be in you God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Compel us to use our resources to do good. May we be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. Lord we know this is your will that we store up the treasure of ‘Generous Living’ as a good foundation for the future so that we may experience true life.

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The Essential Value of Prayer

Today we gloriously welcomed seven members into the Midtown Church family. Together we act as one body. None of us can fulfill God’s purpose alone; we do it in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

God’s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. – 1 Timothy 3:15B

C.S. Lewis taught us that the word membershiphas Christian origin. Member is from the Latin membrum, meaning ‘limb.’ As Woody Johnson opined at service today, we function better as a church when we work together, like a body with all of its limbs intact.

   Together, not separated, we are His body. – 1 Corinthians 12:27

Today’s teaching was the third part in a series about the culture of Midtown Church. Pastor Todd enlightened us with three critical components of understanding prayer, summarized here.

Gravity of prayer. (Revelations 5: 6-9)

Because of Christ’s great sacrifice, we are connected to God and have been granted the gift of being able to pray to Him, converse with Him. In Revelations 5, Jesus is a sacrificial lamb. When he retrieves the scroll, he is agreeing to take on the job of being everyone’s savior. At that point, the living creatures fall down in worship and offer up their prayers to our Lord.

Heart of prayer. (Mark 11: 24-26)

What is at the heart of prayer? Forgiveness. Our relationship with God was bought by His forgiveness of us. We must both experience and embrace forgiveness. Before God can forgive us, we must forgive those who have hurt us. Our forgiveness must come first. This daunting task requires active forgiveness. Our model for doing that is Jesus Christ himself. It is by God’s grace that we are able to forgive.

Direction for prayer in your life. (Matthew 6: 6-8)

Pray the Bible. By making scripture the foundation of our prayer, we infuse God’s will and His word into our prayer. Read scripture. Say it out loud. Understand its meaning. Imagine yourself at the scene. Contemplate what is happening at the scene. Repeat the words. Sing the Psalms! God wants us to pray in his Word–it is the perfect guidebook to praying and to living God’s will.

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The Essential Value of Church Family

Philippians 2:2-5

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Colossians 3:14-15

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

Ephesians 4:16

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Acts 2:42

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

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The Essential Value of Scripture

From Psalm 119

 Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.

O Lord, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair. Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.

Open my eyes to see he wonderful truths in your instructions.

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver. I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.

Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.

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Purpose Overcomes Doubt

Series: Between Resurrection and Ascension

Message (Part 3): Purpose Overcomes Doubt

Mark 16:14

Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

Matthew 28:16-17

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Mark 16:15-16

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

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Restoration Christ Style

Series: Between Resurrection and Ascension

Message (Part 1): Restoration Christ Style

John 21:15-23 

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

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