Workmanship (January 8th, 2006)

Identity and Renewed Resources (January 22nd, 2006)

Experience and Desire (January 29th, 2006)

where nobody stands alone

Video Illustration:  Some people are willing to do anything (Jackass clip); some people don’t have the ability to do anything (Hitch, when white man tries to dance) Message Series Focal Passage:  2 Corinthians 5: 17 (NAS) - 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. WIRED message series Part 1  Workmanship - the skill of a craftsperson - what are you able to do Message Series Focal Passage:  2 Corinthians 5: 17 (NAS) - 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Introduction of WIRED message series and purpose (packet) Workmanship - what are you able to do Focal Passage: OT - Moses was not able to speak, so God used someone that could speak. Identity - what is your temperament Focal Passage: - Paul and Barnabas disagreeing and splitting up - butted heads? Renewed resources - what is your spiritual gifts Focal Passage: a main spiritual gift passage Experience - what are you painful, vocational, and educational experiences Focal Passage:  Paul’s pain in Corinthians, his vocation and his education with Gamaliel Desire - what are your most passionate about?  What are you willing to die for? Focal Passage:  OT, Samson gave his life Workmanship Focal Passage:  OT - Moses was not able to speak, so God used someone that could speak (Exodus 4: 10 - 15) (NAS) - 10 Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." 11 The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes {him} mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 "Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say." 13 But he said, "Please, Lord, now send {the message} by whomever You will." 14 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, "Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 "You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. 1. What were the abilities of Moses a. Workmanship – what was he able to do i. Relationship with God (v. 10 – 15) 1. close to God 2. Knew God 3. Communicated with God 4. servant of God ii. No able to eloquently speak (v. 10) 1. God assigned a right hand man to perfect his weakness 2. God now has an opportunity for glory. a. If Moses could do it all, then where would God get glory? iii. Henry Van Dyke – Use what talents you possess.  The woods would be a very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. 2. What were the shortcomings of Moses that God still used a. Exodus 4: 1 i. Doubt ii. public skepticism b. Exodus 4: 10 i. not eloquent in speech 1. possibly a natural defect or had difficulty in free fluency of the Egyptian language c. God used these things to show that it wasn’t Moses doing wonderful things, it was Him i. 2 Corinthians 12: 10 1. 10 Therefore I R476 am well content with weaknesses, with insults, F100 with distresses, R477 with persecutions, R478 with difficulties, R477 for R479 Christ's sake; for when R480 I am weak, then I am strong. ii. When Moses tried to allow his shortcomings to be the guiding force in his life, that is when God’s anger had to be kindled toward him. 1. this displeasure, in Moses, made Moses loose a great opportunity 2. when the displeasure was manifested by the transferring the honor of the priesthood to Aaron a. 1 Chronicles 23: 13 i. 3 The R327 sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron R328 was set apart to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to R329 burn incense before the LORD, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever. d. Lord Halifan, a former foreign secretary at Great Britain, once shared a railway compartment with 2 prim – looking spinsters.  A few moments before reaching his destination the train passed through a tunnel.  In the utter darkness Halifax kissed the back of his hand noisily several times.  When the train drew into the station, he rose, lifted his hat, and in a gentlemanlyway said:  “May I thank whichever one of you ladies I am indebted to for the charming incident in the tunnel.”  He then beat a hasty retreat, leaving the 2 ladies glaring at each other. e. When going skiing you learn of your shortcomings – PLAY VIDEO i. Some people got it and some just didn’t 3. What was the outcome of God’s sovereignty and Moses’ workmanship? a. Moses worked hard with his abilities to glorify God b. Even when God took care of Moses’ excuse Moses still didn’t want to do it. i. His abilities made him willing, but his mind/doubt made him unwilling 1. He was anxious to be freed from responsibility c. A leader was born i. Someone that created more leaders d. A people tasted freedom e. A wrong was righted 4. Invitation a. All this done because 1 person allowed God to use his abilities, his workmanship. b. Have WIRED packets to recruit people into ministry. c. What will be the outcome of God’s sovereignty and your workmanship d. Only you can tell that story.

Video Illustration:  Do you struggle with idenitity – Irobot when he is in that room full of robots – when he says “what am I” – Do you struggle with your gifts? -    How are you WIRED? Message Series Focal Passage:  2 Corinthians 5: 17 (NAS) - 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. WIRED message series Part 1:  Identity and Renewed Resources Message Series Focal Passage:  2 Corinthians 5: 17 (NAS) - 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Introduction of WIRED message series and purpose (packet) Workmanship - what are you able to do Identity - what is your temperament Renewed resources - what is your spiritual gifts Experience - what are you painful, vocational, and educational experiences Desire - what are your most passionate about?  What are you willing to die for? What is the goal of a Christian? Focal Passage:  Acts 8: 35 (NAS) 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. How is Philip able to do this? Anybody Can? Philip understands his identity in Christ and is in touch with his God given Resources: I. Understanding your identity - temperament – How hot are you? a. “Snowflakes, like people, are all different and beautiful, but they can be a nuisance when they lose their identity in a mob” b. “Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him.”  Mel Brooks quotes (American Actor, Writer, Producer and Film Director. b.1926 Brooklyn, New York, USA) c. It's obvious that God has not used a cookie cutter to create people. i. He loves variety----just look around! ii. God made introverts and extroverts. iii. He made people who love routine and those who love variety. iv. He made some people “thinkers” and others “feelers.” v. Some people work best when given an individual assignment while others work better with a team. vi. We need all kinds of personalities to balance the church and give it flavor. d. Phillip’s Identity/ Temperment i. Careful Student 1. Acts 8: 30 – 35 ii. Can Explain Bible Message clearly 1. Acts 8: 12, 35 iii. People Person 1. Meeting Ethiopian 2. Acts 8: 26 – 40 e. People are either 4 personalities i. "D" Behavior (Active I Task oriented) 1. Abilities: lead, take stand, confront issue, persevere, dictate, and make decisions and control. ii. "I" Behavior (Active / People oriented) 1. Abilities: Communicate, inspire, influence, make friends, optimism, and enthusiasm. iii. "S" Behavior (Passive / People oriented) 1. Abilities: Support, serve, specialize, finish what others start, work behind the scenes, do what needs to be done. iv. “C" Behavior (Passive / Task oriented) 1. Abilities: Analyze, improve, discern, calculate, follow directions, do the right thing. f. PLUGGING – IN YOUR PERSONALITY i. On your program, write your name: ii. Now write your name with your opposite hand: 1. WHAT HAPPENED? 2. When you tried to do something that was not natural to you … a. You felt uncomfortable. b. It took extra time and effort. c. You still did a lousy job at it! g. Illustration:  car getting broken into.  What was their identity?  What was my identity? i. Illustration:  How hot am I naturally,  How hot am I as  Chrisitan.  How did this help me when my car got broke into? h. WIFE VS. HUSBAND i. A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.  An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"  "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws." i. Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities. i. For instance, two people may have the same gift of evangelism, but if one is introverted and the other is extroverted, that gift will be expressed in different ways. II. What are spiritual gifts – He gets them, Name them a. Some people are confused; therefore their life never clicks no matter what kind of front you put on. i. “It's not listed in the Bible, but my spiritual gift, my specific calling from God, is to be a television talk-show host”  Jim Bakker quotes b. “Now about spiritual gifts I do not want you to be ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12: 1 i. A SPIRITUAL GIFT:  Is a special ability, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer at their conversion, to be used to minister to others and therefore build up the Body of Christ. c. The Bible clearly teaches that God gives every believer certain spiritual gifts to be used in ministry. (for an exhaustive list email epiphanybaptist@bellsouth.net) i. 1 Cor. 12 ii. Rom. 8 iii. Eph. 4 iv. 1 Peter 4: 10, 11 d. Spiritual gifts are given to each person by the Holy Spirit and are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers. i. When you do not plug into a body of believers and use your gifts, you do not function well. ii. It is like trying to play a DVD in a VCR. e. THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS i. NOT FOR MY BENEFIT, BUT OTHERS. 1. “Each one of you, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others, the spiritual gift he has received from God.” 1 Peter 4: 10 2. “The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” 1 Corinthians 12: 7 3. Connect Group blurb – ministering to one another Matthew 25: 31 – 46 ii. TO PRODUCE MATURITY AND STABILITY IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY. 1. “It was He who gave gifts to men … to build up the Body of Christ so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith … and become mature … Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind…” - Ephesians 4: 11, 13 – 14 f. Spiritual gifts reveal part of God’s will for your ministry, but not all of it. i. The other aspects of WIRED fulfill the scope. g. There is a partial list of gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12 – 14 i. Paul speaks to the church of Corinth because of 2 problems 1. Chapter 12 a. spiritual gifts were dividing the church. i. Some people used their gift as a symbol of Spiritual Power. ii. They acted as if they were better than everyone else. iii. Everybody has different gifts, they are all equally important. 1. Epiphany believes in providing a platform for everybody to exercise their gift for God’s glory. a. A Psalmist Style of Worship - It is the dream of embracing creativity. Artists will have the opportunity to experience and extend their talent and ability through performance, recording, music festivals, and galleries. 2. Chapter 14 a. Abuse of the gifts i. People were abusing the gifts of tongues and prophecy. ii. Corinthians were using this as a sign of superiority. 1. If you don’t speak this way, then you may not be saved iii. WHY WE DO NOT ALLOW THIS GIFT IN OUR SERVICES 1. It is for personal edification, not for the whole church. 1 Corinthians 14: 4 2. We are to focus on building up others, not ourselves. 1 Corinthians 14: 9, 12 3. It confuses unbelievers in the service. 1 Corinthians 14: 23 4. Ideally, it is not meant to be used in the worship service. 1 Corinthians 14: 19 – 20; 32 – 33. h. Philips Renewed Resources / Spiritual Gifts i. Evangelist 1. Acts 8: 26 – 40; 21: 8 ii. Servant 1. Will to obey wholeheartedly, even when it may not make sense 2. Acts 8: 26 – 27 iii. Administration 1. Organize Food a. Acts 6: 1 – 5 i. As the early church increased in size, so did its needs. i. One great need was to organize the distribution of food to the poor. ii. The apostles needed to focus on preaching, so they chose others to administer the food program (key for people not getting burned out and growing a church – everybody do their job and not one doing it all 1 Cor. 5: 13) iii. Each person has a vital part to play in the life of the church (1 Corinthians 12) iv. If you are in a position of leadership and find yourself overwhelmed by responsibilities, determine your God – given abilities and priorities and then find others to help. v. If you are not in leadership, you have gifts that can be used by God in various areas of the church’s ministry. vi. Offer these gifts in service to him. j. Giftedness Illustration i. CREATION 1. A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time."  The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!" III. How do you use them?  And why do you use them? a. Most people believe that they can get to heaven by just sacrificing a part of themselves and doing good for others. i. God is pleased only when we are obedient from our heart to his 1. 1 Samuel 15: 22 a. 22 Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, 2. Psalm 40: 6 a. 6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. b. Doing good is great, but you have not required that God. i. You require my heart and my obedience. b. When the Holy Spirit is working within you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and that eternal life comes through Him (1 John 5:5) i. You will begin to act as Christ directs (Romans 8: 5; Galatians 5:22, 23) ii. You will find help in your daily problems and in your praying (Romans 8: 26, 27) iii. You will be empowered to serve God and do His will (Acts 1: 8; Romans 12: 6) iv. You will become part of God’s plan to build up His church (Ephesians 4: 12, 13) IV. Invitation a. We need prayer people for FAITH

Title:  WIRED Part 3, Experience and Desire (2 Corinthians 5: 17) Car broken into illustration Coming out of Calhoun’s in Rivergate Stephanie were with my family, as a celebration of Jennifer getting engaged to Andy Arnold Stephanie, myself, Andy, Jennifer and some of Andy’s friends walked to the back of the parking lot to Andy’s truck because Andy had a gift for me. I was cold, so I ran over to my truck for my coat When I was about 5 cars away I saw someone walking past my truck My car alarm goes off, because it is set on a light sensitivity. I cut it off embarrassingly. About that time I saw the crowbar go in the air a second time into my passenger side window. When I got around the side of the car next to mine, I saw two men at the side of my car. My first reaction was to locate my wife. o She was still with my family and friends Then I yelled and went after them. o The guy in the back flashed a gun at me and both of them took step toward me as well. I was boiling at this point, until a calm came over my life. o A small still voice inside of me said, “You were created for a different purpose” I then dove behind the third car away from my truck and kept yelling at them and yelled for my friends. o Immediately the criminals left This was a bad experience, and I had a desire to kill them, but then God put a new desire in my heart. Focal Passage Philippians 1: 12 (NAS) – Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel Use your Experiences to glorify God a. Philippians 1: 12 (NAS) Paul had his own experiences i. Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. ii. Paul wrote this to the believers in Philippi. John Darby - The Philippians were characterized as being affectionate.  They were always a kind people. Because they were kind to the ministers of Christ, they had always associated themselves with the labors and trials of the gospel The experiences of Paul included labors and trials. The Post Modern community is an idealistic one in the midst of labors and trials: “Idealism is what precedes experience, cynicism is what follows.” David Wolf quotes iii. Paul had circumstances / experiences that were used to progress the gospel. b. “And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8: 28 God can use all of your experiences (4 types) i. WHAT SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD? 1. Meaningful decisions / times with God 3. Paul’s SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES a. Watching Stephen be stone (Acts 8: 1) b. Conversion on the Damascus Road (Acts 9: 1 – 20) c. 3 years maturing in Arabia (Galatians 1: 18) d. Special vision from God (2 Corinthians 12: 2 – 7) ii. WHAT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD? 1. What were your favorite subjects in school 2. “Always remember what you have learned.  Your education is your life – guard it well!” Proverbs 4: 13 3. PAUL’S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES a. “I received my training at the feet of Gamaliel, and I was schooled in the strictest observance of our Fathers’ Law.” Acts 22: 3 iii. WHAT MINISTRY EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD? 1. How have you served in the past 2. “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel…” 2 Corinthians 9: 13 3. PAUL’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCES a. READ THE BOOK OF ACTS! iv. WHAT PAINFUL EXPERIENCES HAVE I HAD? 1. Problems, hurts, trials, that have taught you c. This is one of the most overlooked factors in determining the ministry God has for me is my past experience, particularly my hurts and problems I’ve overcome with God’s help.  Since our greatest life messages come out of our weaknesses, not our strengths, we should pay close attention to what we’ve learned in the “school of hard knocks.” a. Vision – Epiphany is the dream of a place the effectively engages the post modern mindset most often overlooked by the modern day church by being culturally relevant, innovative, and authentic.  This place will be one of the leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation, divorce care, and minister / leadership training centers in northern middle Tennessee. 2. “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.” Proverbs 20: 30 “Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.”  Oscar Wilde quotes (Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic, 1854-1900 4. Paul’s  PAINFUL EXPERIENCES a. “… I have been in prison more times … near death often … been whipped five times with 39 lashes by the Jews and three times by the Romans … once stoned … I’ve been in three shipwrecks … and once spent 24 hours in the water … in my travels I’ve been in danger from floods … robbers … enemies … wild animals and false friends … I’ve served long hours without sleep or food or shelter or even clothing …” 2Corinthians 11: 23 – 27 b. “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these great revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me.” 2 Corinthians 12: 7 5. GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT! a. HE WANTS YOU TO BE OPEN TO MINISTERING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THOUGH WHAT YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH! i. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God “2 Corinthians 1: 3 – 4 (NAS) 3. “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” Video Illustration:  Christmas with the Kranks – when Tim Allen has just had botox treatments (an experience to remember); His wife has a desire to do Christmas right. Desire the purity of God in life f. Illustration A lot of men have a desire to UNDERSTAND WOMEN (A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE) I know I'm not going to understand women. I'll never understand how you have the desire to pour boiling hot wax, onto your leg, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider. i. Philippians 1: 12 (NAS) i. Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. “If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world”  C.S. Lewis quotes (British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963) Paul was connected with the supernatural desire that exists inside all of us: to glorify God. k. Paul has the desire to progress the gospel ii. “My constant ambition has been to preach the gospel where the name of Christ was previously unknown, and to avoid building on another man’s foundation.” Romans 15: 20 i. Connect Group blurb - February 1st – Building Relationships with the Unchurched - John 4: 4 – 2 iii. “For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.” Galatians 2: 8 iv. “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus…” Acts 20: 24 j. But not everybody has connected with the desire that Paul has connected with ii. What is the desire of the wicked? 1. The wicked are those that follow fleshly desires a. Galatians 5: 19 – 21 (NAS) i. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forwarn you,  just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. iii. Psalm 10: 24 (NAS) 1. What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. v. What is your desire? Gill - but his sufferings on account of the Gospel, which though said to happen, were not things of chance but of appointment; for as all the sufferings of Christ the head, were by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, so are those of all the members of his mystical body, and of his ministers who are appointed to these things, and they for them; Why are the follower’s of christ sufferings an appointed time? Because Jesus needs to know when He needs to show up and show out. This time my seem like a suffereing time, but it is a time in which we are to meet God. Announcements FAITH presentations Upcoming Message Series Darby - the assembly of God. It may indeed lose much, as to outward means, and as to those manifestations of the presence of God, which are connected with man's responsibility; but the essential grace of God cannot be lost. Faith can always count upon it. It was the fruits of grace which gave the apostle this confidence, as in Hebrews 6:9, 10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 4. He counted indeed, in 1 Corinthians 1:8, and in Galatians, on the faithfulness of Christ in spite of many painful things. Gill - The Gospel, though it is good news and glad tidings of peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation by Christ; yet is very disagreeable to carnal men, they are enemies to it; and do all they can to stop its progress, JFB - rather--so far is my imprisonment from hindering the Gospel. Faith takes in a favorable light even what seems adverse [BENGEL] (Philippians 1:19,28, Philippians 2:17). g. Desire God’s purity in your life h. Desire God’s purity in everyone’s life