05/28/2023 Church service

周日礼拜

视频

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视频脚本 Script

 an open door
Rev 3:7-10
“Develop an obsession — a Magnificent Obsession — to help others.”
There is still a Huge, BOLD, GOD-Sized Dream waiting to seize the driver’s seat of your time, your energy and your destiny.
vs 8: “I know you well; you aren’t strong, but you have tried to obey and have not denied my Name. Therefore I have opened a door to you that no one can shut.”
One of the life lessons from college football (or vice-versa) is that you have to play full out for all four quarters.
A magnificent obsession will propel you forward, even when you are tired.
“You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.”
There is a reward – there is a rescue – for the believers who play all four quarters without giving up and giving out.
vs 10: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.”
1 Thess 4:17: “…then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Jesus said (Matt 24:13): “ …the one who endures (the one who stays true) to the end will be saved.”
My phone is old – but it works a lot better when I clear out the junk.
Down to last $2 Homeless man “Change your mindset – change your life”
What is our mindset about our service in the Kingdom of God?
“I know you well; you aren’t strong, but you have tried to obey and have not denied my Name. Therefore I have opened a door to you that no one can shut."
My purpose for this message today is help us adjust our mindset toward staying true to our calling – to our mission - and to encourage you to keep your eyes on the prize – and never take your hand off the plow.
Rev 3:11: hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Last Week: Mark 4:14,15: The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
Luke 8:18: “So pay attention how you listen. For whoever has, to him more will be given. And whoever does not have, even what he supposes he has will be taken away from him.”

The enemy wants to find a way to insert a “hath God said” into your thoughts.
That is the only way he can steal the seed from your heart

This works in our lives – and it is the same for those that we feel God has brought into our lives

Our magnificent obsession should be for God’s Kingdom to be established according to His Word and His Will. In our lives, and in those we come in contact with.

Paul said, 1 Cor 16:9: “because a door of great opportunity stands wide open for me, but there are many opponents.”
Our open door is to share the gospel message.
We know Jesus taught the sower sows The Word. God’s Word is excellent seed.
In the Parable of the Sower, (Matt 13) Jesus taught us the different ways that the seed is received.
The sower goes out to sow the seed, but the first part of the seed falls by the wayside and the birds get it.
So, here’s the first point. The birds are going to get some of the seed.

When the Good News of the Gospel falls on seemingly deaf ears, the birds have snatched that seed.
That doesn’t mean we stop sowing. If we go chasing birds, we leave the fields of harvest. If you go chasing birds now, you stop sowing.
This is going to detract from our future, not add.

The sower keeps on sowing. We fix our eyes – we fix our hearts.
Now, sometimes the seed falls, Jesus says, on rocky ground where the soil is shallow.
And the rocky ground where the soil is shallow is not of your making, because you had excellent seed and you were an ambitious sower.
But here is what it says happened: This time, the little seed that falls in the ground starts to grow and the little plant starts to grow. But the first hot day, it withers and dies.

Not an easy thing to watch. It can be very disappointing. Disheartening, even.
Those who endure until the end will be those with a higher purpose.
A purpose that creates deep, true heartfelt commitment to a cause greater than themselves.
Mindset: “I am building a cathedral”
Quitters & leavers have no sense of commitment. “Leavers Leave”
You say, "Well, how come some just last a little while?"
Here's the simple answer: Some don't stay.
When some leave, you say, "That's one of those who don't stay."
We can't solve this now – we just have to keep loving and praying.

Now, here is the secret to the ambitious sower with good seed.
The parable says,“he kept on sowing.”

Ron Carpenter asked: Have you been walking through the broad gate because you want to avoid persecution for what you believe?
Some people get offended by the true gospel message. It is a two-edged sword
The hot weather is going to get some. And this is not of your making.
These end times create confusion and bewilderment (people are lost in a fog)
We must have a clear sense of the goal – the prize – the mission
Hebrews 12:1: And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Jesus warned that because of tribulations, many will turn away from the faith.
“the love of most will grow cold”
The sower keeps on sowing.
Next, Jesus says the seed sometimes falls on thorny ground.

The seed falls on thorny ground and the little plant starts to grow, but as the little
plant starts to grow, the thorns choke it to death and it dies.

? And what are these thorns?
The parable called these little thorns “the cares of this world,” the little distractions.
This world is FULL of distractions. Who knows what they all are.

So have you got that? The thorns are going to get some.
Now here's the good news.
Let's read the rest of the story quickly. The sower now keeps on sowing the seed. Keeps on sharing the story. Keeps on giving an invitation.

Yes the invitation can actually be more powerful for someone next week than it was a year ago, because, as the scripture says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but GOD gave the increase.”
Finally the seed falls on good ground. Now put this in parentheses. It always will, if you keep sowing. If you share (sow) long enough, it will fall on good people.

God’s seeming delays are not God’s denials
? How do we react when things seem to be taking longer to happen?
? Can we choose to wait on Sovereign GOD to initiate the next phase according to His timing and plans?
“I know you well; you aren’t strong, but you have tried to obey and have not denied my Name. Therefore I have opened a door to you that no one can shut."
God knows we are made from dust. He recognizes our humanity.
When we are weak – HE is strong “let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”

Gal 6:9: So let’s not get tired (grow weary) of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
? WHY would we keep doing this if it didn’t matter?

It DOES matter. It has eternal significance.
We are making history. Let’s start from right where we are.
Let’s START with our own hearts today.
Be encouraged that wherever you are in your life, whatever you’ve done, God is right there. He’s right there with mercy, forgiveness and hope – not with judgment or condemnation. God is there to free you from guilt, to release you from condemnation. He’s breathing on your life in a new way with fresh vision and fresh passion. New doors are about to open.

What He started in your life, He’s going to finish.
Now don’t write yourself off, and don’t write anyone else off.
Don’t give up on, or quit praying for your loved ones. There’s no depth to which God won’t stoop in order to free you, to restore a family member, or to bring your child back home.




So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?

Hillside United Methodist Church
3739 US 80
Phenix City  AL  36870
United States
Pastor: Mike J Koger

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