Hey NewSpring Church…seven things I wanted to share with you today…
#1 - I am still overwhelmed with what I saw God do at our church this past Sunday. To think that 11 years ago we were at one location with 115 people and then 11 years later we had nearly 14,000 people at five locations absolutely fires me up when I consider this - if THIS is what God has done in the first 11 years of the history of our church then what will the next 11 look like!!! Like I’ve said for quite a while now…I don’t even think we’ve scratched the surface in regards to all Jesus wants to do in and through us…the best really is yet to come.
#2 - I truly believe if all of us could grasp the realities I taught through this past Sunday and learned to find our identity in Christ and NOT our past mistakes, disappointments and regrets then we could truly step into the victorious life Jesus has for us. Remember…“that” photograph may be what you did…but it is NOT who you are…IF you are in Christ (see II Corinthians 5:17!) Don’t allow the voice of the enemy to hold you captive (like the Israelites did in regards to Goliath!) Remember…in Christ…
- I am completely forgiven - Ephesians 1:7, Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 1:18
- I am chosen and valuable - Ephesians 1:3-5, Ephesians 1:11
- I am unconditionally loved - Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 3:17-19
- UNDERSTAND THESE TRUTHS WILL CHANGE THE GAME!!!
#3 - THIS coming Sunday I really do believe I am preaching one of THE MOST important sermons I’ve EVER taught in the history of our church…it is sort of a “part two” if you will in regards to follow up from this week’s sermon. SO…IF these things are all true then WHAT in the world are we supposed to do about it? THIS Sunday we are going to MAKE WAR on the idea that we are somehow normal, ordinary people who could never do anything significant in this world. God didn’t call you to just live in this world…HE CALLED YOU TO CHANGE IT…and this Sunday we’re going to dive into that!
#4 - We had SEVERAL people who were absolutely fired up about Kenya and what we’ve seen the Lord doing over there. It blows my mind that we’ve had 241 people go on a trip over there since we’ve been partner with that nation since 2009. And…like I said Sunday…it is my prayer/desire that every single NewSpring member/owner will one day serve the Lord oversees on a short term mission trip…it is UNBELIEVABLE what God does in your heart when you break out of your normal environment. Remember two things regarding an overseas trip…
- First - DON’T WAIT until you want to go! Like I said Sunday the reason I went is because I knew the Lord clearly spoke to my heart and COMMANDED me to go. I have learned that if you WAIT to “feel good about? what the Lord is telling you to do then you’ll probably never do it. He is ALWAYS calling us to leave our comfort zone and step into the unknown!
- Second - The cost to go is $3,500 plus your immunizations. We’ve had people say they would love to go as long as the church fully funded their trip. Which…is sad because it reveals the heart of Christianity to a lot of Americans which basically says, “Dear Jesus, I will do anything you want me to do as long as it does not cost me anything!” If God wants you to go…then He will provide the money!!!
- One more thing…HERE is the website that gives you more information about our trips scheduled for this year.
#5 - We are going to be starting more campuses; in fact, right now I believe the Lord is calling us to start five campuses in the next five years somewhere in the state of South Carolina. There are over 4 million people in this state…and conservative estimates say that around 2 million do not know Christ!!! NewSpring, we’ve GOT a lot of work to do!!!
#6 - Anderson and Columbia campuses…REMEMBER that on Super Bowl weekend (the first weekend in February…the 5th and 6th) we are moving our Sunday night services THAT WEEKEND ONLY to Saturday night!
#7 - If you want an EXCELLENT follow up to the sermon this past Sunday then I HIGHLY recommend “The Grace of God” by Andy Stanley! It is SERIOUSLY the BEST book on the Grace of God that I have EVER read. You can order it online here...or you can pick it up in the resource center at your campus this Sunday.