Welcome To The Services Of The We Are Thankful For Your Presence! Dunlap church of Christ We Are Thankful For Your Presence!

Welcome Questions? Just Let Us Know! To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ Questions? Just Let Us Know!

I Thessalonians 1:2-10 “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; (3) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

(4) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God (4) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (5) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

(6) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: (7) So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”

(8) For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. (9) For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you,”

“And how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

Example: What is the first step to evangelism?? Importance of the First Step! Example: What is the first step to evangelism?? Some new & innovative program? Some great invitation technique? Is it memorizing just the right set of Scriptures? Is it forming just the right set of questions to ask people around us?

Importance of the First Step! So obvious, it’s overlooked. Nope! Much more basic. So obvious, it’s overlooked. Seeing each individual person as a soul headed for eternity. That’s it!

In Order To Build A Great Church Is there…

A magical path to follow?

No! It’s a “one brick at a time” procedure. Why not? It doesn’t work that way! It’s a “one brick at a time” procedure.

Generally Speaking: Glorify God in Christ Brick #1 - PURPOSE Generally Speaking: Glorify God in Christ Preach the gospel - evangelism Teach the saved - edification Assist the needy – benevolence Uphold & defend the truth. Provide the atmosphere where the Christian life can flourish. Build the kind of character God wants.

Brick #2 - DETERMINATION Determination Is The Key! 4 Necessary Characteristics To Successfully Operate Anything 1. Purpose 2. Strategy For Results 3. Shared goals 4. Effective systems of communication

“Status quo” satisfaction Fear of “rocking the boat” Some Don’t Want Greatness! “Status quo” satisfaction Fear of “rocking the boat” Fear of established powers. Fear of taking a risk. “Never tried that before” “Never heard that before” etc.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of under-standing, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

We can do our very best with what God has given us! Gumption! No matter what we may have in the work of the Lord’s church, it is determination, faith and just plain old gumption that makes it all possible. Outmanned, outsized, out numbered and still win the game. We must believe we can succeed! We can do our very best with what God has given us!

Brotherhood reputation? I Thessalonians 1:3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” Size? Building location? Contribution? Brotherhood reputation?

Not Any Of Those It Was Their Determination To Lose Themselves In Their Purpose For Existence!

Perseverance “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58

God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Romans 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24) REPENT (Luke 13:3) CONFESS (Rom.10:9-10) BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27) ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)

Are You Wayward? “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” (Acts 8:22) “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)