Prophecy, Tongues and the Church

Sunday morning, we issued a unique and life changing challenge to our congregation: to read Chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians once a day for the duration for the time we preach through it. I've copied the text for the challenge part of the sermon below and I've also included the Power Point presentation from the sermon.

I’d like you to try something as we go through this chapter….
I’m going to ask you to do something that will bless you
Probably more than you will expect…..

The modern church…the culturally sensitive,…
The “Let’s adapt our message to the times” church
Has a whole new host of fads they’re promoting
And most of them revolve around 30 days of this
45 days of that…
A month of these…or a week of those

The subject matter would amaze you….
It runs everywhere from sitting on the floor chanting
To levels of intimacy with your spouse….
This junk is out there folks…..
And the churches that are involved in it
Are plastering it on billboards
They have it on their websites….
They’re sending mailers in the mail
They’re teaching it from the pulpits
And in SS classes and Bible studies
And all of it is designed….
To give you a better life…now!
To make you happier
More relevant
More prosperous
More socially responsible
More….something!

Well…We’re going in another direction…..
We’re going to show you a way to recharge your spiritual life!
We’re going to challenge you to dive into the Word
And, maybe, experience it like you never have before

We do this with the Apollos class and it always has a huge impact
On the people who are faithful to do it……

I’m going to ask you to take out your Bibles….daily…..for 30 Days
And read this chapter………once a day……
For the whole time we’re in it
(explain concept of the living Word of God)
Here’s a personal guarantee…..
If you are diligent to do this….
The Holy Spirit …..
will start showing you things…
you’ve never seen….
You’ll begin to experience
God’s Word in a new way

There are a lot of ways you can do this….
You can carry your Bible with you…
You can print the chapter out, fold it up…
and put it in your pocket…
you can put it on your PDA,
paste in on your bathroom mirror….
Resize it and put it in your wallet or purse
Find a way to make it convenient
To take a few minutes and read it

You should be able to read through this chapter
In about 3 to 5 minutes…..
But even if it takes longer….
how much time do you give to the Lord each day?
Is another 5 – 10 minutes too much?

It will change your outlook….
You’ll come in here next Sunday with questions…
If you’re willing to take the time to study….
You may come in with answers….
In any event, you see what it means in Deut 8:
When it says…..

3….man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

This Word is our life….
It is what sustains us……
It is what nourishes us…..
Drink deeply from its’ well….
Eat bountifully from its’ table…..
And watch it change you….

30 days…..30 times…can you do it?

OK then. Let’s start right now!

Sermon Aug 31

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