“Above all”

2. “Above all”

3. 1 Peter 4:7 “the end of all things is at hand.”

4. the end of all things is at hand; therefore___________________

5. 1 Peter 4:7-9 “but the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. • And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. • Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

6. The one another’s

7. Romans 12:16 live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you're superior. • Romans 13:8 let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another. • Romans 15:7 accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. • Romans 15:14 instruct one another. • 1 Corinthians 16:20 Greet one another with a holy kiss. • Galatians 5:13 serve one another humbly in love. • Ephesians 4:2 be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. • Ephesians 4:32 be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. • Ephesians 5: 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. • Philippians 2:3 do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

8. James 5:16 therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. • 1 Peter 4: 8-10 above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. • 1 Peter 5:14 greet one another with the kiss of love. • 1 John 3:11 for this is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another. • 1 John 4:7 dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. • 1 John 4:11, 12 dear friends, since God so loved us we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

9. "love is the basis of Godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. COL168

10. , I • 150 years after Christ Tertullian an early Christian historian wrote…. pagans were amazed • "look how they love one another,… And how they are ready to die for each other.“ • Does Walla Walla know we are Christians by our love? • John 13:34,35 "a new commandment I give you that you love one another; as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples,if you have love for one another." • John 15: 17 "these things I command you, that you love one another." • Do we love one another?

11. Can you experience loving one another if you’re by yourself?? • Can we experience agape, other centered love, alone??? • Christ 3 ½ year ministry/common thread Christ’s methods Mingling Showing sympathy Ministering to needs winning confidence Bidding people “follow me”

13. Russell Burrill in his book "How to grow and Adventist church" cites the study by Christian Schwartz’s eight characteristics of growing churches. • Empowering leadership • gifts based ministry • passionate spirituality • effective structures • inspiring worship services • need oriented evangelism • loving relationships • holistic small groups

14. Russell Burrill in his book "How to grow and Adventist church" cites the study by Christian Schwartz’s eight characteristics of growing churches. • Empowering leadership • gifts based ministry • passionate spirituality • effective structures • inspiring worship services • need oriented evangelism • loving relationships • holistic small groups

15. Genuine, practical love, endows the church with a much greater magnetic power than all the marketing efforts of this world. • When churches have these characteristics then growth occurs all by itself. • want church growth?? Above all love one another

16. Burrell cited a study by FlavilR.Yeakley. • Why new converts stay or leave. • He says "it's amazing how many of the issues of retention hinge on developing relationships with people." Rarely if ever do people leave, who develop a number of relationships." • In response to the question of how these relationships evolve….. He says "it will not happen if the only exposure is Sabbath morning worship! A friend is defined as someone I have contact with outside of Sabbath morning. This necessitates the new convert being involved in some small group. Small groups are the key to retention. Rarely, if ever, does the church lose a person who becomes involved in a small group." "Small group involvement is not optional; it is mandatory for any church that is concerned about keeping new members."

17. Small groups essential • small groups focus on meeting the needs of people; physically and mentally and spiritually. • They are a place where people can discuss their own personal struggles in an atmosphere of love and trust. • A Place where people are comfortable being themselves." • Spiritual accountability • mentorship • we begin loving one another

19. Small groups • First Thessalonians 5:11 encourage one another in the faith • Hebrews 10: 24,25 Clear Word • “so let's be compassionate, and give some thought to how we can spur each other on toward love and good deeds. Don't give up the habit of worshiping together as some have already done, but encourage each other all the more as you see signs of the great day approaching. • Proverbs 11:14 "where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.“

20. Early church Acts 2 • “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship; to the breaking of bread and to prayer….. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God….” • Everyone took an active participatory role in ministry • There were no benchwarmers; no spectators. • Paul addressed them as” the priesthood of believers” They were all in ministry • be the change that you want to see in the church

21. Small groups • "The formation of small companies as the basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err. If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. Let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one another to advance, each gaining courage and strength from the assistance of the others." . E.G W. T Vol 7 pp21

22. Mentorship • Nathan and David • There they hold each other accountable for their life in Christ. • Thursday mornings

23. Church Unity • The other Lord's Prayer • Praying for His disciples • John 17 : 20-22 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as you father are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one. "

24. What’s happening • weekend of March 2…… Sharing Christ training/ workshop • March 9 Hope Montana music program • March 23 desert praise quartet program/worship music workshop • April 6  small group/outreach leadership/ workshop • Men’s “stepping up” groups • MOPS • Former member outreach training • Couples group • Eastgate website • Gospel bluegrass