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Going Forward. Taking Advantage of the opportunities before us.
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Going Forward Taking Advantage of the opportunities before us
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” Phil. 3:12-13
“The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious” The church has many opportunities
“Opportunities Missed” There was a very cautious man Who never laughed or played, He never risked, he never tried He never sang or prayed And he one day passed away His insurance was denied, For since he never really lived, They claimed he never died
I. Ability to See Opportunities Jesus Saw Opportunities “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.“ They immediately left their nets and followed Him” Mk. 1:16-18
I. Ability to See Opportunities Jesus Saw Opportunities “Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood” Mk. 12:42-44
I. Ability to See Opportunities Jesus Saw Opportunities “Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” Jn. 4:35
II. Principles Involved • We Must be Looking • Eliminate Negative Thinking and Attitudes • Willing to Risk Failure Can’t never could do nothing
III. Opportunities Before us Railroad people They did not realize what Business they were in
III. Opportunities Before us Telegraph people They did not realize what Business they were in
What is our business ? Building the kingdom of God Evangelism “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” Mk. 16:15-16
What is our business ? Building the kingdom of God Evangelism Maturity “And He Himself gave some to be...evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” Eph. 4:11-15
What is our business ? Building the kingdom of God Evangelism Maturity “the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” 2 Tim. 2:2
IV. Goals Before us Evangelize the lost Grow as Christians and a church Teach and Live God’s Word
Jimmy Allen, Minister East Ave. church of Christ, 1960
Going Forward Think, Dream and Act bigger than we ever have
GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION Rev. 2:10 1 PET. 3:21 baptism JN. 12:42 confess LK. 13:3 OBEDIENT UNTIL DEATH repent JN. 6:29 believe ACTS 3:22 hear