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Sermon Notes February 27, 2011

Advice from Antioch #7:  “Display His Grace”

Intro:    Now that we are one step closer to construction, we need

To come up with an Impressive Display….something that

Will Impact people in a dramatic way as they come to QSBC

  • A Fountain
  • Rich Elegant Banners; Mission Statement in Floor
  • Art — The Work of a Master

Michaelangelo’s David; Da Vinci’s Last Supper

Idea —- What if we could Display the Grace of God?

That’s what we claim Church is All About, right?

Grace. God is giving us what we could never earn/deserve!

(Gospel = Christ Died for Our sins… Give New Life!)

We Sing about Grace all the Time…

Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin…

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears           relieved

Grace, grace…greater than all my sin

t/s – If God’s grace is reason we are here, together, let’s Display It

  • Not Possible?  Grace not visible, tangible…

ILL – “I can see that you are troubled, anxious.”

busy hands, tense shoulders, tight lips., tired eyes..

I know of a church that was marked by the Display of Grace

(One More Antioch sermon….next Sunday, Jesus!)

Acts 11:23 (Retell Story….)

Display the Grace of God

Read Mission Statement           (Point People to God’s Work)

How Did Barnabas SEE The Grace of God?

What did Barnabas See? (We have toured Antioch; What did we see)

We Have Seen a People…..

Formed a Church by Following Jesus (Trust Him)

So excited about Jesus…Could not stop talking about Him

Spending Time Together…. Encouraging and Studying

Giving their Money Together

Fulfilling the Mission of their Master (giving people)

People…. (Stop Right there)

The Church, Our Church, is a People, not a Place… Body, not Building…  Buildings are tools to help us Gather, build up, send out

People with Problems

Let’s not pretend that the people at Antioch lived in a Perfect World.

  • Corrupt Background; Hostile Environment; Diversity that challenged Unity; Poverty; Theological Issues to Battle; Even False Teachers creeping in to confuse them!
  • We will have our share of challenges (internal & external)
  • Challenges, Disappointments, even Losses…

Provide a darkness in which the Grace of God Shines!

t/s – What did Barnabas See that he described as GRACE?

People Together in Jesus

  • Connected
  • Remarkable…Jews & gentiles…Supernatural Fellowship

ILL – Jason Latchaw (thesbian) & Jeff Chamblin

People Transformed by Jesus (Gospel)

  • Converted
  • The Judiazers doubted Possibility of such Radical CONVERSION!
  • If we cannot show Changed men & women, we ought to convert this space to a retail mall.
  • If we can…. We Display the Grace of God!

If we can show people, lives changed by Jesus, serving, worshipping, growing, Together…. We Display the Grace of God.

Call for Commitment

You have noticed these Baskets, Gathering Baskets, like those used during a harvest.  (Dr. Harper)

In a moment, I am going to ask you to do something remarkable, something difficult for most people to understand.  Ask you as individuals and families to step out of your seat, walk to front and place your financial commitment in one of these baskets.  Pledging to give your money for next two years.

All across this place of Worship…. Supernatural… You Will!!

Jesus said, “Where your Treasure Is, there will you Heart be.”

  • Treasure follows Heart
  • Heart follows Treasure
  • Chicken & Egg…  We know they are Connected!

The Power of Financial Commitment comes from the Fact that it is a Heart Commitment….  Down Deep… The Gathering Is the Lord’s Work!

t/s – Why Come Forward in a Time of Worship?

Why not in mail or drop in box at the door?

I am making this commitment TO the Lord.

(Act of Obedience)

I am making this commitment WITH by brothers & sisters

(Act of Fellowship)

I am making this commitment FOR His Glory

(Act of Worship)