Today we continue the series of “Who We Welcome and Why...

  ...John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Hebrews 4:12  “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Today I want us to look at welcoming our Father’s Word, our Son’s Word, and Holy Spirit’s Word. 

1. We welcome the Word of God because it is living. Hebrews 4:12 ^“For the word of God is living”. The Word of God is living. Pastor, the Word is a book with paper and ink. I beg to differ. According to the Bible, the Word has been around since the beginning of time. Listen to what John says about the Word proving that it (He) is filled with life. The Word has been here forever, The Word was with God, The Word was God! He was in the beginning with God. Did it say “He”? Yes, it did. The Word is a person! The Word was in the beginning with God, the image of the invisible God, the Creator God, the Head of the Body, the Church, is the Son of His (the Father) love…Jesus Christ and He is living. The Word is living!

2. We welcome the Word of God because it is powerful. Hebrews 4:12 ^“For the word of God is living and powerful.” We welcome God’s Word (the Words God speaks) because they are powerful, because they accomplish the will of God, and because His Word succeeds in accomplishing what God wants to happen. When you speak, speak the Word of God! When you pray, pray the Word of God! When you believe, believe the Word of God! When you preach, preach the Word of God because it is powerful!

3. We welcome the Word of God because it is sharper than any two edged sword. Hebrews 4:12 ^“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Renner, “The Phrase "two edged" is taken from the Greek word distomos. It is a compound of the word ‘di’, meaning 2, and the word ‘stomos’, which is the Greek word for one’s mouth. The Word of God is a two mouthed sword? One sharpened edge of this sword came into being when the Word of God initially proceeded out of the mouth of God. The second edge of this sword is added when the Word of God proceeds out of your mouth! This is why the original text calls the Word of God a 'two mouthed sword". It was sharp and powerful coming out of Jesus' mouth, and as the Spirit comes on us (it is the sword of the Spirit), it will be powerful and effective coming out of our mouths

We continue today the series “Who We Welcome and Why...

 ...” Genesis 2:18 (NKJV) 18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Today I want to speak about the community of God and His invitation for all of us to be a part of it. 

1. “With billions of people in the world, someone should be able to figure out a system where no one is lonely. What do you suggest?” Matt (age 8) – “We could get people a pet or a husband or a wife and take them places.” Brian (age 8) - Sing a song. Stomp your feet. Read a book. Sometimes I think no one loves me so I do one of these. This thing of being lonely is why we attend churches, join hunting clubs, have girls shopping days out and why so many are joining on line.

2. There is no pain like the pain of loneliness. We would be shocked to know those around us who are so lonely or maybe we would not be surprised because we are. Home makers to CEOs are lonely and hurting. Lots of lonely people in Central Florida. Mother Teresa – “Loneliness is the leprosy of modern society.  And no one wants anybody to know they’re a leper.” Loneliness hurts.

3. We were made for oneness. Genesis 2:18 (NKJV) “And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." We were made for oneness. Loneliness is so painful. In v.18 it says man was alone and God said, “not good”. What is this saying...we were meant for oneness in the framework of community...we desperately need each other. We need each other, Life Church! Life Church Villages! La Vida Church!

4. The Answer: The Divine Community. “With billions of people in the world, someone should be able to figure out a system where no one is lonely.” Someone did. That system is called community.  Ortberg - I believe that if you had to sum up in a single word what God is up to, what His goal is in creating the universe and the persons who inhabit it, that word would be community. To show how important community was to God we can go back further than when man existed and see what life was like for Him. This is the doctrine of the Trinity.

5. Life within the Trinity - The Great Invitation! Dallas Willard - The Trinity is a self-sufficing community of unspeakably magnificent personal beings of boundless love, knowledge, and power. So what about this great invitation? Imagine with me the Trinity in a circle in perfect love and unity. We get God’s invitation to come into the circle. We have been invited into this fellowship of love...this community of love.  

Today we welcome La Vida Church to join with Life Church...

...because we are truly only one church/one family. Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” Today I want to write to you about the importance of unity in the community of God. I see something here that is definitely relevant to Life Church, La Vida Church, and Life Church Villages to our vision, our passion, and our mission. All of you hear me speak of Holy Spirit and missions all the time. Unity magnifies this. Acts 2:1 (NKJV) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” The 120 were with one accord (in unity) in one place (the upper room or church) waiting and worshiping for the Promise of the Father. They were not exactly sure what they were waiting on. Stay with me.

They were in unity in their obedience to God. Jesus had told them to go to Jerusalem and to wait there until they were endued with power from on high. They were in unity with their gathering together where Jesus told them to go and wait. None of the 120 said we can pray just as well at home. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT2)
^“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” They were in unity in their obedience, in their gathering where Jesus told them (church), and               they were also in unity in what they were doing when they arrived at the upper room. Worship. Key - Because you are dwelling together in good and pleasant unity you become a candidate for the oil to be poured out upon you!

We must contend for unity! We must seek after the outpouring of Holy Spirit because it leads to people being empowered and people calling on the Name of the Lord! But there is more. Psalm 133:3 (NKJV)
^“It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- Life forevermore.” I hope you see it before I say it…where there is good and pleasant unity God pours out His Spirit in abundance. But there is more! Everyone say more! There the Lord commands blessings! How many of you want God to pour out His Spirit on you, on your sons and daughters, on your employees, and how many of you want Him to command blessings over you. Life evermore! What miracles could God do if we were all in one accord? Let’s find out! Let your 2022 vision be such that you trust God that He will do what He says. Get ready for Him to command blessings on Life Church, La Vida Church, and Life Church Villages!

Today we continue “Who We Welcome and Why”...

  ...and we will talk about welcoming missionaries. Romans 10:13-15 (NKJV) “For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Thank you to those of you who have caught the vision of missions here at Life Church! Please never forget, it is not a Pastor Rick thing, but a Bible thing. Why do we here at Life Church welcome missionaries? 

1. We Welcome Missionaries so We Can Send Them. How shall they preach unless they are sent? They come to us and share their hearts with us so hopefully we will catch the vision, and help send them. Yes, they must have our prayers. Yes, they need us to be here to encourage them in their call. God’s callings are irrevocable. They need to know the church is behind what they are doing. Danny Townsend – “When it comes to missionaries, we get the easy part. We give but they are the ones who go and do the hard work. We should be happy and blessed to send them.”

2. We Welcome Missionaries to Come to Remind Us About Sacrifice. Romans 12:1 (NKJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Missionaries leave their families, their home country, their comforts, their American dream and go to a country that may be so poor. They learn a new language, a new culture, a deeper life of sacrifice. While they are doing all that many in the states are getting offended because they hear too much about missions. Please do not talk to me about sacrifice when I want more and more comfort.

3. We Welcome Missionaries Because It Pleases Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Notice the God-head represented here in these verses talking about the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT2) “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” We welcome missionaries because God welcomes us to be obedient to His Word and His Great Commission! What joy we will experience one day when we are in heaven and we meet thousands who are there because we gave! Amen!

Today we are talking about welcoming Holy Spirit...

 ...John 16:7 (NKJV) ^“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” You cannot read through the New Testament without Holy Spirit being mentioned over and over. The disciples witnessed their lives being totally transformed when they received Him. Today we will look at just a few reasons why we should welcome Holy Spirit into our churches and into our lives. 

1. Jesus said it is an advantage for us when we welcome Holy Spirit. Jesus knew He was limited when it came to being in more than one place at a time but Holy Spirit could be everywhere and be with everyone who wanted Him. Another reason it is to our advantage to welcome Holy Spirit is because we are living in troubling times. The disciples and new followers were under duress so they decided to have a prayer meeting. He came! When Holy Spirit shows up with His gifts and with His power, it is definitely to our advantage. 

2. Jesus says we will receive power when Holy Spirit comes on us. Acts 1:8-9 (NKJV) ^“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Think about this, last words are important words and Jesus’ last words were telling the disciples you are going to receive power when Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be My missionaries.

3. Why I call Him Holy Spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. It’s personal. I grew up extremely insecure, never felt wanted and never felt loved. In some ways I think that has been one of my greatest weaknesses but also one of my greatest blessings. Though I hurt a lot because of my insecurities, I have found a friend Who was sent to me by Jesus to be with me in those tough times, those times of pain. He is my personal God. Holy Spirit. My friend. John 14:16-18 (NKJV) “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” I will not leave you as an orphan; I will come to you. He does every day!