Again I want to commend all of you for what you are doing...

 ...for Missions 2023. Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” 

1. Unity. I see something here that is definitely relevant to Life Church, 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.” 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. 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. Worship. I hope you see it before I say it…where there is good and pleasant unity God pours out His Spirit in abundance. There the Lord commands blessings!

2. Faithfulness. To be faithful is to be reliable, steadfast and unwavering. Loyal consistent practice no matter what is going on in our lives. Just a warning from a pastor who loves you very much. If you give in to the temptation backing away with attendance, giving, or loyalty is a slippery slope leading always to the bottom…the pit. Matthew 25:21 (NLT2) “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ We see celebration! What a blessing! We see commitment! Faithfulness leads to praise from Jesus! Faithfulness leads to commendation by Jesus. Again, when we are faithful with our obedience, calling, tithe, and with our missions (FP) God is very pleased! Jesus says, I will give you many more responsibilities.

3. Generosity. I had a pastor ask me…why do I believe Life Church is so blessed and so generous. Lots of wealthy people? Nope, just generous people. Number 4 in our Distinctives as a church is creating an atmosphere of generous giving. Why? We have learned God will bless us individually and corporately when we are generous. Here’s the best reason: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV) ^“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Isaiah 32:8 (NLT2) ⁸ But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” As we are in good and pleasant unity, as we are a church filled with faithful loving people, filled with Holy Spirit. God will command His blessings over us! It works! A Kingdom Builder!

Again today we are celebrating with La Vida Church, “One Church, One Family...”

...We welcome Pastor Neftali and Shelia to this day of worship and baptism. What a wonderful day to see all that God is doing! It is truly important to see how Holy Spirit is being poured out on all of our campuses. Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit! Why, Pastor Rick, are we hearing so much from you in these last days about Holy Spirit? Great question! The first reason is obvious from Scriptures and I believe what we do and what we believe should be based on the Word of God. Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, after Holy Spirit had been poured out was quoting Joel when he said: Acts 2:17‑18 (NKJV)  “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.”  The first reason we are talking about Holy Spirit is because we are living in the last days when He is being poured out! Amen!

The second reason we are talking about Holy Spirit so much is about as obvious as the first reason.  Jesus said in John 16:7‑8 &13-14 (NLT)  “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.  And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” How cool is that? Jesus said it will be better for you when I leave because Holy Spirit will come to reveal to people their sin, His righteousness, His judgment, His truth, the future, and He will glorify Me! Wow! Why wouldn’t we want Holy Spirit to come?

The third reason is also very important. We want to grow to one thousand plus so that souls will be won into God’s Kingdom...Holy Spirit will enable us to do that! Acts 1:8 (NLT) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  I hope you can see why we speak of Holy Spirit so much and why we constantly are inviting Him...He is the life of the Church in these last days! We desperately need Him! Amen!

We are, first of all, thankful to God, and then, thankful to our guest speakers,...

 ...and also, thankful to all of you who have responded to the challenge of the Great Commission. We still want 100% participation because there is such power in unity! Matthew 16:18 (NLT2) “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” We have been sharing with you for the last month about missions, Faith Promises, and about all of us being involved. This is definitely not an exact figure of what we have done here at Life Church but here is a conservative estimate. 6 ½ Million Dollars. Not bad for a small Assembly of God Church in Fruitland Park, Florida. Top 10 in the state and top 50 in the nation out of over 13,000 churches for several years. I truly commend you.

Why We Should Be Kingdom Builders? From A to Z: In Africa we are Kingdom Builders with Impact Africa, in Zambia, Youth programs, and on the Ivory Coast we are ministering to Children. In Belgium we have Kingdom Builders as campus pastors and we have Breaking Chains Network setting people free. In Cambodia we have Kingdom Builders reaching the children and in Columbia they are reaching the Columbian National Police. In the Dominican Republic we have Kingdom Builders who are church planters and in Eurasia we have Live Dead missionaries. In France we have Kingdom Builders using the arts to reach the lost and in Guatemala we have church planters raising up new churches. In Hungary and Indonesia, we have Kingdom Builders doing children’s ministries. In Japan we have Kingdom Builders going to unreached people groups and in Koror, Palau children’s ministers are changing a culture. In Lakeland we have Kingdom Builders using Oral Learners to reach the world and in Mexico we have church planters raising up new works. In Nicaragua we have Kingdom Builders doing Kings Castle and in the Ozarks Teen Challenge is going strong. In Panama we have Kingdom Builders planting Churches and in Quito, Ecuador they are there touching the lives of children. In Romania we have Kingdom Builders using a Dream Center to transform lives and in Spain and Switzerland church planters. In Thailand we have Kingdom Builders ministering to students and in the U.S. we have Kingdom Builders in High Schools, Universities, Inner Cities, Teen Challenges. In Vanuatu we have Kingdom Builders planting new churches and in Washington, DC we have urban ministries. In Fort Worth, TeXas we have Kingdom Builders making sure our missionaries are well cared for and in Yunnan evangelistic outreaches are happening. In Zambia Kingdom Builders have a youth outreach program to save the kids! So why should we be Kingdom Builders? Because we are building God’s Kingdom all over the world. I just gave 26 examples. We have almost 200 more. PTL!

Tonight we begin the drama “Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames”...

 ...and you can tell by the transformation of our sanctuary that a lot of work has gone into this production. What you cannot see is all the hours that volunteers have put in to making this happen. Thank God for the directors from HGHF who have guided us through every step of the way. And, of course, without them this would not be possible so we all say a great big thank you to Carl and Kathy Bath. The construction crew did a great job building the set, the drama team is working so hard to get their lines and their parts down, and everyone else on the team are working feverishly to make this happen. So, Pastor Rick, why all this work and effort? “Souls!” Jesus said in Luke 14:21&23 (NKJV) “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” So what do we need from you?

1. Pray! We need everyone praying for a great harvest of souls to be saved during this time. HGHF is one of the greatest tools for seeing people get saved but we need prayer cover. We are hearing much wonderful news about revival and that’s wonderful. How great would it be to see our revival begin with hundreds coming to Christ over the next few days? Please pray to the Lord of the harvest!

2. Pass Out Tickets! We need you to take HGHF tickets and pass them out to everyone you can. Many of you tell me that you are shy and timid about witnessing, well, here is your chance. Just hand a person a ticket and invite them to the services. One of our faithful Board Members was saved during HGHF and who knows who you will reach during this time of harvest.

3. Be Here Every Night! Pastor, I have already seen the drama years ago. Well, congratulations but we still need you here every night! Why? To be a prayer covering for “Souls” and to welcome people to our church. Just a minute conversation from a kind Christian can make all the difference in the world. Please be here!

4. Be Sensitive to Holy Spirit! Remember why Holy Spirit was sent to us. John 16:7-8 (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. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” While you are here, be sensitive to Holy Spirit and let God use you to touch someone!