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In mountain climbing there are certain hazards to avoid in order to have a successful ascent to the summit : Objective Hazards – Rock falls, snowstorms, avalanches, lightning, wind, rain, extreme temperature are examples of objective hazards .
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In mountain climbing there are certain hazards to avoid in order to have a successful ascent to the summit: Objective Hazards – Rock falls, snowstorms, avalanches, lightning, wind, rain, extreme temperature are examples of objective hazards. Subjective Hazards – these are simply hazards caused by the climber. Examples are ignorance, improper training, poor judgment, inadequate equipment, and poor conditioning as well as too much confidence, false pride, and fear.
There some things that we don’t have control over like the objective hazards. • But, there are some hazards that can be avoided like the subjective hazards.
Summit Hazards • No food or drink in the sanctuaryexcept bottled water. • Coffee should only be consumed in the lobby area. • No one is allowed to enter: • Gift Shop • Concession Stand • Ticket Counter • Stage • Sound Booth • Areas outside of the lobby & sanctuary
Children who are unattended by parents will be given an espresso coffee and a puppy dog. Parents, PLEASE be aware of where your children are at all times. • Children and teens are not allowed to be running anywhere inside the sanctuary. • No running around outside the building before or after services. • Parents, once you pick up your child(ren), you are responsible for them (see #4). • No one in the nursery and preschool areas except for the workers and the children.
Thank you for your help and understanding in this.Together we can reach the Summit!
We’re here! • We’ve prayed, dreamed, planned and worked to make this happen. • God has answered our prayers, and we are finally here! Do you remember what it was like when you were a child at Christmas time? But, do you also remember how it felt after it was all over? • Almost a let down.
In a way that is what this could be like. • We’ve worked so hard to get here, and now that it’s here we ask, What now? What’s next? • It could almost be a let down. Answer: Stay focused on the vision. • Keep the main thing the main thing!
Why are we here? • To worship Jesus and to reach people. • As wonderful as this facility is, it’s not the end. • It is only a means to fulfilling the vision God has placed on this church: To take people from the dark valleys of life and bring them to the mountaintop—the summit—where they can have their own life-changing encounter with Jesus. Then, repeat the process.
As long as we stay focused on the vision, God’s favor will continue to be with us. What is it that kids usually ask on a long trip? Are we there yet? Are we as a church there yet? Have we arrived? • No, we have just reached the next sign post on our way to fulfilling our purpose. • On the contrary, we’ve only just begun!
My prayer is that you will continue with us on this journey the Lord has laid out before us. • We’ve turned the ship and now we’re beginning to pick up steam in the right direction. • Our vision has a major focus of taking the Good News outside the4 walls and into the world. • We’re to take the life &the love we have in here out there. • We are to share Jesus with the world around us.
C.S. Lewis: The church exists for nothing else but to draw men to Christ, to make them into little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose. • We have to keep the main thing the main thing even in the midst of all we are feeling right now. • Stay focused! • We’re here to worship Jesus and to reach people.
To illustrate this, let’s look at a man named Philip. • He was a regular church member who was greatly used by God. • He wasn’t an apostle, but he was 1 of the 7 chosen to be a deacon to assist the apostles. • He was chosen to serve by waiting upon the widows in the church. • Not exactly the most glamorous job. • But, he was faithful, and God honored him.
Acts 8 Revival in Samaria • At the height of this great move of God, an angel appears to Philip and tells him to leave the revival. • God had another assignment for him. • That’s all he got—just go south. • Remember: Philip was not a member of the professional clergy; he was a deacon.
27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. • Notice how quickly Philip obeyed. • He went without knowing why or where. • He left the crowds to minister to one man. • Often, God’s leading doesn’t make sense. • In time we will understand.
Acts 8:26 – As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, "Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza." • You may wonder, Why didn’t God just send an angel to share the Gospel with this man? • It would be much more effective to have an army of evangelistic angels preaching everywhere. • But, God has another plan. • When you read the Bible, you will notice that angels never preach the Gospel. • People are to do that.
Why not angels? • They have never been lost and saved like we have. 1 Peter 1:12 – Concerning salvation . . . even angels long to look into these things. • God’s plan is to use you and me to share His saving message to this world. • We are to shine His light to the world around us.
29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." 6 Pointers on sharing your faith: • Listen for the Lord’s Direction • There are times when the Lord will speak to your spirit. • Someone may ask, Is it an audible voice? • My response: No, it’s louder than that! • We all know of people who have trouble hearing in the natural . . .
Many believers have difficulty hearing God speaking to them. • It’s not as hard as you think. • Forget the audible voice way. Have you ever been reading your Bible, and you get a strong impression about something? You know it didn’t come from your mind? • That’s the Lord speaking to you. • He’s speaking; Are you listening?
Look for Divine Appointments • Notice how the Lord set this divine appointment up: 30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
Begin Your Conversation with a Question Do you understand what you are reading? • He did 2 things: • Patience – Instead of launching into the Gospel, he ascertained where the guy was. • Observation– Looked for a way to engage the eunuch in a meaningful conversation.
FIRE Method F = Family I = Interests R = Religious Affiliation E = Exploratory Spiritual Questions • It worked, and he invited Philip to sit with him to explain the passage in Isaiah.
32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, He did not open His mouth. 33 He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of His descendants? For His life was taken from the earth." 34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.
Ask for Permission to Share the Lord • The eunuch gave Philip permission with his question. What an amazing lead in question by the eunuch. • It’s like the fish are jumping in the boat! • It’s amazing how God set this up. • An angel tells him to go to Gaza • The Holy Spirit tells points out a specific chariot • The eunuch just happens to be reading Isaiah 53 • The great lead-in question
The Lord will lead you to someone who is ripe. • If you pick fruit too soon, it will never ripen. • Use the Scriptures to Share Your Faith • Isaiah 53 describes what Jesuscame to do: • Jesus’ suffering • His rejection • His silence before His accusers • His death beside wicked men • Substitutionary nature of His death • His burial in a rich man’s grave • His Resurrection
1stCentury Jews wondered who this was? • Israel • Isaiah • The Messiah • Philip started where the man was, Who is this? • And he led him to where he needed to go. • We need to do the same with people. • Start where they are and lead them to Jesus.
36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. • Help Them Follow Through on their Commitment • The eunuch verbalized his faith and was baptized in water. • Philip stayed with him until he followed through on his commitment to Jesus.
Conclusion What passing chariots are you hearing? • I’m worried about: • job • marriage • children • future • dying & etc. • Be ready to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to start where they are. • Then leadthem to Jesus.
Are we there yet? • No, but we’re on the road and heading in the right direction. • Let’s remember to keep the main thing the main thing—worship Jesus and reach people. • Stay focused!
