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Posts Tagged ‘Christ Church’

Great Commission: Turning the World Upside Down

17 Jul

Source of the Article: Devotional from the Church of God International office regarding the Great Commission written by Dr. Culpepper and P. Douglas Small.

THE MANDATE – Acts 17:6 says, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too”. I pray that our city would say that about us.

THE MEDITATION – Think about this, within three hundred years the New Testament men and women did it! They turned the world upside down. The ragtag band of disciples transformed the pagan Roman Empire into a Christian nation.

They faced the lions. They put out the fires of persecution. They shut down the pagan shrines. Wow! We cannot even imagine such an impact on our culture. And they did it without political action committees, without pressure on Roman senators. They did it through prayer, systematic city-by-city, church planting, and by an empowering every-member-a-witness philosophy.

And then suddenly, having won, they lost. As pagans flooded into the new popular churches endorsed by a Christian emperor, the church failed to disciple its new converts. They failed to insist that the same strategy they had used to conquer paganism-every believer living in vital connection to God-was also necessary to sustain the movement.

They let the lights go out. And what followed were the Dark Ages. We are letting it happen again. With a passive laity that is deeply dependent on clergy and worship events that are performance driven, we are losing the culture. God, have mercy on us. Oh God, for Your glory and the sake of Your bride infuse Your church with a renewal of the Holy Spirit. Cause us to return to the discarded vaules of the past. Send a revival that shakes the kingdom of darkness.

THE MISSION – 4 Steps to Becoming a Great Commission Christian:

1. Go to a courtroom and observe. Listen to the cases. Feel the vibrations of a culture falling apart.

2. Read the newspaper. Cut out articles that detail the moral and spiritual crises of our nation. Review them. Give God permission to assign you as an intercessor to one of these causes.

3. Recruit partners to pray with you for a spiritual awakening. Determine that you will no longer be a passive Christian whose life makes little different.

4. Consider other prayer missions to specific places in the city-places of pain and plates of promise. Keep a diary of your prayer experiences, including words from the Lord.

GREAT COMMISSION QUOTATION – Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God. William Carey

GREAT COMMISSION FACT – If your church were to close its doors today, would anyone but its own members notice? Would the community be-saddened because such a great community-transformation partner was gone?

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To read Related Posts: The Great Commission

 
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Posted in From the Desk of Apostle Burton

 

Spirit Filled Church

01 Apr

Over the last few weeks I’ve been teaching and preaching on the sermon series entitled “THE CHRIST CHURCH”. I hope that I’ve been able to paint a picture of what the “CHRIST CHURCH” is supposed to look like. I also pray that God has created a hunger in your spirit to become part of the true “CHRIST CHURCH”.

In today’s sermon I’m planning to teach and preach about the “SPIRIT FILLED CHURCH”. On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He made one of the most astounding statements of His whole ministry. It’s recorded in John 16:7. It says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (the Holy Ghost) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

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Vision at Resurrection Center

23 Mar

Christ-driven Church Vision, Christ-led Visionary 

I’ve been teaching and preaching a sermon series entitled “THE CHRIST CHURCH” and in today’s sermon I am going to talk about “VISION”. In March 2004, God spoke to me about the vision and the mandate that He has for us here at the Resurrection Center. I believe this is a good time to share the vision again and make it very plain so all that read it may run.

WE have a dream… is a collection of 26 statements that you can find inscribed on the back walls of the stage as well as listed on our website under our Vision statement in the “About Us” section.

WE HAVE A DREAM Declares the Following Key Takeaways

  • That we are a strong and ready army under Christ.
  • That this city would be free.
  • That the Glory of the Lord would be revealed and His presence will cover the land.
  • That thousands would drink from the Word of God.
  • That all men would unify weekly in worship no matter their skin colors.
  • That rich or poor would exalt the name of Jesus with no intimidation.
  • That we would feed, clothe, heal and raise up according to the needs.
  • That all would hear the Good News.
  • That the unreachable would be reached and the untouchable touched.
  • That God is restored in His rightful place in the school, courthouse and the church.
  • That we would transpire excellence in everything we do.
  • That God’s children to become the head and not the tail.
  • That Christians control the wealth and call for honesty, purity, and justice for all.
  •  That we would be people of power and integrity.
  • That the world would come running to us for help and direction rather than we running to them.
  • That seniors will no longer have to worry about poverty.
  • That our daughters will stop running to the abortion clinic.
  • That no sister will be alone in raising her children.
  • That no brother will lie in the street dying from gun shots.
  • That drug addicts would find a permanent high in Jesus.
  • That the church can change the spiritual climate of a city, a province and a nation.
  • That this city, province and nation to be transformed with fear and trembling.
  • That every leader be given an opportunity to be educated and equipped to do the work of God.
  • That our children would attend a school where Jesus is exalted.
  • That the gospel of Jesus Christ would spread from our church and circle around the globe.
  • That Jesus will be exalted from sea to shining sea. We must not back up, give up, or shut up, until we have prayed up, preached up and lifted up every person to the throne of God.
  • That every valley, mountain and hill, crooked places and rough places shall obey to the Word of God.

Let it be done through the Power of the Holy Spirit, for the Glory of the Father and the Son.

Please so to our About Resurrection Center section on our Website to see the complete Vision Statement as well as The Resurrection Center Purpose.

 
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Posted in From the Desk of Apostle Burton

 

Becoming a Transformed Church

02 Mar

Related Post: What must we do to touch this City?

Spiritual Transformation

Our city desperately needs a spiritual transformation, a new soul, a new heart, and a new spirit.

Friends, true “CHANGE” and “TRANSITION” can only be made possible through God and the power of the Holy Spirit. A weak Church does have the spiritual power to bring about long term change. Our city desperately needs a spiritual transformation, a new soul, a new heart, and a new spirit. I believe the keys to the city are given to the Church in the city, making the health of the Church of prime importance.

If we are going to reach our city we must have the gift of discernment and be willing to confront the evil powers that hold people captive. We must raise up prayer warriors and equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. We must be a people who know God’s Word and be ready to pour out God’s love wherever we go. We must learn how to engage in spiritual warfare, do prayer walking, minister to the poor, meet the social needs in our cities and transform our churches into places where the spiritual atmosphere is charged with the authentic power and presence of Christ. Read the rest of this entry »

 
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