BUILT TO LAST #2

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE MESSAGE NOTES AS YOU FOLLOW ALONG –

Equipping

From his abundance (from God’s abundance) we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
John 1:16 (NLT) 

#1—We’re trying to raise money to replace our 17,000 square feet of old portable buildings with a new building that’s “Built To Last”

#2­—We want to disciple and equip our younger generation with a faith that is “Built To Last”

In fact if you were to look at the entire theme or logo it says… Equipping Faith That Is “Built To Last” In A Decaying Culture

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. 

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ…

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:1-7 & 11-16 (NLT)

#1—God has given you at least one spiritual gift!

…he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 (NLT)

I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV1984)

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.  So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)

#2­—God gave you leaders to help develop your spiritual gift(s)!

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)

#3—God gave you your gift(s) for the purpose of helping others grow in their faith and love! 

God gave you your gift(s) to help others have a faith that is “Built to Last”

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NLT)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. I Peter 4:10 (NIV1984)

Jesus called all the followers together and said, “You know that the rulers of the non-Jewish people love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority. But it should not be that way among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant. Whoever wants
to become first among you must serve the rest of you like a slave. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.” Matthew 20:25-28 (NCV)