DISCIPLESHIP 101

Genesis 4 – Am I my brother’s keeper? Short answer yes.

Matthew 22:37-40

Spiritually dead – unbelief /gospel shared – born again. A spiritual infant is characterized by ignorance. A spiritual child is characterized by self centeredness. A spiritual young adult is characterized by service. They want to serve. They are more God centered and focused on helping others. A spiritual parent is intentional/reproducible/they have a strategy to teach and mentor ones they are in the process of making disciples.

*This chart is from Real Life Discipleship. You can read the book review here.

Matthew 28:19-20 – Make disciples. Your purpose is to make disciples not friends. Your purpose is to glorify God. If you are a true follower of Christ, you will gain friends and lose friends. You will make friends in the church as part of the body of Christ. You should also have friends that are unbelievers and you should love them enough to share Christ with them.

You should first be the friend that you want others to be to you. Proverbs says that a friend is closer than a brother. A true friend is someone that you can trust, confide in, and know they will do their best to keep their promises.

You don’t need loser friends. What is a loser friend?

• The relationship with you has to benefit them.
• They lie to you.
• They can only be around you when it is convenient for them.
• You can’t trust them – there is broken promises, they will not keep your secrets, there is no confidentiality.
• They repeatedly hurt you and apologize. It seems like a never-ending cycle.
• They would rather see you fail instead of celebrating your successes. You intimidate them. They are jealous of you.
• They betray you.

If you have friends/associates/acquaintances that are spiritually dead – seek opportunities to share the gospel with them.

If your friends are Christians – Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 – You cannot be a disciple maker unless you are progressing in spiritual maturity.

What happens when your friend steps out of line? What happens when they start living a life that appears to disregard God and the Bible?

By being friends, you have earned the right to confront them. You are holding them accountable according to the Bible. Hebrews 3:12-13 – Your life must be transparent and authentic. James 5:16 – You are taking medicine to the sick. You are not aiding them in their sin.

Proverbs 27:6 – Faithful are the wounds of a friend. It is good for us to be corrected and reproved by our friends. This is a way for us to see what is in our life that does conform us to the image of Christ. The rebuke or correction of a friend is as painful as inflicting wounds but if they truly love you and care about your spiritual well-being – your progress in sanctification, they will not let you continue in your sin without confronting you in love.

2 Samuel 12:1-14

2 Corinthians 5:14, 18-20

Are you compelled by Christ? Do you understand the need/urgency?

John 12:26

John 14:23-25

Do you treasure Christ more than the affections of people? Would you rather be obedient to Christ or would you rather not offend other people?

We Remember - A Moving Memorial Day Tribute

Take the time to truly remember your freedom and it's cost and how and who paid the bill..

family and friends pay it for us for for more JESUS paid it..

The Temple

Solomon began to build the “house

of

the L

ord” in 1 Kings 6. This temple would be the place where the Lord would dwell among his people. Paul, in the NT, refers to our bodies as the temples where the Holy Spirit now dwells.

This is a

n illustration of Solomon’s temple f

rom the ESV Study Bible.

Here is the thing. When you read the account of Solomon building the temple in 1 Kings 6, Solomon uses the best of the best materials to build with. This temple is beautiful and strong. Since our bodies are now the temples of the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t we make his dwelling the best that it can be?

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul writes, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I cannot help but think that this means we should also take care and glorify God with what we eat.

When you say grace over a meal, you are technically inviting Jesus to come and dine with you and bless the food received on the table. I am not sure that God is glorified with pre-processed foods like Cheetos and Oreos. I am not sure that God is glorified when I drink more soda than water.

I believe that glorifying God in what I eat is important. If I do not care what I eat and put into my body than I might as well back a dump truck full of crap and drop it into the sanctuary of the church. It’s the same principle right?

This is by no means the end-all discussion. This is just the beginning. I have a lot more research and studying to do and I will have new posts related to this off and on as I learn more.

What do you think? Does the food you eat have anything to do with 1 Corinthians 10:31? Do you plan on glorifying God with what you eat?

Hit up the comments.

The Importance of Moving People

05-

11-2011

Great preachers and leaders know how tomove people.

As soon as I say that I know that the first thing that comes to many people’s minds is emotional manipulation. After all, when unchurched people say they really liked your sermon they usually say that it really movedthem. And in their minds they’re probably talking about pure emotion. Maybe intellectual curiosity.

But that’s not what I mean. Anyone can do that and it doesn’t guarantee any kind of positive growth in the lives of the people you’re preaching to and leading.

What I mean is the concept of moving people further along in their lives. Advancing them beyond their current level of development. Beyond their current walk with God.

I like that concept. That image. And it’s something that I think all pastors should strive after. Pastors have to know how to move people. And they have to know how to move them on two tracks:

1) individually

2) corporately.

The words you speak should move people on a personal level. They should grip their hearts and make application to their lives personally. If you don’t move the individual and you’re only casting broad vision to the church as a whole, you’re only going to preach to the highest commitment level people and your church isn’t going to go very far.

For example, you can make the greatest pitch for the greatest capital campaign in church history. But if the individual people and families in your church aren’t moved to live lives of generosity, the thermometer on your stage is going nowhere.

You have to move the people to move the church.

But you also have to move the church as a whole in the right direction. You should always have a direction in which the church needs to move corporately. A common goal that you want the collective efforts of the individual people in your church aimed at. If you don’t, the church won’t advance.

Going back to our example, it’s not enough just to move people to tithe. What you have to do is figure out where God wants to take your church. What it’s going to take financially to get there. And then cast a compelling vision that moves individual people to get on board to make it happen.

You have to move the church to move the people.

Good preachers and leaders are great at moving individuals.
Good preachers and leaders are great at moving churches.

Great preachers and leaders are great at both.

Can Christians Get Tattoos

LOOK AT THIS.... WHAT DO YOU THINK????

G.O.S.P.E.L. by Propaganda

How to disable geotagging on your smartphone | ajc.com

How to disable geotagging on your smartphone | ajc.com

Daniel Bennett in the Athens News Paper

Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty Intern, Daniel Bennett, Receives Prestigious UGA Real Estate Award

Athens Banner-Herald

Published Sunday, May 15, 2011

On April 13, 2011, Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty Intern, Daniel Bennett, was recognized at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business Honors Day with an honors award in Real Estate. Honors awards are given to students who achieve high scholastic records and demonstrate excellence in their academic endeavors. The award was presented by Henry Munneke, Chair of Business Administration, and Department of Real Estate.

Since May of 2010, Bennett has been part of the Upchurch family and contributed to Coldwell Banker Upchurch by providing fresh insight in the areas of website management, technology, and market studies. “We are very fortunate to have someone as valuable as Daniel on our team. He has far exceeded our expectations and we look forward to his future success in real estate," says Charlie Upchurch, Broker and Owner of Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty.

Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty is located at 2405 West Broad Street, Athens, Georgia 30606. For questions about buying or selling real estate or trends in the current market, please call 706-543-4000. Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty has been serving the Athens-Clarke County community for over 50 years. For further information, contact Crystal Bolen at 706-543-4000.

May8th 2011

Sick of More of Me

The following is from a friend that works with young adults and college age students

Please let us know what you think about this posting.

Thanks,

David Betts

May 10, 2011

By Jimmy Proulx

Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:1-10

Jericho – same city that Joshua leads the people of Israel to march against in Joshua 6. It is not the same place as it was in the time of Joshua. King Herod acquired the city from Caesar Augustus. Herod tuned the city into what he wanted it to be. Jericho became Herod’s winter retreat.

Jericho is where Zacchaeus lived. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. He had people that worked under him. He was rich. He most likely made his money by over-taxing people what they really owed. If you were a tax collector, you were considered to be dirt, worthless, the scum of the earth. People would have rather had their teeth pulled out than to be in the vicinity of a tax collector. Tax collectors were hated people. This was the case with Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming to his town. Zacchaeus had heard stories of Jesus. Stories about Jesus spread quickly. Jesus taught Scripture as did the temple leaders but Jesus taught with authenticity and authority. Jesus preached in such a way that people were compelled to listen to him. People walked away in awe of Jesus. When was the last time that you were in awe of Jesus?

Word quickly spread about Jesus and his teachings. This is no doubt the way Zacchaeus heard about Jesus. Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus. He had heard about Jesus but just hearing about Jesus was not enough. He wanted more. More of Jesus. So he takes it upon himself to do whatever it takes to see more of Jesus. He runs ahead of the crowd and climbs a tree.

Zacchaeus was determined to do whatever it took to see more of Jesus. Zacchaeus had lived his whole life living for himself. Prideful, selfish, conceited and the list probably could go longer; these were words that described Zacchaeus. With the stories he heard about Jesus, something resonated insided him that made him aware that he needed to see Jesus.

Are you willing to do whatever it takes to see more of Jesus?

Yes or No.

Stop with the excuses.

Are you willing to do whatever it takes to see more of Jesus? Are you so sick of your “self” that all you desire is Jesus?

It’s way to easy to pursue selfish desires. Instant gratification of self makes you fat. You become fat by becoming full of your “self”.

Why not become full of Jesus?

BOOK TITLED (FOR THE CITY)

Hey:

Here's a book that is great it's called "For The City"

look at this !!! :-)

CENTRAL STATION SPRING COOKOUT!!!!

SPRING COOKOUT 2011

SATURDAY, MAY 7th

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

HERMAN C. MICHAEL PARK

**PLEASE NOTE Directions to Herman C. Micheal Park are enclosed **
We will meet at Herman C Michael Park (Picnic Pavilion)
fun, fellowship, worship & food*
Open to all young adults. Come out and bring a friend!
The park has disc golf, sand volleyball, a basketball court, a walking trail & softball fields
*Burgers & Dogs provided, please let Pastor Anthony know what side dish you will be bringing.
Questions? Contact Pastor Anthony @ 706 353-1199.29

Directions:
Herman C. Micheal Park
1051 Elder Road
Bishop, GA 30621
Directions are from Church of the Nations Assemblies of God
8780 Macon Hwy
Athens, GA 30606
1. Head south on Macon Hwy toward Ivywood Dr 0.2 mi
2. Take the 1st right to stay on Macon Hwy 259 ft
3. Turn left at GA-15 S/US-129 S/US-441 S/Macon Hwy 1.2 mi
4. Turn right at Hog Mountain Rd 4.8 mi
5. Turn left at Elder Rd
6. Destination will be on the left 0.1 mi
1051 Elder Rd
Bishop, GA 30621

Contact information:
This Information can used the day event
if you get lost please call

(706) 410 5092- David Betts
or
you are welcome to call the church office at
706-353-1199 for more information.

Games at Herman C. Michael Park
Disc Golf Course Info:

What is Disc Golf?

Disc Golf is a fantastic recreation activity and a lifetime sport for all ages. It is a competitive sport played worldwide, including Northeast Georgia.

Disc Golf is played similar to traditional golf, except discs rather than golf balls are thrown to hit chain targets. The game scores with PAR the same as traditional golf. Disc golf can be played with the basic set up of a driver disc, mid-range disc and a putter disc. Herman C. Michael Park has an 18 hole course that is free to play during park hours.

They also have a 1.8 mile paved walking trail.

hope to see you at this great event for food, fun, fellowship, and music.

The Graduates of the class of 2011

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES CLASS OF 2011 !!!!

A note to the High School's: The Time as come for you to move into the world the next step can be College/University AND COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULTS (CENTRAL SATION). We look forward to you moving up to us.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES:

Anjoua Myers Oconee County High School

Camden Marshall Oconee County High School

Michael Gwinn Oconee County High School

Miriam Cox North Oconee High School

Sammy Aggrey North Oconee High School

Christina Joy Loran Masters Academy of Find Arts and Homeschool, High School Diploma

Note to the College Graduates: You have done it and now a new part of life will be opening to you. We are happy to walk with you in this new opening in your life please let us know how we can help you and please know that we are here for you and we love you.

COLLEGE GRADUATES:

Kelsey Crawford BSBA in Finance, Thomas Edison State College

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (UGA)

Daniel Bennett BBA in Real Estate, Terry College of Business

Christina Morris Master of Education

Priscilla Amos Master of Accountancy

Dr. Fami Adetoma PhD in Toxicology

ATHENS TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Stacey Campbell Associates in Business Administrative Technology

Kristin Crawford Associates in Early Childhood Education

Chelsea Smith Associates in Health Science

Kelley Smith Associates in Applied Science

Barbara McRae Robinson Daughter of Dr. Matthew and Barbara McRae

Masters in Education Administration, Gallaudet University

Christian Robinson Son-in-law of Dr. Matthew and Barbara McRae

MBA, University of North Carolina

John Mark Eddy Son of Colleen Loran

Master of Environmental Science, Virginia Tech