The Power of an Invitation
Whether it’s an invitation to coffee that leads to a lifelong friendship or an invitation to a date that leads to finding the love of your life, a simple invitation can have a lasting impact. Invitations have the power to change lives.
Did you know that 82% of people who don’t attend church would be at least somewhat likely to come if someone they knew simply invited them? Yet, despite this openness, only 2% of church members invite someone to church in a given year. There is more. Seven out of ten unchurched people have never been invited to church in their whole lives. Imagine the impact if we all took that step of faith and extended a simple invitation.
Next Sunday is our Bring a Friend to Church (BF2C) Sunday. This is the perfect opportunity to extend that life-changing invitation to someone in your life—whether it’s a friend, neighbor, or family member. You never know what God might do through a single invitation.
As you go through this week, think about the people in your life who might be open to an invitation to join us next Sunday. Who will you bring? Your invitation might be the start of a journey that changes their life forever. Let’s step out in faith, trusting that God can use even the simplest invitation to make a lasting impact.
Preacher Chad
I Am Who You Say I Am IN CHRIST
This morning, we are wrapping up our SHIFT sermon series with what I believe is the most important message of all: SHIFT Your Identity. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how being a new creation in Christ impacts our mindset, character, relationships, and integrity. Today, we focus on our identity as followers of Christ, discovering the profound truth that, in Him, we are loved, forgiven, free, and saved. This final message brings everything together, reminding us that embracing our new identity in Christ transforms every aspect of our lives.
As we close this series, let’s continue to allow God’s Word to reshape and renew us daily. Living out our new identity in Christ is not just a Sunday experience—it’s a lifelong journey of faith and discipleship. I encourage you to reflect on how these truths have shifted your heart and mind over the past weeks and to carry them forward as we grow together as a church.
Also, a quick reminder: Our annual Bring A Friend to Church (BF2C) Sunday is just two weeks away on Sunday, 15 September. Please begin praying now about who you will invite. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ and to introduce someone to the community of believers. Let’s make it a special day of fellowship and worship!
Preacher Chad
Walking Securely: The Power of Integrity in Our Christian Witness
This morning, we are diving into Week 4 of our SHIFT sermon series, focusing on SHIFT Your Integrity. We’ve been on a journey of transformation, exploring how being a new creation in Christ affects our mindset, character, and relationships. Now, as we talk about integrity, we are reminded that who we are when no one is watching speaks volumes about our witness for Christ.
In Week 2, we discussed how character reflects the inner qualities the Holy Spirit cultivates in us—qualities like love, joy, peace, and patience. Integrity, however, is the outward expression of that character. It’s the alignment of our beliefs with our behavior, ensuring that our lives reflect the truth we claim to follow.
Integrity is essential for our Christian witness. Proverbs 10:9 tells us, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,” reminding us that integrity brings a sense of security and trustworthiness. When we live with integrity, others see the light of Christ shining through us, which is vital in a world that often lacks stability and truth.
As we move into today’s message, let’s examine our hearts and ask ourselves: How does my integrity impact my witness for Christ? Am I living in such a way that others see Him in me? Only one more week remains in this SHIFT series, but let’s make these lessons part of our everyday walk with the Lord.
Preacher Chad
The Power of Forgiveness
This morning, we continue our journey through our SHIFT sermon series with a focus on one of the most challenging yet transformative aspects of our Christian walk: forgiveness. As we delve into Ephesians 4:31-32, we’ll explore how forgiveness is not just a command but a powerful force that can reshape our relationships and deepen our spiritual lives.
Forgiveness is essential because, as Ecclesiastes 7:20 reminds us, none of us are without sin. We all fall short, and recognizing our need for forgiveness is the first step in understanding its power. But forgiveness isn’t just about acknowledging our flaws; it’s about embracing the call to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us (Colossians 3:13).
When we forgive, we open the door to reconciliation, mirroring the very nature of God who, through Christ, reconciled us to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). This act of grace not only heals wounds but transforms hearts.
However, forgiveness is not a one-time event but a lifestyle. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 18:21-22 to forgive continually, reflecting His boundless grace in our daily lives.
As we gather this morning, my prayer is that we all commit to living out the power of forgiveness, allowing it to SHIFT our relationships and shine as lights in this world that glorify our Heavenly Father.
Preacher Chad
Cultivating Character through the Fruit of the Spirit
Our journey through the “SHIFT” series continues this week as we focus on “SHIFT Your Character.” Rooted in Galatians 5:22-25, we explore how to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives. The passage reminds us, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These virtues are evidence of a transformed life in Christ.
As we delve into this sermon, we’ll discover that developing these fruits is not about striving in our own strength. It’s about staying deeply connected to Jesus, our source of life, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us. This transformation requires a daily commitment to surrender our will to God’s and engage in practices that nurture our spiritual growth.
We’ll also discuss the importance of spiritual disciplines and how they play a crucial role in our transformation. By incorporating these practices into our lives, we create space for God to cultivate these fruits within us, leading to a character that reflects Christ more and more.
As we embrace this SHIFT in our character, we become living testimonies of God’s transformative power. Our lives, marked by the fruit of the Spirit, shine as beacons of hope and light in a world that desperately needs to see the love of Christ. Follow along with the sermon outline and let’s embark on this journey of transformation together.
Preacher Chad
Are You Ready for a SHIFT?
As we journey through 2024, our theme of “Discipleship: Following in His Footsteps” has guided and inspired us to deepen our walk with Christ. I am excited to announce our new sermon series for August, titled “SHIFT: Living as New Creations in Christ.” This series is designed to challenge and encourage us to embrace the transformation that comes with being new creations in Christ, as highlighted in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Throughout August and into September, we will explore the profound shifts that occur in our lives when we fully surrender to God’s will and allow His Spirit to renew and transform us. Each week, we will delve into different aspects of this transformation, starting with the renewal of our minds.
Here’s a glimpse of what we will cover:
Week 1: SHIFT Your Mindset
Week 2: SHIFT Your Heart
Week 3: SHIFT Your Actions
Week 4: SHIFT Your Relationships
Week 5: SHIFT Your Identity
As we embark on this series, my prayer is that we will experience a profound shift in our perspectives, attitudes, and lives. I encourage each of you to prepare your hearts and minds for what God will reveal to us in the coming weeks.
Preacher Chad
