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GeDhia Gets Baptized (second to left)

John 14:12
Jesus says that we’ll do even greater things than him.
As long as we have the faith Jesus had we will do great things.
The question is: “Do you believe?”

Additions this year:
67 – added total.
59 – baptisms
4 – restorations
4 – placed memberships
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Death is working in disciples so that non-disciples can live.

#1 – Die so that others may live
We are jars of clay.
We won’t live forever.
God fixes our problems, not us. We must believe this.
We will get knocked down but we as disciples get back up.
To follow Jesus is to deny ourselves and take up our cross.
No matter the pain we feel we must see to it that someone’s life is changed.
There’s nothing better than someones life being changed for God.
When is the last time you had a visitor out to bible talk, to church, or for a bible study?
Have you lost your purpose?

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

#2 – Speak to silence the critics
Acts 4:1-4
As men of the church we must lead the women of the church.
How was your quiet time this morning?

Acts 4:5-22
To stop God’s movement people will try to stop us from speaking.
Keep your eyes focused on the Author.

Hebrews 12:1-3
Are you focused on Jesus or on the worries of this world?
Do you lie to people about your impurity in your life?
There’s so many people we need to pray for in the church.
Are you giving all your heart?

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Jay, Sabrina and Theo

Jay Shelbrack preaches on unity at the Bible Talk Leaders’ Workshop. We as Disciples are a family and if you go to another church within the International Christian Churches, you’ll feel the same love.

Acts 1:3 – for 40 days, Jesus preached about the kingdom after his resurrection, preparing for its coming.
-It is a treasure that we’re apart of.

Matthew 6:33 – Seek First His (Not Your) Kingdom

1 Corinthians 1:10
What causes disunity? Sin
- All different cultures and backgrounds that GOD had molded to create something special
- To win the world means being united in mind and thought

Challenge: having our minds focused together!
- Chris Broom stopped issues with no apologies.

1 Corinthians 4:14
- Everywhere in every church!
- Paul says that he’s not here to shame you, but for you to imitate, as he imitates Jesus.
- If the whole church looked like you, what would it look like?
- We would be walking together
- Shame – a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior
- Do you imitate your Discipler?
- You are arrogant if you think your way is better
- Is your ministry is so awesome, that everyone should imitate yours?

Have you called them to imitate your spirit?
- The Kingdom is not about talk but about power
- Show the Bible behind the Bible Talk
- Imagine Paul getting in your face! Imitate Paul’s desperation for the sake of the salvation of souls

3 Areas of Paul to Imitate:

1.) Paul’s Love
2 Timothy 2:2, 3:10
1 John 2:3 – As Disciples, we must walk as Jesus walked.

Acts 20:25-31
- Paul didn’t hesitate to proclaim; you hesitate=you lose
- Keep watch over the flock
- Satan goes after the weak and young
- Do we have the heart for each other like GOD has the heart for us?
-Baptisms should mean EVERYTHING to you!

2.) Paul’s Passion – Philippians 1:20-26
- Heaven is our home; Paul was invincible in spirit
- Having the heart to bear fruit

1 Corinthians 9:19-22
- The world is not who we are
- People think your passion for GOD is weird

3.) Paul’s Hard Work
- Imitate Paul’s hard work in everything
- Great Evangelists had to Sacrifice and had Unity to do great things for GOD
- Intensity and drive to get things done
- “Tora! Tora! Tora!” is what the Japanese shouted when they flew their bombs into Pearl Harbor. It means “Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!” because a tiger attacks immediately after being contacted with. Naval Marshall General Isoroku Yamamoto said after the attack “I fear we have awakened the sleeping giant.”
- We’re gonna suffer; but “Here am I send me!” Are we imitating or are we arrogant

Two People: Sabrina Kramer and Theo Dawson Jr.
- Sabrina in 2011 has baptized five people! She imitates! She is called “Little Jay” for her imitation and aggressiveness to learn. Is that our passion?

Theo Dawson Jr. -Last week at College of DuPage
- Has been putting up obstacles that has prevented him from sharing his faith
Goal: “Every time I’m on campus, I’m gonna share with 30 people”.
- More times with GOD to pray for his motives
- He was truly concerned with people’s lives and had no attitudes towards people who aren’t open.
- He felt he didn’t dent the campus because there were so many people. He shared because he loved them and wants them in this great Kingdom.
- Have the spirit of imitation

Conclusion: Imitation of Paul’s Love, Passion, and Hard Work could make you a Right Hand Man for GOD.

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Disciples Gather to Seek First His Kingdom!

Seek First His Kingdom – Outline

Martin Luther King Jr. Changed the world because of his conviction and passion
- 1 man’s ambition shaped and influenced the world
2,000 years later
- The Catholic Church strays from what the Bible preaches
15 hundred years later
- Martin Luther comes to try to bring people back to true doctrine
Martin Luther tells them they are all wrong and writes a letter that reaches the Pope
Pope writes back and Martin Luther burns the letter in from of everybody

1934 Germany
- Michael King looks at what Martin Luther did and changes his and his son’s name to Martin Luther King and Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. rises up 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech
1964 Youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize
1966 Killed
1986 Martin Luther King Jr. Day established

All started with Jesus

John 14:12
Who can do greater than Jesus?
- Those that put their faith in him

Point 1. The only thing to seek
Matthew 6:33
- Seek the Kingdom 1st

Luke 12:31
- Seek the Kingdom
We only need to seek the Kingdom period. Not just 1st but period. Nothing else

What does it look like to seek the Kingdom first?
- How much heart do you give in singing to God?
Where is your gratitude?
Seeking the Kingdom means being fired up about singing

- David’s wife criticized his singing but he was fired up and kept singing
- Fellowship
After 6 days of being in the world and Satan’s attacks we should be fired up in the security and refuge of the fellowship
Be the light in the fellowship

- Better to give than to receive
Fired up on Christmas when you were a kid because you wanted presents. You even woke up super early

- Kingdom is more important
Get to church early

- When you come in late, don’t talk to anybody, and don’t sing you are not seeking the Kingdom 1st
Where is your heart truly at?

- Are you bringing other people?
When you are fired up you bring people to see it and want them to be part of it
This is our family
Seek the Kingdom and God does the rest

2 Samuel 23:8-23
- The Mighty Men are a great example of seeking the Kingdom
What will you do for God in order to seek the Kingdom?
Most radical thing to do in order to be a Mighty Man is to be consistent with God

- Everybody wants to be might but do you want to be consistent
Be consistent with fellow up calls, contribution, quiet times, and encouragement times

Challenge
- Be a Mighty Man or Woman
Change for God. Work hard

Martin Luther King did not except the system of the world and his son imitated

Isaiah 42:13-17
- Do not except where the world is at
- Never adjust to it
- If God is your dad you should learn from him
God does not get use to hypocrisy

Now it is your turn
- Do you want to be like him?
- Do you want the whole world saved?
What is your calling?

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Women’s edition preached by Barb Shelbrack and Lisa Fellis, 1/14/2012

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Erica Gets Baptized.

My Kingdom Is Not of this World – Outline

John 18:36 Jesus fought for the kingdom. His kingdom was with God.

Matthew 13:44-46

Kingdom of heaven is a treasure!
We are willing to give everything away to have the treasure of the kingdom.
We do not treasure things that take us away from God such as school, family, job, or other worldly pursuits.
The definition of kingdom: kingship; aptitude; acquired capacity; innate; God puts inside of us from birth; spiritual sovereignty.
The definition of world: Mass of men alienated from God and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ. Earthly goods, riches, advantages, pleasures, hollow and fleeting desires that seduce us from God.

We see the kingdom and the world do not mix. We need to be all in the kingdom or nothing.

Comfort is being free from pain, anxiety and concern: one foot is the kingdom and one foot in the world is comfort. If we are comfortable, something is wrong. You need to get out of your comfort zone to grow. We are not done growing in the kingdom.

What would happen if we don’t invest in the kingdom? Challenge: Invest in what you believe in.

2 Corinthians 8:12: Give all I have to the kingdom with all my heart.

John 17:14

Disciples are not of this world. My home is not in this world.

Luke 10:38-41

Mary chose what was better. Choose what is better!

John 8:31-32

Hold to Jesus’ teaching to know the truth. It’s like the cure for cancer!

Devote yourself, pledge and participate in advancing God’s kingdom.

Luke 18:22-30

You do not need the things of this world. Your treasure is in heaven. Give up the world to gain God’s kingdom. You must be fully invested in God’s kingdom. If you don’t invest time, money, possessions, you will be sad like the rich young ruler.

Three things we must do:

Value the kingdom: John 14: 1-3: I value the kingdom more when I recognize who I was before I entered the kingdom.
Invest in the kingdom: Mark 8: 34-37: Invest in the kingdom of God by denying myself and taking up my cross. To gain the world is to lose our soul. Have I died for the gospel? Invest everything to save souls.
Receive the kingdom as an inheritance: Colossians 3:24: Inheritance cannot be bought. It is a gift from God and purchased with the blood of Jesus.

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Women’s edition preached by Brittany Underhill, 1/14/2012

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Dom Gets Baptized.

The Secrets of the Kingdom – Outline

Here are gripping lessons on the secrets of the kingdom. The church has strong conviction on making the Bible our one and only standard. Mark 4:10-20 states the parable about the different types of soils in God’s movement. In the joy of disciples in God’s kingdom, we must be sold out for the kingdom. It is the treasure that will pull the people of the world in. We should always be practical in God’s laws, or we will only end up seeking after the temporary happiness created by the world. Bringing people to His banquet requires reading, knowing the word of God and applying it to our lives through faith (Romans 10:17 and 1 Peter 2: 9-10). Making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20) was the command from Jesus Christ. The goal is to continue to share the message that will have an impact on future generations.

Memorize the word. It helps disciples to be equipped for the battles that lie ahead including the ones within ourselves to fight off Satan’s schemes from deceiving us. We must be transformed in the renewal of our minds by no longer conforming to the patterns of the world (Romans 12:2). We must continue to preach the word to everybody to receive a full understanding of God’s miracles and wonders as stated in Philemon 6 and Matthew 28:18-20. In 1 Thessalonian 5:17, God ask us to continue to pray and to be thankful for everything. God works with someone who is committed and open with their lives.

The secrets of kingdom are the only everlasting happiness that we should desire. The kingdom is never far from anyone of us. We have a lot to be grateful for, and out of love for God’s kingdom we need to share our gratitude with the people who are still searching.

Matthew 13:10-17

Point #1: God’s secret in His Kingdom have been revealed to us.
- God allowed our eyes and ears to see and hear for us to understand the secrets of the Kingdom.
- Many sacrificed (Abraham, Moses, prophets & Jesus) for us to have the Kingdom of God.

(vs. 18-23)
- Jesus categorizes people in 4 categories:

1. Beaten-down Heart
- not open
- no response to God’s word
- They do not listen to the word of God and the word does not penetrate in their hearts.

2. Rocky Heart
- quickly falls away from God
- it can be a mature or baby disciple
- no deep roots, no rich soil

- we should be deeply rooted in God’s word which comes from great quiet times
- Hold tight because trouble and persecution will come.
- Persevere and learn to have deep roots in God’s word because if not, we will make stupid decisions.

REPENTANCE from not deeply rooted in God’s word:
- Deep quiet time everyday
- make the decision to become close to God everyday.
- have strong convictions on God’s word
- decide to follow God everyday.

3. Thorny Heart
- only looks beautiful on the outside
*Thorns choking the plant leads to lack of growth spiritually.
“You can be the tree who is standing, but dead.”

(vs. 22) “The see cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.” – Message version

- pleasures from the world is deceitfulness
- wealth is just an ILLUSION
“Why can’t I not have ____________?” – DECEITFULNESS

- Always remind yourself about the deceitfulness of the world because you might believe the illusion.”

4. Noble Heart
i. hears the word
ii. understands the word
iii. bears fruit

- we should always strive for a noble heart everyday by being infused and moist by the word.
- Always remember the baptisms, the change of hearts and lives, to help us stay faithful and grow in God.

Luke 18:14-15
- Good heart – retain (put into practice) the word
- Persevere daily to produce the crop!

Psalm 90:8
- Our secrets sins are revealed to God.
- secret sins are in the light of God’s presence.

What to do with secret sins?
Proverbs 28:13
- confess and be open: RENOUNCE

James 5:16
- receive healing from being open.
- The more you commit sin, the more you get used to it, the more your heart gets hardened.
- Age with the Lord, doesn’t mean maturity!
- build spiritual patterns:
i. openness
ii. have great times with God
iii. make life easier
iv. give more to God
v. help each other be fruitful – be fired up when other people becomes personally fruitful.

Point #2: The Mystery of God’s Kingdom have been revealed.
Ephesians 1:9, Ephesians 3:2-6 & 10-12
MYSTERY: The fact that Jews and gentiles are born heirs of God.

(vs. 11-12)
- CONFIDENCE: the promise of going to heaven and that our prayers are heard and answered by God.
- FREEDOM: freedom from sin. forgiven. no guilt. wiped clean. “God looks at me and He sees Jesus”

- the year 2012 is the year of spiritual focus on God and being deeply rooted in God’s word!
no. 1 dream of God for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth (1 Tim. 2:3-4)
- FOCUS ON GOD’S DREAM

Ephesians 3:20-12
- God can do more than we can imagine.
- God prepares us for His dreams.
- DREAM BIG! Dream spiritual dreams!

Challenge:
- Pray for the crown of thorns and samaritan project.
- Focus on evangelizing the world and it will change your mindset on the resources God has given you.
Acts 20:5 – money means your heart.
- We become more blessed when we give, more than we receive.
- Make a list of your wildest dreams and hope in 2012!

HAVE FAITH!

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Brittany Marie Gets Baptized

Crankin’ a Bible Talk – Outline

Small groups who are passionate, disciplined, and focused get the job done
- Stalin has a famous quote that says 12 men willing to give up their lives for him will change the world
He stole that from Jesus and his apostles

- Still the same today. If you are willing to risk your life you will change your campus, city, and the world
Your Bible talk is the hope of the world

Crankin or Tankin?
Matthew 22:1-10
Parable of the wedding banquet
- Kingdom of God is awesome, incredible, joy
It’s like an all you can eat buffet with all the food you could imagine
The Kingdom is even better because it saves lives and is free to come visit

- When you are inviting people out do you have a fired up attitude, knowing that it is better than any buffet the visitor could imagine
- It is the hope of the world and is worth coming to
- Do not share faith out of obligation because people will not come
- When you know something is awesome and do not care if others think it is you will have visitors
Bible talk is the hope of keeping regrets out of peoples’ lives
- We are the hope
Have you forgotten? Why have you lost hope?

- How are your quiet times? How did bible talk change your life?
- Share with an energetic, positive, convicted attitude
- You have to have strong convictions to know this is the place to be or have you forgotten?

Hebrews 11:1-6
- Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what we do not see
- The world is hurting
People try to drink, flirt, and forget to make their problems go away
They have no hope or faith in anything

- You give all your heart but they do not come to God so you stop sharing your faith. You think if God shows me then I will believe? Then you have lost YOUR faith!
- God sends Abraham and through Abraham’s faith we see the results
Child of Abraham? Believe what God says will happen

- It is impossible to please God without faith
- Enoch had faith. God blesses those who earnestly seek him
- Losing your faith is NOT a little thing
It causes you to go to the world to fix your broken dreams

- Is your heart tearing you down or are you keeping the faith?
- Have you trusted your dreams into God’s hands?
God brings the impossible

John 20:19-29
Thomas lost his faith
- The 11 were meeting together but Thomas was not there
Losing faith=losing commitment=Missing God’s miracles

- Stop doubting and believe
- Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe
- To crank a Bible talk, do NOT doubt. Go knowing you will change peoples’ lives
- What would life be like if you did not doubt?

Mark 6:1-6
- If there is no faith in the city Jesus cannot work
If you have no faith there will be no miracles

Romans 14:23
- Man who doubts is condemned
- Everything that does not come from faith is SIN
It is not about growing. A hit man does not grow spiritually by slowly stopping killing people
Sin needs to stop

- Bottom line is repent and have faith, believe
- God not pleased by sin
- Do you have faith that you can have faith or have you beaten yourself?

IMPORTANT SKILLS IN BEING A BIBLE TALK LEADER
- Imitation: There is no such thing as plagiarizing in the Kingdom
- Daily Ministry: Share your faith everyday
- Motivation: Jesus is Lord has to be the lifestyle you live everyday
- Personal example/Leader has to lead: Have a visitor

Mark 3:31-35
- Awesome Bible talk is a family
Do you ask each other for help, hangout outside of bible talk, work like a little army?

Matthew 22:37-39
- Love God and your neighbor as yourself
Do not be selfish

1 Thessalonians 2:8
- Share your lives with each other
Bring people over

How do you determine if somebody is open?
- Urgent, have heart for the cross, make every effort
Are they moving slow like a crockpot or urgent like a microwave?

- Push until they push you back
Test people in the Studies. Are they paying attention?

1 Timothy 1:15
Why did Jesus come? To save sinners
- It is not rocket science. Make disciples and teach them to make disciples
- We are here to save sinners
Do you wake up thinking about saving the lost?

- Are you radically committed?
- Be unapologetic in preaching the word in faith
You have injecting the cure into the monster

- Need a great team
Have a plan
Know the plan and follow it with unity