The "Wright" Notes

Have you ever thought about total commitment? God wants our whole heart to be yielded to Him. Think about this...God does not love you with half of His heart...God does not watch over you with only one eye...God does not listen to your prayers with only a portion of His hearing capability.

When God sent Jesus into the world, God did not instruct Jesus to be only partially committed to humanity. God did not tell Jesus to use only a certain portion of the cross. God did not stop Jesus halfway up the hill called Mount Calvary.

When God sent Jesus to us, Jesus gave His entire life completely to us. God did not hold anything back. Jesus accomplished the entire divine plan so you and I can embrace God's gift of salvation and enjoy the promise of eternal life. The Holy Spirit empowers us fully to follow God's will for ourselves and our church as we endeavor to accomplish God's plan.

What is your commitment level? Are you going all the way for God or only part of the way? Will you walk with God all of the time or when it is convenient? Will you serve God with all of your spiritual gifts that God has given to you or will you only sit in the pew on Sunday mornings and claim that you have fulfilled your weekly spiritual obligation? Interesting questions, huh? But also challenging to our spirit!

I hope that you and I will chase after God with all of our heart, soul, and strength. I pray that our church can lead our community into God's Kingdom and truly achieve "on earth as it is in heaven."

Now, the hard work of reflection on our commitment level can begin in earnest! Let me know how it is going by providing your comments here on our blog. It will also serve as encouragement for others. God bless!

Your Servant In Christ,
Pastor Rich Wright

Sermon Outline for October 18, 2009

Church Health - Inspiring Worship Services
Psalm 122:1 (Pew Page 966)

Re-run:
Nurturing disciples.
How are you inspired?
Worship not just about the sermon.

Enter With Gladness:
What do you feel?
Doing Father’s business. (Luke 2)
Why do you come to church?

Worship Services:
Seeker services.
Teaching services.
Praise services.
Positive Thinking services.

Quality Service:
Quality is not about music or preaching.
Quality is about being inspired.
Progress on your spiritual journey.

How Do You Respond:
Why do you come to worship?
How are you inspired spiritually?
Inspiration is a matter of personal response.

Sermon Outline for October 11, 2009

Church Health - Functional Structures
Luke 13:6-8 (Pew Bible page 1620)

Rerun:
Making disciples
Most controversial

Dysfunction:
Shows dysfunction
False assumption
Principles about ministry structure

Department Head Principle:
Chairperson's personality
Guided by God
Like the vineyard keeper

Multiplication Principle:
Develop leaders
Promote ministry multiplication
Purpose of the fig tree

Evaluation Principle:
Know what you have
Keeper evaluates health

Living Matter Principle:
Churches are like fig trees
Difference is how they are structured

How Do You Respond:
Gifts to achieve purposes
Encourage and promote health
Serve as followers and leaders

Next Week: Church Health: Inspiring Worship Services

Sunday, October 4, 2009 Sermon Outline

Church Health - Passionate Spirituality
Romans 12:1-3, 9-18 (Pew Bible page 1763)

Rerun:
Not dependent on spiritual persuasions.
Are Christians on fire for God?
Practice faith with joy & excitement.

Passion (vv1-3):
What do you talk about with others?
Spiritual passion is rarely seen.
It is shown in what we do.

Prayer (vv9-11):
How much time do you spend with God?
Are you still on God’s path?

Bible Study (vv12-14):
God interacted with humanity.
Bible study can be inspiring.

Worship (vv15-18):
Learn how to love.
Living holy sacrifice.

How Do You Respond:
Passion dictates who we are.
Spirituality is how we are connected to God.
How are you going to improve...
So your church’s health can improve!

Next Week (October 11): Functional Structures