BROADCASTS.com

Published: Dec. 8, 2011, 1:20 a.m.

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Title of message:\\xa0 Now\\u2019s the Time

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\\u201cHealthy things grow,

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Growing things change,

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Changing things challenges us,

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Challenge leads us to trust God,

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Trusting leads us to obedience,

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Obedience leads us to health,

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Healthy things grow.\\u201d

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The Church is NOT:

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o\\xa0\\xa0 The Church is not a building

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o\\xa0\\xa0 The Church is not a music style

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o\\xa0\\xa0 The Church is not a location

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What is the Church?\\xa0

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The Church:

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Is Jesus\\u2019 plan for the World

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(Matthew 16:17-18) \\u201cJesus replied, \\u201cYou are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means \\u2018rock\\u2019), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.\\u201d

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(2 Corinthians 5:18) (NLT) \\u201cAnd all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.\\u201d

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Was worth dying for

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(Mark 16:15 NCV)\\xa0 Jesus said to His followers, \\u201cGo everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.\\u201d

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Is me

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(1 Peter 2:5) \\u201cAnd you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What\\u2019s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.\\u201d

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(Romans 12:1) \\u201cTherefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God\\u2019s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God\\u2014this is your spiritual act of worship.\\u201d

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(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) (NLT) \\u201cDon\\u2019t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.\\u201d

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3 Responsibilities of THE CHURCH

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1.\\xa0 We are blessed to be a blessing.

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(Genesis 12:2 NLT)\\xa0 \\u201cI will bless you\\u2026and you will be a blessing to others.\\u201d

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2.\\xa0 When we bless others God takes care of our needs.

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(Luke 18:29-30 (GW)\\xa0 \\u201cI guarantee this.\\xa0 Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come.\\u201d

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3. The more we\\u2019re blessed by God the more He expects us to help others.\\xa0

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(Luke 12:48 LB)\\xa0 \\u201c\\u2026Much is required from those to whom much is given.\\xa0 For their responsibility is greater.\\u201d

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Now\\u2019s the time to:

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Rise Up

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(Isaiah 60:1-3) (ESV) \\u201cArise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Carry Hope

(Matthew 18:12-13) "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Show Mercy

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(Matthew 5:7) \\u201cGod blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.\\u201d

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(Jude 1:22-23) (NLT) \\u201cAnd you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.\\u201d

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\\xa0(Mark 8:35 LB)\\xa0 \\u201cIf you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for My sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.\\u201d

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