2b relevant
This week we’re going to continue where we left off, with the Real, Relevant, and Relational series and today I’d like to talk about being RELEVANT.
NYCC Mission Statement: To build a culturally relevant church that proclaims the Gospel to people of all ages and backgrounds in a very real, relevant, and relational way, thus impacting the heart of the city, the nation, and the world, as well as train up leaders for the next generation.
BASIC BELIEFS
Being relevant is being right in step with the current culture and trends we live in.
Relevant – a church for today
New York City Church is a church for today. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Realizing that we never want to forget yesterday, we live in the now, looking forward to tomorrow.
Raising – a church that raises leaders
We are a church that equips, trains, and raises leaders to fulfill the mission and mandate that they have been called to.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN 2B RELEVANT?
2B RELEVANT as Christians?
2B RELEVANT as a Church?
The definition of relevant: having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue; “the scientist corresponds with colleagues in order to learn matters relevant to her own research”
Heb 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. God will never change, His character and principles will remain the same God isn’t going to change who He is or what the Word of God says. As a church, we need to see ourselves as God sees us. God wants a culturally relevant church that touches people in a relevant way for today.
- We as a church, are steady and strong
- We are a voice into culture
- We are a voice into the heart of the city
Matt 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
We are the head and not the tail
Deut 28:13
The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. We need to stand strong and sure, in confident that we are on winning team
We shouldn’t change who were are and what we believe, but we need to connect with culture in a real and relevant way that draws people from the city into a community. Principles don’t change, only the method used to teach.
The principles of the past are our landmarks that guide us today, and into the future. If we are to move ahead and be progressive we must be forward thinkers. We must adapt and instep or ahead of culture, and yet maintain who we are without getting trapped into cultural snares and trends that come and go.
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NYCC is to be full of life, life for today, in present day truth that we live in.
2 B Relevant means to:
1. Learn to serve
2. Learn to give
3. Learn to live one day at a time
4. Learn to stay in the will of God
5. Learn to spend time with the Lord
6. Learn to be who God’s called you to be to others
7. Learn to relate
8. Learn to always look forward, not backward
A CHURCH THAT IS RELEVANT? People need to hear Biblical truth, and the stories of those that have gone before us, but in a way that’s palatable for today. The message is sacred. We can use the power of the cross and reach the lost in a way that touches the hearts of our community and city. As a church we need 2B Relevant …
1. to each other
2. to the community
3. to the culture
4. to the city
As a church we need to be consistent and steady; a voice into culture, a voice into the heart of the city.
We need to be a church that speaks, and shows the truth about power and love
People need:
A purpose encounter
A truth encounter
A power encounter
I know if Jesus was on the earth today, he would use the computer. Matthew and John would have been texting each other several times a day. Mary and Martha would be e-mailing the team and letting them know about the meeting in the upper room. They would have uploaded messages onto their ipods and downloaded the Sermon on the Mount to all of their friends. Mark would be sending E-mails about who’s doing what small group and letting everyone know about the upcoming social event at Luke’s house.
When Jesus spoke to the people, He was very real and relevant to where there were.
Relevant is choosing 12 men and women exactly as they are and letting them be who they are.
Jesus was relevant is His approach with the stories and parables He used to minister one on one with the crowds.
- He came to seek and save the lost
- He came for the lame and the bruised
- He came for those who were sick physically and emotionally
- He came to relate to the sinner and the ones who were rejected
- He was relevant in His approach when HE was on the earth
NYCC needs to be a church that is relevant in our approach as we are connecting, accepting, and loving those around us.
through the eyes of faith
This morning I’d like to talk about faith.
Our daily lives work by faith, and I believe we need a fresh impartation of faith is.
As Christians…
- We were saved by faith
- We were baptized in water by faith
- We except His gifts and power by faith
- We extend the church every week by faith
- We pay our tithes and give our offering by faith
- We give money away by faith believing that our needs will be met
- We receive life, strength, and healing by faith
- We live in obedience to God by faith
This is the lifestyle we have chosen and on everything, we live by faith
Hebrews 10:38-39
But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
This is not a time to shrink backThis is a time and season to stand in faithThe Lord wants good things to come your way
- Believe that what you’ve hoped for is going to happen
- The world says, “You will need to see it, to believe it,” but the Word of God says, “Only as you believe, will you ever see it.”
Psalms 25:15
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
The Lord wants to do something out of the ordinary in your life and wants you to see through the eyes of faith John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Luke 18:27
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. FAITH IS…Believing, Expecting, Declaring
We need to live by faith everyday, and there are positions or proclamations that we need to take that bring assurance to our lives. Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.New Living Translation As we have an assurance in Christ, we develop three keys things what will help us to develop the assurance and faith in Him that He will work all things out for good.
1. A faith perspective
2. A faith position
3. A faith proclamation
- There is no problem He cannot solve.
- There is no question He cannot answer.
- There is no disease He cannon heal.
- There is no demon that He cannot cast out.
- There is no enemy He cannot defeat
- There is no difficulty He cannot overcome.
- There is no stronghold He cannot bring down.
- There is no bondage He cannot break.
- There is no prison He cannot open.
- There is no need He cannot meet.
- There is no mountain He cannot move.
There is nothing to hard for our God. We have the great privilege of investing in the founding of New York City Church, and nothing is too hard for God.
With faith all things are possible for you and the church.
- We need more faith
- A life of faith is always accomplished by natural and supernatural provision for God
- Let us expect and believe for the good things that are coming in this next season
- Difficult times can come, but let us proclaim and position ourselves in faith, and see the goodness of God released
FAITH ALWAYS RUNS ON IT’S OWN TIME
Your job is to have the eyes of faith, and trust the Lord. It’s not your responsibility to see how it’s all going to work, and get worried or frustrated over the situation or circumstance that come our way.
Hebrews 10:35
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
- If it doesn’t happen, or our answers don’t come when we expect them to, we allow fear and doubt to creep in
- God’s ways are not our ways
- He chooses the weak and the feeble things of this world, to confound the wise
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Our eyes are the very windows to our soul – our inner most being
- What we look at and perceive, has a direct impact on us as a person
- Fix your eyes on the favor of God
- They saw it with their own eyes
- Do what is right in the eyes of the Lord and you will be rewarded
1 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
I Kings 11:38
If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. If our perspective is wrong, and we’re not seeing clearly, we can get clouded, crowded, cluttered, and confused.
- Open our eyes to see things from Your perspective
- Enlighten our eyes to see with the eyes of faith
- Give us your vision for our lives, and not our own
- Let us see others the way you see them, not from our natural mind set
- Let us see through the eyes of faith
cultivating a thankful heart
1 Thes 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Cultivating a thankful heart can change your perspective in life
- Whatever you think throughout the day, will effect your whole personality and mood
- As you focus on things that uplift and things on positive things, you can open the flood gates of blessing, joy, peace, and goodness in your life
Psalms 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
- Cultivating a thankful heart, can revolutionize the quality and enjoyment of your life
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. 1. We must come to him with a Thankful heart
2. We must delight in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our hearts
3. We must give thanks to Him in all the circumstances
4. We must choose to be thankful in all situations and circumstances
heroes, honor to whom honor is due
Every day heroes are the ones that keep us moving forward. It could be a friend, a family member, or a mentor, but they help to make a difference and influence things for the better. Heroes are not always men and women of prominence; they’re regular people, with the highest potential to change things on behalf of society.
We can’t live with out heroes in our lives. Heroes are often those that changed history for the better and the deeds were not done for the honor, and glory, but the for the sake of the call.
Heroes are the personification of our highest ideals.
They are the embodiment of what we ourselves often what to represent.
Heroes are usually someone big enough to follow, someone big enough to die for.
Real heroes in life posses character qualities that endure through time circumstances. They do not posses a superior gift, but a superior spirit.
Who is you’re hero?
Who do you idolize and want to be?
There are heroes of faith that have paid the price and counted the cost. God gives us heroes that have the character, vision, and faith we need, to rise to meet the needs of the hour, and thus impact our culture.
Heb 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
If we believe He exists, He is a rewarder of those who seek Him
Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
We need a bigger cause then our selves
We need a purpose and a destiny
2B REAL part 2
Definition of Real “Being an actual thing, having objective existence; not imaginary; Being actually such, not merely so-called; not counterfeit, artificial or imitation; authentic and genuine.”
2 B Real
1. …is to be honest – honest with yourself and with others
2. …is to be truthful – to always tell the truth
3. …is to be vulnerable
4. …is to be sincere 5. …is to be open – to open up about yourself
6. …is to be loving – to love your neighbor as your self
7. …is to be authentic
8. …is to be genuine – a person of true character
9. …is to be transparent – with your emotions and your life
Biblical Examples: What makes Paul a REAL Christian?
- His conversion on the road to Damascus – a burning bush experience
- His experience of becoming a real Christian was so extreme, that we went from Saul to Paul.
- He went from the old man, to the new man, and became totally sold out for the purposes of God.
- He changed his name to Paul, which means, “Little one.” He wanted to be known as a little one in Christ service.
- He was one that helped the churches through his letters
- He became the second most prolific contributor to the new testament
- He was a biblical example of a Real Christian
- He wasn’t part of the 12 Disciples ¾ He became a follower when he had his vision.
Titus 2:11-13
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rom 12: 1-2
- We are to be living our lives as an example of His love for us
- We are to be His witnesses and make disciples
- We are to share our life and love to others around us as real, authentic, and genuine Christians.
Paul Commends Us To Eph 5:1
- We are to live a life of love
- A fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
- Not to be involved in any kind of sexual immorality
- There is to be no kind of impurity or greed
- No obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking
- Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds and have nothing to do with them
- Be careful how you live – don’t be unwise and make the most of every opportunity
- We are to live our lives according to the calling your have received
- Be completely humble and gentle
- Be patient, bear with one another in love
- Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit
We are to speak truthful about each other and our neighbor
NYCC IS 2B a Fragrant Offering “And Sacrifice to God”
2 Cor 2:14-15
If we are to 2 B Real, then we need to live our life in today’s culture as a fragrant offering – freely poured out to all who comes our way.
“The Greek Word for fragrance is euodia, a word that specifically denotes a pleasant smell.
Paul’s use of this image gives us pause for consideration.
- A breath of fresh air
- Something that gets their attention
- A fragrance you would want to buy, and wear everyday
- A fragrance that smells up a room and leaves an aroma when gone
2 B Real is to always emit a fragrance that is pleasing to God Fragrance in the Bible refers specifically to several situations and scriptures. Oil was used for a Variety of reasons that produce the fragrance.
We are to live our lives as Godly REAL Christians that leave a fragrance that fills the room everywhere we are.§ As a community of Believers we are to have a distinct fragrance of the presence of God
2 B REAL Quote
Real Christianity. Can it be lived out in our consumerist culture? Selfish ambition raises its nasty head with each breath that I take. My addiction to comfort and conflict-free living seems overpowering. But… I can not deny the urge to totally abandon myself to Jesus. I was created to deny myself and follow Jesus. This I know for sure. Today I will obey God. Today I will choose to sin and hurt others. Today I will repent and start all over. Today I will be a real disciple.
2B Real
For the next nine weeks, and into the first of the year, we are going to lay a foundation for NYCC.
What does it mean to be a real Christian?
What is it to be relevant in today’s culture?
What does it mean to be relevant to each other?
This series topic will be a great opportunity to bring friends, coworkers, etc, any one you know that is seeking to find authentic people.
Real Christians that are following Christ passionately, and sold out to His purpose and cause.
We will spend about 3 weeks on each subject, and get into the meaning of each word.
1. To be REAL
2. To be RELEVANT
3. To be RELATIONAL
What does it mean to be a REAL Christian?
Myths and Misconceptions
- Being born in a Christian Home makes you a Christian
- Thinking positively makes you a Christian
- Living a good life makes you a Christian
- Going to Church makes you a Christian
- Giving to others makes you a Christian
- Serving your fellowman makes you a Christian
These are all good attributes, but it comes down to a REAL relationship with Christ.
Definition of Real
“Being an actual thing, having objective existence; not imaginary; Being actually such, not merely so-called; not counterfeit, article or imitation; authentic and genuine.”
Definition of Authentic “Not false or copied, genuine: real: authentic carries the connotation of authoritative certification that an object is what it says it is.”
Definition of Genuine“Possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real.”
To be REAL… 1. …is to be honest – honest with yourself and with others
2. …is to be truthful – to always tell the truth
3. …is to be vulnerable
4. …is to be sincere
5. …is to be open – to open up about yourself
6. …is to be loving – to love your neighbor as your self
7. …is to be authentic
8. …is to be genuine – a person of true character
9. …is to be transparent – with your emotions and your life
· It takes courage, conviction, and character to be a REAL Christian. Are you the one who stands out in the crowd? Not because of external attributes, but because of being an authentic, real, righteous, genuine, sincere, loving, Christian person.·
· The Bible says they will know us by our Love
· We are the salt of the earth
To be REAL and authentic, we must be open and honest, shaping our imperfections and encouraging each other. NYCC is a safe place to come and be open, honest, and authentic; to experience true unconditional love and the power of God; to experience His plan and purpose for your life. It’s a place to be a REAL Christian.
nov/dec events 2007
Nov 22nd Thanksgiving
Nov 25th Sunday Service 10:15AM
Nov 27th Prayer @ 324 Greenwich 7:00 - 9:00PM (Moved to Tues for Tree Lighting)
Nov 29th Tree Lighting Ceremony - Rockefeller Center 7:00-9:00PM
Dec 1st Battery Park Outreach 12:30 - 5:30PM
Dec 2nd Sunday Service 10:15AM
Dec 6th Prayer - 324 Greenwich 7:00 - 9:00PM
Dec 7th Youth Night - Games, Videos, etc.
Dec 8th Battery Park Outreach 12:30 - 5:30PM & Couples Night Out 5:30PM
Dec 9th Sunday Service 10:15AM
Dec 13th Prayer - 324 Greenwich 7:00 - 9:00PM
Dec 15th Battery Park Outreach 12:30 - 5:30PM
Dec 16th Christmas Service 10:15AM - Lunch in rec room at 324 Greenwich directly following
Dec 20th Prayer - 324 Greenwich 7:00 - 9:00PM
Dec 23rd Candlelight Service @ 10:15AM
Dec 24th Christmas Eve
Dec 25th Christmas Day
Dec 27th Prayer - 324 Greenwich 7:00 - 9:00PM
Dec 30th New Year’s Celebration Service 10:15AM
Dec 31st New Year’s Eve
embrace who you are
Matt 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.We have the keys to the Kingdom and all authority We are establishing New York City
Peter was a leader among leaders, and with the help of the Lord, he established the local church. What will attract others to you as a leader? Today the Lord wants you to embrace:
- Accountability
- Wisdom & discernment
- Unity – it brings a commanded blessing
- Your personality – he wants to use you exactly as you are
- Your purpose
- Your people skills
- Your passion & calling
- The love of God in your heart
who, what, where, and why?
Message date: 09-23-07
This morning you’re probably asking yourself some questions…
· “Who is New York City Church?”
· “Where did they come from?”
· “Why are they here?”
· “What’s in it for me?”
and I will answer all of these at the end but First, I’ll start with the WHO ARE WE, and explain what brought us here.
· I’m Pastor Ed Schefter, my wife Heather and I are from Portland,
· A team of 21 people have gone from West to East and have been sent from City Bible
· My wife was Pastor Frank Damazio’s assistant
· I was a District Pastors, the Director of Evangelism, and an Elder
· I have a theology degree from Portland
· Producer and Director of Eternity International
· I’ve been a Christian 27 years, and saved from a very self centered career driven past
WHY ARE WE HERE? It’s very simple
Mark 10:29 – 31
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
We believe the Word and this scripture. We have been called of God just as others in the Bible in a modern day way, and we have sold houses, clothes, furniture, cars, and you name it to move here and establish a local church that penetrates into the heart of New York City.
As a team, we have laid it down, to see this community and city impacted.
There are so many great men & women who have gone before us, who were called by God and they responded.
Here is the story of the Fulton Street Revival, that began 150 years ago, on this very date.
By the Rev. Dwight Sullivan*
Sept. 23 marks the 150th anniversary of the Fulton Street Prayer Revival, an amazing religious event in U.S. history. This massive wave of prayer swept across the nation - changing lives for Jesus Christ and reviving entire denominations. Almost 150 years later, might this be the time for another mighty movement erupting from prayer? Humble beginnings
Jeremiah C. Lamphier, a layman, started the revolution because he was helping his declining church near Wall Street in New York City. Posting flyers announcing a noon prayer meeting, he prayed alone in an empty room for the first half hour. Finally someone joined him. Before the hour was over, six had attended.
It was an ordinary prayer meeting, fervent but unspectacular. Meeting the next week, 20 attended. When 40 appeared the following week, they decided to go daily. On Oct. 14, 1857, Wall Street experienced the Panic of 1857, one of the worst financial crises in American history. By the month’s end, another 100 people were participating in the daily prayer meeting. Newspaper accounts of a November spiritual revival in
In
Amazingly, it began by a layperson leading a small, obscure prayer group. It swelled into a tidal wave of prayer washing the nation, changing lives and reviving declining churches.
· LOOK AT THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM - He sold everything to move to a foreign land
· THE DISCIPLES - 12 disciples sold everything to follow Christ
Mark 8:35-37
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
We’ve left behind friends and family to follow Christ for one reason, and one reason only.
THE PURPOSE AND CALL OF GOD - It’s a Divine strategic calling
TO FULFILL DESTINY – To see our future and purposes of God fulfilled
TO RECEIVE AN INHERITANCE – God fulfills the promises to those He love s
TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD AND HIS CALLING – Obedience is better than sacrifice
Luke 9:57-62
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of
The cost of following Christ is your whole heart, He wants you to lay it down and follow Him
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
· Simply the blessings of God for you and your family – We have prayed for years for you
· To be linked like a net into a community of believers that we love and support as walk through life together and lay down our lives to serve the purposes of God and His Kingdom
· Relationships – Covenant relationships that last a life time
· The purpose of God - for you to find and be fulfilled
· A future for your life – That your dreams will be fulfilled and you’ll be released in the body of Christ
· Your destiny and inheritance
· Life, and life more abundantly Through these simple blessings, we establish a net, a net that touches the community and city
This net is the very thing that will touch and change a heart, and have an impact into the community and city one by one.
· Community - A community of believers that build the church· Purpose - A people with a purpose and a vision to touch the city
· Unconditional love - A place of acceptance full of Christ like love for one another
· Forgiveness - A place to find forgiveness and grace
· Freedom
· Prosperity
· Healing
· Family - Come be apart of this net, and help us reach and build, as we establish New York City
a kingdom perspective (net building)
The church as a whole, has lost it’s Kingdom perspective, so how do we build a strong net? Dream
Love one another
Be locked arm in arm
James 3:9
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Don’t shoot each other
Don’t be negative, watch what we say and confess
Watch what we do and how we act
Be aware of what we bottle and what we stuff
How we sin and not confess
Any negative word or comment affects our church, let’s secure our net and build our knots tight so there are no loose ends.
Ask your self the following, and work hard not to unravel the net and bring it to destruction with a few careless words.
1. Why are you here?
2. What is your focus?
3. How are we supposed to serve each other?
4. What is our Biblical mandate?
5. How can I serve my brothers & sister?
6. What can I do to make NYCC successful?
