Auburn SDA Church
Total Church Involvement
  • Joy to the World!
  • O Come, O Come, Immanuel
  • Away in a Manger
  • It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

      • 1 Peter 4.10NKJV

  • An elderly lady was amazed at how nice the young man was next door. Everyday he would help her gather things from her car or help her in her yard.
    One day the old lady finally asked the young man, “Son, how did you become such a fine young man, always serving others?"
    The young man replied, “Well, when I was a boy, I had a drug problem.”
    The old lady was shocked, “I can’t believe that.”
    The young man replied, “It’s true, my parents drug me to church on Sunday morning, drug me to church on Sunday night, and drug me to church on Wednesday night.”

    Church

    How can you
    find a good church?
    What is church?
    What is our
    purpose
    calling
    reason for existence?
    We here people say:
    Let’s go to church.
    I went to church on Sabbath.
    I’m at the church waiting for you to arrive.
    We are going to build a new church.
    For us,
    church has become a building.
    The authors of the NT
    did not have that idea.
    They didn’t have
    dedicated church buildings.
    But they spoke of
    the church frequently:
    Acts 12:5 ESV
    So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
    Who was pray?
    The church.
    Acts 11:26 ESV
    ... For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
    Notice that they did not
    “meet at the church”
    Rather
    “met with the church.”
    Why?
    Church is people.
    not a building.
    Acts 14:27 ESV
    And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
    Who gathered?
    The church.
    People.
    Not buildings.
    Matthew 18:17 ESV
    If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
    Tell it to who?
    The church.
    People.
    You don’t talk to buildings.
    What is a church?
    A group of people
    who gather for
    united purpose.
    But what purpose?
    We are working on
    re-writing our mission and vision.
    I love this quote.
    First sentences of
    Acts of the Apostle
    by Ellen White.
    It describes the
    mission and purpose
    of the church:
    Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1—God’s Purpose for His Church

    The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men.

    It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.

    What is the
    united purpose of
    the church people
    and their gatherings?
    Salvation of humanity
    organization for mission
    bring gospel to the world!
    If you are
    church shopping,
    ask yourself
    following questions.
    Which church has best music?
    Which church has best kids programs?
    Which church is culturally relevant?
    Which church has best potluck food?
    No!!!
    Best church is
    filled with the best
    soul-winning plans.
    Pick a church
    equips your to serve
    soul-winning vineyard!
    Confusion about Church:
    A man was marooned on a desolate island. After he had been there for five years he was found and rescued. As he climbed into the rescue boat the curious rescuers noticed three grass huts. “We thought you were alone, why are there three huts,” they asked.
    The man replied, “The first hut is my home; the second is my church.”
    “What about the third hut?”
    “Oh, that’s the church I used to belong to!”

    Body

    In the NT,
    words “church” and “body”
    are synonymous.
    Ephesians 1:22–23 ESV
    And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
    What is the church?
    “His Body!”
    In this quest to
    learn more about
    perfect church
    look at passages
    about the body.
    During the Amazing Prophecy
    during Q and A
    answered question
    How can you enter the body?
    Simple:
    you enter through
    belief
    baptism.
    Baptism = member of body.
    What else can we discover
    about being
    member of body?
    Romans 12:4–8 ESV
    For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
    What is the lesson here?
    Every member has gifts.
    Every member uses gifts,
    in connection with the body.
    Same teaching in
    1 Cor 12.
    You know what
    is very interesting.
    There is no such verse
    that describes members who
    don’t serve in some capacity.

    Summary

    A church is a group of people.
    The Church’s mission is the salvation of people.
    One enters the body by belief and baptism.
    Then you become a member of the body.
    Each member has gifts.
    Each member uses their gifts.
    Edify church
    Win more souls.
    What happens when
    members don’t
    use gifts
    serve
    win souls?
     FoxNews.com, Published July 31, 2009
    Two deputies in Plain City, Utah pursued a seven-year old boy who was driving a Dodge Intrepid on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Preston Scarbrough reached a speed of forty miles per hour before finally pulling into his family’s driveway and running inside the house. He told his dad he got in the car and drove away because he did not want to go to church.
    What happens when
    members don’t
    use gifts
    serve
    win souls?
    Biblically,
    not possible.
    For the sake
    of the argument
    what if you had
    something in your body
    did not contribute
    well-being of body?
    Paul makes this point:
    1 Corinthians 12:14–20 ESV
    For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
    Each body part
    is unique and valued
    for the part it plays.
    1 Corinthians 12:21–22 ESV
    The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
    You don’t think much
    about your kidneys
    unless the become sick.
    Then you realize
    how important
    your kidneys
    are to you.
    Therefore,
    each of us are
    very important to
    well-being of the body!
    We need each member
    of this body to
    fulfill their purpose
    and use their gifts.
    What do you call
    it when when a
    body parts does not work
    takes but does not give back?
    We call that:
    illness
    parasite
    cancer.
    Albanian
    parasite
    Giardia.
    Must be treated
    to get well.
    Let me be clear
    If you are learning
    understanding gifts role
    want to serve.
    good.
    If you have been
    member of body for long time
    do nothing to serve
    only take, never give
    don’t win souls...
    You are a parasite.
    The Bible provides
    no reasonable example
    of member of body
    mentally/physically well
    does not contribute.
    Cancerous growth
    on body part.
    Being nourished
    by the body
    food
    blood
    cells.
    Must be cut out.

    Auburn Church Stats

    233 people attend 6+ times
    110 of them
    kids,
    elderly,
    new to congregation
    live out of town
    worship elsewhere
    123 Total
    Adults
    Regulars
    Long-term attendees
    Able to Serve
    96 people
    78% People serve
    greeters,
    ushers
    kitchen
    finance
    fundraising
    building project
    Children's Programming
    Truth is:
    actually good number
    higher than most churches.
    I’m thankful for
    what we do have.
    But I want more
    because it is the
    Biblical ideal.
    We should always
    push toward God’s plan
    even if it is hard.
    Push for
    Total Member Involvement.
    The body of
    Auburn, GA
    is doing okay.
    But, Still,
    Not perfectly well.
    27 ppl = 22%
    Don’t serve at all.
    cancerous
    parasites.
    Not to mention
    New People.
    Truth is,
    No excuse
    Not to serve.
    If you have little kids,
    serve in kids department
    tell children’s story
    (kid on lap).
    If you are terrified
    to even teach kids:
    wash dishes
    move chairs
    pick up offering
    vacuum floor.
    If you have physical limitations
    serve on prayer team
    sub-committee.
    sewing for new mothers.
    There is room for everyone.
    In some sense,
    each of these jobs
    part of soul-winning.
    Wash Dishes
    fellowship for visitors
    connections -> conversions.
    Greeters - same.
    Two sisters were playing together when eight-year-old Martha insisted that they play school. Five-year-old Jenny wasn’t the least bit interested in thinking about school, but the older sister wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. Finally, little Jenny conceded and said, “OK, I’ll play.” She then added, “Mark me absent!”
    Unfortunately, that is the attitude many Christians have towards church attendance.
    Unfortunately,
    this is the same
    mindset that some
    have about playing church!

    Total Member Involvement

    The title of the sermon
    TMI : Total Member Involvement.
    This is not a term
    that I made up.
    It is an initiative of
    the General Conference
    of world SDA church.
    I would like to share
    few slides from
    TMI presentation
    from the GC.

    Success is based on the number of workers, not just baptisms.

    This goes back to
    original question
    what is a good church.
    God kids program?
    Good music?
    Good food?
    No.
    But some would say:
    a church that is
    reaching the lost.
    This is very true.
    That is our purpose
    BUT
    Remember:
    The goal is
    not just to reach everyone,
    but to involve everyone.
    In the words of Paul:
    1 Corinthians 12:24–26 ESV
    … But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
    We are in this together
    if one member is not working
    the entire body is sick.
    Our job
    is the seek to
    save the lost.
    But in order to do so,
    we must have everyone
    involved, working together.
    Speaking of a
    dead and boring church...
    An elderly woman walked into a church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps, “Where would you like to sit?” he asked politely.
    “The front row please,” she answered.
    “You really don’t want to do that,” the usher said “the pastor is really boring.”
    “Do you happen to know who I am?” the woman inquired.
    “No.” he said.
    “I’m the pastor’s mother,” she replied indignantly.
    “Do you know who I am?” he asked.
    “No.” she said.
    “Good,” he answered.
    The Signs of the Times April 21, 1887: Growth in Grace

    The real character of the church is measured, not by the high profession she makes, nor by the names enrolled upon the church book,

    —

    but by what she is actually doing for the Master, by

    Review and Herald August 27, 1908: Camp-Meetings and Our Publications

    When we are successful in the work of soul saving, those who are added to the faith will, in turn, use their ability in giving the truth to others.

    What is the point?
    How can you know
    if you are truly saved?
    You are saved,
    when you
    not only believe and accept
    Christ as your savior,
    when you also,
    have the passion to
    offer that to
    someone else.
    Being a persevering
    worker of the body is
    evidence of the fruits
    of righteous life
    of a saved person.
    The English poet Samuel Coleridge talked with a man who did not believe that children should be given any religious instruction at all.
    This man claimed that the child’s mind should not be prejudiced in any direction, and when he became older he should be permitted to choose his religious opinions for himself.
    Coleridge said nothing; but after a while he asked his visitor if he would like to see his garden. The man said he would, and Coleridge took him out into the garden, where only weeds were growing. The man looked at Coleridge in surprise, and said, “Why this is not a garden! There is nothing but weeds here!”
    “Well, you see,” answered Coleridge, “I did not wish to infringe upon the liberty of the garden in any way, I was just giving the garden a chance to express itself and to choose its own production.”
    Source: The Speaker’s Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck
    This is true or church,
    churches with
    no plan
    no vision
    no expectations
    for growth of members
    becomes weedy garden.
    Back to our question then:
    What is a church?

    Training Center

    A church is
    a training center.
    A place where we
    not only serve,
    but also,
    learn how to serve better.
    Ministry of Healing Medical Missionaries and Their Work

    Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin. They need to be instructed and encouraged.

    Every church should be a training school for Christian workers.

    Continuing:
    Ministry of Healing Medical Missionaries and Their Work

    Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath-school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick,

    how to work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various lines of Christian help work.

    My goal is simple
    train body to serve.
    Disciple members
    find passion in service
    and win souls
    for Christ’s kingdom.
    This is not
    primarily done through
    large programs at church.
    Not through
    Christmas programs
    school supply giveaways
    church socials for youth.
    Though these are nice!!!
    “If we can have but one part done, let it be the individual labor of opening the Scriptures in households” (Christian Service, p. 121).
    A preacher was in Atlanta, several years ago, and noticed in the restaurants section of the Yellow Pages, an entry for a place called Church of God Grill. The peculiar name aroused his curiosity and he dialed the number. A man answered with a cheery, “Hello! Church of God Grill!”
    The preacher asked how that restaurant had been given such an unusual name, and the man said: “Well, we had a little mission down here, and we started selling chicken dinners after church on Sunday to help pay the bills. Well, people liked the chicken, and we did such a good business, that eventually we cut back on the church service. After a while we just closed down the church altogether and kept on serving chicken dinners. We kept the name we started with, and that’s Church of God Grill.”
    Source: Making it Happen, Charles Paul Conn
    Saints,
    let’s not be great
    at things that don’t matter.
    And fail at things that do.
    Most important:
    service for God
    seeking the lost.

    Appeal

    Be Part of Body
    Use your Gifts
    Serve
    Engage in Personal Labor
    List of 5 People

      • Acts 12:5NKJV

      • Acts 11:26NKJV

      • Acts 14:27NKJV

      • Matthew 18:17NKJV

      • Ephesians 1:22–23NKJV

      • Romans 12:4–8NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:14–20NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:21–22NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:24–26NKJV

  • O Little Town of Bethlehem

      • Joshua 21:45NKJV

      • Joshua 23NKJV

      • Deuteronomy 32:4NKJV

      • Isaiah 49:7NKJV

      • Deuteronomy 7:9NKJV

      • Micah 7:20NKJV

      • Genesis 1:28NKJV

      • Genesis 3:16NKJV

      • Genesis 3:17–19NKJV

      • Genesis 3:15NKJV

      • Genesis 6NKJV

      • Genesis 6:5NKJV

      • Genesis 1:28NKJV

      • Genesis 9:1NKJV

      • Genesis 11NKJV

      • Genesis 12:1–3NKJV

      • Genesis 1:28NKJV

      • Exodus 1:7NKJV

      • Exodus 32:4NKJV

      • Numbers 14:11NKJV

      • 2 Samuel 7:9–14NKJV

      • Genesis 1NKJV

      • Daniel 7:13NKJV

      • Daniel 7:14NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 10:13NKJV

      • 2 Corinthians 1:18–20NKJV

      • Joshua 23:10NKJV

      • Colossians 2:15NKJV

      • 2 Corinthians 10:3–5NKJV

      • Ephesians 6:11–18NKJV

      • Joshua 23:6–8NKJV

      • Joshua 23:12–13NKJV

      • Joshua 23:15–16NKJV

      • Numbers 11:33NKJV

      • 2 Chronicles 36:16NKJV

      • Revelation 14:10NKJV

      • Revelation 14:19NKJV

      • Revelation 15:1NKJV

      • Joshua 23:11NKJV

      • Deuteronomy 6:5NKJV

Auburn SDA Church
29 members • 12 followers