THE HOUSE - Part 4
Pastor Ryan Brown

Memory verse:

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,  Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)

Home is where you don’t have to pretend. Human beings are made for community, and communities that are worth belonging to are honest. Steve Chalke

An authentic Christ-centered community IS and DOES what it claims to be and do.

Jesus lived with INTEGRITY

1. Jesus was who he SAID HE WAS.
2. Jesus did what he SAID HE WOULD DO.

22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came–and the Scripture cannot be broken– 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.   John 10:22-42 (NIV)

What are people seeing & What are they getting?

“NLC is a diverse community of Christ followers seeking to live out the acceptance, healing, and hope of Jesus Christ.”

Let’s Be Honest

1. Are people experiencing JESUS through you?

2. Do people know that you are a Christ-follower by your LOVE?

3. Are the people in your life challenged to live differently because of the COMMITMENTS you’ve made?

4. Are you WHOLE? Same inside and out?

THE HOUSE - Part 3
Pastor Jon Hand

A messy church is a diverse church.

God uses messy churches and situations to shape his character deep within us.

A messy church is a forgiving community.

A messy church gives the world hope.

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 We should all please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:1-9, 13

NLC 101, Feb. 9, 9am - 1pm
NLC 201, Feb. 9, 9am - 1pm @ Church Office

NLC 101 is our introduction to New Life Community Church. This is a great place to start to discover who New Life is and what we believe God is calling us to as a community of faith. If your new to New Life and ready to take the next step to become apart of this family then we strongly encourage you to join us for NLC 101.

NLC 201 is the next step and explores discovering spiritual maturity.

THE HOUSE - Part 2
Pastor Ryan Brown

An authentic Christ-centered community is an INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY.

“Inclusion is essentially the task of working with and involving others- counting them in rather than out.”  Steve Chalke

Jesus’ BIRTH, LIFE, and DEATH are all demonstrations of his desire to include everyone.

• The Incarnation
  Luke 2:9-14
   
• Cleansing the Temple
  Matthew 21:12-17
   
• Meeting with Zacchaeus
  Luke 19:1-11

How Can I Live Out Inclusion?

1. Inclusion starts with the realization that I AM INCLUDED.
    

   But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 (NIV)

    

2. I include people when I START WHERE THEY ARE.
    
3. Being inclusive means I am willing to ENGAGE with the people around me so that they want to BELONG to New Life Community.
    
4. Including people means I have to be AVAILABLE.
    
   Question of TIME
   Question of TALENT
   Question of TREASURE

Congregational Council Mtg. @ Middlesex Recreational Center, Beagle Club Road Carry-In-Dinner

Sunday                   01/20             5-7pm

2008 Spending Plan Q&A @ Church Office

• Tuesday                 01/08              7-8pm
• Saturday                 01/12              9-10am

The ALPHA Course Begins 6:00 PM Tuesday, January 8, 2008!

THE HOUSE- Part 1
Pastor Ryan Brown

Community is both NECESSARY and ESSENTIAL.

Memory Verse:

EPHESIANS 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,  Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)

Let’s Talk About Community…

• God is COMMUNITY.
• You were CREATED for relationship.
• Jesus INVITES us into community with HIM and OTHERS.

NLC- The Journey Toward Christ-Centered Authentic Community…

Community is necessary because people are LONELY.

“People need to be involved in meaningful and constant community or they will continue on indefinitely in a state of intense loneliness.”  Randy Frazee

Community is essential because it is through the Church that the world around us will see CHRIST.

“Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful- Christian Community is the final apologetic.” Frances Schaeffer

Choosing Community Today…

ACCEPT Jesus’ gracious offer of salvation.

COMMIT to take a step in being a part of this HOUSE at NLC.

• Pastor’s lunch January 27th
• NLC Class 101 “Discovering Church Membership”
• Join a Small Group
• Be Baptized
• Find a place to serve in ministry