Journey Church, West Chester

Matthew 5:14-16 Luke 10:1-20

1. Encourage one another. 'But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ' Hebrews 3:13 2. Actions speak louder than words. 'With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ' James 3:9 3. You can encourage one another by your attitude. NEXT STEP: - If Jesus is the Lord of your life be and ENCOURAGER.

Benchmarks Of A Spiritually Mature Christian 2 Peter 3:17- 18 (NIV) 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NIV) Spiritual Maturity – Not just getting older, not just looks, not just achievement 1. A spiritually mature person is positive under pressure James 1:2-4 (CEV) 2. A spiritually mature person is sensitive to the spiritual needs of other people Philippians 3:18-19 (NIV) 3. A spiritually mature person is a peacemaker not a troublemaker Matthew 5:9 (NIV) The mark of a spiritually mature person is the lack of conflict in their life. James 4:1 (MSG) Romans 12:18 (NIV) 4. A spiritually mature person is patient James 5:7-8 (NIV) 5. A spiritually mature person is prayerful 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG Bible) James 5:16 (NIV) John 11:38-44 (NIV) NEXT STEP: Positive under pressure? Sensitive to the needs of others? Peacemaker rather than troublemaker? Patient and prayerful?

While going through life. . . Developing Our Character 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NIV) 1 Corinthians 4:1 (NKJV) First Standard - Servants Second Standard - Stewards Third Standard - Faithful Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (V. 2) 1. Accountability Mark 10:45 (NIV) "As servants for Jesus Christ, who will hold you and me accountable?” 1 Corinthians 4:1 Romans 14:12 (NIV) Serving out of love is about the relationship you want to have with God. Serving in love is about the relationship you want to have with others. 2. Preparedness. 3. Commitment Paul says "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." Luke 9:62 (NIV) Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

The Stages of Partnership 1. Friendship (Nehemiah 2:17-18 NIV, Galatians 6:3 NLT) 2. Formation Stage 3. Functioning Stage 4. Fruitfulness Stage (Nehemiah 4:6 NIV) 5. Prayer Stage (Nehemiah 4:7-9 NIV) - "When You Partner in Prayer, you Partner with God" - John Maxwell 6.- If/when needed - Refocus Stage

Special guest pastor - Mrs. S. Maxwell Importance of Bread in the Bible - Genesis 14 - 18:19 - Exodus - Mathew 4 - 2:4 - John 6 - 25:51 - Mathew 6

Partners In Ministry Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) Partners pick us up Partners give us comfort Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV) Partnerships combine our strength NEXT STEP Evaluate what kind of partner in ministry you have become.

Acts 11:22-24 - (24) He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord - Prayers and thoughts to the families impacted in El Paso and Dayton.

Biblical References: - Acts Chp. 11 - Psalms 62:11 - Mathew 20:18 - Acts 13 - James 5:16 - Eph 5:18

What Would It Take To Give You Hope? 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19 (New International Version) 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 (New International Version) 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24 (New International Version) HE SPOKE OF A KINGDOM OPEN TO ALL GOD’S CHILDREN, THEY FOUND HOPE WHEN HE CALLED A COMMON FISHERMAN TO FOLLOW. HE SPOKE OF SALVATION TO ANY WHO SEEK HIM, THEY SAW HOPE WHEN WOMEN JOINED THEIR RANKS. HE SPOKE OF GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, THEY SAW HOPE WHEN A LOW LIFE TAX COLLEC

Readings: - Acts 1:8 - Philippians 2 1:13 Paul's message: 1) Surrender special privileges 2) Forget yourself and enjoy it 3) Don't try to impress others. Be Humble, thinking of others is better than yourself. Take-away thought and message: While going through life..... (as a Christian) what is your next step?

Cheryl & Woody provide update on status/plans for replacing Joe. - Reviewed church's Mission and Vision Statements.