2018-2019 Gathering Sermon

Welcome and Acknowledgements

• Welcome to guests of 2018-2019
• Digital disciples in various cities and online small groups are welcomed as part of the family
• Unbelievers and non-followers of Jesus Christ are also welcomed
• Encouragement for unbelievers to join on the side of light when it's God's will
• Special shoutout to everyone in overflow seating

Portable Church Journey and Future Plans

• Church has been portable for 10 years with no permanent facility
• Supported different schools financially and with facilities
• Feeling led to make an aggressive push for their own facility
• Plan: Raise $5 million over 36 months for a new facility
• Special annual offering for gospel expansion to be started
• Next offering: February 25th
• Digital discipleship encouraged to participate in offering electronically

Overflow Challenges and Solutions

• No more space in current facilities: rooms, overflow areas, parking lots
• Recent large turnaways: 100 cars in two weeks
• Apology for space limitations and commitment to creating more space
• Potential solutions: Second gathering or second location
• Details on potential second location: Street directions to the alternative school
• Contingency: Adding technology to the new place or having second gathering if not ready
• QR code survey to determine preferred gathering times (9:00 or 11:30)

Preaching Series: Wisdom and Wonder

• Currently in a teaching series called “Wisdom and Wonder” through Matthew 12-20
• Made up of seasons (each chapter) and episodes (each message)
• Focused on being less creative and more scripture-based
• Church is fully expository, teaching line by line from the scriptures

Expository Teaching: Matthew 12:9-21

Background on Synagogue and Pharisees

• Jesus travels from the grain field confrontation into a synagogue
• Synagogue explained (gathering, corporate worship, scripture reading, prayer, teaching children)
• Jesus regularly attended synagogue on the Sabbath

Healing on the Sabbath

• A man with a withered hand present in the synagogue
• Pharisees use the man to trap Jesus with the question about healing on the Sabbath
• Explanation of the Pharisees' hypocrisy: willing to save an animal for economic reasons but not help humans
• Jesus' response: It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath
• Commanding the man to stretch out his hand; healed without Jesus physically working

Compassion over Legalism

• Emphasis on compassion for those in need over strict legalistic interpretations
• Encouragement to act when God moves individuals to do good
• Urging the congregation to have love and compassion, rejecting legalism and self-righteousness

Call to Action

• Encouragement to trust in God’s character and act on His commands
• Reminder of God's provision and grace to accomplish what He asks
• Challenge to stretch out in faith and action towards others, contributing to the community
• Emphasis on living out one's faith by showing compassion and doing good in real, tangible ways

Conclusion and Final Prayer

• Prayer for salvation and repentance
• Call for those feeling God’s tug to respond and receive new life in Christ
• Audience participation in expressing gratitude for God's grace and the cross