The Elder’s Heart for You
Do you remember your first time visiting MPI? Do you remember being greeted at the door, people wanting to get your name and ways to connect with you? How about God’s powerful presence during worship and the word? The testimony people normally share is that they feel an overwhelming love from God and love from the people. Whoa, what a powerful reputation to have as a church!
We would like to remind you of that love today! The same love you felt on day one is still here for you on this day!
Our heart as a leadership is not only to make you feel nice and fuzzy on the inside, but to walk with you through the ups and the downs and shepherd you as you live out your calling in Christ Jesus!! It is with that same heart that we share today’s message, “The Elder’s Heart For You.”
SERIES TEXT
Ephesians 3:16-20, “16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
TERMS
- GOD: We believe as Christians that God is the, “Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19. We also believe the unity of God’s message through both the Old Testament and New Testament. Therefore, we reject false notions that God was a “meanie” in the OT, but is now “nice” because of Jesus in the NT. God has always been and will always be LOVE.
- LOVE: The New Testament, written in Greek, has two main words for “love.” (1) Philostorgos: Brotherly affection, Romans 12:10. (2) Agape: Strong affection that results in preferring others above one’s self (i.e., “self-sacrifice”), John 3:16. The primary word for love God uses for us is, “agape,” like that of a Father.
- OMNIBENEVOLENT: One of God’s most important attributes that refers to His eternal and unmatched love and infinite goodness; first revealed within His Triune nature and second, towards all His creation.
THE ELDER’S HEART FOR YOU
- FAITHFULNESS: In your walk with God your commitment to Him and to the body will be tested, but the characteristic of a Christian is faithfulness. Be a reliable person others can count on and get rid of the quitting spirit. Galatians 5:22, Proverbs 20:6, Proverbs 25:19.
- INTEGRITY: Live a life that is honest and above reproach so you may be a person of integrity in every area of your life. “If you have integrity, that’s all you have. If you don’t have integrity, that’s all you have.” 1 Peter 2:12, Proverbs 10:9.
- IDENTITY: Know who you are, you are a son and daughter of God and have access to all of heavens glory to live free from sin and the past. Knowing and believing this is what makes you strong and humble, accepting the new life God has given you. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
- INTIMACY WITH GOD: God longs to commune with you daily and speak to you, don’t be ignorant of the power that is at work in you, you can enter the throne of Grace to see change happen in your life. Hebrews 4:16.
Live a life that is faithful to the call of God, letting nothing move you, and embrace your identity in Christ as you go deeper in your relationship with Him.