July 21, 2024 - John 10 - Pastor Josh
A God-First Life: Week 1 - Abundant Life
SERMON NOTES: Bible Reading: John 10:1-16
Shocking Statistics
- Gallop Poll 2021:
In 2021, more Americans did not belong to a house of worship than those that did.
“U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time,” 2021
- The Great Dechurching:
There are 40 million people in the United States today that used to attend church and no longer do.
“The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?” by Jim Davis and Michael Graham with Ryan Burge, 2023
- Key Ideas
- If we want to address this, the greatest challenge of the Church in our lifetime, we must be crystal clear on our motivation.
- Do we believe that being a part of the Church is important for people’s lives?
- Do we believe that Jesus is important for people’s lives?
- If so… why?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10
- Following Jesus isn’t just about heaven someday it is about life, now, about the life God created you to live.
III. A God-First Life includes:
- Beloved identity - not an “if” identity.
- Deep Purpose - we are part of something bigger than ourselves
- Abundant Time - not a scarcity of time or a life of busyness
- Joyful Community – the antidote to the epidemic of loneliness and despair
Questions & Tools
Questions:
- What is one practical thing you can change in your life right now that will help keep God first? (bible? Prayer? Chalk wall bible verse?)
- What is Jesus asking you to move into 2nd place so he can be first?
Practical Tools:
- Ask yourself: “Have you prayed today?”
- A simple saying that reminds us to keep God in our focus
- A practice that helps us notice God’s presence and work around us
- Ask someone: “How can I be praying for you?”
- This simple question communicates big things.
- It says: I care about you enough to keep you on my mind and in my heart
- It invites them space to open up and share more about whatever is going on in their life
- It shares you are a person who prays in a gentle, respectful way
- It creates an opportunity to reconnect later and deepen the relationship
- This simple question communicates big things.
