In the Time We Have Left - 4/28/2024 Sunday Sermon

The Tabernacle Today

In the Time We Have Left

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. -Psalm 90:10 (Moses)

Currently, the average life expectancy in Virginia is 79.1 years (76.8 for men, 81.3 for women); in North Carolina it is 77.6 years (75.0 for men, 80.1 for women).

“I have heard that if we remain healthy, that our most productive decade is in our sixties and our second most productive decade is in our seventies. The Bible doesn’t say anything about retiring. I am a big believer in Ephesians 2:10, which says, ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ I want to be able to stand before the Lord and hear him say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’” -Christian Philanthropist Dr. Terry Douglas, inventor of the PET Scan

5 G Living – Do everything you do…

For the Glory of God.

For the Good of your fellow man.

For the Growth of your fellow believers.

To get the Gospel to non-believers.

With a Grateful heart.

Ephesians 4:11-16

God gifts the church with leaders to equip us for ministry V. 11-12

Notice something profound from verses 11-12: It is not the job of church leaders to do the work of the ministry; no, their ministry is to equip their church members to do the work of the ministry.

Biblically speaking, how many ministers does a church have?

According to Ephesians 4, a church has as many ministers as it has members!

The mission of the Tabernacle is to reproduce faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus Christ. We seek to do this through:

Teaching the Scripture

Adoration and Prayer

Baptist Principles

Evangelism and Missions

Radical Generosity

Nurtured Partnerships

Age-appropriate Ministries

Congregational Love and Encouragement

Leadership Development

Excellence and Fun

The first big result of letting yourself be edified and equipped is growth!

There is growth in doctrinal understanding.

When the New Testament says “the faith” it is referring to the biblical doctrines that define true Christians. True believers are united on the essentials of “the faith.”

There will be growth in our personal relationship with Jesus.

The second big result of letting yourself be taught and equipped is impact!

There will be impact as we speak.

There will be impact as we serve.

Notice the implication if you as a member fail to do your part – if every member doing their part means the church will grow, what will happen if you don’t do your part? The growth of the church will be hindered.

But notice also for each church to have full impact each member needs not only to be working at their part but working properly. In the context of this passage that means with true love for their fellow members (v. 16) and under the leadership of their God-given leaders (v. 11).

Since January 1st, our members have spent over 2,750 hours in community ministry engagement (outside the church walls).

Here at the Tabernacle, we’re glowing, we’re growing, and we’re going into our community and around the world! What do you have your name on as part of the Tabernacle ministry?