Who You're Becoming Matters More Than Where You've Been
Sunday, October 27, 2024 | Pastor Darryn Scheske
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Heartlandchurch.com/give or text give to 68000,
43 million Americans have stopped going to church
The Great Dechurching by Jim Davis and Michael Graham
Reported by npr.com/religionnews.com
Worldwide spiritual curiosity is exploding
60% of kids raised in Atheist homes have abandoned atheism. Georgetown University (CARA) Curiosity in the spiritual conversations is high. 69% report some kind of daily prayer
Church attendance is shrinking, but Jesus is still trending!
A study of 25,000 teenagers across 26 countries revealed 60% of Gen Z worldwide are curious to know more about Jesus—they see as trustworthy, wise, and loving. Barna.org
82% of unchurched likely to attend church if invited [Build]
95% of unchurched say no one has ever invited me to church.
98% of church-goers never extend an invitation!
Dr. Thom Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door
The world doesn’t need any more inauthentic Christians!
We are not thinking lines, we’re focused towards the center.
Heartland Church is a community for ANYONE who’s pointed their life towards JESUS.
How many people NEED a church like this?
How many people DON’T KNOW a church like this exists?
At The Movies
Nov. 3—Dec. 1 (5 Sundays)
A Modern-Day Parables of Jesus series
Authentic faith has ALWAYS been one person inviting another...
Andrew first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, “Peter”). John 1:40–42
1. Believe the Gospel
Who you are becoming is more important than what you’re doing!
Jesus said to them, “Go and tell the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” Mark 16:15
2. Accept the responsibility.
“Go and tell the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” Mark 16:15
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth...” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. John 1:45–46
3. Expect the Objections
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. John 1:46
Objections
· “I don’t like big churches.”
· “I’ve got church hurt!”
· “I’ve got issues I need to get fixed first
· “I’m not giving my money to a church.”
Don’t let the fear of “no” stop you, because God is already at work
4. Invite in Faith
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” John 1:47–51, NIV
Who you’re becoming is more important than what you’re doing.
Who will meet Jesus next week because you said, “Come and see for yourself!”