75th Anniversary Lesson

1
75th Anniversary Lesson

• April 14

2
Tell Us About It

• What kind of anniversaries have you celebrated?
• Normally we look to the past
• Today we want also to look to the future
• And what we can do right now to achieve that
  future

3
Remembering the Past
4
Listen for activities taking place in this early
church.

• Acts 242-47 (NIV) They devoted themselves to
  the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to
  the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43
  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders
  and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
  44 All the believers were together and had
  everything in common. 45 Selling their
  possessions and goods,

5
Listen for activities taking place in this early
church.

• they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every
  day they continued to meet together in the temple
  courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate
  together with glad and sincere hearts, 47
  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the
  people. And the Lord added to their number daily
  those who were being saved.

6
Remembering the Past

• What activities do we see both in that early
  church and in our church over the past 75 years?
• What were the results of the early church
  activities among the people involved?
• What have been results of the preaching,
  teaching, and other ministries within our local
  congregation?

7
Remembering the Past

• What words or phrases do you see which describe
  their attitudes and emotions?
• What can we today learn from the church described
  in Acts?

8
Remembering the Past

• The early church was joyful, victorious, and full
  of praise. We see these sort of attitudes
  throughout our church history.

9
Remembering the Past

• Note their custom of extensive sharing of
  material goods, sharing the proceeds of
  possessions and goods. We can apply that concept
  in our fellowship today.
• Faithful tithing
• Crazy Big Mission
• Support for mission trips
• Ministries to hurricane refugees

10
Remembering the Past

• The early church experienced miracles we can
  pray for these same miracles to happen in our
  church.
• Unsaved loved ones, neighbors
• Healing physical, spiritual
• People to be set free from bondage
• People respond to Gods call

11
Praying for Miracles

• Lets pause right now and pray for some of these
  kinds of miracles to happen
• In our homes
• In our small group
• In our church

12
Celebrate the Present
13
Listen for a partnership Paul valued.

• Philip. 13-8 (NIV) I thank my God every time I
  remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of
  you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your
  partnership in the gospel from the first day
  until now, 6 being confident of this, that he
  who began a good work in you will carry it on to
  completion until the day of Christ Jesus

14
Celebrate the Present

• When Paul thought about the Philippians, what did
  he do?
• How were the Philippians in partnership with
  Paul?
• How can we be in partnership with our church
  leaders?

15
Celebrate the Present

• Paul spoke with confidence
• God had begun a good work in their lives
• God would carry it out, continue it
• This would go on until the end of the church age
  until the return of Christ

16
Celebrate the Present

• We celebrate the good work that God has begun
  and carried out over the last 75 years. Consider
  Gods role (through the Person of the Holy
  Spirit) in this process.
• The Holy Spirit convicts/convinces us of our
  sinful condition
• He also convinces us of Gods power to rescue us
  from the penalty and power of sin
• He empowers all believers

17
Celebrate the Present

• How will this good work by the Holy Spirit
  affect our lives?
• Are there actions or attitudes that short circuit
  or interrupt this good work that Christ has
  begun?
• What steps can you take, individually and as a
  Small Group, to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to
  foster this good work

18
Imagine the Possibilities
19
Listen for Pauls exhortations.

• 2 Tim. 16-8 (NIV) For this reason I remind you
  to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in
  you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For
  God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a
  spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
  8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our
  Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join
  with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power
  of God,

20
Listen for Pauls exhortations.

• 12 -14 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I
  am not ashamed, because I know whom I have
  believed, and am convinced that he is able to
  guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
  What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of
  sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ
  Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was
  entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the
  Holy Spirit who lives in us.

21
Imagine the Possibilities

• What future possibilities do you anticipate or
  hope for your family?
• According to Paul, what kind of spirit does God
  give (and not give) to His people?
• How would this spirit/attitude help you see your
  family hopes come to reality?
• When Paul says keep as the pattern the word
  could be translated echo. What are we to
  echo?

22
Imagine the Possibilities

• As we anticipate new church plants, outreach,
  and suffering for the Gospel, Pauls
  declarations encourage, challenge us.
• Our anticipation is positive, not fearful
• It may require sacrifice
• We can be convinced of Gods desire and help in
  future ministry efforts
• We are voluntary prisoners submitted to Gods
  direction and empowerment

23
Application

• Thank God for His faithfulness over the past 75
  years
• Express your gratefulness for pastors and
  teachers and workers who ministered to you
  (wherever you attended church)
• If appropriate or possible, write them a note of
  thanks for their contribution to your life

24
Application

• Take advantage of the different ministries
  available to you and your family right now
• Make sure your kids and/or grandkids are involved
  in different kids ministries and missions.
• Maybe you know someone who needs one of the
  recovery or stewardship training sessions
• Pray for your church staff that God would bless
  and empower them for their responsibilities
• Encourage your staff through serving, prayer,
  and words of support.

25
Application

• Pray that God will give Mobberly Baptist His
  vision for the future
• Pray that we will see and take advantage of new
  opportunities for ministry and missions.
• Pray that we will adapt new ways to reach out to
  a needy world here in Longview and also far
  away
• Pledge yourself and your family to support future
  ministries with your time , your treasure and
  your talents

26
75th Anniversary Lesson

• April 14