Facing Your Threats

Please Note: the full transcript is available in the Manuscript link above.

Sermon Outline

Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.

1. Continue to Discuss, Refine, and Implement Our Discipleship Process.

2. Organize and Launch Our New Cluster of Ministries at Faith West.

3. Work Together as a Church Family to Develop Our Next 5-Year Strategic Ministry Plan.

I. Guard Against Ourselves (28a, 30)

Acts 20:28a, 30 - Be on guard for yourselves...³⁰and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

A. Threat of doctrinal error

B. Threat of lost priorities

Revelation 2:1-4 - To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ²‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; ³and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. ⁴But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.’”

C. Threat of pride

James 4:6 - But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

D. Threat of foolishness

Proverbs 10:14 - Wise men store up knowledge, but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

E. Threat of laziness

Proverbs 10:26 - Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him.

F. Threat of perfectionism

Philippians 3:12 - Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

G. Threat of resource constraints

II. Guard Against Attacks from the Outside (28b-29)

Acts 20:28b, 29 - Be on guard …for all the flock…²⁹I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

A. Threat of materialism

2 Timothy 4:9-10 - Make every effort to come to me soon; ¹⁰for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica

B. Threat of humiliation

Hebrews 10:32-34 - But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, ³³partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. ³⁴For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.

III. Recognize Your Position by God’s Grace (28c)

Acts 20:28 - Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God.

IV. Recognize what God has done for the church (28d)

Acts 20:28d - Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

V. Remember the truth that you have learned (31)

Acts 20:31 - Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.

Handouts

Bulletin	Powerpoint	Growth Chart