Read Pastor Ron’s sermon notes at http://lcpastor.wordpress.com/

Read Pastor Ron’s sermon notes at http://lcpastor.wordpress.com/

Read Pastor Ron’s sermon notes at http://lcpastor.wordpress.com/

Read Pastor Ron’s sermon notes at http://lcpastor.wordpress.com/

Read Pastor Ron’s sermon notes at http://lcpastor.wordpress.com/

Truth be told, most of us run on our own understanding. We have to reprogram our mind to ask, “what does the Spirit want, what does the Spirit say, what does the Spirit think?”  When the Spirit of Understanding is operating then we get clarity out of chaos, focus out of confusion and light out of darkness. 

1.  The Spirit of Understanding Helps us Build a Stable Life
2.  The Spirit of Understanding Helps us Make Good Decisions
3.  The Spirit of Understanding Helps Only Those Who Seek It

God’s Spirit of Understanding is available to all who ask. 

THE HARVEST

1.   The Harvest is Harassed (v 36)

2.   The Harvest is Helpless (v 36)

3.   The Harvest is Plentiful (v 37)

THE LABORERS

1.   Laborers are Sent Out (V 38)

2.   Laborers are Compassionate (v 36)

3.   Laborers are Few (v 37)

4.   Laborers Pray (v 38)

5.   Laborers Know Why They are Here (Matt 5:13-16)

LISTEN & LEARN

Weekend of September 11th- Click here to find the study questions for September 9-12, 2011.

Today marks the beginning of what I believe will be a very powerful and important series. Divine guidance is one of the great benefits of being a born again follower of Jesus Christ, and yet, as strange as it may be, we often overlook this benefit and sometimes may even ignore it. It’s God’s desire to lead us, but it’s our responsibility to HEAR and then FOLLOW His leading. I believe the primary reason we don’t hear the voice of the Spirit is because we are distracted by so many other voices.

In one single verse we find the 7 ways His Spirit wants to guide us – Isaiah 11:2
Spirit of the Lord = intimacy
Spirit of wisdom = order
Spirit of understanding = clarity
Spirit of counsel = a plan
Spirit of might = power
Spirit of knowledge = ability
Spirit of the fear of the Lord = accountability

#1 Jesus Modeled For Us What The Spirit-Led Life Should Look Like
#2 Being Led By The Spirit Gives Us A Distinct Advantage In

I want to give you a personal challenge.
• For the next 9 weeks I want you to pray Isaiah 11:2 every day.
• Ask God to fill you with their supernatural power of His Spirit that brings intimacy, order, clarity, a path, power, ability and accountability!

Today is Connection Sunday. Don’t live like an old electric cord, stuck in a drawer UNPLUGGED from the very current of life that it was created for. That means it’s time for us to get PLUGGED IN. There are 3 relationships that we have to stay plugged into. 1. Plugged into Christ – We do that through the daily reading of His Word and through daily prayer. 2. Plugged into Christ’s Body – lifeGROUPS are the best way to do this. 3. Plugged into the Christ-less – Let’s determine to live in such a way that our life in the Kingdom of God does not hinder us from reaching out to those who need the very life IN Christ that we have discovered.

There are a variety of types of communities – cities, neighborhoods, schools, churches, the global community. Today we are focusing on the church community here at LC.
Three Points to Consider:
1.Being in community is positioning yourself to know (others) and to be known
2.Being in community is more than serving as a volunteer
3.Being in community is more than coming to worship services

1 We Are Better When We Are TOGETHER

2 Our TOGETHER Moments Need To Be Balanced

Many of you are already serving, either in the church or with an organization. Sometimes we need to be reminded of WHY we serve and WHO we serve. We need to be reminded every once in a while of the value of serving.

1. Fan Into Flame The Gift of Serving

2 .Serve God With Gladness

God has a powerful way of speaking to our hearts and asking us to step up in certain situations. These are opportunities where God wants to utilize our gifts but He also wants to work in our hearts.

1 Responsibility is Thrust Upon Us

2 The Ignoble Deed Shapes our Hearts For the Better

3 Our Reward For Eternity Will Be Linked To Humble Serving

“One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” -Psalm 27:4, NKJV

The first order of prayer from this scripture is intimacy. The second order of prayer, which is what this sermon is on today is inquiry. You can ask God about anything!

1. Pride Can Keep Us From Asking God

2. Problems Can Drive Us To Asking God

There are two primary actions of prayer, found in Psalm 27:4,8.

1. Prayer Is First About Intimacy With God

2 Prayer Is About A Relationship With God

There are three things you have to pursue to grow a global mindset:

1. Pursue Compassion

2. Pursue Faith

3. Pursue Obedience

L = Love – Sinners loved Jesus because Jesus loved sinners.

O = Observe- Look at their true spiritual condition and  reach out.

S = Supplicate- Prayer for others.

T = Tell- Tell them about hope.

Here is a tool for you to use on how to pray for the lost:

-Pray for them to be set free from demonic oppression.

-Pray that you would be drawn to spiritual matters.

-Pray that they will see their true spiritual condition.

-Pray that their heart will be opened.

-Pray that they will be convicted by the Holy Spirit.

We cannot save them. We cannot even open their eyes. But God can use us to say the right things that penetrate their hearts at the right moment, and He will open their eyes.