More
than a building
K E N N E SAW
F I R ST
B A P T I ST
From Our Pastor Recent years have been exciting for Kennesaw First Baptist Church. We have grown spiritually and numerically. Our influence in the community has grown and almost daily I have people from the community communicate how much they appreciate us being the church. Our community looks at Kennesaw First Baptist Church with great excitement and expectation! A few years ago as I lay in bed I prayed as it seemed that God was opening a door for us to serve together. Praying, I asked God to give me a vision of what He wanted for our lives. That evening God gave me a dream. Later, as I met with our search committee, they communicated that God had given them the exact same vision! Today, together, we are about to embark upon that vision as we break ground on Palm Sunday! The building we will construct will be a tool as we seek to glorify God by sharing the gospel with our community and world. As Jesus commanded, we seek to share Christ’s message of salvation, beginning in Kennesaw and into the nations. We are “in the heart of Kennesaw with a heart for Kennesaw and the world.” I have no doubt that in the years to come we will see the great dividends for God’s Kingdom that will come through our obedience to rise up and build. We were called together for “such a time as this!”
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Fulfilling the mission God has given us will require a continued investment of ourselves in the lives of others. Therefore we are embarking on a three year capital stewardship campaign that will enable us to put into place facilities and ministries that are needed to accomplish our mission. Our title for this campaign is “More than a Building.” The previous campaign was called “Greater Things.” Now that we’ve arrived at the place where we will break ground, we now move forward with the “Greater Things” and begin envisioning how God will use us with this new tool in place. This campaign us is about “More than a Building.” It is about the mission God has given us. It is about the families we have yet to reach. It is about creating new and attractive space for worship, outreach, small groups, community ministries, and recreation. It is about doing something together that glorifies God! It’s about the future and yes, it is a great statement of our faith and sacrifice. “More than a Building” is a mountain we stand before. We cannot conquer it in our own strength. Yet, I am absolutely certain that this mountain is ours to take for Jesus Christ. With God, all things are possible. If we stand together and by faith give sacrificially, then even greater things are yet to come and be done! Let’s take this mountain that others may look on and give Him glory!
Dr. J Perry Fowler
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Our History
Faith & Sacrafice 1877 Kennesaw First Baptist Church was organized. Met in the Good Templars Hall downtown Kennesaw.
1879 First church building built on the land currently occupied by Big Shanty Museum.
1902 New church constructed on current property on North Main Street.
1965 New education building built. April 13, 1968 Ground breaking for existing sanctuary 1987 New Fellowship Hall and Education building built.
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1993- 1994 Construction of a new preschool and children’s building. 1995 Acquired Butler property for future growth and ministry. 1998 Acquired McCullum property for future growth and ministry. 2011 Entered into the “Greater Things” phase of
Kennesaw First Baptist
Churches future. Retired debt and began preparing for new multi-use building to be constructed for worship and community ministry.
April 13, 2014 Palm Sunday- Ground breaking and celebration of new building.
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The Challenge A building that will double as worship ministries to the church and community.
space and an outreach center for our
Worship space that will
accommodate 930 people in each worship service.
Improved aesthetics
and modernization of our facilities to minister more effectively.
Expanded space and ministries where I can use my spiritual gifts throughout all my days that the Lord gives me.
Homework help, Upward basketball, cheerleading, and sports programs where families can meet Jesus. A place to offer children:
A place to expand our successful ministries through First Baptist Christian School, AWANA, Women’s Teas, Wild Game Dinners… and the list goes on and on.
A place to study God’s Word and experience life change today and forever. 5
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REF.
UP
EXISTING CHILDREN'S BUILDING
WELCOME CENTER UP
RESTROOMS ELEVATOR
WORSHIP CENTER (MULTIPURPOSE)
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CATERING KITCHEN
BACKSTAGE STORAGE PLATFORM
BACKSTAGE STORAGE
EXISTING CHILDREN'S BUILDING
DN
FUTURE BALCONY COFFEE
LOBBY
DN
ELEVATOR
OUTLINE OF MULTIPURPOSE ROOM BELOW
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How do we make it a reality? The estimated cost of the project is $4.1 million dollars. Through faithful giving to the previous “Greater Things” Campaign our church was able to pay off the existing debt, construct a new canopy to enhance the aesthetics of our existing sanctuary, and to begin preparing for a down payment for the new building. The church has successfully set aside $700,000 which will decrease our need to $3.5 million for the project. Through the “More than a Building” campaign we will seek to raise an additional $1.2- $1.8 million commitment for the next three years. This will allow us to pay down and ultimately prepare to pay off the building in an aggressive manner. Statistics show that a healthy church should be able to raise 1 to 1.5 times its annual budget in a campaign for a new building. With our current budget being 1.2 million dollar budget currently, this should be goal should be attainable. These numbers are achievable for us, but reaching them will still require the hand of God and the participation of everyone. At the end of the 3 years we will evaluate our best options to seek to retire the remaining balance and will move forward with God’s vision for His church. We are eager to see how the Holy Spirit will move us toward this goal and beyond.
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THREE YEAR A
Commitment Number
of Givers
Three Year Gift Level
Monthly
commitment is an intent to give a good-faith estimate of what you believe the Lord would have you present to Him. Your commitments are significant to our campaign, as they provide the information that enables us to plan wisely and to be good stewards of God’s resources. This table shows a possibility for how individual gifts from members of our church family will help reach the goal of “More Than a Building.”
Weekly
Total at Level
Accumulated Total
1
$250,000
$6,944.44
$1,602.56
$250,000
$250,000
2
$100,000
$2,777.78
$641.03
$200,000
$450,000
2
$50,000
$1,388.89
$320.51
$100,000
$550,000
5 $30,000 $833.33 $192.31 $150,000 $700,000 10 $20,000 $555.56 $128.21 $200,000 $900,000 20 $15,000 $416.67 $96.15 $300,000 $1,200,000 40 $5,000 $138.89 $32.05 $200,000 $1,400,000 30 $3,000 $83.33 $19.23 $90,000 $1,490,000 30 $2,000 $55.56 $12.82 $60,000 $1,550,000 30 $1,000 $27.78 $6.41 $30,000 $1,580,000 30 $156 $4.33 $1.00 $4,680 $1,584,680
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What should you do? Pray Commit Abundant Tithing
Intentional l Occasiona
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ime First T
More Than a Building is a discipleship process more than a fundraising campaign. It is about shaping our hearts to be the generous, faith-filled people God desires us to be. Go through the daily prayer guide. Allow God to speak to your heart and challenge you. Ask Him what He is calling you to do in this area of your life during this season. Seek His direction and ask Him for the faith to follow that direction.
Generosity Ladder More Than a Building is about when every one of us takes a sacrificial, generous step of faith. Where are you on the generosity ladder? Can you commit to move up one rung on that ladder?
With God’s leadership, make a commitment. Don’t just commit to an amount, but to a change. Look at the generosity ladder. Can you step one rung up on the ladder? What does that mean for your life? What sacrifices does that require? How does God have to provide in your life for that to be real? Make a commitment to take that step in faith.
Give
Giving is what takes our commitment and our faith and makes it real. Generosity is one of the fundamental keys to a Christ-centered life. It requires faith, sacrifice and vision. View each gift you have pledged as a step on the faith journey. Begin by making the first step. Maybe God is leading you to make that first step a leap by giving something abundant. Let God direct that step and give the way He leads you.
Sample Commitment Card Name_______________________________________ Phone Number _______________________________ Total Three-year Gift Amount $__________________ (Beginning November 2013 – ending October 2016) I/We plan to give accordingly:
$__________________ Weekly for 156 weeks
$__________________ Monthly for 36 months
$__________________ Annually for 3 years
$__________________ One-Time Gift
$ _________________ Non-Cash Gift
Description of Non Cash Gift: ___________________
What is my part? While we all cannot give the same amount, we can all sacrifice together. It’s about “equal sacrifice not equal gifts.” Your participation is important and will help fulfill the vision. We ask everyone to pray and ask God, “What do you want me to sacrifice for the vision you have given our church?” We hope that everyone will be as generous as possible. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
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God-sized giving There are two basic ways a person can approach giving when presented with an opportunity like the “More Than a Building” project.
1. I can pledge to give based on REASON. This means I look at what I have, decide what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount. It takes no faith to give by reason. Reason simply asks, “What can I afford?”
2. I can pledge to give based on REVELATION. This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?” This requires faith. When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship. Revelation giving is asking, “How much am I willing to trust God?” Paul said of the Macedonians, “They gave not only what they could afford, they gave even more…” (see 2 Corinthians 8:3).
Commitment Prayer “Father, this is a big step for us. We’re asking You to strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually through giving. We thank You for all You have given us. We want to be cheerful givers. We’re claiming the promise from Your Word that you’ll take care of our needs if we trust You. Thank You for this opportunity to grow. Thank You for our church. Help us to take this step of faith for Your glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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LIFESTYLE
Stewardship
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Lesson 1
The Biblical Steward Icebreaker
Do you remember your first “real” job? What was your primary responsibility? How did it feel to be hired?
The First Job
A first job is significant. It indicates that someone recognizes our capabilities and potential. It also introduces an authority figure whose directions we are expected to follow. Humanity’s first job was stewardship. So, what is stewardship? It is a compound Greek word made up of oikos, which means “house”, and nemo, which means “to manage”. So literally the word means “one who manages a household”. The idea of a steward is a person who manages and administrates what has been entrusted to him by another. Genesis 2:15-19: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
The First Job Description
The message of the book of Genesis is that we have been created in God’s image, and that we have been given responsibility to take care of and to enjoy God’s creation. We live under the Biblical premise that everything we have, even life itself which is lived in relationship with others, is a gift of God. Nothing is ultimately our own. God is the giver of everything. Creation is still God’s; the people of God only have been entrusted with stewardship of it.
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When the Israelites were fleeing the Egyptians and problems compounded, God worked through Moses to give his people the Ten Commandments. A person living by these commands would surely be a good steward. The Commandments were the foundation under which people lived in relationship with their God and with each other for centuries. In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus repeats this law of Moses as the basis for every action in life. Loving God above all else and our neighbor as ourselves would make us all good stewards of God’s gifts. Yet, when we showed that we could not be faithful stewards with the Ten Commandments alone, God gave us Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Through his life, we have an example to follow. Through Jesus’ parables his teaching on stewardship became specific. Through Christ’s death and resurrection we are accepted as God’s children and given God’s Spirit to help us live in relationship with God and humanity as intended at creation. It is in accepting this gift and allowing His Spirit to live in us through faith that we become the stewards we were intended to be. So being a steward suggests that it is a process of developing a disciplined Christian lifestyle that is practiced in and through the church. However it is also practiced through one’s occupation, community involvement, neighborhood, anywhere one goes or anything one does.
The Responsibilities of a Steward
The position of steward was held by those individuals who demonstrated dependability, wisdom, and faithfulness. Jesus emphasized the steward’s importance when he asked, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants…?” (Luke 12:42)
Questions for Individual Meditation or Group Discussion 1.
Does Stewardship seem like an obligation or a privilege – a debt or a gift? Explain your feelings.
2.
What would make a steward “trustworthy”?
3.
In what areas do you struggle to be a trustworthy steward?
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Lesson 2
Conducting Family Business Icebreaker
Has there been a time when you loaned something to someone and they either didn’t return it, or returned it broken? How did you feel? Has there been a time when someone loaned something to you and you failed to return it or destroyed it? How did you feel in this situation?
Who Owns the Family Business?
The Bible is clear – God owns all things! He owns you and He owns me. The truth of this principle is in Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Since God owns it all, when He entrusts us with a portion of His possessions, we are to manage it in a way that is pleasing to Him. God is the sole owner of everything and has never relinquished His ownership. He has never transferred ownership of one acre of land or one ounce of gold. Haggai 2:8 – “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty.” Psalm 50:10 – “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”
Who Manages the Family Business?
The Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30 There are several key points of this parable. First, there is a clear ownership of the talents. Second, each steward had the master’s complete confidence and trust. Third, each steward was given enormous freedom in the management of the master’s resources. Fourth, each steward received a varying amount of resources. Ultimately, the stewards learned that it was not the amount of resources in their possession that determined their reward, but rather how they used the resources that they were given. That’s
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great news for us! Great wealth is not required in order to be a good steward. We are all responsible for our money, but also the effective use of our bodies, minds, health, energy, personalities, and opportunities. The message for us from this parable is clear. God owns everything and gives varying measures of His resources to us. As His stewards, we obtain our livelihood through these resources and utilize them in ways that are consistent with His will.
The Purpose of Stewardship: Why Should We Give?
God funds His work through His people. Christian’s acting as faithful managers participate in advancing God’s Kingdom through giving. Christian giving has to do with our stewardship of the gospel. Christ’s call to proclaim Gods love to all people remains our charge. Each one of us is called to share the good news with those we contact in our daily lives. At the same time or prayers and gifts can support others who are called to proclaim the gospel to those beyond our reach. It is in regard to the stewardship of the gospel that the extension of self through our gifts of money is most evident.
Additional Reading and Final Thoughts
Stewardship is a spiritual matter. Unless Christ has priority in the life of a church member, he or she may be persuaded to support the church, but will not be a true steward. Thus the main goal of these lessons on stewardship is not getting into people’s pocketbooks, but getting Christ into people’s hearts. Exodus 35 – Explains that God called the Hebrews to give in order to fund the Tabernacle’s construction. 1 Chronicles 28 & 29 – David calls for the people to participate in funding the new place of worship.
Questions for Individual Meditation or Group Discussion 1.
How would you grade your performance as a manager in the Father’s business? Are you multiplying what’s been
given to you?
2.
What qualities or talents do you possess that enable you to be an effective manager? What character traits or
struggles do you have that make it difficult to be an effective manager for God?
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Lesson 3
The Symbolism of Giving Icebreaker
What was the most meaningful gift you have ever received? What made it so special?
The Symbolism of the Gift
The Bible contains more than two thousand verses on the subject of money and possessions. We have approximately thirty-eight of Jesus’ parables recorded in the New Testament. Of these, there are sixteen about money and possessions. The first recorded account of bringing gifts to God is known as the story of Cain and Abel, found in Genesis 4:1-6. God accepted Abel’s offering but He rejected Cain’s. This session will help us discover what makes an offering acceptable to God, as well as providing an opportunity to examine the elements of the offering, the gift, and the giver.
The Giver is in the Gift
2 Samuel 24:18-25 You’ve heard it said that, “the gift represents the giver.” However, the gift is much more than that. As we present our gifts, we present ourselves. In fact, the value of the gift is determined by how much of ourselves is actually “in” the gift. 2 Samuel 24:18-25 tells us an unusual story. King David was commanded to build an altar to God. He could have obeyed God without any personal costs. Araunah had generously offered to David everything that was needed to fulfill God’s command. Araunah offered to give the land, the wood for the altar, and even the animal to sacrifice. David could have made his offering to God without costing him one cent. David, however, refused Araunah’s offer. Why? What did David know that we don’t? David understood that he could not offer anything to God which personally cost him nothing. The gift that does not touch the giver does not touch God. David put himself “in” the gift.
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Your Money and You
Matthew 6:21 When Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” He was speaking on several levels. Jesus’ statement refers to the intimate relationship that exists between our lives and money. We spend a great deal of our lives thinking about money, earning it, saving it, investing it, spending it, and worrying about it. It stirs our emotions and touches our hopes, fears, insecurities, plans and ambitions.
The Value of the Gift
Mark 12:41-44 What determines the value of a gift to God? Is one better than another? We already know the answer since God accepted Abel’s gift and rejected Cain’s gift. One day Jesus stood at the temple treasury to see what people gave. He saw some give great sums, but he recognized those whose gifts didn’t cost them anything personally. Jesus watched a widow give two small copper coins, a very small amount that basically contributed nothing to the temple. However, the widow gave “all she had to live on.” She didn’t just put two worthless coins into the treasury; she put herself in. The value of the widow is not found in the coins, but rather the value of the coins is found in the widow.
Some Gifts Defile God’s Altar
Malachi 1:6-8 Not all gifts have value before God. The Jews had been told to give their best, for only perfect gifts truly symbolized God’s worthiness. Instead of the best the Hebrews gave what they no longer wanted or could no longer use. They gave what had already lost its value to them. We are still in danger of despising God’s altar. What we give should have meaning to us. If it means little to us, it means little to God.
Questions for Individual Meditation or Group Discussion 1.
What determines a gift’s value before God?
2.
Why had God included the act of giving as an important part of the Christian lifestyle? How is the offering the
purest expression of worship?
3.
Knowing that the value of a gift is determined by its value to the giver, what have you given to God that was close
to your heart? How did giving it make you feel?
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Lesson 4
The Practice of Stewardship Icebreaker
Give examples of how people have made personal sacrifices to benefit others. (Ex: Parents sacrifice to help their children go to college. A friend donates a kidney to a friend in need.) How does Jesus demonstrate the perfect example of lifestyle stewardship?
Reassessment of Lifestyle
If we are to find ways to give from the treasure of lifestyle, the obvious place to start is with an accurate assessment of our own lifestyle. This isn’t as simple as it sounds. In fact, reassessing ourselves creates a subtle danger, the danger of judging others. This lesson seeks to help us evaluate our motivations, attitudes, and personal perspectives about our own lifestyles.
Reordering of Priorities
Everyone has a priority list, whether conscious of it or not. At the top are those matters we consider critically important. As we move down the list, the items become less important. That priority list is uniquely individual. Our spending corresponds with the priority list. We spend our money on those things most dear to our heart. Bank statements can provide an excellent indication of what is most dear to us, as our spending habits speak volumes about our interests, hobbies, and personal tastes. If you spent some time analyzing your bank statements, what would it reveal to you about your priorities?
Reallocating Our Resources
As you identify specific changes in your lifestyle and remove or downgrade items in your priority list, you will begin to see that very substantial funds can be accumulated. You are turning lifestyle changes into money. Giving from life, not bank accounts, can be practiced by everyone at some level. If the willingness to give is present, Lifestyle Stewardship can provide a way.
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The Perfect Model of Lifestyle Stewardship
The greatest illustration of Lifestyle Stewardship is found in the life of Christ. As you consider your involvement, examine the perfect example of Christ. First, Jesus came to do the Father’s Business. The most intriguing questions about the childhood of Jesus are, “What did He know, and when did He know it?” Luke 2:49 explains, “Why were you searching for me?” He asked, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Jesus’ words reveal a spirit of total dedication to the Father’s Business. Jesus understood the role of stewardship. Second, Jesus assessed His Lifestyle. We cannot know the position of might and ma jesty that belonged to Jesus. However, Philippians 2:5-6 states, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” Third, Jesus ordered His priorities. He made a clear assessment of what was important to Him. Philippians 2:7-8 states, “But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!” What was important to Jesus was His Father’s Business. Fourth, Jesus allocated His resources. Jesus gave His wealth to us, and took our poverty unto Himself. 2 Corinthians 8:9 reveals, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” He took the death that we so justly deserved and gave us life. Fifth, Jesus’ stewardship was rewarded. Faithful stewardship does not go unnoticed nor unrewarded. Philippians 2:9-11 demonstrates that reward, “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Questions for Individual Meditation or Group Discussion 1.
How does Jesus demonstrate the perfect example of lifestyle stewardship?
2.
What would you say your number one priority is as reflected by your time and money?
3.
Do I find in my heart an excitement and enthusiasm for giving to God?
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Prayer Guide For the next five (5) weeks you will find a weekly guiding verse and prayer items. Take the time each day to review these aids for meditation and communion with our Lord. The mission statement, as adopted by First Baptist Kennesaw is,
In the Heart of Kennesaw with a Heart for Kennesaw and the World This mission statement is simple and consistent with the “More Than A Building” vision: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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The proclamation of the Gospel; Glorifying God in all that we do; Ensuring that Jesus Christ is the foundation in which disciples are established and developed; Proclaiming Christ within the Church and beyond its walls; Reaching out to our community, our nation and our world.
Keep this KFBC mission statement in mind as you work though the “More Than A Building” Prayer Guide.
Week One
February 17-21
Philippians 2:5-8 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (NIV) Day One Pray that we may have unity in the body of believers at Kennesaw First Baptist Church. Day Two Pray that we may have the purpose of Christ; the glory of God the Father. Day Three Pray that we may have the attitude of Christ; a servant humbly submitted to God’s will. Day Four Pray that we may have the courage to make sacrifices that will change our lives. Day Five Praise Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
How God spoke to me this week _______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
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Week Two
February 24-28
1 Corinthians 3:10-13 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (NIV) Day One Pray that we would rejoice in God’s grace that we are allowed to participate in His vital work. Day Two Pray that we would be mindful of the spiritual legacy that we are establishing for Kennesaw First Baptist Church and for that presence in the community that will serve generations to come. Day Three Pray that we would be motivated by the gospel as we give our money, time and talents for the building up of the Body of Christ at Kennesaw First Baptist Church. Day Four Pray that we always may be found faithful. Day Five Pray that we will never rest on past accomplishments for Christ.
How God spoke to me this week _______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________________________
Week Three
March 3-7
1 Timothy 6:6-8; 17-19 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (NIV) 17
Day One Pray for humility, as we remember God’s careful provision for us. Day Two Pray that our hearts would desire to see God’s kingdom come through the work set before us. Day Three Pray that God will reveal to us where our “treasures” lie. Day Four Pray that we will be faithful as stewards of God’s resources. Day Five Pray for greater faith.
How God spoke to me this week _______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
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Week Four
March 10-14
Colossians 1:9-14 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NIV) Day One Thank God for all the believers who have faithfully prayed for you and your loved ones. Day Two Pray that we would walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord. Day Three Pray that God may find His church fruitful; working diligently to expand His kingdom. Day Four Pray for the knowledge of God’s will within the church. Day Five Pray that we might be the “Salt” and “Light” in our community.
How God spoke to me this week _______________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week Five
March 17-21
Philippians 1:3-6; 9-11 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In 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, 6being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (NIV) 9
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Day One Pray that God will complete the good work He has begun at Kennesaw First Baptist Church. Day Two Thank God for the privilege of being a partner in spreading the gospel through the ministries of Kennesaw First Baptist Church. Day Three Pray that we will grow in our love for Christ and for each other. Day Four Pray for a mind of discernment. Day Five Pray that all of our actions are results of service to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
How God spoke to me this week _______________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
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More
than a building
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Sermon Notes
February 23
Walking On the Water Matthew 14: 22-33
Like Peter, we stand at a moment of opportunity. Over the next several weeks we will be investigating this passage and applying its principles to where we are as a church as we launch into this final campaign before breaking ground for a new building. Today, let’s discover a few things about our opportunity by looking at Peter’s opportunity. There are some things that you should know about walking on the water: I.
Stepping out on faith is not a frivolous ____________________. (vs. 23-24)
II.
The challenge to step out on faith is a challenges to trust God’s ______________ and
__________________________. III.
Jesus’ call to step out on faith will always be to ________ our faith not put us in danger. (vs.31)
More
than a building
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March 2
Reasons for Walking On the Water Matthew 14: 22-33
Stepping out on faith involves personal commitment. Notice, only Peter “got out of the boat” therefore, only Peter experienced the full effect of walking with Jesus. As a church, we are stepping out of the boat. Many of you today are committing to personal involvement to the “more than a building” challenge. You are like Peter. Why should we choose to be like Peter? What are the reasons for walking on the water?
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I.
Reason #1- The _______________________ of Boat Life.
II.
Reason #2- The ______________________ to do something extraordinary with Jesus.
III.
Reason #3- The ______________________ Word from the Lord
More
than a building
March 9
The Rules for Walking On the Water Matthew 14: 22-33 Faith has rules. The rules and principles of scripture continuously instruct us about how faith is expressed and experienced. I.
Rule #1- Don’t look at the ______________________________________.
II.
Rule #2- Listen to Jesus, not those inside the _______________________.
III.
Rule #3- Remember not everyone will get out of the __________________.
More
than a building
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March 16
The Rewards for Walking On the Water Matthew 14: 22-33
What are the benefits of stepping out on faith? Peter illustrates them well! What happens when I “walk on water�? I.
Reward #1- I get to leave the ____________________________________.
II.
Reward #2- I get to ___________________________________ with Jesus.
III.
Reward #3- I get to _____________________________ Jesus.
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More
than a building
Commitment Sunday
March 23
What’s in your hand? Exodus 4: 1-7
God took the ordinary in Moses _______ and multiplied its influence. What does the commitment card in your hand represent? I.
It is a tangible expression of __________________________.
II.
It is a tangible reminder of ___________________________.
III.
It may be an admission ticket to __________ for someone else.
IV.
It’s evidence of your ___________ with this body of believers.
More
than a building
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