1 Corinthians 3:4-9 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field.
 

INTRODUCTION: What has God done at RMLBC in 2010?

• Mack Comer’s life and homegoing provide a powerful symbol of what our church is all about: reconciliation, joy in the Lord, ushered into His presence. Gail was a charter member (Nov 30, 1980). In 1980, RMLBC received 54 new members and baptized 10.
• 21 New members in 2010: Mark Lewis, Rhonda Lewis, Megan Lewis, Amy Shepherd, Judy Wesson, Marci Self, Stephen Tracy, Ken McGinnis, Jo McGinnis, Tanner McGinnis, Matt McGinnis, Mack Comer, Gail Comer, Lance Thomas, Becky Thomas, Ryan Lansdon, Hannah Lansdon, Danny Pitts, Diane Pitts, Jason Morgan, Meika Morgan.
• 7 Baptisms in 2010: Mark Lewis , Megan Lewis, Anna Dollar, Jeremy DiBenedetto, Ken McGinnis, Tanner McGinnis, and Hannah Lansdon.
• VBS: averaged 35 kids or so. FALL FESTIVAL: 300 to 400 (conservative estimates). CHRISTMAS DRAMA: nearly 150 people.
• Remember our Purpose Statement: RMLBC exists to cultivate a missional congregation where Christians are growing in their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ.
• This “cultivation” process involves four stages: Reach, Keep, Teach, and give Feet.

PRAYER 1: That each individual would fulfill their God-given role

Vv.5-6 tell us that Paul and Apollos had different functions in the cultivation process: “planting” and “watering.” I Cor 12:7 expands this idea and says, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Every Christian has a role to play in the cultivation of “God’s field.”

PRAYER 2: That God would be glorified in the cultivation process

• It is His garden and it is His Kingdom. V.6 “God gave the growth.” V.7 “But only God who gives the growth.” V.9 “You are God’s field.”
• It is good when people take ownership in their church in one sense, but it is bad when they take ownership in another sense. How does that work?
• We must take ownership in the responsibilities God has given to us. They are our responsibilities. But we must not take ownership of God’s field as though it is ours. It does not belong to us. It is His field.
• ILL) Think of a franchise restaurant like McDonald’s. Many of these stores are owned and operated by individuals. They have responsibility for the store they own, and must take that responsibility seriously. They have to hire and fire workers, buy the food, make sure it is cooked properly and meets health department standards. But this does not mean they own “McDonald’s!” The corporation “McDonald’s” is something much bigger than any of the individual stores.
• Likewise, RMLBC is our responsibility. The members of this church must take our role in this church seriously, and working together carry out our purpose of cultivation. But our church is part of something bigger. It is God’s field. Thus, our ultimate goal is to bring maximized glory, honor, praise, and adoration to Him.
• Hudson Taylor: “God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s provision.”
• If we are seeking to join God in His field, in His garden, to carry out the reaching, keeping, teaching, and giving feet ministries He has given to us, I am convinced He will bless the work, and give the growth. It is field, and every piece of fruit harvested brings Him great glory.

 
CONCLUSION: Will you personalize this message?