CHRIST'S CHURCH FOCUSES ON THE BIG ROCKS

I. Are We In The Post-Church Era?
  i) one article I saw says organized church is quickly going out of style
     -  the number attending services is dropping as a whole
     -  people are to create their own way to communicate with God - not in a formal way
     - soon we will be like Europe where church buildings are museums and restaurants
  ii) another article says that church is losing ground because it has lost its purpose
     - doing everything but not the main purposes it was designed to do ( Big Rocks )
     - Prov 19:21 there are many plans in a man's heart but God's plan still stands

II. Getting The Big Rocks In Place
  A. Seek God's Kingdom first and everything else will work out - Mt. 6:33
     i) it must be the center of our focus - it impacts all aspects of our lives
     ii) we spend our lives seeking so many other things ; God said we will get them if we focus on his kingdom
  B. Seeking the lost / make disciples - Mt. 28:18-20
     i) the last words on this Earth gave his marching orders to his church
     ii) if we teach , baptize , and teach he promises to be with us
     iii) this is a command not a recommendation - we are to use the Talents he gave us
     iv) God is not willing for anybody to perish - II Pet 3:9
  C. Edify / Build Up Other Christians
     i) the major reason people leave the church is we don't teach , befriend , and give them a job
     ii) another reason is some were not converted and still openly practicing sin - losing influence
     iii) Elders have the primary responsibility to feed the flock with God's word - Acts 20:28
  D. Benevolence
     i) when the church took care of others it multiplied - Acts 8:6-7
     ii) the first church shared with Christians and non Christians and God blessed them - Gal 6:10
     iii) helping others is a key attribute of our Lord and should be easy for us - he's done so much for us
  E. Be Leaven For Our Community
     i) we should live God's standard every day and speak up when we get the opportunity
     ii) John the Baptizer lost his life because he said Herod had committed adultery
     iii) Steven was stoned because he told the Jews they had killed the Messiah
     iv ) I am advocating speaking up at every opportunity particularly in our lives