We started a NEW series last week, for the month of March, entitled ALL THINGS NEW. We have a lot of new things going on here at this moment:

New Year

New President

New Church

New Building

New Small Groups

New Prayer Groups

New ???

I think all of us could use some NEWNESS in our lives? I’m praying for a NEW ECONOMY to come to us soon. We are also measuring the success of our church in a NEW way. My old thoughts of success are constantly being challenged by the way that God talks about success in His Word. It’s amazing how He seems to flip it when it comes to the way the world views things.

As we are building this NEW church, I’m looking at success in a few different areas. Ps John Blue has been a big help in modeling this out for us. Here’s what we view as a SUCCESSFUL CHURCH:

1. WE ARE PRACTICING OUR PERSONAL PRIESTHOOD.

2. WE LIVE TO TELL OUR PERSONAL GRACE STORIES.

3. WE USE THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN US.

4. WE ARE MATURING IN THE STEWARDSHIP OF OUR LIVES.

5. WE’RE MAKING A MEASURABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE REDUCTION OF THE LOSTNESS IN OUR CITY.

Last Sunday I talked about us Practicing Our Personal Priesthood. Sounds a little TOO Spiritual, doesn’t it? It’s really just the fact of us walking out our talk. If we believe in the Bible and call ourselves Christians, then we need to walk it.

The Priests in the early times were required to live a life that was clean before God and others. They were held to a higher standard than those that didn’t work in the temple. They were required to know the Word of God and practice a daily ritual of cleansing their bodies. As a Christian, we should be doing this on a daily basis as well.

We can’t expect to call ourselves “Christians” but not know the very basis of what a “Christ follower” is. We can’t expect to walk this walk out, without spending time reading the very handbook on how to live (bible). We need to draw from God daily and walk in constant communication with the Holy Spirit. Most people that get turned off by Christians are watching people that don’t truly walk out the life of Christ. Don’t be a poser! Don’t say you are something without putting the time and effort into truly walking it out the right way.

Practicing your personal priesthood is something I hope everyone in our church does. I know it’s something of a higher standard to live by, but if you expect God to bless you, shouldn’t you at least live the way He would want you to? If you want a New lease on life, start living life in a New way. I know as we try to live out the Word of God, in our daily walk, we will see life in a whole New way.

You want to have ALL THING NEW in your life, the first step is to live a life that is pleasing to God. Spend more time talking to him and even more time listening. Two Questions I asked our church were:

1. WHAT DID GOD SPEAK TO YOU THIS WEEK?
2. WHAT DID YOU DO WITH WHAT HE SAID?

Priests spend time communicating with God. Do we on a regular basis?

Are you unhappy with the way your life is right now? Do you desire more from life? Listen to what God says:

Romans 12:2 (New International Version)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the reNEWing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

It’s time to walk out the talk…Live a life that’s a true example of what a “Christ follower” should be.

M