Sunday, August 15, 2010

COMMUNITY 101 - Part 2 Extended Notes

Do You Have A Friend Like That?
Sunday Worship Experience

August 15, 2010

Today worship absolutely rocked the house! I loved every minute of it! Here's the set list:

Where The Spirit of the Lord Is by Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels

Say So by Michael Gungor Band
Wow! This rocked the house! I'm pumped about us coming back to this one, soon! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

God You Reign by Lincoln Brewster

I Will Exalt You by Hillsong
God used this to create a beautiful and intimate moment in worship... Stunning.


Bill Robbins conducted a great interview this am with Lee Peak and Montiqua Pettway about their involvement in small groups.

Lee has served as a Small Group leader with Financial Peace University and he emphasized the importance of leaders being "cheer leaders" for the people in their group.

Montiqua talked about how being a part of a small group has provided opportunities to grow friendship, find some accountability and be inspired. Great stuff.

Finally, Caley and the band covered a Watermark song titled, More Than You'll Ever Know. This may be one of the best songs on friendship ever written. Caley and the band did an amazing job covering it.

Here are the notes to today's message. As always, you can download the mp3 on a2's website @ a2church.org or via iTunes.


Do You Have A Friend Like That?
COMMUNITY 101 - Part 2

August 15, 2010 * Chris Goins

Hebrews 10:22 (NLT), …let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT), Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV), Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


1. Great relationships with people flow out of the context of a dynamic relationship with Jesus.

2. Transformational life change best occurs within the context of great relationships.

3. Your relationship with God is very personal, it was never meant to be private.

4. Hope, motivation and encouragement are a team sport.

"At horse races, the spectators intent on victory shout to their favorites in the contest. From the balcony they incite the rider to keener effort, urging the horses on while leaning forward and flailing the air with their outstretched hand instead of a whip."
~ Gregory of Nyssa quoted by John Ortberg in a message titled, Balcony People

“I seem to be doing the same thing myself, most valued friend and brother. While you are competing admirably in the divine race, straining constantly for the prize of the heavenly calling, I exhort, urge and encourage you vigorously.”
~ Gregory of Nyssa quoted by John Ortberg in a message titled, Balcony People


THOUGHT: Encouragement, correctly understood, is the language of the New Testament. The phrase “to encourage” gets used more than 100 times in the New Testament.

In fact, one of the greatest characters in the Bible—and possibly the patron saint of what it means to be an encourager is a guy who shows up in the New Testament named Barnabas.


How To Become A “Barnabas” Kind of Friend:

1. Develop a generous attitude. Grow a big heart and live with an open hand.

Acts 4:36-37 (NIV), Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.


2. Always extend grace. Live with arms wide open. Believe in people who desperately need a second chance.

Acts 9:26-27 (NLT), When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

Acts 9:28 (NLT), So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

Acts 11:20-21 (NLT), …some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiless about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

Acts 11:22-24 (NLT), When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God's blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.

Acts 11:24 (NLT), Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.


Acts 13:2-3 (NLT), One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.


Acts 14:1 (NIV), At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue.


3. Cultivate humility and a servant’s heart. Learn to cheer the success of others!


4. Always keep investing in people. Look for their potential and give them a vision of what they can ultimately become.

Acts 15:36-40 (NLT), After some time Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing." 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care.


2 Timothy 4:11 (NLT), Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.


Hebrews 3:13 (NIV), …encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV), Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.


Hebrews 10:25 (NIV), Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Just Keep Running!

COMMUNITY 101 - Part 1 Extended Notes

Nobody Stands Alone
Sunday Worship Experience

August 8, 2010

Wow! Last Sunday we kicked off a brand new series on relationships titled Community 101. Worship absolutely rocked! Here's the setlist from last Sunday AM.

God Is Alive by Fee
Sing, Sing Sing by Chris Tomlin
God You Reign by Lincoln Brewster

Loved hearing our people sing, "God You Reign." Their voices raised the roof!

This morning we did an original song by our very on Mike Shaw titled, Morning's Light. Mike is a gifted songwriter and vocalist and I'm so thankful he shared this song with our church family. This song is not available on You Tube or iTunes, but you can pick up a free CD at a2 Church featuring several cuts from Mike. Great CD.

The service closed out with a cover of Hillsong London's Glorious One. This tune is included in the new Hillsong Live DVD, A Beautiful Exchange as one of the extras. It's a terrific song!

Here are the extended notes from today's message. Also, download the podcast on the a2 website @ a2church.org or via iTunes.


Nobody Stands Alone
COMMUNITY 101 - Part 1

Chris Goins - August 8, 2010

In the beginning, eons before anything at all existed, God existed! But God wasn't isolated and God wasn't alone. God enjoyed and experienced community and interdependence with the other members of the Trinity. It was in the context of that community that God created humanity.

Genesis 1:26 (NIV), God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… ”

Genesis 1:31 (NIV), God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Genesis 2:18 (NLT), God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.”

Getting Connected:

1. We Can Connect With God Through The Cross.

Romans 6:23 (NLT), …the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Connecting with God:

• Adam Failed.

Romans 3:23 (NLT), …everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

• Jesus Nailed.

Matthew 23:37, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

Romans 5:10 (NIV), …when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son…

• Grace Prevailed.

Romans 5:20 (NIV),
…where sin increased, grace increased all the more…

Romans 5:20-21 (MSG), …sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.

John 15:13-15 (NLT), There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.


John 17:20-23 (NLT), I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.
22 "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.



2. We Can Connect With People Through Community.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 (MSG), I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: 8 a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, “Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?” More smoke. A bad business.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT), Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.


Four Advantages for Doing Life Together:

• Help when you’re down and it’s hard to get back up (vs. 9-10).

• Warmth, acceptance and encouragement when the world turns cold (vs. 11).

• Someone who has your back when you’re outnumbered and under attack (v. 12).

• Power and strength to keep you from bending and breaking when the pressure is on.


Psalm 68:6 (NLT), God places the lonely in families…

Sunday, August 1, 2010

GOD REIGNS Extended Notes

UNSHAKABLE - Part 10

I'm so humbled by what God is doing at a2 Church... Summer has been an exciting time of growth! I've been blown away by what God is doing...

It also feels like God is growing us as a worshiping community of believers. This morning the corporate worship experience was amazing!

Here's the set list:

Let God Arise (Chris Tomlin cover)
Awesome God (Free Chapel / Ricardo Sanchez cover)
Mighty to Save (Hillsong cover)
God Reigns (Lincoln Brewster cover)
Revelation Song (Gateway Worship / Kari Jobe cover)

I love hearing our people sing and this morning they sang with such passion! Wow!


This morning we also wrapped up the series UNSHAKABLE with an overview of Revelation. Here are the extended notes from that message. Check out the podcast on a2's website at a2church.org or iTunes.

God Reigns Extended Notes
UNSHAKABLE - Part 10

August 1, 2010 * Chris Goins


When it comes to the book of Revelation, people usually drift towards one of two extremes. Both are unhealthy…

1. Extreme #1: The “Prophetic Jigsaw Puzzle” Approach.

“Though St. John saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as one of his own commentators.” ~ G.K. Chesterton


2. Extreme #2: The “Avoid It At All Costs” Approach.


Four Reasons To Read Revelation

1.) It’s In The Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach us…”


2.) It Carries A Special Blessing.

Revelation 1:3, Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.


3.) It reminds us that God is sovereign. He is large and in charge.


4.) It’s all about Jesus!

Revelation 1:1a, 3 (NIV), The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. 3…because the time is near.

Revelation 1:12-18 (NLT), When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were bright like flames of fire. 15 His feet were as bright as bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was as bright as the sun in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”



When You Feel Like You’re At The End:

1. I’m never in a place where the love of Jesus can’t find me.

Revelation 1:9 (NAS), I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.


2. My circumstances are never so severe that the Holy Spirit can’t change my perspective.

Revelation 1:10 (NAS), I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet…


3. It’s not over until Jesus writes the end of my story.

Revelation 1:8 (NIV), “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:19 (NLT), Write down what you have seen…


4. Fear and anxiety don’t have to dominate my life. Jesus is closer and more powerful than I can imagine.

Revelation 1:12-13 (NLT), When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man.

Revelation 1:17 NIV), When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”


5. Everything in my world can fall apart, but Jesus provides absolute security.

Revelation 1:15 (NIV), His feet were as bright as bronze refined in a furnace…


6. I’m never lost or forgotten, Jesus holds me in His right hand.

Revelation 1:16 (NLT), He held seven stars in his right hand…

Revelation 1:17 (NLT), When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me…