FULLY ALIVE

“Life From God’s People (The Church)”
Pastor Ben Johnson – April 23, 2023

They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full… — Psalms 92:13-14 (ESV)

To be fully alive, we must be PLANTED in the LOCAL CHURCH.

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. — John 15:1-5 (NLT)

Celebrate – We gather to WORSHIP God.

Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. — Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Connect - We build relationships with other BELIEVERS.

You are a member of God's very own family...and you belong in God's household with every other Christian. — Ephesians 2:19 (TLB)

One of the goals of New Life is to grow LARGER and SMALLER at the same time.

Grow - We devotes ourselves to DISCIPLESHIP.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Share - We participate in people being SAVED.

“You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. — Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

Serve - We meet the needs of others in LOVE.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

It’s TIME to get PLANTED!