Anthony Delaney at Ivy Manchester

Grace has become a theological abstract that we argue about. Grace is basically the generosity of God wanting to bless you.
Don’t live in the kingdom of grace AND fear. ‘God has to love me, but really I deserve to be punished.’
Sin is nothing compared to the power of grace. The vast majority of us though are not perfect. So what do we do with those who mess up? One act of grace deals with it all!
So you really ARE forgiven.
And if we really got that – we’d be a lot easier on ourselves and everyone else. If we get the abundance of grace, then we can REIGN in life. When sin abounds, grace hyper-abounds.
Sin is like dog poo on your shoe!
No point ignoring it, it will start to stink and everyone around you will notice. Imagine you have that shoe under Victoria Falls.
That’s hyper abounding grace. So because of that – we are FREE!
When we say to ourselves we are not worthy it’s because we have an idol not God. Because the real God. Rom 3:23
All of sinned & fall short of the glory of God.
Who / what defines the glory of God?
Jesus!
Jesus is perfect theology
If it isn’t true of Jesus, it isn’t true of God.
He is the very image of God!
The problem is not the list of sins, but the nature of sin in you and me.

As far as God is concerned we should all be as good as Jesus. We tell people ‘You are a sinner!’

But we should be saying ‘We are all in the same boat!’
Nobody’s perfect!
Actually – one man was.
Only one.
Everyone else is substandard!

Read 2 Cor 4:4f
But the Holy Spirit has come to restore us to function, to change you to be radiant with the nature of God for eternity. Starting now
You don’t have to die to start.
At least not physically.
The good news is that God is revealed perfectly in Christ
When we die, he is waiting. No fear. We have got this all wrong. Our dying thought should be – I’m going to see Jesus! It’s the best!

The good news is the good news of the glory of the blessed God. Look up glory in the NT. It’s in there a lot!

We were made to reflect the glory of God. Uniquely.
Did you know every diamond is different and reflects and refracts light differently That’s how he has made us.

CS Lewis said, if we could see each other now as we will be then, we would bow down & worship each other

Because God is brilliant
And we will reflect his brilliance forever.
To and through each other!
And that is why Jesus thought we were worth dying for
It’s what we were made for.

2 Cor 3:16f

Moses veiled the glory- we don’t have to!
Only through Christ, the anointed one, the veil is taken away. We now surpass normality. We live FREE!
We have been brought into a covenant filled with life! Not a life of rules & regulations. Now we behold his glory
And are changed
From glory to glory and then we die
And become more and glorious!

Eph 1:12
Now who we ARE – is to the praise of his glory.

Col 1:27
We have been promised there is a means by which this is possible. You are a saint!
CHRIST in you- the hope of glory!

So start enjoying him.

Bill Hybels – GLS: The Muddle Of The Middle

He has talked before about Moving People from Here to There

You’re a leader to move people toward a preferred future.
Don’t just focus on THERE
FIRST build the reasons why we can’t stay HERE
Then people are ready to move THERE.

So, along the journey from here to there – when is the vision most vulnerable?

In the MIDDLE.
When you’re half way there, that’s when you can get real problems.

You haven’t got the impetus of the start off, and you can’t see the finish line.

God has to carry us through the tough times in the middle.

So – be very careful in the middle. The middle of your ministry life is the toughest part.
Don’t you want to finish?
To finish as strong as can be?
To leave everything stronger than when you started.

Remember what a privilege it is to be a leader.
Yes there’s a price to pay. BUT…
We are among the privileged few in all the world. Thanks be to God.
It is all gift.
Have you thanked God recently? For what He gives us to do.
Step back and say thank you!
That you’re not just an onlooker or a bench sitter. You’re a leader.
Enjoy every day you get to lead – because it will be over in a blink.

The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Let your mind be controlled -
Not by your mind
Not by your emotions
Not by your body
By the Spirit

Cultivate the presence of God in your life. Be filled with Him. Recognise that each of us was born to be a presence carrier. You are incomplete without that.

How do we engage in prayer? For our families? There are some great prayers in the Bible. Prayer is a conversation
But it’s also about listening
Prophecy comes from listening
It comes from what you hear.
If you stand long enough you’ll see more, if you listen long enough you’ll hear more. Otherwise you just give people out of your intellect.

When was the last time when something swept over you and you knew that you were loved?

Prayer is about knowing and being known.

God is committed to making this life better and easier with Him than without Him. The word is near you – in your mouth.

2 Kings – Elisha
The road to anointing:
Gilgal – where he shed the past
Bethel – house of blessing
Jericho – place of past victories
Jordan – the lowest place/humility
You are not fully human until you stop being self reliant! We can’t do Wilderness – where we get the double portion

Chapter 8:3-6
Gods miracle timing. In walks the woman at just the right time. Haven’t you got ‘just as’ moments?

The more you pray, the more coincidences happen.

She had made a room there for him. Chapter 4
When tragedy strikes and all her hopes and dreams are dead on the bed. What do you do in a moment like that? The tough stuff of life. The prophet asks
Is everything alright
And she says
Everything is alright

The circumstances may be this and that
But
Everything is alright

It looks too late
Everything is alright

She persists
Vs 32.
Elisha was carrying the presence of God. We have no idea what he prayed. Urgently. Death had come! The boy got warm
He wrestled in prayer
Then he got on the bed and prayed once more.
Eyes on eyes
Mouth on mouth
Body on body
Easter was not a resuscitation it was a resurrection!

Will you commit to pray great prayers?

See the same things
Speak the same things
Do the same things

We love to see growth. Watch a toddler getting more words, more movement.
And it’s great to see people grow more open to go from ‘no gods’ to ‘Yes to God.’ We want to grow
Spiritual growth
Matt 28
Context – Matthew is about Jesus’ life and ministry – his call to follow went out as he brought the Kingdom near. And he has given us this Great commission – to continue his ministry.

Ivy Fallowfield went out for 40 days between 11pm through to 1am! 40 days of blessing. Handed out promises of God to students. One said ‘I received one already and disagree with it.’
Why?
Because my life has no purpose or meaning.
What’s your purpose?
Look at Jesus’ last words
This is his will
It’s a living will – what Jesus wants to do with his body!

What is a disciple?
A learner.
Someone learning to do what Jesus does.
Our educational system doesn’t set us up well for that kind of learning. We revise and do exams, we try to pass.
But this isn’t about getting more knowledge
Are you an apprentice?
Learning on the job
Are you learning to do what Jesus did.

Bruce Lee. ‘I fear not the man who has learned 10,000 kicks – but the man who has practised one kick, 10,000 times.’

Never mind what we are learning. What are we practising?

Jesus said we are to obey His commandments.
Our culture hates the O word.
That obedience is restrictive
But obedience is actually incredibly liberating!

Jesus’ relationship with God (obedience) is what he wants to give to us too. It’s obedience in relationship.
Obey what?
Jesus sums it up and embodies the great commandment for us.
Get this one thing right – practice it:
Love God (who loved you first) and
Love people! Love your neighbour as yourself- put others needs first. Church can be a great place to learn to live like that.

Great question – is your heart getting harder or softer these days? Are you more compassionate? Or getting more angry? We are learning…

How are we learning?
When Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit remained on Him. Then he said ‘its going to be better for you now the Spirit can come..’ So Jesus says
REMEMBER – he is with us.
Do you remember?
He is there – to remind you of what God is saying.
Trying to learn to follow Jesus without getting in community with others is like a fish learning to swim… Out of water!
Learning to live like Jesus is something we do together, not in theory but in practice!

Alan once turned up at Uni to the wrong exam because he trusted someone who told him wrong.

Let’s not get to the ‘end of the age’ and find we were following all kinds of wrong advice, and what we thought was being success- is totally wrong.

Where are you now?
He’s with you.
Always.
Say ‘Hi’ and talk to Him.

What sort of legacy are you going to leave?
Prov 20
Will you leave a blessing behind?
This has a lot to do with character.
When we live with Jesus right at the centre, he grows his peace etc in us. Legacy comes from having that at the centre it leaves a mark in our lives.
Gen 12 – God promised Abram that if he did what he said he would be blessed AND be a blessing.
He’d become part of a spiritual family and community that would change and bless all nations. Christ is for people who know they need a Doctor
If you aren’t sure you need a Dr you are probably not ready for Him yet. Jn 1:12 – we get the right to become his family.
It starts when you give yourself to God, all of you! 2 Cor8:5 And have you done the second part of that verse!?
Given yourselves to one another?
Is this church your church
Or ‘that church’
Will you be part of what God is doing HERE
We are looking to build a legacy together.
We want to build a movement in the nation and the nations
Your legacy can’t just be about you and God. It’s in community with others so you can make the biggest difference. Make a different choice!
(I will post up the different choices Ivy Fallowfield are committing to- it is awesome!) 1 John 3:16
We know John 3:16 probably
Have you found a place you can lay your life down?
People you can lay your life down for and with.
At Ivy we have a simple vision, Knowing, Growing, Going.
It starts with giving your life into his hands.

Psalm 1.
Debra says she has a green surname but not green fingers.
But years ago she bought 3 bedding shrubs to be in the porch (first impressions).
She watered them for months and they still looked great. In fact, as good as the day they were bought. Then the visitor pointed out that they were artificial! She had been looking after fake
Nurturing something dead
The psalmist says we do that, we spend time on trash
How foolish

Some things and relationships have a negative effect on our growth. Worthless things. Bad company that corrupts.

But other things build & help me.

3 lots of 3 word triplets of how habits form

Walk, sit, stand

Wicked, sinners, scoffers

Counsel, path, seat.

You see the degenerative procession?!

We all want to fit in: it starts with who you walk with, in the counsel of the wicked. Popular opinion matters more than God’s counsel.

Wicked means ‘loose.’

Standing here means ‘stopping’ – in the wrong places and counsel. A bad pattern is forming

Sinners here means someone who has made a deliberate anti-God choice. Beware!

Sitting – become like.
Mockers: scoffers.

But-
There’s another way to go!
Thank God for that word BUT!

Ephesians 3 shows that we were ALL once like that. But! Jesus has stepped in!
Now you delight in the way of The Lord, delight here = preoccupied. You’re not perfect but you are like a tree. He produces fruit

Deep roots – leads to stability. This is the hidden life. The secret life of prayer and worship with God gives the strength that’s needed to weather the storm. Use your time driving etc – podcasts. First the root, then the fruit

Good soil – the environment. Join one of our Grow Groups! How’s the soil around you?

Near the water- proximity to the water. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit! He takes up residence and makes us fruitful.

Planted here is literally ‘transplanted.’ God takes us out of the barren desert dry ground and puts us into a new rich soil.

Then – you will produce much fruit!

Are you feeling like you are in a desert place? God’s river of living water is nearby. Be transplanted!

John 15. He will cut away, he will prune – but trust the gardener

An alder, no matter how far the water is, it’s roots will always bend toward the water. Let’s bend toward the Spirit and receive the Spirit, today!

Read Isaiah 55- come to the waters!

We really believe that we head up societies of people which have the power to change lives.

Rufus Jones (Quaker) – in Friend Of Life ‘The greatest miracle we know in our world is the way a person who has failed, like the rest of us – suddenly becomes a saint – and therefore a transmitter.’

Does my church have the capacity to create saints? Are we committed to producing saints?

Am I one?

People grow by imitation!

Col 1:27

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Colossians is core discipleship teaching.

Mature here = telios (perfect!)

If Paul had a business card what would he put on it? Evangelist? No – ‘Perfect Disciple Member.’

When you approach people, hold a crown just above their head so they can grow into it. That’s what Paul did.

Question to ask ; How does this help people mature?

Col 2:6-7

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

There comes a point at which you realise, ‘Now I’m following Jesus.’ That’s not it yet. Go deeper! Get built in Him. Build up. Stronger. Overflow – with gratitude, look for things to be grateful for. One of the marks of maturity is not taking everyone for granted but being (and saying) thankful.

Col 3:5

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Paul knows we have a lot of recovery to do with people. Pull out the old wiring. The broken world they grew up in has polluted so – PUT TO DEATH! Get violent about this.

Col 3

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Clothe yourselves…

This is a lifetimes work. Don’t kid anyone it happens in a weekend! This is about TRAINING.

All small groups in the church need to be around one of these things;

RECOVERY

REINVENTION – Growing community and Bible

TRAINING IN LEADERSHIP

Look at the church generationally together. What questions are they asking? Do we preach a message that connects with them?

Teens are asking – ‘Who am I, and who am I becoming?’ (CONFUSION).

Young adults – ‘What will I do with my life, and with whom?’ (DIRECTION).

Thirties – ‘How do I manage all my responsibilities and commitments?’ (ORDER)

Mid-life – ‘How do I deal with my disappointments, and successes?’ (ASSESSING). Around the age of 47, many people are very disappointed.

50s – What parts of my life need to be rearranged for a satisfying second-half (or shall we just give up?) PASSIVITY/INTENTIONALTY

60s – As my life gets quieter, what legacy of value have/will I contribute?

Older – How do I deal with the increasing amounts of loss in my life? GRIEVING/LONELINESS

What is my place in a world that tends to regard me as weak and obsolete? WISDOM or WITHDRAWAL

How do I deal with the inevitability of death? QUIT or ANTICIPATE.

How do we preach to all these people? How does Jesus speak into these questions? Be more mindful of these questions! If we are going to build life changing churches we have to address the change of life questions.

On a single Sunday:

The main event in our church, that draws everyone together – is clear from how you construct your architecture. Is it holy ground; where people carve out space and build an altar. Are we expecting lives to be touched by the speaking God?

We usually do 4 things;

Worship – call on ‘a higher power.’

Prayer – pouring out who He is and remembering who we are. Why not include…

Invocation; recognise who God is

Pastoral; pray for the people, lift them to God. People learn to pray     from hearing the Pastor pray.

Dedication; don’t be embarrassed about the offering, it links work with   worship.

Illumination; before the Word

Benediction; recognise that we are now going out to serve, with a    cheer and a challenge to make a difference.

Connection

Old people go to church to see people! They probably have heard most of the talks, they don’t like the music much. Make sure they connect.

Teaching 

Who are these people who experience these things? What’s the dominating mood as they enter?

Tired, Doubting, Angry, Pained, Fearful, Overwhelmed, Addicted, Guilty, Joyful, Numb???

So, if I have about 80 mins with them, to do those 4 things above – what ought they be like AFTER? (What are our Outcomes?).

Graced, Peaceful, Assured, Energised, Deeper Faith, Belonging, Courageous, Instructed, Purposed, Generous.

Gen 1
Gods word brings creativity and vision – then in John 1 we see his word made flesh! And he makes a promise – ‘I will build my church’
So why is the average church in Britain in retreat ?
Gen 3 – we have to cultivate the ground.

The standard way of building church – gather a few people around a vision. Then a vision statement. Then they cross their fingers and hope the church gets it .

The future of this church is not in the hands of the leaders so much as the lead.

1 Sam 14
Jonathan steps out from the rest of the people who are under the pomegranate tree and sets out on an adventure with an adventure

Answer?
I’m with you heart and soul

The 2 of them set out and got a victory
But the 600 with them were watching
And eventually joined in.

Saul eventually said ‘forget the ephod let’s get into it.’

600 immobilised warriors got out from the shade abd engaged in the mission. They were looking for an example
All it took was an armour bearer to show the way

There were also loads of Hebrews hiding in caves- hiding away. Hurt. Damaged.

What got them out if the cave was that armour bearer responding to a vision and setting the example

There were also some of God’s people exiles and prodigals in the enemy camp – who came back! They switched sides. Those who had walked away came back.

Why can’t our church be full of armour bearers?!
Imagine a church full of armour bearers. !

He didn’t even think about it he was up for it
He didn’t even have to spiritualise it and wait for a prophetic word. He resonated.

We never know his name
He’s not in it for that
Fiercely loyal
He hasn’t even got a sword.
If Jonathan died – Saul would have killed him .

Armour bearers set the example of how to follow.

The immobilised people don’t look to the paid leader but to the volunteers.

Look at a golf club
There are all kinds of membership levels there.

4 different types of church members.

1 Vision Catchers

2 Vision Carers – it matters to you.

Armour bearers go further than that:

3 vision carriers – they help with it, carry the burden, give of themselves

We hear about the 80/20 rule – but that’s not in the Bible. We are a body – the hand and eye and mouth and legs function

If I looked at your Facebook pg does that carry the vision

4. Vision casters – represent the vision. When you look at them, you see Ivy. It’s not going to church it’s being to. Be the church you want to see.

Do you get the vision and represent it?

So the immobilised move into victory.

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