God’s Blueprint for Church
NOTE: Because of space issues, the following series of messages has been removed from the website. However, if you would like a copy of any of the messages or the full series, “God’s Blueprint for Church”, either on an mp3 CD, as a set of regular audio CDs, or as individual mp3 downloads, please contact Pastor Tim. Thank you for your interest and your understanding…we apologize for any inconvenience!
PS…ALL of the small group study guides are still available for download! Simply scroll down and find the study guide you want!
Week 11 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(9/2/2007)
As he wraps up this series, Pastor Joe reminds us how easy it is to get off focus and spend time and energy on things that, although they may even be “good things”, are not what God wants us doing…and are not the “best things” for us or for our churches…
In this final message, we are encouraged to keep Jesus at the center of everything we do and to trust His Spirit to guide us through the decisions we face. If you have gone on this journey with us through the last 10 messages as we’ve studied God’s blueprints for Church…you will definitely want to hear this last one as Pastor Joe brings all the pieces together!
#11 – Staying Focused - Pastor Joe brings to a close his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This final message was recorded live on Labor Day weekend, Sunday, September 2, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#11 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 10 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(8/26/2007)
When you were a kid did you play make believe?
Girls often like to play ”house”; they
pretend that they are a mommy with lots of babies. Or, they’ll have a “tea party”, setting up all of their dolls and stuffed animals around a little table with full place settings for each one. Or, they’ll imagine that they are a princess in the tower of a castle waiting for their heroic knight to come to their rescue and…marry them, of course, so that they can start a family and have lots more tea parties!
Boys, on the other hand, don’t have much imagination. Every stick is a weapon. Every small object a projectile. Anything too big to move is a target. Anything alive is a…moving target! As long as there is danger and risk involved, it’s fun! The more action, violence and destruction, the better! They would never enjoy playing “house” or “tea party”…unless of course, they discovered the tea had been poisoned and there was a nuclear bomb about to detonate outside and they were sent there (as spies) to rescue everybody!
Did any of those scenarios sound at all familiar? Maybe you didn’t do some of those exact things, but you did something similar. Or, maybe that didn’t describe your childhood memories at all…but now you have kids…and that is exactly how they play, right?
The point isn’t “how are boys and girls different”, but that we ALL like to pretend! We used to pretend all kinds of things as children…
And some of us still do as adults!
In this message, Pastor Joe discusses some of the ways that we play “make believe” in church and how we can mature in our Christian life from “playing make believe” and pretending…to living a real, genuine and healthy life in God’s family!
#10 – The Church that Really Lives - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, August 26, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#10 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 9 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(8/5/2007)
As Pastor Joe continues through his “Blueprint” series, he wraps up the 3-part mini series on LOVE this week.
In this message, Pastor Joe picks up where he left off last week in 1 Corinthians 13, God’s idea of what real love is and what our love should strive to be.
#9 – Unfailing Qualities - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, August 5, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#9 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 8 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(7/29/2007)
There are many definitions, references to, and illusions of love in the world.
The Bible alone has over 500 specific references to love.
If you were to “google” the word love on the internet you would get over 1 billion hits (that’s a 1 with 9 zeros after it!)
But, how do we know what “real” love really is?
#8 – Fine Tuning Your Love Life - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, July 29, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#8 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 7 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(7/22/2007)
If you were asked…
“How would people be able to recognize you are a Christian?”
What would your answer be?
What would you say?
Would you say…
“I’m a good person.” “I’m nice to people.” “I try to help others when I can.” “I wear a cross necklace.” “There’s a fish symbol on my car.” “I don’t swear or smoke.”
Again, what marks you as a Follower of Christ to the rest of the world? What about you makes people say, “That person must know Jesus!” When you walk into a room of people, or a crowded place, do people stand up and take notice? Does something about you cause people to ask questions about how they too can have an intimate relationship with Jesus? If not, are we really doing what we should to represent Jesus to the world?
#7 – The One Irresistible Appeal - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, July 22, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#7 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 6 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(7/15/2007)
As a child…what did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut?
A policeman?
A ballerina or rockstar?
A sports hero?
A princess or doctor?
What was the vision you had for your life? What was God’s vision for your life? Have you ever asked Him?
In this message, Pastor Joe shows the importance of having God’s vision for our lives and our churches.
#6 – The Value of Vision - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, July 15, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#6 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 5 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(7/8/2007)
In your opinion, what decade were the “good ol’ days”? Depending on who you ask, you will get a variety of answers. Someone in their eighties or nineties might say the “Roaring Twenties”…someone in their fifties might say the 1960’s…a young person in their twenties might say the 90’s. Everybody has a different idea of when the “good ol’ days” were!
Using the lives of Daniel, David and Paul…Pastor Joe teaches on how to keep a proper balance in our lives and church.
#5 – Keeping the Church Balanced - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, July 8, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#5 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 4 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(7/1/2007)
Before he began his sermon this week, Pastor Joe put a “message disclaimer” up on the screen…to download this disclaimer, just right click on the following link and select Save Target As…
Message Disclaimer – PowerPoint show (includes a sound clip)…some of this disclaimer Joe reads out loud, and some he doesn’t…but you should just see it for yourself!
This week we discussed the various sizes of churches; from small congregations with under 100 people in attendance per week, to the “mega church” with multiple thousands in attendance per week. Using the story of the first church (“early church”), found in the book of Acts, Pastor Joe helps us to see how important size is to God and how we can know whether or not we are following God’s Blueprint for Church when looking at the size of our congregation.
What do you think is the best size for a church to be? Do you think a small church is better? Do you think a really large church is more pleasing to God? Take a listen to this week’s message to see what Pastor Joe has to say…and don’t forget to download the “Message Disclaimer” (above) and follow along as Joe reads it to the congregation!
#4 – Two Different Styles - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, July 1, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#4 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 3 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(6/24/2007)
Similar to a couple weeks ago, Pastor Joe begins by asking us what we think is the ”primary purpose” of the Church…
Is it to present the Gospel to those who don’t know Jesus? Is it to bring hope to the hurting? Is it to provide a place for worship and instruction? Is it to equip the saints for the work of the ministry? Is it to teach and support family values? Is it to prepare children for life? Is it to provide for the needy? Is it to stimulate action on important issues? Is it to give people an opportunity to serve? Is it to teach the Scriptures? Is it to be a model of righteousness?
What do you think is the ”primary purpose of the Church? What do you think God’s primary purpose is for the Church?
#3 – A Fresh Glimpse of Glory - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, June 24, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#3 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 2 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(6/10/2007)
This week Pastor Joe begins by asking us what we think are the TOP PRIORITIES of the Church…
Is it to build a large facility with beautiful landscaping? Is it to have the most trendy music and technology? Is it to have superb Children’s and Youth programs that attract hundreds of students in your community? Is it to be involved with missions? Is it to endorse political candidates and issues? Is it to make lots of money? Is it to make people feel good about themselves, spiritually?
What do you think are the TOP PRIORITIES of the Church? What do you think are God’s top priorities for the Church?
#2 – Top Priorities - Pastor Joe continues his series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Church”. This message was recorded live on Sunday, June 10, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#2 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Week 1 in
the 11-part series,
GOD’S BLUEPRINT
FOR CHURCH.
(6/10/2007)
Kicking of his new “Blueprint†series, Pastor Joe uses Morningside Community Church’s blueprints, drafted back in the 1960’s, to illustrate that God has a unique design and purpose for each individual church body. He then raises some good questions: “Is our church fulfilling our purpose and calling?†“Do we function, as a church, in the way that God designed us to function?†“If we’ve gotten off track over the years, how do we get back on track?â€
We hope that as you listen to this message you are able to ask these questions of your own church… “Are you performing the tasks that God prepared and set you in place to perform?†And then, the natural next-step is for each one us to remember the Scriptures tell us that WE are the church…so, now I must ask myself, “Am I answering God’s call on my life?†“Am I fulfilling his plan and purpose for me in the place that He has put me?â€
#1 – Let’s Do It Right This Time - Pastor Joe begins a new series titled, “God’s Blueprints for Churchâ€. This message was recorded live on Sunday, June 3, 2007. If you would like a copy of any individual messages, or the entire series on either audio CD, or mp3 CD, or sent to you as downloadable mp3 files…please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact Pastor Tim for more info!
#1 – Study Guide – Questions to help you dig a little deeper in your own personal study or as a discussion starter for a small group ministry.
<>< <>< <>< <>< © 2007 Morningside Community Church ><> ><> ><> ><>
Instructions for Downloading Sermons
Right-click on the link above (the message title) and select “Save Target As…†You can then select a location on your computer to save the message. Once finished downloading, you can open the file using Windows Media Player, iTunes or another mp3 player. If you have any trouble downloading the message, please contact us here and we will respond as soon as possible.
Note: If you haven’t read it already, please view our Recording Usage page. Thanks!
