Welcome to 2016!
OUTLET
A few words about OUTLET
2015
Started – weekly services – April
End of religion – the cross and the sea – Book of revelation
The God who bleeds – Screwtape
Launched podcast
Outreach
Syria – Christmas Outreach
Values
We are an honest and open community that welcomes absolutely everyone.
Many of us have friends who’s journey is far too complex to invite them to a more traditional church service.
We use our time together to find our unique voice as the church.
Following God – scary & unknown.
We relentlessly search for Jesus in all things.
Jesus simultaneously shows us exactly who God is and who we’re supposed to be.
2016
Experiment: No series
World. – Invite.
Allow us to talk about things that are going on in the world. B/C we won’t be bound by a series.
Also, since we’re advertising them all, it will be easier to invite new people b/c there isn’t 12 weeks of backstory that they’ll have missed.
I’m excited.
“Success”
Outlet is successful… (Screen)
It’s hard to define success in ministry,
Some people just define it by numbers which I believe is completely wrong.
We’ve never been about numbers or money here, and we never will be.
So I’ll just say it like this: Outlet is successful when we’re true to who God has called us to be.
We’re continuing to find out exactly who that is, but I think we’re creating something beautiful.
And so from the bottom of my heart, thanks for being a part.
Thanks!
Entitled:
Welcome to 2016! Here’s to not wasting it.
When people think of a new year, some people love it, some people hate it, some people are indifferent. But whatever you feel, I want you to think of a new year like this: A new year is a new opportunity to choose.
New Years resolutions.
Some people are big on them, some aren’t.
According to a 2015 study, here’s the top 10 new years resolutions.
- Lose Weight
- Get Organized
- Spend Less, Save More
- Enjoy Life to the Fullest
- Stay Fit and Healthy
- Learn Something Exciting
- Quit Smoking
- Help Others in Their Dreams
- Fall in Love
- Spend More Time with Family
Percentage of americans who ‘absolutely never’ make new years resolutions: 38%
Percentage of americans consider themselves successful in their resolution: 8%
38% absolutely never
Why do you think that is?
Do you think it’s because their lives are absolutely perfect in every imagine way?
- Perfect job
- Perfect weight
- Perfect marriage
- Killing it in their prayer life.
Doubtful. They’ve decided it doesn’t work.
92% : resolutions fail
You can see why they’d think that.
Gym Me and Goldman at the gym.
Everyone wants to life a great life. But few people do.
“If your life was a movie, would you want to watch it?”
If you were to zoom out and look at your story, what kind of character are you?
Without condemnation, just to learn.
- Courageous / Cowardly
- Adventurous / Boring
- Compassionate / Selfish
- Hardworking / Lazy
NEW YEARS RESOLUTION RECOMMENDATIONS
1. I will live true to who I want to be.
Here’s my advice: Before you decide what you want to do, decide who you want to be.
Taos “Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be.”
A new year is a great reminder that we have the power to choose.
You live in the most prosperous time in the history of humanity in the most prosperous place in the world.
- You get to choose who you want to be.
We don’t choose every circumstance, obviously, but we always get to choose who we are.
Mental exercise:
It’s January 3rd, and so, while you’re sitting in that chair, January 3rd, 2016. I want you to picture January 3rd, 2017 (tuesday).
- How do you want to be different?
- How do you want to be the same?
- How to you want to have spent your time?
- What obstacles do you want to have overcome?
In the kingdom of God, we’re always supposed to be changing, and growing.
‘Why’
I personally think that the reason people have such a hard time making positive change is they’re not clear on their ‘why’ – motive.
- Why do you want to lose weight?
- Why do you want to save money?
- Why do you want to start a business?
Lots of people call out these huge goals, but most people never do the mental work of attaching those goals with who they want to be as a person.
And I just think it’s so important for us to Live on purpose. Not just sitting around, but doing something. No one else, not even God is doing to do that for you.
1. I will live true to who I want to be.
2. I won’t sit on my butt waiting for God to do something.
Namaan
2 Kings 5
Scripture – (…rage)
…though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.
Elisha “Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”
(So naaman goes.)
But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:10)
But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me! (2 Kings 5:11)
Aren’t the rivers of Damascus better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. (2 Kings 5:12)
I don’t want to have to do anything, I want you to do it for me.
But what you see in 2 Kings, and all throughout the bible is people acting in faith, and God bringing the miraculous.
Beautiful dance that we have with God, where he plays a part, and we play a part.
I’ve been guilty of this: Sitting around, waiting for God to move. Waiting for my turn, instead of going out and using what God gave me.
Matthew 25 (…taken away)
“It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. (Matthew 25:14)
To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. (Matthew 25:15)
Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. (Matthew 25:16)
The second did the same. (Matthew 25:17)
But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money. (Matthew 25:18)
“After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. (Matthew 25:19)
The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. (Matthew 25:20)
His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’ (Matthew 25:21)
“The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master’s investment. (Matthew 25:22)
His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’ (Matthew 25:23)
“The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. (Matthew 25:24)
I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ (Matthew 25:25)
“The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! (Matthew 25:26a)
The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. (Matthew 25:27)
For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. (Matthew 25:29)
Maybe what you’re asking God to do, he’s telling YOU to do.
Faith without works, isn’t real.
3. I will be less afraid than I was last year.
Fearful people make bad decisions.
True in big global contexts, but also true in your personal life.
Fear is going to want you to play it safe, just do the same ole thing, not take the risk.
I’ve learned: Nobody’s inner voice is an encourager.
(SCREEN Examples) – Good and Bad
Nobody’s inner voice says
- “They’re gonna love that new project!”
- “Of course you can lose the weight!”
- “You can do anything you put your mind to!”
No, people’s inner voice always sounds like this:
- “Who the heck are you to write a book?”
- You can’t lose weight!
- You can’t find a man!
We’ve listened to these inner voices for so long that we trust them.
We think they’re our friends, but they’re not, those voice are your enemy.
(Diagram)
So just decide, I’m going to feel the fear and do it anyway.
I’m gonna go for it! Just start!
Examples:
- Spend more time with your family.
- Prayer
- Losing 10 pounds
- Put out a new CD
- Write a book
- Starting a new career.
Let those come from you being clear on who you want to be and what kind of story you want to tell.
Live a better story.
With God helping you, go for it.
