(Clip) God Does Not Bless a Selfish Sanitized Church
Tim Conway emphasizes that God does not bless a selfish, inward-focused church but rather one that actively engages in outward ministry and stewardship of spiritual gifts.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of outward focus and spreading the message of the church to impact the world. It highlights the need for active involvement in reaching out beyond the church walls and being good stewards of the gifts received. The speaker reflects on the beginnings of church planting efforts and the realization of the potential impact of utilizing the gifts within the congregation.
Full Transcript
Brethren, I'll tell you this. I think I was mentioning on Wednesday night, I have found that the things that it seems like the devil has resisted most is when our church has been involved most in spread, in outward focus. If we simply box ourselves in, sanitize this thing, don't go out there, don't touch the world, we'll be left alone.
And from the very beginning, I felt like not just our money, I've really felt like if we look out and we see that our gifts are multiplying here, the greatest way to encourage the Lord to continue to give to us is to be the best stewards we possibly can. That was really what prompted one of the things. There were various aspects behind why we began church planting endeavors.
And Corpus Christi, of course, was the first one. But it began to register in my mind when I would stand in the pulpit over there at Fatty's and I'd look out and I'd say, hey, he preaches, he preaches, he preaches, he preaches, he preaches, and he preaches. What are we doing? We've got to do something with these gifts.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- The danger of a selfish, sanitized church
- The devil resists outward-focused churches
- The need to engage beyond comfort zones
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II
- Stewardship of spiritual gifts
- Multiplying gifts through active ministry
- Encouraging God’s continued blessing
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III
- Church planting as a practical step
- Examples from Corpus Christi and Fatty’s
- The call to action for the church body
Key Quotes
“If we simply box ourselves in, sanitize this thing, don't go out there, don't touch the world, we'll be left alone.” — Tim Conway
“The greatest way to encourage the Lord to continue to give to us is to be the best stewards we possibly can.” — Tim Conway
“What are we doing? We've got to do something with these gifts.” — Tim Conway
Application Points
- Evaluate whether your church is inward-focused or actively engaging the community.
- Use your spiritual gifts to serve others and multiply their impact.
- Support and participate in church planting or outreach initiatives to expand God's kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Tim Conway say God does not bless a selfish church?
Because a church that focuses only inwardly and avoids engaging with the world misses God’s blessing that comes through outward ministry and stewardship.
What is meant by 'sanitized' church in this sermon?
A 'sanitized' church is one that avoids risk, outreach, and real engagement with the world, preferring comfort and safety over active ministry.
How does stewardship relate to church growth according to the sermon?
Stewardship of spiritual gifts encourages multiplication and growth, inviting God’s continued provision and blessing.
What practical example does the speaker give for outward focus?
The speaker references church planting endeavors, such as the one in Corpus Christi, as a practical demonstration of outward focus.
What role does the devil play in the context of this sermon?
The devil resists churches that actively engage outwardly, but leaves inward-focused, selfish churches alone.