LEVEL UP
Pastor Mark Carrillo
Level 1: Game On
When a player of a video game has earned enough points to acquire a new level. Often accompanied by the ability to wield new weaponry, access new places, or begin new assignments.
“I have given you a ministry to facilitate the ministry of others.”
Facilitate — to make easier, remove obstacles, make possible,
Ephesians 4 Model — Helping people “level up” by equipping and releasing
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV)
Equip = Gk. refitting a ship, mending (setting) a bone, or furnishing a house. You will always have more of what you give away.
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV)
Apostleship — “demonstration of the Father’s heart that calls and equips sons and daughters to walk in their unique callings.”
Be strengthened — “Keep on being empowered” or “keep in touch with the power.” Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Ministry Philosophy . . .
Church is a family and has a primary responsibility to bring people to maturity.
Equip people for personal growth and release them to do ministry.
Call out the BIG in people, dream big dreams — it starts with a step of obedience.
I believe we are moving from ministry to the church to the ministry of the church. Team Ministry — “All of us are smarter than any of us.”
You Can Do What He is Calling You to Do
“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:7, ESV)
With gifts come with responsibilities . . . Priesthood of all believers
“For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), ateacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:7, ESV)
“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.” (1 Corinthians 9:16-17, ESV)
“. . . Since it’s not my idea but God’s, who commissioned me, I am entrusted with the stewardship of the gospel whether or not I’m paid.” (TPT)
“It’s much more pleasant to preach a gospel that an omnipotent being wants to save and bless and protect you, than to be honest and preach that this same God is also your King who is to be totally obeyed and owns everything you have including your time, gifts, and money!”
Marc Lawson; It’s the End of the Church as we Know It: The 166 Factor, (p. 54)
Vision for Personal Growth
“for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5, ESV)
“Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:7, ESV)
“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.” (Acts 6:3, ESV)
Ecosystem as a means of personal growth
Immerse yourself in the presence of God, Be filled with the Word and the Spirit.
“Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God.”
Oswald Chambers
Level Up
This summer it’s time to level up! – summer of personal revival – refreshing – renewal YOU ARE DIFFERENT WHEN YOU DWELL IN GOD’S PRESENCE