The Outlet Community
Life Beyond the Middle Series (#Passion)
How many sermons have we listened to? How many church services have we been a part of? How many Christian/inspirational books have we purchased much less read? The key to living a blessed life is to go beyond reading and listening to a place of obeying and doing. This series is for anyone who is: tired of just “average”, “doing alright", living an “ok” life, and ready to live a life of true success and significance by escaping the ordinary.
Locations & Times
The Outlet Atlanta Campus
545 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Online Info Card
Whether this is your first time or you’re a regular attender, we would love to hear from you.
http://bit.ly/tocresponseform
Visit http://theoutlet.cc
Become a Member of The Outlet Community Online
Visit our website at the link below and follow the easy steps to become a member of The Outlet. No matter where you are in the world, we want to be a community that empowers you to live life authentically! Once completed your profile (as well as added any family members), email info@theoutletcommunity.com with the phrase "I'm In" and you are all set.
http://www.theoutletcommunity.com/the-outlet-online/Ways to Give
Want to join us in our mission of reaching people with the life-giving message of Jesus? Your generosity enables us to help more and more people experience a life-changing relationship with Him. We are truly grateful for your donation and hope the convenience and simplicity of online giving will be helpful to you. Your generosity allows us to help more people experience the life-changing impact of authentic relationships.
http://www.theoutletcommunity.com/give/
http://bit.ly/beyondthemiddle
Pastor Vince Thomas, Jr.
#Passion - The Church of Ephesus
Life Beyond the Middle Series
Revelation 2:1-7 (NLT)
Let's Be Social: @theoutletcc, @vincethomasjr, @ashleysthomas
#Passion - The Church of Ephesus
Life Beyond the Middle Series
Revelation 2:1-7 (NLT)
Let's Be Social: @theoutletcc, @vincethomasjr, @ashleysthomas
Average eventually becomes irrelevant without action. #theoutletcc #vincejr #beyondthemiddle
Breakdown of the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches
Context of the Church of Ephesus
- Ephesus was the most important and greatest city in the region - the message given to the church of Ephesus is the most urgent of all messages. Everything we will learn over the next few weeks hinges upon the instructions given to this church.
- The Church of Ephesus had a history of blatant immorality but turned to God. As they have grown in their understanding of the Word, they lack in a critical area that will enable them to continue growing in an authentic relationship with God.
- Ephesus was the most important and greatest city in the region - the message given to the church of Ephesus is the most urgent of all messages. Everything we will learn over the next few weeks hinges upon the instructions given to this church.
- The Church of Ephesus had a history of blatant immorality but turned to God. As they have grown in their understanding of the Word, they lack in a critical area that will enable them to continue growing in an authentic relationship with God.
Jesus Cares About Every Facet of Our Life
The Story of the Church of Ephesus
The Story of the Church of Ephesus
Key Terms
v. 12 - lampstands
v. 13 - Son of Man
v. 16 - stars
v. 12 - lampstands
v. 13 - Son of Man
v. 16 - stars
Contextual Meaning
Seven stars - angels assigned to churches. Also has reference to the pastor or overseer of the church.
Seven lampstands - church congregations collectively
Practical and Specific Meaning
Seven stars - each person individually. Everyone is a leader in something even if that means it is you leading yourself.
Seven lampstands - areas of personal influence. A measurement of how well we are leading our life in response to what Christ has done for us.
Seven stars - angels assigned to churches. Also has reference to the pastor or overseer of the church.
Seven lampstands - church congregations collectively
Practical and Specific Meaning
Seven stars - each person individually. Everyone is a leader in something even if that means it is you leading yourself.
Seven lampstands - areas of personal influence. A measurement of how well we are leading our life in response to what Christ has done for us.
Characteristics of a Life Beyond The Middle (Rev. 2:2-3)
- Hard work (toil) speaks to spiritual effort. We make time for what we want. The effort to make the best of our relationship with the Lord.
- Steadfast endurance - does not resign to being a victim. It is not the grim patience which resignedly accepts things. It is the courageous gallantry which accepts suffering and hardship and turns them into grace and glory
- Tested evil doers - paid attention to who speaks into their life.
- Hard work (toil) speaks to spiritual effort. We make time for what we want. The effort to make the best of our relationship with the Lord.
- Steadfast endurance - does not resign to being a victim. It is not the grim patience which resignedly accepts things. It is the courageous gallantry which accepts suffering and hardship and turns them into grace and glory
- Tested evil doers - paid attention to who speaks into their life.
Today's Key Word is: ________________________
How Do I Maintain/Rekindle My Passion? (Rev. 2:2-3)
Remember the beginning days when everything was fresh
Recenter your mind on what’s important, let go what is not.
Return to the Basics. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify.
Remember the beginning days when everything was fresh
Recenter your mind on what’s important, let go what is not.
Return to the Basics. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify.
Living a Life with Passion will Protect You From Distraction
Nicolatians - founder was Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.
His followers took his primary message of “You must treat the body harshly” out of context to mean, “do whatever you want with your body because it can be used as shameful as one wishes.”
Nicolaitans, could be derived from two Greek words, nikan, to conquer, and laos, the people. Shares the meaning with the name Balaam in Hebrew (Numbers 25:1-5; 31:16). Meaning this way of living conquers/destroys people.
‘They lived lives of unrestrained indulgence and abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats … leading a life of self-indulgence.
His followers took his primary message of “You must treat the body harshly” out of context to mean, “do whatever you want with your body because it can be used as shameful as one wishes.”
Nicolaitans, could be derived from two Greek words, nikan, to conquer, and laos, the people. Shares the meaning with the name Balaam in Hebrew (Numbers 25:1-5; 31:16). Meaning this way of living conquers/destroys people.
‘They lived lives of unrestrained indulgence and abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats … leading a life of self-indulgence.
Personal Prayer
Lord, open my eyes to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly.
(adapted from the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester).
Lord, open my eyes to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly.
(adapted from the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester).
Subscribe to Monday Minute with Pastor Vince
Every Monday get a quick boost to get your week off to a great start!
https://theoutletcommunity.com/2019/01/08/monday-minute-with-pastor-vince/Reflection + Discussion
1. When you think of the days when your walk with the Lord was "fresh and new" what were some of the activities you would take part in?
2. How can we cultivate a fresh relationship with the Lord and guard against becoming extremely busy doing "good deeds?"
3. What one change could you make this week that would help you rekindle your passion for God?
1. When you think of the days when your walk with the Lord was "fresh and new" what were some of the activities you would take part in?
2. How can we cultivate a fresh relationship with the Lord and guard against becoming extremely busy doing "good deeds?"
3. What one change could you make this week that would help you rekindle your passion for God?
Live Authentically http://theoutlet.churchcenter.com
Everything You Need to Know At The Outlet
View and Subscribe to The Outlet Community Newsletter!
https://mailchi.mp/5851f259cbca/thisweekendattheoutlet01062019?e=00e4a1094aFB Live Online Bible Study with Pastors Vince and Ashley this Tuesday @8:00pm (EST)
Join Vince & Ashley Thomas (Lead Pastors of The Outlet Community) on Tuesdays via YouTube + FB Live for a life-giving conversation on Prayer. We want to hear from you! Send any topics, questions, or ideas to life@theoutletcommunity.com
https://theoutletcommunity.com/the-outlet-online-event/
https://theoutletcommunity.com/events/state-of-the-church-address/
http://fb.com/theoutletcc
Join a Community Team
Email leadership@theoutletcommunity.com your selection of the ONE team you would like to become a member of and a team member will contact you within 2-3 business days with further instructions.
Next Generation Teams
•The Spark- Nursery •The Volt - Preschool/ Elementary • Middle School/High School Network
More Community Teams
•Worship Arts Team (Musicians, Vocals)•Creative Production Team (Audio, Lighting, Video, Photography, Stage Design )•Welcome Team (Parking, First Impressions, Guest Experience) •Care Team (provide first class experience at The Outlet)•First Responders Team •Prayer Team •Life Group Leaders•Excellence Team (Logistics & Facilities)•Outreach Team
http://www.theoutletcommunity.com/join-the-team/Next Generation Teams
•The Spark- Nursery •The Volt - Preschool/ Elementary • Middle School/High School Network
More Community Teams
•Worship Arts Team (Musicians, Vocals)•Creative Production Team (Audio, Lighting, Video, Photography, Stage Design )•Welcome Team (Parking, First Impressions, Guest Experience) •Care Team (provide first class experience at The Outlet)•First Responders Team •Prayer Team •Life Group Leaders•Excellence Team (Logistics & Facilities)•Outreach Team
The Outlet Community Gatherings
The Outlet Community Gathers every Sunday at 10am. Preschool and Elementary Ministry will also be provided. Middle and High School Ministry will begin in June 2018. Gatherings will be held at Martin Luther King Middle School (545 Hill St. SE Atlanta, GA 30312)
http://www.theoutletcommunity.comIn The Word With Friends
We want to personally invite you to join us for a journey of growth and refreshing. We are currently in a Reading Plan in the YouVersion Bible app and would love to stay connected with each of you so we can hold each other accountable and get our Word time in each day. Click the link let us know you are reading or you can read at your own leisure using the plan below.
http://bit.ly/7letterstoc