Sunday Morning at The Church of Joy
The Day I Quit Church
Visit our website at TheChurchofJoy.org to hear sermon audios, learn about upcoming events and plug-in to one of our great ministries.
Locations & Times
The Church of Joy
3080 GA-362, Williamson, GA 30292, USA
Sunday 10:45 AM
+During the last 20 years we've seen "frequent" church attendance drop from 3 times per week to 3 times per month.
+Still 73% of Americans identify as Christians
+55% of Americans still attend church to some degree
My own early ideas of church:
+Only what pleased me (the dynamic styles of teaching and worship)
+Knowledge without depth or surrender
+Commitment was earned through entertainment
+Still 73% of Americans identify as Christians
+55% of Americans still attend church to some degree
My own early ideas of church:
+Only what pleased me (the dynamic styles of teaching and worship)
+Knowledge without depth or surrender
+Commitment was earned through entertainment
Instead of going to church we need to be planted in the House of God.
To Flourish
Hebrew used here: parach
The idea: a primitive root that breaks forth into a bud; To fly, like eagles wings spread out
Hebrew used here: parach
The idea: a primitive root that breaks forth into a bud; To fly, like eagles wings spread out
The Palm and the Cedar
+The Palm was widely used in the decoration of the Temple; a symbol of uprightness; a symbol of victory (Roman games); a symbol of victory over oppression (Jesus' Triumphal Entry)
+The Cedar was highly sought after in ancient woodworking; naturally resistant to insects and rot; a pleasant look and smell; used for longevity; Used extensively in Solomon's temple
+Both are evergreens
+The Cedar was highly sought after in ancient woodworking; naturally resistant to insects and rot; a pleasant look and smell; used for longevity; Used extensively in Solomon's temple
+Both are evergreens
A planted person is compared to trees that produce year round,
What happens to a seed that goes unplanted?
unfruitful, unproductive, goes dormant, unsatisfied
unfruitful, unproductive, goes dormant, unsatisfied
A seed can only grow if its planted
Going to church is not the same as being planted.
What does it look like to be planted?
1. Your roots grow down deep
Two types of trees come to mind when reading this passage:
The Acacia and the Redwood
The Acacia and the Redwood
The Acacia Tree
+Long root depth gives the ability to survive in the deepest deserts with little rainfall
+Long root depth gives the ability to survive in the deepest deserts with little rainfall
The California Redwood
+Can be 30 stories tall
+Lateral roots can spread over 100ft from the trunk
+Roots intertwine with other Redwoods for stability
+Can be 30 stories tall
+Lateral roots can spread over 100ft from the trunk
+Roots intertwine with other Redwoods for stability
1. Your roots grow down deep
2. You produce fruit
2. You produce fruit
A tree doesn't grow in month.
The best time to plant a tree: 20 years ago!
The best time for you to be planted in God's house: right now!
The best time to plant a tree: 20 years ago!
The best time for you to be planted in God's house: right now!
Thanks for being with us today.
If you feel like you've been consuming church rather than being planted, today is the day to get on God's path.
We're here to pray for you and walk with you. You can send in a prayer request on our website as well: www.thechurchofjoy.org/prayer. There are so many great opportunities to plug in at Joy.
If you feel that Joy isn't the home for you, we are happy to help you find where God wants to plant you. We're all on the same team and we want God's will for you life!
If you feel like you've been consuming church rather than being planted, today is the day to get on God's path.
We're here to pray for you and walk with you. You can send in a prayer request on our website as well: www.thechurchofjoy.org/prayer. There are so many great opportunities to plug in at Joy.
If you feel that Joy isn't the home for you, we are happy to help you find where God wants to plant you. We're all on the same team and we want God's will for you life!
For your week
Take a look at this 7 day devotional about serving:
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He came to serve, not to be served. As His followers, we know we've been called to do the same. In a culture that is plagued with consumerism, we believe that when we give our life away, we actually find life. Read below to hear more about what the Bible says about serving.
Take a look at this 7 day devotional about serving:
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He came to serve, not to be served. As His followers, we know we've been called to do the same. In a culture that is plagued with consumerism, we believe that when we give our life away, we actually find life. Read below to hear more about what the Bible says about serving.
Online Giving is Up and Running!
If you're a member of The Church of Joy and would like to try our online giving platform, please follow the link below.
Also you can text the word 'give' to: 770-629-0341 to use our new text-to-give option. *Note a 2.9% processing fee applies to all credit/debit gifts.
https://officecoj.breezechms.com/give/onlineAlso you can text the word 'give' to: 770-629-0341 to use our new text-to-give option. *Note a 2.9% processing fee applies to all credit/debit gifts.