Central UMC Lenoir City
Vision Sunday: Why Windsheilds are Bigger Than Rearview Mirrors
9:00am Modern Worship / 11:00am Traditional Worship
Locations & Times
Central UMC Lenoir City Tn
301 Hickory Creek Rd, Lenoir City, TN 37771, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
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https://www.centralmethodist.com/connectioncard Stories. We all like stories. Today, I want to remind you the story of the church, of Central United Methodist Church, and the story of your life.
The most important window in a car is the windshield. It tells you where you are going. The side mirrors and rearview mirrors because they tell you about what is current reality and what is in your past that can give light to your future.
In our text today in Matthew, it is the first of three usages of the word church in Matthew's gospel. Jesus takes them to pagan territory to create an opportunity for them to identify him as the Messiah. On Peter's confession, Jesus promises to build his church. Matthew 16:18 tells us 5 truths about the church:
Five Truths About the Church
1. Jesus builds the church - the church is built on the person of Jesus Christ, not on personality or methodology.
2. Jesus owns the church - Jesus bought the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28) and he owns it. It is not our church
3. The Church is meant to be growing - The church is meant to grow and expand in numbers and depth.
4. The church will face opposition - Satan wants to see churches become unhealthy and will attack it.
5. The Church that Jesus builds is unstoppable - Gates are not an offensive weapon. The church expands to the gates of hell and doesn't just play defense.
Seeing God in History of Central UMC
1. Vision - This church started in 1901 six years before Lenoir City incorporated. It started to reach new people moving into the area. They had a vision to reach people for God.
2. Generosity - Timpton Main Street Methodist Church in Indiana gave money to build our first church building in Lenoir City.
3. Good News - The early church grew in Lenoir City and had a bustling Sunday School and youth program. As they reached more people, they needed bigger and newer buildings.
4. Faith - In 1997, the church looked ahead to move to the 23 acres of our current campus. Only one bank would loan them the money. The church stepped out in faith to reach people for Christ.
5. Serving People - This church has always had a heart for people and the world.
- We started Clubhouse Central as a ministry to help provide quality, affordable childcare and to teach kids about Jesus.
- We have built and are building a Habitat House
- We have done mission work such as tornado relief, mission trips to Guatemala, Costa Rica and locally here with We are Central Day, Angel Tree, just to ahem a few.
Our Windshield: Looking Ahead
1. We are here to help people find and follow Jesus. The gospel is the centerpiece of our mission to reach people. We invite people to come and worship as they are.
2. We grow in God's Word. This happens best by finding spiritual friendships and intentional personal discipleship.
3. We serve to make a difference. We are spiritual contributors, not spiritual consumers.
4. We live generously.
5. We go and tell. The church does not exist for us. We are the church and we exist for the world.
The most important window in a car is the windshield. It tells you where you are going. The side mirrors and rearview mirrors because they tell you about what is current reality and what is in your past that can give light to your future.
In our text today in Matthew, it is the first of three usages of the word church in Matthew's gospel. Jesus takes them to pagan territory to create an opportunity for them to identify him as the Messiah. On Peter's confession, Jesus promises to build his church. Matthew 16:18 tells us 5 truths about the church:
Five Truths About the Church
1. Jesus builds the church - the church is built on the person of Jesus Christ, not on personality or methodology.
2. Jesus owns the church - Jesus bought the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28) and he owns it. It is not our church
3. The Church is meant to be growing - The church is meant to grow and expand in numbers and depth.
4. The church will face opposition - Satan wants to see churches become unhealthy and will attack it.
5. The Church that Jesus builds is unstoppable - Gates are not an offensive weapon. The church expands to the gates of hell and doesn't just play defense.
Seeing God in History of Central UMC
1. Vision - This church started in 1901 six years before Lenoir City incorporated. It started to reach new people moving into the area. They had a vision to reach people for God.
2. Generosity - Timpton Main Street Methodist Church in Indiana gave money to build our first church building in Lenoir City.
3. Good News - The early church grew in Lenoir City and had a bustling Sunday School and youth program. As they reached more people, they needed bigger and newer buildings.
4. Faith - In 1997, the church looked ahead to move to the 23 acres of our current campus. Only one bank would loan them the money. The church stepped out in faith to reach people for Christ.
5. Serving People - This church has always had a heart for people and the world.
- We started Clubhouse Central as a ministry to help provide quality, affordable childcare and to teach kids about Jesus.
- We have built and are building a Habitat House
- We have done mission work such as tornado relief, mission trips to Guatemala, Costa Rica and locally here with We are Central Day, Angel Tree, just to ahem a few.
Our Windshield: Looking Ahead
1. We are here to help people find and follow Jesus. The gospel is the centerpiece of our mission to reach people. We invite people to come and worship as they are.
2. We grow in God's Word. This happens best by finding spiritual friendships and intentional personal discipleship.
3. We serve to make a difference. We are spiritual contributors, not spiritual consumers.
4. We live generously.
5. We go and tell. The church does not exist for us. We are the church and we exist for the world.
