1. WORLD CHANGERS

Which people have significantly

changed the world?

3. THE ISSUE

If you were to spend the rest of you

life seeking to change the world, what

thing would you set out to change?

Changing the world is about INFLUENCE

Changing the world is about DOING WHAT

YOU CAN; it’s not about doing the impossible.

(Thursday)

Which people have significantly

changed the world?

2. BIG PROBLEMS

What problems

does the world face?

4. THE PRAYER

Phil Green 2009 (phil@joiningthedots.net)

What did Jesus have in mind when he told

his followers to pray, “...your kingdom

come, your will be done on earth

as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)?

If you were to spend the rest of you

life seeking to change the world, what

thing would you set out to change?

Changing the world is about CIRCLES

What’s the next year your life looking like?

_ influence potential?

_ changing the world potential?

_ need to adapt or change any plans?

Some sobering statistics...

1.8 million child deaths each

year are as a result of diarrhoea.

Approximately 1 billion people

have inadequate access to water.

1.6 billion people – a quarter of the world’s

population – live without electricity.

9.2 million children die every

year before their fifth birthday.

The world’s 225 richest people have a

combined wealth of $1 trillion. That’s equal

to the combined annual income of the

world’s 2.5 billion poorest people.

“I can only really do one thing well - I can write

comedy, but I’ll ruthlessly do the thing that I

Luke 16:1-151Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose

manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2So he called

him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an

account of your management, because you cannot be

manager any longer.' 3"The manager said to himself, 'What

shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not

strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg— 4I know what

I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome

me into their houses.' 5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked

the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6" 'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied.

comedy, but I’ll ruthlessly do the thing that I

do to try to rectify this general injustice.”

[Richard Curtis]

Psalm 146:7-9, Deuteronomy 24:17-19, Isaiah 58: 6-7, 9b

6:8, Amos 5:23-24, Proverbs 29:7, Luke 4:18-19 & Galatians 2:10.

Is it time to switch sides?

The Bible reveals that God always seems to take the side of the

underdog

football teams of Italy and Andorra were playing each other, God

would support Andorra!

In Jesus’ day most people were either rich or poor. The rich owned

the land, controlled the politics and made money from the poor

who lived on their land. The poor rented land from the rich and had

little control over anything. What little they had was often taken by

the oppressive rich people." 'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied.

"The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly,

and make it four hundred.' 7"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'

" 'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied.

"He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.' 8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he

had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more

shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of

the light. 9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for

yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into

eternal dwellings. 10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted

with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also

be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy

in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true

riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone

else's property, who will give you property of your own? 13"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the

one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and

despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." 14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were

sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, "You are the ones who

justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your

hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in

God's sight.

the oppressive rich people.

The manager in this story was a poor man who had entered the

world of the rich. He probably acted as the rich mans debt

so would have been very unpopular amongst the poor. He was on

the side of the rich.

However he switched sides!

burden fell. He gained because he made earthly friends and

received eternal benefit. The rich man lost. However, the manager

or the poor didn’t steal from him. He was probably charging them

too much anyway, so he probably still got a fair amount. The

manager used his influence wisely.

The question, “Which side are you on?” is not primarily about how

much money you have. There are two teams, the rich and the poor.

Money is the manager of one team, God is the manager of the

other. Which team are you on?

(Thursday)

Pa

rt 1

: p

ov

ert

y &

in

just

ice

systemic

injusticethe poverty

of the poor

the wealth

of the rich

contributes to

the poverty

of the poor

the wealth

of the richcauses

Beyond blame and shame [Brian McLaren]

“I tell these evangelicals in the

United States there are 2,300 verses

Phil Green 2009 (phil@joiningthedots.net)

United States there are 2,300 verses

of Scripture about the poor. It is the

central message outside of personal

redemption, the idea of dealing with

the poor. And I’m asking them,

where are they? Where are they on

this? In a recent poll of evangelical

churches, only six percent said they

wanted to do something about

AIDS. It’s unbelievable, the leprosy

of our time if you like.” [Bono, U2]7, 9b-10, Micah

19 & Galatians 2:10.

Is it time to switch sides?

The Bible reveals that God always seems to take the side of the

underdog – the weak, poor, marginalised and rejected. If the

football teams of Italy and Andorra were playing each other, God

would support Andorra!

In Jesus’ day most people were either rich or poor. The rich owned

the land, controlled the politics and made money from the poor

who lived on their land. The poor rented land from the rich and had

little control over anything. What little they had was often taken by

the oppressive rich people.

How are you going to use your influence and

skills to eliminate injustice and poverty?

the oppressive rich people.

The manager in this story was a poor man who had entered the

world of the rich. He probably acted as the rich mans debt-collector

so would have been very unpopular amongst the poor. He was on

the side of the rich.

However he switched sides! The poor gained because their debt

burden fell. He gained because he made earthly friends and

received eternal benefit. The rich man lost. However, the manager

or the poor didn’t steal from him. He was probably charging them

too much anyway, so he probably still got a fair amount. The

manager used his influence wisely.

The question, “Which side are you on?” is not primarily about how

much money you have. There are two teams, the rich and the poor.

Money is the manager of one team, God is the manager of the

other. Which team are you on?

“The local church is the hope of the world, and its future rest primarily in

the hands of its leaders.” [Bill Hybels]

I hope that we don’t all end up as fulltime

of us will be involved in building and shaping the church

church belongs to Jesus, but in many ways he’s left it in our hands.

The Bible refers to the church as the ‘bride of Christ’ (Revelation 19:7). We should be

preparing the church for her wedding day. Just think how much time and energy (and money)

most brides spend in preparation for their wedding. We also need to remember that, “Slating

the church is like slating our best friend’s boy/girlfriend!”

The Bible also refers to the church as the ‘body of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 12:12), a body in which we all

have a part to play. However, also think about it like this: Christ is no longer physically present here

on earth, but he had asked us his representatives and to be a part of his ‘body’. We are now his ears,

mouth, feet and hands here on earth. While on earth Jesus was associated with good news

then is the church so often associated with bad news?

Becoming a Christian may be an individual decision, but being a disciple is a team sport. Together we Becoming a Christian may be an individual decision, but being a disciple is a team sport. Together we

can achieve so much more than we can by ourselves. “The snowflake is one of nature’s most fragile

things, but when they stick together they can bring an entire city to a standstill.”

This morning we’re going to wrestle with how we can build and shape a church that is faithful to

God’s Word, but relevant to the world. I hope conversations will be started that will last a lifetime.

How are you going to use your influence and skills to make grow the church?

Matthew 16:13, 15-1813When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi...15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son

living God."17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for

was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will

my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Verse 18 is perhaps the most argued about verse in the Bible. Verse 18 is perhaps the most argued about verse in the Bible.

While the Catholic Church believe that the church should be

‘built on Peter the rock’, the Protestant Church believe that the

church should be ‘built on the rock, the solid foundation which

is Peter’s confession of who Christ is’. I would suggest in some

ways they are both right, and both miss something significant.

Firstly, Jesus does want the church to be built by people like

Peter – that includes us! And secondly, it’s because Jesus is ‘the

Son of the living God’ that the church is so important. However,

there is something else...

When Jesus spoke these words he and his disciples were in

Caesarea Philippi. It was an area associated with sin. It was like

the Las Vegas of the Roman world. It was the home of many

pagan temples and unspeakable things went on there as part of

their worship. Interestingly, it was located on a very large piece

of rock and there was even a particular rock formation known

as ‘the gate of Hades’. Jesus told his disciples that it was ‘on this

rock’ that he would build his church. Jesus wanted his church to

be built in the most sinful place in the entire world.

So, where should we be building the church?

(Thursday)

“The local church is the hope of the world, and its future rest primarily in

[Bill Hybels]

I hope that we don’t all end up as fulltime-paid-church-leaders, however, I do hope that all

of us will be involved in building and shaping the church - both today and in the future. The

church belongs to Jesus, but in many ways he’s left it in our hands.

The Bible refers to the church as the ‘bride of Christ’ (Revelation 19:7). We should be

preparing the church for her wedding day. Just think how much time and energy (and money)

most brides spend in preparation for their wedding. We also need to remember that, “Slating

the church is like slating our best friend’s boy/girlfriend!”

The Bible also refers to the church as the ‘body of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 12:12), a body in which we all

have a part to play. However, also think about it like this: Christ is no longer physically present here

on earth, but he had asked us his representatives and to be a part of his ‘body’. We are now his ears,

mouth, feet and hands here on earth. While on earth Jesus was associated with good news – why

then is the church so often associated with bad news?

Becoming a Christian may be an individual decision, but being a disciple is a team sport. Together we

Pa

rt 2

: g

row

ing

ch

urc

he

s

Phil Green 2009 (phil@joiningthedots.net)

Confessions of a Reformission Rev. (Hard Lessons

from an Emerging Missional Church) Mark Driscoll.

Zondervan, 2006

Vintage Church (Timeless truths and timely

methods) Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears. Crossway

Books, 2009.

The Monkey and the Fish (Liquid leadership for a

third-culture church) David Gibbons. Zondervan,

2009.

Church Unique (How missional leaders cast vision,

Becoming a Christian may be an individual decision, but being a disciple is a team sport. Together we

can achieve so much more than we can by ourselves. “The snowflake is one of nature’s most fragile

things, but when they stick together they can bring an entire city to a standstill.”

This morning we’re going to wrestle with how we can build and shape a church that is faithful to

God’s Word, but relevant to the world. I hope conversations will be started that will last a lifetime.

How are you going to use your influence and skills to make grow the church?

am?"

of the

for this

heaven.

will build

“The church is one of the only organisations

that exists for the benefit of its non-members.”

Verse 18 is perhaps the most argued about verse in the Bible. Church Unique (How missional leaders cast vision,

capture culture, and create movement) Will Mancini.

Jossey-Bass, 2008.

An Unstoppable Force (Daring to become the church

God has in mind) Erwin McManus – G.P., 2001.

Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches: Five

Perspectives Mark Driscoll, John Burke, Dan Kimball,

Doug Pagitt & Karen Ward. Zondervan, 2007.

Closing thoughts...

Is it possible that you need to spend less time asking

God what he wants you to do tomorrow and more

time doing the things he has placed in front of you

today?

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do

it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to

God the Father through him.” [Colossians 3:17, also

see Philippians 4:8-9

Verse 18 is perhaps the most argued about verse in the Bible.

While the Catholic Church believe that the church should be

‘built on Peter the rock’, the Protestant Church believe that the

church should be ‘built on the rock, the solid foundation which

is Peter’s confession of who Christ is’. I would suggest in some

ways they are both right, and both miss something significant.

Firstly, Jesus does want the church to be built by people like

that includes us! And secondly, it’s because Jesus is ‘the

Son of the living God’ that the church is so important. However,

When Jesus spoke these words he and his disciples were in

Caesarea Philippi. It was an area associated with sin. It was like

the Las Vegas of the Roman world. It was the home of many

pagan temples and unspeakable things went on there as part of

their worship. Interestingly, it was located on a very large piece

of rock and there was even a particular rock formation known

as ‘the gate of Hades’. Jesus told his disciples that it was ‘on this

rock’ that he would build his church. Jesus wanted his church to

First things first...

Read (again) and reflect on Isaiah

58:6-7, 9b-10, Micah 6:8, Amos 5:23-

L is for Lifestyle (Christian living that

doesn’t cost the earth) Ruth Valerio,

IVP, 2004.

Everything must change (Jesus,

58:6-7, 9b-10, Micah 6:8, Amos 5:23-

24 and Proverbs 29:7.

Next, discuss these questions...

Why does the Bible seem to place to

much emphasise on fighting for

justice and helping the poor?

In your experience, have Christians

been good or bad at doing these

things? Why do you think this is?

Then, if there’s time...

Think about influence, circles and

doing what you can. How are you

going to use your influence and skills

to eliminate injustice and poverty?

Everything must change (Jesus,

global crises, and a revolution of

hope) Brian McLaren, Thomas

Nelson, 2007.

Rich Christians in an age of Hunger

(Moving from Affluence to

generosity) Ronald Sider, W

Publishing Group, 2005.

The Bottom Billion (Why the Poorest

Countries are failing and what can be

done about it) Paul Collier, Oxford

University Press, 2008.

The End of Poverty (How we can

make it happen in our life time)

Jeffrey Sachs, Penguin, 2005

The White Man’s Burden (Why the

West’s efforts to aid the rest have

done so much ill and so little good)

William Easterly, Penguin, 2007.

Pa

rt 1

: p

ov

ert

y &

in

just

ice

(Thursday)

Phil Green 2009 (phil@joiningthedots.net)

church: likeWhat do you like about church?

church: some key verses

Acts 2:42-47

Ephesians 2:19

1 Peter 2:5

church: essentialWhat are the essential ingredients of a church?

church: dislike

church: designIf you were to plant a church, what would it look like?

church: dislikeWhat do you dislike about church?

(Thursday)

Pa

rt 2

: g

row

ing

th

e c

hu

rch

church: some key verses

-22

.

Romans 12:4-5

Ephesians 4:11-17

Hebrews 10:24-25

church: essentialWhat are the essential ingredients of a church?

Phil Green 2009 (phil@joiningthedots.net)

church: designIf you were to plant a church, what would it look like?

church: strong foundationsHow will ensure that Jesus is kept at the centre and your

church has a strong ‘truth’ foundation?

church: culturally relevantHow will you ensure that your church is relevant and

connects with people?

Titus 1:9

church: numerical growthHow will you do everything you can to enable your to

church to help people become followers of Christ?

Acts 17:22-28

Acts 2:47

(Thursday)

Pa

rt 2

: g

row

ing

th

e c

hu

rch

How will ensure that Jesus is kept at the centre and your

church: involvementHow will ensure that your church is about participation?

Phil Green 2009 (phil@joiningthedots.net)

church: spiritual growth How will you ensure that people are growing in their

relationship with God?

1 Corinthians 12:27

church: good newsToo often Christians are associated with ‘bad news’. How

will you ensure your church is associated with ‘good

news’?

Hebrews 5:12-14

Mark 1:15

church: health check questionsWhat ten questions would you ask regularly of your church to ensure it remained healthy?

Revelation 2-3 is made up of a series of

letters to churches. We’d do well to learn

from them!

1

2

church: ten tips for growth If someone asked you for advice, what ten church growing tips would you give them?

1

2

3

4

5

2

3

4

5

(Thursday)

Pa

rt 2

: g

row

ing

th

e c

hu

rch

What ten questions would you ask regularly of your church to ensure it remained healthy?

6

7

Phil Green 2009 (phil@joiningthedots.net)

If someone asked you for advice, what ten church growing tips would you give them?

6

7

8

9

10

7

8

9

10