April 11, 2010 - Life on the Porch #1:

DNA Testing (Philippians 2:19-24; 1 Corinthians 4:17)

Kernel Message:

• Life on the Porch #1:

This is part of a 4 lesson series that helps remind and define us as a church family. The lessons focus upon:

1. DNA Testing - the five values or motives that have defined us over the years
2. Embedded in our Souls - the theme "To live for Christ and Share Him with others" as the blood that courses through our body at Southern Hills.
3. The I's Have It - using Inviting, Including, and Involving to be our map that shows what we are trying to do with each person who comes into the Southern Hills family. We will emphasize that we want to move folks from "membership" (cycle one) to "ministry" (cycle two) to "mentoring" (cycle three). This will be a short message tied to communion because this is WATS Sunday.
4. Experiencing the Presence - how do we know if people are progressing down the map toward maturity? We will use the four Immanuel sayings in Matthew to help define what this means and stress that folks want and need to experience God with us.

• DNA Testing - This week's lesson
  1. Using the idea of having our Father's DNA show up in us
  2. Using Paul's son in the faith Timothy, as an adopted son, showing his spiritual father's characteristics
  3. Possibly using a couple of illustrations:
     • Bald friends, you're the adopted son
     • You must be Byron Ware's brother, I recognized you by your hairline
     • Skyman's dad not being present until paternity shown
     • Use to convict or release suspects in crimes

Practical Pieces of the Message:

• The five key pieces of our DNA identity at Southern Hills
  1. We are a missions-minded church
  2. We are a sending church
  3. We are the church that helps people
  4. We are committed to preach, teach, and live the Word of God.
  5. We know that we are only going to grow larger by getting smaller.

Key Point:

• This is who we are -- it's in our heritage, it is our DNA, and we are committed to have the things present in our lives as a church. We can't be everything or do everything, but these are the values we hold and are committed to live.

Key Scriptures:

• Philippians 2:19-24
• 1 Corinthians 4:17
• 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

Drama, Media, & Connecting Pieces:

• Pre-video:
• Key Video: (Let's see what folks think about this short video for use!)
• God Story Videos:

• Scripture Reading:

• 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-24
  

Sundown: From Max Lucado's Traveling Light

1. Theme:
2. Speaker:
3. Worship Leader: