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Text: Revelation 3:20; I Thess. 5:12-22

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This is the second message of a series looking at the Emerging Church Movement:

I. Definition - is a controversial 21st century Christian movement whose participants seek to engage postmodern people, especially those not already in the church. Their target age appears to be 18-35 year olds. Proponents call the movement an emerging "conversation" to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature. They tend to radically contextualize their methods and __message__ to impact a postmodern culture.

II. Values and Characteristics

A. They have a __Flexable__ approach to and continual reexamination of theology.
B. They rely on open dialogue rather than__dogmatic__proclamation of Scripture.
C. They have a __non-authoritative__ stance on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  don't believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion.

"I do hope all who feel so called will become Buddhist followers of Jesus. I don't hope all Jews or Hindus will become members of the Christian religion." - Brian McLaren

D. They depend more on methodology than __Theology__.
E. They do not emphasize the importance of __leadership__within the church.
F. They suggest that Scripture is not clear enough to allow for clarity.

III. A Biblical Response for the Church

A. __Heed__the Warnings from Scripture (James 5:19-20; II John) we should "test all things" and we should "examine and cling".

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Text: Revelation 3:20; I Thess.. 5:12-22

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This is the introductry message of a series looking at the Emerging Church Movement:

The Emerging Church is a movement that believes in dialog over doctrine.  In examining the scriptures is this approach wise or proper? The Emerging Church Movement is more concerned about experiencing God and not just sitting in a pew watching.  They have a nonauthoritative stance of the Gospel and a non-emphasis of Church leadership.  The Emerging Church Movement also believes in experience over reason.  Each of us will answer to the Lord. In Thessalonians we see that we should "test all things" and we should "examine and cling".

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Text: Genesis 12

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Listen to our guest speaker Nard Pugyao as he talks about Abraham and his willingness to obey God no matter the cost.  Nard shares examples from his own life and how he has learned to trust God and his work. Nard Pugyao a missionary from the Philippians who is currently serving with JAARS. Please vist Nard's website at http://www.isnag.org.You can also learn more about JAARS aviation at http://www.jaars.org/aviation04/avia_home.shtml.

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Text: John 20 - 21

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Listen to the truth of the Resurrection from this Easter Sunday Service.  Is there enough celebration today about the resurrection of Christ?  Do we spend more time talking about our favorite team's big win than we do about our risen Lord? Do you find yourself asking just where the week has gone?  Have you gone days without considering the Lord and become consumed with your own plans?

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Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-5

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This is the 6th and concluding message of our series on the family.  There is a great danger for both the married and the single person with regard to sexual sin.  This was a major problem in the the early Corinthian Church but it is just as big a problem in the church today.  We need to remember that our bodies are joined and members of Christ and are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Consider the following three words as you listen:

1) Permanence
2) Responsibility
3) Authority