Wintonbury Sermon Interactions

Day of Silence

Rich Ainsworth — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:44:54 GMT

Hi WBCers!

So what are your thoughts about the National Day of Silence? First of all, for more information about it, go to www.dayofsilence.org. You've already heard my thoughts. I think that the church can respond by Ignoring It, Confronting It, Avoid It, and Engaging It. My own thought is that we should engage it with prayer, care, share. People need to see the church as THE place to go for healing and love...the same way people saw Jesus. If we see the world as evil, then we avoid it; if we see the world as lost, then we engage it. It seems to me that grace is the door that allows us to bring another into the room of truth. That's my opinion. Let's have a respectful, "salty" conversation on this!
Love,
Andre

New Wintonbury Purpose Statement

Rich Ainsworth — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:24:05 GMT

Hi Wintonburyites!

Okay, here's the challenge. We'd like to see if someone in the Body can come up with more user-friendly wording for the purpose statement that the elders have developed. The one who helps us the most will get a very fun prize!

Current Version of Wintonbury's Purpose Statement (why we exist):
Wintonbury's passion is to love God supremely and embody His love sacrificially in our community and beyond.

Here are the guidelines:
- We're looking for something that will communicate to the largest amount of people
- We want it to be radically Christ-centered
- We believe it needs to include the Great Commandment and the Great Commission
- We want to retain these key values which are imbedded in the purpose statement:
        - Unity - one passion (Acts 1)
        - "Being Jesus" - 'embody' is meant to capture this idea that we are Christ actually in the world
        - Missional - it includes the Great Commssion that Jesus gave the Church
        - Generosity - we are called to live sacrificially for Jesus in the service of others

Okay...think you can come up with something better? On your marks, get set, go!!!!!

Net3 and The Mission of God

Rich Ainsworth — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:40:23 GMT

Hi WBCites...Andre here...
So what do you think about Net3 and the mission of God as it relates to Wintonbury? Are you confused? Excited? Scared? Wondering what the big deal is all about? Questioning? Let's have an honest discussion around this topic...with grace of course!

Friction in the Fellowship

Rich Ainsworth — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 13:40:16 GMT

What issues have you observed that have caused conflict in the church?

What suggestions do you have to peolpe who want to present a concern to leaders?

What suggestions do you have to leaders as to how to respond to the concerns of their people?

The Son of David

Rich Ainsworth — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:18:00 GMT

In what ways is Jesus the Son of David?

Why do we need hope?

What difference does it make to you that Jesus is going to come back?

God deserves all the applause

Rich Ainsworth — Sun, 27 May 2007 10:49:00 GMT

What word pictures or images do you have of God?

David said he would tell the nations of how His God had delivered Him...How has your God delivered you?

Mind the Source

Rich Ainsworth — Sat, 19 May 2007 15:57:00 GMT

Hi WBC Family...Andre here again!
So...how do you mind the source of your heart so that it stays clear of society's garbage? One thing I try to do is not watch TV after my wife Diane has gone to bed. I find that this keeps me from going places I need to avoid. Also, when I used to travel on business trips, I used to ask for the TV to be removed from my room. Both of these steps help me keep from putting our culture's pipeline of gunk into my soul. How about you? What can I learn from you as an imager of God?

Keeing Promises

Rich Ainsworth — Sat, 12 May 2007 20:05:00 GMT

Why is it so important for us to keep promises?

How do you feel when someone fails to keep a promise to you?

What excuses have you used to avoid keeping a promise?

What promises of God are most meaningful to you?

Mind Your Tongue! James 3:1-12

Rich Ainsworth — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:19:00 GMT

Hi Wintonbury Family...Andre here, not Rich!

When I was 12, my father told me that I couldn't sing. It was devastating to me because my father was such a great singer and I looked up to him. My dad had no idea how much this one little comment affected me...and still does whenever I start going off tune on Sundays!
The bottomline? Words are powerful. Would you be willing to share about something that was said to you, either negatively or positively, that had a profound impact on you? And remember...no matter what anyone says, our Abba God tells us that we are precious and honored in His sight...believe it!

"Cover Up...David's Sin"

Rich Ainsworth — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 20:16:00 GMT

How would you describe Davids treatment of women?

Do you think the church addresses this issue enough? What should the church be saying?

What suggestions do you have for Christ-Followers to guard themselves in this 'sexually free' society?

Is chasity out of date? Why?

What do you think of the follow sin quotes?

   Sin will take you further than you want to go.
   Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay.
   Sin will cost you more than you want to pay.

   Sin is not about breaking rule, but about breaking God's heart.

Do you have any favorie quotes about sin?

"Misunderstanding"

Rich Ainsworth — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:03:56 GMT

What misunderstandings have you experienced (avoid using real names)?

How did the misunderstanding affect you? Others?

Have you ever misunderstood others?

What can happen when misunderstandings are not resolved?

What other suggestions to you have about how to handle misunderstandings?

What would God want you to do about misunderstandings:

   1. Ask forgiveness
   2. Give forgivness
   3. Treat with grace
   4. Give to God and let go

'Greed & Giving"

Rich Ainsworth — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:27:53 GMT

Here are the principles we alluded to this week on money in the Bible:

Everything a Christ-follower has belongs to the Master.
Christ-followers are responsible for how they manage the Master’s stuff.
Christ-followers know money is a ‘little thing’ in the Master’s economy.
Anyone can be greedy.
Greed focuses on self and forgets God and others.
Greed is overcome with contentment.
Contentment is satisfaction with God and His provision.
Contentment is learned by giving thanks
Money use must be planned.
Money can be used to invest for eternity.
Money use must be evaluated.
The Master treats us as unique individuals when it come to His money.
Money use reveals our trust in God.
Jesus watches how you handle His money.
Giving helps us avoid some of the sin of money.

Do you agree the Scriptures teaches these principles? Why?

Here is the list of why Christ-Followers give:

Giving is part of God’s character (James 1:17)
Giving ‘proves’ our faith and love toward God (James 2:15-17)
Giving is an act of worship (II Corinthians 9:7)
Giving honors God (Proverbs 3:9)
Giving reveals our obedience to the Lord (I Corinthians 16:2)
Giving shows our maturity in Christ (II Corinthians 8:7)
Giving allows us to give more (II Corinthians 9:8-11)

Do you agree with them?

Why is greed such a big deal in God's eyes and in our society?

What have you found to help you overcome greed?

Do you thinking giving actually helps? Why?

ANGER

Rich Ainsworth — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 13:01:00 GMT

What triggers anger in you?

Frustration

Hurt

Fear

Injustice

Not getting our way

Insults

Disappointments

Unmet expectations

Embarrassment

Loss
Other

What is your typical reaction to Anger? Repress, Suprress, Express, Confess?

What are your comments about anger?

Revenge

Rich Ainsworth — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 11:46:00 GMT

Revenge do you ever feel it? What causes you to want to 'get even'?

Here are the observations we made from David's opportunties to get revenge and kill Saul from I Samuel 24 and 26; do you agree or disagee with them? Why?

1. We will be mistreated.

2. God mistreatment to accomplish His plan and purposes in our lives.

3. When we want revenge we are to trust God and turn it over to Him.

4. We should always show respect to others, especially those in authority over us.

5. When we don’t show respect or seek revenge we are disrepecting God and replacing Him.

6. We need a supernatural work of God in our lives to do this.

Here is the chart on authorities that we metioned but did not spend much time explaining:

God-Ordained Authorities

Government:	Rom. 13, 1 Peter 2:17
Employer:	Eph. 6, 1 Peter 2:18
Husband:	1 Peter 3:1, Col. 3:18, Eph. 5:22
Parent:	Eph. 6
Elders:	Heb. 13:17

Any thoughts? Any questions? Any comments?

"FEAR & FAITH"

Rich Ainsworth — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 12:07:00 GMT

Okay, what do you think? Agree or disagree with any of the observations and contrasts? Have any real life experiences that demonstrate the struggle between fear and faith?

Observations

1. Fear is natural, but can cloud our thinking and make us do crazy things.

2. Fear is an invitation to come to God in faith.

3. 'Fear failures' don't have to stop of from coming to God in faith.

4. Faith often starts with a simple conversation with God about His direction.

5. God graciously and creatively honors whoever comes to Him by faith.

            6. Faith doesn't remove all the causes of our fears.
            7. Faith is exercised over and over again.

Contrasts of Fear & Faith

            1. Fear focuses on circumstances & ignores God.

Faith focuses on God, but recognizes the circumstances.

2. Fear causes us to forget about past victories & God.

Faith causes us to remember past victories & God.

3. Fear loses perspective.

Faith keeps perspective.

4. Fear acts on human impulse to solve problems.

Faith waits on God to solve problems.

5. Fear results in desperation & failure.

Faith results in hope & victory.

It's your turn, what do you think?

Rich

Sermon: Pursuing the Dream God Has For You - I Kings 3:1-15

Rich Ainsworth — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 19:00:00 GMT

Hi fellow Wintonbury dreamers! Andre here! As I mentioned on Sunday, a recent Time magazine cover story asked, "Does God want you to be rich?" Among the verses that as listed as encouragements toward the pursuit of wealth and prosperity are Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Ecclesiastes 5:18-19, Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38, and John 10:10. Verses listed against the pursuit of wealth and prosperity are Psalm 49:16-20, Matthew 6:19-21, Mark 10:24-26, Luke 12:33, and James 5:1-3. What do you think? Are these verse being fairly matched against one another or misinterpreted?

Among the interesting quotes in the article are the following: "God wants you to own land. The entire Old Testament is all about land. Land represents that God is with you and God has blessed you. It is unscriptural not to own land." (mega-church pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell) "This idea that God wants everybody to be wealthy? Baloney. It's creating a false idol. You don't measure your self-worth by your net worth." (mega-church pastor Rick Warren) "Who would want something where you're miserable, broke and ugly and you have to muddle through until you get to heaven?" (noted author Joyce Meyer) "They have neglected the texts about the danger of riches. Prosperity Gospel Lite is one of the most powerful forms of neglect of the poor." (social activist Ron Sider) "I preach that anybody can improve their lives. I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. To me, you need to have money to pay your bills. I think God wants us to send our kids to college. I think he wants us to be a blessing to other people. But I don't think I'd say God wants us to be rich. It's all relative, isn't it?" (mega-church pastor Joel Osteen) What are your thoughts about these quotes? Does God want us to be rich? Is that even the right question? I'll give my thoughts on it at the end of the week...for now, I'd like you all to get us started. Looking forward to it!

"Friendship"

Rich Ainsworth — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 09:32:00 GMT

How would you define 'friend'?

What other characteristic did you see in David's and Jonathan's friendship?

What makes it easy or hard for you to be a friend?

How does our culture help or hinder friendships?

God & Goliath

Rich Ainsworth — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:17:00 GMT

Okay you like the slides of David and Goliath with kids versus huge opponents. It isn't so funny when we're the little kid, but we all are at times. What 'life lessons's have you learned about God? Let's help each other.

Rich

Temporty Relief or Permanent Repentance?

Rich Ainsworth — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 07:32:00 GMT

Here are the verses I promised on the potential of being 'demonized' as a believer:

Matthew 16:23, Luke 22:31-32, Acts 5:1-3, I Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 6:10-18, I Peter 5:8-9.

Three books you might find helpful on this subject:

          'Victory over the Darkness' by Neil Anderson
          'The Bondage Breaker' by Neil Anderson
          ' Demon Possession & the Christian' by C. Fred Dickason

What else did the Lord say to you from this message?

'Character Counts' - I Samuel 16:1-13 October 1, 2006

Rich Ainsworth — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 11:17:00 GMT

This is a new sermon series on King David. I felt led to revisit his life because he is such a great example of one who has a heart for God even when he 'blows it.' I am looking forward to this study and hope you benefit from it as well. I have asked a few questions below to start the conversation this week, but please comment on what you want.

Do you think our world (America) is getting morally, spiritually worse?
Are we living in a day of 'spiritual vacuum'? Why?

What are the influences that make us focus so much on 'externals'?

What inner character qualities do you think matter to God?

Why is integrity such an important quality?

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