2013 Messages

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Why are We Here, Where are We Going, and How Do You Seek God’s Plan (Hebrews 11:8-19)

Mark Pitman, January 1, 2012
Part of the Seeking God's Plan series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

We always begin the New Year in asking a series of questions that keep us on track. Why? Because it is crucial for everybody on the team to have clear answers to each of those questions...
1. Why are we here? What is our essential mission? What are our core values? Why do we exist and what are we trying to produce? And what authority and source of truth do we use to make those determinations? So, why are we here?
2. Once that is understood, then where are we going? Where do we think we are now in the accomplishment of that mission? And what are the specific steps we hope to take in the coming 12 months to get as far as we can toward the overall goal? How do we best invest the resources God has given us, where are we going this year? Then...
3. How do you fit in? I hope everybody at BCC will ask this morning: is there a place for me in all of this? God has given each person gifts and abilities and talents and opportunities. Someday you will stand before Him and give an account for how you used what He had given. So are you a good and faithful steward of what God has entrusted to you? Where do you fit in?

Tags: How do you seek God's plan?, Seeking God's plan, Where are we going, Why are we here

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About Mark Pitman: Mark is the lead pastor at Bridgewater Community Church
Earlier: Same day: Later:
« Stewardship of Resources: Priorities None Seeking God’s Plan for His Family »

Hebrews 11:8–19 (Listen)

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

(ESV)

Sunday Theme Message Scripture Special Events
1/6/13 Finding Hope Why are We Here, Where are We Going, How Do You Fit in? Romans 15:2
1/13/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus is Superior in Every Way Hebrews 1:1-14
1/20/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Deserves your Attention Hebrews 2:1-8 Sanctity of Human   Life
1/27/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Soften Your Heart Hebrews 3:1-19
2/3/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Give You Rest Hebrews 4:1-5
2/10/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Give You Hope Hebrews 5:10 Valentine’s Day
2/17/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Help You Draw Near to God Hebrews 7:1-28
2/24/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Offers You a Better Promise Hebrews 8:1-13
3/3/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Shed His Blood for You Hebrews 9:1-28
3/10/13 Hope  in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Give You Confidence Hebrews 10:1-39 Daylight Savings begins;   Gideon Speaker
3/17/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus is Worthy of Your Faith Hebrews 11:1-40
3/24/13 Finding Hope Finding Hope from 5 Surprises at the Cross Matthew 27:27 Palm Sunday
3/31/13 Finding Hope Finding Hope from Inside the Tomb Acts 2:1-42 Easter
4/7/13 Guest Speaker—Scott   Towers
4/14/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Taught Us to Endure Hebrews 12:1-29 Camp Selah
4/21/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Taught Us to Change Hebrews 13:1-25
4/28/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Tears You Up Matthew 6:25
5/5/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Makes You Small Matthew 6:25
5/12/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Steals Your Hope Matthew 6:26, 28-30 Mother’s Day
5/19/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Wastes You Time Matthew 6:27
5/26/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Offends Your Father Matthew 6:26, 32 Memorial Day Weekend
6/2/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Leads You Astray Matthew 6:32 Honor Graduates
6/9/13 Guest Speaker–Christopher Avell  
6/16/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Turns Your Head Matthew 6:33-34 Father’s Day; Baby   Dedication
6/23/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every   Relationship Needs: #1 Grace Genesis 39:1-40:8
6/30/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #2 Encouragement Ephesians 4:29 FOURTH OF JULY—5th Sunday at the Pavilion   following service
7/7/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #3 Loyalty 2 Samuel 23:8-17
7/14/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #4 Forgiveness Matt 18:15-35 Communion
7/21/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #5 Transparency 1 John 1:1-2:2
7/28/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #6 Perseverance Hebrews 10:32-11:2; 12:1-3
8/4/13 Finding Hope in the Promises of God Hope 1 Cor 10:13
8/11/13 Finding Hope in the Promises of God Finding Hope (or Ruin) in Becoming What We Worship  Isaiah 6
8/18/13 Guest Speaker—Mike and Carolyn Ballast (Missionaries) I Cor 1 VBS Sunday (Avalanche Ranch: A Wild Ride through God’s Word)
8/25/13 Finding Hope in the Promises of God Get in the Game Eph 4:11-16 Baptism & Family Night at PSR
9/1/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Challenge of Hope Ruth 1:1-15 Labor Day
9/8/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Contrast of Hope Ruth 1:16-22
9/15/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Providence of Hope Ruth 2:1-13 Randy and Adena Wildman (Missionaries)Men’s Outing (9/21)– Robert Houk’s home
9/22/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Provision of Hope Ruth 2:14-23 SYATP (9/25)
9/29/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Adventure of Hope Ruth 3:1-13 5th Sunday—Harvest party at the Pavilion (Rides/camp fire, etc.); Shawn & Amanda (Missionaries); BCC 101 Class
10/6/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Faithfulness of Hope Ruth 3:14-18 Communion
10/13/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Resources of Hope Ruth 4:1-12 Columbus Day- 10/14
10/20/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Prodigy of Hope Ruth 4:13-22 (10/19) Harvest Party at The Fethers.
10/27/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Foundation of Stewardship Mark 12:1-12 Testimony
11/3/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Giving Luke 19:11-27 Testimony
11/10/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Serving 1 Cor 12:12-27 Veteran’s Day—11/11; Testimony
11/17/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Commitment Joshua 24:14-28 Testimony
11/24/113 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Thanksgiving Ps 107 Thanksgiving; Decorate Church
12/1/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home The Wonder of Your Eternal Home 2 Cor 5:1-21 HOPE;Advent Scripture– Isaiah; Communion
12/8/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home Bowing Down Wisely Ps 95:6 PEACE; Advent Scripture– Micah 5:2, 4-5; Children’s Program
12/15/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home The Beauty of Your Eternal Home Rev 21 JOY; Advent Scripture– Isaiah 9:6 -7
12/22/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home The Gift that Overcomes Death 1 Cor 15:50-58 LOVE; Advent Scripture– Isaiah 52:7-10
12/24/13 Christmas Eve The Perfection of Heaven Ps 24:3-4
12/29/13 Preparing to Live by Preparing to Die 2 Kings 18:13-19 5th Sunday