INTRO: Sometimes it is easy to get discouraged. I do not think God wants us to be so at New Beginnings. I think God wants us to just keep keeping on (as Bro. Kinder used to say). This morning, I was so proud of our church. Not just the programs, which were encouraging, I thought. Not just our good number this morning - PTL. But more, much more than that.

When you enter New Beginnings there is something special that greets you. I have been in churches where the spirit was not great. When you entered, you could sense something wrong. This can be often traced to many different things. Envy, selfishness and jealousy will poison the atmosphere, as will contention, argumentative and self-righteous people. Leadership struggles polarize a congregation and will slowly if not quickly choke the life from a church or split it down the middle. Sin in a congregation will work like a cancer and cause God to look elsewhere with His blessings. All these problems will be quickly sensed by not only our guests, but will also repel them. To be honest, when you enter a place like that, the Holy Spirit will whisper if not shout, "Run, do not walk to the nearest exit."

Am I saying we are perfect and have no problems? No not at all! We do, however, have some things going for us. I think we do offer someone a reason to come back. I will say, that there are several things I think need to happen in our church. I am going to look at the things we are doing, and need to continue on doing for the Lord.

God's message to Elijah - Carry on

God's message to Moses - Carry on

God's message to Joseph - Carry on

God's message to Noah - Carry on

God's message to Paul - Carry on

God's message to Christmas - Carry on

God's message to Us - Carry on

In love - John 15:9-13

In grace - Acts 13:43

In faith - Acts 14:22

In goodness - Romans 11:22

In prayer - Col. 4:2

In brotherly love - Heb. 13:1