Slide 2 Many Churches Have Fallen, Closed Up Shop… Fewer overseas missions Churches closing doors Difficult to raise support

Slide 3 SOMETIMES LACK A DRIVER… Nobody will take the wheel? Nobody will take the wheel?

Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Isaiah 6:8 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Slide 5 SOMETIMES LACK A DRIVER… Nobody will take the wheel? Nobody will take the wheel? Taking the wheel & not starting up? Taking the wheel & not starting up?

John 1: One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter ).

Acts 18: Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Slide 8 SOMETIMES LACK A DRIVER… Nobody will take the wheel? Nobody will take the wheel? Taking the wheel & not starting up? Taking the wheel & not starting up? Taking the wheel & lacking abilities? Taking the wheel & lacking abilities?

Slide 9 SOMETIMES LACK A DRIVER… Nobody will take the wheel? Nobody will take the wheel? Taking the wheel & not starting up? Taking the wheel & not starting up? Taking the wheel & lacking abilities? Taking the wheel & lacking abilities? Stops and never starts again Stops and never starts again

Romans 1:13 I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. Philippians 3:13-14 I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prev ented so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Slide 11 SOMETIMES LOSE DIRECTION “ Thus says the Lord of hosts, this people says, “the time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt”” “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?” Haggai 1:2,4

Slide 12 “You look for much, but behold it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why? Declares the Lord of hosts, because of My house which lies desolate, while each you runs to his own house.” Haggai 1:9

Slide 13 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

Slide 14 SOMETIMES GET STUCK Takes much work to get UNstuck “Thou hast smitten them, But they did not weaken; Thou hast consumed them, But they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock….” Jeremiah 5:3

Slide 15 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Slide 16 SOMETIMES BREAK DOWN To run like a “well-oiled machine” requires preparation care & maintenance

Slide 17 SOMETIMES JUST RUNS OUT OF GAS So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God Haggai 1:14

Slide 18 Many churches have had their lampstand removed! Revelation 2:5 Will YOU take responsibility for direction? To prepare, maintain, and care for this vehicle? Help avoid potholes and refill the tank? The door is open for you!