I’m Steve Lawes
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Your website is the “digital foyer” for the church. It is the first impression for almost everyone that visits your church.
Community Statistics
Demographic information is helpful in getting an overview of what is happening in your community.
Church Marketing
Church marketing is a tool to help people who are in need of what your church offers to be able to connect with you.
Effective Outreach Ideas
An outreach strategy is a specific set of tactics intended to ultimately attract new people to your church.
Meet Steve Lawes
Steve Lawes is a Certified Church Consultant. He has been the lead Pastor of Keys Vineyard Church in Big Pine Key since 1992. He has a Bachelors Degree in Bible and Theology from Berean University and Masters and PhD Degrees from Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary. He lead the Cuba Missions Team for Vineyard Missions from 1995-2005 and traveled to Cuba more than twenty times helping to plant churches and build up local leaders. He served as the South Florida Area Leader for the Association of Vineyard Churches for ten years. He also founded the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary in 2014 which has a student enrollment of over 2000. He has written three devotional books, Daily Psalt Intake, Daily Sage Intake and Daily Strength Training which are now out of print but are currently available as free e-books.
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Recent Posts from Church Consultant
Understanding the Tabernacle: A Journey from Creation to Christ
Introduction
Today, we delve into the profound message shared in our recent sermon, part of the “Kingdom Foreshadowed” series. This series explores the ten plagues, the ten words, the tabernacle, and the temple. This week, we focus on the tabernacle, its significance, and how it points to Jesus. Let’s journey through the Bible to understand how God’s presence has been revealed and how it continues to impact our lives today.
The Beginning: Creation and the Cosmic Temple
What is the Cosmic Temple?
In Genesis, we learn that God created the heavens and the earth, not just as a physical realm but as a cosmic temple. This temple is a place where His divine presence can be experienced. God created humanity in His image to be priests in this garden temple, a place where heaven and earth connect, and where God and His people share a divine relationship.
The Fall and Exile
However, humanity’s rebellion disrupted this harmony. Adam and Eve chose to eat from the forbidden tree, resulting in their exile from Eden. This act severed the connection between heaven and earth, leaving no place on earth where they could meet.
The Tabernacle: A New Meeting Place
From Slavery to Worship
The story of the Israelites in Exodus is a journey from slavery to worship. After their miraculous escape from Egypt, God instructed them to build a tabernacle. This portable place of worship was where heaven and earth could meet once again. The tabernacle served as the meeting place with God from the time of their Red Sea rescue until King Solomon built the temple, a period of about 400 years.
The Glory of the Lord
In Exodus 40:34-38, we read about the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle. The cloud of the Lord covered the tent of meeting, and Moses could not enter because of the cloud. This divine presence guided the Israelites throughout their travels, lifting when it was time to move and settling when it was time to stay.
Jesus: The Ultimate Tabernacle
The Word Became Flesh
Fast forward to the New Testament, and we see how the tabernacle points to Jesus. In John 1:1-14, we read that the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. The term “dwelling” here is better translated as “tabernacled.” Jesus pitched His tent among us, embodying the divine presence in a new way.
Access to God’s Presence
Unlike the tabernacle in the wilderness, where only Moses could encounter God’s presence, Jesus made it possible for all of us to access God’s glory. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus bridged the gap between heaven and earth, offering us a way to experience God’s presence continually.
Life Application
Embracing Our Mission
Understanding the tabernacle and its fulfillment in Jesus challenges us to embrace our mission. We are called to partner with God in bringing His rescuing glory to every corner of creation. This mission involves loving God and loving others, shaped by the story of Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- How can I make time to experience God’s presence in my daily life?
- In what ways can I partner with God to bring His glory to my community?
- How does understanding the tabernacle deepen my appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice?
A Challenge for the Week
This week, commit to spending intentional time with God. Whether through prayer, reading the Bible, or yielding to the Spirit, seek to draw closer to Him. Reflect on how you can be a vessel of His presence in your interactions with others. Remember, our mission is to bring God’s rescuing glory into the world, and it starts with our relationship with Him.
Conclusion
The journey from the creation of the cosmic temple to the tabernacle and ultimately to Jesus reveals God’s desire to dwell among His people. As we understand this story, we are invited to participate in His mission, bringing His presence into our world. Let’s embrace this calling with gratitude and purpose, knowing that we are part of God’s grand rescue plan.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Understanding the Ten Words: A Journey Through Exodus and Galatians
Today, we continue our series, “Kingdom Foreshadowed,” which explores the Bible from Exodus to Second Kings. This sermon focuses on the Ten Words, commonly known as the Ten Commandments, and their connection to the New Testament teachings in Galatians.
The Ten Words: A Love Document
What Are the Ten Words?
Often referred to as the Ten Commandments, the Ten Words are better understood as a love document rather than a set of rules. These words were given to the Israelites after their rescue from slavery in Egypt, outlining how they should live as God’s rescued and delivered people. They emphasize loving God fully and loving your neighbor as yourself.
The Connection to Genesis
The Ten Words are connected to the ten times God spoke in Genesis 1 and 2, bringing order out of chaos. Similarly, these words are meant to guide the Israelites in living a life of love and order after their deliverance.
Living by the Spirit: Insights from Galatians
Freedom in Christ
Galatians 5:13-18 emphasizes that we are called to be free, but this freedom is not for indulging the flesh. Instead, it is for serving one another humbly in love. Paul summarizes the entire law with the command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
Paul explains that the desires of the flesh are contrary to the Spirit. Living by the Spirit means not gratifying the desires of the flesh but being led by the Spirit, which frees us from the law.
The Fall and Exile: A Deeper Understanding
The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve’s sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge led to their exile, symbolizing spiritual death. This condition of exile and separation from the Tree of Life has been passed down to all of us.
Made Alive in Christ
Through Christ, we are made alive and given access to the Tree of Life once again. This new life is not earned by following rules but is a gift of grace, enabling us to live by the Spirit.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Deposit of Our Inheritance
Holy Spirit is described as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. This means that the presence of the Holy Spirit in us is just a glimpse of the full life we will experience in God’s kingdom.
Producing Fruit
The Holy Spirit produces fruit in us, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are relational and help us love others well.
The Greatest Commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor
Jesus’ Summary of the Law
In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus summarizes the law with two commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. These two commandments are interconnected; loving God fully enables us to love others well.
The Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12, often known as the Golden Rule, encapsulates this teaching: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” This principle sums up the law and the prophets and emphasizes treating others with the same love and respect we desire.
Life Application
Living Out the Ten Words
Understanding the Ten Words as a love document changes how we live. It’s not about following rules but about loving God and others. This week, challenge yourself to:
- Pray for Your Neighbors: Make it a daily habit to lift up your neighbors in prayer, asking God to move in their lives.
- Serve Humbly in Love: Look for opportunities to serve others humbly and lovingly, reflecting the freedom you have in Christ.
- Yield to the Holy Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your interactions, helping you produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life.
Reflective Questions
- How can I better love my neighbors this week?
- In what areas of my life do I need to yield more to the Holy Spirit?
- How can I serve others humbly and lovingly in my daily interactions?
By focusing on these applications, we can live out the love and freedom that Christ has given us, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us.
Thank you for joining us today. We look forward to continuing this journey through the Bible with you. Next week, we’ll delve into the Tabernacle and its significance. God bless you!
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Understanding the Ten Commandments: Love, Truth, and Commitment
Welcome to the Vineyard! We’re thrilled to have you with us, whether you’re joining in person or online. This week, we continue our series “Kingdom Foreshadowed,” diving deep into the Ten Commandments, or as we prefer to call them, the Ten Words. These words are not just rules but a love document that guides us in our relationship with God and others.
The Greatest Commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor
In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus summarizes the essence of the Ten Commandments:
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
These two commandments encapsulate the entire law and the prophets, emphasizing that our faith is fundamentally about relationships—first with God and then with others.
The Ten Words: A Foundation for Community
The Ten Commandments were given to a people already rescued and delivered by God. They are not a set of rules to earn salvation but a guide for living as God’s family. These words are about relationship, not rule-following. They teach us how to love God and others, reflecting the transformation that occurs when we trust and follow Him.
The Second Commandment: Truth
Exodus 20:4-5 instructs us not to make any images or idols. This commandment is about truth and avoiding the worship of gods of our imagination. In our culture, it’s easy to create a version of God that fits our preferences, but this is not who God is. Jesus is the visible representation of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15-20). We must look to Jesus to understand who God truly is.
The Third Commandment: Commitment
Exodus 20:7 warns against misusing the name of the Lord. This commandment is about commitment and avoiding hypocrisy. Taking God’s name means living in a way that honors Him, reflecting our relationship with Him. It’s not just about avoiding using God’s name in vain but about living a life that truly represents Him.
Jesus: The Way, The Truth, and The Life
In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” As followers of Christ, we believe that truth is not an abstract concept but a person—Jesus. Our culture may say that truth is relative, but as Christians, we know that truth is found in Jesus. This relationship with Him transforms our lives and guides us in living out the Ten Words.
Peter’s Restoration: A Lesson in Commitment
In John 21:15-19, Jesus restores Peter after his denial. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, using different Greek words for love (agape and phileo). This exchange highlights the importance of loving Jesus supremely and being committed to following Him. It’s a reminder that our relationship with God is about transformation and wholehearted devotion.
Life Application
Challenge for the Week
Reflect on your relationship with God. Are you loving Him all in? Are you committed to living out His truth in your life? This week, challenge yourself to deepen your relationship with God by spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking to love others as He loves you.
Questions to Ponder
- How can you better love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
- In what ways can you show love to your neighbors this week?
- Are there areas in your life where you have created a version of God that fits your preferences? How can you align your understanding of God with who He truly is as revealed in Jesus?
- How can you live in a way that honors God’s name and reflects your commitment to Him?
By focusing on these questions and applying the principles of the Ten Words, we can grow in our relationship with God and others, living out the love and truth that Jesus exemplifies.
Thank you for joining us this week. Let’s continue to pray for our neighbors, love God all in, and live out His truth in our daily lives. Have a blessed week!
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Testimonials
“Steve and his team at Keys Vineyard Church have built a church that has done an inspiring job reaching their community. Steve is a treasure trove of experience and has continued to prioritize learning and growth throughout his more than 30 years of ministry in a way few pastors have. You’ll get a lot out of connecting with him!”
“I watched first hand as Steve experienced the devastation of hurricane Irma in his town of Big Pine Key, Florida. The town was destroyed, the church building rendered unusable and the staff impacted personally. I watched a leader rise to the need of his community and minister in a situation that not very many could. He has a powerful voice of experience and wisdom earned the hard way.”
“Steve Lawes is a valuable coach/ mentor. I’ve watched Steve over the last thirty years build a substantial outward focused church with disciples who do what Jesus did. He has inspired leaders of churches with simple/tested ideas to develop leaders and grow churches.
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“Steve Lawes is an outstanding coach. He is authentic, creative, and personable. He has more cutting edge ideas than any pastor I know in regard to evangelism and meeting the needs of people in his community.”
Interested in Becoming a Church Consultant?
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One of the greatest questions Jesus asked was “Do You Want to Get Well?”
I t would seem that the answer was obvious. But getting well for the man who had been not well for a very long time meant that he would have to do something different. It is not easy to change, but it always starts with a first step.
Take that first step now by sceduling your no obligation, free thirty (30) minute Zoom meeting with us today. You have nothing to lose and it may be your first step to a new and healthy way of doing and being the church.
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