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Founder and Lead Pastor, Fellowship Memphis
SESSION 3: Instigating Change Through Personal Sacrifice
- Named among the top thirty emerging Christian leaders in the U.S. by Outreach Magazine
- Passionate about multi-ethnic ministry, Loritts founded Fellowship Memphis in 2003 and ministers in an evolving urban context
- In addition to pursuing his Ph. D. at Oxford Graduate School, he is the author of four books including Right Color/Wrong Culture (2014), serves on the Board of Trustees for Biola University and Memphis Leadership Foundation, and is adjunct professor at Crichton College
- With a unique ability to communicate the deep truths of Scripture to a postmodern culture, he speaks to thousands annually at churches, conferences, retreats and through his weekly radio program
Session Notes
- Matthew 25:31-46
- William Wilburforce… ran for Parliament at 21 years old… came to faith in Christ at 25
- Mentor, John Newton, had been in the slave trade, eventually wrote Amazing Grace
- WW was about to quit Parliament when Newton advised him to make a difference where he was.
- William Wilburforce gave a 6 hour speech on the need to abolish the slave trade
- Bryan’s great, great grandfather was a slave in NC, emancipated because of the influence of William Wilburforce.
- The blessings of God were not meant to be hoarded but shared.
- Naked we came into this world, naked we shall return. Our vision as leaders has to be more than things that will perish.
- God opened up the Red Sea first, freeing the people, and then provided the 10 Commandments
- God loves us as is… but never leaves us as is. – Tim Keller
- 2,000+ verses in the Bible about caring for orphans, widows, the poor
- God’s welfare system is different from ours… calls landowners to not harvest all the way to the edges of their field… leave the margins for the poor… they can work the edges and gather food.
- How much is enough? House, profit, purses, golf clubs…
- Joy is not buying another $200 pair of jeans, but it’s helping to pay someone’s medical bills.
- I have diamond status with Delta. My wife doesn’t. When we fly together, I sit next to her in someone else’s seat. When they complain, I give them my seat in 1st class. I haven’t lost my status, but did not use it for my own gain.
- Jesus did not use his “diamond status” for himself but humbled himself so we could get the upgrade to heaven.
I attended the GLS at Common Ground Church in Cape Town yesterday. What an amazing day, I could do it all over again today! Bryan Loritts was an amazing and inspiring speaker, what a wonderful way to finish off the day! Such a high note!! Thank you GLS for just another unforgettable summit in 2014!!
But……… next year 2015 God willing, will see me live at the Summit in August!! I decided that in the first few moments when I listened to Bill Hybels opening the Summit yesterday!!
That’s awesome Dianne! Thanks for commenting!