Happy 20th Anniversary The River at Tampa Bay Church
From The HeartPublish date: 12/04/2016
Foundation scriptures:
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalms 126:1-127:1 KJV
1. Look what the Lord has done.
a. On the 1st of December 1996, 576 people showed up for the very first service in the gymnasium of the Tampa Sun Dome at the University of South Florida.
b. 1997 – Charter year/class of the River Bible Institute.
c. 1998 – The dream.
d. 1999 – Good News New York – 48,459 souls.
e. 2000 – Good News Shreveport/Bossier – 59,541 souls.
f. 2001 – Our new property – 83 acres.
2. Jesus said: I will build My Church.
a. Matthew 16:18 KJV – “…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
b. Have a place where you can prepare the people for eternity.
c. Powerful praise and worship.
d. Powerful preaching and teaching.
e. Demonstrations of the Holy Spirit.
f. Souls.
g. Testimonies of lives changed.
3. 2017 and beyond.
a. The new auditorium – 3800 seats.
b. New children’s church, youth, and banquet facilities.
c. Houses of Joy – 55 – 120 by the end of February – 240 by the end of the year.
4. To see this whole region shaken by the power of the Gospel.
a. Transformation.
b. Everyone involved.
c. Finding your place.
5. Let’s do this together.
a. May the next 20 years be epic!
b. Psalm 127:1 KJV – “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. 2 Samuel 22:50 KJV
Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:8-10 KJV
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Psalm 35:18 KJV
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. Psalm 79:13 KJV
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 KJV
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15 KJV
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 KJV