Post by disciple on Jun 1, 2010 13:43:32 GMT -5
CHAPTER 9:
HIS LAST WORDS, HIS LAST WILL
HIS LAST WORDS, HIS LAST WILL
PURPOSE: REMEMBERING THAT THE SCOPE OF OUR ASSIGNMENT IS THE WORLD AND THAT I MUST SURRENDER ALL TO REACH ALL
DISCIPLE MAKING MUST BE WORLD-VISIONARY, OR IT WILL IMPLODE INTO A “CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.”
ACTS 1:8-JERUSALEM, JUDEA/SAMARIA, AND ENDS OF THE EARTH.
BOOK OF ACTS IS DIVIDED INTO 3 SECTIONS: JERUSALEM (ACTS 1-7, PERSECUTION ARISES), JUDEA/SAMARIA (8-12, CALLING OUT OF BARNABAS AND SAUL), AND ENDS OF THE EARTH (13-28).
HOW MUCH OF WHAT YOU DO, THINK, SAY, & MAKE IMPACTS THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD??? JESUS WAS INTENSE ABOUT WORLD INVOLVEMENT BUT RELAXED ABOUT METHODS. WE ARE THE OPPOSITE.
I. STRATEGY FOR GOSPEL ADVANCE (“WITNESSES”)
ASK: WHAT IS A WITNESS? (FOOTBALL KICKOFF ILLUSTRATION)
WITNESS = GR. MARTUS, “MARTYR-WITNESS” (“CHARRED REMAINS OF THE DOG” STORY)
“THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTIANS IS THAT NOBODY WANTS TO KILL THEM ANYMORE.” -BRUCE MORGAN
“THE GREATEST SIN OF THE CHURCH IS THAT IT HAS TAMED JESUS CHRIST.” -EUGENIA PRICE
MATT. 16:24-DENY SELF, TAKE UP CROSS, FOLLOW ME. WE MUST DIE AS JESUS DID, A SLOW & PAINFUL DEATH OF THE FLESH FOR SOMEONE ELSE. DYING TO MYSELF IS THE REAL ISSUE, NOT NECESSARILY PHYSICAL DEATH.
“CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA WILL NEVER AGAIN HAVE THE DESIRED IMPACT ON THIS SOCIETY UNTIL THEY LOSE THEIR FEAR OF DYING.”
“WE DIED BEFORE WE WENT.”
MATT. 16:25-SELF-CENTERED V. CHRIST-CENTERED (2 MEN IN THE SNOW STORY)
“I’D RATHER BE KILLED FIGHTING FOR NARNIA THAN GROW OLD & STUPID AT HOME AND PERHAPS GO ABOUT IN A BATH CHAIR AND THEN DIE IN THE END JUST THE SAME.” -THE LAST BATTLE
II. SOURCE OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS (“YOU”)
THE “YOU’S” ARE PLURAL, MEANING “ALL OF YOU.” YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS.
“YOU” USED 3 TIMES-BIG TIME FOCUS
THE APOSTLES WERE MEN! JESUS INTENDS FOR ALL TO MAKE DISCIPLES AND IMPACT THE WORLD, BUT IT IS THE JOB OF MEN TO LEAD AND TAKE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY. WITHOUT THE WOMEN, THE MEN WILL NOT; WITHOUT THE MEN, THE WOMEN CANNOT.
STORY ON P. 181-3 IN BOOK
GUESS: WHICH WORD IN ACTS 1:8 IS MAJOR EMPHASIS??
III. SUBJECT OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS (“ME”)
HE IS REDEEMING SAVIOR (V. 3), RISEN LORD (3), AND RETURNING KING (11). WE POINT OTHERS TO HIM, NOT OURSELVES.
IV. SCOPE OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS
NEAR PEOPLE: JERUSALEM (IMMEDIATE SITUATION)
NEIGHBORING & NEGLECTED PEOPLE: JUDEA & SAMARIA (INTERMEDIATE SETTING)
NEXT PEOPLE: ENDS OF THE EARTH (INTERNATIONAL SURROUNDINGS)
EQUAL AND SIMULTANEOUS IMPACT IN ALL 4 LOCATIONS!
PSA. 2:8, HAB. 2:14-THE SCOPE OF OUR ASSIGNMENT IS THE WHOLE WORLD. THE TEST OF A CHURCH OR CHRISTIAN: HOW FAR DOES ITS/HIS/HER INFLUENCE REACH?
V. SECRET OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS (“RECEIVE POWER” OF THE HOLY GHOST)
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS JESUS WITHOUT A BODY; WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST! GOD IS EAGER TO GIVE HOLY SPIRIT POWER, BUT ON HIS TERMS AND FOR HIS PURPOSES (POWER FOLLOWS THE PROCEEDURE)
ACTS 1:8 POWER (WHICH WE ALREADY HAVE!):
CHARACTER TRANSFORMATION
ILLUMINATION
COMMUNICATION
STEADY ACTION