{"id":49,"date":"2009-03-01T22:35:55","date_gmt":"2009-03-01T22:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=49"},"modified":"2009-03-10T13:02:54","modified_gmt":"2009-03-10T13:02:54","slug":"sunday-march-1-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=49","title":{"rendered":"Sunday, March 1, 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"

How God Plants a Church<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Acts 16:6-40<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/em>How can we help each other as Christians to stay motivated to tell others about Jesus?\u00a0 <\/span>I think I\u201d\u2122ve found the answer!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

–\u201cEvangelism Linebacker\u201d Video (Click here to See YouTube Video http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hvYFvhx1dcY<\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Are YOU in danger of being the Evangelism Linebacker\u201d\u2122s target?<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There must be another way!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

READ Acts 16:14, 18, 30-33 (NKJV)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

God will use YOU in unique and unexpected ways to bring others to Jesus!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

HOW<\/span><\/span><\/strong> can we be ready to be God\u201d\u2122s agent in bringing others to Jesus?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Notice 4<\/span><\/em><\/strong> responsibilities<\/strong> we are given that will keep us in sync with God and ready for His use:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>FOLLOW<\/span><\/span><\/strong> the Holy Spirit\u201d\u2122s leading, and <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TRUST<\/span><\/span><\/strong> His timing.<\/span><\/strong> (6-8, READ The Message)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus\u201d\u2122 Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20)\u201d\u201dLiterally, \u201cas you are going<\/em>, make disciples\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

God is in control of our \u201cgoing<\/em>\u201d\u201d\u201dsovereign over our schedules, where we live and work and the relationships that we have.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And Jesus lives in us by the Holy Spirit:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 14:16-18\u201d\u201d\u201cAnd I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever\u201d\u201dthe Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.\u00a0 <\/span>I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is with us as we go through life and will direct us by the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 <\/span>Now, He won\u201d\u2122t always lead us like we<\/em> think He ought<\/em> to.\u00a0 <\/span>He won\u201d\u2122t always open doors according to our timeline<\/em>.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But, our responsibility is to follow His leading and trust His timing<\/span><\/em>!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>RESPOND IMMEDIATELY<\/span><\/span><\/strong> when God\u201d\u2122s call is clear.<\/span><\/strong> (9-10, The Message)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chances are, you and I won\u201d\u2122t get a vision outlining our next assignment from the Lord!\u00a0 <\/span>But when the Holy Spirit leads us, we WILL know clearly what we are to do\u201d\u201deven, where we are to go!\u00a0 <\/span>And when He\u201d\u2122s made His call clear, our responsibility is to respond immediately<\/span><\/em>!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Colossians 4:5\u201d\u201d\u201cWalk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(\u201cmaking the most of every opportunity\u201d)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Do not hesitate when God calls!\u00a0 <\/span>His call is right on time for someone to meet Jesus<\/span><\/em>!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>TALK ABOUT JESUS<\/span><\/span><\/strong> as you go, and BE READY<\/span> for Divine appointments.<\/span><\/strong> (11-15, NJKV)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This story is what I call \u201cSmooth as Silk\u201d Witnessing<\/strong>.\u00a0 <\/span>It\u201d\u2122s how we all wish sharing our faith would go every time!\u00a0 <\/span>It\u201d\u2122s a nice peaceful setting down by the river on a sunny, Sabbath afternoon and Paul and his companions are attending a ladies\u201d\u2122 prayer group.\u00a0 <\/span>And as Paul is preaching, God saves Lydia!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

–Church Member #1:\u00a0 <\/span>Business Woman\/Family<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Before we\u201d\u2122re done this morning, we\u201d\u2122re going to see a small church made up of very diverse folks.\u00a0 <\/span>Know that God likes diversity\u201d\u201dJesus died for every kind of person in the world<\/em>!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Paul didn\u201d\u2122t know for sure that this prayer meeting was why he\u201d\u2122d come to Philippi.\u00a0 <\/span>But he knew he was to keep talking about Jesus!\u00a0 <\/span>And, as he did, he found himself in the middle of a Divine appointment!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Our responsibility is to talk about Jesus as we go and be ready for Divine appointments!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>EXPECT<\/span><\/span><\/strong> \u201cdetours\u201d, and REALIZE<\/span> they are part of God\u201d\u2122s \u201cschedule\u201d for you.<\/span><\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Detour #1<\/span><\/strong> (16-18):\u00a0 <\/span>Irritation<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your eyes open when you encounter irritations\u201d\u201dthey just might be opportunities for you to share Jesus with someone!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Now, we\u201d\u2122re not 100% sure, but I think it\u201d\u2122s a safe guess that God saved this girl.\u00a0 <\/span>So, notice\u201d\u201da detour of irritation turns into a witnessing opportunity and now, the church at Philippi has . . .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/strong>–Church Member #2:\u00a0 <\/span>Demon-Possessed Girl<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*Don\u201d\u2122t stop talking about Jesus when you don\u201d\u2122t understand God\u201d\u2122s \u201cschedule\u201d for you!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Detour #2<\/span><\/strong> (19-34):\u00a0 <\/span>Opposition\/Persecution<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Even when you\u201d\u2122re opposed or the object of persecution, be assured that God\u201d\u2122s put you \u201cin position\u201d to share Jesus with someone\u201d\u201dmaybe even your persecutor!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Isn\u201d\u2122t this amazing?\u00a0 <\/span>God picks such a diverse bunch with which to plant a church in Philippi . . .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/strong>–Church Member #3:\u00a0 <\/span>Jailor\/Family<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*Don\u201d\u2122t stop talking about Jesus when you don\u201d\u2122t understand God\u201d\u2122s \u201cschedule\u201d for you!<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Expect \u201cdetours\u201d and realize they are part of God\u201d\u2122s \u201cschedule\u201d for you<\/span><\/span><\/em>!<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Both of these situations were unexpected and seeming \u201cdetours\u201d\u201d\u201dthat is, Paul\u201d\u2122s path didn\u201d\u2122t go where it was, according to his plan, \u201csupposed\u201d to go.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u201d\u2122ve asked Mike to share a testimony of an opportunity he had to lead a young boy to Christ recently during a \u201cdetour\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

–Mike\u201d\u2122s Testimony<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Mistake<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>You know there are times in leadership we make decisions about things, not knowing if it is a good call or a mistake. You can pray about the things that come along at a slow pace and be relatively sure that you have sought the Father\u201d\u2122s face and come to the appropriate conclusion regarding His will. Sometimes though, we who are subject to time are faced with decisions in a hurry. Such was the case last month when the threat of ice and snow forced us to cancel Sunday morning services. As the morning progressed, and there was little to no snow, we felt we had made a mistake.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Trying not to let the morning be a total loss, we invited our neighbor David, his son Colby, and his nephew Chris down for breakfast. David’s wife was out of town visiting her mom who was ill, so I\u201d\u2122m sure David appreciated Paula\u201d\u2122s cooking. I planned a short devotional to share after breakfast.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When breakfast was over we began a devotional about water that I have shared with our kids at church before. It spoke of how water is such a unique and special thing for us here on earth and without going into all the details of that let\u201d\u2122s just say that water, or ice, or vapor, sometimes in the form of steam is quite unique and life sustaining. We really could not live here without it. That was the queue to segue into what Jesus said about the woman at the well and how when we drink the water from the well we\u201d\u2122ll get thirsty again, but Jesus said,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>John 4:10 (NIV)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I explained that with that kind of water, which is salvation unto eternal life, you\u201d\u2122ll never ever get thirsty again. We talked about how you can have some of that \u201cLiving Water\u201d where Jesus offers a drink and says,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:38 (NIV)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yeah, because there was no wintry weather that morning, we thought that we had made a mistake in calling off church, but God knew that particular day He was serving \u201cLiving Water\u201d to a boy named Colby Edmondson who would drink deeply and believe. Praise God!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you, Mike.\u00a0 <\/span>God can use you and me like that too, if we\u201d\u2122ll:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>Follow the Holy Spirit\u201d\u2122s leading and trust His timing.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>Respond immediately when God\u201d\u2122s call is clear.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>Talk about Jesus as we go and be ready for Divine appointments.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Expect \u201cdetours\u201d and realize they are part of God\u201d\u2122s \u201cschedule\u201d for us<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Look at 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 with me\u201d\u201dhere on the screen (READ).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

God planted a church through Paul in crazy ways and with a diverse group of people.\u00a0 <\/span>And then, God used that small and impoverished church to demonstrate His grace in such a way that it would be recorded in the Bible forever as an example of what God\u201d\u2122s grace can do!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Never underestimate what God can do through YOUR available heart\/life!\u00a0 <\/span>Never underestimate what God can do through OUR availability as a church<\/span><\/em>! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u201d\u2122s pray right now and ask God to blow our minds as a church by demonstrating His grace through us in ways that we could never plan! <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How God Plants a Church Acts 16:6-40 \u00a0 Introduction\u201d\u201dHow can we help each other as Christians to stay motivated to tell others about Jesus?\u00a0 I think I\u201d\u2122ve found the answer! \u00a0 –\u201cEvangelism Linebacker\u201d Video (Click here to See YouTube Video … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-messages"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49\/revisions\/77"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}