Life Church Message 2007-11-04 - The Resurrection Revolution (Part 4)

Following Jesus

The Foundation

God exists

God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you.

A relationship with God must be on his terms.

God's terms are: Follow Jesus!

How do I follow Jesus?

Live for Jesus, not for yourself

Let go of our self-love (narcissism)

The Rich Fool - Luke 12:16-21

Common television sitcom fare

"The Office", "Seinfeld", "Friends", "Frasier", "I Love Lucy", "Home Improvement"

Slavery to our pain

Drugs, Alcohol, Cigarettes

Sex, Crowd-pleasing behavior, Music, Clubbing

Risky Behavior

Trying to feel good rather than be good

Life is a complex system pervaded by unintended consequences. Only God can guide us through them properly.

Our sinful independence encourages more independence.

When I do "my own thing" I make it easier for everyone else to do "their own thing"!

Copycat crimes

Broken Windows Theory

This is true even when we're at our best

Doing your own thing is death. - Rom 6:23

You have a choice. You can organize your life around:

seeking happiness and freedom from pain.

learning and doing God's will.

Which will you choose?

Jesus changes everything; you must be born again - John 3

You will is not really free - 1Cor 2:14; Gal 5:16-21; Rom 8:5-9

Cite personal testimony.

It takes God to free you - he responds to the prayers of others.

You aren't born again because I personally persuaded you.

You are born again because you responded to God's invitation.

Cornelius' Conversion

This is an unusual situation, but we can learn from it.

Acts 10:1-8 - Introducing Cornelius

God exists, loves you, wants a relationship

A relationship with God must be on his terms (see Acts 11:12-14)

Acts 10:9-20 - God prepares Peter

Acts 10:21-33 - First Contact

Peter began by asking a question to fill in the blanks.

He responded to the open door by extending hospitality.

He didn't go by himself - he included other brothers.

He refused worship - God entrusts the message to people.

He was honest about his shifting understanding of scripture.

He sought clarity by asking another question.

Acts 10:34-43 - The Message

God's acceptance is conditional - based on "God's terms".

Peter started with what Cornelius already knew.

He used Jesus as the foundation - 1Cor 3:10-15

He presented who Jesus is: Lord of all.

He presented what Jesus did.

He presented himself as a witness of Jesus life.

He testified to the Jesus resurrection from the dead.

He explained the mission Jesus had given him.

He explained that Jesus will judge the living and the dead.

He explained what the audience needed to do.

Acts 10:44-48 - The Harvest

Peter affirmed the salvation of Cornelius' household.

He baptized them.

He followed up.

Acts 11:1-21 - The Aftermath

Recognize that there are three types of people:

Natural (soulish) Man - 1Cor 2:14

May be ignorant of the gospel.

May be hostile to the gospel.

May be "church friendly", but a hypocrite.

May be "spiritual" in a new age sense.

Can't receive the things of the Spirit - 1Cor 2:14; John 3:3,8; John 14:17

Spiritual Man - 1Cor 2:15; Gal 5:22-24

Worldly (carnal) Man - 1Cor 3:1-3; Gal 5:19-21; Philip 3:17-19

At best - "Follows the rules" in his/her own strength

At worst - Makes his/her natural desires a priority

Which type are you? - Gal 5; Rom 8

Remember the unity of the Godhead

Following Jesus is following the Father - John 5:19-23

Following the Spirit is following Jesus

The three are one (they can finish each others' sentences)

Jesus and the Father are one - John 10:30; John 17:11,22

The problems that Jesus overcomes:

In the natural - rehabilitating a convicted criminal

Must pay the penalty for the crime

Must destroy old behavior patterns

Must establish new behavior patterns

In the spiritual - our salvation (reflect on Rom 7)

Our guilt must be atoned for - Jesus does this

We must destroy old behavior patterns - by the power of the Spirit

We must establish new behavior patterns - by listening to the Spirit

The Spirit only leads us to greater levels of Christlikeness

Put him In Charge

on the "throne" of your life

running your "control center"

What does it take to keep Jesus on the "throne"?

Hearing his voice - John 10:14-16, 24-30

Often a gentle whisper - 1Kings 19:1-18

Living by the Spirit- John 14:15-26; John 16:12-15; Gal 5:16-18

Living a life of dependance on the Holy Spirit - Mat 3:13-17; 1Cor 2:6-13; Eph 5:15-18

Being led by the Holy Spirit - Mat 4:1; Rom 8:13-16

Operating in his power - Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:8

Othniel - Judges 3:7-11

Gideon - Judges 6:33-34

Jephthah - Judges 11:29

Samson - Judges 14:5-6; Judges 14:19; Judges 15:14

Saul - 1Sam 10:1-13

David - 1Sam 16:13

The Cadillac and the team of horses

Being in his presence

Let God's presence transform you

Moses speaks to God - Ex 34:28-35; 2Cor 3

The glory of the old way of doing church is fading

Old covenant has fading glory - 2Cor 3:1-18

New covenant - Jer 31:31-34

Apostles carve out new territory in existing systems and structures. They articulate the needed changes whenever the old system conflicts with the new one.

The gift is for everyone - Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-32

Jesus makes it possible for us to enter the Father's presence

Old Covenant - Heb 9:1-10

New Covenant - Heb 9:11-28

Approach the throne - Heb 4:14-16; Heb 10:19-22; 1Pet 2:4-5

Knowing God

Boast about knowing the Lord - Jer 9:23-24; 1Cor 1:31; 2Cor 10:17

"They will all know me" - Heb 8:1-13

Spectators don't know or understand the Lord.

Walking with God - Gen 5:18-24; Heb 11:5-6

Faith (work the relationship) - Heb 11:1; Mark 11

Believe and act on what God says - Gen 12 - 15

Talk and act like a son/daughter

Sonship first - then brotherhood

Expectation - Mat 9:18-26

you are vulnerable to God disappointing you

Obedience / faithfulness - Luke 12:35-48

Become like little children - Mat 11:25; Mat 18:1-6; Mat 19:13-15

New Babies

breathe and cry right away.

hear from their parents right away.

Newborn Christians - 2Pet 2

should start praying right away.

should expect for God to talk to them right away.

should start reading God's Word right away

Are You a Christian?

Two Gaps:

Gap between sinful man and God - only Jesus' death fixes this

Gap between redeemed man and God - we must fully embrace the relationship

3 Stages

Passover and Crossing Of Red Sea

Initial Wilderness - getting to know God

Canaan - living in the relationship

John's Baptism of Repentance

3.5 Years - getting to know Jesus

The Cross, Resurrection, Pentecost - walking in the relationship

Do you really want a relationship with God?

Review Principles:

God exists

God loves you and wants a relationship with you

A relationship with God must be on his terms

God's terms are: "Follow Jesus" - John 6:29

The word "Christian"

In Scripture - Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1Pet 4:16.

Transliteration

Greek word cristianos (pronounced christianos) ---> Christ

Hebrew word "masshiach" ---> messiah

The Anointed One

"Christian" means follower of Christ

Jesus' Own Words

What does Jesus say about himself?

He is the Christ - Mat 16:13-20; John 10:22-39

What does Jesus want us to do?

Repent and believe the good news - Mark 1:14-15

Repent - turn, change your mind

Good News - Luke 2:1-20; Luke 4:14-21; Luke 7:17-23

Believe in him

He encouraged it - John 9:35-38

Believing in him is believing in the Father - John 12:44-50

Follow him

If you don't follow you're not worthy - Mat 10:32-42

Take up your cross - Mark 8:31-38

His sheep follow him - John 10:27

Those who want to serve him must follow him - John 12:20-36

Unite with him and with each other - John 17

Proclaim the Good News - Mark 16:14-16

Ordo Salutis - Rom 8:28-39

We want to illustrate with simple Bible passages

Ideally with Jesus' own words (especially via his parables)

Patterns

Foreknown, Predestined, Called by God, Justified, Glorified - Rom 8:28-39

Hearing, Believing, Calling on God, Salvation - Rom 10:1-17

Repentance, Faith, Baptisms - Heb 6:1-2

The Foundation

The Problem - Mankind is alienated from God

The Provision - God wants everyone to be saved

Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection

Jesus redeemed us as a man - Mat 3:1 - 4:17; Heb 5:7-9

Foreknowledge - God knew who would respond to him

Implies relationship

Predestination - God predestined the elect to become like Jesus

Calling

Phases (Repentance, Faith, Baptism, etc.) - Heb 6:1-2

Repentance

Godly Sorrow - Psalm 51; 2Sam 11-12; Luke 5:1-11; 2Cor 2:1-11; 7:8-12

From Our Perspective

Zacchaeus - Luke 19:1-10

From The Father's Perspective

Parables of lost sheep and lost coin - Luke 15:1-10

Parable of lost son - Luke 15:11-32

Saving Faith

Results in eternal life - John 3:1-21

Expectation - Mat 9:18-26

you are vulnerable to God disappointing you

New Birth - John 3:1-8

Guard what has been entrusted to you - 1Tim 6:3-21

Don't get caught up in the love of money.

We want everyone to become an effective disciple maker

The Real Gospel

Gal 1 - No Other Gospel

Following any other "gospel" means deserting God!

Any other "gospel" is really not "good news"

The "other gospel" is about please men rather than Christ

"Playing church" is really just "another gospel".

Gal 2 - Leaders Can Mislead

Gal 3 - 4: Don't go Back!

Gal 3:5 - The Spirit is given through faith

Gal 3:6-9 - Consider Abraham (go back to the scriptures)

Gen 15 - Abraham justified by faith (relationship)

Gen 18 - all nations blessed through Abraham

Spoken as God was letting Abraham in on his plans for Sodom and Gomorrah

This demonstrates God's relationship with Abraham

Biblical saving faith is the faith of relationship

Gal 3:10-14 - Avoid the curse

Gal 3:15 - 4:7 - The purpose of the law

"Church life" can be like "the law" - it should lead us to Christ

Gal 4:15 - What happened to all your joy?

Living for relationship (with Christ) brings joy - Psalm 16:11

Living for the "rules" steals your joy

Gal 4:17 - Who is trying to "win you over"

your "church history"?

"church people" you know?

the enemy?

Gal 4:21-31 - The Law Leads To Slavery

Gal 5 - 6: Live By The Spirit

The "rules" don't work - Col 2

The Resurrection Blues

The Trial

The Sanhedrin Convicts Jesus - Luke 22:66-71

Pilate finds no basis for Jesus to die

Pilate Sentences Jesus

The Crucifixion - Luke 23:26-49

The Burial - Luke 23:50-56

The Resurrection - Luke 24:1-12

The Road To Emmaus - Luke 24:13-53

The Setting

The disciples are deeply disappointed - "It's over - I'm out of here"

They were withdrawing.

Jesus Enters the Picture - Luke 24:15

Jesus is not absent during your times of disappointment.

Jesus is relational - he engages you "where you're at".

God wants to relate to you

"But we had hoped . . ." - Luke 24:21

Many of you are experiencing disappointment but were hoping for something else.

"How foolish you are . . ." - Luke 24:25

Jesus directed them to the scriptures.

You are responsible for interpreting your life and your experiences based on God's Word.

The Word explains what's taking place in the world around you.

"Then their eyes were opened" - Luke 24:31

Once they recognized Jesus they returned to Jerusalem.

Stop focusing on yourself and relying on yourself.

Allow Jesus into your situation.

They rejoin the disciples in Jerusalem - Luke 24:36-53

Jesus enabled them to understand the scriptures.

God wants to speak to your situation through his Word.

Jesus coached the disciples back to faith so that they could see him.

Once you recognize Jesus you need to stop withdrawing and return to the fellowship and your ministry.

Resurrection Revolution

Introduction Eph 1:1-14

Revolution Power - Eph 1:15-23

Revolution Promise - Wait for the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:1-14

Revolution Pattern: People, Power, Proclamation, Persecution, Persistence

The Revolution - Round 1

People - Acts 2:1

Power - Acts 2:2-4

God's power can reach anyone.

Proclamation - Acts 2:5-12

Persecution - Acts 2:13

Persistence - Acts 2:14-41

Peter spoke in spite of the persecution.

Questions

Where will you be the next time the Holy Spirit shows up?

What do you do when the Holy Spirit simply shows up?

The Revolution - Round 2

People - Acts 2:42-47

Power - Acts 3:1-8

Proclamation - Acts 3:9-26

Persecution - Acts 4:1-22

Persistence - Acts 4:23-31

Principles

Prayer increases our capacity to be a channel for God's power.

People provide opportunities for us to be channels of God's power.

"Who touched me?" - Luke 8:40-56

Preparation increases our ability to benefit from God's power.

Elisha and the Widow's Oil - 2Kings 4:1-7

Position is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of God's power.

Jesus sends out the 12 - Mat 10:1-16

Jesus sends out the 72 - Luke 10:1-12

Questions:

What are you devoting yourself to?

What are you sharing with your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Have you asked God to make you bold?

How's your prayer life? Are you praying for God to use you?

What needs are you encountering in the people around you? Are you asking God to enable you to meet them?

How are you preparing for God to use you?

The Revolution - Round 3

People - Acts 4:32 - 5:11

Vision - You need a vision!

Jesus' Vision - Heb 12:1-3

Early Church - Transforming the way Judaism was done - one household at a time!

Life Church Vision

Mission

Directed by Jesus - Mat 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-18; Acts 1:8

Bringing God's river of life to others - Rev 22:1-2 (Ez 47:1-12)

Prayer - increases our capacity

Preparation

None of them had done this before. When they were with Jesus, the crowds would come and go - now the crowds were staying.

Radical sharing; pouring into their brothers and sisters

Contrast with Hag 1:1-11

What's my role in making the vision happen?

Power - Acts 5:12-16

People provide opportunities for God's power to be demonstrated

Position - Solomon's Colonnade

Proclamation - Acts 5:17-25

Persecution - Acts 5:26-40

Persistence - Acts 5:41-42

Principles

Plant Kingdom Outposts

Kingdom Outpost

A geographical or virtual network of people

Centered on a man or woman of peace

Infiltrated by mature believers

Where outbreaks of God's power happen regularly

The Church is like a "Green Lantern power battery for local Kingdom Outposts.

The apostles proclaimed Jesus in the temple courts and from house to house.

Questions:

What are you doing to meet the needs of other believers?

Can you rejoice at suffering disgrace for the name of Jesus?

Preparation

Main Passage

NIV

Hebrew Study Bible

KJV

The Message

NASB

RSV

Exegetical Idea

Subject

Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why

Complement

Developmental Questions

Explain It: What does this mean?

Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?

Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?

Homiletical Idea

Purpose of the Sermon

Make it plain

Use accessible language and modern parables

Make sure people do something with the word God gives you for them.

Resurrection Revolution (continued)

Revolution Pattern (continued):

The Revolution - Round 4

People - Acts 6:1-7

Serving (diakonew)

Chosen by the people

Confirmed by the apostles

Taking responsibility

"FAT"

Faithful

Available

Teachable

Full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom

Surrender

Power - Acts 6:8

Proclamation - Acts 6:9-10

Persecution - Acts 6:11-15

Persistence - Acts 7:1-60

Principles

Vision

Mission

You have to fight

1Sam 22:1-2 - The hurting and unhappy came to David.

What impact did the fighting men have on them?

How did it mold them?

Neh 4:1-23 - Keep a brick in one hand and a sword in the other.

Some people prefer to fight.

Some people prefer to build.

Everyone must do both.

Obedience

Obedience through suffering - Heb 5:1-7

Jesus' reverent submission

Jesus learned obedience

Deny yourself; take up your cross - Luke 9:23-25

Let God choose the time and manner in which you "have fun"!

Things of the Spirit Rom 8:5-6

Lovers of pleasure - 2Tim 3:1-14

Pleasure - 1Tim 5:6

Questions:

Can you be faithful to the point of death?

Can you forgive your persecutors?

Conclusion

The disciples responded to the great commission by filling Jerusalem with their teaching - Acts 5:28

What is your Jerusalem?

Who is your team?

What are you doing fill your Jerusalem with the gospel?

Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)

Group A: Acts 5:1-11; Hag 1:1-11 (from last week)

Are you pretending to be more committed than you really are?

Are you afraid to let your life group see your real commitment level?

Would your life group accept you if they knew the real you?

Group B: Acts 6:1-7

Are you full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom? In what ways?

Do you put others first when dealing with problems?

What commitment have you made to serve in God's Kingdom?

Are you FAT (faithful, available, teachable)?

Are you serving on Sunday? If so, in what way; if not, why not?

Are you serving your life group? If so, in what way; if not, why not?

How is your devotion to Jesus Christ reflected in your Sunday service attendance and in your life group meeting attendance?

Do you get to Sunday service on time? How about your life group meeting? What does this say about your devotion to Jesus Christ?

Group C: Acts 6:8-10

Are you full of God's grace and power? Would you like to be?

What are you willing to do to be full of God's grace and power?

How well do you stand up against anti-Christian arguments?

Group D: Acts 6:11-15

Have you ever had to explain to unbelievers what God was doing?

Has anyone ever been jealous of what God was doing through you?

How do you respond when people are jealous of you or lie about you?

What does your face look like when people falsely accuse you?

Group E: Acts 7:1-60

Stephen summarized Jewish history for his accusers. How is your grasp of Bible history?

How have you used scripture to respond to critics?

Present the gospel as simply as you can in your own words.

Have you asked God to enable you to speak his Word boldly?

Group F: Mat 16:13-26; Mark 8:27-38; Luke 9:18-25

Are you trying to save your life or lose it? In what ways?

In what ways have you denied yourself recently?

In what ways have you taken up your cross today?

Witnessing Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings

Make sure everyone in your life group has a prayer partner.

Pick a base of operations as a focus for your group's outreach ministry.

Plan a social event for your group to which you can invite some of the unbelievers you've been praying for.

The Resurrection Revolution (Part 4)

Pastor Rocklyn E. Clarke - Sunday November 4, 2007