Sermon 9-7-2013

Gathering the Heard!

We are a CHURCH family!

Sermon 4

Acts 1&2

We are the workers

Acts 1:6–11 (ESV)

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

·      We are soldiers in the fight

·      We don’t need to worry about the future

·      Jesus says this:

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Luke 12:28–31 (ESV)

²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. ³⁰ For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

·      Some of you are to worried about Gods plan

·      We need to keep our eyes focused on what Gods plan is today

·      Jesus tells us to be his Witness, the role of the body of Christ is to be His witness where?

o   The ends of the earth!

The angels were saying “ go to work you have your marching orders!

God has a plan for us all and we need to be mindful of what he is calling us, right here in this little church, to do. A good solider takes orders well. We follow those appointed over us. God places all authority over us. And if His plan is to kill a country, or build a church we need to remember its His plan not ours. We need to be mindful of what God is calling us to do today, and reach people for when he returns. All throughout the bible Jesus warns us to be ready for His return. So what is our role in His church, Reach the LOST!

They Prayed!

Acts 1:14 (ESV)

¹⁴ All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

·      Prayer is the way we communicate with the trinity!

·      Prayer is out hot line the Heaven!

·      Prayer helps us see where we need to change

Why Pray??

While I was studying for this sermon I read an interesting article by Leonard Ravenhill and he said this: “There’s nothing more transfiguring than prayer. People often ask, “Why do you insist on prayer so much?” The answer is very simple: because Jesus did.”

·      The reason the first church prayed was because Jesus did

·      He set the example for us all

·      And they followed

·      So should we!

Ever major hurdle in Jesus ministry before he made a decision he prayed!

Luke 3:21–22 (ESV)

²¹ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

·      Jesus was in conversation with God, His father, During his baptism

·      Jesus was in constant communication, he made no earthly decision with out God

·      And God answered him!

Luke 5:15–16 (ESV)

¹⁵ But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. ¹⁶ But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

·      Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer

·      It only makes sense that the church should also

·      We need to be a church that prays, and always looks to God for wisdom

·      We have a lot of things going on, buildings, and travel, and Church’s needing help. We have to as a church pray for Gods guidance in it all

·      And most of all pray for your leaders, your pastor, his wife! God has placed a great burden on us to guide and lead His flock.

Luke 6:12–13 (ESV)

¹² In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. ¹³ And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:

·      Jesus sought Gods wisdom before picking leaders

·      And among them was the one who would betray Him

·      God had a plan even for Judes

·      Don’t ever doubt God, be a solider, and follow God!

Luke 9:28–29 (ESV)

²⁸ Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

·      During prayer Jesus true heart was reveled

·      And so can yours be

·      If you go to God, with a broken spirit focused on Him, you to can be transformed!

So, then the question is. How do we pray??

Read Matthew 6:5–15 (ESV)

One, don’t be a hypocrite!

·      Don’t pray because you want to impress someone

·      You know the ones that pray for 30 min before you eat

·      Phil from Duck Dynasty

·      Pray because you need to, because you need to get right with God

·      Pray to glorify God not you

Two, have quite time with God

·      When your alone you can be real

·      Pour your heart out to God

·      Talk to Him like you talk to everyone else

·      Don’t be fake

·      He already knows what your need

·      He cant change you unless your genuine and honest

·      He loves you right where your at

·      Just like your talking to me, wait for a response

o   So many time we do all the talking

Forgiveness is the key!

For us to move forward as a church, we must be in a constant state of forgiveness! Forgiveness is an important part of your prayer life. Without it the church cant do Gods mission. I see to many people getting sideways with each other and not making it right. That slows us down, and grieves the Holy Spirit! For us to continue to grow and reach the lost we will be in a constant state of change, and change brings conflict and conflict brings un-forgiveness!

Jesus said:

Matthew 5:23–24 (ESV)

²³ So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Paul said:

Ephesians 4:25–32 (ESV)

²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil. ²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Prayer is so important to a church. It breathes life in to it. Gossip, malice, un-forgiveness can kill it. We have to be a church that prays. Jesus was our great example and so the first church followed. They prayed, they sought the face of the one true God.  You want to be a great member of this church start praying, start praying for the new people that walks in the door, start praying for the leaderships, start praying for the band, start praying for the arena team, start praying for the church we are helping, and start praying for the people sitting right next to you.

They raised up leaders!

Acts 1:23–26 (ESV)

²³ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Through out church history, there has always been a shortage of leadership. Form the begin we have always need strong, Godly leadership.

From Moses:

Exodus 18:21 (ESV)

²¹ Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

To Jesus:

Matthew 10:1 (ESV)

10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

·      Its important that we train up Good leaders

·      We must make disciples for Christ

·      Its up to you to get involved

·      If we want to grow we must grow our Lay leaders

·      Don’t look at the person siting next to you look in the mirror

·      Can you lead a kids class

·      Can you host a small group

·      Can you lead a small group

·      You cant if you don’t get involved

·      I hear a lot of people bad mouthing leadership, but I don’t see many stepping up to the call to lead

·      Most people who lead this church have full time Jobs and put in anywhere from 5 to 30 hours a week serving

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Soon we will be starting a discipleship class for you to grow in your faith and understanding for what God is calling you to do! I encourage you to find a way to make it. Please get in a small group. Get involved in the women’s group, the men’s group, or the couples groups. But please GET INVOLVED!