January 24-25, 2004 24/7 ADVENTURE! Selected

MY PART OF THE WHOLE!

***Proverbs 16:9“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” [NLT]

*** Psalm 33:11 “But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.”

[Today’s English Version]

·  WE ARE PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE – WORSHIP!

·  WE ARE FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY – FELLOWSHIP!

·   WE ARE CREATED TO BE LIKE CHRIST – DISCIPLESHIP!

*** Eph. 2:10 “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

[New Living Translation]

·   WE ARE SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD - MINISTRY!

*** 1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God's various gifts of grace. [New Century Version]

*** 1 Cor. 14:12 “Since you are so anxious to have special gifts from the Holy Spirit, ask him for the very best, for those that will be of real help to the whole church.” [Living Bible]

·    WE SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS!

*** John 17:18 “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” [Message]

$ GOD GAVE US A MINISTRY TO BELIEVERS AND

A MISSION TO UNBELIEVERS!

·   WE ARE MADE FOR A MISSION – EVANGELISM!

*** Acts 20:24 “I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace.” [New Century Version]

·      Matthew 28:19 “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…” [Contemporary English Version]

·      Mark 16:15 "You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” [LB]

·      Luke 24:47 “This message of salvation should be taken from Jerusalem to all the nations: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.” [LB]

·      John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." [LB]

·      Acts 1:8 “Then you will tell everyone about me…." [CEV]

$ EVANGELISM or WITNESSING: it is SIMPLY TALKING ABOUT JESUS!

*** 1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are the ones chosen by God…chosen to be…God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you— from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

OUTLINE FOR SHARING YOUR FAITH:

·TELL WHAT YOUR LIFE WAS LIKE BEFORE YOU MET CHRIST!

·TELL WHAT CONVINCED YOU THAT YOU NEEDED JESUS IN YOUR LIFE!

·TELL HOW YOU ACCEPTED JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD!

·TELL THE DIFFERENCE JESUS HAS MADE IN YOUR LIFE!

*** Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." [New International Version]

PHILIP LIVED OUT A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE!

*** Acts 6:2-5…context… “Now look around among yourselves [FELLOWSHIP], brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom [WORSHIP - DISCIPLESHIP]. We will put them in charge of this business [MINISTRY].” This idea pleased the whole group, and they chose the following: Stephen…, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas….” [NLT]

$ GOD HAD A JOB…PHILIP WAS FAITHFUL…

THE BODY WAS BUILT-UP!

*** Acts 8:1,4-5 “Widespread persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Most believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. The believers who were scattered went from place to place, where they spread the word. Philip went to the city of Samaria and told people about the Messiah [EVANGELISM].”

[God’s Word to the Nations]

*** Acts 8:26-40 “The Lord's angel said to Philip, "Go south along the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza." So Philip left. An important Ethiopian official happened to be going along that road in his chariot…and was now on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip to catch up with the chariot. Philip ran up close…Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, "Look! Here is some water. Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. Philip later appeared in Azotus. He went from town to town, all the way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus.” [CEV]

*** Acts 21:8 “We went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food.” [NLT]

$ WHAT DO ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON – THEY LIVED OUT GOD’S PURPOSES FOR THEIR LIVES!

$ WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE

THAT WILL LAST FOR ETERNITY ?