February 17-18, 2007                                                 LIFE 360!                                   Acts, Selected

LIFE FROM THE HEART!

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME – IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD!

WE WERE MADE BY GOD AND FOR GOD!

 

*** 2 Peter 1:3a “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.” [New Living Translation]

*** Pr. 19:21 “You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.” [NLT]

 

·   PURPOSE #1 - Living a Life Expressing Our Love for God = WORSHIP!

·   PURPOSE #2 - Living the Same Love for Each Other as God has for Us

= FELLOWSHIP!

·   PURPOSE #3 - Living like Jesus more an more each day! = DISCIPLESHIP!

·   PURPOSE #4 - Living and touching others with the compassion and care

of Jesus! = SERVICE!

 

*** Acts 20:24a “The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me….” [New Century Version]

*** 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.” [NLT]

 

*** Acts 2:44-45 “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” [NIV]

***  Acts 4:32, 34-5 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” [NIV]

They demonstrated the LIFE of service:

 

1. BY HAVING A HEART OF SHARING!

*** 2 Cor. 8:3-4 “They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to. [4] They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God's people.” [Contemporary English Version]

 

·         God Wants Us to be: A CONDUIT, NOT A CONTAINER! 

·         He Wants Us to be a RIVER not a RESERVOIR!

·         He Wants Us to be SERVANTS not SPECTATORS!

 

*** Acts 6:2-7 “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. [3] Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them [4] and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."    [5] This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. [6] They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  [7] So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly….” [NIV]

 

2. BY USING THEIR S.H.A.P.E.!

·       SPIRITUAL GIFTS! – 1 Cor. 12:7 “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” [NLT] 

·       HEART! – Proverbs 27:19 “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.” [NLT]

·       ABILITIES! –Romans 12:6a “God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” [NLT]

·       PERSONALITY! –1 Cor. 12:6 “And there are different ways that God works in people; but all these ways are from the same God. God works in us all in everything we do.” [International Children’s Bible

·       EXPERIENCES! - 2 Cor. 1:4 “He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.” [CEV]

 

*** 1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”  [CEV]

 

*** Acts 9:31, 36-42 “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. [36] In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. [37] About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. [38] Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" [39] Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. [40] Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. [41] He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers & the widows and presented her to them alive. [42] This became known all over Joppa, & many people believed in the Lord.” [NIV]

 

3. BY HAVING A HEART OF SERVICE!

*** Ecc. 9:10a “Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily!” [Message Bible]

*** Galatians 5:13 “For you have been called to serve one another in love.” [NLT]

*** Acts 9:39 “Peter went with them. The men took Peter upstairs into the room. Many widows were there crying. They showed him the coats and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was still alive.” [CEV]

 

4. BY INVESTING THEIR LIVES IN SOMETHING

THAT WILL OUTLAST IT!

*** Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'” [NIV]

***  Hebrews 6:10 “God…will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.”  [NLT]

 

YOU CAN DO THREE THINGS WITH YOUR LIFE: WASTE IT!  SPEND IT! INVEST IT!