Sunday AM Remix 1.22.12
“Why You Should Believe the Gospel”
Acts 2:14-41
* Have you heard, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” …. That’s dumb!!!
* REALITY: What you don’t know can hurt you.
* TRUTH: You will be held accountable for the things you know and don’t know!
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 (NLT)
* The Gospel = “Good News” The good news is that the Creator of the universe has stepped out of Heaven in the person of Jesus Christ to redeem us sinners to give us life eternally.
* Gospel living is different that being religious.
* Difference between Religion and Gospel Centered Living.
** Religion is man’s way of getting to God. The Gospel is God’s way of getting to man.
** Religion says, ‘if I obey, God will love me’. The Gospel says, ‘because God loves me, I can obey’.
** Religion depends on what I can do. The Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.
** Religion has the goal to get stuff from God. The Gospel has the goal to get God.
** Ultimately, religion is about me. The Gospel is about Jesus.
* The Very first Gospel message ever preached is found in Acts 2:14-41 and it was given to Religious people.
YOU SHOULD BELIEVE THE GOSPEL BECAUSE …
1. THE PROPHECIES that have been FULFILLED.
“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and Your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”’ Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV)
* TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: It’s doesn’t matter where you have been or what you have done, when you call on the name of the Lord, you will be saved.
PROPHECIES JESUS FULFILLED
* Born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 – Matthew 2:1
* Proceeded by a messenger. Isaiah 40:3 – Matthew 3:1-2
* Enter Jerusalem on a colt. Zechariah 9:9 – Luke 19:35-37
* Betrayed by a friend. Psalm 41:9 – Matthew 25:26
* Feet & hands would be pierced. Psalm 22:16-17 – Matthew 27:35
* Whipped by his enemies. Isaiah 53:5 – Matthew 27:26
* Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Zech.11:12-13 – Matt. 26:15
* Spit upon. Isaiah 50:6 – Matthew 26:67-68
* Crucified among criminals. Isaiah 53:12 – Matthew 27:38
* Gamble for his clothing. Psalm 22:18 – Mark 15:24
* Pierced through. Zechariah 12:10 – John 19:34
* Darkness upon his death. Amos 8:9 – Mark 15:33
* Buried as a criminal in a rich man’s tomb. Isaiah 53:9 – Matthew 28:57-58
* There are 333 Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament 224 of them are fulfilled in Jesus.
Odds of fulfilling just 8 of these prophesies: 1 IN A SEPTILLION (10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000).
2. THE MIRACLES that Jesus PERFORMED.
‘Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know . . .’ Acts 2:22 (NKJV)
* Miracles – Go against all odds; Wonders – make us think how could this happen; Signs – Point us in the direction of Christ.
* TRUTH: Miracles happen to point people to Christ!
3. THE GRAVE of Jesus IS EMPTY.
‘Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him: “I foresaw the LORD always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.” Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.’ Acts 2:23-32 (NKJV)
* TRUTH: The Gospel will mean nothing to us until we realize that it was our sin, (my sin) that nailed Jesus to the Cross.
4. THE ENEMIES of Jesus WILL BE DEFEATED.
‘For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Acts 2:34-36 (NKJV)
“Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:29 (NKJV)
* The rejection of Christ is the only sin you can’t be forgiven for.
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL?
* When the Gospel drives deep down in your heart you become undone.
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:37-38 (NKJV)
* BELIEVE wholeheartedly.
* REPENT sincerely.
* CONFESS publicly.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What excuses do people use for not knowing God or understanding the Gospel? Read Romans 1:20. What does God say about this? Why are there no excuses?
2. If you had to describe the Gospel to someone in three minutes or less what would you say? What Scriptures would you use?
3. What are some differences between the Gospel and religion? Why is religion so dangerous?
4. Read Acts 2:14-17. God says He will one day pour out His Spirit on ‘on flesh’. Pastor Bob pointed out that God does not pour out His Spirit without exception but without distinction. What does that mean? Why is this important?
5. Read Acts 2:14-21. The Apostle Peter pointed to the prophesy of Joel to strengthen his argument for the Gospel. There are more than 200 messianic prophesies fulfilled in the New Testament that point to Jesus being the Savior of the world. How does this strengthen your faith? How could you use this to share your faith with a friend?
6. Read Acts 2:22. How do Jesus’ miracles point to His deity? Have you ever witnessed a miracle? What is the ultimate point of God doing miracles and wonders today?
7. Read Acts 2:23. How did we help crucify Jesus? How does that strengthen your life Jesus Christ?
8. Read Acts 2:24-32. What difference would it make if they found the bones of Jesus? How does the truth of the resurrection separate Christianity from all the other major religions of the world?
9. Read Acts 2:37-38. The Jews were ‘undone’ or ‘pierced through’ by the Gospel? When is the last time you’ve felt like this? Why is this a proper response to the Gospel?
10. What does it mean to repent of sin? Why is it not good enough just to be sorry for your sin?
11. Why is baptism an important part of a believers life? What are some excuses you’ve heard for not being baptized? What would be your response to a person who professes to be a Christian but refuses to then be baptized?
MUSICAL WORSHIP SET
Hosanna
Your Grace is Enough
Revelation Song
Christ is Risen
Praise the Father, Praise the Son
We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.
As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.
Sunday AM Remix – 1.15.12
“A Real Ghost Story”
Acts 2:1-13
* You can’t understand the book of Acts until you have an understanding of the Holy Spirit.
* REALITY: Most Baptist Churches Seldom talk about the Holy Spirit.
* Sometimes we are afraid of the Holy Spirit because we have a lack of knowledge of who He is and what He does.
* God will only call you to do things for your good and for His Glory.
“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2 (ESV)
* The Hebrew Word for Spirit is Ruwach (Roo’-akh) – wind; a violent exhalation; a blast of breath
* The Greek Word for SpiritPneuma (pnyoo’-mah) – a strong breeze or current of air
Cross references: Genesis 1:2 : Jer. 4:23
3 QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT:
* The Day of Pentecost is a one time event where the Holy Spirit was given to believers to empower them and draw others to Jesus.
* REMEMBER: Bethlehem reveals God with us, Calvary reveals God for us, and Pentecost reveals God in us.
1. WHAT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
* In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit showed up on occasion to specify people. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit stays with us.
* In the Old Testament the Holy spirit came in the form of wind and Fire.
** Wind – people could feel but not see
** Fire – used to purify
* Baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at conversion, (when someone confesses sin and believes in the work of Jesus on the Cross)
“Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NLT)
* Some believe that since The Apostles received the Holy Spirit in such a way that we all receive Him that way. However,the Apostles are the exception not the rule because the Holy Spirit is now here.
“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.)” Romans 8:9 (NLT)
* You can’t be a Christian without the Holy Spirit … You do not graduate from Jesus because there is nothing better.
* REALITY: The real question is not about having more of the Holy Spirit, but about the Holy Spirit having more of you.
* The Spirit is always there … but are we with Him?
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. . .” Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
2. SHOULD EVERYONE WHO IS BAPTIZED IN AND FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT SPEAK IN TONGUES?
* No! Next Question (just kidding)
* 2 types of Tongues used in the Bible
- Native language
- Heavenly/Prayer language
* Tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, since it is a gift just like the other Spiritual Gifts, not everyone has it.
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NLT)
* Just because men abuse the gift of tongues doesn’t mean that God doesn’t give it or use it as a Spiritual Gift.
* The evidence of the Holy Spirit isn’t always found in speaking in tongues, but in learning how to control the tongue you have.
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:18-21 (NKJV)
* Music is the language of the soul.
- Many of us are prison singers, behind a few bars and can’t find the key.
- God doesn’t expect you to be an expert singer, he just desires that you worship. That’s why the Bible says to Make a Joyful Noise!
3. HOW CAN I BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?
~ Acknowledge His PRESENCE in your lives.
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:38 (ESV)
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)
* Some of us still have not acknowledge the Holy Spirit in our life.
Cross references:
1. Acts 2:38 : Acts 3:19; 20:21; 26:18, 20; Luke 24:47
2. Acts 2:38 : Acts 22:16; [Acts 8:12]; See Mark 16:16
3. Acts 2:38 : Acts 10:48; See Acts 8:16
4. Acts 2:38 : See Mark 1:4
5. Acts 2:38 : Acts 10:45; [Acts 8:15, 20; 11:17]; See John 7:39
~ Empty yourself of ANY KNOWN SIN.
* You have to be empty before you can be filled up.
“Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV)
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
* Some of us don’t experience the power of the Holy Spirit because we keep putting out the Spirits Fire.
~ PRAY to be filled.
‘Which of you fathers, if your son asks fora fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!’ Luke 11:11-13 (NIV)
Cross references:
1. Acts 1:8 : Acts 4:33; Luke 24:49; 1 Thess. 1:5; [Acts 10:38; Luke 4:14]
3. Acts 1:8 : [Acts 1:22]; See Luke 24:48
4. Acts 1:8 : [Isa. 43:12]
5. Acts 1:8 : Acts 8:1, 14; [Matt. 10:5]
6. Acts 1:8 : Acts 13:47; [Mark 16:15; Col. 1:23]
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom . . .” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
* The Holy Spirit did His work in writing the Scripture; and when we read and study the Scripture, we are allowing Him to fill up our life and our mind with His thoughts and His power.
~ Practice OBEDIENCE.
‘Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.’ John 14:21 (NLT)
* When you disobey Jesus you quench the Spirit in your life. When you obey, even though it’s difficult and tedious, you make it more and more possible for the Holy Spirit to flow through your life.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. List some reasons people are afraid of the Holy Spirit. What reservations do you have for allowing the Holy Spirit to have total control of your life?
2. Read Acts 2:1-4. The Holy Spirit is seen as wind and fire. Why? Where else is this seen in Scripture?
3. Pastor Bob talked about how Bethlehem, Calvary, and Pentecost are similar in that they are all one-time experiences never to be repeated. Why is that important to know? What impact do all of these have on Christians today?
4. How is the presence of the Holy Spirit in believer’s lives different in the New Testament than the Old Testament?
5. When is a Christian baptized in the Holy Spirit? Read Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 8:9. Why is this important to understand?
6. Read Ephesians 5:18-21. What’s the difference between being baptized in the Spirit and filled with the Spirit? What are some marks of a Spirit filled Christian?
7. What is speaking in tongues? Have you ever experienced it yourself or with someone close to you? Do you think God still uses this gift today with believer’s?
8. What is our responsibility in being filled with the Spirit? What are ways that we ‘quench’ (1 Thess. 5:19) the Spirit in our life?
9. What area of your life have you been reluctant to fully hand over to God? Why? What do you sense you are struggling to do with your own power and not in God’s power?
10. What is the one ‘take away’ about the Holy Spirit that is most meaningful and necessary for you today?
MUSICAL WORSHIP SET
Come Thou Fount
Our God
Nothing But The Blood
You Are God Alone
Blessed Be Your Name
We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.
As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.
Sunday AM Remix – 1.08.12
“Mission Possible”
Acts 1
“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.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)
* Nothing is impossible if we do it God’s Way!
* No One is mission impossible
* QUESTION: Where does it seem impossible for God to be working in your life? Have you ever put God in the “This is Impossible” Box?
*REALITY: Impossible Things become Possible when God’s People, do God’s Work, God’s Way!
THE CHURCH’S MISSION OF BEING A WITNESS TO THE WORLD FOR CHRIST IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE . . .
1. WAIT ON GOD’S TIMING.
“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:4-5 (ESV)
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, ‘Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlonghe burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it”; and “Let another take his office.” So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.’ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:12-26 (ESV)
* Sometimes we get way ahead of God’s timing, because we want it now.
* Being the Church is a together deal. The Holy Spirit moves in greater power when the Church is in Unity.
* TRUTH: God has a plan even when we feel like He doesn’t!!!!
* CONFESSION: In what areas or ways have I had a hard time waiting on God?
4 Kinds of Wrong Waiting:
- Red-Light Waiting.
* Revved up ready to go but everyone including God seems to be in the way.
* Causes us to try to manipulate and control God
- Bruise the Fruit Waiting.
* Waiting impatiently on God to do something in someone else.
- Refuse the Detour Waiting.
* Going around the detour because we think we have a better way.
- Burnt Tongue Waiting.
* If I would have just waited …
“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalms 27:14 (NKJV)
“Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.” Psalms 37:34 (NKJV)
“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
* We must understand that the Journey is not a know Journey, it is a Go Journey.
2. DEPEND ON GOD’S POWER.
* TRUTH: Gods People, with God’s Power, produces God’s Results, for God’s Glory!
“So when they had come together, they asked Him, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 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.’ 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. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.’” Acts 1:6-11 (ESV)
Cross references:
1. Acts 1:6 : See Luke 17:20
2. Acts 1:6 : [Mic. 4:8; Matt. 17:11; Mark 9:12; Luke 19:11]
3. Acts 1:7 : [Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32]
4. Acts 1:7 : Dan. 2:21; 1 Thess. 5:1
5. Acts 1:8 : ch. 4:33; Luke 24:49; 1 Thess. 1:5; [ch. 10:38; Luke 4:14]
7. Acts 1:8 : [ver. 22]; See Luke 24:48
8. Acts 1:8 : [Isa. 43:12]
9. Acts 1:8 : ch. 8:1, 14; [Matt. 10:5]
10. Acts 1:8 : ch. 13:47; [Mark 16:15; Col. 1:23]
12. Acts 1:9 : See 1 Thess. 4:17
13. Acts 1:10 : [Luke 24:4]
14. Acts 1:10 : Josh. 5:13; Dan. 9:21; 10:5; 12:6, 7; Zech. 1:8-11
15. Acts 1:10 : Matt. 28:3; Mark 16:5; John 20:12
16. Acts 1:11 : ch. 2:7; 13:31
17. Acts 1:11 : [Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 1:10]; See Matt. 16:27
18. Acts 1:11 : 2 Thess. 1:10
“We give honor to God. He is able to make you strong as I preach from the Holy Writings about Jesus Christ. It was a secret hidden from the beginning of the world. But now it is for us to know. The early preachers wrote about it. God says it is to be preached to all the people of the world so men can put their trust in God and obey Him. May God, Who only is wise, be honored forever through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let it be so.” Romans 16:25-27 (NLT)
* REALITY: More Christians are depending on their own power instead of relying on God’s Power.
* God has demonstrated His Power in Miracles, and does demonstrate His Power in Miracles, but the point is not about the miracle, it’s about His Power for us to be a Witness.
3 Human Substitutes for Holy Spirit Power for Witnessing:
- Obligation
* You go to church and hear teachers/preachers say, “Do your job. Have you told anyone about Jesus? Just do it!! Just get out there and do it!” You say, ‘Ok, ok. I’m under contract and obligation.’
- Guilt
* You know if you really loved the Lord, you’d tell someone. You must not really love Him or you’d say something. You walk out feeling like garbage. So out of guilt you try to share.
- Formula
* If I can just learn this … then I would share Christ more.
* REALITY: Nothing compares to a personal experience!
* The best witness is someone who has had a personal experience with Jesus and tells others from that perspective.
3. FOCUS ON GOD’S PLAN.
‘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.’ Acts 1:8 (ESV)
- We are to go to our community (Jerusalem), our country (Judea, Samaria) and to the continents (the end of the earth).
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What have been some of your favorite experiences in church? What experiences have been difficult or disappointing?
2. When you talk about your church what do you mention most? Why?
3. Read Ephesians 5:25. How are Christians supposed to love God’s church today? In practical terms, what does that look like for each of us? How are you doing?
4. Where is it most difficult for you to be a witness for Jesus Christ? Why? How is it different from anywhere else?
5. Read Acts 1:1-5. What did Jesus order the disciples to do? Why? What would have happened if they ignored Jesus’ command and moved forward?
6. Do you have difficulty waiting on God? Read Ps. 27:14, 37:34, and Is. 40:31. What are the promises given for those who wait? What is God making you wait on right now in your life?
7. Read Acts 1:6-11. Where was the real power going to come from to turn the world upside down for Christ? How do we receive that same power today? Do you depend on Him to witness to others, or do you tend to trust your own timing, personality, and persuasiveness?
8. Describe your last heart pounding, mind-boggling, pulse quickening encounter with God? How often do you think God wants us to experience these moments with Him? How would frequent experiences like this help you in witnessing?
9. Read Acts 1:8 again. What is God’s plan for the church to reach the world? How do you see our church obeying/disobeying this command? How are you helping right now?
10. What is God’s main message to you today through this study?
MUSICAL WORSHIP SET
When the Water Rise
The Wonderful Cross
Awakening
Healing Is In Your Hands
Blessed Be Your Name
We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.
As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.
You Are Special
Tonight at our Family Dinner I had the “God thinks you are Special Today” plate. It’s something we started a while ago with our boys to let them know that God thinks they’re special and so do we. The rule is simple, whoever has the plate gets to hear from every member of the family one thing that that family member likes about them and what make them so special. Both boys had the plate earlier in the week. It’s been a lot of fun and encouraging to our boys; it’s something we do that causes them to glow for the rest of the night. Well tonight, it was my turn. When it got to Josiah turn to share, I’ll never forget what he said. After some thought He said, “I like that you read the Bible with me and pray with me.”
Wow, what do you say to that? I wish I could say that we read the Bible together every night, but that’s not always the case. However it is something we are trying to get back into the habit of doing nightly, especially now that he has said this tonight. The first time around I read to him, but this time around, Josiah is reading from his own Bible. Yes, it takes much longer, but it gives him an opportunity to develop reading skills and comprehension skills as we read through it and then talk about what he has just read. We just finished our reading for tonight and I have to say, it was very humbling and awesome to know that my son has a great desire to read the Bible. I am praying that it begins a hunger in him for Gods Word that will guide the rest of His life and become something that he continues to do on a daily basis.
It’s just another reminder that intentional times with your kids are important. These small things turn into big things that forever impact your child’s Character.
5 Gauges for Health (part 5)
Believe it or not, God has given each of us the capability of learning new things. Now some of us may take longer to learn them, but we have been created to learn. We all have this need to grow intellectually. That’s why we go to school, college, and seminars, so we can learn the things we need to know to help us get by in life! This is why we will continue to read books not just for entertainment, but also to learn new things.
Can you imagine what it would be like if you never learned to tie your shoe? Now we sit here today and say man that’s stupid, it’s easy to tie your shoes. But when you were learning to tie your shoe, it was the most challenging thing for you to learn at that time. The reason we can say that it’s easy now is because we didn’t give up when we couldn’t do it the first time. We developed the intellectual ability to tie our own shoes. Hopefully that same tenacity and learning process will cause us to commit to be a life long learner. Scripture says,
“Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” Proverbs 9:9 (NLT)
As we enter a New Year what will you do to continue growing becoming Intellectually Healthy? Here are some questions that I use to help me see how healthy I am in this area.
Now that you have thought through and/or thinking about your Intellectual Health, I encourage you to take some time to write down some goals to work towards in 2012.
My Intellectual Health Goals for 2012
1. Learn more about some of my hobbies
2. Read at least 6 books on leadership/Theology/Discipleship
3. Teach something new so I have to learn it also.
As you look at these five areas I am sure you will see areas where you are doing well and areas you need to do better. This year these are five areas that I really want to focus on and want to challenge you to look at as well. I understand that as a Husband, Father, and Leader that my health will lead to growth, why, because healthy things grow!!! Good luck and Happy New Year!!
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21(NLT)
5 Gauges for Health – (part 4)
We all have the need to feel love, accepted, valued, encouraged, and the list goes on. God has created us with emotions! We can be happy, or sad, confident or afraid. However, each of us have certain emotional needs that need to be met and if they are not met, we begin to feel alone, isolated and depressed. They can cause us to cut, and/or even become suicidal. Our Emotional need’s play a huge factor in who we are and who we become. When we understand that we were created as emotional beings by an emotional God and learn to be with Him, we can become emotionally healthy. Scripture says,
“A glad heart makes a happy face, a broken heart crushes the spirit.” Psalm 15:13 (NLT)
Emotional Health is sometimes ignored. But if we aren’t careful it can do serious damage. As we enter a New Year will you take some steps to become/remain Emotionally Healthy? Here are some questions that I use to help me see how healthy I am in this area.
Now that you have thought through and/or thinking about your Emotional Health, I encourage you to take some time to write down some goals to work towards in 2012.
My Emotional Health Goals for 2012
1. Confide in a trusted friend and talk though the day-to-day things
2. Get at least 6 hours of sleep each night
3. Let God do the things that only he can do and not try to do them also.
5 Gauges for Health – (part 2)
Many times when we think of New Years Resolutions it includes some aspect of getting our bodies healthy. Whether it is starting a new diet or beginning to exercise these are important when it comes to our PHYSICAL HEALTH. This is the second thing that I evaluate as I reflect on the past year and make goals for the new year.
Now I am not saying that God has created all of us to be athletes, but He has created us to be physical. Each of us has a need for some type of physical activity to remain healthy.
I don’t know about you but I have heard and seen more health club/ infomercials about working out more in the last month than any other time of the year. It’s because health clubs understand that people will make New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight or start working out! Sometimes it takes a New Year to realize we are out of shape. But understand that God has created each of us with physical needs and we need to take care of our bodies! Look what the Bible says,
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT)
By getting enough sleep and simply exercising at least 12 minutes a day with an increased heart rate, you will experience a Physical change. You begin to feel better, you think better thoughts about yourself, and you become healthier. Will you take some time to think through these questions to see how you are doing in this area.
Now that you have thought through and/or thinking about your Physical Health, I encourage you to take some time to write down some goals to work towards in 2012.
My Physical Health Goals for 2012
1. Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night
2. Develop a “Me Time” to work out and build my schedule around it
3. Start a food journal to evaluate what I eat
5 Gauges for Health – (part 1)
Over the next couple of days I am going to share with you 5 things I always look at as I head into a new year and evaluate as I look back on the past year. I hope that you will find this helpful as you take on 2012. The first gauge I look at as I begin to evaluate the past year and look forward to the new year is my own SPIRITUAL HEALTH!
Believe it or not but God has given each of us spiritual needs. We have all been hardwired by God to know the Creator of the Universe, God Himself. Now please understand that many people say that they are spiritual. However, many of them are simply trying to fill a God sized hole by religious acts or good works, and it is leaving them feeling empty instead. (I’ve been here have you?) This happens when we try to fill this void with anything other than Jesus Christ. It’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole, we try and try and try until we give up saying it’s impossible. Jesus Christ is the only thing that can and will fill this void or God size hole that you have been created with. When we resolve to know Christ as Lord and Savior, by confessing & repenting of our sin and putting our faith in His life, death, and resurrection, The Bible says that we become new,
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Now, like any relationship, for it to be a healthy relationship it requires quality time, strong commitment, and open and consistent communication. Your relationship with Christ is the same way.
When we understand our Spiritual Needs, we will begin to have a better understanding of all of the other needs we have as well. Why, because we are going to understand more about how and why we were created! Look what the Bible says,
“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2 (NLT)
So, in 2012, will you resolve to be spiritually healthy? Here are some questions that will allow you to see how well you are doing in this area.
Now that you have thought through and/or thinking about your Spiritual Health, I encourage you to take some time to write down some goals to work towards in 2012.
My Spiritual Health Goals for 2012
1. Develop a Deeper Prayer Life by keeping a prayer journal
2. Work through all of the MasterLife workbooks
3. Memorize Scripture
4. Lead by being with Jesus not just doing the things of Jesus.
About Me
This is the daily journey of a Christ Follower, Husband, Father, Community Pastor at First Baptist Church Harvester, and Social Media Enthusiast!
